Long ride advice for an inexperienced rider...

[Chuck-D]

Hey all,

 I need some advice , looking for long distance riding pointers for an inexperienced rider.
 I'm a relatively new owner of a V7 II Stone - it's been three months, but thanks to an unrelated broken leg, I only have about a hundred miles on the bike. I am admittedly an inexperienced rider, but generally mature and cautious. I've ridden in the city a lot, but I have to take a 200+ mile trip tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous. I haven't yet taken the V7 out onto the highway, and this will be my longest ride. I'm leaving at 6am to avoid traffic & heat.

So, please advise away....

  ---  Chuck-D

[LongRanger]

That's a good distance for a first "long" ride. I think you'll find that it goes easier than you think. If you need a break, stop and get off the bike to get refreshed, but otherwise, enjoy the scenery, don't feel rushed, and I think you'll do great. If you have earplugs, be sure to wear them as they'll reduce the fatigue from wind noise.

[Gliderjohn]

Know the weather and dress appropriately. If hot, ride with your body covered and drink a lot of fluids starting this evening, powder your butt in the morning and use seamless underwear. If there is any chance of rain have rain gear along. If you do not ride with full protective gear at least use a good, preferably full face helmet, boots and gloves. Ride defensively and alertly. Otherwise use common sense and enjoy.
GliderJohn

[boatdetective]

 :1: earplugs!  Relax on the highway and don't hold on with a death grip.
Make sure you stay hydrated z and that means potassium and electrolytes. If I drink too much coffee and sweat too much, I get terrible leg cramps. Banannas and dried apricots are a great source.

[canuguzzi]

One fuel stop during the trip and just go ride. Don't tempt fuel gauges, fill up when you get a ways down the road and thus know you can return without worry.

A credit card and a bit of cash. Always enough to stay some place and get home sans motorcycle, it could happen to anyone at any time. You're on a fine bike, 200 miles for the bike is nothing. Your butt though may decide different. Since it's your first out of towner, some phone numbers of people to call in case there is a hiccup.

Items:

A small micro-fiber cloth inside a ziplock bag. Goes under the seat or wherever. Wonderful in case you need to wipe a faceshield, headlamp or anything else.

A couple packets of those foil bagged face towettes. You get there, helmet off and wipe your face. Instead of looking like helmet head pasty face you are refreshed instantly. You feel much better after the leg.

2 or 3 tip ties but I prefer a small amount of velco wrap around a handlebar. A cable tie come loose or something like that, instant fix, no hassle.

That is about it. None of this stuff increases what you really carry on your person nor makes you carry a bag of any kind.

If you don't have any side bags, a small backpack if you need to bring something back or as you ride, see something you might want.

One last thing, do not go anywhere without it. A bottle of water. It can be a small one but take it. A bottle of water can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one, even if just out for 3-4 hours. You stop and need to check on something and it is so much better to have that bottle of water. Then you have the micro fiber if you need to wipe anything more and it can always be thrown away. Shit happens, sometimes literally and way better than also carrying around some paper towels or TP.

None of this adds any real bulk, won't affect style or anything like that but can easily make the difference between a nice half day ride and back or misery over something small.

[nunzio]

If you don't want to... don't get on the highway.
You will be amazed at how many well-paved  and fun side-roads there are.
Don't think.... I'm a whimp for stopping after 15 minutes or even 5 minutes.
Sometimes I could keep riding until I ran out of gas..on an Eldorado that's a good distance...Sometime s I need a break(Pee or kink in leg,whatever... after 10 minutes.
Stop....Stop... until your ready to go again
I know that you understand that getting there is safely is your number one goal ,but, I guarantee you will think about going further down the road because that is what I read "real" riders do, or I'm in hurry.
Give yourself an extra 90 minutes each way.
Find a coffee shop at the other end and CHILL....Alan

[canuguzzi]

^^^

And before you leave, know where that coffee shop is. Nothing like knowing where good stops are along the way even for short-medium rides.

[fotoguzzi]

What Nunzio said.. stop anytime you feel like it, what's the rush? coffee shop stop is good, a little (or more) caffeine helps me stay alert.

[clubman]

:1: earplugs!  Relax on the highway and don't hold on with a death grip.
Make sure you stay hydrated z and that means potassium and electrolytes. If I drink too much coffee and sweat too much, I get terrible leg cramps. Banannas and dried apricots are a great source.

:1: Earplugs, earplugs, earp... They shouldn't be optional. After 51 yrs of riding and hundreds of hrs. in noisy diesel marine engine rooms approx 25% of my hearing is kaput (mostly in the higher ranges). When it's gone it ain't coming back. About 10 yrs ago a good riding friend convinced me (threatened me) to start using them. Probably saved what hearing I have left. I use Howard Leight Ind. MAX1 disposable foam type. Cheap, comfortable, disposable.Many other choices around. Hearing loss is very sneaky, you'll never realize it's happening until it's too late. Take it easy and don't try to set any transcontinental records at first.

