Road Trips

[Daveontheedge]

Hey Everyone. Forgive me if this has been discussed to death, but I am looking for some helpful tips. I am considering a road trip on my CB-1 of about 1200 kms,  this would be the first major trip for me on a bike and I am looking for any tips or suggestions that will help me survive this if not enjoy it more. Thanks.

[REgina CB-1]

Where / when r u going? Camping, hotels?

I'm coming your way as far as revelstoke in June. Possible pint?

Solo or accompanied?

[Lyrad]

I am in the same boat, I am planning a 500km trip each way, and I think a tank bag and a good back pack are a good idea?,  A rain suit is something I have recently purchased as well. Traveling with another bike is also a good idea just in case some thing happens.

[91cb-1]

I covered over a thousand kms in a weekend there last year and the bike didn't seem to dislike it. i'd a tank bag a tent a sleeping bag and saddle packs, i live in Ireland so rain gear's a must have, all i did was change the oil change the coolant and check my tires, brought a small bottle of chain lube and away i went nothin else to it! that was also on a standard o ring chain that had about 1000 klicks on it, i've changed to an x-ring and the difference it makes is phenomenal i'm getting 3 times the distance before i've to tighten it! definitely worth investing in

[Drewski]

I'd "reccy" the route, you can't get many miles form a CB-1 tank. I'd even consider carrying a litre of fuel with you. Some tyre repair gunk might be useful too. I've used a double decker tank bag on my bike and it was comfertable enough but havn't done the sort of mileage you're planning.

[REgina CB-1]

r u even listening

[Daveontheedge]

Sorry REgina CB-1, I posted this last night at midnight and signed off. I picked up a rainsuit recently so that is taken care of. Have been looking at tank bags and found a 21 liter which would do the trick combined with a tail bag I am waiting to arrive. I could be persuaded to head to Revelstoke and meet up, don't have any definitive plans yet. If I am not working I can probably do it. Was not planning on camping or hotels unless necessary, prefer to get it done in a day. I have done some "testing" for my mileage and am getting about 140ish before reserve on the highway doing 110-120kph.

[clarkdw]

Two comments.
If you are only getting 140km till reserve then replace your plugs or check your air filter. You should get 160.

I wear ear plugs, get used to it and it makes a huge difference in the fatigue on any long trip and 1200km in one day on ANY bike is a LONG trip.  Seven to eight hours is about my limit but I am old. 

[MintyFRESH]

I can get 190-200km on one tank.  But I do have a jap model.

[REgina CB-1]

Ya, Clark's bang on. I fill up every hundred miles (160k). If I to any farther I'll hit reserve right away.

I'm camping for a week and a half outside Canmore. My annual big solo bike trip.

I'm taking a 4 day trip during that time with a buddy on a gsxr. We'll be in albert canyon, by revelstoke, on June 24th, golden on the 25th, and radium on the 26th. Gonna ride the whitewater on kicking horse, hike, hit some hot springs, and climb fortress mtn or heart mtn. You're welcome to join in for any of it if you can make it.

[Daveontheedge]

Speaking of plugs...someone had recommended using cooler plugs for a longer road trip, anyone have any experience with this? Is one brand of plugs better than another? My bike is the Japanese model. Regina, that sounds like a good trip, as we get closer to it I will let you know if I can make it.

Clark...in a different thread you discussed the differences in higher octane versus lower octane fuels. I have been running 91 in my bike, could that account for lower mileage or does it only affect horsepower?

[clarkdw]

Speaking of plugs...someone had recommended using cooler plugs for a longer road trip, anyone have any experience with this? Is one brand of plugs better than another? My bike is the Japanese model. Regina, that sounds like a good trip, as we get closer to it I will let you know if I can make it.

Clark...in a different thread you discussed the differences in higher octane versus lower octane fuels. I have been running 91 in my bike, could that account for lower mileage or does it only affect horsepower?

If I was you, I would stick with the factory heat range plugs unless you are planning on running very hard, like flat out.  As far as I know the fuel capacities in the Japanese and North American bikes are the same. I too can get 200km out of a full tank including reserve.

The fuel would not likely make that much difference but give the 87 a try and see. Nothing to lose and a few dollars less spent. What might make the difference is the altitude. What altitude do you do most of your riding at and is it done in hilly terrain? You don't save as much fuel going down the mountain as you use extra going up unless you shut the bike off and coast .

[Daveontheedge]

I'll give the 87 a shot next time I fill up. I live at sea level and most of my riding is fairly flat, odd hill but haven't crossed any mtn ranges yet! On my next days off I'll pull the plugs and air filter to see what is going on in there.