BB Long Distance Touring

BigSven · 07-23-2008, 7:29 PM

I am looking for a touring bike, and am considering the BB. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I really like long distance riding. I'm going to take my little XRL on a 3200mi trip next month, for instance. I just got done with a 520mi one day ride on an ST1300, and it was fast but ho hum. The FJR is slightly lighter and much faster, but otherwise seems more of the same. The Interceptor seems too slow and small for the price, and doesn't seem to score well in shootouts.

I'm 6'1" with a short (30") inseam, pretty heavy at ~275lb. My frontrunners right now are probably the R1200GS (don't like the ergo on the R1200RT) and the Buell XB12XT. Yes, I know they are adventure touring not sport touring, but I like the fact that they are lighter and more easily tossed around than the big S-Ts. I'll probably try the VStrom 1000 before I buy.

But I love Hondas, and the BB seems like the most handsome bike of the last 20 years. So...

(1) Is it crazy to want to put 500-700mi/d on a BB?
(2) If not, what are the keys to long distance touring on a BB?

Thanks in advance.

Taetor · 07-23-2008, 7:42 PM

A lot of guys like the XX for touring, myself included. For touring you'd probably want to lower the footpegs and raise the bars and ad a taller shield. An aftermarket seat is highly recommended too, some hard luggage is available too but you'll probably need to beef up the suspension if you load it up heavily with any regularity.

On backroad riding, I do ~400 mile days pretty often, slabbing I can do 600-700 per day with not much trouble.

I've been on my XX for 10 years now, love it! For the prices they're at now you could get into one pretty cheap and trick it all out and still be less than lots of other bikes.

Biometrix · 07-23-2008, 7:52 PM

1. No, I don't think it's crazy
2. Get it setup first for ride comfort and then second to stow enough gear.

I bought the BB specifically for solo touring. I have the Valk for 2-up touring but I wanted something much more nimble and lighter for myself. I seriously looked at the ST1300 but honestly wasn't thrilled with the ergos or the hardbags. After researching a bit I concluded that the BB would fit the bill for me and picked up a used one with low miles and some nice farkles too.

To set it up for long distance ergo-wise I have the Heli bars, a Givi screen, the peg extenders, Vista-Cruise throttle lock and a Sargent seat. For gear I have a set of Nelson Rigg Silver Streak saddlebags, a Ventura Aero Spada VII 51 Litre pack and a tank bag.

The only thing electrical I added to the bike was a GPS and two Powerlet outlets in case I wanted to use heated gear or charge my cell phone. I'm real happy with this setup and while I haven't done 500mi in a day I did do around 400 a couple of times but I like to take my time on trips and stop for a smoke once in a while.

ArmyStrong · 07-23-2008, 9:45 PM

Can't go wrong!

SilverBrd · 07-23-2008, 10:45 PM

I haven't taken my Bird on a long tour yet but I have rode up to 300 miles in a day and have little or no discomfort during the ride. I believe that you will need to modify the Bird slightly for long runs as you are talking about though. I would have to agree with what the other guys are suggesting to you to make her fit your needs. The performance alone will entice you to buy her anyways.

gixxer11 · 07-24-2008, 10:05 AM

I also agree I ride 2 up Im 5'10 and my girl is 5'6 corbin gunfighter and lady seat with backrest just got back from a 1000 mile trip no problems fully loaded I do have the genmar risers but will probabbly spring for the 02 up vfr clip ons as they have more of a wrist freindly angle as my wrists take their tool on the long rides and a throttle mieister is also on my list thats I feel would make the bird the kind of bike I think you looking for as far as power and handling I have no issues and I ride pretty aggresively 2 up and cruise in the 95-105 range traffic and weather permitting and get 33-34 mpg.
Hope this helps......chris

1100xxben · 07-24-2008, 12:00 PM

My wife and I just got back from a 2000 mile trip in 7 days of riding and I think the blackbird is a great bike for sport-touring. I have a full set of Givi luggage (150 liters of total storage) and even strapped on a duffel bag as well and she still gets up and goes. I have stock pegs and handlebars and don't have huge complaints. We were on 2-lane highways the entire trip through Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina so we covered about 300 miles per day winding around through the mountains. She has her own bike because she likes to be in control and she has bad knees and can't stand the pegs on the back of the bird, but some people don't have that problem. Even with the extra weight of the luggage, I still managed the best mileage I have ever gotten at 41.5 mpg and I broke 40 on at least 3 tanks (Commuting to work I typically get 36ish). Of course, we're all a little biased on here, but my vote is go for the XX!

Styles · 07-24-2008, 1:35 PM

Welcome aboard! It's good to see another PNW rider here. As I noted in my first post, I took my '99 on a cross-country jaunt immediately (4200 miles). Bought to complement to my ST1100, it does that well: It adds more sport to the other's touring strengths. But both bikes are properly STs.

My only caution (since you live in this damp climate) is not to think an ST ho hum. It provides added wind protection in colder weather.

But in summer, prepare yourself for some fun!

