Considering a ride to Sturgis in 2009 or perhaps So-Cal (Palm Desert, CA.) to visit friends & was wondering how your bike rode long distance? The longest trip I've made to date was a 400 mile day trip so any recommendations would be appreciated.
To So-Cal or Sturgis it will be a 1200+- mi. trip From Seattle.
TIA,
Clay

 

Looks like you need to move up to a bagger for longer rides!!!

 

Speaking from experience? I don't plan on takiing too many of these type trips but....I guess if thiings change, I can always go larger with more creature comforts.

 

Met a couple from Maine on the Blue Ridge Parkway and again on the Cherohala Skyway on the same trip who were on their way to Fla. before heading home to Maine. They were pulling a cargo trailer too!

 

This past Sept.thru mid October I rode my 07 Heritage, solo from Connecticut to the Grand Canyon and back. Total miles, 6200. I took the old routes (Rte. 50, Rte. 60, Rte. 64) and stayed off the interstates. The bike perfomed flawlessly. I had to replace the rear tire at 10,200 miles but thats normal wear. As for my old bones (50's) I had some minor lower back aches but only when I stayed in the saddle for more than five hours. I averaged approx. 300 miles a day. All's I can say is just do it. This country is beautiful and the people you meet on the road are terrific. I also went out to Sturgis this past Spring( flew out and rented a Heritage). Took my wife. We toured the black hills and the Badlands. This trip was incredible. The rental bike also was great. You might want to consider a differant passenger pillion if you take your wife.My wife would get stiff if riding more than 45 or so mins with the stock seat. I am looking to replace this in the near future since we will be riding to Nova Scotia, this coming summer. The bike is very comfortable. Speaking from experience you only live once. Dont think about doing the trip. Just do it.

 

Two major trips in 2007 & 2008: 2007 - 9 days to Tenn (2,400 miles) from San Antonio.. 2008 - 18 days to Milwaukee (4,100 miles)

Major changes to Bike for Passenger: Touring Pillion and Floorboards. 2 Kurkayn bags filled for 3 days of wear. Kept mileage to 300 miles per day except 2 days around 500. No fatique for me on long days. Wife was ok with long days. Stopped ever hour for 15 minute breaks.

Planning on two 2009 trips 1. Rolling Thunder and Laconia 2. Sturgis, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Joshua Tree N.P.

Good luck with you trip.

Walt

 

I have rode my Heritage on quite a few long trips longest was a little over 1500 miles round trip. However I did buy a Sundowner seat and had it customized the stock Harley seat will hurt you on a long ride in the saddle.

 

A few years ago I went St. Louis MO - Tuscaloosa AL - Asheville NC - Washington DC (Rolling Thunder) - back to STL on my 94 Heritage over 9 days. About 2200 miles with the last day a one shot trip from DC to St Louis (800 miles). It wasnt too bad really, that stock seat wore me out pretty good the last day though, just remember to take your breaks I generally take one about every hour to hour and a half.

Dont forget to drink and eat to keep your body going, I know that sounds stupid to say but riding like that it is easy to dehydrate and the other is well... us fatboys gotta eat....

Dehydration and hunger are a b*tch on long rides for me.

 

I rode my 08 HC over 20000 km last summer including a 5000km trip to Winnipeg and back around Lake Superior and Lake Huron. I took another trip to Halifax via Main. that was also about 5000km. We were gone 8 and 10 days each time. I have no complaints with the stock seat. But then again, my butt is well padded.

Biggest problem I had was that my buddy had a 24liter while the HC only has an 18 and change liter tank. So I was the one that kept making us stop for gas every 300km.

 

I rode 4000 miles in a little over 3 weeks this past june on my 08 FatBob. Stuck to mostly back roads. Camped mostly, hoteled some. Rode to Northern Cali, Nevada, Utah, Grand Canyon, etc. I didn't plan it much except for the first week. Had a great time, then back to So Arizona and extreme heat. Only had 1 bee sting. Not too buggy out here either. Alway a good day when you can ride.
Take your time, and enjoy the ride. Ignore the odometer and look around. It's better that way.