Taking my first roadtrip on the Gixxer today.

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double0Si

double0Si

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Its been a little while since I've been home. And since this is the weekend of the OSU - USC game, I figure nows as good a time as any to pay a visit. Especially since the riding season for Chicago is coming to an end.

I was going to have to leave Friday night around 3:30AM after work which would suck. But the boss was so generous and gave me the night off since I put in well over 40 hours a week for no over-time (Im on salary, and not even a hefty one.) So I'll be leaving this afternoon after some sleep since I get off in an hour.

I've got 392 miles ahead of me. Sadly none of them worth mentioning. Pretty much boring straight shots. And this is pretty spur of the moment so I dont have time to plan a scenic route. But the weather supposed to be nice all weekend and I'm really looking forward to the road ahead. :D Wish me luck, on these Chicago freeways I'm sure I'll need all I can get.
 
well I made it. In one piece. Got here quicker than I thought (around 5-5 1/2 hours.) Only stretched out while I was pumping gas. I didnt get all that numb like I thought i would. But now my ears wont stop ringing!
 
you need ear plugs. and why would you ride in the middle of the night? i would be tired and there are a lot of drunk drivers on the road.
 
Earplugs ftw!

Everyone says that touring on a crotch rocket is horrifying, but I also beg to differ, its fine! I did 500 miles one day, and 600 the next day on my CBR and came out of it fine.
 
putting any straight miles on a motorcycle is a total waste of miles

If you're into it great, but its like buying F1 car and driving the speed limit in a straight line.

no thanks, I'd rather be in ANY car with a working radio.

Good luck with the trip!
 
Well Id only leave that late at night if it was necessary. And at the time it would have been. I don't have the cash to replace the front upper control arms on the Si or Id have probably taken it. Normally I fly on the companies planes but I've got to be back in Chicago before the next flight out here monday night. All things considered though I'm glad I made the trip. Wish there was time to plan but maybe Ill figure something out for the way back.
Oh and I've worked nights for the part 4 years. Im used to it. Give me a 5hr energy and a Rockstar and Im good to go for the trip. I actually couldn't sleep well after work and only got a broken up hour of sleep. Stupid I know, but I haven't been to sleep since.
 
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if those almost 800 miles were done with my normal riding style. My rear tire would be down 1/3 to 1/4 of its life span =(
 
I've still got the stock Bridgeston Battlax's on it. I'm at 7455 miles on them. Theyre not bare yet. Gettin down there though. I'll get some real tires before next season.
 
double0Si said:
I've still got the stock Bridgeston Battlax's on it. I'm at 7455 miles on them. Theyre not bare yet. Gettin down there though. I'll get some real tires before next season.
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damn dude, I had a CBR with factory battlax tires, @ 2500-2800 they were pretty much toast.

Its weird seeing tire threads on the motorcycle forums and the range of miles you have the crowd who get 7000-8000 miles out of a single tire, then you have the 2000-3000 mile group of guys then you have the weekend tire eaters who can finish off a set of tires in a single track weekend.

What is your idea of real tires? I also have the battax on my GSX-R1000
I like the tires and plan on replacing them with the same tire.
 
Well This was my first bike ever. I learned to ride on it. So I don't yet push them to their limits. I've never ridden on any others but I was told the difference was pretty big from enough people to take notice. I figure its worth a shot as ill probably get some used track tires for a good price. I mostly just commute and Chicago roads might as well be a grid map.
 
double0Si said:
Well This was my first bike ever. I learned to ride on it. So I don't yet push them to their limits. I've never ridden on any others but I was told the difference was pretty big from enough people to take notice. I figure its worth a shot as ill probably get some used track tires for a good price. I mostly just commute and Chicago roads might as well be a grid map.
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Why do you want some used track tires? there's no reason for you to run anything other then the OEM or other equal rated tires. unless you're doing track days?
 
They're cheap. They usually still have most their tread in the middle. Like I said that's where most of my riding takes place so for the price they're worth it.
 
jeffie7 said:
If you're into it great, but its like buying F1 car and driving the speed limit in a straight line.

no thanks, I'd rather be in ANY car with a working radio.
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Like buying a fit to autocross with?

Would you ride in the fit for 800 miles?
 
I love riding the bike, but I can already say i did the Chicago-C-Bus run on the bike so I think I would even prefer the Fit right now. They're a smooth ride. Actually I am to return today and with winter approaching and an eventual move back to Columbus anyway I'm seriously contemplating just catching a ride on one of our planes and leaving the bike here.

I just have to consider the fact that that'll mean I have to make room in the budget for the Si control arms now as opposed to in the near future. And also that I'll be cutting my season short again much the same as the forced move did last year. But honestly I am not looking as forward to the return as I was the way out here. I've just got this bad feeling about it.
 
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awptickes said:
Like buying a fit to autocross with?

Would you ride in the fit for 800 miles?
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If the roads were nothing but backroads with zero highways then no, I'd take the bike anyday, however if 30% or more of the ride was highways. Nope no thanks Give me the fit ANYDAY over a motorcycle.

A/C or Heat + radio = win.

And it's more like taking a classic chevy nova to an auto x event.
 
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