SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do it ?
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1212274982

Message started by Texasphotographer on 05/31/08 at 16:03:02

Title: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do it ?
Post by Texasphotographer on 05/31/08 at 16:03:02

In October, I want to ride my S40 from Central Texas to Fort Lauderdale go on a 10 day cruise while on the cruise I will put my bike in the shop for a check out. I plan to give myself four or five days down and the same time back. I will have the bike serviced before heading down as well.

Anyone taken their Boulevard that far and will I be pushing it too hard. I plan to drive the speed limit or slightly under/over the entire route. By the time I go, I will have my seat modified by Sargent so it should be much more comfortable.

I will have two throw over saddle bags and a luggage rack with a three bag attachment. I am sending my clothes for the cruise ahead of time to my daughter in Fort Lauderdale.

Is this too much of a trip for a one thumper?

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by J Mac on 05/31/08 at 18:35:33

I say go for it. I can't imagine why this would be a problem. It's probably less taxing than equivalent "around town" miles. Lots of guys in here will suggest you put synthetic oil in. There is a Mobil One v-twin formulation (15W50 or 20W50) that several people suggest.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by skrapiron on 05/31/08 at 18:41:22

Oh my God. What? Do you have to get off an push the bike up over speed bumps?

Of freaking course, it can make that trip!

My Savage has been to New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and Kentuky in the last 10 months I've owned it. (Thats 31,000 miles since July 13, 2007)

For God sakes, you guys treat the bike like its made of tissue paper and tin foil. Ride the danged thing. It can do it, with no special preparations, no special incantations and you'll even make it back in one piece!

I swear, Nobody gives the Savage any credit.....

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by skatnbnc on 05/31/08 at 19:15:56

7860796A7B627964650B0 wrote:

Oh my God. What? Do you have to get off an push the bike up over speed bumps?
Of freaking course, it can make that trip!
For God sakes, you guys treat the bike like its made of tissue paper and tin foil. Ride the danged thing. It can do it, with no special preparations, no special incantations and you'll even make it back in one piece!
I swear, Nobody gives the Savage any credit.....

There there Skrappy :-* - please remember how many people have either heard of or dealt with crappy bikes in their MC time. The Savage is a relative rarity in the durable design and capability department.

Understand most people have heard of the horror stories, not the successes. It's nice on this forum to read how many people have gone cross country, and some in the planning stages of a big trip and some going along vicariously (asking always for photos!). 8-)

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by pgman on 05/31/08 at 19:18:26

Tex,

It is funny how some people seem to think that the LS650 is a bit of a toy. Many of my friends kinda laughed at my wife's bike (until they realized that they were NOT running away from her on their 1400cc machines). I think you will find that the bike will do that sort of trip with no trouble. You may not find it so easy, however - especially your backside.

The only long ride I ever did on an LS650 was to Leesburg, FL for their annual bikefest. I was riding with three other pals - all of whom were riding bigger machines. I had no trouble keeping up with them for the 90-minute ride but, by the time we got there, my butt was not happy and my feet were pretty numb. The bike was gleefully thumping away, however. The one saving grace will be that you have to stop every 140 miles or so (for fuel), so you will have plenty of break time!

Some other things to watch out for (taken from comments my wife has given me):

Interstate riding can be challenging on this lightweight machine. The wind and turbulence from larger vehicles can be brutal. Be careful how you load your bike - the extra wind load of your luggage will affect handling and aerodynamics. Are you planning to take the back roads?

My wife sometimes complains of a numbing vibration in the handlebars (on long rides at 60+ MPH). I am not sure how real this problem is - it may be that she is riding with a death grip on the throttle (or some other quirky thing). I didn't notice this on my Leesburg run, but I installed Kuryakyn iso-grips to try and help her. The jury is still out on those (I think they helped some).

The OEM footpegs really do cause numbness / discomfort in the feet - at least for wifey and me. I put on some cheap floorboards from JC Whitney and those made all the difference in the world. You may want to look into some alternate pegs before you set sail - some highway pegs, perhaps?

To help with the saddle issue, I put on a Harley-Davidson Sportster seat, which provided some relief (but not enough yet). I don't know what Sargent does to the OEM seat, so that may not be an issue for you.

After the modifications I mentioned here, my wife and I can now do our "beach runs" with no problem (230+ miles round trip). That's essentially one full tank of fuel each way - in one day. We usually only stop for fuel, and she can now ride the whole way in relative comfort - keeping in mind that this is not a touring bike. She still is not 100% happy with the seat, but I added some memory foam yesterday. We'll see how that works next week when we head for the surf 8-).

