Well I walked in the door around 1 this afternoon. I took the long way home on the last bit just to get my number to an even 4000km in 5 riding days. Essentially that works out to 5 8hour days, averaging 100km/h for those days.

The maxim is a pretty good long distance bike - however - I do have a few things in mind to improve it.

1 - the seat. The stock seat is bad for long distances. To survive this trip I spent several thousand km's with my feet on the passenger pegs as it was a MUCH more comfortable seating position.

2 - the fuel tank is too small. I'm looking for a good condition (black preferably) 750 tank. I have the petcock and cap, the tank would suffice.

3 - a throttle lock. On my spare bars I have a trottle lock, and have never needed it on my long day rides. However, after a multi day ride it is nice to be able to stretch both arms. You need a throttle lock to do that...

4 - a Windscreen would help on the long rides - I've never had one on the maxim, but I might consider it. Long rides at high speeds put a lot of stress on the shoulders and back - mostly from the wind.

Otherwise with my ear plugs in, my gear bungied to the rear seat and back rack I had a blast. I wore full gear, so the occasional down pour wasn't a problem. I just brought a new pair of waterproof joe rocket boots - WAY MORE COMFORTABLE TO RIDE IN THAN ANY NON-MC boot I've tried. Go figure - it bends in the right place, fastens easily, and is waterproof. You'd have thought they'd designed it to ride in? ;) Great grippy soles, and not even that expensive.

Next up? On the way home I was thinking that a saddlesore wouldn't be too hard to do. For those not in the know - that is 1000 miles in a 24 hour period. You have to get someone to witness you start, keep your fuel reciepts (especially in places you could have shortcuted) and get a witness at the end of the ride. If you do the paperwork right you can get a certificate - although just doing the ride would be enough for me.

I think somewhere in Quebec would be about 500 miles from here, so riding up there, getting a gas receipt and a picture and riding back would probably suffice. I don't know the ins and outs, but I do know people into the Iron Butt scene who would be willing to add their thoughts. Probably some of you are too. BTW - the Iron Butt Rally is going right now and is worth watching on the BMW list and a few others...
http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/default.cfm


I found some fantastic roads in the Green Mountains, the #10, Most of vermont, and the catskills. Even touring around the resevoirs wasn't too painful :P
I did have one deer encounter but that was safely averted. Unfortinately someone else the day before had hit one and it was proped up on a guard rail on the #10 just north of the amish community.

I did get the chance to try other bikes on for size - but I'm not much for riding other peoples bikes. Up for the offer was a VFR, an R1, a few 250s etc. I am thinking of a new bike but there are so many good bikes that one doesn't really rise to the top... hard to beat a cheap old UJM when it does everything you need and you can't find what it doesn't have to offer that you need. I was heavily leaning towards the VFR, but am now considering the sv650, the zzr600/1200, the 600r Yamaha and the FZ1. In the ideal world one could have both an FJR and a ZZR but that doesn't happen to all of us.


Anyhow I've got to work tommorow, and I've got some sleep to catch up on.

Rubber side down all,
woot.

I use a throttle boss too for long rides. Essentially a strip of plastic that allows you to keep throttle the same speed without clenching the bar as tightly. I am getting a little screen to see how that works, I do find myself way more tired at the end of the day on naked bikes than ones with a fairing.

I am coming off a 1995 VFR. Very nice bike, had to sell due to work last fall. Felt like a piece of me was amputated. Strong V4, great sound, comfy, stable and quite fast. I road with a Corbin, heated grips, full Givi bags. Longest trip was from N. Saskatchewan to Arkansas and back in a week, about 6600 km. Real nice roads down there, hope to go down again soon. I forgot to do the IBA paperwork, hope to get a nice licence plate frame next year...

I have a chrome throttle rocker type thing - I've never used it although I really should... it was a birthday gift and it couldn't hurt to use it.

I've fallen into the rut of that's the way the bike is - and it takes a long ride to get you thinking out side of the box again. A short ride you can forget all of the little things that bug you about the bike and enjoy the longer list of good things.

Take today for example - behind where I am staying is miles of great road, no traffic and it's sunny. I'm not going to look for work to do on the bike, I'm going to go for a ride. I have 36,000 km or so before I have a 'new' bike according to the odometer ;)

Seriously considering buying some new suspension parts - some of the progressive rear shocks are supposed to be pretty good - got to be better than old stockers.