Iron Butt

[GenuineSlacker]

SO, I don't remember where I read about this, but basically the Iron Butt idea is that you go 1000 miles in one go of it, within 24 hours. March, I intend on doing this, decided today, heading from here in Houston TX and going to Colorado, then of course back. Anyone actually believe this could be done on a buddy?

[Micah_Prophet]

I don't have any real idea how doable that is, but I'll buy you a cup of coffee if you make it all the way up to Fort Collins! Let me know the details if you intend to come up this far.

[jaded]

Quite probably, since this, topic19.html, has been done.

[peabody99]

my hat would be off to you, my arse is tired by a 100 miles!!!1

[Keys]

I'm planning a ride from Cottonwood, AZ to Baton Rouge, LA in May on my BD125. It's about 1200 miles one way. I, however, am planning to do it in TWO days.

--Keys

[vitaminC]

The IBA is quite popular with motorcyclists. The real challenge of doing 1k in a day with a Buddy, is that unless you really plan to ride 24 hours, then you need to do a lot of that riding on the interstates and highways where you can keep the speed up. I'm not saying it's impossible with a Buddy, but considering you'll need gas every ~100 miles and can't go too safely on the interstate, I would plan your route very carefully!

Every year the IBA runs the Iron Butt Rally, which covers 10k miles in 10 days! Those guys certainly live up to the moniker!

[GenuineSlacker]

I'm starting to feel like I can actually do this. My uncle rides a GTS 250 and doesn't think I can do it, but is with me all the way. I have buddies up at CSU so I'll deffinetely be headed to Ft. Collins and what not. I would love to pass through OKC and hook up for a short jaunt. From my house to my mum's the ride is 988 miles, so I'd need to fill it in just a little bit. Coming back I think will be the worst. Also I'm still working out times and what not. This will be in March so things will be ironed out, but I will deffinetely keep you guys posted.

Also I can't link to the Mapquest page to show my route, they say they'll have it working soon. Doubtful, but I'm already excited so I don't care.

[MrNatural]

I’ll be pullin’ for ya Slacker, however some quick calculating shows you’ll have little room for error. I’d be easier if you found a nice quiet stretch of highway about 10 miles long and went back and forth.

I know a guy who drove his Harley 36,000 miles in 30 days a couple yrs ago. Went thru all lower 48 states in a 7 day period during this jaunt. Drove from Minneapolis to Wyoming and back the first day. Got one speeding ticket……about 5 miles from his house.

[GenuineSlacker]

Well, if i average 50 mph, then it takes me twenty hours. With a second gallon of gas, I can go approx. 160-180 miles before I need a gass station (and thats just based on the mileage I get when I drive around here, gunning it everywhere) So I figure I leave here around 8pm arrive in denver sometime around 4, which includes time given for gas stops and breakfast, however, not for any sort of traffic.

[lobsterman]

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you could manage to maintain a true 65mph on your Buddy. Let's also say you don't slow down at all or make any bio stops or anything whimpy like that.

Nonstop at 65mph would take you 15 hours and 22 minutes to go 1000 miles.

Put another way, you need to average over 41mph for 24 hours to do 1000 miles.

pocphil did the Lake Erie Loop on a Buddy:

Phil Waters of Pride of Cleveland Scooters, completed the Lake Erie Loop on a Buddy 125, 650+ miles in 12 hours! Phil had an average moving speed of 55mph (wow!) and a top speed of 70mph

So let's further say you could do what Phil did (avg 55mph), and keep it going another 350 miles or so. That would take 18 hours and 11 minutes to go 1000 miles.

You could split it up into 9 hours riding at 55mph, then sleep four or five hours, and another 9 hours at 55mph. At that rate you could even stop to pee once or twice.

I won't be attempting this. I am not against the idea of a long distance ride, but the 1000 miles in 24 hours on a Buddy would be borderline insanity.

[Kevin K]

1000 miles in 24 hours is called a Saddlesore 1000. I've done several of them, but never on a scooter. I think Susan would get suspicious if I were to take her Buddy out for more than a couple of hours.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdo ... fm?DocID=1

Just remember that you need to average 42 mph.
I think it's totally do-able on a Buddy.

