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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1397323666 Message started by Brunkster on 04/12/14 at 10:27:46 |
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Title: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/12/14 at 10:27:46 Here's the scenario - I'm traveling the last week in June from SW Florida to southern Missouri for a canoe trip and then on to central MO to visit kin. Probably about 3000 miles round trip, by the time it's all said and done. Normally I'd take my Duramax pulling my 34' Toyhauler and support OPEC to the tune of about 9 miles per gallon. But this year, I'm considering traveling light (cheap) and am wondering about making the trip on my 2013 S40, which currently has about 4500 miles on it. I'm 59 years young, about 5'-7", 170 lbs. and would probably carry one medium duffle bag on the luggage rack. I have saddlebags and another bag that rides on the seat behind me, which doubles as a backrest. My plans are to travel secondary roads. I know my bike will run Interstate speeds (70mph), just not sure about extended periods of time. I would hope to get maybe 150 miles range (?) between fillups. That time of year my only weather concerns should be rain - I'm used to that in SW Fla and I have a set of rain gear. Questions: Has anyone else done a trip like this? What kind of miles can I expect to cover in a day? What other concerns have I missed? or . . . . should I abandon the idea and take the truck? Thanks, Al |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by strang on 04/12/14 at 10:47:45 My view is backroads on a Savage is great fun if you are just solo. 2 up it's no fun as the rear seat is small and tends to making a whining sound after 40miles or so ;D Motorways also no fun in my book. Bike isn't quick or heavy enough to be safe on the slab. Your plan sounds fine. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by verslagen1 on 04/12/14 at 11:05:19 there are a few that've taken a long duration trip... something like bustedduck comes to mind, stinger is another. you should take an all day trip to know how it sits with you. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/12/14 at 11:32:03 3D2E3938272A2C2E257A4B0 wrote:
I had thought of that too - good idea. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by thumperclone on 04/12/14 at 11:36:59 5C4F5859464B4D4F441B2A0 wrote:
think it was beatduck did a coast to coast and back?? didn't paladin do a long haul also |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by verslagen1 on 04/12/14 at 11:44:28 there ya go... just took a little prodding... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1245947997/0 |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Steve H on 04/12/14 at 15:33:50 What about the guy that went to NY last year? Can't remember who it was, though. Guess I must be getting older or something. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by pgambr on 04/12/14 at 15:39:19 WOW! |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/12/14 at 15:56:17 If youve never taken a road trip on a bike, then yes, take a good long ride first, BUT,, If youre planning on savin $$ & camping, dont just take a ride, pack up & go spend the nite somewhere,,Youll learn a lot about how to pack & what to pack,.and whether or not those bones can stand it,, |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by pgambr on 04/12/14 at 16:49:21 2C3335322F2819291921333F74460 wrote:
Real good insight their. It is a whole lot different thinking about what you need and putting it on the back of your bike and going down the road for 10 hours as well. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/12/14 at 17:14:33 All good stuff - thanks! Great link to the blog - I started on it at work today and am going through it now. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by old_rider on 04/12/14 at 18:36:28 If you have never done a long day on the bike, you might want to take one of your days off and load it like you want to for the trip. Ride out for what you think will be half a day (5 hours most times maybe 6), then turn around and go home, look at your odo, that will be about average. Plan to stop every 90 to 100 miles, or if you like every hour and a half, walk around take a leak, stretch. I rested when I felt I needed to, made the breaks short (10-15min) and walked most of it. Get you a good pad to put on the seat, you will need it. When I went up to North Carolina from Florida (800 miles), I broke it up into two days, I rode 600 one day and 200 next. Only did that because I wanted to take it easy, after the dragon run, I drove all the way home in one shot, took me 12 hours do go the 800+ miles, and that was mostly interstate (course I had a bad back). Long trips are really no problem if you stop when you feel a little sore, and eat when you are hungry. Start slow and see how you feel, you might actually get doing longer and longer stints between breaks. Good luck on your trip :) |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by raverson on 04/12/14 at 23:06:26 This guy did 7500 miles cross country on a Honda 250 Rebel. http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18512 |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Doug B on 04/13/14 at 11:52:31 Brunkster - don't talk yourself out of it it can be done There was a guy that made a trip from Pennsylvania to Oregon on a Hodaka 175 ( Hodaka Days 2008-jhmand : Mike Perrett's Big Ride ) 5000 mile round trip |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Paladin. on 04/13/14 at 23:12:36 Considered the same. As suggested I did a trial ride. I did my tests on 350+ mile overnights, 9pm to 7am, to howl at a full moon. First was with just a Flyscreen, not fun with a headwind, the second (http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/002372.html) was with a Street Shield and it was good. (A third (http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/002961.html) was also good, just to prove I am insane.) After the test I was set to ride, Los Angeles to Oklahoma City (http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/002421.html): http://www.savageriders.com/paladin/LA-OKC/Ready2Ride.jpg Picture of me, age 60, suitcase, tarp/bedroll if I got too tired to continue (but never did). Did 570 miles the first day, 510 miles the second. The Savage is just fine on the highway. