Triumphrat

FATCAT · 03-07-2007

Hey gang,

It has finally stopped raining and is slowly starting to get warmer here in MS. As a result I'm start'n to get two-wheel fever; I can hardly stand it. I'm wanting a serious all day/weekend trip. I've had my bike for a year, so I'm kind of a newbie, but my question is:

What is the longest ride/trip you folks have ever taken on the bonnie, and what is your secret??...

At best, I can handle about three to four hours of continuous riding, tops, before I have to get off and stretch and chill for a little-bit.

Thanks, :upthumb:

__________________

I hear the train a-come'n. It's come'n round the bend; And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when.

mjs3800 · 03-07-2007

2600 miles in 6 days on a naked Bonnie. Padded bike shorts and refoamed my seat with super cell atomic foam from Sargents.

English_Spanner · 03-07-2007

Stockport (NW England) to Le Cap-d'Agde (south coast of France) clocked 962 miles in a time of 23 hours 55 minutes.
This including the ferry crossing over the English channel and a 2 hour sleep on a grass verge just outside Paris.
This was on a '77 T140V 750cc Triumph Bonneville.

[ This message was edited by: English_Spanner on 2007-03-07 12:18 ]

markbvt · 03-07-2007

Quote:

On 2007-03-06 23:39, FATCAT wrote:
At best, I can handle about three to four hours of continuous riding, tops, before I have to get off and stretch and chill for a little-bit.

Wow, how do you manage to ride that long without stopping for gas?

In my experience, the trick to longer rides is simply to take breaks. When you stop for gas, get a cup of coffee or a soda as well, or just walk around for a few minutes and stretch your legs. Or if while you're riding you come across a nice place to stop for a few minutes, go ahead and do so even if you don't need gas yet. There's no need to be hurried... just take your time and stop for a few minutes whenever you feel like it.

I also make a point of stopping for a decent lunch in the middle of the day. I don't just wolf down a burger while standing next to the bike, I sit down somewhere and eat comfortably.

Factor all this in when deciding on destinations and timing, and just stay within your limits. As you gain experience, those limits will increase.

--mark

KaptWilly · 03-07-2007

Personally, I think it's a good idea to get off and stretch every couple of hours anyway. You're gonna run out of fuel after 120-150 miles, right? :hammer:

FATCAT · 03-07-2007

Yeah, you got me there, I wasn't thinking about fuel stops. As I said, I have the fever for a long trip. I wasn't thinking clearly. :???: I walk past Bonnie every mornig and hang my head in shame.

I'd have to stop for fuel about every 140-150 miles. So that's about 2 to 2-1/2 hours; depending on speed. Bonnie is bone stock except for a 18T sprocket.

My longest day road trip so far has been about two tanks worth; including the loop back home.

I have been wanting to take a trip down to New Orleans; then East along the coast and loop back. I haven't been there since Katrina. I used to spend a lot of time there when I was a kid. I'm kinda curious.

d2mini · 03-07-2007

The most I've done in a day is around 400 miles with lots of gas stops.

evand · 03-08-2007

I have done 600 mile days. You need a new seat at least a king and queen. Stop for gas every 100 miles avg walk around strech out you will be fine. Bring a rain suit don't let rain stop ya

RT · 03-08-2007

Quote:

On 2007-03-07 00:28, mjs3800 wrote:
2600 miles in 6 days on a naked Bonnie. Padded bike shorts and refoamed my seat with super cell atomic foam from Sargents.

Lot of miles per day. wow.

+1 on the padded shorts. I wear forcefield action shorts under my bike pants. Good padding (armour). If ya don't refoam at least get a sheepskin for the seat. Both make a huge diff in comfort. Can ride all day with only stops for gas, food.

Christov · 03-08-2007

My longest trip in one day was not on my Bonneville. My longest trip was when I was in the Army stationed in Kansas and I came home to Virginia on leave. I was riding a 1987 BMW K-75S at the time and travelled 1,268 miles in 21 hours straight. I basically only stopped for gas, and ate gas station food at each stop. I don't recommend this however, I was TOTALLY exhausted when I arrived home.