| Author | Message | ||
     Adrenaline_junkie |
I love riding motorcycles. But I don't like touring. I know my bike is not set up for touring, but I used to have a Road King that was set up perfectly for touring.......and I still didn't like touring. Out there on the interstate dodging cars and tractor trailers and all manner of debris. I can do it, I just don't enjoy it. According to the lady rolling cigarettes under the motel awning this weekend, this means I am not a real biker. I guess I'm just going to have to come to terms with that because for traveling great distances I'd rather trailer my ride. I hope that statement doesn't get me banned. I had an awesome time in Illinois this past weekend but getting there and back was just work, not fun. I guess that's the difference. I'm getting older but I still like my adrenaline rush. But the adrenaline rush from scraping a peg in a corner (moss covered in Ourdee's case) is not the same adrenaline rush as dodging a cell phone operator in an unguided mini van. One scenario is fun and one is terrifying. I guess I could try limiting my touring to two lane highways but I would have to allow much more time to get anywhere. Also, the country isn't really supporting that kind of travel any more. I road Rt 50 to Cincinnati last Thursday to avoid some slab. Somewhere in the middle of Chillicothe the road signs for Rt 50 just disappeared. Finally I stopped at tire/mechanic shop and asked directions. "Yeah, some drunk ran over the sign 6 months ago and the city hasn't put it back up yet". Maybe I should have titled this thread "I hate the slab". I'll do the slab/touring thing again because I want to have my bike at Springfield on a labor day weekend so I can do the parade lap........and Miss Roll-Your-Own will kick my ash if I show up with my bike in a trailer. | ||
| Chauly |
Don't worry, Roy, We're not too judgemental here (look at the "Beautiful Bikes" thread to see what we all consider beautiful...) The Slab is boring, and to me, that's what makes it dangerous. That being said, Touring is not for everyone. As I get older, my comfort threshold is changing such that Cruise and cold air are distinct plusses for me. However, two-lanes are funner on a bike...even if they steal the signs! | ||
| Strokizator |
A couple of quotes: "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything" - Charles Kuralt "Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road" - Jack Kerouac, On the Road Sounds as if you are concentrating on the destination and not the journey itself. To me, the destination merely marks the halfway point of my ride, where I turn around and start traveling towards home rather than away from it. There are times when you have to be in a place at a certain time and getting there the fastest way means taking your car. It also means you can put your bike on a trailer and ride once you get there. No shame in that. Either way, enjoy yourself - that's why you're here on Earth. | ||
| Jaimec |
I LOVE touring. Even on the interstates, there are things to see if you just look around. Unless you are traveling through a congested city you are NOT dodging cars and trucks; very often it's just you, the bike, the wind and the road. There's something very "Zen" about that. There is no better conversation starter at gas stations or truck stops than a motorcycle bearing a license plate from HUNDREDS of miles away, too. I've never understood the logic of owning a perfectly good motor vehicle, and towing it with ANOTHER motor vehicle. The only time my bikes see a trailer is when they've broken down somewhere (or some bastard is stealing it). | ||
| Teeps |
I'm with the OP with regard to touring. Been riding over 50 years, the farthest I've ridden was about 1000 miles round trip. I would just love to ride the great roads east of the Mississippi but getting there from CA is too much work... Droning along the freeway or highway is NOT fun, even in a car. Oh yeah, never been called or considered myself a "Biker" either. | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
Same on the "biker" comment. When people I know refer to me as a biker I normally tell them I'm a motorcyclist or motorcycle enthusiast. I should have made that point in my original comment. | ||
| Sifo |
Nothing wrong with a Trailer IMO. I've done plenty of touring on a naked bike. It's a blast in many ways. I always hated getting out of the Chicago area though, and have been on those expressways too many times in pouring rain because scheduling demands it. Tossing the bikes on the trailer takes a lot of stress out of that. Playing with big trucks in the rain is no longer a big deal. I could travel farther, faster, share driving, and arrive less fatigued with the trailer. A 2 day trip to a destination, becomes a 1 day trip. That's 2 more days of high quality riding at my destination. Someone explain to me how that's a bad thing. Am I glad I rode from IL to CA and took the long way? You bet I am. Gave some great memories and pics. I also have memories of riding across the plains in 105 degree heat. I wonder what the actual temp was on the slab. I did learn to soak everything I was wearing every chance I got, especially the inside of my helmet. It's funny what you learn by necessity. I'm glad to have taken adventures like that. There were also times I really liked just unloading at the fun end of the superslab and not having tires that are worn flat in the center. You will also find that those "real bikers" will become your best friend as soon as they find they need a trailer. Sorry to hear that Ourdee has moss growing on his pegs!  | ||
