I may have an apportunity to ride (2-up with my wide and luggage) across Canada next spring. This isn't an Iron Butt ride so there are no time/distance based milestones to hit. Trip will end up being approx. 16k kms, as I would ride across, then back home to Toronto. Purpose is to ride, see, experience, photograph and write about it. Time and finances permitted a leg up to Alaska may be part of the itinerary.
So far our longest trip was 3 days averaging ~ 350 kms/day and all was fine for both of us. Our goal, should we do this, is to average 500 kms/day with 1 day off every 3-4 days.
Has anyone attempted a tour of this length on their RR?
If so any feedback/comments/encounters would be appreciated.
Cross Country touring
Moderator: Moderators
Cross Country touring
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
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peterbulgar
- Basic User
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:40 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA
The longest trip I've taken on my R was two-up with my son to the Spokane rally and on to Hyder, AK last year - 4200 miles. We didn't camp. In two days I'm setting off on a week long, 2000 mile trip with my daughter, and we will be camping. My wife and I did an 8000 mile honeymoon trip on my R75/5 in 1977 (yes, we are still married - and we took subsequent long trips) and we camped most of the way. I think that the R is a perfectly capable touring platform, especially if you are taking it easy and not doing 500 mile days.
You didn't mention what modifications you have on your bike: I'd suggest a windscreen (the R75 had no screen and low, Euro bars, but I was a lot younger back then), the BMW tank bag, one of the Best Rest Products luggage racks instead of the BMW rack, the matching backrest for the passenger, and a Sargent rear seat. If you already have the BMW luggage perch, the Pirate's Lair backrest works very well, and the medium T-bag fits over the backrest and will stay on the rack.
Check out the Iron Butt site for their 29 tips for long distance riding:
http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm
You seem to have thought this through very well, and you aren't fooling yourself by planning to ride long distances every day. Bon Voyage.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA
You didn't mention what modifications you have on your bike: I'd suggest a windscreen (the R75 had no screen and low, Euro bars, but I was a lot younger back then), the BMW tank bag, one of the Best Rest Products luggage racks instead of the BMW rack, the matching backrest for the passenger, and a Sargent rear seat. If you already have the BMW luggage perch, the Pirate's Lair backrest works very well, and the medium T-bag fits over the backrest and will stay on the rack.
Check out the Iron Butt site for their 29 tips for long distance riding:
http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm
You seem to have thought this through very well, and you aren't fooling yourself by planning to ride long distances every day. Bon Voyage.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA
500 kilometers a day should be a peach of a ride. If you're not rushing to get somewhere and be there at a certain time, that is a pretty nice pace. If you don't have a backrest for the wife consider one of the Stealth backrests from Pirate's Lair. Mucho excellent...
arkline #27
not THE Ron Kline
"No matter where you go, there you are."
not THE Ron Kline
"No matter where you go, there you are."
True jamming.....it would be a solo journey......for years!!
Bad place for a typo. I can't even claim it as a Freudian slip.....she's a tiny little thing!
Was looking at the Pirate's Lair back rest, and the one from Best Rest Prods.
They both look pretty good. I'm also considering the Givi top box, which acts as a backrest as well.
Right now the bike is stock (flyscreen, system cases, and rear carryiing tray).
Will probably switch to the BMW RR tall screen. This was not avail last year when I picked up the bike, in Canada anyway.
I've also added a GPS, which I've used quite a bit this season.
Bad place for a typo. I can't even claim it as a Freudian slip.....she's a tiny little thing!
Was looking at the Pirate's Lair back rest, and the one from Best Rest Prods.
They both look pretty good. I'm also considering the Givi top box, which acts as a backrest as well.
Right now the bike is stock (flyscreen, system cases, and rear carryiing tray).
Will probably switch to the BMW RR tall screen. This was not avail last year when I picked up the bike, in Canada anyway.
I've also added a GPS, which I've used quite a bit this season.
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
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FGanger
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Guest - Vinman
cross country ride on RR
The RR is a great bike to ride cross country. You've already done 300 km/day on it. I wouldn't sweat 500 km/day. The bike is capable.
You didn't mention what type of seats you have - OEM or custom. If you don't have a sargeant or similar you might want to invest in airhawk pads. Some kind of windscreen will also be nice. I just used a Givi A750 for my ride across the US. Of course I had the luck that in many places the wind was hitting me from the side and pushing on the side of my helmet, making me think a windscreen on the front was a waste of money. It also depends on how fast you plan on riding.
