SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> The Cafe >> Iron butt
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1457241474

Message started by springman on 03/05/16 at 21:17:54

Title: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/05/16 at 21:17:54

I rode down to Austin today to have lunch with my daughter and her husband. I spent a few hours down there and then rode back. Just got in about 45 minutes ago. Round trip was 347 miles and because of lousy traffic in Austin you can add an hour and a half of basically sitting on the bike on the Austin highway. With a little better seat and a back rest I think I could do 500 miles in a day. I am tired though. But it was a good day. :)

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by KennyG on 03/05/16 at 22:06:26

SpringMan,

You are a few miles shy of getting an Iron Butt Award.......

Several times in riding from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Daytona Beach, Florida I made 950 miles in less than 24 hours. Best time ever was 21 hours. I was so d@mned tired that I could never get motivated to ride another 25 miles past Daytona and then double back. :-/

Kenny G

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/05/16 at 22:24:59

KennyG, I do not even want to think about riding 950 miles in less that 24 hours. I've done that in a car many times and that is exhausting enough. Well, you've got tougher butt that I do! ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by KennyG on 03/05/16 at 23:17:25

SpringMan,

In recent years I don't want to ride any further than being able to see my home in the rear view mirror.

Every cycle that I owned in recent years had some kind of modification to the seat to accommodate less than iron butt.

Picture of recent changes to my S40 seat below.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Dave on 03/06/16 at 03:51:07

Getting a lot of miles on the ODO in a short period of time involves lots of highway riding.....and I just don't find that enjoyable. The longest ride I have ever done in a day was the Moonshine Lunch Run, and I went 570 miles....my butt was so incredibly tired on the last hour of riding I just hated riding!

I would much rather ride 30-40 mph back roads....and getting 250 miles racked up takes a very long time at those speeds. On some of the trips to NC we have been able to get that many miles in a day - but you have to ride in areas where the roads aren't packed with tourists and motorhomes.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by old_rider on 03/06/16 at 07:20:00

On last years Texas run, I was going to ride all the way in one shot from Ft. Walton Beach, Fl to Kerrville, TX but since I was meeting up with MMR, I stopped outside of Lafeyette, La. overnight.
Of course it was raining like mad... but if it had of been good weather I could have kept going.
Stopping every 100 miles gives you stretching time, even though it adds time to your trip.
I imagine if I were to do it in one whole ride (815 miles- 11hrs 40min) it would take me a whole day to recoup :) and maybe some adult liquid refreshment to ease the bones....
Realistically, I would like to try it (I just did a 14 hour straight run in my truck to Illinois), but I would most likely have to stop at about the 600 mile mark.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/06/16 at 08:38:20

3D3E3C272029232F204E0 wrote:

KennyG, I do not even want to think about riding 950 miles in less that 24 hours. I've done that in a car many times and that is exhausting enough. Well, you've got tougher butt that I do! ;D ;D ;D

we did over 1000 in less than 24 in my truck last year
the good thing about traffic in Austin is, when you're waiting for traffic to move, you can take your ass OUT of the seat
I did this every time we hit a red light on the run to the Sisters and the run back last year

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by old.indian on 03/06/16 at 09:15:10

Last September driveway to motel in Camp Verde, AZ was 394 miles on factory seat and pegs location. With the Corbin and 4"FCs now on the bike, I figure I'll be good for an additional 100 miles a day at my comfort level 60 -65 MPH on back roads.....
One of my slightly younger neighbors recently did 1,000 miles on his BMW.. I ain't nowhere near that tough.....

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/06/16 at 10:55:51

Well, I am up and about today. Body aches a bit pretty much all over. The 2 biggest surprises are that my abs are sore, like as if I had done a bunch of sit ups and my left hand, my clutch hand hurts.

I think the inflatable seat cushion I have helps a lot. I think the biggest help to be able to do a longer ride would be a back support to lean against and I guess maybe a windscreen would help. But I've never ridden a bike with a windscreen and I am reluctant to put one on thinking it will affect my handling. Plus, I have to admit that in the Houston summer I want all the wind hitting me to help cool me off.

