Long Rides and Highway Cruising!

[herostar]

Has anyone used their twin for long distance rides (more than a hundred miles each way?

How about highway cruising at sustained speeds?

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to take my bike on a ~400 mile trip this summer that would be about 200 miles interstate and 200 miles highway each direction. My bike has about 13k miles, and I've done all the stuff on Bikecliff's tune-up guide plus replaced tires, chain, sprockets, brakes, wheel bearings, and electrical (headlight, stator, reg/rect, battery).

Is it ok on these old twins to take such long rides at a constant ~7000 rpm?

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

There's no guarantee, but a well-maintained bike shouldn't give you anything to worry about. My buddy's '80 GS450S has gone on more than a few all day rides, combination freeway and twisties, with no issues. You might want to go 65 mph in the right lane instead of trying to keep up with traffic all the time. Have fun!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Guest]

I usually take mine out for a tank and a half per trip at around 6000rpm highway 100-110kmh

That would be close to 350 km per trip.


Only issue is that it feels like its revving too much and vibrates allot at those higher speeds but just keep behind the traffic and its comfortable.

There's the weight. Its a light bike and the wind takes its toll on you after a while.

You could do it I think and be confident, Just keep in mind the stator and reg issues.


Tighten and locktite all bolts and nuts!!



If you drive an L model, use a bunge cord to attach your side covers to the bike, especially the right one!

Change your tire pressure for the higher sustained riding speeds.

Have all the tools you need to dissemble the bikes more common parts with you just in case.

I don't hesitate to take mine out anymore. its been rebuilt and shaken up for a good 5k now.

 

[Charlie G]

I did a 650 mile trip, 32 years ago one my GS400, when I was in my twenty's. The bike and I both did fine. I would'nt do it now, as I have more comfortable machines now. Aside from comfort, a heavier bike is less prone to being blown around by the wind and traffic, The machine will handle it.

cg

 

[bubbarandi1]

long rides and highway cruising

long rides and highway cruising

My gs450l goes on the highway just fine although the windy days are a challenge. I usually keep it at 60 mph and at this speed the vibration is barely noticable. Throw some bags on the back and have fun !!

bob

 

[Guest]

Go for it! I've done several hundred k's in a day on mine quite a lot years ago and it never had any issues.

I rode it for work for about 6 months before I got another car and used to ride to sticksville and back many times with no dramas.

As the other guys have said, the only real uncomfortable bit can be the light weight when being passed by trucks or riding in heavy wind.

I wouldn't hesitate to do a long trip on mine once it's back up and running.

Actually I did have one extra discomfort... my seat padding was worn out, so after about half to three quarters of an hour I felt like I was sitting on the seat pan, so sometimes I'd have to get off and walk around for 5 minutes before continuing...

 

[Nessism]

Bike should handle it fine.

For sustained highway riding changing out the front countershaft sprocket for another with one extra tooth makes a noticeable reduction in freeway rpm. I did this mod on my old 400 during my commuting days and liked the results. The sprockets are cheap and you can switch back and forth with the original in only a few min.

 

[rlong74]

Bike should handle it fine.

For sustained highway riding changing out the front countershaft sprocket for another with one extra tooth makes a noticeable reduction in freeway rpm. I did this mod on my old 400 during my commuting days and liked the results. The sprockets are cheap and you can switch back and forth with the original in only a few min.

I did this yesterday and the results are great. No big deal switching them out either. A must do for twins if you're doing much highway riding.

 

[herostar]

What sprockets did you use?

I believe my stock are 16/45. Is it better to go one up in the front or three down in back?

 

[rlong74]

Mine is the T model so it's 16/42 and I went up one in the front. It's a JT Sprockets 17T JTF513.17
Only cost me 12 bucks on Ebay and 20 minutes of my time.

 

[herostar]

Mine is the T model so it's 16/42 and I went up one in the front. It's a JT Sprockets 17T JTF513.17
Only cost me 12 bucks on Ebay and 20 minutes of my time.

What RPM is the engine running in 6th gear at 60 mph?

 

[rlong74]

What RPM is the engine running in 6th gear at 60 mph?

It's turning at 5k.

 

[koolaid_kid]

It is usually better to go one up on the front sprocket, for a couple of reasons:
It is cheaper
You do not have to mod the chain to do it, just move the back axle forward a bit.

 

[rlong74]

I will testing this mod out next week on a trip down to Mt St. Helens. need to get some wind protection between now and then but I think it should do ok overall.

 

[tthayer]

I have done a few runs on the freeway so far but anything over 60 and the buffeting gets to be pretty uncomfortable. I was looking at this JC Whitney cafe fairing to work around that:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/sport-style-fairings/p2000644.jcwx?filterid=c14140d2010y1986j3

Would look awkward on my 450L but what the hell.

 

[rlong74]

That might not look too bad as long as you don't have buckhorns on it. mine came with one of these- http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/Classic.shtml
First thing i took off the bike when i got home. Luckily i kept it and i can at least try to cut it down to a decent size.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

Check your sprocket sizes. rlong74 17/42 would be like 2 up on the front, to your 16/45. You may need to change both

 

[rlong74]

Check your sprocket sizes. rlong74 17/42 would be like 2 up on the front, to your 16/45. You may need to change both

I have the TX which gives me 16/43. I do need to change the rear which I will be doing soon and I may go down to a 42.
Thanks SqDancer

 

[Guest]

My '81 450L is great for a long cruise on the highway. I have to wonder how fast you plan to be going if you're cruising at 7K on the tach. I'm usually about 4500 to 5500K at about 65 to 70 mph in 6th gear...gets me close to 65 to 70 mpg. The highway bars, if you have them, make the ride a joy. The only big thing I did to make the bike more comfortable was to put on a 1986 seat.

As for riding 200 miles straight...take the scenic route. I always find a place or two along the way that I want to stop and enjoy the views.

BTW...I've never had to bungie cord my side covers on. Just make sure you put them on correctly and you'll be fine.

 

[rlong74]

She's spinning about 5k at 60 which should be pretty comfortable. I have some case savers on the bike which i can put my feet up if need be.
I plan on making this a full day deal. I got a buddy that lives near the mountain in case I'm too tired to make it back. Not trying to win any races, just enjoy the scenery and some twisty roads.