In 2004, we took a Kymco People 250 and put almost 1500 miles on it in 24 hours:

http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/2004 ... re69_1.htm

-K

[gt1000]

Honestly, I have no idea if this is possible or not. I know I couldn't do it, even on a nice big motorcycle. Then again, I'm probably a lot older than you.

A few precautionary words are in order though. Your previous post said you'd be leaving at 8pm. Are you planning on riding through the night? If so, averaging a high rate of speed could be dangerous. Animals and road hazards are much more difficult to see and there will be plenty of both no matter what route you take. I can't speak for the other states, but I would do everything in my power to avoid riding through rural Colorado in the dark. Chances are also good that you'll be riding into a healthy headwind on the eastern plains of Colorado.

On a more positive note, depending on the route you take, there are some great old state and federal highways through Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. I'm much less familiar with Texas and Oklahoma. The Buddy should be capable of handling this roads just fine.

I would recommend that you do a search on variations of "touring", "long distance touring", etc. here and on MV (also Google and any other motorcycle forums you can find). A long distance ride is not a minor matter, especially in the West. You need to be prepared with the proper gear, provisions, water and repair kit. If you do go, be sure people at both ends of your trip know the route you're taking. Most importantly, good luck!

[vitaminC]

I would also suggest that your work up to it by gradually increasing the mileage of your rides. Otherwise, you will be hurting very bad at the end. This will allow you to figure out what works for you.

My longest day in the saddle was 500 miles on my SV650, and it will definitely wear you out! A windshield to cut down the wind blast will help, as will ear plugs and good quality gear in general.

[pocphil]

http://www.lakeerieloop.com/images/16dc_1_.jpg

Nick Vanello was riding a Kymco People 250. While the rest of us made a right turn at the Peace Bridge, He made a left and went all the way around Lake Ontario for a total of over 1100 miles in less than 24 hours.

When I arrived back at the camp after 635 miles or so in just over 12 hours I was stiff, and hungry. When I got off the scooter my legs didn't work right. It was probably more to do with having to stay in a racing tuck for the last 300 miles because I was fighting 20 mph headwinds. In less than a half an hour I was feeling great and was seriously contemplating just jumping on my bike and heading back out for another 365 miles just to score a saddlesore 1000 credit in the process of doing the loop. It would have been pretty easy to just run straight down to Columbus and loop back. Good, known roads and not much navigation.

Seriously, if you guys are at all into long distance riding and want to meet good friends in the process, you've got to try the Lake Erie Loop.

You won't regret it.

http://2strokebuzz.com/index.php/?p=3442

Or follow the info above - taken from www.2strokebuzz.com the Best source for scooter info on the web.

[GenuineSlacker]

Well thanks for all the advice guys, trust me I'm taking as many precautions as I can. I grew up in Colorado and did a lot of nighttime traveling, but I still plan on really just doing to boring straight shot to Amarillo in the dark. I'll pass through Dallas on my current projected route. I plan on a straight shot, averaging 55 mph, so as not to tax her too bad. Around my area I can hold 60 steady (adjusted for speedo error) so 55 shouldn't be bad. Also I do plan on purchasing the tall wind screen and a new pair of tires (whether I really need them or not). Love my Corazzo hoodie I got for christmas. Also I have one messenger bag that works great for about 20 lbs of books and sits on the side really well, I intend to pick up another one of those. Food and energy drink are deffinitely coming with me. Lots of people on both ends will know the full route. The big descision I need to make is whether to go oklamhoma/kansas or amarillo/new mexico. The difference is terrain. The latter will make for better pictures I think, but probably lest rest areas. We'll see.

Also, today, had my manager at work suggest that I start collecting sponsors. Now, I'm not stupid enough to hit anyone here up, but everyone else I figure is fair game, and I may even be able to get gas payed for.

[BlueMark]

Are you planning to ride alone?

Do you have any pals willing to drive a sag wagon for you? - A car or truck with support supplies, gas cans (they can refill it as needed and catch up to you). Food and beverage as needed. Rainsuit, A spare tire and tools. First aid kit. If your sag wagon is an RV it could even have a toilet, shower and bed for that quick cat nap as an alternative to riding into a ditch when you can't keep your eyes open.

