Phoenix -> San Jose in 2 days...? On a just-bought bike...?

[zby]

Hi,

I just found a perfect bike for myself. The problem is I live close to San Jose, and the bike is in Phoenix I have a few months experience 2 years ago on a 250cc "cruiser" (Suzuki GZ250) and the bike is an 800cc cruiser (Suzuki M50). I don't have any proper bike-gear, but some good waterproof jacket and warm clothes, hiking boots etc. I'd need to buy a helmet for myself first...

Do you think buying it on Saturday and riding it back to San Jose until Sunday evening (2 days) is under these circumstances
- totally irresponsible and guaranteed to end really badly, or
- somewhat crazy but doable

I'm rather inclining towards the first, mostly due to the lack of tested gear, and the lack of experience above 150miles/day, so I'll probably pass on this bike, but just wanted to hear what you guys think.

Thanks!

Zbyszek

PS. And what if I bought a bike south of LA. That sounds more doable... I'd sleep in Santa Monica and ride from there on Sunday.

[JmalB]

I wouldn't say totally irresponsible. Highly, may be. Neither Phoenix or L.A. are places I'd reccommend riding thru with limited experience.

But it is doable. I would say stretch it out more and make it a 3 or 4 day trip. 8hrs on an M50 is not something I would suggest.

[zby]

Thanks! So how many hours daily do you think I can do easily on an M50? With breaks?

[JmalB]

That's really dependent on well the seat fits you. The stock seat isn't known for its comfort.

I personally have done ok on a 2hr trip up to Phoenix but the 3hr trip back down going a longer slower route was incredibly painful.

I don't want to discourage you from getting a very nice bike, but it does have it's limitations.

[1badbaker]

I've done around 3 1/2 hours with no stops, it was not fun towards the end. If you stop every hour or hour and a half to stretch your legs and such, you could do it.

Neither Phoenix or L.A. are places I'd reccommend riding thru with limited experience.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JmalB

Neither Phoenix or L.A. are places I'd reccommend riding thru with limited experience.

Depends on your route.

It IS possible to go through any major city without using the freeways!

Now dodging the rocks, bottles and bullets might be a different story !!

[DrBob]

If you want the bike, and it is a good deal, explore other options. Have it shipped, or take Friday or Monday off work to make the ride back easier. Sometimes sellers are willing to meet you part way, or maybe a friend can pick it up for you.

Or maybe the best thing to do is find the same bike locally. M50s are not real rare, so you should be able to find one closer to home.

[DaveAlvarado]

I have an M50, I'm into longer-distance riding, and I wouldn't enjoy 700 miles in 2 days on a stock M. I rode basically stock (just added saddlebags) for over 11k miles, and the longest trip I was willing to make in a day was under 300 miles. You could probably do it once you're used to long-distance riding on the M, but if you're new to it you're going to be kicking yourself for such a stupid idea about 200 miles into the trip. You just get beat to hell in the wind with no windshield and the stock seat really sucks after you've been on it for 5 or 6 hours. That's why I'm working on a touring conversion for my M this year.

[geoffsimpson]

you guys are too harsh on that seat. It does break in after a while. I find mine fairly comfortable and I can do 3 hours on the highway without a stop if I have too, and it doesn't leave me feeling to beat up. So far, longest riding is about 6-7 hours and I felt okay in the morning.

[cvillechopper]

As far as the bike, it would be fine. You'd be crazy to try it given your stated experience, lack of gear, etc., but the bike can do it. I've out over 300 miles on the stock seat in a day but it was a little rough. 2 days in a row would definitely make you sore if you survived it.

If you do end up trying it, go get yourself a good jacket, helmet, and gloves. Not only will it reduce the chance of you killing yourself, it'll make the trip more comfortable.

Just my 2c

[DaveAlvarado]

Remember though, he'd have 700 miles to go, with Los Angeles right smack in the middle of the trip. You really need to be able to do two 400mi+ days in a row to be able to make the whole trip with the slowdown for traffic.

[inspiron]

Let me see if I've got this straight:

A totally inexperienced rider with no training, no practice, and no proper riding gear is considering a cross-country ride (Phoenix -> San Jose = 709 miles) as a first ride?

Sounds like a recipie for disaster, if you ask me.

I know many experienced riders who would think twice about doing that kind of a ride. There are just too many things that can go badly wrong. Riding alone throught the desert? Bad idea. A little sand or dirt on the road can ruin your day. A rabbit or opposum on the road? One wrong move and you're laying in the sun watching the buzzards circling above you.

And attempting that on a bike that you don't know? Another bad idea. What if there is some mechanical problem after the first 100 miles? You're in the middle of BFE, with no cell phone service.

And I would NEVER suggest to a newbie that one of the first rides involves the LA freeway system. I've got tens of thousands of miles of riding experience, but my first ride on California freeways last year was freaking exhausting. Sure, as long as you have open roads it's fine, but as soon as there is traffic, you need 100% concentration. And you WON'T have that after 300+ miles of desert riding after your first day on the bike. You WILL be in pain. You will be using muscles that you didn't even know you had. Your body will be screaming for you to stop. And all of this will distract you from the 10,000 other hazards on the road in front of you.

You want to buy the bike? Great. Rent a trailer and trailer the bike back to your home. Then take the MSF course, get yourself some proper safety gear, and start practicing your riding skills in a parking lot!

[zby]

Ok, to relieve all the concerned ones, I've decided not to do it Even writing the description myself in the first email, it sounded scary. And yeah, I took the MSF course some time ago - maybe that's why I asked this question at all

I'll maybe keep looking for a local bike. So far, I'm holding on with buying a bike in general, due to other reasons too.

Thanks!

[zby]

And just an additional comment. Is the LA traffic really *that* bad? I drove there with a car, didn't notice anything special, except for a lot of traffic jams. If one doesn't split a lane, and just rides the way one would drive a car - is it this different? Do drivers force you to let them go, the way they wouldn't with a car? Do they pass you too close and the wind shakes you?

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

you guys are too harsh on that seat. It does break in after a while. I find mine fairly comfortable and I can do 3 hours on the highway without a stop if I have too, and it doesn't leave me feeling to beat up. So far, longest riding is about 6-7 hours and I felt okay in the morning.

Thats cuz yer a lard butt.

**intended for humour, I've never seen Geoff's butt, nor do I want to.**

[blackie1491]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Thats cuz yer a lard butt.

**intended for humour, I've never seen Geoff's butt, nor do I want to.**

East coast vs the west coast interior!!!!

[Trapper]

East coast representin' !

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by Trapper

East coast representin' !

That's the east coast "shocker" boys, carefull! Trapp'll GETCHA

[Trapper]

Down east we don't call it the shocker, it's the minivan... two up front, five in the rear.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Down east we don't call it the shocker, it's the minivan... two up front, five in the rear.

That killed me!!!!! Oh my god thats funny!!!!!