longer range cruising needs...

[barbagris]

Okay, did a 300 mile cruise yesterday, covering everything from canyons to windy mountain passes, to extended highway runs. This isn't a long trip for some people, but for me, it was pretty good day of motorcycling. So I came to the conclusion that to be a long range cruiser, the rocket would need a few things. 1. Six or even seven gears- when you are going for hours at at a time above 70mph, the engine rpms are way too high, its not relaxing when your cruising at 80mph and your rpms are around 3000. Its fine for bursts of speed, but gets really annoying. Cruising at 90, even more annoying the engine is working way to hard and vibration wears you out.
2. Bigger wind screen- i have a fly screen, and the wind hits you right in the helmet. It is enough coverage for shorter duration, but for the longer freeway stretches, the wind works you.
3. Highway pegs- to stretch those lega out.
4. Better seat- although pretty good for shorter bouts, my backside was so sore when I got home, it hurt to sit down for a few hours afterward.

Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are doable modifications, but the main problem, the gearing isn't. I guess when I retire, and want to do interstate touring, I'm going to have to go for something else, maybe the tried and true gullwing. They just look so lame! Oh well, i guess by then, I won't care about looking cool at all.

For Cruising true distance - More RANGE - Either BIGGER TANK or more efficient fuel - i.e. Diesel.
Get much past 3250rpms and fuel consumption soars. Fiddling with the F/L switch values may help.
I suggest you get an ODB logger and log SPEED/RPMS/TPS - then take a look at the MAP.
When it comes to new tyre time - fitting the Bridgestone will reduces rpms by about 4%.

Think you'll find a lot of the "Vibration" is the forks not the engine.

Seat - 100%. I have 2 layers of Gel and a 3D mesh (keeps bum dry in rain and cool in heat).

 

[ricochet]

I've put 10,000kms on my Roadster and what I can gather is.. yes, having highway pegs is a must to stretch the legs. I've also utilized a small throttle lock device to allow me to rest my hands during long straight ways. The seat is definitely something that needs to be changed on almost every bike, I've switched from the Roadster seat to a seat from a Rocket Classic so its a 1 piece with passenger and rider together.

I would have to disagree that the Rocket needs a 6th gear. 4th gear gets you all the way up to 100kph (The limit on the highway) with absolutely no problem, and then you put it into 5th and your cruising at barely lugging speed for this engine. Anything higher then 110kph and your fighting wind resistance big time, and that just kills fuel economy. I would imagine 6th gear at 120kph would be way under the usable power band, probably just wasting gas.

I've found on a few occasions that I get far better fuel economy riding in 4th gear around 80kph then I do at 5th in 100kph... most likely due to wind resistance.

 

[Troy]

I have the Corbin solo seat that is good for about a 100 mile ride. Which Corbin do you have? And what are the ISO grips?

I have the factory two up seat and the Corbin Fast Gun solo seat. Both seats are good for a few hours but after that I get pretty uncomfortable. The Corbin Tour looks like a comfortable long distance seat. How many hours/ miles have you ridden on the Corbin Solo?

My Corbin seat is the duel tour seat. He is right about the ISO grips. They are a little fatter, and eliminate a lot of vibration. However, there is not much vibration until 95-100. Even then not too bad.

 

[1olbull]

Has anybody tried Grip Buddies?

 

[Rick Morris]

My Corbin seat is the duel tour seat. He is right about the ISO grips. They are a little fatter, and eliminate a lot of vibration. However, there is not much vibration until 95-100. Even then not too bad.

So do you like your seat. Or what can you tell me pros or cons?

 

[Bedifferent]

I haven't really felt the need for another gear considering you're only running about 3024 rpm at 75 mph and 3226 rpm at around 80 mph. My Harley use to run that with the 6th gear. Plenty more rpms available even without any ECU mods. I do start to get a little/some vibration in the grips at that speed, but what are you going to do about that. I heard that Triumph could have put a counterbalancer in the engine design, but the focus group wanted to have the feedback feel Of the engine. As for me, I would have taken the counterbalancer.

 

[1olbull]

So do you like your seat. Or what can you tell me pros or cons?

Similar to rear and front shocks, most all stock seats suck!
The problem is that we all have different butts and unless you have a seat custom made, they are a crap shoot regarding comfort.
So far for me the beads have improved my stock seat imensley, but they are far from perfect. As long as I can go a tank of gas before a stretch, I be OK with it.

 

[Troy]

So do you like your seat. Or what can you tell me pros or cons?

 

[Troy]

Yes, love it. It drops the seat height a few inches, and gives you a dealer saddle. On long distance I put the back rest on, but shorter distances I do not need it. The back part of my saddle gives me a lot more support than stock. Plus the seat keeps my wife a little quieter about her butt! Only downfall maybe that it is not real cushy. Corbin seats are not made to be soft. They are made to give you better support that keeps you from getting a sore butt.

 

[Rick Morris]

Yes, love it. It drops the seat height a few inches, and gives you a dealer saddle. On long distance I put the back rest on, but shorter distances I do not need it. The back part of my saddle gives me a lot more support than stock. Plus the seat keeps my wife a little quieter about her butt! Only downfall maybe that it is not real cushy. Corbin seats are not made to be soft. They are made to give you better support that keeps you from getting a sore butt.

Thanks for your advice.