Road trips - distance per day

[Arr MiHardies]

Planning out my trip to SITR. This will be my first road trip, and I'm wondering how many mile per day people put on when touring. Right now I get a bit beat after 300 mile or so. But I'm also sure that's mostly due to all of that being desert riding. A change in scenery I'm sure would help. Was wondering if I should split up this 800 mile or so trip into 2 days or not.

 

[bikeguy]

There are so many variables to consider such as weather, road conditions, traffic, speed, your health and condition, etc. that I doubt anyone can give you a very good answer. I know I can't. The one thing that I believe helps more than anything is to take fairly frequent breaks of 10 -15 minutes. This is one time that the RT's limited range comes in handy. If you plan on fuel stops every 120 to 150 miles and take the time to stretch your legs a bit each time, I think it actually increases the distance you can travel without being completely worn out. The other important thing is your attitude. If you're having fun and enjoying yourself, the miles go by pretty quickly but if you're just trying to get somewhere, it can turn into drudgery. All that being said,the Spyder RT is the best long distance ride I've ever had and if I really needed to ride 800 miles in a day, I could do it. But I'd enjoy the trip more if I broke it into 2 days.

Cotton

 

[Dudley]

Our longest ride on the RT was 750 miles in 13 hours. Two days later we rode back 750 miles in 13 hours. Like BikeGuy said, it really depends on you. There a several Spyder riders that have ridden 1000 miles per leg of different trips they have been on. With my 40+ years of riding, I have a simple rule: Ride because you enjoy it. If you try and do things because someone else has done it, then you may lose out on your fun because you will try and be like them.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Good advice from others

Teddy & I take frequent long distance road trips & that was the main reson that I purchased our Moto-Mate camper, have the Utopia Backrest & highway wing covers. If I could afford the Corbin Seat with built in fuel door, we'd be totally set for just about any long distance cruising. The main issue for myself, is being able to keep shifting my leg positions so they don't get sore staying in one position for too long, which the Utopia & Highway pegs provide multiple positions. Towing our Moto-Mate reduces our distance between fuel stops down to about 120-130 miles, which is a good time to break, and let Teddy and myself stretch our legs & its very important to stay hydrated. Last year, our lngest trip was to SITA, from Cincinnati to upstate NewYork, almost a thousand miles all done in one day. With the Spyder, Moto-Mate Camper & Teddy, you would have thought the Circus had come to town, as every stop we were mobbed by onlookers, adding considerable time to our journey. Once I felt myself getting to tired to ryde, we'd just pull into a rest area and head back to the camper for some shut eye, usually an hour or two, and my batteries would be recharged and off we'd go again. In time, you'll find what works best for you & it really depends on what type of trip you want to experience, as in just getting to your destination taking the highways like we did on our initial route there. Or, a much more relaxed & scenic ryde by taking mostly the backroads, like we did on our return trip home. Coming from personal experience, Please don't try to push yourself if you start finding the road lulling you to sleep, as that can lead to disaster, which I have a totalled 94 Mustang GT Convertible to offer as evidence. How I came through that without a scratch on me, I will never know, but to say that I am truly a Blessed man to be alive today is an understatement. Do what you feel is best for your riding ability & comfort level & most of all, Enjoy the Ryde. Dave~

 

[ARtraveler]

In the "good ole days" when I was in my 30's, a 600 mile day was doable--but tiring. Yamaha Venture was the ride of choice then.

The last long trip I made Eagle River AK - Skagway AK--we averaged 300-350 per day with no problems on our :spyder2:'s.

As mentioned above, lots of factors to consider. Weather, road conditions, etc. My current philosophy on long rides--stop and smell the roses, take in the scenery, enjoy a nice meal or two on the journey. Arrive in good condition and not to fatigued. To me, that's what touring is all about. Don't make the destination so far in one day--that you get exhausted just getting there.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

If I am by myself, I will do around 600 to 650 a day, if my wife is with me her limit is 500 miles a day. But if I new I was only going to do 800 miles I would only do 400 miles a day. But the weather always plays a major roll in your travel plans. You have to be flexible.

 

[NancysToy]

If you were beat at 300 miles, you will be exhausted after 800 miles. That is at least a two day trip for most riders. For an extended journey, we like to stick with 300-400 miles per day...sometimes less on slow roads. Yes, we have done 600 mile days, but they are long and strenuous, and leave you too tired to enjoy your destination. When traveling together, we usually reserve those for the trip home, when we are driven by the thoughts of sleeping in our own beds. Alone, I have been known to stretch it a bit more on the way out. As to the epic journeys of 800-1,000 miles a day or more, I left those behind with the color in my hair. I know some tough old buzzards who still do SS 1000 (Ironbutt) rides, but I prefer to enjoy the ride, not endure it. JMHO

 

[gmcgarrity]

I agree with all, ride what feels the best for you.
when we travel on a long hot ride across the plans we would wet our under shirts to act like an air conditioner
OK start the wet tee shirt comments.
this worked for us to be able to 500-600 miles per day @ 100 degrees
plenty of water and ice cream
you can dehydrate quickly at road speeds and not know it.

ride safe
Geo

 

[Bob Denman]

Bikeguy hit it right on the head! :firstplace:

This may sound like a pure cop-out, but there's pretty much no way to set a pre-determined distance to travel unless you've already ridden the route and know how you're affected by the conditions.
If you're blasting down a multilane, multistate slab, traffic around you can affect how mentally tired you'll be...
Maybe cruising a backroad with nice scenery at a modest pace will allow you to travel for MANY more hours in a day, but lower speeds might reduce the actual mileage...
Technically challenging roads might beat you up physically and mentally, but make you want more of it because of the satisfaction found in tackling those types of roads...
You kind of just have to hit it and see what happens... Good Luck and we'll expect a "Report From The Saddle" :thumbup:

 

[WaltH]

If I could afford the Corbin Seat with built in fuel door, we'd be totally set for just about any long distance cruising. Dave~

You don't have to buy the Corbin seat to get the fuel door. Inspector Gadget will install one on the stock seat.