| Shoggin |
Slow down! "Touring" is the act of getting there. Not being there  Had an old Harley guy once tell me "Man, I've been all over, but haven't seen much" Made me sad. There's nothing on the Interstate but more interstate  | ||
| Needs_o2 |
Even cats prefer trailering to get to the good stuff!  | ||
| Sifo |
"Touring" is the act of getting there. Sometimes "there" is just your starting point. I've had a great time, broken down on the road... When I have time to spare. Those adventures just add stress when you have a clock ticking. Sad reality of most in our modern world. | ||
| 86129squids |
Roy, I feel ya. Had my BMW been healthy enough to make Springfield, I was set on using as many secondaries as possible. Not a fan of riding the slab at all- just the short jaunt from Mur-vil to Nashvegas last year wasn't much fun until I diverted off I-40 in Cookeville... first thing I found was a homegrown BBQ spot! Ate, then rode 70S the rest of the way in. By the time I made Murfreesboro, the traffic was getting heinous. If I lived in a "big" city, I'd seriously consider giving up road riding. A D/S or dirt bike might do just fine. Nothing wrong with trailering, per Tom's points. But, the meditation you might miss out on rolling is something to consider too. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I've also just about given up riding interstates, at least in this part of the world. Traffic is always awful and people drive like complete jerks. It negates pretty much everything I like about riding a motorcycle. If I can stick to two lanes, I'm OK with touring, I just need to do more of it. I imagine there are parts of the country where riding the interstate is pleasurable. I need to find those places. | ||
| Etennuly |
Many times I have ridden long distances on the slab to biking events. My Uly and I have this "great pair of shoes fit" that has made it enjoyable for me. The journey. Often times I would end up being physically used up by the time I got to the destination and need to rest up for the ride home. The destination. To me, that is about being there with friends. I live in the midst of riding country in East Tennessee, I don't need to go out on the twisty roads every waking moment to have used my time there wisely, that is for the flat landers and city folk who need the rush of the corners. I like to participate sure, but I also like to relax and watch. On the slabs, I've been run off the road, hit on the chin by a block of 2x4 at 80 mph, unseen by truckers changing lanes, ridden 100 mph in rain that came down so hard cars and trucks pulled off, taken a huge dinosaur flying bug dead center of my shield just seconds after closing it, pulled over by over zealous troopers, ridden 12 hours at below 38 degrees F, and suffered "run skip" for hours in 95 degree F plus temps for hours. I still enjoy it. But as I age physical needs/ailments creep in to be a limiting factor. Swelling feet at 300 miles out suck. Compromised throttle wrist joint sucks. I get tired easier. Being fatter, and joint Stiffness makes getting into and out of my gear painful, vibration keeps me in fresh engine isolators, Crap like that. But once on the seat of my Ulysses I feel great. Even on short local trips. I miss my riding buddies who have had to hang it up. This limits my local fun rides. I was fortunate to have for over ten years, a couple of like minded riding partners who made weekend rides just plain fun. Oddly enough, none of them would ever slab anywhere on the bikes. I'd certainly never accuse them of not being bikers. If you have a full face helmet with a dark mirror tint shield(cause it pisses them off) ride over to the person who has offended your sense of being, flip them off and ride away. Fu#%em.....You are a biker. | ||
| Etennuly |
Now a days if I'm going to go to be riding at an event I will trailer to the event every time. I get grumpy when I'm tired and beat feeling. Why put You all through that? | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've done plenty of 1500-2000 mile weekends in my life - on everything from a Ninja 600R to an XB12R. Never, EVER on a "touring bike". Always with bags strapped over the rear, sometimes over the tank, loaded down with everything I could carry and blasting down the highway at breakneck speed. These days, I refuse to commute on a motorcycle, because outside of California there is literally no advantage to it. I don't ride anywhere that isn't twisty, and I rarely get to do it. When I do, I enjoy the hell out of it. Slabbing on 2 wheels to me is just a waste of expensive rubber. This is my touring vehicle now:  | ||
| Buellerxt |
