MSTA Forums
Main Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Smaug on May 01, 2019, 09:53:15 AM
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Once in awhile, I see a nostalgic comment about how back in the day, folks used to tour on what we would now consider small bikes and how "luggage" meant tying or bungeeing a duffel to the back.
I'd love to see pictures and hear the stories, with all the gory details about hands being buzzed to sleep and hearing loss from lack of wind/ear protection, how you dealt with these challenges. (other than just being tougher, back then)
I'll start.
Some of you met me last year, when I toured on my little Honda CBR500R. (478cc parallel twin) I fitted it with a quieter wind screen, Givi luggage rack and a cheap top case, then bungeed a dry duffel to the passenger seat. It was a good experience. The CBR500R has a less peaky engine than one would imagine by looking at its sporty bodywork. The bike had good power everywhere above 3k RPM and I could use all the power in all the gears. <-- That's both refreshing and annoying. Refreshing because it's fun to rev and shift. Annoying because it is a LOT of shifting, around town. My thumb joint where my thumb joins my hand hurt. Fuel economy was awesome. Around the suburbs, I got 75 mpg, and high 60s on the highway @ 75 mph.
Back when I started in 2000, my first bike was a naked Suzuki SV650. That had a better engine for touring, (more power everywhere) and I believe it was also lighter. I fitted a medium size windshield on it, which took the wind off my body, but the air to my helmet was more turbulent. Givi rack and V46 topcase, large tank bag and a soft tail bag. I like these kinds of luggage arrangements, as they keep the luggage out of the airflow and keep things efficient and less susceptible to gusts and such.
My dad tells stories of touring on his Honda 305 scrambler and 305 Superhawk, back in the 60s. I rode a late 70s Honda CB360, and it was sure buzzy. (but the old air-cooled engines sure sounded good, I think) Were they all like that, back then? (except maybe BMW?) Had they not discovered balance shafts?
Those of you who follow the MSTA Facebook group know that I just bought a 155cc scooter, and I'm thinking of doing some day-tripping on it. It's got a pretty generous underseat storage compartment, zero felt engine heat on those hot days, and room for a small duffel on back and a small bag on the floorboard between the legs. It's so nice and light, and the lack of shifting puts me in a completely different frame of mind while riding. No, it's not called "boredom." It's allows me to think about other things while not neglecting the riding.
Please tell us your touring story on smaller bikes. What was it like? What do you miss about it? Why do you not still like a small bike?
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My wife toured several seasons on a Yamaha FZ6, a 600cc. We outfitted it with Givi side cases and a top box. She also would add a T-bag on the rear seat for our long trips. She took several 5K+ mile trips on it and had really no complaints. Granted she is a small rider but the bike performed well for our touring needs. -JEP-
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I still do almost all of my touring on an FZ6 today. I think that for a single rider it works just fine and I don’t want or need anything larger. I did my 1st “tour” when I was in college in Columbus and rode my 125cc Yamaha Enduro from Columbus to Cincinnati, roughly 100 miles. Rode around Cincy for 2 days and rode back to Columbus the next day. Right on the south side of Columbus the biked stopped running. Turns out I burned up a piston while running 50-55 on the state route home. That was the last trip I ever took on that bike. My next trip of any length was after I got a 750 Nighthawk many years later. My son did his 1st trip from Cincy to Mid-Ohio (150 miles one way) on his 1st street bike, a 1979 Suzuki 550. It had about a tank range of eight at 100 miles and a seat range of 50 miles. Ran great at 55-60 mph, but certainly no wind protection. Soft luggage for sure.
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I toured on a CB400T with my camping equipment strapped to the seat and a stuffed-full set of soft saddlebags. It did not impress with power or fuel range, but the little Honda would cross a stream, hustle moderately well down a twisty road and more than hold it's own on the freeway.
...After that I went mid-size with a Yamaha Vision 550 with a fairing, shaft drive and locking luggage. I still had my camping gear strapped to the seat, still had limited power and fuel range. Those things didn't keep me from having fun.
...Since then I have done extensive hotel touring on a Hawk GT, SV650 and DR650. Bigger bikes are nice for getting to the mountains, but lighter bikes are more fun in the mountains. I am thinking the FJ-09 is a nice compromise between the two.
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A pic from my first and last road trip on a 500.
(https://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwfr-ridersclub.com%2Fgallery%2FrockymountainNPAugust1981.jpg&hash=2ec092ce6912da81d3564ccf746f8bf908993ab2)
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NinjaBob - Have you noticed that CX500s are now one of the favorite bases upon which to build cafe racers now?
