Just about to move from Darwin to Adelaide and thinking about riding the bike across Australia instead of flying. This would mean about 3200km (2000 mi) in 3 days.

Wondering if anyone had any views on seats, cruise control or screens that would help with the comfort over this distance.

I will be traveling with my girlfriend on the back and usually have a large tank bag which i can rest my chest on. As there are no speed limits in the Northern Territory i guess i will be cruising on around 180kph (110mph) due to the need to get 250km per tank (petrol stations are about this distance apart).

Any suggestions would be greatfull

Does your girlfriend know shes going. LOL wee

you'll definitly want a cruise of some sort. just to be able to strech out your right arm. even a cheap throttle lock would work. I'll have to look up the name but there is a nice one that replaces the bar end weights. Might cut down some of the vibes too.

You sure she will want to be on the back for that long? She will be :furious: at you by the end!

yea I was thinking the same thing as vt, those bar ends that you turn to lock the trottle are a lot heavier than stock ones so they will help with the vibration for sure.

Do you still have the stock seats?

Whats the most miles you have riden with a passenger?

The reason I'm asking is me and the wife took my 954 on a 450 mile trip and we was hurting afterwards, I had stock seats and we were riding at least 2 or 3 times 2up a week for a couple hundred miles each time.

oh my god dude!!!! your chick is going to kick you in the balls sooooooo hard. it would be money well spent to put (at least) her on a plane.
i've done 570 miles on my R1 in one day. it really wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. but the seats on the R1's are a ton better than what they bolted onto the 954's. i also had my wife on the back for about 350 miles in one day and she wasn't up for anything the next day and i didn't get laid for three days.
man, if you can both make that trip together, you've got my respect for sure. good luck.

you'll definitly want a cruise of some sort. just to be able to strech out your right arm. even a cheap throttle lock would work. I'll have to look up the name but there is a nice one that replaces the bar end weights. Might cut down some of the vibes too.

You sure she will want to be on the back for that long? She will be :furious: at you by the end!
www.Throttlemeister.com

suggestions?

-korbin seats
-somewhat tight underarmor (sort of like super thin spandex) helps with fatigue
-sturdy boots if you don't already have them
-broken in adjustable strap leather gloves
-glass cleaner in a small bottle and some paper towel
-tire plugs in case of a flat
-get a small air compressor from the local mart and gut out the pump from the plastic case
-and install a marine 12V plug ,from a boat shop, to your battery and keep the socket in your trunk

I've ridden more than what you are thinking about in a little less than the time you mentioned but that was on a klr650 that only went about 90mph tops and was at that almost the entire time.

I've riden my sportbike for about 1300 miles in two days already and I find it easier to ride further on that than the dual sport for long distances


if I think of anything else I post up again

"I've ridden more than what you are thinking about in a little less than the time you mentioned but that was on a klr650 that only went about 90mph tops and was at that almost the entire time. "

your not human. hehehe weee

It was my girlfriends idea, she is more nuts about bikes than me. I dont remember the last time i was able to ride without her on the back (screaming faster through the intercom :-D ).

Yes i do still have stock seat. Is the Korbin that much better???

Thanks CBR-888 for the link. Am a bit concerned that these will be too hard to unlock in an emergency (i.e. kangaroo, camel, pig, buffalo etc on road ). Anyone have a Throttlemeister???

Thanks gntbldr, which wires are best to connect the 12V plug to. I have already cut into the rear tail light feed to power the Autocom system.

Any more views of the benifit of a screen such as a double bubble (considering i will have a tank bag and will not be able to duck too much). At the moment i find that with the tank bag anything above 150kph causes me to hold my head forward. Will a "touring" screen help??

2000 miles in 3 days is no problem at all if you are solo. A passenger will tire you out since you won't be able to stretch out like you want. Put her on a plane with all your baggage so you can travel light on the bike.

you could add to small clamps to the compressor wires, and hook it direct to the battery if you ever need it. wee

http://www.fastenerhut.com/catalog/images/00category/4448.gif
wee

There is no chance that I would be allowed to do it without her.

We have done 1200km in a day before, but i passed out for the next day as my neck was killing.

Thanks CBR-888 for the link. Am a bit concerned that these will be too hard to unlock in an emergency (i.e. kangaroo, camel, pig, buffalo etc on road ). Anyone have a Throttlemeister???