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by jcstokes on 04/14/14 at 00:03:50 Brunkster, don't count on 150 miles between fill ups at highway speed. 120 is reasonable, you will use a little reserve, 130 is feasible with more reserve, anything over that is prayer territory. I once fitted 11.3 litres, about 3 US gals in my tank after about 150 miles. I think I was on fumes in the float bowl. Having said that, enjoy your trip. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by gizzo on 04/14/14 at 02:38:52 And keep an eye on the oil level. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Blinky-FSO on 04/14/14 at 07:41:55 7A4A4D56534B4C5D4A380 wrote:
Al I did a 2,000 mile trip in 2012 from central Kentucky to upstate New York at the age of 62. Same idea, secondary roads and no fixed schedule. I could do about 300 to 350 miles a day without pushing it and with breaks whenever I wanted one. Two points. The bike uses oil at sustained highway speeds. Take an extra quart or two and top it off at every fuel stop. Plan your gas stops for 100 miles. With luggage and highway speeds you will get nowhere close to 150 miles between stops. The longest stint I made without stopping for gas was 119 miles and I had switched it to reserve well before the stop. Take the bike and leave the truck at home. When are you going to get another chance? I moved on to a C50 last spring and did a 1,500 mile trip to the Ozarks last year and am planning a repeat of the New York trip this year. Just pack and go and don't forget the Advil. Keep us posted |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by pgambr on 04/14/14 at 10:45:59 I've been dabbling or starting to plan a 2-4K round trip for later this year. I did about 1.5K this last fall. I was thinking of going to Big Bend National Park and maybe on to Santa Fe from the deep south. Although, that would be on the bike all day for about a week. :-? |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by jcstokes on 04/14/14 at 12:20:41 Anything over four hundred miles per day will tire you, but it can be done. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by kennemarv1 on 04/14/14 at 14:26:41 What kind of saddlebags are mounted on your bike, Paladin? |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/14/14 at 16:31:47 Thanks for all the replies - mentally preparing at this point. After Easter, I'll try the "out and back" day trip . . . and then see if I can get back on it the NEXT day! Ha! |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Paladin. on 04/14/14 at 20:25:52 39373C3C373F33202463520 wrote:
Useable on all Savage/S40, 1986-2014, as long as you have the fender rails with the sissy bar. Includes a kit to relocate the rear turn signals. Mounted mine on Nov.18.2004 and they went with the bike to El Paso in Jan.2013. I did replace the locks. If you want to ride naked, it takes less than 30 seconds to dis-mount or re-mount the bags. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by WD on 04/15/14 at 00:38:22 $460 plus shipping and fondling for injection molded PLASTIC saddlebags... :o :o :o |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by shorty on 04/15/14 at 04:36:46 the bike is fine with the long ride, you are the weak link. I'm short so it's less cramped for me. A throttle friction lock enables you to stretch your arms and back while riding. you will be searching for different places to rest your feet to avoid leg cramps. 120 miles is all you'll get per tank (can't run dry) The seat starts to feel like rock after 6hrs |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/15/14 at 09:15:38 Any ideas on seat padding? |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by old_rider on 04/15/14 at 09:20:35 I actually used a gel seat pad my wife had purchased for her car. It was semi-angular and had some straps, I just plopped it down on the seat and sat on it, had to make sure it didn't fall off when I got off, but it worked great. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Pine on 04/15/14 at 11:33:17 4D7D7A61647C7B6A7D0F0 wrote:
