Long Distance Interstate Riding

[salty_monk]

I use a camelbak. Mine sits in the jacket but I used to wear a pack. The fanny pack one can be adjusted so that it sits basically on the seat behind you & doesn't pull on your back.
The bite valve in helmet is a knack but not that hard.
I like my Sena connected up for music & GPS (especially on the slab).

I really like my AIRHAWK seat for long days, on my KLR I can do 150-180 miles between stops when I use that thing...

 

[RichDesmond]

Although I like the idea of the backpack and use one when I hunt, I can't see being able to easily fight with getting the hose behind my full face helmet

It's not hard, give it a try.

Doing this in July, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is start early. Just as it's getting light in the east. That way you have the bulk of your miles in before the heat of the day.

And for god's sake, use ear plugs. If you're listening to music and have it up high enough to overcome the wind roar you're decimating your hearing. The ear plugs will make the music sound better and clearer.

 

[earlfor]

I use a camelbak. Mine sits in the jacket but I used to wear a pack. The fanny pack one can be adjusted so that it sits basically on the seat behind you & doesn't pull on your back.
The bite valve in helmet is a knack but not that hard.
I like my Sena connected up for music & GPS (especially on the slab).



I really like my AIRHAWK seat for long days, on my KLR I can do 150-180 miles between stops when I use that thing...

I dished out the foam on my stock seat and inset a 2'' thick medical gel pad and reinstalled the stock cover. The seat looks 100% stock, but it is comfy with no soreness for a 1000 mile day.

 

[Guest]

Start doing some back work outs.

 

[earlfor]

Start doing some back work outs.

That and move forward or back on the seat for various speeds to find where you need to sit so that when you hold your hands, palms down, over the handle bar grips, they just float there without your having to put any effort into keeping them in position. It's the point of aerodynamic equilibrium. There will be zero strain on your back at that point. My distance riding position is what I call a relaxed flop with minimal effort.

 

[Charlie G]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRAMPBUS...54411&wl11=online&wl12=29356722&wl13=&veh=sem

Inexpensive way to install cruse control. I used mine on a 6400 mile trip in 2016. +1 on the water I use a Camelback and slip under my full face helmet while riding, for a quick drink. I'm always hydrated.

 

[Steve]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRAMPBUS...54411&wl11=online&wl12=29356722&wl13=&veh=sem

Inexpensive way to install cruse control.

And a VERY easy way to lose control. :-k

I absolutely DETEST those contraptions. Yes, they take the strain away from the wrist, but they still require constant attention to hand/arm position. And by the time you finally get it set up in the right position for cruising, it's sticking up too far when you slow down in town. With it sticking up like that, it's WAY too easy to accidentally bump it down, adding a lot of throttle. And I believe that bike has pretty good throttle response.

The only way one of those will end up on my bike is if it's in the trunk or saddlebags. I will NOT put it on the handlebar. And for a few bucks more (~$25 vs. ~$10), you can get the Vista Cruise Control throttle lock. That one will actually let you remove your right hand (momentarily) to scratch your right leg, which is something the Cramp Buster won't allow. The Vista unit does not lock the throttle so hard that it can't be moved, it just keeps it from moving on its own.

.

 

[storm 64]

Slim Jims or Beef type sticks are convenient to snack on when riding. I tried peanuts, the result was 50/50. 50 percent in your pie hole 50 percent blowing down the road...☺

 

[Downs]

I'll tell ya what the corpsman always told us. Stay hydrated and change your socks lol. Oh and 800 mg Motrin cures all.

I keep a few of the single packs of motrin on me and when I'm getting really uncomfortable later in the day I'll stop and have a snack at the next gas stop and take 600 or so mg of Motrin.

 

[wymple]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRAMPBUS...54411&wl11=online&wl12=29356722&wl13=&veh=sem

Inexpensive way to install cruse control. I used mine on a 6400 mile trip in 2016. +1 on the water I use a Camelback and slip under my full face helmet while riding, for a quick drink. I'm always hydrated.

I hate those things. You can't take your hand away and shake it out or rest it at all. I use these...https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEP-Motorc...134445&hash=item4418eabb88:g:rKUAAOSw2PtaoVFi...

Adjustable tension, I can shake my hand loose or hang my arm down. Ten times better.

 

[Guest]

I hate those things. You can't take your hand away and shake it out or rest it at all. I use these...https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEP-Motorc...134445&hash=item4418eabb88:g:rKUAAOSw2PtaoVFi...

