Topic: Long distance riding with a little SOHC4

[CB500_k2]

small bikes can go anywhere.  In 1963 I spent a summer traveling across Europe on a Triumph 500 Tiger twin.  he problems I encountered were mechanical rather than small bike low power. My cb400 is much more of a performance machine.  I would take it across the country if I was not close to 70.

[TwoTired]

i've always wondered about fairings in cross winds - does that make them worse?

Yes and no.  Fairings cut into the wind better than the bike or your body.  So, it kind of "sheds" or deflects much of the wind load rather than catching it all.  Frame mounted fairings are better than bar mounted, as cross winds then don't attempt to steer the bike, as well as act as a small sail.

I recall being worried about the crosswinds before I put the Windjammer on my CB550.  But, riding in 40F temps and rain made me take the chance.  Yes, I still got blown sideways in high winds as I did before.  But, it wasn't really much of a concern as I recall.  The weird thing is that you get used to everything up front moving with the bars, and frame mounted things don't that.  Kinda throws you off the visual ques at the start.  You get used to that in short order, though.  So, that's just an observation, rather than a detraction.
The 'Jammer sure made the bike far more of an all season vehicle for me.  10 years later I found lowers for mine.  I kicked myself for not putting them on sooner, after that experience.

Cheers,

[octagon]

twotired on the lowers do you mean they helped with handling, or deflected more wind? i have a set off a windjammer 2 lowers but they look like they'll work with the 3 series.

[Really?]

I personally liked the lowers on more than off.

mjstone (member here) has lowers on his WJ.  He would have some most recent remember'able experiences.  He talks about riding in the rain too.

[MCRider]

I've always wondered about fairings in cross winds - does that make them worse? I've got a windjammer 3 I'm considering putting on my 750k, but dealing with buffeting from trucks has held me back.

A frame mounted fairing like the WJ will likely smooth out the buffeting. From crosswinds and trucks, which are handled differently.

A handlebar mounted fairing may magnify it as the windblast goes directly into your steering. Having said that many still do it. Some models of Harley's come with handlebar mounted fairings stock.

I'd say you are OK with the WJ, you'll like it. All modern SportTouring bikes have frame mounted fairings and are hi performance, comfortable machines, like my FJR. For that purpose one couldn't live without it.

[TwoTired]

twotired on the lowers do you mean they helped with handling, or deflected more wind?

I didn't notice ANY effect of lowers on handling.  The ones I got were actually intended for a different bike.  But, I adapted them since the color matched perfectly, they were brand new, and were clearance discounted.

I had been using ski pants to deflect the wind chill off my legs on cold days.  However, the lowers did that job and as an added bonus, routed some heat off the engine cylinders into the leg area.  Pretty nice having leg warmers on early cold mornings during a 40 mile commute.

Cheers,

[MCRider]

To the question: while many here have great stories of long distance on small bikes, one of the best documented attestations is from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance. Robert Pirsig, son Chris and WAY TOO MUCH gear rode From MN to San Francisco without incident on a 305 Superhawk. Virtually all 2 lanes, I'm guessing 3500 miles.
http://www.honda305.com/frames/zen-hld1.htm

Click on the picture to get a full size look at the load.
I also had a 400F for a short time. In my late 20s I did many 300+ mile romps.

[Bluegreen]

Don't avoid anything! A 400F is a perfect bike for any type of road. I remember me and my girl went on a 10000 km holiday trip through France, Italy and Greece. She on a 350Four. We had all kinds of roads (routes nationales in France, autostradi in Italy, mulepaths in Greece and Autobahns in Germany. Never heard any complaints about her bike being to light. Nonsense.

I don't think you should avoid interstates because of the bike, more because of riders boredom levels 

[octagon]

thanks guys for the fairing info and sorry about the thread deflection

[MoMo]

When I was in my 30s I rode a 400f from Philly to New Hampshire non-stop, only problem was the seat cushioning-every time I think of it I remember the sore butt I had. Recommend some type of extra cushion-be it sheepskin or gel. I did have a fairing to take the wind buffeting off my chest-that helps minimize fatigue.  Enjoy the ride...Larry

[Deltarider]

Sheepskins are great! And... you'll have a wolf in sheepscoat.

[Retro Rocket]

+1 on the sheep skin.....