Author Topic: Long ride advice for an inexperienced rider... (Read 10207 times)

redrider90 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 01, 2015, 02:13:11 PM »

Tire pressure always checked when cold. Just a few miles in the summer will raise the pressure and give you a false reading.
As for back roads I am all for it. The super slab @ 75-8- MPH with traffic is not the place to learn.
As for target fixation back roads are a great place to practice at low speeds what not to do, which is fix you mind on a target and head for it. Practice practice practice, with intention. If you see something lying in the road practice avoidance. You do not need to prove anything. Just enjoy and get home safe.
Do not stray to far from home. Do not go 100 miles and then turn around. Try staying with 50 or less of home in case you fatigue and just become uncomfortable.
Don't drink a red bull unless you can handle caffeine real easy. Nothing worse that getting jacked up on caffeine, dehydrate from the caffeine and you loose some judgement.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 01, 2015, 03:15:30 PM »

I made a run to my dealer today, first time since I bought the bike 15 months ago. They loaded the updated map into my '14 V7 Special. 215 miles round trip the back way. Get used to distance as a Guzzi owner - for pretty much anything.

Tom · « **Reply #32 on:** August 01, 2015, 03:27:07 PM »

All good tips. Check your engine oil before your ride.

ScepticalScotty · « **Reply #33 on:** August 01, 2015, 04:40:01 PM »

Tell you one thing though - one of THE biggest moments in my motorcycling life was when I pulled into a place to stay the night because I wasn't going home.....

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #33 on:** August 01, 2015, 04:40:01 PM »

roofus · « **Reply #34 on:** August 01, 2015, 05:02:40 PM »

this is essential during and after a long trip:

http://www.antimonkeybutt.com

kingoffleece · « **Reply #35 on:** August 01, 2015, 05:17:00 PM »

CB 450-what a great bike that was!

Lots of good tips here. I cover big miles on a regular basis. I'll add: on the V7 use the passenger pegs from time to time as you move back on the seat. Also, they work great if you're fighting a headwind as you can "lay" into the wind and it will hold you up.

Also, even after all these years I still get a bit "antsy" for the first 30 miles or so-and then it smooths out and I can go for another 600.
be aware of this as you may also feel a bit hyped as you start off.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #36 on:** August 01, 2015, 10:32:40 PM »

Shuuuuu............ .don't tell him yet.
Soon enough he'll be riding 200 miles to have coffee!

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2015, 06:27:50 AM »

Quote from kingoffleece:

Quote

Soon enough he'll be riding 200 miles to have coffee!

Not me! Because with my bladder it would be a 200 mile ride to the place to drink coffee then on the way home I would be having series of 30 mile rides checking out restrooms.
GliderJohn

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #38 on:** August 02, 2015, 07:06:36 AM »

Pay attention both to the road and to your body. Don't get too hot, cold, or dry. Earplugs are a must. ATGATT, go and enjoy.

Chuck-D · « **Reply #39 on:** August 03, 2015, 11:06:19 AM »

Hey guys,

So I made it. 150 miles each way, mostly highway. It was 5 city miles, 100 highway, and 45 on country roads.
Earplugs were a lifesaver, as were my sunglasses (when I found myself going due east from 6-9 AM). I did have to stop right at 30 miles, I got antsy & had to get of highway. I fueled up, stretched, and back on it. Bike felt good at 50mph, and ok up to 70, depending on wind. Gusty winds are a real bitch above 50mph. Also, that was a real experience in hyper-awareness.
But a great trip, and no oh-shits.

Thanks for all the advice!

rocker59 · « **Reply #40 on:** August 03, 2015, 11:12:02 AM »

Quote from: Perazzimx14 on July 31, 2015, 10:53:34 PM

A long ride is nothing more than a bunch of short rides coupled together.

That's the same way I look at long rides!

davedel44 · « **Reply #41 on:** August 03, 2015, 11:18:01 AM »

Quote from: Chuck-D on August 03, 2015, 11:06:19 AM

Hey guys,

So I made it. 150 miles each way, mostly highway. It was 5 city miles, 100 highway, and 45 on country roads.
Earplugs were a lifesaver, as were my sunglasses (when I found myself going due east from 6-9 AM). I did have to stop right at 30 miles, I got antsy & had to get of highway. I fueled up, stretched, and back on it. Bike felt good at 50mph, and ok up to 70, depending on wind. Gusty winds are a real bitch above 50mph. Also, that was a real experience in hyper-awareness.
But a great trip, and no oh-shits.

Thanks for all the advice!

Great start!

Dave
Galveston

nunzio · « **Reply #42 on:** August 03, 2015, 11:18:24 AM »

Quote from: Chuck-D on August 03, 2015, 11:06:19 AM

Hey guys,

I did have to stop right at 30 miles, I got antsy & had to get of highway.

Listening to yourself is the key!!!!!!!

Glad you had a good trip...You will get used to the wind in due time.

rboe · « **Reply #43 on:** August 03, 2015, 03:07:25 PM »

At some point you may take a vacation on one where 500-700 day would be the norm (12+ hours) and all those little rides do nothing to prepare the body for holding the throttle that long, leaning into the wind, fighting the wind, butt getting worn in new spots - you just get plain wore out and beat up. After a few days though you get stronger (at least when you are younger it only takes a few days......) and it does get easier. But it's something to look forward to.

Just be thankful you don't have a 1970's to 1980's inline four with four throttle return springs. Oh man they could cramp your wrist!

Cam3512 · « **Reply #44 on:** August 03, 2015, 03:17:36 PM »

Quote from: Chuck-D on August 03, 2015, 11:06:19 AM

Hey guys,

So I made it. 150 miles each way, mostly highway. It was 5 city miles, 100 highway, and 45 on country roads.
Earplugs were a lifesaver, as were my sunglasses (when I found myself going due east from 6-9 AM). I did have to stop right at 30 miles, I got antsy & had to get of highway. I fueled up, stretched, and back on it. Bike felt good at 50mph, and ok up to 70, depending on wind. Gusty winds are a real bitch above 50mph. Also, that was a real experience in hyper-awareness.
But a great trip, and no oh-shits.

Thanks for all the advice!

I agree. Highway sppeeds and wind gusts on the light V7 makes for some white knuckle rides. Not the bike's strong point.

ScepticalScotty · « **Reply #45 on:** August 03, 2015, 06:10:04 PM »

Thats great you got the first one out of the way. I did 400+ miles myself these last 48 hours - ride 200 to deliver sausages made from kangaroo to a BBQ - eat sausages and drink beer - sleep - nip into London to renew my passport - then ride 200+ home.

Breva750 did great as usual - but noticed the right hand exhaust can is flopping about a little - a join between the silencer and the metal tab that screws to the subframe is knackered. Oh well.

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #46 on:** August 03, 2015, 06:45:01 PM »

Before you know it you'll be going for breakfast and coming back 9 hours and 300 miles later.

wymple · « **Reply #47 on:** August 03, 2015, 10:31:30 PM »

"Just be thankful you don't have a 1970's to 1980's inline four with four throttle return springs. Oh man they could cramp your wrist!"

Yes, but it only costs about 12 bucks for a good tensioning cruise control piece. My old 1981 4 banger is no problem.

Rich A · « **Reply #48 on:** August 03, 2015, 11:04:11 PM »

Did anyone mention a throttle rocker? Those can be helpful on longish rides.

Rich A

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Author Topic: Long ride advice for an inexperienced rider... (Read 10207 times)

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