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1Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:26 am

Der Ziegelstein

Der Ziegelstein
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Way back in December my brother-in-law suggested we take a trip and meet somewhere in the middle. He rides a Gold Wing and lives north of Ft. Worth Texas and I live 1300 miles away in northeast Ohio. We decided on Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The distance worked out pretty even for both of us and I had heard wonderful things about the museum. So we set the date and secured a hotel room and scheduled vacation from work. What he didn't know was that my wife recently got an F800ST and she would be joining me on the trip. Their family has this thing about not telling anyone when they get a new vehicle, they just show up with it some day.

The plan for me was to ride my R1150RT since that is my traveling bike but in mid-January it decided it didn't want to run any more. Long story short, the bike wasn't going to be running in time for the trip so I had to walk away from it and begin getting the brick ready. 

I had done a few 400 mile days on Ziggy but our travel schedule was a straight shot 800 miles to Birmingham. This would be interesting. 

I bought a slipstream deflector and a pair of Grip Puppies to try to improve the ergonomics as much as I could in the time I had. I also mounted up new tires and changed the oil. Ready to go, or at least the bike is.

As I was leaving the parking lot at work the day before the trip I felt the clutch cable let loose. That's when you get that hollow feeling in your stomach and think I am just imagining this. When I got home from work I had a look at the cable, sure enough, junk. I was lucky to make it home. There's absolutely no way this thing will make it to Alabama and back. I ran in the house and started calling dealerships. I am in a unique position in that there are 3 dealerships within 50 miles om my house.

The first dealer I called, Mathias in New Philadelphia, had one in stock. Amazing! How many 26 year old bikes do dealers stock parts for? I hopped in the truck and got to the dealership 10 minutes before they closed. That was a close one. When I got back home my wife asked where I had been and I just held up the new cable. She gave me a sheepish look and told me how lucky I was that didn't happen on the West Virginia turnpike. Agreed! I then proceeded to uneventfully replace the cable and went inside and packed for the trip.

Thursday, 0700, rollout. Of course it's raining, here we go. It rained off and on the entire trip but other than that everything went very smoothly. Speaking of smooth, Ziggy really likes to be above 85. We got there about a half an hour ahead of schedule and really surprised her brother.

We spent 6 hours at the museum the next day. That place is amazing! Their web site says they have 1200 bikes with 600 usually on display. the range from the turn of the century steam powered stuff right up to the present. Just about every make is represented there. They have a number of unrestored bikes as well as concourse quality restorations. Their website also states that 99% of the bikes could be ready to run within one hour! I took a bunch of pics that I will have to upload somwhere. When I do I will post a link.

Saturday morning we split up and headed for our respective homes (kind of). My brother-in-law was going to head south to the Gulf of Mexico and spend the night in a tent. We headed for the Great Smoky mountains for a little twisty fun. 

We hit the Cherohala Skyway on our way to the Tail of the Dragon. I was concerned what the traffic would be like on the Dragon since we would be there on a Saturday. I had heard bad things about Saturdays on the Dragon. Mainly I was concerned for my wife as she is a fairly new rider and has never been on anything like the Dragon plus she was on a new bike. Traffic was not bad at all. We caught up with a car and they pulled off first chance they got to let us pass. No one caught up to us. Seems pretty perfect to me. We continued on to Bristol, Tennessee and called it a night. Sunday morning we crossed Virginia on some very windy roads on our way up rt 219 in West Virginia. The initial plan was to take Rt 60 from Lewisburg to Charleston but by the time we got to Lewisburg we were both getting tired so we hopped on I-64 and slabbed it home. I was pretty sore by the time we got home to the point where I was actually glad to be done riding. My neck and shoulders were beat and my right knee was pretty well cooked from the heat.
I enjoy riding the brick but in the future I think I will limit the mileage per day to around 400.


__________________________________________________
Long Distance on an RS Patch12
Brick Pilot Jim
1987 K100RS "Ziggy"
2004 R1150RT "Dunkle Ruβ"
    

2Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 1:58 am

club_c

club_c
Life time member
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So what was daily mileage?  

I'm planning to summarize a recent trip from Canada to California and back soon. Best/worst day 1150 km/720 mi. A lot of twisties. Near paralyzed at the end of that one. Rode an R1150RT.


__________________________________________________
"There's never enough time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over."