Jaimec quote "I LOVE touring. Even on the interstates, there are things to see if you just look around. Unless you are traveling through a congested city you are NOT dodging cars and trucks; very often it's just you, the bike, the wind and the road. There's something very "Zen" about that. There is no better conversation starter at gas stations or truck stops than a motorcycle bearing a license plate from HUNDREDS of miles away, too. I've never understood the logic of owning a perfectly good motor vehicle, and towing it with ANOTHER motor vehicle. The only time my bikes see a trailer is when they've broken down somewhere (or some bastard is stealing it)".Unquote I agree with you completely, Jaimec. I like touring and enjoy the interstates as well. Now I understand all these bikes that go up for sale that are many years old and have so few miles on them. Owners tell how great the bikes are, how sporty they are, how great they are to ride, how they are the best bike they ever owned, etc., and then I see they have been ridden an average of 500-800 miles/year over the past 19, or so, years. Reading the classifieds I've often wondered if a lot of Buell owners are collectors and not riders when I see the years bikes were built and total miles on them when up for sale. (Message edited by buellerxt on May 28, 2019) (Message edited by buellerxt on May 28, 2019) | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
I typically ride 15-20k per year on my bikes and have done so for the last 15ish years...about 10 of that is commuting 50 miles each way to work; no fun roads, literally a right, 3 lefts and a right and im there. But you know what? I always have a smile on my face when i get to work or return home, even when I'm on nights and its 80F at 6pm, but 30F at 7am. My bikes get about 25% better gas mileage then my commuter car does too, so that also helps. I usually take 1 or 2 trips a year, typically solo, and that takes care of the other 10k. These trips allow me to see a race or event and old friends or family members, because for whatever reason, not many people want to have a vacation in kansas and come and see me. I try not to take it personally. These two situations cover literally 95% of my riding. Being in the middle of the plains with no good riding roads within 100 miles probably is part of what stops me from going on "joy rides", work around the house/property/shop is another big reason. My bikes aren't on a trailer or in my truck unless they're broke. I probably won't hold it against you, but if you trailer to an event, i will judge you and likely give you some shit for it. I love congestion, too; gives me the excuse and thrill of splitting lanes. The uly is the closest thing I've had to a touring bike and I've treated it like one, 70k in 4 years of ownership ...hell 75% of all the bikes ive ever owned were rigid framed and got the sameish amount of miles; of course, they don't seem to be quite as reliable (Message edited by Cupcake Mike on May 28, 2019) (Message edited by Cupcake Mike on May 28, 2019) | ||
| Crusty |
I feel that I should get in on this discussion, but you all know how I feel. I'm that nut case who always has a motorcycle and thinks it should always be ready to ride to a distant place on a whim. When I rode to Daytona for Bike Week in 2004, I bought a patch that said, "I rode my bike to Trailer Week". I can fully empathize with Jaimec. | ||
| Jaimec |
Indeed. My bike has a sticker on the trunk:  Many years ago I stopped at a rest area on the way down to Daytona. The parking lot was FULL of pick-up trucks loaded with bikes or pulling trailers with bikes. This little dude wearing a Harley T-Shirt and "Rebel Hat" wandered out of the men's room, stopped, gawked at the parking lot and proclaimed in a LOUD voice: "HOLY S**T! My dealer didn't tell me when I bought my Harley I needed to buy a big ol' F*****G TRUCK to go with it!" (Message edited by jaimec on May 29, 2019) (Message edited by jaimec on May 29, 2019) | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
To those of you who enjoy touring and the interstate highway system, my hat is off to you. You are the top shelf of motorcycling. I've tried it numerous times and just haven't found it to my liking. And I am not being sarcastic. I would love to be an Iron Butt guy. The only problem is every time I get out riding in that style I end up realizing that I am not having fun. And to me, motorcycles should be fun. I'd like to ride the Alaska Highway someday, but what am I going to do? Trailer to Canada and then ride? I will add this, Indianapolis Indiana to Columbus Ohio on I-70 in the middle of the afternoon on Memorial Day was definitely NOT a Zen-like experience for me. In fact, it was the experience that prompted this post. | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm wondering if they'll EVER finish construction on I-70 through Columbus. That road has been a mess every year I passed through it on the way to the MotoGP in Indianapolis. It makes our Belt Parkway look WONDERFUL by comparison. It was a mess two years ago when I went to the AIMExpo too. I guess it'll be a mess again this year when I go to the AIMExpo in September... But I still remember the first time I went up into the Canadian Maritimes with a woman I had started seeing. I told her "The worse the experiences, the better the stories afterward." She didn't think it at the time considering how often we were caught in the rain, or holding our breath HOPING there was a gas station coming up soon (her stupid little Honda Shadow had a 90 mile range. She needed to stop twice for every once for me. Gas stations in Newfoundland that year were about 75 miles apart; missing just one was not an option). Years later all she talks about was how great a trip that was and how much fun she had (even the "scary" parts). | ||