I wonder why Honda gave up on the flying vee twin. Shaft drive on small bikes is dead now. :(
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...I did my 1st “tour” when I was in college in Columbus and rode my 125cc Yamaha Enduro from Columbus to Cincinnati, roughly 100 miles. Rode around Cincy for 2 days and rode back to Columbus the next day. Right on the south side of Columbus the biked stopped running. Turns out I burned up a piston while running 50-55 on the state route home.
50-55 doesn't seem too fast for a 125, esp. if it was a two-stroke! Was something wrong with it, or is it just that two-strokes don't like being run at high RPM for too long at a time? I had a 125cc Genuine Buddy 125 scooter that would go 55 no problem. Well, 55 indicated. It was a four stroke single with forced air cooling. Great little bike, except for the headlight.
I had a high school buddy whose first bike was a blue 125 Yamaha enduro two stroke. He was taking shop classes in high school and loved to spend his evenings and weekends wrenching on it. He took me for a ride on it one time, I thought I was going to die. I seem to remember hitting 80, briefly. Together, we probably weighed 250 lbs.
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...Since then I have done extensive hotel touring on a Hawk GT, SV650 and DR650. Bigger bikes are nice for getting to the mountains, but lighter bikes are more fun in the mountains.
Have you ever ridden one of the newer, liquid-cooled KLRs? (now discontinued) I wonder how a stock DR650 compares. I ask because I had one of the newer KLRs, an '08 or so. It was an oil-burner, but was good otherwise. Remarkably comfortable. That little bikini fairing did a great job, and so did the plush suspension. It would cruise at 70 no problem.
I am thinking the FJ-09 is a nice compromise between the two.
I agree. Everybody seems to love them. I came THIS CLOSE -->||<-- to buying Helene's FJ09. Settled on the big Bandit because it was local, a great deal, and the dealer took my CBR500 in trade.
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I rode one KLR and found it to be longer, heavier (more stable for touring?) and it vibrated more than the DR. The KLR has the big tank and higher output alternator as well. I enjoyed riding the DR more.
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NinjaBob - Have you noticed that CX500s are now one of the favorite bases upon which to build cafe racers now?
I wonder why Honda gave up on the flying vee twin. Shaft drive on small bikes is dead now. :(
I was not aware of that. Thought that engine design was obsolete, seemed that way on my trip! Traded for a vf45 Sabre, inspiration for this club. My cx was the cruiser version, there was a standard version but back then I didn't know any better. My poc was in the dictionary next to "noob". Rode to Rocky Mountain no from Louisiana, not even a long sleeve shirt. Spent the whole time in Colorado wearing my rain suit to keep from freezing.
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My first bike was a Suzuki 600 Bandit and I did a few trips on it. Then moved up to a CBR600 last model before fuel injection. Toured in the club for several years trips from 3-10 days. Nothing but a good size tank bag and soft tail bag. I'll try to dig up some pictures and post them. No other mods for comfort, I was young (mid 30s) and foolish then and thought being a big uncomfortable was part of the experience. Once I got a bike with some hard luggage (a Ninja 650 with a Givi top case) I never went back. Now I have 2 touring bikes that both have full had luggage, the bigger one is 1000cc.
Not sure I'll ever ride anything much bigger than the VFR and similar sport touring bikes I've owned.
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Taking it to the next level.See you at STAR
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Taking it to the next level.See you at STAR
Very nice. Where will you be riding it in from?
I won't make STAR this year either; family conflict. I'd have to blow off my daughter immediately after she returns from a 3 week trip to Europe. :(
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NinjaBob: https://www.facebook.com/237607847590/posts/10157079127362591/?sfnsn=mo
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Thanks for the limk. Pretty Cool!
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I nearly have a garage full of small(er) bikes, and they continue to put a smile on my face.
From oldest...
1970 Honda CL70. Yeah, this is pretty much a toy. With a top speed of 40ish, I'm hesitant to get it out on anything other than seriously little backroads. But then I look at the odometer of this bike and it has over 10,000 miles clocked. Wowza...someone put in some serious hours in riding this thing to put that many miles on it.
1975 Yamaha RD125. A little more than a toy, but... As the only 2-stroke in the fleet, it's a bit different. One of the pistons disintegrated the last time I rode it, but it's being repaired.
1980 Suzuki GS450e(s). This is one of my favorite bikes ever. It's about as basic as they come, but it's got a great combination of comfort, reliability, ability to handle all paved roads from little to interstate, and gets pretty decent fuel economy as well. This bike has done several 1000 mile days.
