New to motorcycles, sports touring is for me

[dwidep]

First post, new all around

Just 29 and finally let a couple of buddies talk me into considering a bike.  So after a lot of reading and research, I bought an 09 650r, took the msf and got me some gear.  Ive been riding about a month and ive already done the dragon and cherohala (both awesome roads) and put about 2500 miles on my bike.  A couple weeks ago my buddy starts talking about doing the Saddle Sore 1000.  I told him 1000 in a day was crazy (we did 250 up through VA and the cumberland gap and I was sore as hell) on his R1 and we should just stick to the back and forth twisties.   Long story short, we planned a 400 mile trip over Cherohala, down the moonshine and back up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We wound up riding up the summit road to Mt. Mitchell and back to Knoxville at around 550 miles.  I'm hooked and we've already mapped out a 700 mile trip this weekend to build up to the 1000.  Couple of questions:

What do folks think about earbuds?  I've seen both sides argued but lots of people suggest earplugs.  My ears were killing me when we got back.
How about throttle locks?  Are they safe to use?
What kind of riding to stopping ratio should we be shooting for?
What is the best way to combat rear end moisture (aka swampass)?
If you're going to ride all day do you prefer the secondaries or the superslabs?
Any other tips for someone who is going to do their first SS 1k in a month or two?

Really looking forward to browsing the boards and learning lots.  I keep kicking myself for thinking I could have been riding for years already.

 

[Orson]

myself, I never plan a route based on mileage.

it's not about quantity but, quality  

700 miles won't nescessarily be twice as fun as 350 miles.

I wake up, have a leisurely breakfast, leave the hotel around 9 A.M., then start looking for a hotel at around 5 or 6 P.M.

Mileage doesn't even enter into consideration.

There is the sub-cult of Iron Butt rides but, that's a whole different bag of chips  

You may want to post in that sub-forum if 1000 mile days are your goal  

[JimWilliamson]

Throttle lock - never used one aside from trying them out (throttle rocker & some cam-lock device were tried - neither worth the hassle. O-ring & electronic auto-cruise not tried but I did buy one of the electronic cruise kits [never used]). In the end - I don't bother with any lock.

Riding / Stopping ratio: Whatever breeze fits. No plan aside from "before I run out of gas". If scenery is popping - stops for camera shots - unless the road's really good and I'm in the groove.

swampass / monkeybutt:  Beads - try some beads (beaded seat cover). I also try to not have cotton in contact with my butt but with beads it really didn't matter. I could ride all day with beads where 1 to 2 full tanks had my butt aching. Having multiple foot / riding positions greatly helped as well. Forward pegs / standard pegs / hooking heels over the passenger pegs - breaks up the body/muscle positions on long stretches. Beads facilitate 'dry' airflow between your butt and the seat. Specifically noticed on a cool morning when wearing cotton jeans. Still effective in riding pants (not chaps). I'd typically wear runners shorts, jeans, riding pants.

www.BeadRider.com

Earplugs: Do something to reduce noise (engine/wind) to your ears. Better in the long run regarding hearing loss but also in the short term for fatique. If you're looking for tunes - search for Etymotic ER6i here. I have them, and they are decent for listening to tunes (which I RARELY did). I use the cone shaped "foamies" for sound blocking. Find some, at least, your ears can stand for an all-day use. For me, earplugs are as standard equipment as the helmet. I do enjoy not using them for small bits around town, but my trips were almost always day-long trips in the country.

SS1000: Rather easy for an Interstate out-n-back. More difficult if you're rolling on 40/50MPH roads with traffic and stops. If you really wish to try it, some of the Interstates in your area are reasonably scenic - try that "easy" route first and see if the whole raw miles ballgame trips your trigger. For me, processing 960 miles, in a car from CO to IL, is a long ~14 hour day - full interstate - that leaves me wasted & tired.

[roadstar]

Here are some tips http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm i have a installed an audiovox CC100 on my FJR & for long interstates it`s well worth it (gives your right hand time to rest. If you can install some kind of throttle lock setup i would for the long dronning highway ride. Always remember on a long ride , if you feel tired & your focusing on one thing while riding STOP take a rest , because your past the point of being tired & you will crash. (heard it happen too many times)

[Tyrroneous]

For me, one of the big 'ah-hah!' moments was when I first started using earplugs.  I could ride farther and be so much more comfortable.  No more headaches, etc.  I use earplugs all the time now, even for my short, 12 mile commute to work.

I also try and avoid the interstates as much as possible.  Not only are they monotonous and boring, but I hate battling all the wind blast from semi's and other vehicles.  I tend to ride a 'bit' over the speed limit on secondaries anyway, so they're not that much slower than the interstates.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

What do folks think about earbuds?  I've seen both sides argued but lots of people suggest earplugs.  My ears were killing me when we got back.

Ear plugs at a minimum. Ear buds are good if you want to listen to music while you're riding (or have a comm set up with your buddy)

How about throttle locks?  Are they safe to use?