1988 K100RS SE VIN 01477554
    

3Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:04 am

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
yep... getting up past the 1000k - 600 miles does take it out of you a bit ...especially day after day ...well along our east coast at least ...all that traffic and tempered speed limits with the "coppers " (police ) just waiting to catch you out by a little bit over the speed limit (100 kph  but sometimes a good 110 kph in selected areas ).

i can only wonder how "twb" and others do those incredible distances
....but i can see how its done real easy ...up around that 75mph region ...the "k " just loves it .
had occasion to follow rt, ulrick and pete ? up round that speed for a bit over a hundred ks on the way back from nerandera recently

nice travellog and trip ....a few piccies would be good ...
thanks for the share ....cheers !


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

4Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:24 am

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
800 miles in a day is a lot easier when speed limits can be up to 80mph rather than 100kph (6mph) as is here and the freeway system is a bit better.
When I did a few rides with Far Riders the Oz equivilant of Ironbutt we used to do 1600 in 24 hours and the daddy of all was 2500km in 24 hours.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

5Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:27 am

TacKler

TacKler
Life time member
Life time member
RicK G wrote:When I did a few rides with Far Riders the Oz equivilant of Ironbutt we used to do 1600 in 24 hours and the daddy of all was 2500km in 24 hours.



You're a better man than me Rick.  I maxed out around the 1,100/1,200 km days.  And that was on an R series.


__________________________________________________
Red 1991 K75S
    

6Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:40 am

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
The 1600 is fairly easy if you break it in two and have a 4-5 hour sleep and pick your road but the 2500 one I never managed I did 2350 and that was the end for me I was under the 23 hour but could feel myself nodding off so called it a day and never got back to try again


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

7Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 2:02 pm

Two Wheels Better

Two Wheels Better
Moderator
Moderator
My 'trick' with long distances is fairly easy: get an early start, eat sparingly, don't have a heavy lump of food digesting in your gut, sip water regularly so you don't have to stop as often, be at peace with your internal and external gods, throw a big smile across your face 'cause you're not in the office, don't mind that your boney arse feels like it's perched on a two-be-four, never mind the ache in your right wrist and shoulder blades, sing your favourites out loud, close one eye for a quick rest when at your very limits (go ahead, you can do it), pretend your neck muscles are giving themselves a deep, slow massage (and she has bloody great big firm floppers draped across your back).

Try to eliminate all of the little things that annoy on a roadtrip, like a strange vibration at the exact same rpm you really wanna ride at, the wind raging across the top of your helmet, the wind ripping at your ill-fitting riding gear, streamline and minimise your load, and stay in the saddle 'til you're well past overcooked, & etc. These techniques work well for me.

I once rode from central Baja Mexico to Redding, California on a K1200S from dawn 'til eleven PM. I don't recall the last half of the ride.


__________________________________________________
"A long ride is the answer to a question you will soon forget!" ~ Anonymous
1977 R75/7-100, '93 K11/K12 Big Block, '93 K1100RS, '95 R100 Mystic, '96 K1100RS, 2 x '98 K1200RS, '06 K1200R & '09 K1300GT
    

8Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Sounds Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:33 pm

ibjman

ibjman
Life time member
Life time member
Sounds a bit dangerous.....pushing one's self to the point of brain fade.

Personally, I am amazed at how my ability to be sharp & feel totally in control fades after about only 80 miles. My max is 100 miles without getting off for 15 mins.
I have a trip planned out from Phoenix, AZ to the national rally in Salem, Or.....about 1200 miles each way.
 There will be 1 overnight at about 600 miles but at least 5 stops along the way......#3 with an extra 20 minutes for lunch!
Leaving Phoenix at 2AM to stay out of the direct sun in July till across the desert. Should get me in to my hotel at 2PM check in time.
My wife thinks I'm nuts.
Regards, ibj....

    

9Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:09 pm

Der Ziegelstein

Der Ziegelstein
active member
active member
Mileage on the first day was about 780, about 1/3 of that in the rain, but it was all highway so we were able to make good time. The second day was only 175 miles because we spent most of the day in the museum. Day three was 450 miles and day four was 500.

One of the contributors to my fatigue was our hotel near the museum. If you ever go there DO NOT stay at the America's Best Value Inn! It was terrible. I did not sleep well either night there.