1986 Honda VFR700. Ok, not exactly small, but also not a liter bike. It's the "sporty" bike in the garage and is also all day comfortable if my behind will take it. And that V4 wails!
1988 Honda Hawk GT (NT650). I've knocked down a bunch of miles on this compact little bike...so compact that it's not really an all day bike. But I rode it from TN to Florida for the Jennings track day a couple of years ago and had a blast. I feel like this bike pre-dates many later bikes with a torquey v-twin, stubby under engine exhaust, single sided swingarm, and so forth. But that peg-to-seat distance is certainly a limiting factor to longer rides...my knees just won't take 600 miles in that position like they might have once. I did back-to-back 600 mile days riding this bike to STAR at Lake Eufaula in Ok packed down like a mule with camping gear and such.
1997 Suzuki DR650SE. Yeah, it's a stone ax in a world of computers. And that's why I like it. It's not as smooth as some other 650s and doesn't get the fuel economy, but any shortcomings are known and spares can probably be carried on an adventure to far away and remote places. With an estimated 35hp, it's the right bike for a trip to the far reaches of northern Quebec next summer.
2007 BMW F650GS. Along with the Suzuki GS450, this is THE all time favorite. I've put 110k+ miles on this bike riding across the country on the interstate to get to gravel roads 7 states away. It's had some water pump issues, but now that issue is pretty much resolved.
2007 BMW F650GS Dakar. Just got this one a few months ago with less than 2k miles on it. The 19" front wheel on the standard GS is better all around, but that 21" Dakar front is better for the gnarlier end of the spectrum. I wouldn't consider this a "dirt" bike, but I bought a set of hard bags from a guy that was using his much rougher than I'll use mine. And I also got a spare front rim from a guy that replaced his entire front end with one from a KTM. Some folks are obviously using their Dakars much more aggressively than will I. It'll serve as a lightweight all-around bike for me. Both the standard GS and the Dakar get really good fuel economy...not unusual to see near 70mpg.
Lastly 2017 Honda CB300F. Last year for this model, it was replaced in 2018 by a sport naked model termed a Neo Sport Cafe'..the CB300R. They made it less angular, a little peppier, and decreased the size of the fuel tank. I'm happy with mine. I rode this one to the Big Lynn Lodge a couple of weeks ago and had a ball. It kept up with Doug Pippen (ok...he was taking it easy on us) but the light weight was super. Yes, I was doing a tap dance on the gear-shift lever while everyone else was locked into 1 or 2 gears, but I was grinning the whole time. And then when I filled it up, I averaged 77mpg (including 100 miles of 70mph interstate riding), next tank 86mpg, next tank 83mpg, and last tank 88mpg. Dang! I'm loving that. And yes, those big mileage tanks were at a pace that didn't include a lot of wind pushing. But I've gotta say I love those numbers.
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I have a lot of motorcycles. But I have never taken a trip on say a small bike. I want to get back home.
But let me tell you about my first trip on a bike.
I just got out of the service in 72. First thing I did was get back into school. The second was to take out a student loan for school. But a brand new 250 CZ MX bike and a new 750 Norton Commando Combat Roadster. I had a high school buddy still in the Navy and station in the bay area in San Francisco. In 75 I thought I would ride my bike out West and see him.
In 1975 Honda comes out with a new to the world Goldwing. I would look at pictures of that bike in aw. I had to have it. The dealer is getting only 2 of them. And of course they want more than list price. After a lot of screaming they sold it to me for list price. The bike came just 2 weeks before I left on the trip.
This bike was quiet like a car. Smooth. Perfect for a long trip. First problem is the bike is not set up for touring. Nobody makes a dam thing for it. So what can I do. My GI duffel bag laying across the seat with buggy cords is the hot set up. It worked pretty good really. lol.
On my way. First day I meet up with 2 Harley riders. They have to get gas every 60 miles. I can go at least 150 on a tank. Any way at the end of the day we all sleep on park benches.
The next morning I say goodbye and throttle up.
Back in 75 there wasn't that many freeways like today. The wing does 100 like nothing. I find a cop hiding in a corn field. He stops me. Wants to know where I got this bike. What is it. It's a Honda. No it isn't. Honda doesn't make a bike like that. yes they do. No they don't. Well it say Honda all over it. On the gas tank, the seat, and the engine. More was said but he let me go.
