First Road Trip

I hust took a 450 mile trip to florida and back. the bike is tons better than my vstrom and harley sportster, however i get the same cramped feeling under my thighs and as i did with the past 2 bikes. i have a sargeant seat, and it helped but i had to get off every 40 miles to stretch out, anyone have a cure for this inconvenience please?

 

You can get the extended footpegs and heli bars or similar. For comfort mods I think that is about it. Maybe a different windscreen also. How was the bike otherwise?

 

it ran flawlessly, smooth as silk. i will try the extended foot pegs. thanks

 

If you can wait a bit there is someone who is making lowered pegs specifically for the vfr. Check it out New Lowered Footpegs (buell Ulysses) - VFRD

I think I will pick up a set when they are done. I have the buell ones now but I overground one side a bit.

 

I actually bought motorcycle underwear specifically designed for long distance riding. No seams in any of the seating area and they wick away moisture to keep you dry and comfortable with no chaffing.

LDComfort - Getting to the Bottom of Rider Comfort.

 

What specifically did you like better about the VFR as compared to the V-Strom for long-range touring? My brother and I are headed out west at the end of the month, me on my VFR, and he on his V-Strom 1000. Just curious what differences you see. Thanks!

 

the difference between the vfr and vstrom is comfort and smoothness. the vstrom was a good touring bike, but the vfr is smooth as silk and handles like a mercedes.

 

I'm curious about how covered in bugs you and your machine were after a trek to FL. Where did you start from?

I'm in western NC and I avoid riding at night mostly due to the fact that I get peppered with insects right away. My lights act like a hypnotic tractor beam!

How many miles did you cover in a day? How was your throttle hand towards the end? Did you bother to notice your fuel economy? What year is your ride?

Gunzer

 

Thanks for the post, and I too got the VFR for some long distance riding through the hills in Colorado. I've seen this subject of being tight or cramped on a bike come up several times. I am 6'3" and am currently looking into several of the suggested MOD's that have been mentioned. I think the lowered pegs will help, and someday a Sargent Seat would be a great upgrade.

I work in the Athletic Club industry, and one thing that I haven't seen mentioned in these threads is to take care of your body pre and post ride. This might seem obvious, but riding significant distances is going to be a workout. Take some time to do light stretching and warm up your muscles (lower body, back, and upper body) before tackling a day long ride. Also, keeping hydrated and eating healthy during your ride is extremely important. Muscles need water and carbs to operate. Post ride stretching will help your body recover and be ready for the next day ride. If joints continue to be an issue you can look into some Glucosamine supplements.

Again, this is all pretty obvious stuff, I just haven't seen it posted before. Who knows, maybe I need to start production on the VFR Riders Workout DVD!

 

I covered 450 miles both ways. I would say that I averaged about 44 mpg, at about 80 mph. the bugs were definetly a problem, every time that I stopped I had to clean my face shield. I live in Candler nc outside of asheville

 

This may jsut get me lambasted by some here but here it goes anyways. I just did a 3240 mile trip in 9 days on a 6th gen with stock seats. Yup, after a day in the seat during the to and from portion of my travels, my butt was a little sore but really not too bad.

I cannot argue one bit with B>Craig. But in addition to the prep stuff, while you are riding, shift your positions around. One thing I did regularily was to throw my feet back over the rear passenger pegs. Admittedly you loose some degree of control but pick your places. I also would stand up from time to time. Again, I will lprobably get blasted for that one, and it is probably illegal most places. But I would be willing to bet everyone here gets spirited from time to time. While riding, hunch your back, then flex it in, back and forth from time to time. When you stop for fuel, don't just gas and go. Go for a walk around the station a couple times

These practices worked well for me. And I am 5'11", 210 and 53 years old.

 

It's ok Randy, I stand up too. It helps me keep my pants from bunching up around the knees while allowing me to stay loose on the bike. I also move my position around on the bike and take longer than usual breaks just like you said. On my trip this weekend, I really didn't have too much trouble staying comfortable, and this is coming from a taller kid (6'3") on a bone-stock 2nd gen - seat and all.

 

I always hurt the first 10 hr day, then its fine after that and i usually do 10-12 hr days....normal body breakin in ...

As for the diff seats, sold the corbin I did have as it didnt do anything diff for me once that first day over with...never had a bike yet that the seat was not ok once I had my 12 hrs into it..cept that pos camel sit up straight bucket hole seat thing I tried to ride.
2 things when i do my long days, and i have done a few 1300 milers(another one comin up this month)..Baby powder!!..lots of it, just dump it down there and walk away in a white cloud..I kid u not.(no boxers either)..next is i just start the day with a couple painkillers and away I go....

and of course stand up lots and also drop your feet off the pegs and hang em behind ya..or just stop for a beer!


as for the baby powder..first big trip kid and i went on we stopped for fuel in ND and this harley dressed evil looking lady at the till said we looked sore.I said pardon me? she said "baby powder"..I said what? she said "get some, it works"..I did..she was right...
for me anyway..now i leave a white cloud behind me for the first 20 miles....

 

I completely agree with all you said Randy and won't blast you one bit! I've done 2K miles on the bike in 6 days and the key is to keep moving. I shift so I'm sitting half-assed for a while, then shift to the other side. On the long straight freeways, I definitely lay on the tank (well on my tank bag, which is the perfect height), and put my feet on the passenger foot pegs. I can ride like that for a long time and it alleviates butt and back pain as well as wrist stress. I'll often crouch as you mentioned and twist my back. I've even done "pushups" on the bike to work my arms and back muscless. I do these things throughout the ride to keep moving, and always try to remember to move continuously BEFORE I start to hurt. Also yes, getting off the bike at stops and actually walking around, stretching etc. is good. I also will find a spot in the grass or in the parking lot and literally lay down on my back... this helps straighten out the back and alleviate any pressure points. Of course it's important to be in good physical condition before starting out, so your body can endure more. On fluids, I always have a camelback for the long trips and I drink the full 100oz. everyday!!

 

ok hes talking about the trip not what he did on his back in the parking lot comeon vfrchick give it a rest please...:thumbsup:

 

I have to agree. For longer trips I take my VFR over my V-Strom simply because it's just more comfortable. I've done 600 mile days on my VFR and could have gone more. 600 miles in a day on a V-Strom leaves me drained. I rode from Nashville to St. Augustine, FL and back up through Georgia and the Carolinas last fall. Great bike for touring in my opinion.

Good to see you around, Ron.

 

Just got back from Tail of the Dragon in NC. I did add a throttlemeister for the long trip. It does help with your hand.

 

Yep. As you are aware from our meet at Reggies, I am the poster boy for Men's Fitness. And someone does have a pic of you having a siesta on a park bench too.