I don't know if that violates the Ironbutt spirit, but it would be far safer. And they can take video of your ride to regale and amaze us all.

-Mark

[Kevin K]

In all fairness, yes--having a sag wagon/crew isn't in the Iron Butt spirit. It is permissible to ride with others. But the reality is that you do your own ride.
It's all about you and machine vs. the all of the elements.

I'm rootin' for you. Have a great, and safe, ride.

Phil: the Lake Erie Loop sounds exactly like something I would like to do.
I'm also hoping to ride the Mad Bastard Scooter Rally in June.
-K

[lobsterman]

Seriously, if you guys are at all into long distance riding and want to meet good friends in the process, you've got to try the Lake Erie Loop.

You won't regret it.

pocphil,

I checked out the website for the LEL, it sounds like lots of fun for a good cause. In the general insanity mode of the males in my family I would love to give this a shot this year, but I don't think it's a good idea. I just don't have enough experience yet. I've only been riding a scooter since October. The longest ride to date is 70 miles. Maybe 2008.

I do have a question though after watching the video and checking out the pictures. Were you guys out there riding 125cc scooters on the Interstates? I saw you hunched over and clearly on a multi-lane road going pretty fast.

[mybetty]

hey, genuineslacker, just curious....what's the longest ride you have pulled thus far in one day?

[BuddyRaton]

Now you know that if you do this you will be required to change your nick!

[polianarchy]

Now you know that if you do this you will be required to change your nick!

Hahaha! I was just gonna say how very un-Slack this trip sounds.

[GenuineSlacker]

Well, my longest ride hasn't been very, well, long. When I first got it, I put over 500 miles on it in 2 days, just shooting around the city, but none of that was in major straight stretches. Friday, however, I'm going to do this great loop out to Livingston and then to Huntsville and finally back to Houston. Only 150 miles round trip, BUT, I think I'll take an extra tank of gas and just make it in one solid go. I do plan on taking several more 'tester trips' when I get the chance but we'll see how that goes.

I don’t know, I don't think the flat butt or falling asleep will be the problem, I'm young and used to be addicted to video games. My concern right now is getting lost, this will be my first road trip alone ever, but my argument is that it has to happen sometime.

Also, at the beginning of March the Houston Scooter Battalion is having their rally in Galveston and I WILL be there, so... that'll be like the last big ride before this one.

The one thing that has started to worry me is the situation of my saddlebags. Honestly my biggest worry is too much weight/ not enough aerodynamicity (yeah I made that up) I wonder if there’s a chance something to the effect of ‘wings’ off the front cowling would help… yeah I don’t know. I’ll keep you guys posted.

Oh also, for anybody along the route, if you wanna meet up and do a ride, let me know. I'd love to have company for any amount of time.

[pocphil]

Yes, I chose to do the entire loop on the freeway. I figured I could easily maintain 60 mph and not having to stop for like 300 stop lights is bound to shorten your time.

You do NOT have to do the entire ride on the freeway. In fact, I'm pretty sure I was the only rider in the 125 class that did run the entire trip on the big roads. You can choose whatever route you like, you can run it clockwise or counter-clockwise. As long as you have receipts, do what you like.

If you watch the video, you'll see a shot of me travelling dangerously close behind a tandem UPS truck. This is called drafting...that UPS truck sucked me along so well that at points my speedo was actually OVER 80 mph. I so desperately wanted to take a picture of it, but even I realized that was not a smart thing to do. I was able to latch onto that rig around Vermillion, Ohio and he hauled me just about the whole way to the Michigan border.

The scary thing about riding in the draft is when you're in it...it's heaven, you can actually sit up and stretch out. Its' warm and quiet. You can relax, a little...the air is frighteningly still. I was able to get nearly 100 mpg at 70 mph. That is until you weave a little too far left or right or fall back to far...then you get turbulence that will leave stains in your pants.

Obviously you also have no way of seeing what's ahead...so if that truck were to lock 'em up suddenly you'd have very little chance of stopping before tasting the bumper. So, you end up burning laser holes into his brake lights with your eyes. If you actually see his brakes come on, you're probably in good shape - It takes a skilled scooter rider about 130' to stop from 60 mph. It takes an 18 wheeler about 300' to make the same stop. If you don't go under him in the first 20 feet, you'll probably be ok.

