Anything over 3.5 hours

[Air4Life]

and I'm feeling it.  I'm looking for solutions.  Anyone have any experience or other recommendations?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/14/145/30871/DPITEM/Cruiser-Motorcycle-Seat-Covers-Pads-AirHawk-Seat-Cushion.aspx?WT.ac=RichAutoComplete

[donbmw]

I am good for about 2 hours between stops. Wither by bike or car.

[Air4Life]

I can appreciate that too... some days are far worse.  After 3.5 hrs going north, followed by a three hour break, only to redo the 3.5 hrs back was just enough for me to want to park it.  

Fortunately the winds were not to difficult this time.  Last time for the same trip they were nasty and it made for a wondrous ride.    I really can't complain about this little machine...  with most of the trip at 70 mph, it did what I asked of it.  A windjammer would be nice for these trips; but I'd put up with that blast if only I could improve on the lumbar and the bottom end.  

Maybe riding solo contributes to this...  something soft for a back rest, no doubt.

[Bob_Roller]

I have no personal knowledge of seat 'cushions', but from what I've heard over the 33 years I've been associated with motorcycles, none have gotten any rave reviews or positive comments .

[tvrla]

I love a naked bike with low bars. It's the position of the ski jumper and the wind holds me up taking the weight off my arms. The only time it's not comfortable is when it's gusting. That gets old FAST!

My back is also happiest in that position, and the beauty is that unlike the 'sit up and beg' style, my weight is spread out between my feet and hands. Sitting up with the high bars, all the weight is on the butt; not the most comfortable riding position.

[Barry]

It's my knees that give up first. I find myself do the Rossi leg exercise after a while. No way I could do 3.5 hours without a break. 2 hours tops.

[Julio A.]

I remember stretching my legs while running a little over 120km/h.

Boy, did I ever regret that.

[Barry]

I don't do it at the same speed Rossi does !

[Air4Life]

Yep, my right knee is feeling it this morning...

I do run 4 miles every other day, along with cycling 15 to 20 miles in between those days.  I thought that exercising would be of some benefit to riding the r65, and maybe it is...

Wirespokes:

I agree, on those rides I find myself dropping my head down to the tank from time to time.  I would like to have both riding styles in one, or at least something that could quickly be changed out.  Impractical I suppose...

Some road bicyclists (triathletes) use those "aero bars" alternatively "tri bars".  I can't say that would work out to well on a motorcycle; but when I had a 150 cc scooter I had planned on rigging that kind of setup for it.  There wasn't a whole lot of force required to overcome the forces from its design.  Going from Sedona to Phoenix (~120 mi) I spent most of the time tucked.  Though I did it mostly to eek out every measly bit of speed I could, and less for comfort from the constant buffeting.  Riding straight out 3.5 hours on the r65 is equivalent to riding that scooter maybe 9 hours!  Riding that scooter in those kind of conditions adds a few more negotiating techniques into the equation.  All of which I do not miss.  

[tvrla]

How about stretching exercises?

Three and a half hours is a long time to be in one position. I can sit in the car that long, but a couple hours is long enough on the bike! I plan bike trips with that in mind - every couple hours, take a break for ten to twenty minutes. I can go all day long like that.

Sometimes when I have to I can last three hours to the next fill up, but after a while breaks become necessary.

[Air4Life]

Yep, that's the best advice... I guess I can kiss winning the iron butt rally goodbye.

[tvrla]

After riding from Los Angeles to Portland Oregon one December many years ago I took a serious look at why I ride bikes. I realized I didn't have to prove anything to anyone about endurance or anything. I ride for the pleasure of it, and riding in the winter, freezing my ass off, worrying about black ice, road closures, visibility and numerous other things isn't fun.

I have ridden the interstate, but in those cases it was a transportation issue, not a pleasure thing, and speed was of the essence. That's different. But normally I take the back roads and make it fun.

I won't be doing the Iron Butt either - just does't sound like fun to me!

[Air4Life]

I can certainly appreciate that sentiment.  Part of me would love to do a large tour on it, but trips like the one above remind me to question anything of longer duration.  The allure of the simple travel by bike is checked by the realistic disadvantages that come along with that kind of riding.  I too, have absolutely nothing to prove.  

All that considered, I do like the fact that that trip saved me thirty dollars worth of gas as well as in toll charges.  I just wish splitting lanes was legal here, I could save so much time when the traffic comes to a halt.

[donbmw]

Most of the trips I have made my first  day and the last day of the trips usaully turn in to the longest miles per day for the trip up to 800 miles. The other days are 300 to 500 miles depending on stops. I have only done one time over 1000 miles in one day and that was not planned on.

[Air4Life]

Wow, that's some healthy miles for a R65 driver.

What makes this trip difficult - challenging, is that by the time I am returning on the last 2 hour leg, its all auto's - everywhere.  And some people seem to be more important than others.  Its hard to ask for their special papers, but its obvious that they are more important than the tens of thousands of others along that route.