What's your longest ride on the Hawk?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
What's your longest ride on the Hawk?
I just got back from Vegas, went up Friday and came back Sunday.
It was about 12 total hours of riding, just cruising the backroads through the desert with a group of 5 and stopping often, total of 700 miles.
I averaged between 46 and 50 mpg on various parts of the trip. If I did it again I could get all the way to Vegas with just one stop for gas.
The Heli-bars, throttlemeister, and cardo helmet radio really came in handy, I wasn't very exhausted after getting there. The ride back was a bit grueling, due to only getting 5 hours of sleep, and having to split lanes for about 40 miles total. I have no butt, and it was sore from the stock seat by the end of the trip. Stock windscreen was okay. Sometimes I lay on the tank to get out of the wind more and put my feet on the rear pegs to get my butt off the seat.
Next time I do a long trip, I'll have a pad on the tank, or in the front of my jacket, and a tinted visor.
BTW riding in Vegas sucks! The strip was a huge mess for most hours of the day, and getting off the freeway sucks, even if you cheat and cut in. Also, I think lane splitting is illegal there, but I did anyways getting back across state line. The taxi drivers will run your *** over, so don't expect any courtesy.
The bike just ticked past 28,000 miles too! That's 6,000 more than when I bought it in June.
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It was about 12 total hours of riding, just cruising the backroads through the desert with a group of 5 and stopping often, total of 700 miles.
I averaged between 46 and 50 mpg on various parts of the trip. If I did it again I could get all the way to Vegas with just one stop for gas.
The Heli-bars, throttlemeister, and cardo helmet radio really came in handy, I wasn't very exhausted after getting there. The ride back was a bit grueling, due to only getting 5 hours of sleep, and having to split lanes for about 40 miles total. I have no butt, and it was sore from the stock seat by the end of the trip. Stock windscreen was okay. Sometimes I lay on the tank to get out of the wind more and put my feet on the rear pegs to get my butt off the seat.
Next time I do a long trip, I'll have a pad on the tank, or in the front of my jacket, and a tinted visor.
BTW riding in Vegas sucks! The strip was a huge mess for most hours of the day, and getting off the freeway sucks, even if you cheat and cut in. Also, I think lane splitting is illegal there, but I did anyways getting back across state line. The taxi drivers will run your *** over, so don't expect any courtesy.
The bike just ticked past 28,000 miles too! That's 6,000 more than when I bought it in June.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Dec 1, 2008 at 10:19 PM.
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Use a tank bag to lean on. Corbin/Sargent seats are worth the $$ if you ride more than 100 miles in a day. I do a few 4-500 mile a day rides and don't have a problem with the seat.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
From: greeley, co
I've rode my bike to Oak Ridge this summer. That's 360 miles one wayfrom my house. That's the longest trip so far. Some friends and I plan to head to the dragon's tail next summer.
Last edited by sumthin_major; Dec 2, 2008 at 07:22 AM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
I rode from Montreal to Calgary and back a few years back. I rode a few 1000+ km days with my record being 1250 km in one day (that's 620 and 750 miles, respectively, for the Metrically challenged, lol) I had Helibars, a Sargent seat and taller windscreen on the VTR then. Loved the ride but it did make for long days...
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RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,218
From: Skokie
Hate to admit it but over the 50k+ miles my relatively trusty VTR and me have done together, maybe 500 miles was the longest day with 300 miles the average. Now thats a lot of 300 mile days, about 166 to be exact. At an average of 50 mph thats about 1,000 hours based on 6 hours a day! Now I've done 10 hour days but not more than 1 or 2 in a row.
My Sargent saddle, NEP throttle lock & soon to be tested CrampBuster, ZG DB, Helibars & now Tommasellis, MFW Vario 1" lower pegs, Penske, fork brace, massaged forks, recalibrated carboration, heated vest & grips, radar detector and ear plugs made it if not quite easychair livable, much better than OE. The louder 2Bros slip-ons actually wear you down on long days. There are many bikes out there better at eating miles and when my tank says feed me by old bod is more than willing to listen (more so with my 1 gallon larger tank). Some say the VTR does not have character but I disagree. How can any 2-cylinder sport touring bike be that dull. However, its the road traveled and the people you meet on the way that make or break the experience, given most importantly you enjoy being yourself while twisting your wrist.
My Sargent saddle, NEP throttle lock & soon to be tested CrampBuster, ZG DB, Helibars & now Tommasellis, MFW Vario 1" lower pegs, Penske, fork brace, massaged forks, recalibrated carboration, heated vest & grips, radar detector and ear plugs made it if not quite easychair livable, much better than OE. The louder 2Bros slip-ons actually wear you down on long days. There are many bikes out there better at eating miles and when my tank says feed me by old bod is more than willing to listen (more so with my 1 gallon larger tank). Some say the VTR does not have character but I disagree. How can any 2-cylinder sport touring bike be that dull. However, its the road traveled and the people you meet on the way that make or break the experience, given most importantly you enjoy being yourself while twisting your wrist.
