Alaska 2010 or bust ride

[Thevmaxrider]

I mounted and balanced a new set of Shinkos today using my home made stuff.
It actually works, not great, but it gets the job done.
Support trucks could have something like that on board, along with a small generator, pancake compressor and a front & rear tire for emergency tire changing. Just in case one goes flat in the middle of now where.

What do you think? :ummm:

That might not be too bad an idea. Had a thought of renting a bigger Uhaul type trailer that can hold a couple of bikes and plenty of supplies. Will have to discuss more.

 

[COP RUNNER]

MAYBE KJ , CAN GET SOME NOVOCAINE IN BULK & MAIL IT TO EVERYONE TO INJECT IT INTO THERE ASSES !!! :rofl_200::rofl_200::rofl_200:

 

[Thevmaxrider]

MAYBE KJ , CAN GET SOME NOVOCAINE IN BULK & MAIL IT TO EVERYONE TO INJECT IT INTO THERE ASSES !!! :rofl_200::rofl_200::rofl_200:

I figure that by the time we get there, our asses will have no nerves left:biglaugh:

 

[KJShover]

Started a social group for those planning on and those who would like to go on the run.

http://www.vmaxforum.net/group.php?groupid=1

 

[Thevmaxrider]

Joined the group:biglaugh:

 

[Redbone]

This will be a real iron butt type ride. I could do a 1000 km day....but several in a row? Wow....would be a real experience tho! Gotta think about this one for abit!!

Dale #2592

I'm sure the Iron Butt Assoc. has a award for this type of mileage. I think it's 1000 miles in 24 hours. Go to the Iron Butt site to see all of the awards.
There is a few things each of us can do to build up to the mileage:
1) Use small rides to buld up to the mileage.
2) Test comfort products out that will work for you.
3) Shake down your bike to eliminate possible problems.
Yeah, that definatly is a lot of miles (~600/day for 6 days) but it can be done.
The fun and the memories you will have for the rest of your life will far outweigh the sore butt you may have for a few days.

 

[Thevmaxrider]

+1 Redbone!! My preliminary plan is begin my workup to the ride in early July 2010 with a couple of "short", 1600km, weekend rides back and forth to my in-laws house. Know that I can cover that distance plus some in a couple of days no problem. Might just do the loop that you and ALMTY did just as another practice run. Want a week of maintenance just before leaving. My check list includes:

1) New tires
2) Coolant change out
3) Repack steering bearings, swingarm bearings
4) grease splines on rear wheel
5) oil change
6) clean and re-oil air filter
7) change out brake/clutch fluids
8) check/change out brake pads as needed
9) clean fuel filter
10) synch carbs

I am sure that this list will grow or shrink as I get closer. Also planning on an oil change when we arrive at KJ's and another once I get home. Am also thinking that I might just buy another set of tires just to have them in the suppot truck. Going to begin saving the $$$ at the end of next season.

 

[m-cman]

I am not going on this trip but I have gone on several trips where we had to average 500 miles per day for at least a week. There are several things that happen on these type of trips. Little annoyances become big problems in a hurry. Things to address:

Handlebar vibration: Only noticeable over long days. Can cause tingling and numbness. Get a good set of grips and bar end weights (heavier the better), use a relaxed grip on the bars and change hand position and grip often. I like ProGrip 0699 open end gel grips but any good gel grip helps. Oury is good also.

Throttle Lock: This is a big help on long trips. I like the Vista Cruise over the NEP version. Requires throttle sleeve modification though. The knob sticking out of mine is a custom made adjuster so I can adjust on the fly. Had it for at least 20 years.

Seat: Corbin is the only way to go in this situation. Trust me. I also add a sheepskin pad, especially in hot weather. Reduces "Monkey Butt" and adds comfort. Most pads have Velcro straps sewn on. I rivet stick-on Velcro to the bottom of the seat which keeps the pad in place. The stick-on won't stay on in the heat without the rivets help.

Windshield: I used the OEM windshield which worked OK. The small instrument shield is not much better than nothing. I will be adding a Rifle Superbike Fairing since it worked well on previous bikes. Don't have any feedback yet though.

Earplugs: A necessity. I have tried every type and in my opinion the old barrel shaped foam ones are still the best. All other types either hurt or are uncomfortable or do not reduce the sound enough.

Highway Pegs: I have used three types on a Max. The first "clamp-on" type wouldn't stay in place. Rotated every time I put any pressure on them. On the second I drilled a hole in the case guards and installed bolt through folding pegs. These worked great. Now I have pads bolted on to the case guards. They work well but not as good as the bolt through. They look better though.

Luggage: I used soft saddlebags and a tail bag. Also have used roll bag and sissybar bag. All worked ok but would like to find saddlebag supports as the bags did rub the rear shocks causing wear spots on the bags. I am working on developing a mount system for Givi bags as they are great and I have two sets left over from previous bikes.

I also take a flat tire kit.

A few pics are attached. That is all I can think of right now. Hope this helps.

 

[Redbone]

I am not going on this trip but I have gone on several trips where we had to average 500 miles per day for at least a week. There are several things that happen on these type of trips. Little annoyances become big problems in a hurry. Things to address:

Handlebar vibration: Only noticeable over long days. Can cause tingling and numbness. Get a good set of grips and bar end weights (heavier the better), use a relaxed grip on the bars and change hand position and grip often. I like ProGrip 0699 open end gel grips but any good gel grip helps. Oury is good also.

Throttle Lock: This is a big help on long trips. I like the Vista Cruise over the NEP version. Requires throttle sleeve modification though. The knob sticking out of mine is a custom made adjuster so I can adjust on the fly. Had it for at least 20 years.

Seat: Corbin is the only way to go in this situation. Trust me. I also add a sheepskin pad, especially in hot weather. Reduces "Monkey Butt" and adds comfort. Most pads have Velcro straps sewn on. I rivet stick-on Velcro to the bottom of the seat which keeps the pad in place. The stick-on won't stay on in the heat without the rivets help.

Windshield: I used the OEM windshield which worked OK. The small instrument shield is not much better than nothing. I will be adding a Rifle Superbike Fairing since it worked well on previous bikes. Don't have any feedback yet though.

Earplugs: A necessity. I have tried every type and in my opinion the old barrel shaped foam ones are still the best. All other types either hurt or are uncomfortable or do not reduce the sound enough.

Highway Pegs: I have used three types on a Max. The first "clamp-on" type wouldn't stay in place. Rotated every time I put any pressure on them. On the second I drilled a hole in the case guards and installed bolt through folding pegs. These worked great. Now I have pads bolted on to the case guards. They work well but not as good as the bolt through. They look better though.

Luggage: I used soft saddlebags and a tail bag. Also have used roll bag and sissybar bag. All worked ok but would like to find saddlebag supports as the bags did rub the rear shocks causing wear spots on the bags. I am working on developing a mount system for Givi bags as they are great and I have two sets left over from previous bikes.

I also take a flat tire kit.

A few pics are attached. That is all I can think of right now. Hope this helps.

++ Good mods m-cman! Anybody with LD riding tips chime in!

 

[naughtyG]

Great info here m-cman! unk:

The seat pad looks shaggy but I'd like to try that - my Corbin gives me monkey butt too quickly as it's lowered and padding's too thin. Where'd u get that thing?

Will try the bar ends idea, and I really like your highway pads on the guards - again where'd u find those? I have Kuryakin clamp-ons and they stay in place ok, but I find my feet a out a little too wide on them.

Also agree with you 100% on ear plugs. I use bullet-shaped blue foam ones from Walgreens - nice n comfy and decent noise reduction.
On the subject of windshield and noise, I'd like to add that the wider the windshield the less noise - my Slipstreamer Spitfire looks nice and gives good wind protection, but its narrower shape on top creates wind buffeting that makes for a lot more noise. :-/

I have the FatMax hard bags for luggage, and can vouch for them! Completely watertight, great storage capacity, instant to open and close, locking and I think they look great too! See the (now slightly out of date) attached pics.

Also my new higher and wider handlebars (Triumph Tiger 650) help as I sit up a bit more - much more relaxed touring stance which I really like as I don't crouch forward and feel my arms being so stretched anymore. Will post pics as soon as I take some more!

 

[Thevmaxrider]

Hmmm all this talk of comfort can get a guy thinking. Will have to look into a pad for my Max to use on the trip. My seat is a cut down stocker that hasn't given me monkey butt yet (did 5k km in 8 days on it), but why take the risk. As I plan to have a one-up tail on Snowmax by the trip a Corbin is out of the question. Ear plugs are a good idea, especially for anyone right behind me LOL. Am considering a bar snake to lessen the vibration and I am definately getting a "Brake Away" throttle boss. Be nice to be able to take the right hand off of the grip too. Here is a link to it: http://www.brakeawayproducts.com/appguide-5CP02.html spendy but worth it.

 

[m-cman]

The seat pad looks shaggy but I'd like to try that - my Corbin gives me monkey butt too quickly as it's lowered and padding's too thin. Where'd u get that thing?

That pad has been on two 3500 mile trips and one 1600 mile trip plus a lot of around town use in the Texas heat. It is allowed to look shaggy. :biglaugh: Got it from GELSEAT.COM. It is the medium size 14" x 17". It had 4 velcro stips, two on each side. I added one to the front to keep it from lifting while underway when you move around on the seat or stand on the pegs. (Sewed it on). Cost $39.95 + s/h. Were on sale, usually $49.95.

Will try the bar ends idea, and I really like your highway pads on the guards - again where'd u find those? I have Kuryakin clamp-ons and they stay in place ok, but I find my feet a out a little too wide on them.

Got the foot pads from Chaparral Motorsports. They were called M/C Enterprises Touring Rubber Foot Pad Set. Have seen them under several names including Bike Master. Cost $15.99 + s/h.

Also agree with you 100% on ear plugs. I use bullet-shaped blue foam ones from Walgreens - nice n comfy and decent noise reduction.
On the subject of windshield and noise, I'd like to add that the wider the windshield the less noise - my Slipstreamer Spitfire looks nice and gives good wind protection, but its narrower shape on top creates wind buffeting that makes for a lot more noise.

Have a Slipstreamer Hellfire shield that works great. It is larger than your Spitfire. No noise and little turbulence. Only problem, it allows heat to rise from the engine which is bad in Texas high temps. It was 96 degrees the one day I tried it. Too hot for me. Would be great on normal to cold days.

 

[naughtyG]

Thanks again for all the details. Of course your arsepad is *allowed* to look shaggy after all that use! :hihi::hihi:

I just took a buncha current pics of my ride so will upload shortly for everyone to see the pegs, hard bags and wide bars.

Your Slipstreamer sounds better than mine - you got any pics of the bike with it on? I know what you mean about the heat - same problem here in FL in the summer especially. But I'd still rather be a little bit hot than have no protection from wind, bugs and noise on my 90-mile highway run to work.. :biglaugh:

 

[Storloc]

http://www.brakeawayproducts.com/appguide-5CP02.html

Oooh I like the looks of that throttle lock! Clean with no ugly bolts/nuts sticking out...almost cant tell its there. Do you happen to know if it holds well? Hell after watching the video I may have to plop down the 2 bills for one anyway!

 

[Thevmaxrider]

http://www.brakeawayproducts.com/appguide-5CP02.html

Oooh I like the looks of that throttle lock! Clean with no ugly bolts/nuts sticking out...almost cant tell its there. Do you happen to know if it holds well? Hell after watching the video I may have to plop down the 2 bills for one anyway!

Know a couple of guys who have them and love them. They work great, easy to install, easy to set up, and well made.

 

[maxcruiser]

I saw one of these this summer on a max, but he didn't know who made/sold it - now I know - thanks - very well made piece.

Mike

 

[naughtyG]

I saw one of these this summer on a max, but he didn't know who made/sold it - now I know - thanks - very well made piece.

Mike

And so it should be, at that price! :surprise:

 

[Thevmaxrider]

I always figure you get what you pay for. If I want a high quality piece I expect to pay a bit more.

 

[dannymax]

Know a couple of guys who have them and love them. They work great, easy to install, easy to set up, and well made.

I like these and it's nice to have 3rd party info about the quality and function. My hands fall asleep after 1/2 - 3/4 hr of highway driving and this looks like just the thing to relieve that.

$200 seems very reasonable to have the option of flexing my right hand once in awhile to keep the blood moving.

 

[naughtyG]

I completely agree that quality comes at a price, and also believe in paying a little more to get decent stuff.

But 200 bucks for a twist grip clutch is a little excessive methinks..