S3 Touring?

[OldSkoolFool]

Hey folks, I'm planning on selling my Thruxton for a more comfortable and slightly less expensive bike and am looking pretty seriously at a nice 2001 S3 in my area. I've lurked this section of the forum here and there and have seen some S3's that looked like they were doing some touring. So my question is, how is a completely stock 2001 S3 for long distance riding? What gets sore first? When looking at getting a S3 before my Thrux I found the riding position and seat to be rather comfortable (and even at that time, the Thrux to be fairly uncomfortable), I'll probably head to the dealer today to sit on some S3's to compare again.

I'm in pretty good shape at 24yo and my Thruxton kills my back after about 2hrs. I rode my bud's Kawi 636 and it was actually more comfortable than my Thrux, didn't hurt my back. I'm assuming the stock riding position on the S3 would suite me well. I'm assuming if it didn't that there are handle bars that could be purchased to better suite my needs.

So, let me know how you like long distance riding on your S3 and or if you made any mods to better suite long distance riding (fly screen help? higher handle bars?). I'm not looking for something to live on and go cross country, looking for something that I can ride for 4-6hrs in one day (with multiple breaks of course) and be able to walk the next day. :-D Thanks

[Stampy]

I did about 35000 Km's on my T509, Most of it touring no problem, just a bit of a sore ass every now and then. Gives you an excuse to stop for a beer. Most of those K's were two up as well, The S3 took it all in it's stride.

[Ricochet_Rabbit]

When I was 48 and in reasonable shape I was able to ride an S3 2500 miles in 3 days - say about 12-14 hours a day.
At 24, one half my age, and in good shape, you should be to do half of what I can do with no problem. It's a fairly comfortable bike.

[speedytriple]

i do long rides all the time, the first thing to get wore out on me is my legs. but i keep them in one place most of the time. i ride with my balls on the pegs, if they tire out i just move them around a bit to help with the cramps. i just did 450 miles of twisties yesterday, and my butt didnt get sore till i was on the freeway ride home. something about sitting in one place for 70 miles does it in. on the back roads i move around enough to not notice it. i have had my bike 4 season and have just over 31000 on it most of which is 200-400 mile days. with lots of freeway riding to work also during the week. they makes better seats, i just dont feel the need for one? guess i have more padding then some of these others here?

[ruscook]

OldSkoolFool, I've had the Speedy since Jan 11 and clocked up 12000km. I've done at least 3 1000km+ days, a bunch of 500-700km days and commute around 340km per week. The seat is not as comfortable as the Sprint. Everything else except pillion comfort (see above) and fuel range is better than the Sprint. I did 32000km on my 05/06 Sprint last year.

So I think the S3 is fine for touring, fine for long distance high speed runs, a great commuter and a hell of a package - the best package for the 1050 motor in my opinion.

Check out my bike links for details of some of the rides, and have fun!!!

Russ

[OldSkoolFool]

Thanks for the replies and info. I'm looking at getting a 2001 for a great deal, hope it's not sold by the time I can go look at it. Is freeway riding pretty windy on a S3, meaning almost unbearably windy? I'd most likely put a fly screen on it to help out with that assuming it would. I'm curious if a chin spoiler and radiator cowl would help with that as well.

Has anyone ever put on slightly higher handle bars?

[scratch]

A buddy and I did a two-week riding/camping trip through the Rocky Mountains last September, and the Speed Triple worked out pretty well for that duty. We averaged @ 350 miles per day. My comfort modifications consisted of a Laminar Lip fly screen, 3/4" bar risers and a beaded seat cover. I have a MoTech centerstand which makes chain maintenance much easier to perform while on the road. For better luggage-carrying ability, I fabricated a platform using a spare passenger seat base.

Here's the touring set up:


Here's the bike fully loaded:


It should probably also be mentioned that I've had the suspension completely re-built, re-valved and re-sprung, which provides benefits for both comfort and handling.

[roadkill]

I put some big miles just this year.

Rode from maryland to florida in a day. And did the return trip in a day too. I think thats only 800 per trip.
I ended up with 2100 after hitting key west.

The speed triple is great, but the wind blast will kill you after a while. No matter how long you get, you still get blasted.

[J_DOGG]

I still rock the stock seat and my wife and I just did 4 hours with one break and she loved it... The entire bike is still stock.

she only has the grab rail right now and I'm working on a back rest- it's actaully in the works and should be on the bike in a week or two. My buddy is not moving as fast as I would like, but I can't do it so I need to wait for him.

[Buster]

This summer i did a 1200 km or 750 mile day, on high speed, 100+ mph.
I was riding with a 30 litre tank bag and that took away a lot of windpressure of the body! I was positively surprised