what motorway cruising speed?
 

About to go and do some 2500 miles into France and Italy with friends who have a bmw R1200RT & an R1200GS.
My question is, having only done 200 miles so far, what speed should i surgest to these guys we do on the long boring motorway stretches?
ie best for engine.
best for comfort
and best generally long term wise for the bike.

I have done over 4000 motorway miles (1 hr each way) on my Tenere and it certainly comfortable cruising at 85 (highest I was prepared to do for a sustained period).

Fuel economy at that speeds drops quite a bit though. I get 50mpg doign 85 and doign 70-75 I can just about get 60mpg out of it so thats a 20% saving. Both are comfortable so it depends on if tiem is more important to you than fuel cost.

France is sole destroying to ride through if you're on the motorway - honestly, whatever speed you think about, you will want to go faster and faster (just to get it out of the way!).

The speed limit on these roads is generally 130kmh, sometimes it will drop to 120kmh and the Ten is happy sitting at these speeds all day, if you keep steady then 200-240 miles before the gauge flashes at you is about normal. You'll be quite comfortable at these speeds.

For short periods (10 - 20Km's), just to releave the bordom, you can get 150khm but that is really the limit of the bike. I'm talking about loaded up with panniers etc and a fat bloke in the seat!!

Now this might sound daft, but think about your underwear, no stay with me, whatever your prefference look for something that is breathable and has no seams, it will make a huge difference to your long term comfort. The missis's G-String is way off limits I'm afraid.... I got some fairly cheap ones from ASDA and they were great, I also got some more expensive ones from , Busters I think (can't remember) and they were better, tried a day with the normal boxers and it was hell.
The same is true for under your jacket, look for something breathable, a baselayer product, cheap enough from any mountain/walking shop (especially now). Layer that with a thin (or a couple of) fleece's and you'll keep warmer and more comfortable on the long runs.

Remember your tire pressures will need to be changed for this kind of riding (and un-changed when you get back!) and keep an eye on your Oil too. Make sure you've got a hi-vis vest to hand on the bike, I know one guy who was stopped, got off his bike and was fined for not wearing his hi-vis. Bl00dy silly but rules is rules. You'll need to ensure you have all the other 'required' stuff too (First aid, bulb kit, triangle etc)

Italy, I''m sorry but when you get there expect every single car to try to kill you, or at least run you off the road - they are (collectivly) the worst drivers in Europe!

But the best advice is to stay well away from the motorways, take the backroads, the twisties - then it's the BMUU guys who'll be asking you to keep the speed down....

Have a great trip, take lots of pictures and make sure you stopp lots and take in the people and places.

Why don't you get another 400 miles on the clock and get the first service over and then you will be able to be a bit more liberal with the throttle. I can quite hapily cruise at 85mph on my Ten with the panniers fully loaded and still get a good 200 miles before reserve flashes. 70 will be soooo much more comfortable and you will be able to see the scenery.

Cheers and have a good time. Steve

[quote=Gas_Up_Lets_Go;80276]


Now this might sound daft, but think about your underwear, no stay with me, whatever your prefference look for something that is breathable and has no seams, it will make a huge difference to your long term comfort. The missis's G-String is way off limits I'm afraid.... I got some fairly cheap ones from ASDA and they were great, I also got some more expensive ones from , Busters I think (can't remember) and they were better, tried a day with the normal boxers and it was hell.
The same is true for under your jacket, look for something breathable, a baselayer product, cheap enough from any mountain/walking shop (especially now). Layer that with a thin (or a couple of) fleece's and you'll keep warmer and more comfortable on the long runs.


I would second this.
The right clothing is so important.
I use LD Comfort riding shorts. Got them shipped from America and after 8- 10 hours riding a day i felt great, sore/numb bum wasnt an issue at all.
For the base layer i use ICEBREAKER, sligtlhy more expensive but look at there website, 1 shirt would do you the entire run as the dont hold odour and are fresh as a dasiy the next morning. They really do work.

thanks for the kind surgestions and should have the bike run in by june/july anyway.
deffinatly true about the clothing:smilies0948: i had this very issue when toured on a sports bike .
what tyre pressure alterations should i change too,as loaded and on the motorways would you think best 'gas up' ?

Ive noticed that most tenere owners say anything up to 80-85mph is ok where as most XTR/XTX owners say 70mph or so.

Im an XTR owner and im in the 70mph or so bracket, at 75mph there is a funny vibey spot but at 80mph its not as bad but for sustained motorway crusing it hurts my hands.

They're a bit higher than normal - check the manual, it's all in there, 36 rear and 33 front if I remember right, normal is 33 and 30. Crank up your suspension too, it's 'out of the box' setting is very soft. I took the front to about 5 turns off hard (wind it right in then take it back 5 full turns) and the back to one click from the firmest. You'll probably find your light is very high too when you're loaded up, the knob to adjust it is right there behind the light and easy to adjust (takes seconds), saves dazzeling folk. You don't need to worry about the beam alignment, these are 'centred', in that they don't shine to the left or right - apparently!

Get youself to the meet in May, you'll be able to pick everyones brains (if they bring them...) for some tip on long haul, and have a laught too....

I'd probaly be happy cruising at 100 if I didn't

a) Think I'd get nicked by mr Plod
b) Mind getting rubbish fuel economy
c) Realise I'd have nothing left for overtaking

The XTZ is a bit vibey for a few hundred revs around 4k (compared to normal but quite aceptable really) but otherwise can cruise happily at pretty much anything up to its top speed from what I've seen.

I thought that all this "stuff", and the high-vis come to that was only a requirement for cars - seems a lots of stuff to be expected to carry on a bike?