Anyone done one? It's totally doable. I've ridden over 850 miles in a day but it has always been on mostly 2 lane roads. I want to get that notch on my belt.
Thousand mile day.
- Thread starter super rat
- Start date
Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
SwollenRaccoon
Well-known member
OK, I will be a jerk....Why do you want to do 1,000 miles in a day? Just to say you did it? Which is an OK reason if you want to tell people, but most won't care. If it's a ride to get to somewhere fast, that's a valid reason too. I like to enjoy my rides, but I have also completed long rides just to get somewhere. Most of it wasn't fun, but it was still better than riding in a car.
(I see your geographic location......I rode 940 miles to get to Longmont, then spent 4 or 5 days riding around in the mountains, which was a blast. See? Nobody cares how far I rode.....)
(I see your geographic location......I rode 940 miles to get to Longmont, then spent 4 or 5 days riding around in the mountains, which was a blast. See? Nobody cares how far I rode.....)
Lawrence
Well-known member
Lots of folks have done such https://www.ironbutt.com/themerides/ssseries/
I personally got very close to a Saddle Sore 1000, but as that wasn't the intent, (getting home after COG Ride the Rockies rally in Avon CO was) and after a long day, we stopped in Reno NV [as going further was doable, but why bother? and being night-time, and being prudent to slow down (relative to the day's pace) going up and passed Tahoe... meh... ]
In summer, I-70 is rather boring and empty, enabling relatively low-risk, expeditious average speeds [fueling up in Grand River, CO arriving in Salina, UT on 2 hours later on fumes ... usually got over 50% greater distance in that bike's 7.5g tank]
Iron Butt Assoc site and forum has lots of tips. Personally, my top advice is
- backpack style hydration pack (between shirt and jacket, filled with ice if in summer) with easy access drinking tube/valve
- bicycle or compression shorts
- like many physical activities, do NOT use new shoes, helmet, etc... make sure all physical contact items are broken in and comfortable for long-hour rides. For example, my helmet was very comfortable, I thought. but after that long ride, I had to briefly put my helmet back on to go to a different hotel (first stop was fully booked) and that was very uncomfortable... helmet pressure points that were a non-issue for 8 hour rides, became an issue after 12 hours
After I got the FJR, I did an 8-day 3,100 mile Lap of California. memories of that trip (long days of riding, but largely slow twisty mountain roads) are much fonder than the blast across I-70
I personally got very close to a Saddle Sore 1000, but as that wasn't the intent, (getting home after COG Ride the Rockies rally in Avon CO was) and after a long day, we stopped in Reno NV [as going further was doable, but why bother? and being night-time, and being prudent to slow down (relative to the day's pace) going up and passed Tahoe... meh... ]
In summer, I-70 is rather boring and empty, enabling relatively low-risk, expeditious average speeds [fueling up in Grand River, CO arriving in Salina, UT on 2 hours later on fumes ... usually got over 50% greater distance in that bike's 7.5g tank]
Iron Butt Assoc site and forum has lots of tips. Personally, my top advice is
- backpack style hydration pack (between shirt and jacket, filled with ice if in summer) with easy access drinking tube/valve
- bicycle or compression shorts
- like many physical activities, do NOT use new shoes, helmet, etc... make sure all physical contact items are broken in and comfortable for long-hour rides. For example, my helmet was very comfortable, I thought. but after that long ride, I had to briefly put my helmet back on to go to a different hotel (first stop was fully booked) and that was very uncomfortable... helmet pressure points that were a non-issue for 8 hour rides, became an issue after 12 hours
After I got the FJR, I did an 8-day 3,100 mile Lap of California. memories of that trip (long days of riding, but largely slow twisty mountain roads) are much fonder than the blast across I-70
feejerbkb
Well-known member
I managed a little over 1,000 miles in one day back in 2006 riding a 1000cc Kawasaki Concours on a trip where I had 2.5 days to get from Dayton, OH to Portland, OR. Sure was tired the next day and still had to go ~760 miles to get home.
My best day on the FJR was ~760 miles on the stock seat in 2017. Started out in St. Louis, MO and ended up in Limon, CO all on I-70. It was one of the most miserable days I've ever spent on a motorcycle with strong winds and humidity/temperature numbers near triple digits.
