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Message started by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 14:22:07

Title: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 14:22:07

I just finished my first trip on a motorcycle, a 1200 mile round trip on the Savage, where I went up in three equal days and came back in two equal days. The last day coming back nearly did me in, probably due to the amount of time spent in the saddle vs. rest time. That made me wonder about touring "style" for lack of a better term.

Perhaps those of you who have toured on a bike can comment on the following, and what works for you:

Campground or Motel At Night?
How many miles (or hours) per day are comfortable?
How long on each leg?
How long a break between legs?
Does your ability to cover ground degrade over several days on the road?

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Jack_650 on 08/23/08 at 16:32:21

I tend to the real long trips on the bike, 3k-4- round trips. I use it in place of my pick-up now that gas is so high. I go for the miles so have done a couple of over 650 days, but it's not all that much fun. this year I'm doing a lot of catch up work on the bike (cam chain upgrade, air filter mod, car tire perhaps on the back) so there won't be a long trip this summer. But I am going to try for a 12 mile round trip to the South Dakota Badlands for a little camping outing towards the end of September.

Even with the different seat, floorboards, windshield, etc. this bike is never going to be a Goldwing. Given that I've done three really long runs over the past two summers I've gotten to know that the bike goes down the road without a whimper. The only problem I've had was that the negative terminal on the battery came loose on me once. If that happens in a car the motor just keeps running. On the bike (to my surprise) everything stops. DEAD!!! Took me a while by the side of the road in August in Wisconsin to figure out what the deal was. Carry tools.

New tires. New tubes. No flats. So far.

I've done both motels and camping. The motels are a nice treat when you've done 600+ miles on the 650, but the cost just keeps going up. The idea with the bike was to save money. In my vans or pick-ups I would just sleep most nights in the back and treat myself to a truck stop shower every so often. Now I haul a tent and sleeping pad.

As for riding times, go only until BEFORE you get to the miseries. Get off at a rest area, gas station, whatever. Walk around, lay in the grass with a book to stretch out the kinks. Just give yourself some stretch time. With my seat set-up and the extra and the oversized tanks I tend to go three hours or so. I know from riding the stock seat that that's only possible once. After that sort of first leg your bottom just doesn't snap back with a 15 minute potty break.

Drink lots of liquids. The wind can take it out of you fast. Find a Gatorade flavor you can live with cold and warm. Stuff really works to keep your energy and fluids in place.

There's my seven cents worth. Inflation you know.

Jack

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by EssForty on 08/23/08 at 16:37:17

785F5B486568535E5F483A0 wrote:

Campground or Motel At Night?
How many miles (or hours) per day are comfortable?
How long on each leg?
How long a break between legs?
Does your ability to cover ground degrade over several days on the road?

Haven't toured on my Savage yet, but I did some touring on other bikes years ago. My personal choices would be:

1) Motel. Riding a thumper all day would be enough "roughing it for me".
2) I could handle 6-8 hours for 300-400 miles total. No idea how long I could tolerate the Savage. My 100 mile weekend trips are not bad, but haven't tried an all day ride.
3)If by leg you mean stops in a day, that will be every 100 miles on the Savage just to refuel.
4) Usually stop for 10 mins to stretch, have a snack, as needed.
5) Depends on the scenery, weather, other bikers, etc. Sometimes you get a second wind. Also, as you get closer to your destination it seems to go faster.

There are some guys on here who have put in some major miles on this bike and they can give you good tips on Savage touring. I bought mine as a commuter bike and it's perfect for that.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Ed L. on 08/23/08 at 17:20:36

I would think that if you are camping out then 300 miles a day would be about all you could do on a regular basis. Setting up and breaking down camp would take close to two hours each day. If you are planning on a shower and a good breakfast then that is another 45 minutes. Add in a few stops and the day gets short for riding. After all 300 miles on the superslab will take 5 or 6 hours counting gas and rest breaks. Staying at motels would give you more time to travel, less setup and camp breakdown time but I think you would loose a bit for the overall experence.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Jack_650 on 08/23/08 at 20:54:08

that was a 1,200 mile trip to the Badlands and back. Didn't want you guys to think I was getting old. Just bad typing.