| Crusty |
It's the rough parts that have you talking about the trip years later. The pleasant rides without incident fade away. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I totally agree with the OP. Touring blows. About all I enjoy is a nice twisty road sans cagers....If I am doing anything other than tearing it up in the twisties, I prefer a to be driving. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Lived in Denver for many years and rode to Sturgis every year. Sometimes on the interstate, sometimes on the backroads and sometimes a mix of both. The variable on what we rode was time. If we had more time to get there or back we avoided the interstate. We would see guys with, I shit you not, full dressers in the back of pickups from Colorado or other adjoining state. I would just shake my head. Now I get it if you are coming from Florida, only get two weeks of vacation a year and want to spend all week at the rally. It takes a while to get there and back even in a something that hauls your bike. Not everyone has the time to spend three weeks on the road. One year my two best friends and I decided to spend a week in Las Vegas and rode our bikes. We took a mix of roads including various parts of Route 66 getting there. We found out a buddy was getting married again and decided to attend the wedding after our time in Vegas. He lived in Tulsa OK. Our time to get there was limited, a day and a half, so yeah we took I-40 almost the whole way there doing 95 mph most of the time. We made it to the rehearsal dinner and had a blast at the wedding the next day. So it was worth it. Was it my ideal way of getting there, no. Did it beat the hell out of driving there in a cage, yeah. Now where I live, 90% of the roads are two lane and no interstate. "Touring" is a mute point so riding my Glide or the Uly is just a choice of what I want that day. | ||
| Airbozo |
I've only "toured" a couple of times on a motorcycle. The smile was mostly faded away by the time I reached my destination. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, but on long trips I prefer to have someone next to me chatting instead of the wind whistling past my ears (although I had one girlfriend who's incessant droning sounded like the wind...). I might feel different with a larger more organized ride. In a few years maybe. I too put a lot of miles on my motorcycles, mostly commuting, but my commute is half freeway, half mountain twisties. | ||
| Shoggin |
The only difference between a trip and an adventure is the amount of planning My best moto trips have been completely on the wing. Ya ya I know, I'm getting older like all of us, but a little uncomfort and creative thinking keeps me young. | ||
| Etennuly |
I have found that comfortable riding on the slab, for me, is being in control. I found through years of racing that to be in control a race you need to be either already in the lead or faster than your opponents as you work your way to the lead. You don't have to be much faster, just enough that you control being where you can be seen and making your presents known, choosing your lane and place in traffic. If you ride slower than most traffic you give them this power over you. Next is to always be scanning for an out. I play scenarios in my head looking at trucks and cars as to what would I do if this one slams on its brakes, or that one changes lanes into that gap up there. Where can I zip onto a berm as a reaction, not a pull over move. Like they say in NASCAR......to be in control you got to get up on that wheel. You need to think faster, respond faster, think further ahead than your competitors, what other drivers actually are. You have to make your presents known to people asleep or distracted at their wheel. Don't scare them,that can create a whole new problem, just let them know you are there. If you are not willing to do that you will always feel intimidated by traffic on the slab. IMHO there are three kind of slab drivers, intimidators, blah/blah, and the intimidated. We are all scored the same, surviving alive and well, traffic tickets, accidents, insurance claims, scared to go, failed. And the special categories.....lucky, and lucky so far. We all carry the key of cautious. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Holy crap did Fresnobuell and I just find common ground? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Guys on bikes who are riding the speed limit on the slab are morons who don't want to live long. MUCH safer to be overtaking on a bike, as opposed to be over-taken. This is one of the reasons I don't like to commute to work anymore. I only feel safe if I am doing 85 and overtaking, yet I have also had several speeding tickets on 2-wheels and this makes me think twice before barreling down the slab at 20+ over (with no radar detector.) Nope, I just drive my truck to work that way I can do my usual 10+ over the speed limit (with radar detector) and at the same time don't feel so vulnerable to the traffic around me. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
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