Author Topic: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions  (Read 2975 times)

Oldscoot

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One of my scooter clubs organized a rally this last weekend in New Braunfels, Texas.  Most camped along the Guadalupe River and a few of us seasoned (older) members stayed in a close by motel.  The distance between Houston and New Braunfels is about 180 miles and we were able to stay on US 90(A) most of the way there and back. US 90(A) is a two to four lane road in fair condition with posted speeds of 55 – 70 mph.  It is a commercial route and you encounter a number of 18-wheelers.  The 300 GTI easily cruised at traffic speeds, felt rock steady and handled the road better than my 70’s mid-sized Japanese bikes.  Except for one or two very steeps hill I never felt that power was ever an issue.  The winds were very strong out of the south and passing 18 wheelers created turbulence and still the bike felt stable. I averaged over 72 mph over the 550 miles traveled which also included city driving in Austin and local driving in New Braunfels.  I used an Airhawk R on my seat and I experienced little discomfort aside from what you might expect at my age riding for that many miles.  I also used a medium-sized Biker’s Friend bag and back rest. The bag has a well-designed, adjustable and removable back and lumbar support pad. The straight bars and upright riding position of the GTI do not allow for an Easy Rider laid back riding position (and I may have to chop and rake the 300 some day) but the bag nonetheless provides appreciable back support for my 5’9” tired, old body. The bag might not work well for much taller or leggier folks who perch towards the back of the seat. The medium size (at 11” diameter) is the largest back that won’t interfere with the rider’s portion of the seat. It will hold a goodly amount of stuff and will be useful when extra carrying capacity is needed.  The bike exceeded my expectations and I awoke this morning as though the trip had never occurred.             

modmaster

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2012, 10:10:34 PM »
Oldscoot,
   Good to hear about how well your bike worked out on a long ride like that. It's good to hear your body made it ok too. I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my own black GTi300 later this week. I'm very interested in the Bikers friend backrest. Was it easy to attach? I need to be able to get my HJC 3/4 helmet inside it if possible. I went to the website and it looks like a very nice setup. Some feedback from someone like you that has the same bike is great to hear. Would you be able to post a picture of your bike with the Bikers friend mounted on it?

modmaster
« Last Edit: May 08, 2012, 12:36:22 PM by modmaster »

Oldscoot

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2012, 02:25:07 PM »
Oldscoot,
   Good to hear about how well your bike worked out on a long ride like that. It's good to hear your body made it ok too. I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my own black GTi300 later this week. I'm very interested in the Bikers friend backrest. Was it easy to attach? I need to be able to get my HJC 3/4 helmet inside it if possible. I went to the website and it looks like a very nice setup. Some feedback from someone like you that has the same bike is great to hear. Would you be able to post a picture of your bike with the Bikers friend mounted on it?

modmaster



The Biker’s Friend bag I selected is the medium size.  The OEM top case curves in the back which only allowed for a medium size.  I replaced the top case with a GIVI E370 and that box allows for additional room on the seat and now a large would fit.  I fastened the case with a pair of 18” bungee cords through the loops on the bag and around and under the carrier for the top case. The bag comes off very easily to get to the gas tank. I know that the medium fits a ½ helmet – it will not accommodate a full face helmet and I do not know about a ¾ - Biker’s Friend should know that.  I’ve added two pictures, the first two my Photobucket page for you to see how the bag looks.  It was very helpful on the long ride both in providing storage and as back support.    


http://s1064.photobucket.com/albums/u374/ganlaw18/  
« Last Edit: May 10, 2012, 02:52:16 PM by Oldscoot »