I guess the only other issue is weather or not you can find room to carry all you think you will need since you will be two-up. I used the passenger seat for a couple duffle bags to carry rain gear, spare face shield, heated liner, clothes, digital camera, extra water, and some other misc items. I used the side cases for video camera, laptop, battery chargers for laptop and phone, tools, spare oil, spare gas (which I never needed), maps, MP3 player, toiletries, and bike lock. Maybe your wife can wear a small backpack to carry some stuff?
On your route do you think there is a possibility that gas stations may be very few and far between? If so, maybe a little spare fuel would be good to carry in addition to the regular collection of emergency tools and tire repair kit.
Don't forget paper maps in addition to a GPS. A GPS is great, but not always as reliable as a printed map.
You might also want to try to estimate how many miles you can get from your tires and prepare for a change by seeking out dealers in the area where you expect you may hit that mileage mark. It will be a good idea to call a few days ahead to give them a heads up just in case they don't have the right tire size in stock. This way you're not making dozens of phone calls trying to find your tires in stock and wasting your vacation.
You didn't mention what type of seats you have - OEM or custom. If you don't have a sargeant or similar you might want to invest in airhawk pads. Some kind of windscreen will also be nice. I just used a Givi A750 for my ride across the US. Of course I had the luck that in many places the wind was hitting me from the side and pushing on the side of my helmet, making me think a windscreen on the front was a waste of money. It also depends on how fast you plan on riding.
I guess the only other issue is weather or not you can find room to carry all you think you will need since you will be two-up. I used the passenger seat for a couple duffle bags to carry rain gear, spare face shield, heated liner, clothes, digital camera, extra water, and some other misc items. I used the side cases for video camera, laptop, battery chargers for laptop and phone, tools, spare oil, spare gas (which I never needed), maps, MP3 player, toiletries, and bike lock. Maybe your wife can wear a small backpack to carry some stuff?
On your route do you think there is a possibility that gas stations may be very few and far between? If so, maybe a little spare fuel would be good to carry in addition to the regular collection of emergency tools and tire repair kit.
Don't forget paper maps in addition to a GPS. A GPS is great, but not always as reliable as a printed map.
You might also want to try to estimate how many miles you can get from your tires and prepare for a change by seeking out dealers in the area where you expect you may hit that mileage mark. It will be a good idea to call a few days ahead to give them a heads up just in case they don't have the right tire size in stock. This way you're not making dozens of phone calls trying to find your tires in stock and wasting your vacation.
Great points Vinman.
I have stock seats. The Airhawk cushions have been highly recommended though. CAA (AAA in the US) can provide maps and service station info along the way. Most of this would be along the Trans-Canada Hwy. I'll carry spare gas in any event.
Logistics is a different story. I was planning on setting up a FedEx account enabling me to send stuff home, or, have a family member ship additional items to arrive at a planned stop. I thought this may eliminate the need to carry more than needed for 'X' amount of legs (keeping the GRVW in mind).
Good thought about hte tires though! I know they would need a change at least once and planning to have the right set at a pre-determined service stop makes good sense!
This is all still in the planning stage...and these and other tips have been very helpful....Thanks!!
I have stock seats. The Airhawk cushions have been highly recommended though. CAA (AAA in the US) can provide maps and service station info along the way. Most of this would be along the Trans-Canada Hwy. I'll carry spare gas in any event.
Logistics is a different story. I was planning on setting up a FedEx account enabling me to send stuff home, or, have a family member ship additional items to arrive at a planned stop. I thought this may eliminate the need to carry more than needed for 'X' amount of legs (keeping the GRVW in mind).
Good thought about hte tires though! I know they would need a change at least once and planning to have the right set at a pre-determined service stop makes good sense!
This is all still in the planning stage...and these and other tips have been very helpful....Thanks!!
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
I recently completed a coat-to-coast ride (Massachusetts to California) on my '04 1150r. It was about 3500 miles in all. I have to say that the RR is a fantastic touring bike. I'm sure you will say the same at the end of your ride.
The only thing I would do differently is to invest in a good aftermarket seat (Sargent). The combination of AirHawk seat + bicycle riding shorts + anti-monkey-butt powder only worked for about the first 1500 miles - the seat was uncomfortable after that - needed more support.