Last year around this time I did an Iron Butt weekend on my R1150RT. I left the house Friday morning and rode to Topeka Kansas via West Virginia to give me 1037 miles for the day. The next morning I rode over to Salina Kansas to catch I-35 and head south to the in-laws in Texas giving me an additional 500 miles to qualify for a Bun Burner 1500. I had dinner with them and slept on their couch. I left there Sunday morning and 18.5 hours and 1214 miles later I pulled in my driveway. I was getting tired but I was still alert and not very sore.

When I do long trips like that I schedule 20 minutes for fuel and 1 hour for food. I try not to combine food because I actually want to make more stops. Another little trick is to keep tart candies within easy reach, they help keep you hopped up. And of course drink plenty of water. I drank a 20 ounce bottle of water for every tank of gas. Dehydration causes fatigue.


__________________________________________________
Long Distance on an RS Patch12
Brick Pilot Jim
1987 K100RS "Ziggy"
2004 R1150RT "Dunkle Ruβ"
    

10Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty I would guess Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:21 pm

ibjman

ibjman
Life time member
Life time member
I would guess, you might be substantially younger than my 66 years.....or at least in better shape physically.
 My 85 rs is just not quite that user friendly, hence I hope to get it sold someday and obtain an original style R100rs.

 I had a 1981 rs that was truly wonderful. I expect it would be more comfortable for me, however probably less impressive than my memories of what I recall riding it when I was still on the North side of 40!

    

11Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:43 pm

Der Ziegelstein

Der Ziegelstein
active member
active member
Here's a link to the pics. I hope it works.

https://s966.photobucket.com/user/maddog2795/library/?sort=3&page=1

Feel free to browse around. I started to move them into the proper folder but I got tired and I am going to bed. maybe over the next few days they will get organized.


__________________________________________________
Long Distance on an RS Patch12
Brick Pilot Jim
1987 K100RS "Ziggy"
2004 R1150RT "Dunkle Ruβ"
    

12Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Sun Jun 16, 2013 2:01 am

K-BIKE

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Interesting ride report and same for the comments with people commenting on their rides all good stuff.
Regards,
K-BIKE

    

13Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:36 pm

Two Wheels Better

Two Wheels Better
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ibjman wrote:Sounds a bit dangerous.....pushing one's self to the point of brain fade.
My max is 100 miles without getting off for 15 mins.

Tongue planted firmly in cheek, most of my previous recommendations.

When traveling to cover ground, I usually go through a tankful and then take a well-deserved smoko.


__________________________________________________
"A long ride is the answer to a question you will soon forget!" ~ Anonymous
1977 R75/7-100, '93 K11/K12 Big Block, '93 K1100RS, '95 R100 Mystic, '96 K1100RS, 2 x '98 K1200RS, '06 K1200R & '09 K1300GT
    

14Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:19 am

KlaustheK

KlaustheK
Silver member
Silver member
I find that the twistier the roads are the easier it is to stay in the saddle hour after hour. On my 1200 mile trip through central Colorado this summer I was doing so well that I would stay seated for gas and then be able to ride for several more hours as long as the road was twisty and I was shifting my weight through the turns. The Corbin saddle helps too. When it is just freeway two hours is my limit.


__________________________________________________
1987 K100RS Klaus *sold* 
1989 K100RS SE Klaus 2 *sold*
1997 K1100LT Gunter
    

15Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:27 am

AJ.Valente

AJ.Valente
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Life time member
+1.

Day trips here in the New England I generally take the freeway to get there by lunchtime. Then, with the long summer days, use the back roads on the way home. Smile

    

16Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:40 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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KlaustheK wrote:I find that the twistier the roads are the easier it is to stay in the saddle hour after hour. On my 1200 mile trip through central Colorado this summer I was doing so well that I would stay seated for gas and then be able to ride for several more hours as long as the road was twisty and I was shifting my weight through the turns. The Corbin saddle helps too. When it is just freeway two hours is my limit.

I have to agree. I did 890 miles in one weekend on the LT, regularly do 400 miles in a day. The saddle is a big difference as is getting it set up just right, levers at the right level, gear nice and snug and airtight, plus of course some weather. A weathergod is very useful and we have an excellent one in Comberjohn.

