Couple of questions re: multi-day trips and belt guards. Thoughts please!

[AZredhead]

Hello Fellow Ryders!

I'm looking into several solo distance rides this year and was wondering what solo adventures some of you have had. This isn't the first time I've been out on multi-day trips, but it will be the first time I've gone out solo for multiple days. Thus, looking for thoughts, ideas, etc.

I was also wondering about the benefits of installing a belt guard on my Spyder. I have toyed with this on/off many times. I occasionally end up on gravel or dirt roads, but not often. Thoughts would be most appreciated.

Ride safe.

Reggie in Phoenix

 

[PistonBlown]

Hello Fellow Ryders!

I'm looking into several solo distance rides this year and was wondering what solo adventures some of you have had. This isn't the first time I've been out on multi-day trips, but it will be the first time I've gone out solo for multiple days. Thus, looking for thoughts, ideas, etc.

I was also wondering about the benefits of installing a belt guard on my Spyder. I have toyed with this on/off many times. I occasionally end up on gravel or dirt roads, but not often. Thoughts would be most appreciated.

Ride safe.

Reggie in Phoenix

Knowing this forum you'll probably be told to buy an RT by all the RT owners

However like you I have at RS and use it for long distance and multi-day rides with no issues, it's certainly the most comfortable bike I've ever owned.

I've got standard bars, pegs, screen and seat.

I've added:

• SmoothSpyder Backrest - I have this in the 'front rider' position so I can lean back against it ever so often to take the pressure off my arms.
• Grip Puppies - They just take a little of the vibration out of the bars
• Bar-end weights - For the same thing as above
• Panniers just for carrying petrol can's and my pump/tire repair kit (there can be big gaps between open petrol stations here)
• tank bag
• Holder for my mobile phone so I can also use it as a GPS if needed
• Beltguard

 

[JayBros]

Do the belt guard. JMO.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I would worry more about the chip seal roads than gravel or dirt. When they put the oil down that stuff gets real nasty and the stones can do a lot of damage. I would try to avoid them like the plague.

Have fun and be sure to let someone know where you are planning on going each day and check in at the end of the day.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Belt guard is a inexpensive item to protect your belt.

Cruzr Joe

 

[PistonBlown]

Forgot to say I have the belt guard and it just gives piece of mind on untarred roads etc. The marks on it show that it's done it's job a few times.

However I've also had a stone damage the belt despite the guard. The danger, as SpyderAnn01 said, is chip/tar roads. In my case I had to ride over freshly laid chip/tar where the tar was still hot. As a result the tar helped the chips stick the tires and they showered everywhere. The front-left was actually the worse as the stones where flying back onto the unprotected side of the belt.

 

[NautiBrit]

Keep your daily mileage goals at a reasonable level. 300-350 is comfortable, as you're going to get beaten up on a bike far more than in a car. Stop early, smell the roses, have a nice dinner and leave some time along the road to explore and make friends.

 

[Spyder601]

Keep your daily mileage goals at a reasonable level. 300-350 is comfortable, as you're going to get beaten up on a bike far more than in a car. Stop early, smell the roses, have a nice dinner and leave some time along the road to explore and make friends.

Took the words right out of my mouth!!

 

[PistonBlown]

Keep your daily mileage goals at a reasonable level. 300-350 is comfortable, as you're going to get beaten up on a bike far more than in a car. Stop early, smell the roses, have a nice dinner and leave some time along the road to explore and make friends.

Took the words right out of my mouth!!

Not mine though because once I start riding I don't like to stop - This weekend for example I'm doing an endurance rally where I'll be clocking up approximately 3000km (1860 miles) in 48 hours.

 

[OJ UK]

Not mine though because once I start riding I don't like to stop - This weekend for example I'm doing an endurance rally where I'll be clocking up approximately 3000km (1860 miles) in 48 hours.

Hard arse! You couldn't do that safely in the UK because of the amount of traffic.....best of luck!

AZredhead....All the above advice is really good. Don't let yourself get tired and choose your own speed.

 

[MouthPiece]

You never need something until that "one time" you need it.
<smiles>

Chris

 

[kngfsh27]

Be sure to take a camera. Don't worry about a schedule. Go off course. I have days that I have traveled over 300 miles. Then I have had days I only went about 50 miles.

 

[ARtraveler]

All good advice above. If you are worried about rocks in the belt, buy the belt guard. It is insurance that will make your rides less anxious.

When riding solo, there are always things that can mentally screw up your riding pleasure--if you choose to think about them.

Like NautiBrit said above--enjoy the ride, stop and smell the roses, etc. etc. :yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: with pretty much everything that has already been said... so takes lots of pictures, for those of us that are stuck in our offices! :shocked:

 

[rt1200rt]

Belt Guard

I installed the belt guard(correctly) and found that either by environmental heat or (?) that the guard was chaffing the side of my tire. Noticed this after several thousand miles. It was not touching the tire when sitting still. This is on a 2015 RT. I removed the guard until I can find a better solution.
Bob

 

[PistonBlown]

Hard arse! You couldn't do that safely in the UK because of the amount of traffic.....best of luck!

You're probably right at that, furthest I rode in one go in the UK was from Brixton to the ferry crossing from Claonaig to Lochranza (Isle of Arran) but that was 25 years ago.

 

[Yazz]

I love riding solo. It's a great experience! You need to do it at least once, more if you like it.

Getting the rock guard is peace of mind for me. Never have had a rock caught in the belt, even when passing through freshly tarred and graveled roads. (Kept some of the tar on the GS in hidden places as a memento of good times.)

As far as the guard chaffing the wall of the rear tire... IMHO, the tread will wear out before the wall.

Have a good time, smell the roses, and watch whatever you want on TV at night. :2thumbs:

 

[AZredhead]

Thank you for all the words of encouragement and thoughts.

I will be ordering the guard in the next couple of days.

I love riding solo. Did several solo weekend journeys a few years back when I had my Yamaha and lived in Nebraska, but this will be the first time I've done any solo distance riding on the Spyder. Should be an easier time, but since it's something 'new', it's always nice to hear the advice of other solo Spyder ryders. I've had my Spyder about a year now.

The big trip I am considering would be from Phoenix to central Nebraska in early June to see family. Temps here will be getting toasty, but should be comfy for traveling across the midwest. Storms, of course, will always be a possibility. With gas prices so low right now, it's almost a wash to ride vs fly and time on the Spyder is always well worth it. Nothing wrong with few days of 'wind therapy' is there???

Still weighing options right now and plenty of time to decide. I get a little more excited the more I think about it. If I do the trip, I be sure to do a ride report as I travel.
:yes:

 

[JKMSPYDER]

SOLO RIDES

Last July I rode solo from my home in Murphy, NC to Deadwood, SD for the first annual 3 wheeler trike rally. My intention was not to ride solo but two of my fellow riders dropped out at the last minute. But it didn't bother me. I had a blast! One of the best vacations I have ever had. I put on 4,032 miles in 10 days and rode in states I had never been before. This summer I am thinking of taking the ride around Lake Superior. Anyone else is welcome to go with me, but if I have to go by myself I will still have a blast!!

 

[jaherbst]

Consider the Red Rocks Rally in Sept. Some of the most spectacular riding in the world. I would make it a two day trip to St George and spend one night in Kanab, UT. Many of the old west movies were filmed there. John Wayne was a regular. Just south of Kanab is Fredonia. Take #389 west to Colorado City, Hurricane and then St George. North to Page AZ from PHX then Alt.#89 to Kanab. That's how we will go.

Jack