traveling long distances

[mongoose]

Hey everyone, havent been on here for awhile, just to read posts now and again, but I need to know from some of you others. I have a 750 Areo, now I get about 135 on the tank, thats about normal so I am told for that size of a tank, what I want to know is, how is a bike that size and tank size for long trips, I take short trips around here ( Washington State) and its ok for that, but I have some concerns about longer distances, down to California for example, Have anyone of you guys gone really long distances on a bike this size? How was it, would you recomend it?
I am thinking of moving up in size if this is a problem.

Thanks everyone.

[RustyJake]

For most people the stopping for gas is a great excuse to stop and stretch your legs. It's about a stop every 2 hours, which really isn't that bad (especially for those that smoke and are having a craving).

[Shortlegs]

Hey RJ, are you qouting K's or Miles? I'm still on the main @ 250k's hit the fuel dock and it takes about 10 bucks worth of High Test $1.15 a liter.

As You know I just purchased my bike and the only long trip I have done was up to the S.S. in Nan.
But after riding up there I found that 1) Man did my butt hurt. 2) I need more highway power, 3) would like to have a tach, seems like that engine is really screaming at 120/130 Kmph.

P.S. I still playing possum on the S.S pics but will try and post them soon.

[RustyJake]

I got over 200 k's to a tank before my mods. If I drive sensible I can get 185 Kms to a tank before reserve. My normal driving about 170 and then tipping to reserve. I don't use the high test anymore, I actually get better milage out of the regular octance gasolines. The stock seats on these bikes suck big time. If you are into cruising long distances, have a look at the mustang seats. Corbin seats are great too (that's what I have), but from everything I've read the Mustangs get the nod a little more on the distance riding. Power-wise, I have no problems with mine the way it's set up now, but the sacrifice is a bit of fuel economy. You may want to look at different intakes, jetting and pipes if you want a little more ooomph.
As for the show'n'shine pics......LOL, I can't say anything about it. I had the digital camera with me and didn't snap one picture. BTW, I tied for Best Cruiser (they weren't prepared for a tie and I'll get the plaque today). I tied with the V-star with the 280 on the back done by the bike shop in Victoria. It was beside the orange chopper done by the same shop. He won second best in show and best chopper for his.

[mongoose]

ah you crazy canadians..lol....I am not too far south of you both in Everett, but geez, that converting from miles to kilometers is a real pain to figure out...just kidding... thanks for the replys :happy:

[RustyJake]

ah you crazy canadians..lol....I am not too far south of you both in Everett, but geez, that converting from miles to kilometers is a real pain to figure out...just kidding... thanks for the replys :happy:
LOL, we gotta be different somehow. A kilometer for easy reference is 5/8 of a mile. So, 200 km= 125 mile (170= 106-1/4 miles aprox.) When I stated 2 hours of driving, it was based on highway speeds of 60 mph (just under 100 kmph).

[Mr.Sinister]

I get pretty good mileage with the stage 3 jets /beans box mod and 2" open pipes . I think it's around 130 miles before I hit the reserve . I have plenty of hiway power too . Do you know if I can do some of the DP mods for perfomance with out doing the whole package? I.E 10-1 pistons without the cams or heads . I was thinking of doing it piece meal as I could afford it .

[RustyJake]

I wish I could get that kind of milage out of my stage 3 kit. I know I'm not 100% dialed in yet and may rip it apart and tinker a bit more to fine tune it.
I'm sure you could do some of the DP mods without doing them all. You wouldn't see near the performance gains and may have trouble dialing it in. Then you'd be at square one again when you add the next batch of parts. You may be better off saving your money until you can afford the whole lot and do it in one shot. Beats redoing it a couple of times.
I was thinking about doing the dp mods as well, but I think I'll wait until such a time that I have to open the motor up. It's a Honda, and I hate to mess with something that performs for the long haul.

[Mr.Sinister]

I run at idle speed alot to stay quiet . If I am going 30 mph I do it in 3rd . That is pretty low for 3rd on my bike .My pipes are really loud when I wind it out a little . I have almost paid off the old mods [ credit card ] and am thinking new mods . I have only had the bike 6 months and tearing the engine apart and adding things seems silly . But I am a little silly . I thought about doing the pistons and the S&S carb . I am also waiting for Bucks hard tail at TSW . I really want one of those . I am also thinking some 6deg trees and some custom billski fork extenders .

[RustyJake]

Looks like you have your work cut out for your wallet and credit card. I had looked at the 6* trees as well. But after reading some of the comments at TSW about riding the dragon with them and riding at high speeds (my main driving is highway) I don't think I'll go that route. I may just use the billski extensions. The trees are giving some wobble at higher speeds. I know there's a trade off for looks and comfort, just not sure of the safety issues with a vibration or wobble at higher speeds.
But the DP mods are still something I'll look at in the future.

[Mr.Sinister]

Wobble ? Like flex wobble or loose fit wobble ? Most bikes tend to "flop" a little with extended forks and a rake change .If you stretch a bike it runs better straight . But we are talking about the Dragon . And the TSW guys tend to ride the Dragon pretty fast . Grinding pegs with 6deg trees and fork extentions would seem counter intuitive to a thinking man . The more you change rake and trail the slower you take the turns . It's the rules .

[RustyJake]

The comments were posted in a thread about riding the dragon with raked trees. But some of the comments seemed to be about how it handled outside of the dragon as well. I'll see if I can find the thread over there and post a link (when I get home from work tonight).

[RustyJake]

Here's the link: http://forums.delphiforums.com/TheSpiritWorld/messages?msg=20440.1

[Mr.Sinister]

Those 6 deg trees sound like junk ! I think that the Mortons are the way to go safety wise . They are made with trail offset in mind . I will post a link .

[Mr.Sinister]

http://www.mortonscustom.com/APART.htm :Mrs. AJ:

[Wicked Wanda]

In the longer rides we have done, we typically stop about every 100 miles (give or take a few given location & what's around). We can stretch out the rides until we hit reserve but we normally don't unless we know the area we're riding well. It's not fun to sit on the side of the road out of gas...

As RJ mentioned you need the leg stretch/smoke/drink/restroom break about then anyways.

Weather will play a big factor in your trip as well. High heat/humidity and you'll be stopping more often because you dehydrate. We experienced this last June in Mississippi while riding the Natchez Trace. We were riding early morning and into the evening just to try to avoid the heat of the day. It was blistering hot beyond belief.

Riding in rain will fatigue you as well as damp, cold. You won't make as many miles on days like these...

And, as someone else mentioned, highly recommend the Mustang Seats. I haven't replaced the stock on my Aero but we have one on our Valkyrie and it's great. No matter what seat you have on, you ride 500+ miles in a day, your butt is going to be uncomfortable... :assbeat:

[RustyJake]

Those 6 deg trees sound like junk ! I think that the Mortons are the way to go safety wise . They are made with trail offset in mind . I will post a link .
Morton's are definitely the route to go if you are heading in that direction. With the extras they come with, the price is VERY comparable. The bikercom trees are just the trees.

[Inrharmony]

I know a woman who rode her 600 VLX across country....CA to VA....only thing was, she had a Mustang seat...but other than that, your bike is totally capable of doing ANYTHING....ANYTHING....ANYTHING. 750 is a perfect size....not small at all, plenty of weight to take you through weather, small enough to get good gas mileage....powerful enough to do the slab.