Got em on my xx, throttle still moves, just roll it off in the event of a wayward 'Roo!

yeah. the double bubble would be your best bet without question on wind screens. from all that i've tried thus far, they are the best at helping to push the air up and over you. or that's my two cents anyway.
i still say you're nuts for doing it with her on the back. you'll have to take the camera with you and get some shots to post up on here once you get there.
best of luck to you. 8)

lol., nuts? , haha, naw,
I had a girlfriend once just like that. couldn't get her off my 954 for the life of me so I tried after the death of me, that one worked but I don't recommend it. (130mph loop over a hilltop)

well anyway, we used to put on a good 400 miles a day come weekends. one time I remember almost 700 miles.
it wasn't all that uncomfortable,imo, because on the downhills I would sit up and she'd hug hug my chest and hold me and that would help my back stretch.
I still rode side saddle at times wich helped my hips,lower back, and legs.

sometimes when I'd sit up and ride with my fingertips on the bars I'd stretch my legs down and also forward, and put my feet on my sliders using them as highway pegs. looked goofy as hell but it worked.

the biggest thing about long distance riding is pain management because sitting there like that is chronic pain. regulate your breathing and make sure you don't hold your breath at times. that'll fatigue you Fast and to be honest some times you don't even know you're doing it.



ohhh, the 12V thing.

Wire that puppy up to your battery directly or rig up a Bosch relay that still keeps it connected directly to your battery so as to switch it on with that same wire you hooked your intercom up for 12v+
that plug may come in handy to charge a cell phone or run a gps and even the air pump to inflate a air matress that might be rigged up in your gear bag. ya never know.


ok, I just woke up and again I found myself babbling... that's it for now. :P

Gnt that is some exellent advise.
I will say that a corbin seat will be my next purchase. :wink:

Trick to long distance riding.... 30 minutes b4 you head out, pop a couple of aspirin, keep aspirin handy, tankbag, in your glove, whatever, when you just start to ache, pop 1 more!
Alburquerque new mexico to milwaukee wisconsin... left NM noon on sat. home in WI 1 pm on mon. complete with hotel stops sat and sun night! best distance ride i have ever done! and it rained like a mofo all the way through kansas city missouri!

I had a corbin seat & it made absolutely no difference in comfort, my ass still got sore. The main reason the seat on the 954 seems so uncomfortable is the footpeg height. I went back to the stock seat, & after my ass got used to it, no problem. I didn't like the corbin because it was too grippy, & I had trouble sliding back & forth or side to side for cornering.

Heli bar risers might be a good idea too. Raise up the bars a little so you don't have to reach as far.

Thanks CBR-888 - the throttlemeister was what I was thinking. Robinski -- they just provide al ittle friction to the throttle, not really locking it. Just binding the throttle enough to hold speed.

The Corbin seats are supposed to be great. I'm getting a set soon from GoneCrazy but I won't be able to report back on the comfort until spring... You can get a backrest for the passenger that would help her stretch out a little.

I would think that a touring high rise shield would be best. I haven't found the double bubble to give that much more protection. With a tank bag, you will be pretty high up and a tall shield might get the air over you. I almost never use my tank bag with mu stock shield because the wind is right in my face.

Thanks CBR-888 - the throttlemeister was what I was thinking. Robinski -- they just provide al ittle friction to the throttle, not really locking it. Just binding the throttle enough to hold speed.

I haven't found the double bubble to give that much more protection. With a tank bag, you will be pretty high up and a tall shield might get the air over you. I almost never use my tank bag with my stock shield because the wind is right in my face.


quite right on.



I've used CBR'S throttle miester and YES it comes right off of speed when you roll offf.

when it comes to wind resistance,


to each is own.
wind changes....

Just did 600km at 180kph constant speed fully loaded (with pillion as well) and got about 180km per tank (16L). Guess I will have to go a bit slower to make it between fuel stops.

Neck was fine with the normal screen, just moved around a bit because i was wearing a back pack (which i wont be when we do the big trip.)