Adjustable tension, I can shake my hand loose or hang my arm down. Ten times better.

I've had both types of throttle locks on my bike, they both have ended up in the trash. I use the cramp buster, actually I use two of them, one on the left side as well.

 

[storm 64]

I'm new to this in helmet music/communication system I have. I must admit I kind of like it. Put on Willy Nelson & Friends and your good for about 5 hours. You should see me "air mic" Rhinestone Cowboy as I'm traveling down the highway! Other motorist must think I'm crazy. Yes riding the highway is boring for some, but there are ways to make it fun and interesting.

 

[Dogma]

And a VERY easy way to lose control. :-k

I absolutely DETEST those contraptions. Yes, they take the strain away from the wrist, but they still require constant attention to hand/arm position. And by the time you finally get it set up in the right position for cruising, it's sticking up too far when you slow down in town. With it sticking up like that, it's WAY too easy to accidentally bump it down, adding a lot of throttle. And I believe that bike has pretty good throttle response.

The only way one of those will end up on my bike is if it's in the trunk or saddlebags. I will NOT put it on the handlebar. And for a few bucks more (~$25 vs. ~$10), you can get the Vista Cruise Control throttle lock. That one will actually let you remove your right hand (momentarily) to scratch your right leg, which is something the Cramp Buster won't allow. The Vista unit does not lock the throttle so hard that it can't be moved, it just keeps it from moving on its own.

.

I completely disagree. My preference is the exact opposite. That said, I did trim my first throttle rocker to keep it from catching on my jacket, and now use my own design. It was only a nuisance though. I've never been in danger of losing throttle control. You may have had the wrong intuition about using it. You don't rest your wrist on it. That would indeed be dangerous. It is only a supplement to your grip on the bar. Grip it like normal; you just need to squeeze less.

I dislike throttle locks, but I admit it would be nice to let go once in a while on long slab stints.

Personal preference, I think. But you're also wrong.

 

[aclaytonb]

+1 on cramp-buster / throttle rocker. Used to ride 100 miles per day back and forth to work - was amazing. I use a thin, longer one on the outside of the grip so its out of the way unless I want it. Never had any control issues.

 

[earlfor]

I tried the cramp buster and the throttle lock style. I didn't like either. I have bar end weights on the B12, so I made a thick rubber washer that fits between the bar end weight and the rubber handle bar grip. Tightening the bar end weight puts pressure on the end of the rubber grip.
That creates drag and reduces the effort needed to hold the throttle open. I tighten the bar weight until the drag is enough that from mid throttle, if i let go of the throttle, it slowly returns to idle. It takes about 5 seconds to return. At that setting, just the weight of a finger on the throttle is enough to cancel the return and grip required is near zero. It does require that one learn to always twist the throttle to accelerate or slow down since there is no quick return when the throttle is released. It's been like that for ten years and has become automatic to always turn the throttle in either direction to precisely where I want it.

 

[wymple]

You can do exactly the same thing with the adjustable throttle lock, and more if you wish.

 

[Charlie G]

And a VERY easy way to lose control. :-k

I absolutely DETEST those contraptions. Yes, they take the strain away from the wrist, but they still require constant attention to hand/arm position. And by the time you finally get it set up in the right position for cruising, it's sticking up too far when you slow down in town. With it sticking up like that, it's WAY too easy to accidentally bump it down, adding a lot of throttle. And I believe that bike has pretty good throttle response.

The only way one of those will end up on my bike is if it's in the trunk or saddlebags. I will NOT put it on the handlebar. And for a few bucks more (~$25 vs. ~$10), you can get the Vista Cruise Control throttle lock. That one will actually let you remove your right hand (momentarily) to scratch your right leg, which is something the Cramp Buster won't allow. The Vista unit does not lock the throttle so hard that it can't be moved, it just keeps it from moving on its own.

.

Sometimes Steve, you're hard to live with......

 

[johnod]

Earplugs, it's been said i know, but you won't believe the difference.

BUT you will find yourself riding faster if you don't keep an eye on the speedo.

 

[ddaniels]

Check out "Throttlemeister". A very nice throttle locking mechanism. It replaces the right hand side bar end weight.

 

[Steve]

Sometimes Steve, you're hard to live with......

I know the feeling. Sometimes it's VERY hard to live with myself. :-\\\

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