My First Epic Road Trip (on a motorcycle)

[FkNAmerican]

Ok, so I've done plenty of cruising around my state (North Carolina) and I've been known to rack up 300-400 miles in a weekend regularly plus my daily comute to work and back aint exactly short........ but Im about to do something a little crazy even by my standards:

My friend, who got me into motorcycles in the first place, found a brand spanking new ZERO miles K7 GSXR-600 (in two tone red/white) for sale at wholesale.....in other words....$7,800. Yes thats right, 7,800 USD for a mint condition fresh from the crate Gixer 600!!! There is just ONE catch: Its in north-western Ohio which for those of you who dont know is about 450 miles away from my little town of Chapel Hill, NC (you know, the place where Michael Jordan played ball for the Tarheels before he got all famous). Check a map of the US, superimpose a to scale map of NZ on the USA, and you will get an idea of what Im talking about here!! Round trip this is going to be 1,000 miles plus in one weekend when you consider that those distances are geographic distances and not actually road distances. In fact, I map quested the trip and its closer to 1,500 miles of tarmac then it is to 1,000. Yikes!!!!.........I just looked up various distances from the NZ city of Invercargill and it appears, though this could be wrong, that its about 479 miles from Invercargill to Wellington. So to imagine what Im up against its basically like going from Invercargill to Wellington and back in two days time with half the trip being done on a GSXR-600. Or when you take into account actual miles put on tarmac its akin to going in a straight line from Invercargill to Auckland and back (about 1,500 miles in total)!! Am I crazy??

So being the type of guy that I am, and Im the type thats always up for any sort of road trip for any sort of reason, I agreed to help my freind get the bike from Ohio to NC. Now for the second minor catch: We have a weekend to do it in as we both have to be at work Monday morning at 7:30 sharp. That means we drive up in my car the 750 miles to the dealership, do all the paper work, and then we share duties driving the Gixer back home again.

That means his first weekend of bike ownership he's gonna rack up 750+ miles on that baby....and Im prolly gonna end up doing at least half the riding since I have more endurance on a bike then he does.

This will be my first extended road trip on a true sports bike. I've riding some freinds R-1's and just the other day took a little road trip on my buddies GSXR 750 but what I really really want from you guys is any and all advice on riding a 600 sport bike long distance. I mean, this might not be so bad on a sport tourer or something but this is a full on sport bike and we are gonna be covering some fairly huge distances for a sports bike.

Any helpfull advice from any of you sports bike riders who, for whatever reason, have been on one covering big miles would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!

[MSTRS]

What you worried about. Only 750 miles. On your interstates. Pshwww:innocent:
If the bike is running in, then you just need to vary the speed and revs frequently. It'll be primo once you get it home. Great opportunity.
*is green with envy*

[FkNAmerican]

hehe MSTRS...thats exactly what I told my friend. We are also planning on stopping every few hundred miles to let the bike cool down. You know the deal with a new bike: heat it up, cool it down, rinse and repeat.

And by the time we get it back it will be due for its 600 mile service hehehehe. Tighten the chain, check the valves, all that shite. The perfect running in wouldnt you say?

Oh and by the way, its actually 750 miles one way. Im driving the car up so for me it will be 750 miles up north then 750 miles back down for a grand total of around 1,500 miles when all is said and done.

The only thing Im worried about is that I've never done these kinds of big miles on a sports bike. Afraid my arms might fall off!!! :). But yeah, its gonna be heaven dispite the pain!!

Oh and one more important thing: You dont wanna get a big ticket in another state, especially if its one you need to fight in order to keep your license!!! I know a girl who ounce had to drive from NC to Florida to appear in court and try to get a massive ticket reduced only to have the arsehole judge screw her hardcore. She ended up losing her license for 6 months despite the effort. If it was me I'd have clogged every rest stop toilet in the state on the way back up north!!!! So to put it simply, we wont be speeding!!! :)

What Im looking for is any advice that would help

[steved]

Is there no way to get it delivered via a motorcycle delivery company? It does sound like a bloody long way for a sports bike on the Interstate.

[crashe]

When you stop, get off and then have a damn good stretch and have a wee walk around.... do the pitstop, feed and drink often.
Especially the drink - so that you dont dehydrate.

Whilst riding stretch your legs or do a wee stand up on the pegs.

Relax on the bike..... if you feel tired STOP and then let your mate ride the bike for a while.

Is it summer over there at the moment?
Can you get your hands on a nice piece of sheepskin that will cover the seat?
If so, tie that onto the seat, that will help your butts a lot on a long distance ride. True it does help.

