long distance on a special?

[mcompton1973]

Years ago I had an XS11 Special. It was a good bike, but the person had put on some crazy bars, and a half fairing that directed wind pretty much right to my face.

Currently I am looking at getting a new bike because I am starting work in Tulsa, OK. I live in Omaha, NE. For the next few weeks I have to go down Monday and drive back home Fridays to see my wife and daughter that wont move until school is out. I have been renting a car, but thought maybe I will just get another bike and use that for those 7 hour trips home.

What I have found affordable are CB750s, GS850s/GS1100, a couple KZs some older naked Gullwings, and a couple XS11's. I like the XS11 I had, and I think if I could find a standard with a fairing or decent windscreen, that would be the best bet...but all of them that I am seeing are Specials.

The trip is 400 miles, about 7 hours. Mainly on 2 lane highway (highway 75 runs from Omaha to Topeka to Tulsa) at 60-65mph. I am looking for something I dont have to manhandle, will haul my old tired 220lb rear end (5'10) and get me 40+ mpg. Trying to stay under $1500 for something that is road worthy. I liked my old XS, and I think most of what I didnt love about it wasnt stock. Wondering if the Special would be OK for trips like this. Only thing I really dont like so far would be stopping for gas every 100 miles or so.

Thoughts?

[dpotter58]

Sure it would. The seating and bars are a little different and the gas tank only gets you around 100 miles at a time but I'm ready to get off at 100 anyhow

[haywardguy929]

Sounds like the cost of a bike will save you money in the long run vs renting a car and you end up owning a bike. win-win

[mcompton1973]

Sounds like the cost of a bike will save you money in the long run vs renting a car and you end up owning a bike. win-win

Well that is kind of what I am thinking. I found a special that comes with a standard parts bike. The parts bike even has a title. It cost me 75 a weekend to rent the car. The only thing is it looks like the Goldwings, and the Suzuki's GS1100 get quite a bit better mpg. Is 35 really as good as it will get?

[CatatonicBug]

I have made the trip from St. Louis to Dallas (via Tulsa) on my MNS. I've done several similar long trips as well. The seat was the only problem for me. Once I made a "Vetter Magic Seat Board", all concerns about comfort on long trips are gone! I have a Vetter fairing, and that makes the air flow very comfortable even at the highest speeds I am comfortable pushing it to. The down side is that if you are looking for 40+ mpg, you'll need it tuned REALLY well, and you'll need to travel at 55mph the whole trip.

[BA80]

I've ridden my SG from here to Minnesota, South Texas, and North Carolina. I've made these long trips many times and believe me, your backside and arms appreciate stopping for gas every couple hours..

I've also made that ride on 75 to Topeka. I can testify it sucks. There is a gazillion little towns you have to twist and turn through. Youd do better hitting 20 south to KC and then 169 south out of Olathe, Ks. That's SW KC on the Kanas side.

I'm here in Tulsa and there are some good xsives in KC so you'll have plenty of support on the road with the XS.

[mcompton1973]

Good to know there are some people down there. The bike I'm considering right now is in Owasso. I have been making that drive from here down there and back once a week for the last month. From Tulsa to Topeka is the worst part. From Topeka to Omaha is straight highway and only 3 towns to slow down for.

[BA80]

Try the route I suggested. I can guarantee it'll be faster. It goes right through Owasso.

What part of Tulsa are you working in?

[mcompton1973]

I sell roofs after hail storms. I'm eventually moving near Okema...to the south a ways. Right now working a storm that came through Owasso last weekend. I will be all over the metro depending on where the storm hits. I will look up the way you said. I actually between Omaha and Lincoln so I'll check it out when I get home about that route.

[BA80]

Ha ha....you'll LOVE the weather here compared to Omaha. Well, except the hail and tornados. I have lived down here more than 20 years between here and Texas an I've never seen a tornado though.

Here is the route on Mapquest. If you have GPS it'll be simple.

[mcompton1973]

yeah, the weather is one of the main reasons my wife wants to move down there. Originally wanted to be north of Dallas in Texas, but land is too expensive. We bought 20 acres.the hail storms I do not care about. In fact, I like hail storms, that is what pays my bills. Lol.tornadoes on the other hand, I can live without. Basically the weather down there is the same as here in the summer. You would be surprised to learn how hot and humid Nebraska really is. But the weather in the winter down there is nowhere near as bad. Send my wife has horses, and barrel races, she will be able to ride year round. That is her big motivator.

[Crusty Snippets]

Long ride

I find Yami is the most comfortable for highway riding.
I have a 79 special. I replaced the stock bars as they felt funny to me.
I made a couple of leg spats which helps in the rain but not very aerodynamic.
Yami barely gets 40mp imperial gallon for me, so my plan is to carry a one gallon can for any long trips. A standard tank holds more I believe and I have heard there is another tank that fits and holds more still. The others will know this.
The drive shaft on the Yami has me place it over the Suzuki, but I would not bypass a good clean 1100 Suzuki. I remember riding a new one back in the early or mid seventies. The Yami is conducive to large saddle bags and a rear box, so carrying lots of stuff is handy. I carried a 4hp Evinrude on Yami two weeks ago.
But I will be buying a sidecar soon.
I also have a small plastic windscreen on Yami.
Unkle Crusty

[BA80]

I am originally from Montana, beautiful country but 8 or 9 months out of the year the weather sucks. You probably couldn't FORCE me to move back there.

I grew up on a horse. Lived on a farm or ranch up until I was 16. My mom and dad divorced and mom moved us to Great Falls. Got into cars and bikes then.

We'll have to get together sometime. PM me when you have time.

I live in south west Tulsa and work in Bixby.

I've been riding all winter weather permitting.

[fredintoon]

The trip is 400 miles, about 7 hours. Mainly on 2 lane highway (highway 75 runs from Omaha to Topeka to Tulsa) at 60-65mph. I am looking for something I dont have to manhandle, will haul my old tired 220lb rear end (5'10) and get me 40+ mpg. Trying to stay under $1500 for something that is road worthy. I liked my old XS, and I think most of what I didnt love about it wasnt stock. Wondering if the Special would be OK for trips like this. Only thing I really dont like so far would be stopping for gas every 100 miles or so.
Thoughts?

Hi Mike,
XS11s were meant to to exactly what you need, move your arse down the road.
Yes, the Special's small (3.9 US gallon) gas tank will have you stopping every 100 miles to fill up (your 40+mpg is bloody hopeful BTW) so plan the ride accordingly.

[Courtney]

I carried a 4hp Evinrude on Yami two weeks ago.

Unkle Crusty

Haha, I have an awesome picture of this in my head Crusty. When I see some of the rigs coming and going off Gabriola I have to admire the ingenuity of some people. Saw a guy with a peddle bike and two milk crates strapped on the sides. In each crate was about 6 one month old chicks heading to their new home.