My setup was as follows:
- Touring windshield
- MotoFizz tank bag (from aerostich.com)
- BMW system cases
- GIVI 45 liter topcase (from rlmotorcycles.com - great guys)
- AirHawk Seat Pad
- Martin Fabrications PIAA 1100x auxiliary lights (http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/Li ... MFL-R1150R)
Gear:
- Aerostich Darien Jacket and overpants
- Aerostich Combat Lite boots
- Held gloves
- Arai Quantum helmet (white); helmet halo (on throughout the ride)
- Spare visors - one dark and one clear
- Earplugs (http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/moldexrockets.html)
- Heated inner jacket (gebring)
Included in my repair kit was an air pump (walmart) and tire plug kit (also walmart) that I actually used when I blew the rear tire near Denver. (you will need the accessory-plug to cigarette-lighter converter cable from bmw)
The only thing I would do differently is to invest in a good aftermarket seat (Sargent). The combination of AirHawk seat + bicycle riding shorts + anti-monkey-butt powder only worked for about the first 1500 miles - the seat was uncomfortable after that - needed more support.
My setup was as follows:
- Touring windshield
- MotoFizz tank bag (from aerostich.com)
- BMW system cases
- GIVI 45 liter topcase (from rlmotorcycles.com - great guys)
- AirHawk Seat Pad
- Martin Fabrications PIAA 1100x auxiliary lights (http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/Li ... MFL-R1150R)
Gear:
- Aerostich Darien Jacket and overpants
- Aerostich Combat Lite boots
- Held gloves
- Arai Quantum helmet (white); helmet halo (on throughout the ride)
- Spare visors - one dark and one clear
- Earplugs (http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/moldexrockets.html)
- Heated inner jacket (gebring)
Included in my repair kit was an air pump (walmart) and tire plug kit (also walmart) that I actually used when I blew the rear tire near Denver. (you will need the accessory-plug to cigarette-lighter converter cable from bmw)
Don't forget spare headlight and tailight bulbs. I needed my spare headlight bulb on my trip.
I used a bicycle pump instead of an electric pump. Its called a mountain morph frame/floor pump. It has an aluminum body, a short hose to reach the air valve, and a support that flips out so you stand on it - using it like a floor pump. Its small and worked great. $30 at Princeton Sports.
Camelback, so you can drink while riding. I stuffed a 50 oz camelback bladder in my tank bag since I personally didn't like the camelback while wearing an armored jacket.
Other stuff I had includes:
-Two pairs of gloves. Mesh for hot weather, solid leather for cooler weather.
-Gerbing heated liner.
-Joe Rocket super ego jacket so I would have the option of full leather (cooler weather) or mesh jacket (hot weather).
-Two pairs of bicycle shorts which I wore under my Alpinestars riding pants.
-Bungie net - I only used this when I did laundry the night before and it didn't dry by the next morning. So wet clothes were held down by the net and dried while riding.
-Sahara vest for really hot weather.
-Clear and smoke face shields.
- I made sure I had a torx socket and allen wrench for every size bolt I could reach.
-electrical tape
-a couple zip ties
-small flashlight
-plenty earplugs
Hope this helps
I used a bicycle pump instead of an electric pump. Its called a mountain morph frame/floor pump. It has an aluminum body, a short hose to reach the air valve, and a support that flips out so you stand on it - using it like a floor pump. Its small and worked great. $30 at Princeton Sports.
Camelback, so you can drink while riding. I stuffed a 50 oz camelback bladder in my tank bag since I personally didn't like the camelback while wearing an armored jacket.
Other stuff I had includes:
-Two pairs of gloves. Mesh for hot weather, solid leather for cooler weather.
-Gerbing heated liner.
-Joe Rocket super ego jacket so I would have the option of full leather (cooler weather) or mesh jacket (hot weather).
-Two pairs of bicycle shorts which I wore under my Alpinestars riding pants.
-Bungie net - I only used this when I did laundry the night before and it didn't dry by the next morning. So wet clothes were held down by the net and dried while riding.
-Sahara vest for really hot weather.
-Clear and smoke face shields.
- I made sure I had a torx socket and allen wrench for every size bolt I could reach.
-electrical tape
-a couple zip ties
-small flashlight
-plenty earplugs
Hope this helps
"Be a man and face the fire. Make something ugly into something beautiful." Unknown taxi driver.
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