Speedbump
Squid
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 51
From: Pleasanton, CA
I rode from nampa, idaho to manteca, ca in one day that was 615 miles. Bout the bike the last week of june with 3500 miles and i just crossed the 9000 mile mark yesterday. Btw i only live 4 miles from work
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 112
I ground out between 600 and 700 mi. during a day trip a few times. When I do get out to ride it's rarely less that 300 mi. in one trip. I guess I feel the need to make the best of the riding time my family and other obligations afford me. Funny thing though, I've never taken an overnight trip on my VTR. I always ride one of my VFR's for overnighters even if it's just one night. I'm not sure why that is!
RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,218
From: Skokie
I ground out between 600 and 700 mi. during a day trip a few times. When I do get out to ride it's rarely less that 300 mi. in one trip. I guess I feel the need to make the best of the riding time my family and other obligations afford me. Funny thing though, I've never taken an overnight trip on my VTR. I always ride one of my VFR's for overnighters even if it's just one night. I'm not sure why that is!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Updated with some photos.
Rode through parts of old route 66, Amboy is a creepy town, it looks like time stopped there in 1962. Lots of joshua trees, lots of nothing out there. I wanted to get a photo at the famous Las Vegas sign, but it didn't pan out.
What is 140mph indicated on the speedo work out to?
Rode through parts of old route 66, Amboy is a creepy town, it looks like time stopped there in 1962. Lots of joshua trees, lots of nothing out there. I wanted to get a photo at the famous Las Vegas sign, but it didn't pan out.
What is 140mph indicated on the speedo work out to?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
I'm 2 miles from work, so sometimes I take the long way home. I do travel quite a bit for work during the day around town. It's like having a mini-weekend right in the middle of the work day, plus they pay for mileage. They paid me $700 last month!
New back tire is half flat in the middle now, so I guess I need to spend some time on Palomar mountain. Front tire is shot!
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 55
I rode from Deal's Gap to Pensacola in one sitting last spring. What a horrible ride that was... going from the best roads and perfect weather to flatlands and infinite humidity. The Corbin seat is okay (it came on the bike), but I really wish I'd bought that Sargent when I had the chance.
Remember stock is BAD!
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
From: Jacksonville FL
450-500 miles in a day, that has been my max. I find that the range of the shawk is constraning. I couldnt make it in South Dakota with the range the tank has. Many places its 150-200 miles btween gas stations.
ReNoob
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 94
From: Sonoma County California
Nice work
on the ride. I've got a '99 Yeller with similar mileage. I ride up and down our coastal range here but usually top out at 200 mile days. Corbin seat and double bubble screen help out. My Vance & Hines S4's, so lusty on the street, get a bit much over the long haul. How do you like your Arrow exhaust? Did you install?
PS - looks like a babe on the Ninja!
PS - looks like a babe on the Ninja!
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 109
From: Georgia
hell, i have only done about 30 mi round trip and by back, ***, sore.....wrist numb.
I see alot of guys mention the helibars..........what bike r those from .....nevermind i'll search the forum.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 230
From: New Hampshachusetts
I've only got half a season of riding (legally) under my belt now. Did a ride from Acton, MA up to Burlington, VT and back in a day. That clocked in at around 550 miles. My legs were a bit crampy at the end but the corbin seat definately saved me some serious *** pain.
I mothballed my bike this past sunday. too cold to ride anymore. I can't even tell you guys in warmer areas how jealous i am that you can keep putting miles under you year long.
I mothballed my bike this past sunday. too cold to ride anymore. I can't even tell you guys in warmer areas how jealous i am that you can keep putting miles under you year long.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 401
hm.
That is indeed a toughy
In April I took my Hawk across the atlantic.
Only had slight trouble when the gas light would come on every now and then, but luckily those express gas station-boats would pop up every time I got close to E. (tires looked lovely afterwards)
That is indeed a toughy
In April I took my Hawk across the atlantic.
Only had slight trouble when the gas light would come on every now and then, but luckily those express gas station-boats would pop up every time I got close to E. (tires looked lovely afterwards)
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 347
From: S.Dak USA
Longest ride was Windsor,CA. to Watertown,SD on my Triumph.That was 1750 miles,left Thursday morning (early),pulled into my driveway Saturday suppertime.I was stiff n sore,but after a hot bath and a nights sleep,felt like a new man!
As for the Hawk,only done a few days scratching around the hills where I live.Maybe 250 mile days.Got her apart and doing a bunch of stuff right now.Should be ready by spring..
As for the Hawk,only done a few days scratching around the hills where I live.Maybe 250 mile days.Got her apart and doing a bunch of stuff right now.Should be ready by spring..
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Not that this topic has ever been brought up before....
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=11140
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=8743
Nice pics though.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=11140
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=8743
Nice pics though.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 230
From: New Hampshachusetts
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Central Coaster- How long were you able to stay on Route 66? I was out there in September and after about 10 miles near the Cali/Ariz. border I had to get back on I-40. The pavement was horrible, it was smoother to ride the sand on the shoulder. Being loaded down with too much stuff I didn't want to sacrifice my rear tire on it.
Longest ride on the SH was about 500 miles for a long day playing in the mountains.
Longest ride ever was 7500 miles on the VFR coast to coast.
Longest ride on the SH was about 500 miles for a long day playing in the mountains.
Longest ride ever was 7500 miles on the VFR coast to coast.