At three hundred miles a day I would need a month to get cross country. I get distracted enough stopping to take pictures. On a trek I eat before I fond the campground, roll in around dark or later, throw the tent up and hit the sleeping pad. I may read a bit and sleep. Hope to be up with the sun, pack it up, maybe catch a quick shower and then the road. I like riding all the little twisties I can find, but out there on the highway this two wheeler has become my transportation.

For me camping is a whole 'nuther animal. You take your time and get to the boonies. Of course my live-in is a hard core camping purist. And she won't get on the bike. If you can avoid them, no KOA, no motels . . . A few showers, some bug juice, (some of you know what I'm talking about) hit the trail and hike your bottom into the ground. It's kinda rubbed off on me after trying to keep up with her for the last 28 years.

Jack

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/23/08 at 21:02:44

I realize I have a lot to learn yet about minimizing gear, but I've found it inconvenient to try to pack a camp outfit on the bike. I've done it, but I'd rather stay at a cheap motel or bed and breakfast. The tent, sleeping bag, and pad (if used) are big space eaters. My load going to Philipsburg was huge, even if it didn't weigh much. Throw in a stove, pan, coffee pot, plate, cup, utensiles, food, change of clothes, etc... Things start getting tricky. Riding isn't tough with all that, but packing it and unpacking were a pain. On our later trip together, Kay and I stayed in a cabin and bought food. It was a huge difference.

Now that Kay has a bike that will carry some gear, it may not be so bad.

With all that said, if funds are inadequate to do the motel/restaurant thing, I'll camp before I stay home and miss a ride.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by mick on 08/23/08 at 22:35:23

Interesting study,I intend to ride from Portland Oregon next year to Vernal Utah,from there to St George Utah,on to Las Vegas,then down to San Diego,from there a straight shot to Portland OR,I had the intent of using camp grounds but was a little worried about thugs and or other un disirables lurking about ,I was wondering if you guy's thought that camp sights were safe???

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Paladin. on 08/23/08 at 22:42:53

My trip last year to OKC was 570 miles to the first motel, 517 miles to the second motel, a lazy 250 miles into OKC where I spent two nights.

Return home was done on back roads at about 300 miles/day.

Reaching home I parked the bike in the garage and didn't even LOOK at it for three days!

That was stock saddle. Gots a Springer now! Add floorboards and I'll be ready for the reunion in Fort Worth next year.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 22:44:56

Sandy,

You should talk about minimixing gear. You saw my trip pictures. That WAS my minimized gear. The previous year I made the same trip in a Subaru. The rear of it was full and I had stuff on the passenger seat.

Have you ever seen a portable water heater? ;D

I hope to do better on the next trip, both equipment and pace wise.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by verslagen1 on 08/23/08 at 22:47:48

Stay away from Montana, there's a new savage gang terrorizing the town. ;D

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 22:54:21

62535E53565B5C320 wrote:

When you got home did you walk in the house or did they drag your carcass through the door? I would have been dead from the waist down.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/23/08 at 23:14:54

Mick, while I do carry a pistol when I'm out and about, I think the chances of being accosted in a campground are fairly slim. Look at it from a crook's point of view: The "homeowner" or tenant is probably close by, along with other witnesses who are camped there. Typically a person who is camping is less likely to have items worth stealing than someone who parks his Lexus and goes into the motel for the night. Lastly, those who are willing to camp are often cut from a little tougher cloth than those who aren't. Why risk getting shot or carved up just to get your hands on a Coleman stove worth nine bucks?

Depending on the country you are in, I think prowling animals are more likely to disrupt your sleep than prowling hooligans.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/24/08 at 05:38:03

I have been camping alone for many years now! And in many different states.
I never was afraid to....was I suppose to be ;)

The only thing I was ever concerned about was the bears....so I left all the food in the car...and just went (peacefully) to sleep in the tent :)

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by drharveys on 08/24/08 at 07:04:55

57764D5E3C120 wrote:

Setting up and breaking down camp would take close to two hours each day. If you are planning on a shower and a good breakfast then that is another 45 minutes.

