One day, 725 miles

[jamais]

I just completed a round trip from Houston to Artesia, N.M. I made the 725 mile one way trip in one day going out to Artesia. The 11 hour trip included 3 fuel stops and a stop at Subway.

My '02 roadster sported a Held tankbag and standard hardcases. I never seem to able to store much in those cases so I bought an Ortlieb bag from Riderwearhouse. Now that's a bag. Waterproof and in screaming yellow. Resting crossways over the pillion seat it balanced well presenting a nice visual for drivers to see.

One other option added was a beaded seat cover. I bought it from these nice folks: http://www.beadrider.com/ .

Honestly not stylish, but it really beats the stock seat for long distance and its a lot cheaper than buying an aftermarket seat. I find the stock seat satisfactory for most of my needs so the beads were an acceptable option. Besides they're easy on/off.

I bought a throttle lock for the trip and used it all of 5 minutes. Its just not for me. The "Throttle Rocker" works great. I've used one for years and I don't know why I thought I would need a throttle lock.

A couple of years ago I mounted a cycle computer ala Cycle Rob and its been great for accurate mileage/time/average speed/accurate speed. Normally I get about 47 miles to the gallon but the high speeds, bags, and Ortleib bag really ate into my normal average, yielding about 41.5 mpg. This can cause problems in west Texas where its a long way between pit stops. With patience and rocking the bike on its center stand I was able to fill the tank to the brim which probably added a comfortable 15 miles to a tank of fuel.

When I got to Artesia and I was covering the bike for a week's stay, I leaned over and checked the oil. Normally I keep it at the center of the viewport. After 725 miles the oil level was barely visible at the bottom of the window. I was a bit disappointed since I thought her thirst for oil was finally resolved, but I wrote it off to too many miles at high speeds taking their toll.

A week later prior to leaving on the return trip, I added a measured 8 ounces of oil, bringing the level back to the center of the viewport. Starting out in the late afternoon, I would only have three hours to make it to Ft. Stockton, Texas. So once again my 'R & I ride hard. After getting to the hotel for the evening I check the oil level. Now its at the 80% full mark! After 33,000 miles on this bike and my second BMW I still can't figure out where the oil hides when it checks low, but in reality it isn't.

The next day started at daylight. I avoided the dark beacuse of all the dead deer on the side of Interstate 10. My luck ran out when I was clocked doing 91 in a 75 zone. Now this may be academic, but the new speed limit for interstates in west Texas is 80 mph. Although the signs aren't available yet, the local revenue patrol uses 75 for their calculations.

This bike is remarkable. All day in the saddle. Stable, flickable, plenty of power. What else could I want? Oh sure I always "look" at other bikes, but when the hard questions are asked regarding what can they do that the 'R won't do, then reality reveals just how good this low end beemer really is.

As always, there's something that adds a scare to the whole plan of travel. Just two days before I was to leave on my trip, the clutch slave crapped out for the second time on this bike. The good news is that it was fixed the next day by BMW of NorthHouston. I give'em an A+. But I shudder to think what would have happend in BF, Texas if that slave had decided to fail.

One other note, the oil level is still at the 80% full mark. I guess she never used any oil.

[jamais]

"This bike is remarkable. All day in the saddle. Stable, flickable, plenty of power. What else could I want?"

I guess I could want a radar detector!

[DJ Downunder]

Hey Jamais...so your bike should be almost run-in now....

Just wondering about the beaded seat cover...they look like big beads...do they leave a mark.....on the seat that is..... .....no lasting dents?

I think they're cheaper than the air-hawk aren't they?

DJ

[jamais]

DJ, after almost 1500 miles I think I might be ready for larger beads!

[Simon D]

Blimey jamais, those seat beads must REALLY work! I have a few 500 mile days behind me and after every single one my arse felt like (Sir) Don Bradman had been whacking it
(cricketting joke - ask DJ) Sargeant or Corbin seats over here sell for roughly twice the US price, so maybe it would be worth checking out the alternatives.
Cheers, Simon.

