[Darque_Bike636]

So I did my first "touring" stint on the Stryker. I rode up to Duluth, MN to meet up with my parents and their friends (from North Dakota). We then rode up the North Shore a little ways on 61, then hopped on Hwy 1 over to Ely, MN. Ended up being about 620 miles round trip. Great weather, outstanding scenery, and excellent roads (although, any Minnesotans should know that there is construction on Hwy 1 that created a 23 mile detour - 11 miles of which is a gravel fire road and cuts out the best 20 miles of Hwy 1).

Couple notes:

• 
  [li]I average 46-48 mpg - I only get about 38 mpg in my usual commuting but I love to ride hard[/li]
  [li]The bike gets a bit of vibration over an indicated 80 mph (which I think is closer to 75 mph actual)[/li]
  [li]A windshield would be nice for freeway speeds, but at an indicated 60 mph through the forest roads I don't think it is necessary (I wear a full face helmet)[/li]
  [li]The o-ring throttle lock/"cruise assist" is outstanding[/li]
  [li]The seat is not the worst stock seat I've ever sat on, but if I planned to road trip regularly, I think I'd be looking for something a bit more plush[/li]

I know this has come up in a number of other threads on longer rides, but are there any more thoughts from others out there?


[/list]

 

[elle]

Wow, that was a nice long ride!

 

[kylelink]

That's... A lot longer than the longest ride I've done on my Stryker.I just did a 300 mile trip yesterday. I agree with the seat point. After a bit, I felt myself adjusting more often than I thought was nessesary. I'm noticing the vibration around 80 as well, although I want to speculate that it's partially wind speed...

I've got to say, the "pick-me-up" on big hills is awesome. Went from 40 to close to 65 on 5% upgrade in about 10 seconds. I was keeping up with my two friend's Warriors and my other friend's Roadstar no sweat. Considering they have slightly bigger engines, I thought I was going to be lagging a bit. Not so.

MPG was about 44, considering that there was some city driving, and I was above 7500 feet for most of the ride.

I know I'm just nodding my head to most of what you're saying, but I'm just glad that I'm not experiencing this stuff

 

[Darque_Bike636]

I'm noticing the vibration around 80 as well, although I want to speculate that it's partially wind speed...

Maybe your right, now that I think of it. On the way north on I-35 from the Twin Cities I didn't notice much vibration at the 80 mph mark, but on the way back there was a steady headwind. The only thing is that I noticed a lot of the vibration in my foot pegs - seems weird that wind would effect that at all.

I should add, the 620 miles was spread across 3 days. Day 1: 160 miles to Duluth from my house. Day 2: 300 mile round trip to Ely and back. Day 3: 160 mile trip back home. And that Day 2 thing was broken up with all kinds of stops as my parents friends had never seen the North Shore of Superior, so I gave them a guided tour.

 

[kylelink]

I'm noticing the vibration around 80 as well, although I want to speculate that it's partially wind speed...

The only thing is that I noticed a lot of the vibration in my foot pegs - seems weird that wind would effect that at all.

Touché. Now that I think about it, yea, it was mostly in the footpegs... Now I'm just not sure anymore, lol.

 

[toby]

I'm noticing the vibration around 80 as well, although I want to speculate that it's partially wind speed...

The only thing is that I noticed a lot of the vibration in my foot pegs - seems weird that wind would effect that at all.

Touché. Now that I think about it, yea, it was mostly in the footpegs... Now I'm just not sure anymore, lol.

Here is my thoughts, when you are fighting the wind you are more tense and you will feel everything more and your engine is actually working harder to maintain the same speed against the wind.

 

[strykenshane]

I couldn't agree more Toby, I had none of this vibration on our ride to Vegas, almost 2400 miles, until the last 100 miles riding in 30 mph crosswinds, I think I felt every inch of pavement in every joint and bone in my body that last 100 miles but I did it on the stock seat and my ass felt fine

 

[toby]

I couldn't agree more Toby, I had none of this vibration on our ride to Vegas, almost 2400 miles, until the last 100 miles riding in 30 mph crosswinds, I think I felt every inch of pavement in every joint and bone in my body that last 100 miles but I did it on the stock seat and my ass felt fine

Ya I love the sock seat. It's almost too comfee to me.

 

[saclean]

Hay Toby, even with the Raodliner at 150 lbs heaver, at highway speeds in the wind there is some vibration. :-\