long road trips on an xj

hey guys. i'm planning two 1700 mile rides 6 months apart.
is my xj750j a good bike for that far.
i think it would be ok.
how long of a ride have you been on and how did it go for you?

 

I've gone from Chicago to the Milwaukee area and back in one day on my Seca. The clip-ons led to a too aggressive stance for that long a trip, and the lack of a windshield bounced my head around a bit. I was very tired at the end of the day, but I'd do it again. Went two-up on that trip too, not sure if that affected it at all.

 

I`ve ridden my Seca 900 from central Arkansas to Topeka, Kansas every year for the last 7 years with no problems.

 

Well, I've ridden my Norton all over the northern half of the United States and it's a damn sight less comfortable than my Seca 550. Longest single trip probably about 2500 miles. I ride my Seca to work 2-3 times a week in season, 63 miles ONE WAY and have no issues. I plan to travel with it a bit next summer as well, and foresee no issues. One of our members, RangerG, has a 550 Seca he has been all over western Canada on and continues to travel with his XJ. Change the oil first and go for it. There is nothing like the feeling of being 800 miles from home with just your bike and the stuff you have strapped to it.

 

Rode my Seca Turbo from Riverside Ca. to Denver Co. in one day. Wound up being just a tad bit over 1000 miles. Made sure I had brand fairly new rubber before I left and did a tune up. Other than that it was gas, Advil, and go. Never had a problem and would do it again as soon as the weather allows it. It was scary going the the rockies with blowing snow!!!

Sean

 

I have a maxim 400 not sure it will be a good idea to take it on long hauls like that.

 

Pretty much exactly what she was designed to do.
Make sure you service it and you will have a ball.
Had an 81XJ about 20 years ago did 70000kms in 12 months cost me nothing except tyres,oil and fuel.Quite a few 2000km weekends no dramas at all.

 

My old Triumph was a 500 twin, and I took all sorts of long trips on that bike. That was back in the days when everything from a 250 on up was considered a "big" bike, and I guess I didn't know any better? Back in the '70s a friend of mine moved from Michigan to California and rode his CB360 Honda (twin) there. There's absolutely no reason you couldn't travel on your 400.

 

The only real way to know is to ride your bike all day. Then you'll figure out what you need to change in the comfort factor to make long trips.
I've notived on both of my bikes, I need a comfortable seat and a windshield to make them acceptable on a long haul.
Also, floorboards are a great addition for moving your feet/legs around because they get stiff over time (that comes with age)
The stock seats on these bikes have alot to be desired when taking them on a long trip (mine anyways) I changed mine to a much more comfortable solo seat and it made a big difference. It changed my seating position so I can carry a large dufflebag for all my extra "stuff", so it doubles as a backrest, which really made a long trip enjoyable.

 

I've only done a 300km in one day so far on my 400, it was ok, but for sure i'm gunna be getting a shield before i think of going on longer day trips. new sprockets and chain will set my mind at ease a bit more too

Can't wait!!

 

SOUND advice. First beautiful spring Sunday, check your tire pressures and oil level, and take off early in the morning pointed in the direction of the nearest boonies. Come back when it starts to get dark. Put down a couple hundred miles in a day and see where you and the bike stand.

 

The main reason I suggest taking a long ride and finding out for yourself, is because of the fact that everyone is different. Some people can go longer than others with the stock setup. Some actually like the riding position with the bars, pegs where they are. I did not. I can get on a sport bike and ride it for an hour or so, but found that I absolutely hate that riding position for a day ride. I can't sit like that. Some can and I guess I'm not one of them.
When I got my 750 Seca, I thought the seating position was great for more aggressive riding, and it was, but I was so dam uncomfortable by the time I got to work each day, I decided that something had to be done. I found I needed a bike more like my cruiser (1100 Honda Shadow) which is a more laid back, feet forward type seating position. So that's when I decided to completely re-build the entire bike to fit me better.
Some can't sit like that for very long. I have a friend who got very uncomfortable riding his Shadow, so he ended up buying a FJR 1300 sport touring bike. Now he's happy with that seating postion. He can ride all day like that.
So like I mentioned, you have to find out for yourself how to make a particular bike more to your own liking by riding it a long time.
The bikes are built for the masses, meaning they go for an averaege size person when designing them. I'm not avereage, and not eveyone is. Maybe you are?
I just know that after a long day in the saddle, I notice all the stuff I collected on the windshield is better to be there, then on ME! >PD<

 

Which is exactly why I have changed the handlebar on every bike I have ever owned except the Norton, and I lopped an inch off each end of those bars. Having your bike place you in a comfortable riding position is paramount to distance riding. Handlebar replacement, seat recontouring and even footpeg relocation can help you bring your bike to a point where it is comfortable FOR YOU to be on it for long periods of time. I get the impression the Japanese never believed that there are as many people over 6' as there really are in the world.

 

Well said Bigfitz.
Question: What's with the "cows, pigs, and chickens"? Just wondering. I was raised on a farm, so I guess I can relate.

 

It's a local joke, the town is Capac, allegedly acronym of CowsAndPigsAndChickens. We gots plenty of all 3 around here.

 

OK then, that explains it!
Every spring when I get out on the road on the bike, those "country" smells bring back memories of the days of pulling tits, slopping hogs and pickin' eggs. Life was simple back then.