The subtle body movements needed on twisties are what keep you in better shape. Still important to pace oneself, eat regularly [but avoid red meat and too much fat on the ride] and stop for long enough to recover. I feel better after 450 miles in a day on the K than I would in a car.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

17Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:21 pm

Ken F

Ken F
active member
active member
I've done several Ironbutt rides, but all have been on the R1100RSL.    The toughest ride I ever did was my first SS1000/24 hours.
the following ones were much easier because I knew how to prepare, and what to expect.  

Last fall, a friend & I did a BunBurner Gold (1500 miles/24 hrs)  It was really not that tough.  

My Dad who is just about to turn 90 in a few days, did a 1000/24 hrs with me two summers ago, and became the oldest man to ever do it on 2 wheels at 88.    His ride is an R1100RT
A gentleman who was about 1 year older than pop did it on a Can-Am Spyder just a few days later, and took the record.

Many say that it is unsafe to push yourself that far.   The IBA is all about safely, and if you would like to read some tips about recognizing fatique, and how to ride safely:   http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm

My wife who is an ultra-marathoner, totally understands my addiction to LD riding!  It's me who doesn't understand her addiction to long distance running!   That's why God invented Michelins methinks.


Ken

    

18Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Wed Nov 20, 2013 4:09 am

EddieLo

EddieLo
active member
active member
Ken F wrote:I've done several Ironbutt rides, but all have been on the R1100RSL.    The toughest ride I ever did was my first SS1000/24 hours.
the following ones were much easier because I knew how to prepare, and what to expect.  

Last fall, a friend & I did a BunBurner Gold (1500 miles/24 hrs)  It was really not that tough.  

My Dad who is just about to turn 90 in a few days, did a 1000/24 hrs with me two summers ago, and became the oldest man to ever do it on 2 wheels at 88.    His ride is an R1100RT
A gentleman who was about 1 year older than pop did it on a Can-Am Spyder just a few days later, and took the record.

Many say that it is unsafe to push yourself that far.   The IBA is all about safely, and if you would like to read some tips about recognizing fatique, and how to ride safely:   http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm

My wife who is an ultra-marathoner, totally understands my addiction to LD riding!  It's me who doesn't understand her addiction to long distance running!   That's why God invented Michelins methinks.


Ken

Ken, I'm new here.  Had to chuckle at your Michelin remark.  btw, I'm 75 and have been riding for longer than you've been alive (I think)  I like to read about someone like your dad.  Great for him!  I wouldn't count a Can-Am as a record, unless it's separate from a two-wheeler.  I have yet to do a LD ride, but I'm thinking of doing a CW trip San Jose, NV, UT, WY,NE, MO, AR, OK, and on to Houston.  Returning would be NM, AZ and on the SJ.  Except for NM and CA all are gun-friendly states and I can carry concealed (UT).  I'll be taking my K1200LT.  In the meantime I'll be doing 200 - 300 milers for now.  Regards to your dad.
Eddie

    

19Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:33 am

Ken F

Ken F
active member
active member
Eddie, thanks for your reply but you are only 12 years older than me.  

When do you plan to do your trip?   i'll send you a PM with my phone & email so you can let me know when you are planning to be in MO.
Could at least offer you a bed & a meal while you are here.

Ken

    

20Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:43 am

xpc316e

xpc316e
Gold member
Gold member
Firstly Brick Pilot Jim, those photographs of your museum visit are great with some very interesting machines on view - thanks for posting them.

Secondly, I have just returned to motorcycles after a twenty year absence, and at 56 years of age I now find myself with osteoarthritis in my major joints.  My record in a day is a paltry 500 miles on a Kawasaki GT750 with a pillion; that was a very hard day as I never managed to get the riding position anywhere near correct on that bike. 

My best in a day since my return was just over 400 miles on my K100LT.  There were very few of what you would define as highway miles, with much of the journey being on heavily-trafficked twisty routes.  I finished the day with fewer aches and pains than I'd get in my car, and that is due to the perfect riding position on the K.  For me, the bike is so right, and my shoulders do not grumble very much.  On the 11th of this month I had my right shoulder totally replaced, so I away from riding for a couple of months at least.