Yeah, I do prefer the shorter rides at slower speeds but I just wanted to find out how much saddle time I can do so if ever I plan a long trip I can have a good idea of how many miles I should plan on covering in one day. And now I also know the after effects of extended saddle time. It was an adventure. ;D

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by old.indian on 03/06/16 at 12:07:47

The OEM Savage 'shield doesn't have any noticeable affect "to me" as far as handling goes (including side and cross winds). It does reduce wind fatigue and keeps the debris/bugs off.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by badwolf on 03/06/16 at 12:13:17

I did wpb,fl to Phoenix az in 52 hours once on my old yamaha triple 2600 miles. But a windscreen is a must. I did wpb to buffalo,ny straight thru a bunch of times on my old goldwing. My friends up there always said I had my backbone removed and replaced with a piece of stainless steel. Bout 10 years ago made it from my driveway to my friends up there, 1437 miles in 23hours 55 minutes on my pc800. (honda pacific coast, little goldwing) But now that I'm retired, I don't need to be in that much of a hurry. My hip buggs me now just on the 190 miles over to see my mother. I'm going to leave anything over 600 in a day to the younger guys now. I too prefer the back roads at 50 to the ss at 70.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by LANCER on 03/06/16 at 15:14:07

CRAZY PEOPLE ... CRAZY TALK !!!

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by pg on 03/06/16 at 15:21:49

I have done two 800 mile plus days. I went from Las Cruces, NM to east of Houston last summer which was 815 miles in a day. In west TX, if I had an ST or FJR I would have used all of it. ;)

Best regards,

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/06/16 at 16:07:25

Thanks for your comment on the windscreen Old Indian. I actually had to make a stop on my ride to Austin at one point, not for gas or for being tired but because the bugs all of sudden got bad and a big on splattered all over my face shield making it very difficult to see. I am so glad my face shield was down, it sounded like a bullet hit me when that bug hit. That would have done damage to bare skin or an eye.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Gus on 03/06/16 at 17:45:40

When I was younger, back in the 80's, I worked away from home all the time. I remember one summer I was working in South Bend IN. It was 650 miles from home. I would climb on my bike after work on a Friday and ride home. On Sunday at noon I'd climb back on and ride back. I had that trip down to a little over 9 hours and 20-40 min. depending on traffic in Chicago. Sheesh I just been an animal back in those days. I know I was in my 20's and thought I would live forever. That bike was a Shovelhead FLH.
For me a windscreen has never been optional equipment. It has always extended my riding season enormously up here in the North country. In a hail storm they're never big enough. >:(

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Kruzader on 03/06/16 at 23:30:16

:) I rode my bike out of my court today. My longest ride ever and LOVE IT!

Didn't go far, just all the way around the backstreets of the neighborhood. It was quiet and beautiful sunny day after a rainy weekend.

Maybe 3 - 4 miles LOL. Hey but I loved it. Next Goal is the market, and then work.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by thumperclone on 03/07/16 at 00:14:53

I have an Alaska leather sheep skin cover on my seat
cool in the summer warm on cool days
their rally series are cheaper and they did a custom slip cover for my drivers back rest

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Gus on 03/07/16 at 06:49:40

41787F706B6E6F780A0 wrote:

Hey, that's where it all starts! That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/07/16 at 08:33:51

636062797E777D717E100 wrote:

A few notes: contrary to what some people say, a well selected screen will have little to no effect on handling, heck, it doesn't slow MM down, does it?
Even that giant sail I had on mine never caused a problem due to wind
Second, re max wind during the summer, don't take my word on it, google it,
Once the temp gets above 98 degrees or so, wind chill works in reverse, putting heat into your body faster than your natural cooling system (sweating / evaporation) can get it out, once you're at speed
Even the fellow who wrote Proficient Motorcycling comments on this
a breeze while you're sitting at a red light still feels good, but doing 70 on a 100 degree day, you want to block that wind, as it will heat you up faster
Counterintuitive but true
As for a back rest, two options
Protac makes a driver backrest (expensive but works)
Or if you don't want to spend that much, put a sissy bar on your bike, and attach a backpack or duffle full of clothing

I should bring the Scootanic up there one day, let you feel what wind protection feels like on a bike, even if it's not a 'real' motorcycle

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/07/16 at 15:12:23

Hey Art. I have ridden in 100 degrees + weather here in Houston with my mesh jacket on. While moving it felt ok. When stopped, the ambient temp + the heat from the engine can really be bothersome.

I suspect one of these days I will buy a windscreen and I'll find out then just how it all feels.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by old_rider on 03/07/16 at 17:02:57

Buy one of the small removable windscreens... just tall enough to through some air off during the kewl weather and four quick disconnects to remove it during the hot months.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by MMRanch on 03/07/16 at 19:18:52

Spring Man

I've got three of the Memphis Shield brand wind shields , three sizes and two bikes and they all interchange . Four Screws takes them on and off. Its really a great system and they can be cheep on Ebay ! ;)

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/07/16 at 19:31:19

Thanks for the feedback. I will look into these windshields.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Ed L. on 03/07/16 at 19:47:49

CRAZY PEOPLE ... CRAZY TALK !!!
Come on Lancer we did about 375 miles on the first Dragon ride. After dumping my bike, you remember that don't you, I rode over 100 miles without a right foot peg. Of course you were off chasing that babe on a Harley on that ride. ;).
Yeah, crazy talk but good memories.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/08/16 at 07:30:55

2724263D3A3339353A540 wrote:

I thought so too until I compared mesh to leather on a long 70 mph run on a 113 degree day
ran from Columbus to Brookshire in mesh, then back to Columbus in leather, specifically to test the theory, which I at first thought was bunk
I was definitely cooler in leather while moving at high speed
no one believes this, but it's very elementary thermodynamics

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/08/16 at 07:38:40

Ed L, I think I like you. 100 miles without a foot peg, you're a tough son of a gun.

