[oldjeep]

So - I am getting serious about buying a SS - S and found one down south that has the luggage and low miles. I have run longer in fewer days, but on an FJR. As a 6ft tall guy, how reasonable is doing 1600 freeway miles in 2-3 days on a SS? This would be a fly and ride, also have the additional issue of midwest spring weather being a bit unpredictable. Don't care about the temps, snow/ice is a bigger issue on a bike that does not have the proper tires for that sort of mess.

 

[Ed K]

That’s a lot of mileage to cover, even on an FJR. Can’t stretch is a bit longer?

But the SuperSport is a comfortable Sport Tourer. I took it on a 5,000 mile round trip to Newfoundland.

 

[oldjeep]

That’s a lot of mileage to cover, even on an FJR. Can’t stretch is a bit longer?

But the SuperSport is a comfortable Sport Tourer. I took it on a 5,000 mile round trip to Newfoundland.

I can do that in under 2 days on my fjr, but it would be tough on my fz1. I could and might stretch it depending on weather. It is a sketchy time of year to fly and ride but it looks like a good deal.

 

[Ed K]

I rode mine through lots of thunder storms and inclement, wet, stormy weather on that trip North, without issue. But snow/ice, nope!

 

[Seventh]

I think I'd love my SS a lot less after three consecutive 500+ mile days. It's a comfy bike but it's not that comfy.

My 2c.

 

[LowRyter]

I think I'd love my SS a lot less after three consecutive 500+ mile days. It's a comfy bike but it's not that comfy.

My 2c.

I don't like that on any bike that much.

But 300 miles on all twisty back roads, with a nice diner for lunch and my my, I'm in love. scotch & cigars in the evening.

 

[detansinn]

You're looking to cover 500-800 miles per day, during a time of year that rain and wintry mixes are a thing. Don't forget the 30 degree temperature swings and carrying all of that extra gear for those temps. If you're facing sunny, warm days and lots of daylight, yeah, if you're in good shape and limber, it's totally do-able, but from my experience, that's seldom what you get.

Why limit it to 2-3 days and put yourself under so much pressure? I'd take a week off. That reduces the miles you have to cover to 200-300 per day, which is much more reasonable. If you run into a cold snap, you'll be able to travel during the warmer or nicer parts of the day. If you find yourself rained out for a day, you can give yourself some reprieve and chill time -- as anyone who's done it, when you start a day out wet, it sucks. Giving yourself more time also permits you to break up the freeway travel with some backroad adventures. It should be fun, not a chore.

 

[LowRyter]

So - I am getting serious about buying a SS - S and found one down south that has the luggage and low miles. I have run longer in fewer days, but on an FJR. As a 6ft tall guy, how reasonable is doing 1600 freeway miles in 2-3 days on a SS? This would be a fly and ride, also have the additional issue of midwest spring weather being a bit unpredictable. Don't care about the temps, snow/ice is a bigger issue on a bike that does not have the proper tires for that sort of mess.

remember, your FJR has cruise, probably heated grips, and gets 100 miles, almost twice the distance between fill ups. You might get 220 on an FJ and 140 on the SS, (the light will come on earlier like 120).

As always, the bike needs to be inspected: tread on the tires, chain inspected and serviced, brakes, fresh oil, strong battery. Then the packed stuff on the rider's end, tools, plug kit, compressor. The SS tool kit is non existent- rider can't even adjust the chain nor wheel sockets. Figure on purchasing some the peculiar tools to service the bike when you get home.

 

[theresanothersteve]

So - I am getting serious about buying a SS - S and found one down south that has the luggage and low miles. I have run longer in fewer days, but on an FJR. As a 6ft tall guy, how reasonable is doing 1600 freeway miles in 2-3 days on a SS? This would be a fly and ride, also have the additional issue of midwest spring weather being a bit unpredictable. Don't care about the temps, snow/ice is a bigger issue on a bike that does not have the proper tires for that sort of mess.

Adelaide to Sydney. If I had to, I’d do it. But I’d planned it on a Katana in the 1980s, but it fell through, so my judgement might be a bit awry…

 

[Invincible]

and 140 on the SS, (the light will come on earlier like 120).