I don't use a lock, but I can't ride any more without a rocker (crampbuster). LOVE it!

What kind of riding to stopping ratio should we be shooting for?

That's pretty personal. I can ride for 4 hours without stopping (having an 8 gallon tank gives me that option) but I usually stop every 2-3 hours

What is the best way to combat rear end moisture (aka swampass)?

Underarmour wicking shorts. Monkey butt powder if things are really bad

If you're going to ride all day do you prefer the secondaries or the superslabs?

Depends on where I need to be and when, but secondaries will win just on principle

Any other tips for someone who is going to do their first SS 1k in a month or two?

Camelback or other on-the-go drinking device. Keeping hydrated is important!

[jbs80106]

Welcome!!!

Sounds like you're enjoying your new found hobby.  Not overly familiar with the riding posture on ur bike, but in general even though I ride year round (winter trips mostly to/from work), you'll need to build up your stamina for those longer trips leading up to the 1k if you so choose.  You use different muscles riding and supporting your body (lots of 'core' use will keep you from fatiguing out your shoulders, for example).  

I use earplugs when doing much more than to/from work which is about 20 miles or so each way of highway +65 mph riding.  Depends on your helmet volume, but overtime the wind noise has been shown to do damage in the long run.  I just use foam throw away ones from wallyworld.

Don't have a throttle lock but have tried wrist-saver-lock thing...little tab that you put over the throttle so you can basically hold it with your wrist while extending your fingers and letting go of the throttle.  Never had big issues with cramping hand but having it as an option on longer rides was good.

Riding to Stopping ratio.....this is a personal one.  For me, I HAVE to stop about every 150-175 miles for gas.  If it's hot out you'll need to stop more often to stay hydrated.  I hate stopping tons but agree, if a good pic opportunity arrives pull over, take some pics, stretch, chat and go.  I usually have some water on the bike for a sip when stopped.  If you feel fatigued then you have ridden beyond where you should have stopped.  One example.  When riding from CO to Vernal, UT, we stopped for gas around 5pm or so in smallish town.  I was out voted 2-1 for stopping there so we pressed on.  Unfortunately it was like another 100+ miles of NOTHING before we got to Vernal.  Dark, no traffic.  Didn't do our homework but did haul ass to minimize amount of riding in the dark.....

Got sweaty pants???? Move to the Southwest.  In Colorado/Utah/Wyoming I've never had issue with this, even with wearing my riding pants pretty much year round.....no humidity out here....

On same trip through Vernal I slabbed it back.  Made good time.  Wind sucked on I-80 across Wyoming....it was BORING as hell.  Found more of a need to run FAST to get it overwith.  Got to watch out for bits of truck tire in the road when going through Denver on I-25.  I much prefer the secondaries.  

Should go without saying, but if you are riding a long way, good idea to have some tools with you, backup plan if you find yourself in a non-cell coverage area.  Layers are good out here.  Even in the summer when the sun goes down the temp usually follows by 10 degrees or more.  The sweat of the day makes me chilly at 75 mph.  Allergy tabs, pain killers, etc. Sunscreen......

[dwidep]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Got me some earplugs and I'm getting some shorts and crampbuster on sat.  Hopefully this w/e will be better.  We're either going to ride the parkway up to Roanoke VA and then slab back or ride devil's triangle, cherohala, and then back on the dragon.  If anyone makes it to east TN to do deals gap, do yourself a favor and stay a few days.   There are lots of roads that I like better (due to traffic and LE) than the dragon that no one ever talks about, hit me up and we can ride.

[UHOH]

What kind of riding to stopping ratio should we be shooting for?

you're answering to the other questions, so for this plan to average 40 - 50 mph to include lunch and fuel stops.
so a 450 mile day is ~10 hours (+/- 1 hr) from kickstand up to overnight time.   works for the multi-rider trips I go on...

This doesn't work for ironbutt mileage days, natch.

[TriumphTiger1050]

What do folks think about earbuds?  I use to listen to my portable sat. radio riding.......beats nothing!
How about throttle locks?  Are they safe to use? I use the Kaoko and while not all the time....on long all day straights it saves the wrist!What kind of riding to stopping ratio should we be shooting for? No opinion.......what ever you feel comfortable with!What is the best way to combat rear end moisture (aka swampass)? Hmmmmm, use any of the cycling products but they prevent chaffing not moisture.  Makes you feel violated!
If you're going to ride all day do you prefer the secondaries or the superslabs? Either are fine with me.
Any other tips for someone who is going to do their first SS 1k in a month or two? Eat Wheaties and do lots of pushups!

Really looking forward to browsing the boards and learning lots.  I keep kicking myself for thinking I could have been riding for years already.

Really no good advice other than build your all day tolerance up.  I would never ride without proper boots; jacket and gloves!  I see loads of folks riding in shorts and t-shirts and with their biker slut babes on the back with nothing but short shorts on and flip flops!  Makes me cringe to see that knowing what a fall at any speed will do to the hide!!!!!

