Xmas ride

[Mr Lefty]

So I'm planning a ride up to my parents for Xmas... it'll only be one way as I'm picking up my girlfriends truck and driving it home...

I plan to leave about the 20th or 21st of Dec... I'm taking my time so not sure how long it'll take me... but I'm meeting my Girlfriend in Soux Falls on the 23rd... so I may go all the way to Fargo then come back down...

figure I'll leave as early as possible... ride as far as I want... and get a room. repeat. figure I'll get 5-600 miles in the first day... no rush... all back roads... staying of the freeway almost completely the entire trip. should be around 1700 miles so it'll kill off my D606's good thing I'm not riding back down!

My steed will be my 09 DRZ400s...



So heated gear is pretty much out of the question with the limited power of the stator. but as I've been riding it every day in the high 40's I think I'll be alright with a couple layers, frequent stops, and a naughty pic of my girl on the bars to keep me warm


Right now I need to:
get a balaclava
make some hand protectors(from the wind)... thinking of seeing if I can find some of that thick canvas type material... something like these

or something like this
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/hippo-hands/

invest in some wind proof pants
figure out a luggage system... almost burnt a hole in my Cortechs on the way to work (15 miles) cause they sat on the exhaust

that's pretty much it.









that's the over view...

here's my plan in a bit more detail











any input?

[No Worries]

I went riding yesterday in 48 degrees. Even with my Hippo Hands, long johns, and two wind block sweaters under my leathers, I was cold. And it's a dry cold here. In the end of December in the humid Midwest, you can run into some fierce winter storms. Sub-zero temps, blinding snow, ice, freezing drizzle, and wind that can blow you over, or blow snow onto a clear road and then freeze into black ice. Other than that, it could be a nice ride.

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by No Worries

I went riding yesterday in 48 degrees. Even with my Hippo Hands, long johns, and two wind block sweaters under my leathers, I was cold. And it's a dry cold here. In the end of December in the humid Midwest, you can run into some fierce winter storms. Sub-zero temps, blinding snow, ice, freezing drizzle, and wind that can blow you over, or blow snow onto a clear road and then freeze into black ice. Other than that, it could be a nice ride.

yeah but other than that... I should be ok right?


I'm riding every morning in 48* weather... with jeans (nothing under them) and my first gear Kilimanjaro Jacket... vented gloves and Moose MX boots... I'm perfectly fine, though hands could use a bit of warming usually. course by the time I get there it's probably in the low 50's.

I think if I get what I mentioned I should be ok as far as being cold...

I'm more worried about the wind... that's the one thing that sucks on this bike... it's so light takes nothing to blow it over...

the route I'm taking keeps me on somewhat major roads and in the hills... so they should be somewhat clear even after a storm... but also somewhat shielded from the wind. (I hope)

once I go north of Springfield I'm fucked as far as that goes...

but oh well... it's all part of the adventure... if this is the only way I can make the Mid west interesting... so be it!

[karl_1052]

Just hope you don't get trapped in a storm, cause that would suck.

I would also swap the knobbies for street tires.

[Trip]

I think you are going to have a bad time if it is snowing or stormy and I will laugh and point. Heated gear and as much wind protection material you can get on you ftmfw. Great gloves are a must for that long of a trip. No windscreen is going to suck.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

I would also swap the knobbies for street tires.

I wouldn't given the time of year...

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I wouldn't given the time of year...

Knobbies on snowy dirt are fine, knobbies on snowy pavement=asphalt eating.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Knobbies on snowy dirt are fine, knobbies on snowy pavement=asphalt eating.

How 'bout put street tires on and bring the knobbies just in case?

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Knobbies on snowy dirt are fine, knobbies on snowy pavement=asphalt eating.

I was thinking about this a lot today... ( I over think all my trips)

I have the 70(on road)/30(off road) Stock Trail wings, and the 10/90 Dunlop D606's

I think you're right... I'm not gonna hit much off road... and more than likely... I'll hit wet pavement(point for the Trail wings) or ice... (point for the trail wings as they have more land area) Snow is a given... but I don't think the knobbies will provide THAT much more traction over the Trail wings, as I'm doubting I'll be riding in more than a couple inches.

[101lifts2]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think ur fucking stupid for riding a bike towards the end of December 1700 miles up to North Dakota. I mean seriously you are talking about riding in 45 degree weather, which is nothing compared to 10 degrees or less. Your shield will be constantly fogging up, your hands will be frozen (esp. without heated grips) as with your feet. And if it snows, you will be fucked and have to pull over, which could be for days. Not to mention bikes are not meant to be ridden in anything below 32F. Wheel bearings may seize, the clutch lever may stick or the carbs may ice up.

Anyway, enjoy the trip!