[Bones]

Jamais,
Good go! I know guys who don't put on 750 miles a season. Glad it went well. The only problem now is that a 2-3 hour ride will feel, in some ways, insignificant. I have never done a 750 mile day, but I have done alot of days with 9-10 hours on the bike. For awhile after those kinds of rides, anything less than 3-4 hours straight just doesn't feel like real riding.

Thanks for the report.

Bones

[Guest]

There is one other item that I'd like to share. I'm an avid cyclist (bicycle) so I have several riding shorts with the chamois padding. These are indespensible wether you ride the stock seat or use an alternative. I never had "monkey butt". By design they have the padding but also there aren't any seams finding ways to inflict pain. I've ridden 175 mile day rides on my bicycles (Houston-Austin) so a moto ride is a piece of cake.

[jamais]

The preceding post was from Jamais. I don't know why I was a guest.

[bmwkid]

I too have done 800 mile days on my R1150R. Last June a buddy and I ran from Zion National Park to our homes near San Francisco oh what a day!

[NZPOM]

Thanks for the report Jamais - great to know that others find the Roadster suitable for such fun.

Book your next holiday! In NZ there is an annual ride called "The Grand Challenge". Most local riders know this as "The Thousand Miler". Basically, riders have a 24-hour window to cover 1000 MILES (1600kms) passing through various check-points.

Held just last month, of the 108 entries an amazing 104 completed the run, albeit some very close to the time limit!

I have yet to tackle this ride and so the best day's ride I can boast about (to date) is a little over 900kms. But this was part of a five day (4000km) rally taking in the four extremeties of this wonderful country (check out an atlas. For the record, the ferry between North and South Islands takes 3 hours).

Bring it on!

[wncbmw]

I used to do some 500 miles days regularly and once did 1200 miles in 48 hours two up on a airhead RS. But the worst day was taking 23 hours to do about 750 miles along the east coast. I managed to hit 3 rush hours in three different cities and spent a lot of time going slowly or sitting. I was an absolute zombie when I finally staggered into a motel room at 4 AM.

[jamais]

Frankly I think my trip was near the rational limit. I'm sure if conditions were right, I could do 1000 miles. But other than a badge of recognition, I really don't see the reason for such an effort.

There was a point just outside of San Antonio on the second day of my return to Houston that I actually got goofy. Recognized that I wasn't paying attention and seeing an interstate information sign indicating a Starbucks ahead, I promptly took the exit.

Everyone was in shorts and sandals and I'm in my Gericke leather pants tucked into my boots. Feeling a little superior and wafting a unique bouquet, I joined in with the crowd. No chairs available so I walked back and sat on the curb next to my bike. While drinking my coffee and considering how I would explain my speeding ticket to my wife, I couldn't help feeling uniquely alone and separate from the crowd. Sort of a motorcyclist's lot in life I guess. No complaints, just an observation.

[bmwdave52]

Time to treat yourself to a Russell. day-long.com.
I do 800 mile days with it. You won't be sorry.

I don't know why it won't make it a link? [/url]

[NoRRmad]

http://day-long.com/

[sshallen]

I've done a bunch of 700-800 mile days, a 1,000 mile day, and a 1,521 mile day (23 hours, 1 minute) on my R's stock seat.

Never noticed it. (The seat, that is).

I think the dingle Frantz "Master Yoda Riding Position" makes a big difference.

On the 1,500, I made one true blunder. I setup my route so that I'd be going through Shreveport, Louisiana. On August 1. At Noon. I think it was 110 degrees, and at some point I realized "If my Roadcrafter causes me to pass out, it ceases to be safety gear". So I took it off for about four hours.

[JCsman]

"If my Roadcrafter causes me to pass out, it ceases to be safety gear".

Priceless.

[bmwdave52]

I think the dingle Frantz "Master Yoda Riding Position" makes a big difference.

You are so right about this. I'll try to find that post on the RT site and put it here again.
It's a good idea and needs to be seen by the newbies.

[Blaster229]

Artesia eh? I spent a few weeks out there a few years ago at the one and only place to really go to out there. Did you make a trip or two to the Wellhead restaurant there as well? lol

[jamais]

No, I didn't make the Wellhead. I did a week at FLETC, never leaving the campus. I was very glad to leave.

[Blaster229]

Ok, now I know why you were out there. Glad you went!