I get to the Rockies and I see other bikes with lots of clothes on. You know like it was cold out. I was wearing a T shirt. It was hot out. It doesn't take long and I am stopping to put more clothes on. As i am going up hill it doesn't take long and I am putting more clothes on. Gez I go a few more miles and I am stopping to put more clothes on. I don't have much more. I get to the top and stop. The bike rolls forward just a little off the side stand and tips over. I am a little guy. 150 lbs and all the tests on the bike said I could pick it up if it tipped over. I picked it up so fast it didn't even have a scratch on it.
It was so cold out that the last thing I had to put on was my rain gear. I didn't know that in early June there was still snow in those mountains. Nothing like being young and stupid. At the end of the day I was cold. Got out my sleeping bag and sleep under the bike. This for sure sucks. Sleeping bags back then were not all that good. Anyway I made it to CA.
Back then you were to bring your bike in for a tune up to keep the warranty. I bring it to a Honda dealer and he asks me where I got this bike. I said in MN. Noway. We haven't even seen these bikes yet. Oh well I need an oil change and filter. A week later after staying at my friends house it is time to go home.
I decide to go to L.A. first then to MN. Half way there I see a car on the side of the road. I stop to see if they need help. No just letting the car cool down it was over heating. Cars did that back then. Anyway we talk and has we are talking we talk about where we are from. As I am telling him where I am from. he keeps telling me his wife if from there. Well not only that but his wife is from the same town and graduated from the same school and year. 2000 miles from home and how can this be. Unreal.
Pointed home now. Going through the mountains and guess what. You guessed it. I am freezing to death. There are no roads signs. Maybe that is because the snow is so deep it is over the top of the signs. I am thinking of sleeping in some snow machine used to clear the roads. I keep going and finally see a house. I go up and knock on the door and ask if I can just stand in the doorway and warm up. They let me and I will never forget this. I left and stay in a motel that night. You know when you are alone at night like that it gets scary.
Almost home and there is a new problem. Almost 5k on the bike and the tire is almost gone. I call my dad. Dad hook up the trailer. You might have to come and get me. Just start heading my way. I call him back and say just be ready. I have been tailgating trucks and this seems to be working. And it did. I made it and the tire was just starting to show a cord when I rode into the driveway.
New problem again. Nobody make a 17 inch tire. This is the first. Calling Bridgestone and they said there are some on a boat and it will be 6 weeks before they are here. Dam to say the least. A call to Honda. How can you wear out a tire so fast. The bikes have only been here less than a month. I said why did you make a bike that uses a 17 inch tire. Nobody else does. Now I have this bike and I can't use it. Honda is one hell of a company. Their is no such thing as FED X back then. But Honda flew me a new tire from Japan. I had it in 3 days. Way to go Honda. They know how to take care of you.
Since then I have been in every state but Alaska. And all of Canada. I learn a lot on that trip. One of the best I ever have taken. And I still have that bike.
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Cool story, Vince. Thanks for posting it up. And welcome to the forum.
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Hell yeah that was cool!! Even has the bike, lo these many years. :) TM
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Cool story on a cold December night.
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All my touring experience is on mostly underpowered "small bikes" since I've never owned a street bike larger than 800 cc! :-)
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I started touring way back when. My first bike was a 1966 Riverside 250. Back then, a 250 kind of ruled the roads. Very, very few bikes over that size.
The Riverside was black. Had a silver streak in the gas tank. It would run 55 Mph top speed. On the back was my tent. For the FIRST time in my life, I had FREEDOM!! My very first touring trip was 80 miles out to the Illinois River for the night.
Then, in 1967, I upgraded to a Harley 250 Sprint. This bike was a beast. It could go 80 Mph!! It just cruised along at 55 Mph with plenty of throttle for high speed blasts.
I put over 35,000 miles on that bike in a year and a half. Many camping trips. Same old boy scout tent. And, a blanket. Not even a pillow. But, I was FREE!!!! 8)
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I started touring way back when. My first bike was a 1966 Riverside 250. Back then, a 250 kind of ruled the roads. Very, very few bikes over that size.
The Riverside was black. Had a silver streak in the gas tank. It would run 55 Mph top speed. On the back was my tent. For the FIRST time in my life, I had FREEDOM!! My very first touring trip was 80 miles out to the Illinois River for the night.
Then, in 1967, I upgraded to a Harley 250 Sprint. This bike was a beast. It could go 80 Mph!! It just cruised along at 55 Mph with plenty of throttle for high speed blasts.
I put over 35,000 miles on that bike in a year and a half. Many camping trips. Same old boy scout tent. And, a blanket. Not even a pillow. But, I was FREE!!!! 8)
That's a great memory!