My best day on the FJR was ~760 miles on the stock seat in 2017. Started out in St. Louis, MO and ended up in Limon, CO all on I-70. It was one of the most miserable days I've ever spent on a motorcycle with strong winds and humidity/temperature numbers near triple digits.
The fact we have an area on the forum titled Long Distance/Iron Butt Rally should answer that question. I moved your thread to it for 'ya.
And yes I've done a couple of them myself.....one day. wink, wink. And a bunch of other rides including doing 11 of them in 11 days a couple of times before too.
Lawrence's link and the Archive of Wisdom are very helpful.
We did 850 Sunday coming back from Indiana but that was super slow going though little towns no highway. Started at 6 am and didn't get off the bikes until 8 PM, no lunch just gas stops. That got me thinking we could do 1K no problem if the pace was a little higher. I'll get before the season is over. The biggest thing for me is to stand up every chance I get.
NSrider
Well-known member
Several times, just didn't see the need to pay for a piece of paper that says I done it.
BkerChuck
Second hand vegetarian
I've done a few. I'll even admit I wanted that piece of paper that certified that I had had done it.
That being aids, all of mine have been something other than a simple "out and back" type of ride. I have 2 certs for doing Saddlesore rides for Tour of Honor. One of those Tour of Honor rides was 2-up so my g/f could even get her IBA number. That ride covered 1109 miles in 22.5 hours and included 6 Tour of Honor memorials, 2 bonus locations on that same route for a team Strange Grand Tour, 2 locations for a Facebook Ride to Eat event, a dinner break, and 5 fuel stops. I think if done right the planning of the ride is tougher than the ride itself!
That being aids, all of mine have been something other than a simple "out and back" type of ride. I have 2 certs for doing Saddlesore rides for Tour of Honor. One of those Tour of Honor rides was 2-up so my g/f could even get her IBA number. That ride covered 1109 miles in 22.5 hours and included 6 Tour of Honor memorials, 2 bonus locations on that same route for a team Strange Grand Tour, 2 locations for a Facebook Ride to Eat event, a dinner break, and 5 fuel stops. I think if done right the planning of the ride is tougher than the ride itself!
The reason was explained above. Because there are a lot of fabricators out there and you don't want to be one.
Charles.Robinson
Member
I've done it numerous times (usually about 1300 miles) back in the 1990's on my old FJ1200 while running various "Team Strange" 24-hour rallies here in Minnesota. Now that I'm older, with a better bike, and best-equipped to run these kinds of events with a minimum of discomfort, I have 100% zero interest in that kind of suffering anymore. 
I'll do it if I've got to, but not without a good reason!
I'll do it if I've got to, but not without a good reason!
My opinion is that it’s not physically possible for a human being. 
I did 999 once but just couldn’t go that last mile.
I did 999 once but just couldn’t go that last mile.
Old Guy
Well-known member
It's not difficult. I've done 951 in 15 hours. One more hour would have done it, and the first couple of hundred of that was 2-lane. In fact, a couple of hundred miles were in the rain. Just choose a route of mostly interstate with little or no construction and hope not to get caught in any wrecks. I just did it going home. I had intended to ride until I was tired, but I had 500 miles in my lunch. I was headed west for Little Rock, Arkansas, and once I got to Memphis I decided I wasn't stopping in Arkansas. I'd just go on home and surprise my wife.
I got home around 9:00 pm, and my wife wasn't there. That was nothing unusual; she traveled in her job, but my idea to surprise her sort of fizzled.
I got home around 9:00 pm, and my wife wasn't there. That was nothing unusual; she traveled in her job, but my idea to surprise her sort of fizzled.
I've done 1180 miles 3 times, from Dana Point , California to Loveland,Colorado stopping only for fuel and food and an occasional cat-nap.Why? Because I really enjoy riding and after 900 miles I couldn't justify getting a hotel room being so close.
I have completed 1000 miles in less than 24 hours three times and one time I did register the ride with the Iron Butt Association. Now. that I am retired I tend to stay off the interstate and take my time.
Here are a few things that I recommend: Drink lots of water and make sure that the color of your urine is clear and not yellow. It is easy to get dehydrated on a bike. Stay away from stimulants like coffee. I pack nuts, oranges, granola bars, carrots, hard cheese, sardines, crackers, and crackers for snacks, and of course lots of water. I do not stop at restaurants. Take your time because if you are driving too fast you will be tense and become fatigued. I can ride along time if I do not become fatigued.
