by "Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
Published 06/26/2017 at 11:01
by "Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
Published 06/26/2017 at 11:01
Tags: Two Wheels Good
; Iron Butt
; Motorcycle
STARS: 5
Today is the start of the 2017 Iron Butt Rally, which is, in my opinion, the most hard core thing you can do on a motorcycle.
This year’s rally starts and ends in Minneapolis (actually, within 5 miles of my house). Riders leave around 10am today (6/24) and will return on 7/7. Riders are given bonuses to collect throughout the rally. The rider with the most points at the end is the winner.
Most riders ride a minimum of 1000 miles per day each day of the rally. Extra fuel, lights, and good gear is essential. Route planning and execution is also crucial.
Just putting in that kind of mileage is quite a feat, but trying to plan a route and be competitive is also an incredible task. The rally organizers are known for putting in bonuses that are unreachable in the allotted time just to mess with the riders. So, plan your route in your sleep-deprived stupor, ride 20 hours a day for two weeks, and then see where the points fall at the end.
If you’re interested you can follow along
here
. They have live GPS tracking and do very nice detailed reports daily.
"EL_ULY" (uly)
06/26/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 2
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
06/26/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 0
My uncle did it on his 91' Goldwing, around 3/4 of the way through his odometer passed 250,000kms... he bought that bike new. He did it in 10 days (all lower 48).
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
06/26/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 1
Yeah that doesn’t sound like fun.
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/26/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
A guy at the bodyshop where I had the van painted is an Ironbutter.
Apparently the trick (for the single 1000mile day) is to get a little bike and fuel the shit out of it.
https://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?p=695539
(Not his photos, but he was doing similar work on a tank while I was there)
"Issa Trap" (coolpostednamehere)
06/26/2017 at 11:36, STARS: 1
My first thought was “Why does he have a tertiary GPS setup” and then I scroll down and see the map and go “oh, now I get it”. I ride my tourer a few hundred miles on a weekend but 20 hours a day for 2 weeks? That is killer. Be safe out there!
"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
06/26/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 2
yeah .. i cant even do that kind of distance in a car anymore
"EL_ULY" (uly)
06/26/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 1
right? insanity! Even in a comfy cruiser
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
06/26/2017 at 12:19, STARS: 0
I really want to try this on my Daytona. Denver to Salt Lake City and back in one day. Too bad it is down right now.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:27, STARS: 1
There’s a guy planning to do the full rally on a 70's 2 stroke triple. No word if there is a sidecar attached to carry his massive balls.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 0
Which is why I say this is the most hard core thing you can do on a motorcycle. These guys sleep for 1-2 hours at a time in parking lots and maybe a few hours in a hotel once every few days. They’re certifiably bonkers.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 1
What you’re referring to is a Saddlesore 1000 (also sanctioned by the Iron Butt Association). These guys do that every day for two weeks.
I’ve also been planning an Saddlesore 1000 and I’d like to try it sometime. I did 550 miles without pushing that hard last month, so I’m trying to decide whether I should do it this year or wait. The time is now when there’s still lots of daylight up here.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:33, STARS: 0
Yea these guys are nuts. From what I’ve read they’ll use one GPS for their current route, have one set up for a secondary bonus location, and a third to scout bonuses and have as a backup. It’s not just hauling ass around the US, there’s tons of strategy involved.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 0
Haha yea they pack on the miles quick. The Goldwing in the picture (that I found online and stole the pics from) was a 2012 that did the rally in 2013. It had 77,000 miles on it already when he sold it.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 1
Not all are comfy cruisers. This year there’s a Sportster, a Ninja 250, a couple scooters, and an old 2-stroke.
"atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
06/26/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 1
I’m gonna do a SS1000 on my FJR one of these days, but to do 1000 mies a day for weeks? Haha yeah, no thanks.
More power to these men and women of iron butts and balls.
"Chuckybas" (Chuckybas)
06/26/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 0
So many questions/so much admiration...
1) How big is your tank? How far do you get per fill up?
2) How many people have compared you to Cannonballers/Alex Roy?
3) How many are riding in your group?
4) This is the raddest thing I’ve seen/learned about all week. Great looking set-up.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/26/2017 at 20:01, STARS: 0
Not my setup and I’m not competing, but I’ll try to answer your questions based on the info I’ve read.
1. Riders are limited to 10.5 gallons. The Goldwing above could go 390 miles if ridden at 70 mph.
2. It’s somewhat similar to a Cannonball, except there isn’t a planned route or one destination. The riders are chasing bonuses at locations around the US. Each bonus is worth a certain number of points. Most points at the end wins. Each rider plans his/her own route.
3. 116 or so riders are entered. There are a few who ride 2-up as a team, and a few riders who pool resources and ride as a pack of 2-3 bikes. Most however, do it solo.
4. Google “Iron Butt Rally” and check it out. There are lots of good ride reports out there from past rallies. Also old bonus locations to give you an idea of what the riders are up against.
"Scott the Stagehand" (srrlx1986)
06/26/2017 at 23:49, STARS: 1
I have always been impressed with long distance riders. Many of them have the very large bikes with extra fuel cells large displacement engines (for motorcycles). Then there is Kurt Worden on a Ninja 250.
"Chuckybas" (Chuckybas)
06/27/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 0
Thank you! Definitely will.
"Chuckybas" (Chuckybas)
06/27/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 0
Thank you! Definitely will.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/27/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 0
He’s nuts, as are the guys who do this on scooters. The “hopeless” class riders are all insane.
"Scott the Stagehand" (srrlx1986)
06/27/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 0
He did it in 2015 too. Speaking of hopeless class I highly suggest reading Joel Rappoprt’s book
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/27/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0
I own it and I read it a few months ago. Might have to re-read it this week.
"atrombs" (atrombly)
06/27/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 0
Are the Nuvi and Zumo both GPS units? Why does one need 3?
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/27/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 1
backups and alternate route planning. Just a guess, but if it were me I would have my major stop/goal in one of them, my newest/current bonus that I’m headed towards, and my next bonus already loaded into the 3rd.
That would help me know when it’s time to bail on bonuses and get to my night stop/major checkpoint on time and not spend too much time programming the GPS.
"BeemersRK" (beemersrk)
06/28/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 1
So a rider can plot, consider and compare “what if...” or “I wonder if I can...” scenarios without losing their current routing, progress, school zone warnings, etc. So a rider can find/plan shortcuts, alternative routes, fuel, food, etc without constantly messing up a “core” route and having to re-search it. So a rider can plot his next destination and make a quicker “turn” at his immediate goal.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/29/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
FJR’s are one of those popular bikes for this rally, so you’re off on the right foot!
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/30/2017 at 09:21, STARS: 1
Looking through pictures from checkpoint 1. All of these kitted out and specially modified bikes with extra fuel, iPads on the handlebars, multiple GPS units, and then..........this.
It looks like somebody parked this totally stock Ninja 250 in the wrong spot, but nope, he’s competing. I assume the box contains new tires.
"Scott the Stagehand" (srrlx1986)
06/30/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 0
He has a lot less farkels. Another thing that impressed me is that’s a stock seat. After a few hours it becomes pretty uncomfortable