Styles

MotoRacerGabe · 07-24-2008, 1:54 PM

the blackbird suits me extremely well for touring. i'm 6' about 170 lbs.
rode from el paso tx to sacramento and back in 10 days and i wasnt as sore as i thought i was. it was an awesome trip and the blackbird didnt give me any problems. it was great.

i put on lowering peg brackets and a throttle lock. whenever i go on longass rides like that i put on my zero gravity windshield, helps out A LOT, and i throw on my nelsen rigg bags and tail bag for luggage.

you'll love having the SPORT in the bike when you get out on open roads

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...p/P3240168.jpg

BigSven · 07-24-2008, 2:44 PM

Styles, don't get me wrong. The ST was great above 30mph, and kept up with my buddy's R6 on the North Cascades Highway. Smooth and powerful engine, smooth and powerful brakes, awesome windscreen.

But... I was prepared to love the bike, and instead felt at the end that it was somewhat of a Gold Wing for people who don't want a Gold Wing. The weight was just a big issue at low speed. Heck, I could *barely* get the bike on the center stand, and I weigh 275lb!

I think in another decade (I'm 39) I'll value smoothness over flickability, but for right now it's not the direction I want to go.

Regarding weather, anything will be an improvement over my XR650L, which I ride year round (though only 1x/wk in Dec-Mar...) One q for you, though- living in the NW, do you ever wish for ABS? It's one of the reasons I'm attracted to the R1200GS, and why I haven't totally ruled out the Interceptor.

KiwiBird · 07-24-2008, 11:24 PM

G'day from NZ! I've done four 1000 miles in 24 hours organised endurance rides and a 4000 km in 5 days round NZ endurance ride and apart from fitting an aftermarket seat (which has been mentioned already), it does the job perfectly. I've also fitted lowered footpegs as a concession to damaged knees and improved the lighting but they aren't really necessary for long haul work.

I think that the 'bird is fine irrespective of age - I'm 60!

Cheers,

Geoff

StealthBird · 07-25-2008, 12:00 AM

LUV hitting the Road with my Bird. You can't go wrong at all!!!

Styles · 07-25-2008, 12:05 AM

In answer to your ABS question, BigSven: I've never had an ABS bike but understand their clear appeal; the CBR's Linked Brake System is a plus (meaning it beats my ST). For my money, the Blackbird beats the VFR hands down.

As for the ST, I was referring just to its superior wind management in cold. A liter bike may offer more power and flickability but the Bird's not far behind -- and much more stable.

Maybe it's my age, but my bikes complement one another well, as I said.

All the best in your search.

Styles

Strek · 07-25-2008, 1:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSven

I am looking for a touring bike, and am considering the BB. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I really like long distance riding. I'm going to take my little XRL on a 3200mi trip next month, for instance. I just got done with a 520mi one day ride on an ST1300, and it was fast but ho hum. The FJR is slightly lighter and much faster, but otherwise seems more of the same. The Interceptor seems too slow and small for the price, and doesn't seem to score well in shootouts.

I'm 6'1" with a short (30") inseam, pretty heavy at ~275lb. My frontrunners right now are probably the R1200GS (don't like the ergo on the R1200RT) and the Buell XB12XT. Yes, I know they are adventure touring not sport touring, but I like the fact that they are lighter and more easily tossed around than the big S-Ts. I'll probably try the VStrom 1000 before I buy.

But I love Hondas, and the BB seems like the most handsome bike of the last 20 years. So...

(1) Is it crazy to want to put 500-700mi/d on a BB?
(2) If not, what are the keys to long distance touring on a BB?

Thanks in advance.

You mention that the ST and FJR are ho hum. The intercepter is slow and small.(by the way it recently kicked the snot out of a comparble BMW in a magazine shoot out test but I don't recall the model of the BMW). You also mention some other possibilities. The Buell, R1200GS. Vstrom. Since it seems like you are looking for something with a bit more snap and fun factor then the ST and FJR and feel the intercepter might be small and slow I believe the bird would be your best option. It packs more punch and handles better then the FJR and ST. It will run away from the Buell. I think from what you are describing that you would be most happy with a bird with some minor mods to accomodate your preferences in riding position and size.

blackbird11xx · 07-25-2008, 8:54 AM

A Blackbird for a touring machine..... Hell Yes!
I have an 02 with Honda OEM Hardbags, Throttle lock and HID's I put over 12,000 miles on it in the last year. I regularly run 400-600 mile days and did a Saddle Sore Iron Butt. Recently completed a 2400+ 4 day trip (it was all about the riding) through NC, TN, GA, including a run up the Dragon, fully loaded and still kicked a$$ of many sport bikes.

The only area I would say is a little weak on the Blackbird, is space for electronics, but I solved that by building a "commander" tank bag, into which I built 3 power outlets, a CB radio, an intercom and a GPS. it still has space for my IPOD, phone, camera, etc.

One of my regular riding buddies has an FJR and is about the only one who can stay even close to me. We don't ride hard while touring but the Blackbird just eats the road, especially the bends and twisties so much better.

I have also done a couple of 500+ mile days 2 up, its great for me but the passengers starts to feel the stock seat a lot at that point.

Yer after every long ride you would have a tough time beating the grin of my face with a stick.