 

Every time we'd pass an Illinois pig farm my grandma used to say "mmm...smells like money!!!" Now that I'm older I wonder which way she meant it...

 

Exactly, that's the same thing I say to my gal when she complains about the smell of cow/pig shit when we pass a farm. "That's the smell of money"!!

 

I completed a trip last spring that ran a little over 1800 miles in 8 days. Most of that was on DIRT roads. Didn't stay in any motels, camped the whole way. I think there is more opportunity to connect with the locals when you roll that way. I met some amasing people. 2 of the nights I spent camping on peoples farms after being invited, and fed supper and breakfast and one even gave me free gas before I left.

My biggest peice of advice would be to take your time and don't set an agenda. Go where the road and your curiosity takes you. So plan plenty of time between set destinations.

Get a SPOT locator device. This saved the life of a friend of mine several months ago when he was injured during a trek in the upper rockies. It's cheap insurance for when the poop hits the fan.

My only problem was the fatigue in my backside, back and hips. This is primarily because of injuries to these areas in the past. The XJ 650's frame is quite small for me and I have spent many many hours trying to create a seat that allows my to ride more than 75 miles at a whack. I've also put on highway pegs and changed the handle bars in an effort to change my ride geometry. But still haven't hit on the right combination.

Because I have yet to find the right shape to aleviate my sore bum and other parts, I have invested in a more appropriate bike for my long rides that also allows for a bit more adventure. So, the BMW takes me 300 miles on the seat before I need to get off to stretch the legs and fill the tank. The taller saddle allowing for a straighter leg position does the trick.

My XJ is still the ride of choice for those short trips though. I just love this machine. I will continue to work of the ergonomics on the XJ as well. I think anyone can tour on a BMW or goldwing but it takes a little extra effort to do it on a seudo-vintage machine. Therefore I haven't given up, what would be the adventure in that?

The Buff

 

I've not taken any real long trips yet (about 160 miles in an afternoon was the longest), but I can speak a bit to my take on the seating.

I actually like the seating on my 650. I've got engine guards with highway pegs mounted low (near the bottom bend), stock handlebars and stock seat. I'm also about 6'4". What I like is that I can hit about four distinct positions, never keeping one for too long, which keeps me from getting too stiff or sore. I usually cruise from the driver's position, with my ankles hooked over the highway pegs. I can also sit with my feet on the stock pegs, stock pegs and on the rear seat, or rear seat and feet on the highway pegs if I really want to stretch out. I like that flexibility (although I'm also considering having the seat re-foamed, maybe with a gel pad or something).

 

The majority of my miles are put on during long distance touring. Don't try to just take off on a long trip before having done some shorter shake down trips. The more time you spend in the seat, the tougher your butt becomes. I try to keep the daily miles at around 400 max. This gives you lots of time to stop, stretch and smell the roses, or cows, or chickens, or pigs. If you get tired, stop and rest. If you get wet, stop and dry out. If you aren't having fun then you need to figure out what you need to do differently to make the ride fun. Relax, stop squeezing the life out of the handgrips and enjoy the ride. The 750 can handle all the touring that anyone could ever do.

My big trip last summer was about 2,400 miles. Make sure you have very good tires, check the oil every day and you should be fine. You'll get to skip checking and lubing the chain every day, that I have to do.

The maps posted below are all the provinces and states that I have ridden my 550 Seca through.

 

Well I'm 6' 4" too, 250lbs.
The Seca is small tiny if you will, I call it the peanut.
I did a 1000 miles in 4 days last summer.
I'm good for the first hour and a half, gotta have a break.
Then it's about every 40 minutes.
Sounds like a Maxim is more comfy and it should be.
I am in the process of mounting risers and highway pegs.
Maybe I'll make it a whole hour without stoppping.

Like Fitz said nothing like being 800 miles from home with what's on your back and your XJ!
Cheers.

 

I did about 500miles during a weekend a few months back. I can't wait to do it again. Thats on an '82 Maxim with 80k miles on her.

Plan your packing. Having a rack or some other way to keep your grear on you or the bike is a must! I was doing well until I ran out of gas (no reserve till I fix the petcock) and had to ride 2 up 10miles to get a gas can and gas. After I affixed that gas can to my gear (and filled it back up) it became my reserve.

 

Don't trust "reserve" know how far you can get on a tank of gas and stop for fuel 20-50 miles short.

 

I think I could make it from one Starbucks to another with my tank. :lol:

 

bigfitz,
My odometer doesn't work either...

 

Took a nice ride this past summer from cobourg ont. to northbay ont. little over 1000m miles round trip. Ran low of gas in some little town who's gas station close's at 6pm. Nothing but bush and man eating bugs for the 100 miles so spent the sleeping on the bike in town.Next day ran in to two bikers on the side of the road so i stoped to see if they were ok one on a harly other a midnight maxim.Helped them trap the beaver they were hunting then on my way.On the way back it just started pouring down rain and hail.Spent the better part of an hour under a bridge with a few other bikers just shouting the s@#t . All said what a great trip.Only thing i'd change for the next trip is stop for gas more often ,take some kind of bed roll,small pup tent get out of the bugs,and go a little further before turning around for home.