slickwill

On approximately July 20th? Would I regret it.



It's 1384 miles for those counting. Waukee, IA to Greenleaf, ID. I'd put it in the back of my truck that is waiting for me in Idaho for the return trip 6 weeks later. I figure break it up into three days?

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ND4SPD

I wouldn't slab it. Take the back roads and enjoy the country I've done 1600 miles on a 600RR in 5 days before. The most miserable part was being on the interstate.

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gt702

Plus 1 to stay off the interstate. A few hundred miles of that leave me more tired at the end of the day than 600+ of country roads. Only thing to do while sitting on the slab is to think about how you haven't moved a muscle for the last 2 hours, the pegs buzz, the hands are numb, and the butt and spine hurts from hitting expansion joints every 40 feet. These all seem to go away when you have changing scenery and a few curves thrown in.

500 miles a day should not be a killer. Just be sure to stretch for 5 minutes at every gas stop and keep hydrated. I say go for it.

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slickwill

I'm afraid with my luck I'll end up in a tornado (and the associated downpour). However some used cortech saddlebags just popped up and I might make an offer.

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If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

SheepOfBlue

Doable but I would combine slab with US highways. 500 miles a day 3 days in a row might add up but I could do it on the RR

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gt702

My "day trip" from Avon, CO to just east of Des Moines, IA included riding through the Nebraska "razer winds" as the guy at the gas station called them. Approx. 50 mph winds from the due south. Made passing trees, hills, trucks and interesting adventure, but you learn to deal with it.

Tornados would be a good thing to avoid, and if it is a real down pour, pulling under a bridge or gas station cover would be a nice thing. Riding in the rain isn't that bad if you are prepared for it, can convince yourself to relax/enjoy, and practice smooth movements on the bars/gas. It can be a real confidence booster

Besides, at the end of the day the OCD will kick in and and you'll be too busy cleaning to think about sore muscles

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gt702

Nothing like throwing down the wooly gauntlet

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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
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slickwill

No joke. I might be younger but at this point I'm sure I'm not in better shape.

I've ridden in the Nebraska "razor wind." 50 mph from straight south is exactly what it was. For two hours straight on 80 that runs straight east-west. I was leaning so far to the left the entire way that I expected to be missing that half of my tires. The only thing that saved it was that then I had two hours home going the other way. My neck was so sore from holding my head against it the next day.

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If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

SheepOfBlue

Well for reference I once did 1100ish almost straight through and a large part was on the Natchez Trace at 50MPH'ish So maybe you shouldn't judge good ideas on me Though I do 4-500 days on through the hills often in the summer. The trick is to stretch BEFORE your knees bother you, well one trick.

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slickwill

My knees have never bothered me on the long trips. It is all my lower back and backside. Mostly backside. The F4i has a definite plank seat. If I actually get up the nerve to do this I'll probably buy some gel shorts to go under the leathers. I'll probably also just go with one of the cheap race rain suits (plastic) that is meant to go over leathers rather than trying to pack leathers and "actual" rain gear.

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If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

gt702

Mine was all in one direction. I took to hanging off the inside

Start doing squats at least twice a day for at least 5-10 minutes at a shot, and do some crunches. This will build a little strength in your core areas which will support your back. Then just do some light stretching (don't over do it) to loosen up the muscles at stops.

I also recommend going out for a 200 mile ride one day about 1-2 weeks before the trip, if not sooner. I have found that if I ride once until I'm truly sore, and first thing in the spring 200 miles will just about do it, then I can do much more than that later without pain. I think the first time you do that you remind your muscles they are supposed to do something. If I don't do that first, then the whole trip is less than enjoyable.

Good luck on your decision, and trip.

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gt702

Hey, no judging, nor poo-pooing your ideas. I'll also avoid the debating who's ride is better than who; only adding that I have experience with similar.

I'd get "decent" rain gear instead of the one use variety. I did a quick google on "motorcycle rain suit yellow" and came up with a Technic 2 piece for $32 that looks similar to one I used for years, and still have. Lined ones are better, but more expensive and pack larger, because they slide on nice, but you can do it with the PVC ones by applying powder first and it will slip on even with damp leather.

Stretching a little will keep the bad stuff (tanic acid?) from building up in the muscles and the muscles (and mind) loose so they don't ache later.

Have you ridden with the full leathers yet? You might be surprised. I can go twice as far with comfort in my leathers than without. The hip padding generally wraps around to help, and the better support is good. A gel pad might be nice too.

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slickwill

That's actually what I kind of had in mind for rain gear.

Lactic acid is what you are meaning in the muscles.

I've had a few rides in the full leathers nothing over 50 miles though. At first I they were more "work" than just a jacket and jeans but they seem to have stretched enough to be a lot better. They definitely help the backside. It took me awhile to get used to shifting with the combo of the shin pads and boots. I had a hard time bending my ankle. I actually adjusted the shift lever down a bit and that made a huge difference. My only complaint now is that they seem to kind of bunch and pull tight right behind my knee. That seems to be getting better as well. I'll probably have them broken in quite a bit more by the time that I actually need (want) to do this ride.