I live west of Minneapolis and was leaving for Saratoga NY. I left around three in the afternoon and drove to Rockford Illinois where I stopped at a rest stop and took a nap for a few hours, then drove through Chicago at about one in the morning when there was no traffic. I hate driving through Chicago, but at one in the morning, I was able to get through quickly. By the time I got to Pennsylvania the sun was coming up and got my second wind. I just took my time and eventually got to about 1,060 and got gas and found another biker who signed the paperwork to acknowledge the time and place. I was almost to the border of NY and the following day I was in the Saratoga area for lunch.
Here are a few things that I recommend: Drink lots of water and make sure that the color of your urine is clear and not yellow. It is easy to get dehydrated on a bike. Stay away from stimulants like coffee. I pack nuts, oranges, granola bars, carrots, hard cheese, sardines, crackers, and crackers for snacks, and of course lots of water. I do not stop at restaurants. Take your time because if you are driving too fast you will be tense and become fatigued. I can ride along time if I do not become fatigued.
I live west of Minneapolis and was leaving for Saratoga NY. I left around three in the afternoon and drove to Rockford Illinois where I stopped at a rest stop and took a nap for a few hours, then drove through Chicago at about one in the morning when there was no traffic. I hate driving through Chicago, but at one in the morning, I was able to get through quickly. By the time I got to Pennsylvania the sun was coming up and got my second wind. I just took my time and eventually got to about 1,060 and got gas and found another biker who signed the paperwork to acknowledge the time and place. I was almost to the border of NY and the following day I was in the Saratoga area for lunch.
thefix
Well-known member
A buddy of mine has most people beat on time vs. distance on an unusual bike. He had many bikes at one time. And decided he'd do it on an early Boss Hoss 350ci Chevy engine, one speed tranny. Completed 1500 miles in less than 24 hrs . I believe all documented with the IronButt group, from Daytona, FL. to White River Junction VT. He lives in CT. He was an "animal" at distances. Cheers....
I remember Bill Crittenden in the '05 IBR on one and entertaining story of his DNF. But I don't see any other "Boss Hoss" bikes on the finishers list for any of the certified rides Maybe he didn't call it that model and a different bike name?
It's only 24 hours. How does your normal day go? Do you spend more than a third of it standing around doing nothing? 8 hours working, 8 or so hours playing, and whatever is left is for sleeping. Skip that last part just once and stop for a 20 minute power nap IF you need it. Dried snacks in the tank back and some way to drink water while the wheels are rolling. No need to "energy drinks" of caffeine because each forced UP comes with an uncontrolled CRASH (instead of normal fatigue that you can notice coming).
Old Guy
Well-known member
Catch a little luck with traffic, and you don't even need to lose any sleep
I routinely average 60-mph or a little better when traveling on the interstates even considering a quick stop for lunch. torch
Well-known member
I'm still wondering why this question even came up on an FJR forum. It's been a bike of choice amongst the long distance community since it's introduction. Farkle up the thing with cruise control, touring windshield, GPS, custom seat, backrest, heated grips, highway pegs and a cup holder; don your 'Stich, fire up the bluetooth helmet sound system and then just stay awake in comfort for 16 hours. Only 3 or 4 fuel stops required.
I did a few 1,000+ mile days back when I was young and stupid on a CB175. Stock seat and the word "farkles" hadn't been invented yet but I jury-rigged a cigarette lighter so I could fire up a dart without stopping. I had a rucksack full of maps, spare parts and tools and could change pistons in 2 hours start to finish on the side of the road. Some have done it on even smaller bikes.
My son once rode over 2,000 (Huntsville ON to San Diego CA) in something like 40 hours on a 20 year old 650. But a brake caliper seized up in Ohio on the return trip and parts were not readily available so the bike had to be retrieved in a pickup. Such events are unlikely on an FJR. Heck, with today's tire technology, an FJR could do that entire circuit on one set of skins.
Have fun. Ride safe.
If you want to join the IBA (Iron Butt Association) you need to do a documented 1000 in 24 hours. I have done a few and there are various methods to try. Just get up really early and keep riding! That is one way. Stopping only if you can do all 3 things at once: get gas, get food/drink and hit the bathroom!
I've also left early afternoon, ridden until around midnight and then getting a motel for a few hours. If you time it right, you can do 600-700 miles before you stop. Take a 3-4 hour 'nap' and then finish the next day.