[pyoungbl]

Check the air pressure in the tires before you go or within the first couple miles. 

I found the OEM seat to be not to my liking after about 100 miles.  For that reason I'd recommend getting off the bike every hour to walk around for 5-10 minutes just to keep from getting butt sore on the trip.  The other guys have brought up the other important items.

Sunglasses help a lot on these sunny hot summer days.

Peter Y.

[MariusD]

My 2 cents:

1) Keep a comfortable speed, dont worry about everyone else.
2) Stop at the first sign of fatique or first 50 miles, whichever comes first, and then every 50 miles thereafter. The key to long trips is frequent, even if short stops. This way you can check in on yourself, how your body is feeling, and it prevents fatique from setting in too early. This being your first trip and being nervous, you might not notice getting tired until youre way tired, and that can be dangerous. A 5 minute stop every 50 or so miles will do wonders in helping you enjoy the ride by being more alert and less fatiqued physicallty and mentally .
3) Someone mentioned earplugs, good call. On top of preventing hearing loss, ear plugs will also help you stay calmer, will help ease nervousness, and you will get tired less quickly. Noise tends to wear you out over long stretches.

Thats all I got... enjoy and ride safe 

[cloudbase]

What Nunzio said.. stop anytime you feel like it, what's the rush? coffee shop stop is good, a little (or more) caffeine helps me stay alert.

Absolutely.  Do not give in to the effects of get-there-itis, as it makes riders and pilots do really stupid things.

[Cam3512]

Just take one mile at a time.  That's not a horribly long distance, you'll be surprised at how fast the miles fly by.  Take your time, and stop when you want.  Check the oil before you leave, and make sure the dipstick is tightened down.  Check the stick for tightness again along the way.

[Dimples]

Drink a Red Bull. And another later. Seriously.

D

[Chuck-D]

Thanks all !!

I dug out my earplugs (hadn't thought of that). Alcohol swabs are a great idea. I'm a vet, so it's always baby wipes.

I'm bringing a Camelback & a change of clothes, full (summer weight) protective gear. I'll take it slow.

Thanks again!

[BillinPA]

You sound prepared for it!!! Way more so than I when I started riding far. I had never ridden more than 100 miles in a day and took off after bootcamp on my trusty CB450 for Camp Lejeune. A 650 mile trip I had a helmet, gloves and a jean jacket nothing else. I had already been to the base and had my gear there, flew home and got the bike.

Learned lots in the next few years, that was a while ago!!!! These guys have loaded you up with good advice, just don't forget to have fun!!

[charlie b]

I am another who stops frequently.  Usually every hour but I have been known to stop after 30min if there is a nice spot to take a break.

Aspirin.  I take it the night before and then before I get on the bike.  Delays the aches and pains.  My neck really gets sore after a couple of hours riding.

Back roads or hwy.  Don't be afraid to take the back roads, but, determine where your gas stop will be (and alternatives).  I am not embarrassed to get gas every 100mi or even less, despite having well over 200mi range.

[malik]

And let us know how it goes. Piccies would be nice, but optional.

Have fun.

Mal

[flip]

I don't know how old you are but a couple of Tylenol or similar before you take off might be beneficial.

[redrider]

Physical condition/muscle tone will affect your experience. You will be using muscles groups in ways unfamiliar to your body for extended periods of time. Stretch and hydrate. Aspirin or the like before bedtime.

[Triple Jim]

To be able to ride hundreds of miles in a day, I had to learn to rest my arms/hands on the bar without trying to lift or otherwise tense them, and also to sit in a position that balances my forward lean and the wind, so I don't have to use my arms/hands to either support my upper body, or to keep from being blown rearward.  Avoiding unnecessary muscle tension was the key for me.

Moving around on the seat a little also helps, like sitting close to the tank with my arms bent a little for a while, and then moving farther away with arms straighter, so I don't get tired of one position.  Legs can be shifted around a bit too, changing foot position on the pegs occasionally.

If I'm doing these things, I really don't find the need to stop very often, although I don't mind stopping if I need a break, or to take a photo, or get gas, etc..

[Lash]

Wear all your gear and keep the scan going, front, left, right, behind. Basics, oil & tire pressure. Cover the front brake when in traffic. And - deep breathes, then relax, enjoy the ride!

[Muley]

Good advice - especially on staying hydrated.  I made the mistake of not drinking enough when riding through very warm but very dry country (I'm not used to the low humidity part).  I got very dehydrated to the point that my son thought I'd had a stroke   It was a miracle I didn't crash. Drink plenty of water whether thirsty or not.  If you have too much you'll stop to get rid of it thus letting your arse puff back out and allowing you to stretch and rest.