Art, I will definitely test out what you are saying. Thanks.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Dave on 03/08/16 at 07:58:21

Oldfeller took me to the Dixie Knife Works on one 98+ degree day, and while were sitting at a red light in the hot sun on the hot asphalt I decided I would raise my face shield to cool off.....the air felt like a blast furnace of heat - I got less heat with the face shield closed!

I don't know about the mesh vs. leather......I now have both types but have never compared them on the same ride. I would think that you would be cooler with the ability to perspire - and the air coming through the mesh to carry the moisture away. Some leather jackets with good ventilation may keep the sun off - while the vents work to let air flow through and do the cooling.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/08/16 at 08:22:14

300B0611000C17110A020F10630 wrote:

You still perspire in leather, and it breathes, unless you left the winter liner in ;D in the mesh, the air flow is putting heat into you while you're moving, where the leather blocks that hot air from reaching your skin and heating you up faster than you can shed heat
the mesh is cooler when sitting ant a light or cruising slowly though
Like I said, it's very basic thermodynamics, heat ALWAYS travels to cold, the heat transfer is faster the higher the temperature differential, stationary objects form a boundary layer that mitigates this some, but moving wind breaks that boundary layer

If you set a 38 degree drink on a bench on a still 100 degree day, the drink will gradually absorb heat until it reaches 100 degrees, minus whatever for evaporative cooling
if you set that same drink on that same bench on a 100 degree day with a 70 mile an hour wind, it'll get hot faster, and reach a higher temp, and evaporate faster
Provided it's not blown away by the wind ;D
the face shield thing actually supports this, if you study on it some

or read this
http://www.zunis.org/at_least_theres_a_breeze.htm
note how as temp goes up wind chill becomes wind heating

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Gus on 03/08/16 at 08:32:23

Art,
You are getting so scientific my head is starting to hurt from the expansion.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Ed L. on 03/08/16 at 10:30:21

I've ridden with both leather and mesh in the Florida heat and found that there isn't much difference while moving as long as the leather has good ventilation. Stopped is another thing altogether, black leather heats up a lot faster than most mesh jackets do. Either way I pack a lot of water.
I've been using a small windscreen on my bike for years and like it for superslab running, it helps keep the road crud off the rider but unless set right can cause a lot of noise in my FF helmet. The few times I"ve been caught in the rain it kept me a little dryer but I still got wet. The biggest pain with riding in the rain is when my pants get soaked and the water runs down my legs and fills up my riding boots. :D

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by old_rider on 03/08/16 at 17:49:53

My wife used to laugh at me and my job a few years back...
I worked for a window and door company in northern florida... I was ALWAYS wet... from either sweat or the summer afternoon rains.
Riding here is the same.... you get wet, either sitting still or riding....humidity sux.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by springman on 03/09/16 at 14:33:50

As far as the windscreen goes, I have been leaning towards the Slipstreamer S-06 Spitfire. Has anybody used one of these?

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/11/16 at 07:56:13

you'll have the devils own time making it fit with the stock drag bars
The stock suzuki screen, available from Motosport for $141, is about the same size, and mounts to the forks, giving an easier install and a sturdier mounting

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Gus on 03/11/16 at 11:06:13

I bought one off eBay. Don't even know the brand name but it was CHEAP. connected to the handlebar and was pretty straight forward. Think I paid 65 or 85 dollars for it. Shoulda bought the bigger one tho.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/12/16 at 08:14:03

you have the drag bars? or the buckhorns?
2002 had bucks, stock, IIRC
Mine had the drags, and there was no room for the clamps between the master cylinder and the bend in the handlebar
I'm picky about clamps being solid, and a clamp at a bend isn't, imo

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Gus on 03/12/16 at 10:18:45

Your right Art, mine has the buckhorn bars. Drags might be another story for sure.

Title: Re: Iron butt
Post by Art Webb on 03/13/16 at 09:01:04

I't a shame they didn't leave more room there, the spitfire is a good value priced screen, I just couldn't make it work for me with the stock drags