 

[Dragonrider]

We tour every year, and have every stop planned & hotels booked. However, we want to see what's around us & avoid the super slabs. We do 450 miles - max, per day.

The Eastern guys don't understand our weather, where you will either be hot or hotter, & can plan a picnic 5 years in advance. Freeze your water, to keep it cool, wear long sleeve t-shirts ( sun), & did I say, take lots of water?

Remember, the coast can be cold & misty/foggy - don't leave your coat home. See you @ STIR

 

[spyderrock]

Like most people said here take your time and smells the roses, When im on a long trip I usually drive about 10 hours that includes fuel stops food stops and lots of sights and with all that still manage about 800km. We traveled to San Fransisco last summer and that is what we averaged on the trip. Some roads like hiway 1 from Drive Through Tree National Park to Fort Bragg is a killer on a Spyder your upper body is going to get a workout lol, take your time and enjoy the ride. Other roads are an easy ride and miles can go by very fast. On your trip I would do that in 2 days and take in as many sights as possible, there are a lot of things to see between Vegas and Eureka.

 

[Recluze]

I usually do 3-400 miles a day on extended rides. I am always on two lane back roads so that takes a bit longer than using the interstates, which I avoid. The scenery is better on the back roads. So are the food and the people. The beauty of the interstates is there are all the services you need at about 30 mile intervals. There is some peace of mind in that.

I was once told not to travel further than one crease in the road map per day which was probably good advice when we used road maps. I don't know what the equivalent would be with a gps.

From my boating experience I have found that is better to let the conditions dictate how much or how little you do. I always allow a couple of weather days in any trip. I never have used them but I am never in a rush trying to make some predetermined distance goal either. I never know where I will be spending the night but that is also part of the adventure

To each his own. In my case, it is the journey, not the end.

 

[Lamonster]

This may sound like a pure cop-out, but there's pretty much no way to set a pre-determined distance to travel unless you've already ridden the route and know how you're affected by the conditions.

I don't know about that, I've traveled all over the country with a pre-determined distance or goal. I pretty much set a realistic goal and let my body tell me if I over estimated or underestimated my goal. On one trip to California I wanted to quit every 120 miles or so because I was so sick, at 900 miles I got to feeling better and wound up doing over 1100 miles that day.

Best thing to do on your trip Art is plan for two or three days and if you feel like pushing on you'll get there early but at least you won't be late. :doorag:

 

[bmwlarry]

Last year I did a coast to coast of nearly 9,000 mies on my BMW K1200LT pulling a Unigo trailer. My bike has a custom seat, back rest and highway pegs. My days were from 350 miles to my longest which was 970 miles. A lot of variables play into what you can do comfortably! But I think the main consideration is what one can do SAFELY! If at anytime, I found myself felling the slightest bit sleepy, I stop. Never try and get that extra 30 min! It could kill you! I will be making a long trip somewhere this summer on my RT for the first time and I will have a backrest, sheepskin and air hawk seat cushion and just yesterday, I installed Sealboards. My bike could get 300 miles on a tank but the spyder pulling my Aspen Sentry trail will be closer to 115. This should give me lots of breaks!

 

[Bob Denman]

I don't know about that, I've traveled all over the country with a pre-determined distance or goal. I pretty much set a realistic goal and let my body tell me if I over estimated or underestimated my goal.

:shocked: Not that I would ever presume to debate riding with you, but oftentimes the mileage becomes the goal, rather than the trip itself... let the scenery unfold and the rest tops come as they may; mileage can become a trap if you allow it to. :shocked:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Justin, I think you'd probably enjoy the trip more if you take two days to get there. Depending on your schedule maybe you'll want to push it back in 1. But since it is your first long trip take the time to smell the roses if you can. You'll be riding in some pretty hot weather the first day and that will sap your energy (even for a young guy like you)

Like Lamont said try to find your target location for the end of each day and check out the areas before and after in case you decide to stop early or push on. I never make reservations on the road so I can be flexible and I've never had a problem.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I'd like to go north and pass through lake Tahoe, but that makes for a lot of desert riding. I think I'd be better off cutting west and getting out of the desert as soon and early as possible.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I have set aside two days for travel. Guess we'll just see how far I can make it in one before needing to rest. Want to take more scenic routes, but not at the expense of adding tons of time. A route I mapped out that took me through Tahoe, added about 4-6 hours. No thanks. That can be a extra day of riding.

 

[Dragonrider]

:roflblack: You won't be out of the desert until you get to Carson City!!! I would recommend going further North and cutting across Lassen to Redding to Eureka. Much nicer drive, and will keep you out of Sacto traffic - best time to travel through that part of the world is midnight to 2am….