Ed, ya need new gear -- and some practice!

Setting up camp for one (or two) should only take 15 to 20 minutes.

First, unroll your therma-rest and open the valve. Let it inflate while you set up the tent. (Let's say this takes 2 minutes.)

Next, A modern self supporting backpacking tent should take less than 5 minutes to set up -- do it in the shop with a stopwatch. Look for one that has clip-on poles, sliding shock-corded poles into sleeves only slows ya down. Police up the worst of the sticks and stones from your tent site, and set up the tent. (Call this 8 minutes)

Put a few more puffs of air into the therma-rest. How many? Enough so your butt doesn't actually hit the ground. For me, it's 7 breaths of air into the valve, then close it up while my tongue keeps the air from leaking out. Throw it into the tent.

Pull the sleeping bag out of the stuff sack, shake it out and place over the therma-rest. (If these two steps take over 2 minutes, you're just dawdling)

Take your backpacker's stove and teakettle, put it on the picnic bench, firepit or charcoal grate and fire it up. Take out mess kit and dinner selection. (one more minute)

Pour a wee drop of your favorite adult beverage to celebrate while water boils or skillet heats up. (Camp's set up -- you're off the clock!)

Breaking down in the morning is pretty much the reverse. In the reverse order, so everything is set up for the next evening. Tent and sleeping bag are stuffed, so that goes quickly. Squeezing the air out of the therma-rest can take a little time. I hand squeese mine, close the valve, unroll it and then open the valve and re-roll it under my knees.

Only glitch can be in getting a really early start -- a tent full of morning dew can be a problem. If you have to put it away damp, you definitely want to set it up in the sun at a rest stop during the next day!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/70020sm-R1-005-1.jpg

OK, this tent takes a little longer, but it has the "thread the poles into the sleeves" design!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC01950.jpg

It's more for "destination" camping rather than "transit"!

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by firedawg on 08/24/08 at 16:06:10

Havn't toured on the savage yet. Rode from Daytona to Michigan in two days on my VTX hardtail. Second day was 700 miles. I always camp on the road. I use pretty much the same gear as drharveys.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by nbatter on 08/24/08 at 17:10:08

when travelling, do you guys pack a cover or tarp to put over your bike? i just got my first bike, and i might be babying it, but ive put a bike cover on my pack list for an upcoming trip and, except for a tent, its probably one of the bulkiest items im dragging along. is it worth it?

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/24/08 at 17:14:06

I don't cover mine. I figure if I can ride it in the rain, I can park it in the rain. Some have said their bikes don't run well when wet, but I've been fortunate enough not to encounter that problem.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by skrapiron on 08/24/08 at 17:31:59

On longer rides, I will limit myself to about 500 miles in a day. After that, fatigue and dehydration take their toll and dull the senses sufficiently enough to make it worth the stop.

I will keep my legs to approximately 1 tank of gas. When I need to fill up, I take a 15 min. stretch break along with it. Get a gatorade and some pretzels, bathroom break then back in the saddle.

When I stop, I want a bed. I carry a tent, but rarely use it. I'd rather soak in a hot tub of water with a cold beer in my hand. Works the kinks out real good..

I do between 150-500 miles a day, 5 days a week. It's gotten to the point that one day is as good as another.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by drharveys on 08/24/08 at 19:28:01

OK, I don't still have this bike, but I do have the blue Rev-Pak on the back seat. It also fits on the rear rack when I travel two up, thanks to Helen Twowheels' magic nylon straps. And, even though the large tent traveled by automobile in the previous pictures, I do have a stuff sack for it that fits over the Rev-Pack. I will be bringing it by motorcycle to the Falling Leaf Rally in October.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/CAFEALFR.jpg

This also shows my old Optimus stove, a whistling teakettle and a stainless steel press pot for coffee. The thermos keeps the leftover coffee hot and fresh for the next rest stop.

