Touring on a V-Rod : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Westsider · 06-20-2008, 08:33 PM

I am looking to do about 650 miles one way on my V Rod. Has anyone completed any touring ( anything beyond 300 miles) with your V-Rod? If so, tips would be appreciated.

DJW · 06-21-2008, 06:59 AM

I have West, I had the same '02 as you. In fact I've done it 2-up, which I do not recommend. The rear shocks even turned all the way up are not enough to compensate for the weight of 2 people plus a reasonable amount of carry on.

I had the leather side bags, and a Tbag which strapped to the bitch back. It's just too much for this bike with a rider for more than 300 miles.

It's not that you can't do it, of course you can. It's just that this bike is not really designed to be a touring bike. There are some things you can do to improve the bike, but I ultimately decided to trade the bike (which I loved) in for a touring bike because I was interested in doing more rides in the 600+ mile range. The investment in trying to turn the VR into a touring bike just didn't add up. One thing that was a real drawback was the 5-speed tranny. 1st gear is too tall. Great for acceleration, lousy for touring.

I've been thinking since 02 that the next year would see a HD touring bike with the evolution engine and a 6-speed tranny...maybe in '08?

timbo141 · 06-21-2008, 08:03 AM

I have been on a few long trips, 2700 miles in one week, 1950 miles in one week, 1230 miles in four days. Very cumfy bike if set up right.
Sundowner™ Rider Seat and Pillion is the most important and best add on I did, great seat as you are riding in it rather than on it.
Touring windshield is a close second. Wind won't tire you out (but an option)
Saddlebags and a back rest, backrest to strap all your "stuff" to.
The one thing that got old was stopping for gas every 100-125 miles. Keep an eye on the miles per tank and not the guage as sometimes it miss leads you. I never ran out but sometimes I stopped at 50 to top her off.

Westsider · 06-21-2008, 08:49 AM

thanks for the info!

DJW · 06-22-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbo141

I have been on a few long trips, 2700 miles in one week, 1950 miles in one week, 1230 miles in four days. Very cumfy bike if set up right.
Sundowner™ Rider Seat and Pillion is the most important and best add on I did, great seat as you are riding in it rather than on it.
Touring windshield is a close second. Wind won't tire you out (but an option)
Saddlebags and a back rest, backrest to strap all your "stuff" to.
The one thing that got old was stopping for gas every 100-125 miles. Keep an eye on the miles per tank and not the guage as sometimes it miss leads you. I never ran out but sometimes I stopped at 50 to top her off.

I ran her out twice! Watch the mileage, but keep in mind the harder you twist that throttle the lower that mileage gets. I've see her go 135 mi., and I've seen her run out at 119.

I had the sundowner too, but I can't imagine doing 1200 mi. in a week on her. Never tried the touring seat, but it may be worth looking at.

I also had the shield too - touring, and it's a big help.

Again, great bike, but I would not recommend it for 2-up touring.

Westsider · 06-23-2008, 12:04 AM

I have a sport shield on her now, but am thinking of doing a touring shield for this ride...

Z16Monte · 06-23-2008, 01:54 PM

I've done Newark De to Outer Banks and back, Kansas City and back twice.2nd time close to 900mi first day, coulda gone further but got tired of looking directly at the sun for mile after mile.Having the right equipment is a must. good shield(i Had the Ultimate tour for the Outer Banks and 2nd KC trip(also used a modular helmet,made a big difference), Seat (Sundowner).Used a bag on the passenger seat for back supportand that seemed to make a huge difference as well
Ed

Westsider · 06-23-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z16Monte

I've done Newark De to Outer Banks and back, Kansas City and back twice.2nd time close to 900mi first day, coulda gone further but got tired of looking directly at the sun for mile after mile.Having the right equipment is a must. good shield(i Had the Ultimate tour for the Outer Banks and 2nd KC trip(also used a modular helmet,made a big difference), Seat (Sundowner).Used a bag on the passenger seat for back supportand that seemed to make a huge difference as well
Ed

did you go with?

pspez · 06-23-2008, 06:51 PM

I live in Coconut Creek Fl ( near Ft. Laud.) and about 5 years ago I rode to Daytona and back in the same day on my 02 V-ROD. I had a great time but I would have rather done it on an Ultra ( which I now have to complement my V-ROD).

Westsider · 06-23-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pspez

I live in Coconut Creek Fl ( near Ft. Laud.) and about 5 years ago I rode to Daytona and back in the same day on my 02 V-ROD. I had a great time but I would have rather done it on an Ultra ( which I now have to complement my V-ROD).

...was the mileage covered. I should just look it up, but I am being lazy. :-)

Aubet · 06-23-2008, 11:31 PM

I rode to Sturgis and back and did over 3000 miles that week. Rode back non-stop (1132 miles). Stock seat is a bit hard but the bike was great on the trip. The softtail is a more comfy ride but I missed the power of the VROD.

Z16Monte · 06-24-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westsider

did you go with?

I used an HJC Symax. i bought it off Ebay for $85 and for that price it was great. Ventilation sucked though. I also have a KBC FFR and the ventilation is much better but it's also noisier. Looked at the new Symax 2 and that may be my next one. Ventilation system seems to be better plus it has an internal visor for blocking the sun.

Ed

sjrod04 · 06-27-2008, 01:29 AM

First not going to argue that it will be as comfortable as a road sofa. Set up correctly, it will tour long distances. (Much more reliable than any HD ever made) Two years ago I went 15k in 2 months on a 04B. A N.Amer/Cen. Amer. thing. Imho it needs a touring type seat(Sundowner in my case) a windshield(without a doubt)a larger fuel tank(Ricks in my opinion). I weigh 200lbs., and loaded about 100lbs. and the stock shocks, while not the best, when preloaded all the way did just fine. I averaged 40mpg. and was able to cruise in parts of Tex./N.Mexico/Az./and Mon/ at over 100mph in 100 deg. heat . Try that on a road sofa(except maybe a hondapottamas). Went through only one set of tires and two oil changes and never had a mechanical issue. Riding more than 3-400 miles a day is as much or more a function of the physical condition of the rider as it is how "Big" your bike is. If a rider is fat and in bad physical condition a sofa becomes a chore at those distances. The way the American people are going HD will have to build a 3/4 ton bike to carry two up on a trip. Good luck on your trip. Oh, just for the trip I put a set of Fatboy floorboards with a cyclevision? I believe kit. Made it easier to stretch alittle on the long days. Not very attractive but great for back to back long days. Its an easy on and off too.

TIvy · 07-16-2008, 07:03 PM

I recently did a 500 mile day and with the sport deflector windshield and corbin youngguns seat had no problem other than a little pain in my right knee-I might try the kuryakyn switchblades for my next long trip-I have had a goldwing, valkrie, road king, fatboy, and actually many others over the years-sport tourers like concours, honda st1100 and bmw r1100rs(one of my favorites) but probably had less fatigue this time that any. It really helps if the temp is below 90 degrees. I love my V-Rod!
Terry

jwtrans · 10-28-2008, 04:15 PM

sjrod04, I couldn't agree with you more. When i'm planning a big ride, if i exercise my lower body i can ride much farther with less fatigue. I commute 100 miles a day and opted for the tallboy seat, it moves you up and back. I use Kuryakyn dually iso footrests with stirrups, good luck.