Good luck, and watch your back out there! If you're passing through this way, and you have time, feel free to look us up. You can PM me here if you wish.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Paladin. on 05/31/08 at 19:19:28

Abilene to Ft. Lauderdale is about 1500 miles, a hundred and a half more than LA - OKC. For my LA-OKC trip I checked the tires and changed the oil. I did lay out my tools on a shop cloth in the garage, and forgot to pack them.

Four days, less than six hours saddletime per day, "vill be piece of piroshki!"

Should do like Sluggo and bribe the crew to stow the bike aboard.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 05/31/08 at 19:22:31

Skatnbnc, quick! Take him back to his tent and give him the BLUE pills. His bike is in good shape, but I fear Skrapiron has blown a crucial gasket.

Tex, if I had that opportunity, you would not see any posts from me for a long time. I can't wait until I can manage a couple of weeks off to take the bike across country. I've put 1500 miles on it without a glitch. Don't know why it wouldn't do it again. Unfortunately, my wife and children have this thing about eating regularly, so I must stay at the salt mine and dig while the bike looks wistfully into the distance... :'(

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Hard Corps on 05/31/08 at 21:34:38

I just put 200 miles on today. And 300 last week. And I'm a newbie. She'll be just fine. She's a Savage.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Texasphotographer on 05/31/08 at 21:44:01

3A223B2839203B2627490 wrote:

Skrapiron, Why are you mincing words? Say what you mean ;D

Yes, I do want to thank you for positive comments. I have been riding this time about three months so there is so much I do not know about motorcycles and their stamina.

Everyone else, thanks for your helpful advice. I am planning to go on the Interstate, but will stay in the right lane. I have a nav system in my car and I may look for a back road route to see a more scenic route.

As far as working, I want to retire. I own my own business and my son is quite adapt at running it. I also am retired Army so that kicks in a bit and both my wife and I collect Social Security so money is not all that much of an issue.

PGman, I will look you up either heading south or on the reverse trip back.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 05/31/08 at 22:15:55

Since it came up, I have a question about Interstate travel. What is the big concern? If I'm doing 70, and a guy goes past at 90, I'm in his slip stream for just a few seconds and he's gone, right? I'm not meeting oncoming traffic, so no concern there.

I must be missing something. I'll be riding I-90 later this month, so if someone can give me a little idea of what I should be worried about, it would be much appreciated. Seems like it would be easier riding, with everyone going the same direction.

Thanks much,
Jason

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by BurnPgh on 05/31/08 at 22:34:23

I personally have never had any issue at all with semi's or any other vehicle passing me, or me passing them, as far as the wind goes. Even on a Rebel 250. You'll feel it but I can't say I've ever been moved more than MAYBE 8in left or right. I generally adjust before I even notice it really. Hardly even registers. The big thing for me is the natural crosswinds. they can be very strong, come on with no warning at all and go back and forth very quickly. With a semi you generally have a inkling that its there or approaching and can be prepared for it. Plus the wind created by them is more or less even between any two given semis and the gust slowly fades away as it passes you.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/31/08 at 23:38:52

Awww C'moooon,, BeatDuck took his from Fla, over to Nevada or some such desertified location, up to Canada, across to New York or so, South home, gone so long he had to have tires, but the bike did fine, well it got lazy ONCE & faw down.. CraPPPaMundo, give the bike a break..He has some excellent pics & a blog of the trip, somewhere..

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by sluggo on 05/31/08 at 23:45:53

working up to and feeling comfortable at 80plus requires a "break in" periond, that is for you . if' jetted properly it'll run 80 all day long. you just need to get used to how it feels. i don't mind the speed of the slab, it's generally just a boring drone along.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by skrapiron on 06/01/08 at 08:03:05

Ok, I feel better today....

Word of advice. Never Never Never post on a BBS with your third Jack and Coke sitting helf empty by the keyboard. The sarchasm control portion of the brain tends to be turned off in the presence of alcohol... ;)

I meant what I said and I said what I meant. The Savage can do it, one hundred percent!

I for one spent alot of time wondering WHY everyone I ever met on a ride was telling me "You're crazy. You need a bigger bike. What is that, like a 250?" I used to answer their stupid questions, but decided to just let my bike answer for me. The look on their faces when I blow by them on the interstate (in the passing lane, of course) is priceless.

I knew the Savage would be able to do what I wanted it to, the day I bought it. I have ridden much larger bikes and I have ridden much smaller bikes. The Savage was perfect. Small enough to be easy to ride, easy to park yet powerful enough to comfortably cruise the interstate and reliable enough to ride it anywhere you care to choose....

I understand the reason for the question. According to all the people at the dealership, the Savage is held together with bubble gum and good intentions. If you ride it more than 30 miles outside the city lines, it will fall apart like the Dodge did in the Blues Brothers. Beat Duck and I are proof that such thinking is folly. The Savage is MORE than capable of making such a trip. The only question is, are you?