Enjoy the trip and take some pic's when you stop etc.

All the best.

[FkNAmerican]

the sheepskins good advice!!!! I was thinking of doing something to make the seat more comfortable.......and yeah its summer over here for some of us hehe. In North Carolian its damn nice at the moment.....up north its just a bit more chilly........kinda freezing actually in some parts....

oh yeah, Im bringing a digital camera so I can take pics along the way.........

And yeah, technically he could have it delivered.....but where's the fun in that????

[jafar]

vary the revs & take frequent stops.
Don't get caught speeding.
Taking back roads helps in the removal of chicken strips:innocent:
Check where there are other Suzuki dealers on your route(just in case).
Insure it before you get it.
Take a decent camera .

[Cajun]

nothing really to worry about, if your not use to putting alot of milage on a bike in short time, you will get sore. no way round that.

All is it, take it easy don't keep same throttle position and gear on the bike change it up and down thru box. and like and when need to stop stop, and strech and what not.

[FkNAmerican]

another good one on the Suzuki dealers. It would be nice to know where the local dealers are just in case there is a problem. I'd be willing to alter the course a little if it meant passing near to as many dealers as possible. Time to hit up Suzuki's dealer finder and go back on map quest!!!!

[FkNAmerican]

I've been doing quite a bit of highway miles lately too......and let me tell you that after about 3-4 hours going 90 mph in a moderate to heavy crosswind with crappy wind protection from my fairing I was a bit fatigued........

Im considering advising him to have the bike fitted with a larger windscreen for highway cruising........cant really hurt can it???

[tri boy]

Maybe pre book an appointment with a local physiotherapist or masseuse.
I think you may want both on your return.:yes:

[Cajun]

shrug gsxr got far better screen than your little 250

all ya have to do is go low

[gijoe1313]

I like the cut of your jib mister! Arrr! Riding the main highways and interstates with full fairings! Avast!

Sounds like a whole lot of fun, guess you will need to do some wrist excercises to make sure you don't get RSI! :sweatdrop

Don't forget to keep hydrated and as soon as you feel yourself flagging, pull over and do the swap! It's all gravy baby, I can't wait to do my 2190km road trip!

[crashe]

I take it that the car and bike will be staying in touch the whole way.

Carry a fully charged cell phone just in case.
Plus a couple of spare bottles of water on the bike (attach a backpack onto the bike). That's if you cant fit the bottles under the seat/pillion seat.
Carry a few snack bars as well (non chocolate ones as you won't want them to melt yuk)

Keep a loose grip on the throttle so that the hand doesn't cramp up.
Give both hands a shake every now and then.

[Macktheknife]

Im considering advising him to have the bike fitted with a larger windscreen for highway cruising........cant really hurt can it???
Actually yes it can... sport bikes aren't made for big screens, be careful how much you increase the size, it could act like a bit of a sail.
But why not fly to Ohio from NC and then take the trip over the 2 days and really enjoy yourselves? No stress and if you get tired you can stop and rest/sleep swap riders etc. Sheepskins are good, and always have spare socks, no kidding, there is something magic about washing the feet in cold water, drying and putting on fresh socks, really makes you feel better.
Best of luck with the trip anyway.

[Nutter34]

Well, I'd find out if the bike has a reputation for having a bad seat. The Z1000 is known for it and I want to get off and walk after about 130 miles....
I just rode 325 miles on friday on a 06 ZX10 and never had any issues. Bikes vary and peoples shapes vary, so you may or may not be comfortable on the bike.
Being a sports bike, I'd suggest you adopt a more crouched position. It will take the weight off your wrists and probably help for wind protection.

We don't have 'Interstates' here and even the main drag down has a fair amount of sweepers and twisties, so boredom isn't too bad and being stuck in the same position not too much of a problem...
I reckon if you and your buddy swap every tank of gas, it'll work out well.

[Nasty]

Spare socks is a great idea .. but if its getting colder wear two pairs . .I found on my trips that cold toes are a pisser ... the other thing the sheepskin wool length .. you don't want it too long ... it offers slight more padding if slightly shorter from my understanding.

[FkNAmerican]

LOL Macktheknige!! Im with you 100% on the socks bit. Wet/dirty socks all day bothers me more than a broken arm :)

Also just to clarify, I wasnt thinking of adding a cruiser style windscreen or anything...just a slightly taller screen for highway driving.

Yeah I cant waite. Im getting more and more excited by the day. Cant waite until the first time the Gixer see's its ancestral home: The Dragon


http://www.tailofthedragon.com/