Micklin
Registered user
Just did a 1700 mile weeklong ride from Germany, through Switzerland to Tuscany Italy. About 1000 miles was autobahn, about 700 miles back roads. All back roads were in Italy, mostly Tuscany. I'm on a 2013 model, have a total of about 8500 miles on the bike.
I was loaded heavy with the vario cases and they did well on the autobahn though I did notice the wind having a slight effect at speeds over 100 mph. I guess I expect that as that's pretty fast and any side wind, etc. can affect the handling. It cruised right along with no ill effects at 90 mph and that's where I stayed at mostly. I'm on my second back tire Anakee 3 and didnt hear any excessive noise the whole trip. I played with the gas mileage (US gallons) a bit and the results were this.....100mph, 31mpg.....95, 33mpg....90, 38mpg.....85, 41mpg......80, 44mpg...... 75, 47mpg......70, 49mpg. This was all off the computer which has been pretty accurate for me. My butt was a little sore after about 6 hours but I had only stopped twice quick for gas and at 7.5 hrs I was happy to hit my hotel.
Backroads in Italy were great. The cases seemed to have no effect on power or handling at all. Once in Italy, I had an 85 lb passenger (friend's daughter). Again, really had no effect on handling, power, etc. I guess with all the weight towards the back it was a lot easier to pull wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear too. Some of the roads were smooth and some were horrible bumpy. Even with all the extra weight, I thought the bike took the bumps well, above what I expected. I got around 44 mpg on the Italian backroads and had 240 miles on one tank and my computer told me I still had 24 miles to go when I got gas.
Coming home was a straight shot of 10.5 hours. About 5.5 hours of that was rainy from downpours to drizzle. Again, the bike handled great in the rain, especially during heavy rain in Italy going through the Cisa pass with major twisties. I'm sure the bike could have put out more than I asked her to, but I enjoy my skin and didnt want to risk too much as the rain was really coming down. After about 6 hours, my ass was really sore. Not necessarily pain, but it almost felt as though blood flow was restricted on my left hamstring and buttcheek. Any time I moved it hurt. Now, my ass was a little wet as when the rain started it did so quickly and I had to stop to put the gear on and I got a little wet. Not exactly sure if that's what caused it or not. I had not felt it like that before. Could also be I pushed a little too hard too, not sure. I do have an Alaskan sheepskin buttpad on the bike and that has helped keep me cooler "down there". I pushed through it and got home. I am going to try the seat with the front in the high position and the back in low this week to see if that makes any difference. I did feel as I was always a little forward on the seat.
Anyway, sorry to blather on but thought I'd share my reactions to my first real long ride. By the way, I highly suggest Tuscany if you haven't done it. Awesome beauty along with excellent roads and pretty low traffic, escpecially on the backroads. All in all, still love the bike, but going to check into some seating options I think even though they are so damn expensive. I like the Anakee 3s though I'm going to try PR4 trails next just to see if I can get more than 6k outta the back tire. Great handling, great power and just absolutely fun to ride. I'm not allowed to post pictures for some reason or I would have a few to share of Tuscany.
I was loaded heavy with the vario cases and they did well on the autobahn though I did notice the wind having a slight effect at speeds over 100 mph. I guess I expect that as that's pretty fast and any side wind, etc. can affect the handling. It cruised right along with no ill effects at 90 mph and that's where I stayed at mostly. I'm on my second back tire Anakee 3 and didnt hear any excessive noise the whole trip. I played with the gas mileage (US gallons) a bit and the results were this.....100mph, 31mpg.....95, 33mpg....90, 38mpg.....85, 41mpg......80, 44mpg...... 75, 47mpg......70, 49mpg. This was all off the computer which has been pretty accurate for me. My butt was a little sore after about 6 hours but I had only stopped twice quick for gas and at 7.5 hrs I was happy to hit my hotel.
Backroads in Italy were great. The cases seemed to have no effect on power or handling at all. Once in Italy, I had an 85 lb passenger (friend's daughter). Again, really had no effect on handling, power, etc. I guess with all the weight towards the back it was a lot easier to pull wheelies in 1st and 2nd gear too. Some of the roads were smooth and some were horrible bumpy. Even with all the extra weight, I thought the bike took the bumps well, above what I expected. I got around 44 mpg on the Italian backroads and had 240 miles on one tank and my computer told me I still had 24 miles to go when I got gas.
Coming home was a straight shot of 10.5 hours. About 5.5 hours of that was rainy from downpours to drizzle. Again, the bike handled great in the rain, especially during heavy rain in Italy going through the Cisa pass with major twisties. I'm sure the bike could have put out more than I asked her to, but I enjoy my skin and didnt want to risk too much as the rain was really coming down. After about 6 hours, my ass was really sore. Not necessarily pain, but it almost felt as though blood flow was restricted on my left hamstring and buttcheek. Any time I moved it hurt. Now, my ass was a little wet as when the rain started it did so quickly and I had to stop to put the gear on and I got a little wet. Not exactly sure if that's what caused it or not. I had not felt it like that before. Could also be I pushed a little too hard too, not sure. I do have an Alaskan sheepskin buttpad on the bike and that has helped keep me cooler "down there". I pushed through it and got home. I am going to try the seat with the front in the high position and the back in low this week to see if that makes any difference. I did feel as I was always a little forward on the seat.
Anyway, sorry to blather on but thought I'd share my reactions to my first real long ride. By the way, I highly suggest Tuscany if you haven't done it. Awesome beauty along with excellent roads and pretty low traffic, escpecially on the backroads. All in all, still love the bike, but going to check into some seating options I think even though they are so damn expensive. I like the Anakee 3s though I'm going to try PR4 trails next just to see if I can get more than 6k outta the back tire. Great handling, great power and just absolutely fun to ride. I'm not allowed to post pictures for some reason or I would have a few to share of Tuscany.
