Pondering A SaddleSore 1000

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 04/28/2016 at 14:55 • Filed to: two wheels good

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I’ve been pondering it since last year. I love long distance motorcycle trips. I rode from my home in MA all the way to Cape Breton Island to ride the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a few years ago. But I haven’t had time to get away for a few days on the bike since then. Now that I’m married and buying a house, that’s not likely to change anytime soon. So I first considered it as a way to get a whole lot of riding and distance into very short time. Lately, at Alex Roy’s suggestion on a recent !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I’ve been reading !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , about John Ryan and his crazy long distance travels. I’m not up for anything like that, but it’s got me pondering the SS1k again. Am I crazy?

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I even have a route planned. It’s pretty boring, but it’ll get the miles down. There’s a gas station on I-90 just across the border from NY into PA that’s just a tick over 500 miles from home. Ride there, gas up, ride home. Superslab all the way to keep the speeds legally up and the traffic down (hopefully).

I’ve never ridden more than 400 miles in a day. My 1998 Honda PC800 is up for the task. I generally dislike tank bags, but I might want to add one for easy access to water and snacks while riding. I may also want to add more lighting so I can see and be seen better in the dark. We’ve discussed my uncertain fuel range before, so sometime before the attempt I’d fill up a gallon gas can, stick it in the trunk, fill up the bike, and ride until I run out of gas to find my ultimate range. That way I can plan to make as few fuel stops as possible to save time. I’d leave a safety buffer, but there’s no point filling up after 150 miles if I can push 200 safely. That, alone, would save me a fuel stop or two.

How crazy am I? Has anyone here done this? Do you have any advice or tips for someone who’s never tried to ride quite this far before?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 15:07

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You have the right bike for the job. I’m brand new to road motorcycles(lots of offroad experience) and I just started riding last week on a UJM and the wind buffeting at hwy speeds is no joke. I was getting blown around pretty good.

Justin Hughes > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 04/28/2016 at 15:09

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I rode early 80s UJMs for years before picking up a Honda Silverwing, and now my PC. I put a windshield on the last couple of UJMs to help with that problem before switching to full fairing bikes. I know what you’re saying.

XJDano > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 15:17

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I’ve been thinking about this also, but would rather go with another person. I believe my silverwing would be up to the task.

If you don’t know about the cramp buster, check it out. As my Silverwing doesn't have cruise, this makes riding easier.

Justin Hughes > XJDano 04/28/2016 at 15:25

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Good idea. I’ve used them on several of my previous bikes, including a Silverwing GL500i. I don’t use one on my PC800 only because it came with a throttle locker, which is even better for poor man’s cruise control.

Hammerdown > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 15:43

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Vista Cruise. 35 bucks and they’ll mount on any bike. I’ve had them on every bike I’ve owned.

Hammerdown > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 15:47

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Dude you read my mind. I’ve been reading and researching SS1000 stuff all week. Check out their website as they have lots of good resources there.

I’d recommend doing a ride of at least 600-700 miles before you go so you know that you can handle it. Your route sounds like a good idea, as does the mileage thing. I’m in the same boat. I’ve never done over 400. I want to know I can make it at least 2/3rds of the way before I put he effort into a 1000 mile day.

Also, I’d recommend a camelback so you can drink on the go. It’s much easier than carrying and trying to drink from a bottle.

Andrew Fails > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 17:27

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I did 600+ on my SV a few years back, and the first 3 hours were amazing. It lot significantly less amazing from there. But I didn't have a fairing. Or earplugs. Or music. And at 70mph I'm at 6,000rpm,so when at 80+, it was a bit buzzy.

XJDano > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 17:39

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Hmmm, 1075 miles. Although all interstates I think this would be doable. I need to up my tolerance prior to this. This will be on my brain for a while. I’m pretty sure I can only go about 200-225 miles on a tank, but on my bike I can probably rig one of the saddle bags for a 5 gallon gas tank, so I’d need only 3 stops. Gas, sleep, gas. ( besides pulling over to refuel from can).

Average 70 mph and that’s about 15.5 hours riding.

Justin Hughes > Andrew Fails 04/28/2016 at 18:36

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No music, but I have a fairing, and would definitely use earplugs. I’ve spent long days on a bike before, but I tend to stick to back roads and enjoy the ride rather than put the miles behind me. This would be a bit different.

Andrew Fails > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 18:38

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This year, I want to do an all backroads trip around the midwest. Zero interstates.

Justin Hughes > XJDano 04/28/2016 at 18:44

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But those gas stops double as documentation that you’ve actually put down the miles you claim you have. If it’s only 15.5 hours, you’ve got plenty of time to make a quick splash ‘n’ dash to get the paperwork.

One advantage to your route is that it’s a giant loop. If something goes wrong you have the option to quit and head straight for home. Not so much with my out-and-back route, but I’m limited by an ocean to the east, the busy Northeast Corridor to the south and southwest, and not many interstates that connect to each other to the north because of nearby Canada. I’d rather not spend time waiting at the border. So west is pretty much the only direction I can go. I-80 across PA is always a mess, with 20 miles of construction lane closures so that one guy can stand on the side of the road drinking coffee. I swear PennDOT is the mafia of that state. So that leaves I-90. Fortunately, once outside the Boston/Worcester area (which I barely am), it’s usually pretty smooth sailing across western MA and NY state.

Justin Hughes > Andrew Fails 04/28/2016 at 18:45

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That’s the way I like it! I just don’t have the time or flexible work schedule to do it like I used to.

XJDano > Justin Hughes 04/28/2016 at 19:13

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Yeah I actually read some of their site today about that. They even mentioned StL, KC, De Moines, Chicago as a route. I don’t know if any of my biker people I know would do something like this.

I need to get my stereo put back in.

I may see how the summer goes & try it in the fall.