  

[cbsnbiker]

dwidep, welcome!

Here are a few answers to your questions:

 - I ride with earplugs. I am a musician, so preserving my hearing is of paramount importance. You can still hear what you need to hear -- horns, sirens, squealing brakes -- but have the noise cut out that damage your hearing. I buy them in boxes of 100 pairs, which cuts the cost down to something like a dime per pair. Check on the laws in your state and any states through which you may travel.

 - I have a throttle lock on one of my three bikes. I use it rarely, but it is a tool available to me for moments when I want to take my right hand off of the grip but keep power going to the rear wheel. A better solution is true cruise control, but not very many bikes come so equipped. (I hope my next one will have it.) Re safety: I bet you can think through the pros and cons.

 - I use Gold Bond powder to help avoid monkey butt.

As for the rest, it fundamentally depends on your goals as a rider. I have ridden over 1000 miles in a day, but it has never been my goal to do so and it is my preference not to do so again. There are times when I have to set a schedule and stick to it (such as the last two days, riding home from Kentucky), but I prefer to ride on more open-ended trips when practical. I prefer secondary roads, but in the last two days I experienced both a fun Interstate (I-77 in West Virginia), and a boring two-lane road. Some days I can ride tankful to tankful, other days I need (or want) to take more frequent breaks.

I recommend that you don't kick yourself for the riding you didn't do, but go out and do the riding you want to do.  

[NotDeadYet]

I have done lots of long distance riding including plus 1000 mile days.  I am not a big fan of big mileage in a single day anymore - however the fact that I am 60 years old may have something to do with that.  At my age I find it really plays havoc on my body if I do too many long mileage back to back days.  I enjoy 350 - 500 mile days more.  After that I find it's more work than fun.  Having said that if it interests you - do it so you know whether it's for you or not.  I love having done every one of my long distance rides and I am still young enough that I will do many more.  If you string together 10 - 12 days at 400 miles a day you can easily rack up a 4000 mile trip.  That allows for a few longer days if necessary and then some days where you take some time to smell the roses.  You might also take a day or two off to simply enjoy the area you are in without putting on any miles at all.  All of the advice noted above is well advised if you want to do a thousand mile day.  

For me I have a number of essentials when touring whether its short or long distance.

1.  A good saddle - corbin, tobin, spencer, russell - whatever your preference - it does make a difference
2.  earplugs - a must - I use etymotic er6i's - I like music and radar detection coupled into mine.  I use an    escort radar detector and an Iphone that I patch together with a simple splitter and patch cord available at any electronics store.  I have music, talking gps as I get to a big city and radar when on the open road - I have many friends running the same set up and it works great.
3.  Compression shorts and gold bond powder - these two with a comfortable saddle make a huge difference in your comfort on long days.
4.  Throttlemeister throttle lock or something similar - again when spending long hours in the saddle it is great to be able to take your hand of the throttle and relax your right arm.  It is not something that you will use all of the time but it is great to be able to lock off and reposition your body and stretch out a bit.
5.  When you stop for fuel eat small healthy snacks and take on lots of water.  Your body will thank you.
6.  Ibuprofen can be your friend when doing long days, especially lots of them back to back.
7.  Listen to your body, if you are losing the ability to focus stop and rest.
8.  A kit with all of the travel, emergency and convenience essentials that you will need.
9.  Remember to enjoy yourself and have fun, it's not always about the destination, it's about the ride and the experience.

[OrangeSVS]

Regarding fatigue... When mental fatigue starts creeping into the picture, things get tricky. How can you trust a fatigued mind to accurately assess fatigue? One trick I learned to gauge my mental facility is a Math Test.

Get in the habit of doing calculations. Calculate your gas mileage, use the mile markers and your speed to calculate the time to the next exit/stop/etc.  Just simple division for most folks, though some nerds may require more complicated tests. But it's not just a random test. It's good stuff for anyone to be conscious of while riding.

Once you start forgetting to carry the one, or you divide two numbers and determine you can go 1,872 miles to the next gas stop, or you start over again 4 times because the simple division problem is throwing you off.... it's time to stop.

There's a little leeway in that test. It's not scientifically accurate, I suppose. But you can tweak the test to work for you. If your math skills suck, you can round off the numbers. Or if you're a math ninja you can calculate everything out to 3 decimal places or assume 2 different speeds for different portions of the trip. With a little practice and acclimatization it does a pretty good job of indicating when you are more tired than you think you are and should probably take a break.

I've actually found this test to be uncannily accurate, alerting me to my own fatigue ahead of time, only to have it reconfirmed as I am coming to a stop and start doing stupid things.

Also, when doing serious mileage, never underestimate the value of a really good 20 minute nap! In normal life, those power naps leave me feeling like shit, but when I'm buckled down and trying to make time, they can be a life saver! Whether just leaning back on your bike until the next passing car startles you, passing out on a rest area bench or whatever, it can be just enough of a break to get you up and running again.