AIrhawk?? I think seems to be pretty good. I am surprised no-onw has suggesed a Corbin seat. http://www.corbin.com/suzuki/ss40.shtml My understanding is.. this allows you to ride the savage all day. Sure looks the part. If we had kept ours.. this was the next upgrade. My (novice) advice for prepping the savage: replace the petcock.. as the petcock can cause the fuel bowl to go dry at high speeds for extend periods of time replace the shocks with longer travel ( progressive) windshield better seat or seat pad take oil with you. some type of cruise device replace headlight bulb... these get dimmer over time, just toss a new one in ... nothing special. "Just because" upgrades Vaypor trail dash... has a clock and tac RAM mounts http://www.rammount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#/wizard I actually took a 1 gal gas can with me, but I nothing else ( day trip) so I had room. I could do multiple 100 mile stints per day, but I haven't done more than 300 miles in a day, nor for multiple days. Spend your "saved" money on a nice motel room... or even a not so nice one with a massage bed! |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by ALfromN.H. FSO on 04/15/14 at 12:47:02 Corbin seat was the best money I spent on my S40. If I ever get another Savage/S40 I'll be getting another corbin seat. They are a little expensive but you can't put a price on comfort. AL |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by stinger on 04/15/14 at 13:06:29 The trick to riding on long trips is to take a 10- 15 minute break every hour of riding. Shake out the hands and legs. The miles add real fast this way and it gives the bike a rest also especially if it is mostly on freeways at a high RPM's. I rode across the country on my 650 and I found the bike runs much more smoothly and cooler with a 50 weight oil rather than the 40 weight. Each night check everything to make sure nothing has loosened up on you after a long day of crappy roads. Also there were parts of my ride that I had to travel over 100 miles between fill ups and most times it was never a problem. But I did stop in a dollar store and bought a small rubber hot water bottle like you use for sore muscles and half filled it with spare gas. If I got cold I filled it with hot water and put either in the back or front of my jacket. I had a blast and the bike ran great. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Blinky-FSO on 04/15/14 at 14:00:07 5E6E6972776F68796E1C0 wrote:
Al, I used an Air Hawk II cruiser pad. Picture of bike the way it was set up for the trip. The Saddlemen tail bag has a built in backrest. Memphis Shades Slim windscreen. Routy's forward controls also helped since I am about 6'2". Keep us posted. http://p1.bikepics.com/2012%5C09%5C06%5Cbikepics-2452130-full.jpg |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by S-P on 04/15/14 at 17:27:57 4641574E4E220 wrote:
Is this the medium cruiser pad? 14" x 14"? |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Blinky-FSO on 04/15/14 at 18:18:38 5F58495A49425C4D59402C0 wrote:
Is this the medium cruiser pad? 14" x 14"? [/quote] I believe it was, yes. Good hunting |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by terpfan1980 on 04/15/14 at 19:58:33 I'm late to this discussion (too much work at work over the last few days, and too little time at home to read and keep up), but I would have asked about the seating arrangements, specifically what kind of seat is on the bike that is going to be used for the long haul. As others have suggested, the factory seat on the S40 (and the Savage before it) is pretty weak in terms of padding and comfort. I put a Corbin on my Savage and like it, though I would note that even with that I feel uncomfortable at times and I'm never going all that far (typically 30 miles or less per trip). It beats the stock seat by miles, but still isn't a magic bullet. I have a gel pad that I could put on the bike if I wanted (I bought it when I had the original seat on the bike), but I tend to just use that pad under my butt when I'm surfing the web (like now). That pad is really too big for the bike seat and overhangs the seat on the bike. On the other hand it does make my office chair more comfortable ;) I hadn't thought too much about the roughly 100 miles between fill-ups, but that does sound about right. Going much further would certainly push the fuel situation more than I'd care to try for, but that said I've actually been running on reserves more frequently than I should be (a couple of round trips to/from work from home pretty much drains the tank and leaves only the reserves. With so much work lately I've not been as good with the OCD on filling the tank as I should so I've gotten to run on the reserve a couple of times in the last few weeks :( ) |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by jcstokes on 04/15/14 at 22:23:16 Agree with Blinky FSO, an Airhawk helps, I like his backrest idea. A soft bag similar to his will help as well. Mount your gear like he has, if possible so the weight is over the rear wheel rather than behind it. Also learn where the fuses are and perhaps carry a spare headlight bulb, find out how to change all bulbs. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by EJID on 04/16/14 at 07:25:34 2F3E292B3D3A356A62636B5B0 wrote:
It's not a bad idea to have to switch to reserve from time to time, that way you keep the petcock moving freely and you know from feel which way you need to turn the lever so that you can do it without hesitation in traffic if/when needed. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 04/22/14 at 10:15:12 Thanks for the info guys (and gals, where applicable). I'm still kicking this whole idea around vs the "other end of the spectrum". SW Airlines + $400 = 3hours later, I'm in St Louis. Thanks again. |
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Title: Re: Feasibility of a long trip on my S40 - Post by Brunkster on 06/03/14 at 07:46:36 4171766D6870776671030 wrote:
Well, this time SW Airlines wins. I got to looking at what I was gonna spend on some new upgraded gear for safety and comfort, plus at least 2 nights each way in a motel room, and any fuel savings I would enjoy was soon gobbled up. Got a round trip ticket Ft Myers to St Louis for $380. Done deal. In the future, however, I do still want to take an extended trip - just not this time. Thanks for all the input. |
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