10,000 km in 10 days - Which bike for it?

**Hinny** · 27th March 2008, 00:05

Originally Posted by banditrider

One issue with the smaller bikes is range. Ok smaller engines tend to be economical but not if they're pulling a zillion revs for hours on end.
Horses for courses - whatever works for you. As long as it's comfortable & reliable.

Iron Butt comparison again. 1600kms a day for 11 days in a row.
One guy completed it on an Honda Helix scooter 250cc, one on a Ninja 250 and what must be the smallest ever.............a Cagiva Mito 125 (78th out of 93 finishers) and a Suzuki GN125. (81st)

Also worthy of note is the fact that, over the last 15years, three HD riders have finished in the top 20 .

**Blackbird** · 27th March 2008, 05:54

Originally Posted by Hinny

Iron Butt comparison again. 1600kms a day for 11 days in a row.
One guy completed it on an Honda Helix scooter 250cc, one on a Ninja 250 and what must be the smallest ever.............a Cagiva Mito 125 (78th out of 93 finishers) and a Suzuki GN125. (81st)

Also worthy of note is the fact that, over the last 15years, three HD riders have finished in the top 20 .

Not quite comparing apples with apples as Iron Butt events use a lot of freeways and interstates which are a wee bit less stressful for the rider and bike alike compared with Lee Hurley's events. That's certainly not diminishing the sense of accomplishment in completing an Iron Butt run though. Incidentally, the Iron Butt legend, Ron Ayers, runs high end bike tours to NZ every year - fantastic guy.

**DougieNZ** · 27th March 2008, 07:12

I would look at an ST/FJR/Concours as the ideal bikes foir this trip. With new rubber (Storm ST for me) and oil changed these bikes would all "eat" this trip. Whether the riders would be able to hack it is another matter...

The main problems with this is Lee and his team. f I know their sense of humour, the roads will certainly not be very straight!

I havben't decided whether to haver a go at this or not. the fact that I am even considering it makes me wonder about my sanity....

Fuel (by then ) at least $2.20 a litre... budget $1500 for the trip alone let alone the k's to/from the start/finish. Then there is 10 days food and accomodation & full service on return.

This really will be a supreme challenge! A once in a lifetime event....

**rasty** · 27th March 2008, 09:13

Multistrada - 10k services, 18-20k on Z6 tyres. Chain is at 40k and still good. Plus they are fun to ride. I won't be changing.

**Hinny** · 27th March 2008, 09:48

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Not quite comparing apples with apples as Iron Butt events use a lot of freeways and interstates which are a wee bit less stressful for the rider and bike alike compared with Lee Hurley's events. That's certainly not diminishing the sense of accomplishment in completing an Iron Butt run though. Incidentally, the Iron Butt legend, Ron Ayers, runs high end bike tours to NZ every year - fantastic guy.

I think the comparison is quite valid. Maybe comparing Pacific Rose apples with Granny Smiths but I can't imagine the Rusty Nuts challenge having a section equivalent to reach Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, inside the Arctic circle. Even on a good day the 480 miles haul road from Fairbanks was 430 miles of dirt and gravel.

Twenty-two riders had to overcome rain and mud. Some became inextricably bogged it was so bad. Twenty of these riders were on road bikes and two on BMW adventure bikes.

Interstates have their own challenges and these guys are covering more than 1.6 times the daily distance and for a day longer. All the stresses on riders and machines are present in both rides.

Regarding Ron Ayers; forty-nine states in eleven days. He surely has got an iron butt. What a legend.

**NiggleC** · 27th March 2008, 14:10

hi Jantar
i have got home from the Mini Returns ride today. (5150km door to door).
i fitted Continental Trail Attacks about 600km prior to this event.
Tread depth front and rear when new was 4mm and 9mm respectively.
Having spotted your thread the depth now is 3mm and 6.5mm. Those who were on the M.R. know that i had a 115kg pillion from Haast to Greymouth. Also Mrs C. flew to AK and we went around the Coromandel and across to Whakatane and then down to Rotorua where she flew home from. (but she only weighs about 55kg in all her riding gear.) So not all of the ride was solo. IF i decide to do the 10000 i will be fitting these tyres again.
cheers
Nigel

**revvinkevin** · 28th March 2008, 09:26

You may not get them over there but don't overlook the Yamaha TDM 850/900. Odd to look at, great to ride.

Enough power, plenty of grunt, very economical, easy on tyres, and all day comfort. Smoother than the v-strom.

Someone mentioned a multistrada. I found the seat like a plank. made my butt hurt in no time at all.

That's my two pen'orth.

**shafty** · 28th March 2008, 09:56

On a Four Points write up a couple of years ago, riding my newish ST1300, I wrote:

"my first refill from Tauranga was at Kawakawa, after 476.3 km, taking 27.3 litres. That means I had 1.7 litres left, so theoretical range was 506 km "

I have heard of even better range achieved by more sedate riding.......

**Morcs** · 28th March 2008, 11:52

Originally Posted by Jantar

The VStrom is a superb tourer, and I will be using it for next year's Southern Cross. However it does need an oil change every 6000 km and I have tried a number of different tyres but never managed more than 8500 km (Pirelli Scorpoins).

By 2010 when the 10,000 km in 10 days ride is on it would be 4 years old, and I normally change bikes every 2 - 3 years. If I'm financial enough I may look at keeping the VStrom and buying a second hand bike that is kinder on tyres.

Another option is to keep the VStrom and hire a suitable bike for the ride.

An oil change can be done on the side of the road, or at your campsite.
Making space to carry oil is cheaper than a new bike...

**The Pastor** · 28th March 2008, 13:35

cbr250rr. needs tyres + oil at 5000km but man up.

**lanci** · 28th March 2008, 17:20

Superbike magazine would recommend what someone else has already mentioned, BMW or Honda. I think the 1200 beemer sport tourer or 1300 pan euro is a good bet (BMW 1st, Honda 2nd according to their test). The test ride article mentioned a few summary points that I could find for you if you like???

**lanci** · 28th March 2008, 17:23

I mustn't forget my preferred brand, the Ducati Multistrada, supposed to be great despite questionable looks.........

**Jantar** · 28th March 2008, 17:50

Originally Posted by Morcs

An oil change can be done on the side of the road, or at your campsite.
Making space to carry oil is cheaper than a new bike...

If was just the oil, then I wouldn't be too concerned. I'd simply use a high quality synthetic and push it to the 10,000 kms. But I'm not into changing tyres at the side of the road.

However that is why I'm starting to think about 2 years ahead. Normally I'd trade in this winter, but I haven't used the bike much in the past few months, and I'll have another 2 - 3 month break from riding shortly.

So the options are:
Trade in the Vstrom on a new one in winter 2009, and hire a ST1300 or similar for the 10000 km ride, (most likely option at this stage).
Or trade in the Vstrom in winter 2009 for a new ST1300 or similar, (not so likely as it wouldn't suit the majority of my riding).
Or keep the Vstrom for an extra year and buy a second hand ST1300 or similar, (a possibility).
Or use the Vstrom for the ride, and hope I can find a shop that can do an overnight service and tyre change at the end of day 6. (my preferred option) Then trade in the Vstrom on new one that winter.