That's a bit low I would think. I'm usually getting an easy 160 miles from a tank. 170-180 if I drive at a leisurely pace. But I'd still favour it if the bike could do 220-240 miles on a tank of fuel.
Either way, covering anything north of 400 miles in a single day on the Duc is hard. Doing that several days in a row would be too much for me.

 

[oldjeep]

remember, your FJR has cruise, probably heated grips, and gets 100 miles, almost twice the distance between fill ups. You might get 220 on an FJ and 140 on the SS, (the light will come on earlier like 120).

As always, the bike needs to be inspected: tread on the tires, chain inspected and serviced, brakes, fresh oil, strong battery. Then the packed stuff on the rider's end, tools, plug kit, compressor. The SS tool kit is non existent- rider can't even adjust the chain nor wheel sockets. Figure on purchasing some the peculiar tools to service the bike when you get home.

No cruise, no heated grips on fjr - good point on fuel range, had not considered that.

 

[NothingClever]

Doable but very little fun.

Despite being more comfortable than most sport bikes, this is not the overall design for knocking out a slog.

 

[Miweber929]

The bike is certainly capable, your biggest questions are going to be can you handle a slightly raised, but still sportbike like riding position for 2 days on the super slab, and will the weather cooperate to make it worthwhile.

When you’re freaking cold your motor skills and decision making skills are not what they normally are and it would really suck to get a “good deal” and find yourself soured on the bike because you were so uncomfortable for several days to start or watching it slide down the road in the salt and brine mess they spread in the northern climates because you were a bit impatient. Even if the temp hits 50 next week we've had so much wet, heavy, very watery snow this year you’re going to have running water across roadways for a month while it melts, all filled with crap, sand, salt and just plain ****.

I’d personally wait for improving weather, rent an enclosed trailer or find something local. Your call, though.

 

[Swamper]

I wouldn't do it. Because I've had a number of bikes and have never had one I've been comfortable on out of the box for long mileage. Most have had to have seats changed, windshields heights figured out, luggage fitted, handlebar improvements among other things. I use to do Iron Butt stuff and always set the bike up doing shorter rides first.
Even when I rode Alaska I worked on my set up for six months beforehand.

 

[detansinn]

I use to do Iron Butt stuff and always set the bike up doing shorter rides first.

I recently talked with a young motorcyclist that did not know about Iron Butt. So, before some young person's mind runs away with "Iron Butt stuff"...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Butt_Association

 

[NothingClever]

There was a time I was a great candidate for IB rides but interrupted by frequent work away from motorcycles. Have bikes all the time now but not the motivation for any flavor of IB rides.

 

[oldjeep]

I ride in MN, bikes get dirty. Fz1 will be out for occasional duty this weekend after I get a path plowed to the front garage Only real concern is seating position. I've done 1200 in a day on the fjr and 650 on the fz1. Seller has not contacted me, so may be all moot. Seems like ss are pretty common in the south, but hard to find with luggage.

 

[LowRyter]

No cruise, no heated grips on fjr - good point on fuel range, had not considered that.

You must have an older FJR.

A few years ago my buddy on his FJR and me on the Supersport went to Moto GP COTA from OKC. Mostly backroads about 400 miles. So he filled up at every other stop. But he took a bathroom break at every stop, so it still worked out.

He was also more comfy on the highway but another story for the twisties in the Hill Country. Don't expect the SS to have big grunt power of the Yammie but you'll appreciate the agility, feel and handling.

 

[LowRyter]

That's a bit low I would think. I'm usually getting an easy 160 miles from a tank. 170-180 if I drive at a leisurely pace. But I'd still favour it if the bike could do 220-240 miles on a tank of fuel.
Either way, covering anything north of 400 miles in a single day on the Duc is hard. Doing that several days in a row would be too much for me.

I've never gotten 160 miles.
I do have the 14t front sprocket. I get about 41-42 mpg.

 

[Invincible]

I do have the 14t front sprocket. I get about 41-42 mpg.

You singlehandedly killed my 14t sprocket plans for me.
My bad mileage is 45 mpg and best I've gotten over a full tank was 52. Low 41 or worse is just unacceptable for me.
Not because of the cost, but because I just hate to have to stop for fuel.