Other thoughts, some already mentioned.

Don't get in a hurry on a bike.  Take your time and enjoy the ride.
Don't follow a large truck too closely.  You can't see things in the road in time to avoid them.  Either pass or drop back a good distance.
Avoid riding at night in areas with wildlife.
Relax. No death grip on the bars or clenching of the spincter (except when called for ). It's tiring and totally unneccesary.

[Doppelgaenger]

I would say that if you're inexperienced you're better off taking the freeway than slow back roads.

When I was a new rider I decided to take a back road trip by myself, got target fixation on a blind corner and ate it on a dirt driveway just short of a ditch.

[Perazzimx14]

Don't get inside your own head. Go out and ride like you normally do. A long ride is nothing more than a bunch of short rides coupled together. If you get tired stop. If you don't get tires keep going. Before you know it the ride will be over and you will think to yourself twern't nothin'.



 

[rboe]

Thanks all !!

I dug out my earplugs (hadn't thought of that). Alcohol swabs are a great idea. I'm a vet, so it's always baby wipes.

I'm bringing a Camelback & a change of clothes, full (summer weight) protective gear. I'll take it slow.

Thanks again!

A camelback is great! Ear protection is a must in my book. Beyond that, hard to advise unless we know what roads you plan to take.

In general, I'd look at possible break stops in roughly 25 mile steps. No real need to use all them but it's good to mentally tick them off as you go and add gas at 100 mile intervals just to be safe.

There are other things to consider but you need to do the ride first to find out the "weakness" in your body or bike (like a poor bum to seat fit, excess wind or buffeting etc.)

200 miles is a nice beginner ride. Long enough to bring out some short comings, not so long that you can't bail and head home. :D

Enjoy!

[ScepticalScotty]

Strangley enough I have 200 miles on Sunday and 200 miles back home on Monday to do! But its far from my first longer ride.  All the points mentioned here are great, cant really think of anything much to add! Apart from;

Don't eat a big heavy fatty breakfast  - I have found often that sits like lead in my stomach and makes me feel unwell after 100 miles or so. A small breakfast is best for me - 1 egg, 1 bacon, 1 slice of buttered toast and an orange juice.

Just chill and have fun, and before you know it you will be wanting to do multi-day tours. I got my license to ride a bike in 1996, and then spent 2 months doing rides of 150-250 miles in a day on the weekend or after work, and then set off an 8 day tour. It was great!!

[biking sailor]

Since you're on your ride now, I'll look forward to hearing how it went and what you learned.

Lots of good advice here, so only thing I will add is pick up a tire puncture repair kit.  Little compressor to run
 off your battery, and plugs and tool to insert them. Remember to ride in the lanes tire tracks to avoid debris.  When venturing further away from home base, that's really my biggest worry.  Wife and I do 500 mile days several times a year when starting and ending trips. Mid-trip days are usually 250 to 350 miles.  It's a longish day, but not bad because we take lots of very short stops and usually gas up 100 to 150 mles, even though both our bikes have near 250 mile ranges. 

Don't stress over freeway riding.  My wife did when she started back on street bike, but quickly realized it is actually way more predictable, traffic wise, than city riding with all the cross traffic and turning cars and such.  Don't know where you are located, but we are in central Oklahoma, so it is a couple hundred miles to the nearest "fun" road.   

One tip you might want to try is when the time is right (traffic and speed), stand up on the pegs and stretch your legs and back and such for a couple miles.  Almost as good as getting off the bike.  And if you don't have one, get a throttle lock (one where you can move the throttle without it disengaging).  First thing I put on a bike that I will ride for more than an hour at a time.

Remember to enjoy riding in the moment, not focusing too much on the destination, and you'll get home longing for your next trip!

Good luck and let us know how it went.

[lucydad]

Chuck,

Let's see if the WG server is working.  Lots of great advice.  I will add:  use good body posture.  When I first started riding my Kawa EX 500, and then the V7R I slumped my back a lot.  Result was back and neck strain.  Finally I figured out:  straight to even arched back works best for me.  When I made that little change I could go from 100 mile limit, to over 200 miles with typical breaks about every 70 miles.

High wind, very cold, or very hot or very wet limit rides drastically.  Take your time and enjoy.  When I finally retire next May, I plan on some pretty long rides on the V7R, and motorcycle camping.

[Daleroso]

LOTS of good tips here! My 1st touring bike many years ago was a CB 450. Toured all over the SE. My suggestion; relax, feel & enjoy the rides for awhile until you realize what kind of rider you are. Fundamentals are earplugs, water, extra layer & rain gear, contact #'s & plenty of time. Try to NEVER rush a ride. (that's different fm riding fast). Who knows, before long you may be a tank to tank LDR with your 1st 1000 in 1. Ride safe & most of all, HAVE FUN,