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If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

SheepOfBlue

+1 on the suit. I have a tourmaster that I had to use out in the Yellowstone area. I rode for 2+ hours in pouring rain and only my feets got wet (vented boots ) well an inch of water in your boots may not qualify as just wet. Your bike is different as is your age but on the RR my knees sieze. The point is find out where you get sore and stop BEFORE it starts to hurt. Eventually you will just get sore but stopping periodically before seems to help extend my range. Oh and what if you took four? On a ride that far two 500 days in rain might be to much (even if you are water repellant).

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Repeater

The only thing that hurts after a long ride is my poor bumm. It may not help i am 6' and only weigh 150 wet. I have the noassatall disease. I have been looking for an aftermarket seat pad for the 300+ mile rides i take, but they all seem geared to the cruiser market. What the hell do they need one fur anywho? Fat f__ks on fat seats already.

Enjoy the trip, and pay attention to those signs that say last services so many miles away.

f1_hurricane

Look into a Corbin saddle, my buddy has one on his Gsxr, pricey but much more comfortable then stock

and slick if your back gets sore during riding long periods consider a back support in the terms of a weight lifting belt or something. old cruiser trick of my dad.

slickwill

I have the same problem here 5'10" and 140#. The pain in my back is nowhere near equal to the pain in my rear.

__________________
If it has wheels, I've crashed it, and some things that don't skis, snowmobile, card board box, giant tube, sentra, dirtbike, lawn tractor, grandmas bread tray, kayak, canoe, raft, bicycle, waterskis, tobaggan, horse, ATV, Now my CBR (women)

DrHall

Looks like a fun trip to me, I would do it in a heartbeat! Yes, at my age and on that type of bike...

Plus one on the stay off the slab as much as possible, and get some good rain gear. I have Frogg Toggs, and like them a lot, though you may not need breathable rain gear.

The bike shorts help quite a bit, make sure you dump some Gold Bond in 'em before the ride. I think a seat pad would be a good idea, too. Also, a large tank bag can provide a nice place to rest your chest on to help with the back thing for a whie.

I am envious, Slick. That looks like a great ride! Have fun!

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DrHall

Actually, after some thought I think a warm up trip would be in order: Driving Directions from [100-199] Main St, Waukee, IA to 7201 Lessiter Rd NE, Belding, MI

I am considering one myself...

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gt702

Personally, the Corbin didn't fit me very well (VFR) and I couldn't get it off fast enough. I didn't like the deep dish and it was very hard. I have a Sargent on my RC51, which I like, but that is a different seat than on the F4i .

You can consider changing the foam in the stock seat. I don't know if they still do, but Sargent would sell the foam separately so you could redo your own seat. I like thier foam because it is supple, but doesn't compress too far over time ... an added layer of foam or inserting a gell pad might be an option too. Not too difficult, just pull the staples under the seat, insert the foam (cut to shape of course), and then staple back together.

Yeah, Lactic acid, that's what I meant.

Bunching behind the knee is an issue for me, which is one hit against the Aerostitch's added bulk. For leathers I make sure I lift the leather in the legs a bit so the bend of the knee is in the right place. Other wise when standing the thicker leg leather settles in there and gives me issues. Make a conscious effort to get things in position before taking off and you will likely have better results.

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gt702

Actually did that in the Avon to DeMoines trip I mentioned earlier. Made it to Grattan about 4pm the second day in time to see the last practice and unload the race bike from my team mate's trailer, then racing the next 2 days (5 classes), before jumping back on my VFR to finish the trip home Sunday night . A couple days at the track is a good way to end a trip that included 5 days riding in CO, after getting there by way of Texas.

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Repeater

It's like i fear the seat! My syspension is pretty hard since it has a track setup. The roads hear in Cocal are slab pieces also so its a bumpaty bumpaty bump fu__king bump. I wear my a* back protector tight to hold the kidneys so i don't piss blood at the end of the ride.

I like the seat for the track though. I have been thinking maybe some Padded bycycle shorts may help also!

Have fun on your ride.

f1_hurricane

Dont even have to deal with Sargent to get the foam for a seat. Any upholstery shop will refoam and if you want, recover the seat. Thats not too expensive either depending on where you go.

gt702

True. I only mention Sargent because I know their foam is well suited for the application. I wouldn't know what to ask for going into an upholstery shop, but that could just be my ignorance to the types of foam out there.

I searched their site just to get an idea of price and rediscovered they have a fairly nice description of custom foam choices and why you would want to do one of them. Something to consider if you want to alter from stock. An upolstery shop can do this, or you can do it yourself.

I couldn't find a separate price for the foam.

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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein