| Author | Message | ||
     Firebolt020283 |
Ok so I plan on taking a 16 hour trip from Texas to Georgia in october on my firebolt and I was wondering what are some solutions to make it a bit more comfortable for such a trip. Obvioulsy the best solution would be the superbike bar kit from American Sport Bike but that is $500 I do not want to spend so is there any temporary solutions or at least cheaper solutions? Also is there some kind of seat cover of pad that is cheap to make my butt just a little more happy? what is a good cheap solution for a cruise control/throttle lock? Last Question is what is a cheap set of bags that some one could recommend? I am not looking for anything that has to last a long time or anything just for this trip really. | ||
| Delta_one |
cortech bags http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/catalog/Luggage-p- 1-c-31.html cramp buster http://www.crampbuster.com/ bike shorts will make your ride much better, gel padded will help even more. I did 10 hours with my old soccer compression shorts on my S and had zero issues. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Put it in the back of a pickup?  | ||
| Xb9er |
Can you still get a heli bar kit? | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Bicycle shorts work fantastic. You can wear them under your gear. Also I think working out a few weeks before you go helps a lot. I did a lot a pushups (girl style, looking for endurance not mass) before my spring trip on my 1125r. 2800 miles in 8 days and the only thing that was sore was my neck. Its hard to prepare for wind buffing the helmet. As far as bags,I would ship what you will need when you get there instead. Its cheaper than buying a set of bags for one time use. The pic in my profile is from a 2600 mile trip I did on my XB9. Everything I needed I put in that tailbag. If it didnt fit, I didnt bring it. | ||
| Delta_one |
I don't think so maybe ebay or the classifieds but they tend to pull a premium even used but I did 10 hours or so on my bike with clubmans with the above setup stopping only for fuel and 2 phone calls  ps RPM I still want your windscreen  lol (Message edited by delta_one on June 26, 2010) | ||
| Brumbear |
pop on xb footpegs the 1" drop is super comfy | ||
| Brumbear |
lightning that is | ||
| Delta_one |
oh yea I forgot about the drop pegs LOL I pulled my off for the traction and didn't look back | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I already have s pegs on my bike. thanks for the suggestions so far. And the back of the truck thing would take the fun out of it. I have always wanted to make a long trip on my own and I figure buelltoberfest seems like a good time to try it. I plan to start conditioning my self for it with exercise and building my self up on long days of riding every weekend between now and then. I have been searching the internet for cheap bags and came across these for cheap from leatherup.com. http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-Saddlebags/X element-Nylon-Sport-Saddlebags-with-Reflective-Str ipes/97298.html that crampbuster looks like it could help a lot for my right hand. but I am open to more suggestions for anyone who has them. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
is there some kind of set up I can hook up to my bike to be able to recharge say my iphone or gps? | ||
| Delta_one |
a good helmet if you don't already have one will be priceless on the trip light weight low noise good airflow good aerodynamics low lift low buffeting behind traffic low force required when head checking high quality liner shoei aria shark etc | ||
| Hughlysses |
Make sure you thoroughly test out anything new (seat, grips, helmet, etc.) before you head out. You don't want to get ~2 hours into a 16 hour trip and find out your new widget is worse than your old one. For the seat, some people really like the wooden beads (you can buy a cheap set for a car and cut it down) or you can add a sheepskin. The pre-cut, pre-dyed ones with a strap sewn on are ~$50 from Alaska Sheepskin, or you can buy a big one from an Ikea store (if you have one nearby) for $25, cut it down and figure out a way to attach it yourself. | ||
| Glitch |
Aren't there others that are coming from Texas? If so, having riding companions does make a difference. There's always bubble wrap...  | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
just curious what is the advantages of sitting on sheep skin? I am sure there are others going from texas and I am more than willing to ride with them I was meaning first long trip by my self as in not having my pit crew behind me(wife in the car.) | ||
| Thepod |
 http://cyclecrafts.net/Wood_Bead_Seats.html Wooded bead seat. Did 5000 miles to homecoming with one of these. Best $30 you'll ever spend. Available only in black. | ||
| Srwitt |
As far as charging your phone goes, you should be able to pick up a 12v accessory plug at any auto parts store, wire it in, and you have a 12v plug for charging phones, running gps, whatever you need. | ||
| Hughlysses |
just curious what is the advantages of sitting on sheep skin It provides some additional cushioning and "breathing" for your rear. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