Throttlemeister or the likes will be needed as it was a pain after a while. Anyone used those little paddle things that you clamp onto the throttle which let you hold the throttle on with your palm. Thought these may be a cheaper alternative to the throttlemeister (too expensive when you at talking $AUS plus taxes and americas exorbitant postal costs)

glad to hear it !!



yes,
them flange tings work well. and yes you may benefit.

try using you finger tips now, since you are out and about but be very delicate and slow with your input..,

seems as if yur journey is unfolding rather well. thaks for sharing!

might want to think about a tank bag. stuff it full of crap and rest your chest on it. it'll give your body a break.

i could never do that kind of shit. i'm 20 years old, in very good shape, but i'd have a sore ass and achy knees for days. i did 450mi in one day on the CBR and hated my life after it.

Have got the tank bag. Wouldnt do this sort of trip without one. Everything is looking good for the trip now, and work is looking like paying for it :-D

On our trip last weekend we ended up camping at some thermal springs in the middle of nowhere. (dont really know why we went to them, as normal river temperatures in Northern Territory are in the mid 20 degrees C (77 degrees F) and air temperatures are 35 C (95F) all day everyday).

There was a few miles of dirt road to get to it and a river ford. It was about 500mm deep and 300mm deep mud. Bit slippery two up fully loaded.

Anyone else taken their bike "bush bashing" as we call it????

I never took my 954 trail riding, but I have on many other street bikes.

lol, yeah I bush bash with my bikes every chance I get but that isn't too often.

Thanks for the updates bro! :-D :-D :-D

Hey Robinski,

Been reading the string here. Gotta hand it to you and your girl for takin' a long one of the 954. I've done some 1500-2500 mile trips in 3 to 4 days (these were 300-400 mile all day twisty rides (with some straight line freeways in between sometimes), and have to say that it's the straight line running that tired me the most on the sportbike. I have a Corbin seat on my 954, happen to live about an hour from the Corbin factory and had them custom shape the seat to my preference so it gives much better support than the factory seat and easier to move around on than the factory Corbin 954 seat. A definite improvement over the stock seat which had me sliding up against the tank to much under heavy braking, (tough on the family jewels ;-). Throttle lock is definitely a must too. Also, helps to pull off and stretch every 100 or so miles (or every gas stop would work).

Did some bush wackin on my old CBR600 F2, ran a 30 mile dirt logging road with 6 inch deep powdery dirt and sand and a stream crossing with algae covered river rock once. That was a trip! Standin' on the pegs like a dirtbike for 30 miles, this on Metzeler sport tires! Was never ever so happy to see pavement again when we finished that leg of the trip!

Good luck on your cross Aus run. Should be fun. Stay safe

CBRzilla
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Sorry for the slow response, been out bush in Kakadu National Park for a couple of weeks with work/holidays, hence no email.

Just got the new chain and sprockets put on the bike. AFAM and RK have a lifetime warranty on the sprockets (ie they replace them for free when you get a new chain).

Got the bike shop to fit the chain. They did a crap job and the rivetted master link has cracked where it burls over (ie no burl any more). Is this serious???? I am getting them to get another master link in for me, but i leave in a coupel of weeks and the idiots may not have it by then.

Your advice please????

Got a cheaper version of the throttlemeister and it works great. Much easier on the hands around town too.

Cheers

yikes, one thing you really don't want to take chances with is the chain. it not only might destry your tranny and many many other things , in a worst case scenario it can maim you or even be fatal.

on a lighter note, I had a chain go once, took out the tranny real nice and I had to walk six miles fully geared along with carrying my luggage in my alpinestars. that was grueling.

Glad your trip is still going well Robinski (http://www.1000rr.com/vb/member.php?u=320) :biggrin:

that was actually how my one harley meet its next owner
chain broke & cracked the tranny case & who knows what else inside
sold it to the first guy that looked @ it for way too much $$

OK Chain finally fixed. After stuffing the original master link, the DH at the shop then forgot to order me a new one, then locked the chain tool away after telling me to take the bike in, then took the stuffed master link off before finding that they didnt have the right size to replace it. They finally got a new one and put the chain back on. I was pissed.

They mech then told me that i had the spacers for the back wheel round the wrong way and that the back brake was sticking. Guess who must have done that, THEM.

Anyway all should be well for our trip to start later in the week. Just missed out on a cyclone building, so lucky. Will post pics when i get down south. Hope the weather is cooler, it was 47C (117 F) in Ayers Rock the other day.

glad you got it fixed, can't wait to see the pics

thanks for the update bro.