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?

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.....

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 .

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.

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... :'(

skrapiron -FSO wrote on 05/31/08 at 18:41:22:


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

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.

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.

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.

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!!