When it comes to fitting plenty of miles into a day the real limiting factor is the roads available to you.  I have made some quite long journeys on both the east and west coasts of the USA, and found it easy going.  Here in the UK things are very different, and averaging 65-70 mph can be quite an achievement.  As soon as one gets to France it is immediately noticeable how easily the ground is covered with the same amount of people driving on a much larger network.  Visit the Republic of Ireland though and find out what real riding is all about.  Even major roads go straight through the middle of busy towns, and when out of the towns there is very seldom a dual carriageway.  Much of your journey is spent at very low speeds, so a 400 mile day in Eire really is something to shout about; it must be the equivalent of at least double that distance in the USA.

The crucial thing is to enjoy any mile, whether it is part of a short journey, or a really long day in the saddle.


__________________________________________________
VIN 0191428, 1991 K100LT, formerly owned by Lancashire Constabulary. This old warhorse is now 'out to grass' and living in retirement in Suffolk, where it will be showered with appropriate love and care.

VIN 6459609, 1992 K1100LT, another ex-Police machine, even though she now looks like she is a former fire engine.
    

21Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:47 pm

EddieLo

EddieLo
active member
active member
Ken F wrote:Eddie, thanks for your reply but you are only 12 years older than me.  

When do you plan to do your trip?   i'll send you a PM with my phone & email so you can let me know when you are planning to be in MO.
Could at least offer you a bed & a meal while you are here.

Ken
Thanks Ken, very nice of you for the invite.  I might take you up on it, but I'll be a cheap "date" lol.  You see, I'm a "tuber" ie: I cannot eat by mouth due to the throat cancer surgery I had 6 years ago.  The result of the surgery is that I lost my ability to swallow, so no eating or drinking by mouth.  I have a Peg Tube (Mick-Key) and eat a liquid medical formula (IsoSource 1.5)  I can take about 8 days of formula with me plus bottled water that I mix with it in the cases, long enough to get me to Houston.  I will have Kaiser ship food to my destination so that I can use it for my stay and for my return.
btw, I never smoked in my life, nor was I a heavy drinker, two life styles that are at the highest risk for throat cancer.  According to my doctors 98% of people stricken with throat cancer were both.  I guess I hit the reverse lotto, lol.
I'm shooting for late spring, early summer.  I want to get out of Dodge before that infamous heat/humidity hits Texas.

    

22Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:11 pm

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
After a dose of that sort of luck I would be buying lotto tickets all day, you used up all the bad luck.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

23Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Been away for a while! ....Updates Sun Nov 23, 2014 11:20 pm

ibjman

ibjman
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ibjman wrote:Sounds a bit dangerous.....pushing one's self to the point of brain fade.

Personally, I am amazed at how my ability to be sharp & feel totally in control fades after about only 80 miles. My max is 100 miles without getting off for 15 mins.
I have a trip planned out from Phoenix, AZ to the national rally in Salem, Or.....about 1200 miles each way.
 There will be 1 overnight at about 600 miles but at least 5 stops along the way......#3 with an extra 20 minutes for lunch!
Leaving Phoenix at 2AM to stay out of the direct sun in July till across the desert. Should get me in to my hotel at 2PM check in time.
My wife thinks I'm nuts.
Regards, ibj....