MrSolo

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2012, 05:48:23 AM »
One of my scooter clubs organized a rally this last weekend in New Braunfels, Texas.  Most camped along the Guadalupe River and a few of us seasoned (older) members stayed in a close by motel.  The distance between Houston and New Braunfels is about 180 miles and we were able to stay on US 90(A) most of the way there and back. US 90(A) is a two to four lane road in fair condition with posted speeds of 55 – 70 mph.  It is a commercial route and you encounter a number of 18-wheelers.  The 300 GTI easily cruised at traffic speeds, felt rock steady and handled the road better than my 70’s mid-sized Japanese bikes.  Except for one or two very steeps hill I never felt that power was ever an issue.  The winds were very strong out of the south and passing 18 wheelers created turbulence and still the bike felt stable. I averaged over 72 mph over the 550 miles traveled which also included city driving in Austin and local driving in New Braunfels.  I used an Airhawk R on my seat and I experienced little discomfort aside from what you might expect at my age riding for that many miles.  I also used a medium-sized Biker’s Friend bag and back rest. The bag has a well-designed, adjustable and removable back and lumbar support pad. The straight bars and upright riding position of the GTI do not allow for an Easy Rider laid back riding position (and I may have to chop and rake the 300 some day) but the bag nonetheless provides appreciable back support for my 5’9” tired, old body. The bag might not work well for much taller or leggier folks who perch towards the back of the seat. The medium size (at 11” diameter) is the largest back that won’t interfere with the rider’s portion of the seat. It will hold a goodly amount of stuff and will be useful when extra carrying capacity is needed.  The bike exceeded my expectations and I awoke this morning as though the trip had never occurred.             
Thanks for your post OldScoot. I have a Downtown 300i and would like to ask you about the Airhawk Seat Pad. After an hour or so, I get "butt fatigue" from my seat. Do you recommend the Airhawk Set Pad, and was it worth the investment? I might need a larger one, as the DT-300 has a big seat. Did it really improve your riding comfort? Thanks in advance!

racewalker

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2012, 11:06:35 AM »
I have the airhawk 2 on a DT300I. Makes a huge difference in the time I can stay on the bike. I have a trip coming up in 2 weeks of 6000+ Km, just under 4000 miles. Let you know in a month how my bottom stood up to the trip. Planing 500 miles a day.
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Oldscoot

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2012, 03:27:38 PM »
Thanks for your post OldScoot. I have a Downtown 300i and would like to ask you about the Airhawk Seat Pad. After an hour or so, I get "butt fatigue" from my seat. Do you recommend the Airhawk Set Pad, and was it worth the investment? I might need a larger one, as the DT-300 has a big seat. Did it really improve your riding comfort? Thanks in advance!


I bought a medium cruiser R. I keep it minimally inflated - almost to where there is no air in it all all. The point is to both keep point of impact off the seat and to allow the air to move freely from cell to cell - thus dynamically relieving pressure points. If over-inflated it feels to me like I'm sitting on an inflated donut and I lose contact with the bike. The R version relieves pressure on nerve ending that serve vital parts and avoids numbness and other rude feelings. Measure your seat and ask the folks at Airhawk for a recommendation as to size.

 

MrSolo

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2012, 10:56:11 PM »
I have the airhawk 2 on a DT300I. Makes a huge difference in the time I can stay on the bike. I have a trip coming up in 2 weeks of 6000+ Km, just under 4000 miles. Let you know in a month how my bottom stood up to the trip. Planing 500 miles a day.
Thanks so much for the response racewalker. Have a safe trip and let me know how your bottom stood up!

MrSolo

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Re: 550 mile ride this last weekend - bike and equipment impressions
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2012, 10:57:56 PM »

I bought a medium cruiser R. I keep it minimally inflated - almost to where there is no air in it all all. The point is to both keep point of impact off the seat and to allow the air to move freely from cell to cell - thus dynamically relieving pressure points. If over-inflated it feels to me like I'm sitting on an inflated donut and I lose contact with the bike. The R version relieves pressure on nerve ending that serve vital parts and avoids numbness and other rude feelings. Measure your seat and ask the folks at Airhawk for a recommendation as to size.

 
That's GREAT info Oldscoot...especially the "minimally inflated" part. Thanks so much!

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