Oh yeah, the Falling Leaf -- highly recommended! Yeah, we're a BMW club, but we welcome those who are "between BMWs" or "Pre-BMW riders"!

http://www.gatewayriders.com/fl2008.htm

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Jack_650 on 08/24/08 at 19:58:11

I do my eating on the road as opposed to cooking at a camp site. I also carry trail mix, beef jerky and sandwich stuff. When I'm doing a long trip I use the camp site as a sleeping spot and that's about it. You don't cook in a motel room as a rule so why not carry that over to trip camping? Then you treat yourself to food in sit-down establishments.

My tent has the clip to the external poles design and goes up in about four minutes and it's roomy enough for two comfortably if needed. The thermo-rest pads come in different sizes. At our house we have two sizes since she's considerably shorter than me. When I do the bike trips I use hers. This time of the year you can get by with a full sheet for under you and folded over you and a warm blanket in case it gets chilly. Although a good medium low temp sleeping bag compresses pretty small.

As for covering the bike, I use the cheapo I've had for two and a half years. I don't take everything off the bike so I go for the keeping the stuff on it dry.

I've never felt insecure in a camp site myself. If you start looking for a camp early enough you have some choices. You don't need upscale, but you do want clean and tidy. And if they do RVs that's a plus. When you've got retired folks in mobile houses you've got folks to yell to if there's a problem. I carry one of those cheapy air horn things. You star blasting away with one of those in a camp ground and you'll get attention, not to mention probably a urine puddle from whoever's trying to get at you. With my luck if I had a gun the bad guy would just take it away from me. Or worse sue me if I used it on him.

I probably shouldn't say this and risk corrupting the yout' of America but . . .

On my really long days (those coming up on 700 miles) I often don't hit a camp ground until long after dark and after the office is closed, coast into an empty site, set up the tent, crawl in and go to sleep. I don't sleep as long as I do at home so I'm up around sun-up or earlier. Since I have a minimum of set-up and tear-down chores I'm often out before the office opens. If you have less than 100% of your scruples you can have slept for free. If you're honorable you put money in the slot as you leave. Just an observation.

Jack

ps.
A good number of small towns actually do allow camping in their city parks. I did a 600 mile bicycle trip one summer from where I live to Wall, S. Dakota. Any nights I camped I did for free. You don't get the amenities but you do get to save money. Ask at a couple of places in the town to see if there's public camping. Even if there's a charge it's almost always way less than a KOA type place.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Kirk on 08/26/08 at 09:35:00

Aren't you guys afraid of Bigfoot or the Chupacabra when you're out camping. That is there domain you know.. ;D Bigfoot has been known to steal motorcylces and do burnouts in the forest. ;D

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by skrapiron on 08/26/08 at 09:55:38

Like the 'bigfoot' they found out in your neck of the woods, kirk?

What a laugh. All that commotion over a rubber gorilla suit in a freezer!

I'm more worried about pitching my tent over a den of copperheads than I am bigfoot.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Kirk on 08/26/08 at 13:41:50

Yeah Skrapiron that was a load of crap. I cant believe they actually did that.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Ed L. on 08/26/08 at 14:22:21

Guess I need some pratice on setting up camp. I used a Wenzel two man tent on the Dragon trip which was easy enough to set up and take down. New tent, zipper broke the second day and duct tape doesn't work on wet nylon in the rain. And you know goats at 2:00 in the morning sound like people talking off in the distance, well at least they did to me. The good news is Wenzel has a 10 year warrenty which I am hoping they will support. Anyways getting back to breakdown time, I look at it as get up and put the coffee water on, eat something, hit the head, drop the tent and pack the bike. I think that would take a good hour unless you want to leave your gear flying in the wind while traveling. He!! it takes me a good hour to loosen up in the morning and that is after the coffee. Honesty anything over 450 miles a day gets tiring. Guess it all depends on how you plan and prepare for the trip.

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/26/08 at 14:48:36

And how big a parcel does that Wenzel fold up into? ;)

Title: Re: Touring Habits On A Savage
Post by Ed L. on 08/26/08 at 17:57:06

The tent rolls up and packs into a duffle that's about 18 inches long and 8 inches across. I think it weighs in at eight pounds complete with poles and a tent fly, if you go to the Wenzel web site it was simular to a Pinion model.