That much time in the saddle can be tiring. My advice is to keep your saddle time to a max of 300 miles a day, and get an air-hawk seat cover. Other than that, rock and roll!

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by J Mac on 06/01/08 at 20:15:20

LOL. I still like the "tissue paper and tinfoil" remark. I'll have you know that I'm about to do the tinfoil mod this week. If I can afford the tissue paper mod this July, I'm going for it!!

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by NikoruWiriamu on 06/02/08 at 04:50:53

262D3513212D2F274C0 wrote:

LOL. I still like the "tissue paper and tinfoil" remark. I'll have you know that I'm about to do the tinfoil mod this week. If I can afford the tissue paper mod this July, I'm going for it!!

Ahahahahahaha. Yes! Something I can afford myself! Sweet!

In all seriousness though, I think I wouldn't post as much either, with all the problems I keep having with my bike. It all depends on what shape your bike is in. Mine, has 33k miles on it and is an 01'. ..it runs...okay. Could be better, but at least it runs most of the time. I was actually tempted to make a run with my bike from here in FL to Texas to see family.

Anyway, good luck! And if you're near the Auburndale/Lakeland/Orlando area, look me up! My boyfriend and his Dad ride as well. We're always looking for more riders.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by mornhm on 06/02/08 at 05:39:04

I think the concern would be more along the lines of you doing 65-70 into a headwind and coming up to a semi doing 60-65 and not being able to pass at WOT because of the air coming off the truck. Now you have a choice: sit in the slip stream let traffic build up behind you and be buffeted around waiting for a drop in the headwind, or drop way off in speed and follow behind until the next exit (can be 10 - 20 miles apart in this part of the country) with all the rest of the traffic coming up behind you at fast closing differential speeds and passing you. An experience like this is what made me decide that for interstate trips a different MC was in order.

You want traffic closing on you from the rear at 20 mph? Are you talking about riding 20 MPH slower than average traffic, or just the random vehicle going much faster than average. What about the vehicles that are only doing 70 1/2 MPH pass and put you in their slip stream for miles?

IMHO it is safer to ride on the interstate with traffic all going on direction and no intersections - if you find a buffer without a bunch of traffic around you. Not however if you are riding slower than traffic and forcing people to constantly find their way around you. Or riding much faster than traffic and constantly passing other vehicles.

393F3E3C21273C3D530 wrote:

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by skrapiron on 06/02/08 at 06:00:44

There is no concern when it comes to riding with traffic on the interstate. You find a speed you are comfortable with , set the throttle accordingly and enjoy the ride.

If you're slower than the rest of the traffic, you ride in the right lane and let all the idiots pass you. Just because they want to do warp 1, doesn't mean that you have to.

If they approach me from behind, 20mph faster than me, let them. They can either slow down and stay behind, or they can pass on the left. I have no obligation to move, speed up or get out of the way.

What if I get hit? I'll probably die. But if I'm going to spend all that time worrying about it, I might as well not leave the house. I could be killed crossing the street to get the mail.

And as for riding into a head wind, I do it all the time. Up hill, through West Virgnina (where the speed limit is 70.) Never once had ANY problem keeping the bike at 70 and even had some throttle left over to accelerate past the semi's who can't go up the hills any faster than 45.....

The Savage is FINE for interstate travel, so long as you want to ride the speed limit. If you feel you have to be speed racer in the mach 5, then you'll obviously need a bigger bike. One that will at least do 100.....

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Gary On A Savage on 06/02/08 at 08:41:31

Can the Savage do the trip? Can it run on the Interstate? The Savage will go just about anywhere you want to take it, and love it!

The trick to running on interstates is getting used to being blown around. Get a decent windshield. Find a comfortable speed. RELAX and enjoy the ride. Once you get used to the wind, interstates are not that bad.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 06/02/08 at 10:45:29

That's all as I figured. The speed limit on most of the highways in Montana is 70 mph anyway, so I just couldn't see the problem. If I can hack it on a little two-lane highway, a nice wide freeway will be great. Can't wait to give it a whirl. I do wish there was a smaller road on my route, for scenic purposes. Alas, the interstate bars my way, and must be traversed for a short time.

Title: Re: Texas to South Florida and back. Can a S40 do
Post by shadowman on 06/03/08 at 05:00:33

Here's my input on Interstate riding: On those 50-60 mile runs up I-95 I find it prudent to stick to the right lane because the traffic is very heavy in the DC-Baltimore area, the flow is 70+ mph, and I don't like being in the middle of that. But the right lane is grooved by semis and I have found myself caught in these tubes, and I don't like that. We each have our own limitations, but knowing what I know now I'd be reluctant to take a trip of great length ON THE INTERSTATE. (I'd take back roads from coast to coast with no hesitation.) You might load up and take a long weekend ride on the highway and see just what your tolerances are. Let us know.

I can deal with the occasional