Well, the wife & I made that BMW Rally trip Phoenix/Salem) the summer before last on the trusty old K100RS.
 We had a great time all in all but by the time we returned to Phoenix, I was pretty frazzled from the heat, the days in the saddle, & especially with the bike just so overloaded with excess baggage (& we didn't even camp out)!
 As I had mentioned above......by the time I returned home I was longing even more for the memorable R100RS airhead that I so fondly remembered.
 I searched around for a month or two and came up with what looked like a nice one with low miles (how many times have we heard that before?) .....way over in Oakland, Ca. 1982, Anthracite Grey with black & only 26,000 original miles on it. Flew out there & picked it up at $5,600 (not cheap) and brought it back to Phoenix.
 I did find a few things out of order on it that gives me suspicions about the completely undocumented history story the seller told......but all in all it turned out pretty good.
 In early March of this year the wife & I again packed it up with all our gear & took a trip out to the "Air Marshal's Airhead rally in Death Valley, Ca. At truly memorable trip. But again, heavily loaded with a lot of "stuff" Including a HUGE 52 Liter helmet box so my wife could have her comfy back rest.
 By the time re returned from Death Valley, I realized that even the stately airhead wasn't just quite as wonderful as I remembered my first one to be  some 35 years ago. I decided that It wasn't suitable for us to pack long distance 2 up on any more that the K100RS had been.
 Looking forward to the upcoming BMW rally of July, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN I needed to find something more capable. 
 I found a 1998 R1100RT on an E-bay sale that I won the auction for at $3000. 76,000 miles.
 Flew out to Long Beach, CA & completed the deal.
 I found that to be my ideal ride......truly the easiest bike to ride & handle that I've ever owned.
After a few hundred miles however, I noticed a disturbing low knocking noise in the engine that eventually turned out to be a defective rear (thrust) main bearing in the engine. (Not such a bargain after all).
  In a day or two I was able to locate what looked like a very nice used engine with only 14,000 miles on it taken from a damaged 1996 R1100RS. I was fortunate to get that for $300 cash n carry.
 I soon learned however that replacing an engine in one of those is quite a complicated labor intensive operation.......especially since I had only just recently completed a complete maint. on lubing the clutch splines and replacing the rear swing arm joint bearings (at the final drive). Obviously, all of that had to come back out a second time to swap an engine.
 A week later it was completed and I'm happy that all seems well now.
 The wife & I packed that up in July and along with 2 9Qt water pumping ice chest controlled cooling vests, + all the excessive gear we headed off once again, this time for Minn. 
 It turned out to be a great trip......as we made additional side trip to South Dakota on out way home to Phoenix. We did have to replace a punctured rear tire while at the rally in Minn. On the way home from South Dakota......the fuel pump started to give up the ghost while still not out of Wyoming, but we were able to continue on to our planned stop over in Denver by keeping the tank near full at all times. We changed out the fuel pump at a friends house in Denver and had an uneventful trip home with one more nights stop in Albuquerque, NM.  About 4000 miles in 14 days. Great trip.
 So now everything is well and we have our reservations made for the 2015 rally in Billings, MT.
In the meantime, I've acquired a 5th motorcycle, a 1977 Yamaha RD400.....that was another poor choice from a money pit standpoint.  I have the little 2 stroker's crankshaft out to the rebuilder as we speak & I expect to have that bike roadworthy in about 10 days!

My health however has seemed to be deteriorating quite rapidly this year so Billings may be our last BIG trip.
 Time will tell.

I can say that traveling in & out of Phoenix in July, we have found that although a bit cumbersome, Our Veskimo water cooled vest systems are now considered an absolute necessity.

More later, Best regards to everyone, Ibjman  
 








    

24Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Long Distance Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:37 pm

Albryt1992

Albryt1992
New member
New member
I rode my newly aquired 1992 K100RS from Miami to Virignia roughly 850 miles. I rode 200 miles the first day only because I left Miami around 2:30 and it was getting dark and really cold. I landed in a place called Hee Haw junction in the middle of no where off the Florida Turnpike which was interesting to say the least. But the next day, I was on the road at 6:30 am and rode straight through to Virignia. I walked/crawled through my front door at 8:15 that evening. Evertime I looked down at the speedo, I was over 100mph. It was tough trying to keep it under that speed, especially when I had mini vans that I could see kid's movies playing on the DVD when I peeked into the window, flying by me as if I was standing still! Yes, with kids in the back seats watching movies. But it was a pretty decent ride. Not sure if I would do it again as I'm pushing 50 here soon. Well, maybe if I had a young pretty babe with nice cushions, I might.Very Happy

    

25Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty I would suggest... Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:56 pm

ibjman

ibjman
Life time member
Life time member
In the future, I would suggest a more realistic approach to the next long distance trip.......Since the young chickie with the super wonderful big cushions gets less & less likely with each passing year (after 50....LOL).......

Consider riding a 2005 or newer R1200RT!  You will be absolutely astounded and how "docile" it feels under you and just how easy & comfortable it is to ride.

 I hope to replace my 98 R1100RT with a nice used one as the prices come down year over year......

At 67 years.......I still love the KRS for short jaunts. but I'm an RT guy from now on if I'm going more than 400 miles.

Regards, Ibj....

    

26Back to top Go down   Long Distance on an RS Empty Re: Long Distance on an RS Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:37 am

CommanderKewl

CommanderKewl
Silver member
Silver member
In the future, I would suggest a more realistic approach to the next long distance trip.......Since the young chickie with the super wonderful big cushions gets less & less likely with each passing year....

Well when they get older, they just change from wonderful big cushions to "seat warmers"... can't defy gravity...What a Face

    

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