One of the Cramp Buster throttle things works great for long trips. I took a ten hour trip a few years back. I just laid on the airbox and put my feet on the rear pegs. It wasn't too bad. When My knees would get tired, I would just let them hang for a few miles. The wind kept them off the ground. I would recommend a well fitted jacket. My adventure jacket was a little loose fitting and got annoying flapping around. | ||
| Strato9r |
Best advice I could give is: spend time, daily, on a bicycle. You're working the same muscles that you use on a motorcycle, and when those muscles work as a set for a specific purpose, you are far less likely to have one specific area (say, lower back, or wrists) give you grief on the road. I've done over a thousand miles in a day on my Firebolt more than once, and while the Heli-Bars and Lightning pegs help, getting your body to the point where you can ride in a relaxed state for hours at a time is where I'd concentrate my efforts. And yeah, those padded bike shorts, and baby powder, are a must! | ||
| Aptbldr |
"...over a thousand miles in a day on my Firebolt more than once..."  | ||
| Jandj_davis |
TechSpec gripster grips will let you use your legs to hold your body weight with less effort. The 1" drop pegs from a lightning might help, but I found they didn't work as well for me with the stock bars. AmericanSportbike.com has a "cheaper" solution to the LSL superbike bars. While still $250, it is better than the 500 for the LSL kit. Undergarments make a HUGE difference for comfort for me. I wear UnderArmor pants and long-sleeve shirt. It keeps the fabric of my riding gear from sticking to my sweaty skin, allowing me a much larger range of free movement. And, getting in good shape and doing lots of stretching will make the trip easier too. I actually quite enjoy the stock seat on the XBR. And remember, if you add a layer to the seat, you will essentially be lowering the handlebars, putting more weight on your wrists. Here's the method I used to mount my saddlebags. Super cheap, very non-permanent, and definitely accomplishes the desired task. http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/2506383-post14.html (Message edited by jandj_davis on June 28, 2010) | ||
| Al_lighton |
The Firebolt version of the jogged bar risers is now available, see http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/A16503.html They are very similar to the 1125R versions, but are shorter to fit the firebolt fairing. These are a much easier install than the superbike bar conversion, and if you're looking to be able to change back and forth, these are pretty easy to swap out for the stock bars for track days and such. More discussion on the Firebolt and 1125 versions are here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/543811.html?1267811493#POST1747724 and http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/529555.html?1266335919 Al | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
Thanks for the suggestion and for finally making the xb version of those bars however in the near future (not sure how near) I plan on putting a lightning front end on this bike so I do not want to spend much money on anything that I will be replacing with the front end change over. I am seriously thinking of doing the change over before October to make it a more comfortable ride But I am not for sure I will have all of the parts by then but I guess we will see. | ||
| Glitch |
To change the front, If I'm not mistaken, all you'll need is the top triple clamp and handle bars. If I'm correct, I may be able to get my hands on an upper triple, cheap. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
so are you suggesting that it is possible to run a lightning triple with the firebolt fairing? See I know to do the complete swap I need to switch the wireing harness and I would think that to make the triple switch i would need a lightning ignition switch or something. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
ok so this is my list so far: these saddle bags http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-Saddlebags/X element-Nylon-Sport-Saddlebags-with-Reflective-Str ipes/97298.html this butt pad http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com/servlet/the-143 /Pillion-Type-1--dsh-/Detail this power outlet for my charging my gadgets.http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/power let_Kits/PKT-101.html this throttle lock http://www.casporttouring.com/thestore/prods/16022 .html also I will possibly be doing the lightning front end swap or at least changing the top triple if it will work with the firebolt faring so I can have the best of both worlds for the trip. The firebolt faring for wind deflection and lightning ergonomics with the handle bars. Now I just need to find a lightning top triple to test this. any other suggestions I am all ears (or eyes since i have to read it.) Also since I will be doing a lot of highway miles what would be some decent tires to use for such an event. I obviously do not want to get all out sport bike tires for this But I still want some sportiness to them since I am sure there will be some good riding once in GA. | ||
| Glitch |
Go Pirelli Angel. They last a long time, and they have great grip and rideability. I'm getting a set after these are done. I've heard good things about 'em, from guys that ride regularly up here. Looking forward to riding with ya!  | ||
| Odie |
Glitch- Angel ST's? | ||
| Glitch |
Yep http://www.motorcycle.com/products/pirelli-angel-s t-tire-review-88755.html |
