Long distance riding tips?

[KSUGreggy]

Well for school we are going to Clearwater, KS to help do a park design and meeting with city members (I'm a Landscape Arch. student at Kansas State) and its supposed to be 90 on friday when we go. Since I don't want to waste all that gas to go there I'm thinking about taking my Bandit for my longest ride to date. It will be around 3 hours down and 3 hours back and was wondering if anyone had any helpful hints on what to do to make the ride more enjoyable?

I've got a touring screen I'll install to help with wind and my gel seat but any hints on how to battle fatigue etc?

[aussiebandit]

Try a Discman, walkman, mp3 player etc to listen to your favourite music.

Depending on what seat you have, you may want to consider a Sheepskin cover to help with comfort.

A throttle lock, or a throttle rest, of some sort will help with cramps in your right hand.

Also, drink plenty of fluids (water) and if you're not used to riding more than an hour at a time, take it easy and if you think your getting drowsy, pull over and get off the bike for 15 minutes.  Avoid 'heavy' food as this will make you tired.

[oremike]

My longest day on my Bandit is 860 miles. Bike seems very comfertable to me. I stop every 2 hours to gas up and stretch a bit.

[jbrough7]

Forego the walkman and just sing!  It's great relaxation and the vibes inside your helmet are similar to those in an expensive recording studio...I'm thinking of putting out a CD!

Seriously, though, my biggest problem with long rides is after six hours, I'm just not as attentive as I was at the start of the day...gotta watch for those damn brakelights 100% of the time - 95% just doesn't do it!

[tacoman]

My biggest suggestion, especially if you're doing a lot of straight line hiway droning, is something for the throttle.  There are several out there, just a little strap that hooks around the grip with a tab that fits in the palm of your hand.  There are several brands, throttle meister, throttle rocker, etc.  You can relax your hand so you don't go numb from vibration.  Other than that, I carry a small aerosol can of glass cleaner and some paper towels to clean bug guts off the face shield.

[txbanditrydr]

There are several brands, throttle meister, throttle rocker, etc.  

+1 on some sort of throttle lock but watch out when using the throttle rocker style...  Better to rotate it out of position when not in use otherwise you can get quite a surprise during some hard braking maneuvers.

[speedytriple]

we do lots of long rides in our local riding group. last sunday i did 340 miles as a first of the year break in ride. when ever i do long rides i get some good sleep the night before if you are planning a early start. eat something light i like power bars or ceral bars. it sounds weird but i do some quick stretching before i get on the bike. i also take water with me to keep hydrated. i use a camalback so i can drink on the road. if you feel a bit off pull over and take a break. it gets easier after awhile, with time you will be up to 500mile days like we do every sunday we can get out.

mike

[smooth operator]

The ride down to the Bandit rally will be 630 mi. for me. That will be my longest ride so far.

[Red01]

There are several brands, throttle meister, throttle rocker, etc.  

+1 on some sort of throttle lock but watch out when using the throttle rocker style...  Better to rotate it out of position when not in use otherwise you can get quite a surprise during some hard braking maneuvers.

First off, ThrottleMeister is a throttle lock, not a rest.

For me it was just a matter of finding the sweet spot. I never move mine. Only took a few minutes of experimentation to find the sweet spot, and adjust my style to not get a fast idle on the occasions I didn't roll my wrist up to allow it to return to the stop. With my larger bar ends (ThrottleMeister), I can even move my hands outboard and use my ThrottleRocker as a thumb throttle on long drones.

[Tundrahog]

I have a throttle rocker that works great on the 4-lane.  I agree with everything above and would add earplugs to the list.  The big thing is to resist the temptation to "tough it out" when you start getting uncomfortable.  Pull off and walk around for 5-10 min. drink some water.  It will make you feel like new.

good luck!!

[snofrog]

just remember ,if you drive twice as fast it will only last half as long,making your trip shorter

[Rotten_Ronnie]

Ear plugs
Tank bag to rest your chest/head on out of the windblast
Throttle Rocker/Cramp buster

and



Lm(sore)ao

I'm in the market for a Corbin saddle for my GSF600. :)

[land_shark]

Ear plugs
Tank bag to rest your chest/head on out of the windblast
Throttle Rocker/Cramp buster

+1!  Exactly what I was going to recommend.  You'd be amazed at how that howling wind in your ears can wear you out mentally.  Takes some getting used to, but for long distances I would readily pick earplugs over headphones/music.

+1 stuffed tankbag.  if you get one with a clear map window, you could keep yourself entertained with a little bit 'o prOn up in 'nar  

+1 Throttle rocker.  easy to use (much moreso than a throttlemeister, anyway), and makes a noticeable differrence.

[gyrogearcrunch]

Truly said about "that howling wind" wearing you out. I ditched the "S" fairing and found an old Silhouette windshield that measures 26" over the headlight (I'm over 6'-2"). Ah-hhh - not even any turbulence! Great during sudden rainstorms too, not to mention kicked-up rocks.

A full-face helmet is a lot quieter than an open-face or shorty helmet. Behind that tall windshield, I often ride with the face shield slightly open instead of locked shut. The fresh air helps me keep alert.  

An upright seating position is easier on the entire upper body, especially the wrists, so I installed a taller bar with more pullback (from a GS1100).

Since I have case-savers, I bolted a good set of footrests onto them. When monkey-butt sets in, the boots go on the forward footpegs, or I move the butt back as far as I can on the seat. Amazing what these changes of riding position does for the lower back and the "sitzfleisch".

I often buy a bottle of "hot" V-8 juice at gas stops when I feel pooped. The pepper seems to perk up the metabolism without giving me the "coffee jitters".  

[B6mick]

The single thing that has made my long distance rides easier, safer, a hydration pack, either in back pack from or stuffed into a tankbag.
In the tankbag, is great as a few cold packs can be added to keep the fluid of choice, extra cold.
And they are so cheap these days, like when I bought mine they where the best part of $100 Aust, know ya can pick then up for less than $20.
The 2nd thing would have to be the new style breeze through summer jackets a god send, when heats on its way to 100 F.