The next risk is the CB radio...as you are drafting along you will either be passing other trucks or they will be passing you. Truckers love to call out to each other and "warn" them that some nut is on their back porch. Usually they'll respond by flashing the brakes at you a few times, then they'll start weaving...usually it's to try and see you in their mirrors, but when they start straying into the shoulder..it's a clear sign to get off their ass. Frankly, I don't know why the hell they care...if they did stop suddenly, it's not like I would do any damage to their rig...I guess as masters of the road it's their duty to protect me from myself...even if they kill me while doing it.

Going East in Canada we were hitting some serious headwinds. I was having a hard time keeping the speedo at 60, which meant everything with tires was passing me, and flipping me off most of the time. I discovered if you saw a semi approaching in your mirror and he wasn't going too damn fast you could get into a super-tuck, make yourself tiny as possible, pick up a few mph, then, just as his back bumper passes, you slam yourself into the vacuum behind his trailer. If you do it just right you can stay in his draft and pick up 5 mph instantly and you get to sit upright again ( a luxury ). Unfortunately, when the speed difference is too great, you slam into the vacuum and then fade into the vortex immediately...this is a hairy ride at best.

So, it sounds like a lot of unnecessary risk for a $6 trophy and $150 in prize money that we routinely donate back to the kids.

But,

It's a really nice trophy.

http://2strokebuzz.com/i/POCwheelie2.mp4

[GenuineSlacker]

So these are the two proposed routes. As you will see, very big difference in route, almost none in time and distance.

Houston to Aurora, through Amarillo

Houston to Aurora, through Kansas... buuuuh.

The major benefit of going through Kansas is I probably have a buddy coming through from Indianapolis. Meet up in Salina and I have a draft buddy. But that is the most boring road on the face of the Earth, so we'll see.

[Bryce-O-Rama]

So these are the two proposed routes. As you will see, very big difference in route, almost none in time and distance.

Houston to Aurora, through Amarillo

Houston to Aurora, through Kansas... buuuuh.

The major benefit of going through Kansas is I probably have a buddy coming through from Indianapolis. Meet up in Salina and I have a draft buddy. But that is the most boring road on the face of the Earth, so we'll see.

Are you considering riding on I-70 on a Buddy? I sure wouldn't do it. I barely like driving on that road. It's well maintained, but it's so wide open that if you're out on a windy day you feel it.

The route through Kansas looks a little longer than the other one.

[DO3]

Phil,

Do you have a working link to the video from the LEL? The one on their website will not open for me.

Thanks

[markontour]

SO, I don't remember where I read about this, but basically the Iron Butt idea is that you go 1000 miles in one go of it, within 24 hours. March, I intend on doing this, decided today, heading from here in Houston TX and going to Colorado, then of course back. Anyone actually believe this could be done on a buddy?

Before you make this trek are you going to do the rally in Galveston? Do you do lots of hwy scooting? I originally was going to scoot down for the rally, but I'm not so sure. If I could get someone to take 45 down with me then I am up for it. Let me know.

[GenuineSlacker]

Hell yeah I'm going to galveston. I'd LOVE to ride with another buddy. My uncle is coming down with me, more than likely on his GT60, so that means he blows by me, waits, lets me pass, and blows by me again. As two buddies, we can command much more respect than one. We'll make plans.

[markontour]

Hell yeah I'm going to galveston. I'd LOVE to ride with another buddy. My uncle is coming down with me, more than likely on his GT60, so that means he blows by me, waits, lets me pass, and blows by me again. As two buddies, we can command much more respect than one. We'll make plans.

I am totally in than. I registered last week at the ride that was in the heights (I am thinking you weren't there (or were you)?).
We can give your uncle the finger when he lets us pass him

Just shoot me a note or something through here or on my IM's that are listed below the comment.
~M

[GenuineSlacker]

Heh, my uncle was at the ride in the heights. He was on the two tone GTS 250, I believe. That or his GT60, don't really remember.