Long Distance Riding Challenges! 

My wife and I did the saddle sore in 2014, my bike was an 07 Superglide stock, with a rebuilt title. My wife rode a 12 Streetglide stock. We rode daily for about a month, just to get our butts used to the seats, we packed rain gear and snacks and drinks. We stopped about every 100 miles for gas, we left before daylight in familiar country so we would have light on most of the trip. We rode from Indiana to little rock, had lunch and rode back, the attendant at the all night gas station was our witness. The adrenaline carried us the first half of the trip. We rode 1080 miles, got the signature from the witness then rode 10 miles home. The certificate and before and after photos hang on the wall. I was 69 at the time. Last year we rode the same bikes to Alaska. Once you start moving the long distance takes care of itself. Good luck on the trip, remember you can talk yourself into doing the ride or you can talk yourself out of it. Jerry

In 2016 on my 2007 ultra classic my buddies and I rode from Cincinnati to omaha Nebraska, 725 miles in under 11 hrs, just quick gas stops and 1 burger stop. I had stock seat WITH backrest and hiway pegs. I upgraded to a 2017 roadglide ultra this past august, and the changes HD has done to the seat is unbelievable, I still have my backrest, but on the 17 roadglide ultra, a 1000 miles in 24 hrs, absolute piece of cake, and with their new stock seat no hurtin at the end. I'm doin 400 miles on simple sunday putts now days .

Cheapest seat upgrade for my ride was an alaskan leather sheepskin seat cover over an airhawk. Cut a little hole in sheepskin cover so i could fish the air valve out and change air preasure.

saddleman seat 808-07B-182. This seat will allow you to keep your backrest. Amazing seat. You will be very happy. They even give you a test ride with the seat. If you’re don’t like it send it back.

Yeah, did my SS1000 last summer, Portland to Grand Junction, CO. Good time! An achievement indeed! Go for it!!!

I have done a handful of SS1000s and a couple of Bun Burner 1500s on my Road King. Adjustable backrest is a must (sounds like you have one) as you can "stand up" a bit by sitting on top of the backrest. Highway pegs are definitely helpful. The key is being able to switch up your position while riding. That helps eliminate soreness and tight muscles. I have a Mustang seat on my bike and it has the opening for a backrest. As for the ride, there's not a lot of planning. Basically, just get out there and do it. Don't overthink it. Witnesses can be just about anyone, and they don't necessarily have to be there to see you off. They just have to know you did the ride. I know some people are different, but I survive on 5 hour energy. Keeps me going and I don't really get that drowsiness at the end as it is wearing off. But like I said, to each their own. Definitely bring water though, and have some snacks available in a tank or windshield bag so you can snack while riding. It's not too important on the SS1000, but longer rides it helps to keep your stops shorter. I use a camelbak for water, and sometimes mix in either gatorade or an energy drink. Make sure meals are light with not a lot of carbs because that makes you drowsy. Good luck and have fun! (if you haven't done it already, that is)

I'm planning to do my first one a couple weeks. I'll be making sure I take plenty of water, layers for when the temperature drops, and rain gear. Going that kind of distance as almost a guarantee to run into rain at some point.

I'm going to attempt a saddle sore 1000 next week from phoenix az to austin tx via san antonio on an '18 honda fury. I've done 500 & 700 miles in a day on the bike when it was completely stock and it was tough. I have since changed the rear suspension, grips, pegs, and seat so hopefully that will take care of most of the pain causing issues i had.

I've thought about doing 1 , but I'm not sure it's for me . I can tell ya, you will definitely want to bring some extra seat padding. I'm sure there is some more planning involved. If you can get someone to go with you, that's a bigger plus.

I think a round trip 500 ml trip is perfect , pick a location stay over night at a motel/hotel and head back no pressure. I myself hope to do that this summer.

I have done those already, I think. You can see that on my latest video, or the one to Crater of Diamonds, but, I think that I did it when I went to Nebraska.

I highly recommend a ultimate seat with their backrest. It is great for long distance riding.

i thought about tearing across country on my dyna, easy rider style untill i woke up from that pipe dream. stock seats suuuuuck. number 1 disapointment from harley davidson.

If your stock seat isn't comfortable enough for a 1,000 mile day, you might have bought the wrong bike for this kind of run. Especially if you have something that is marketed as a long range cruiser. I have the stock seat on mine and it is quite comfortable on a long run as it was designed that way from the factory. They got it right.

I'm doing a saddle sore 1000 at the end of September, I have already tested the waters with a 537 mile run. no wind screen and the stock seat, I will ditch the back pack..25 lbs. on my back did not help at all, and it also catches some wind..I added a larger tail pack and bought some fuel storage containers..also purchased a tool for plugging tires and a portable air compresser..anti gravity lithium battery pack for jump starting the bike and charging my cell phone etc...I am riding a 2015 mv agusta dragster rr, it is not very friendly for touring but it's what I got so it's how I roll...I will make a youtube video to share my experience..

We are heading out on a trip that will be over 4,000 miles. Leaving on June 5th from Alberta, heading out through B.C. to the island. Then down the west coast to California to the Redwoods. Plan on heading north up through the interior. As for seats I like the stock RG seat, however it sucks for my wife. I have since tried a tallboy which was nice but does not work well with a riders backrest. I then bought a Lepera Maverick with built in riders backrest, I loved it but it hurt my wife :(. Next up was a stock Harley Ultra seat, neither of us have any hot spots but it really moves me forward and at a bit over 6' I feel cramped. So now I just ordered a Hammock which will put be back about where I am with the stock seat but higher. At the end of this I am going to have a ton of seats to sell.

My saddlesore attempt is gonna be in july . I can't wait.

Before you spend big $ on a new seat figure out what you want and call Mean City Cycles and ask them about what mods they can do for what you want. They work wonders on a stock seat, I know from experience

I've done a SS1000 and Bun Burner Silver (1500 in less than 30 hours), they are addicting. Planning two more IBA rides for 2020. On my SS1K (my first long distance ride) I did a big square route so ended up at home at the conclusion of the ride. I found that I over prepared, for both. Here's a video that has my BBS in it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tDikSuhROnU.html

So what did you end up doing?

I did a SaddleSore 1000 last year from Atlanta to New Orleans (roughly). 1. I took a 100 oz camelback full of water along with a 6 pack of small Gatorade bottles (low sugar version). It wasn't enough as I had to buy water at a couple gas stations 2. We stopped about every 120 miles as there were a couple guys on sport bikes (GSXR and Hayabusa...I felt bad for those guys) 3. We left about 9 am on Saturday and got back about 5 am on Sunday which included a 2 hour layover in Chalmette, LA. If I did another one, I'd leave about 1 or 2am to get all of the night time riding out of the way and be heating up throughout the day rather than cooling down which is a personal preference.4. The last 200 miles were the worst for me but being able to stand up on my bike ( I took my Ducati Multistrada) made a world of difference being able to stretch my legs without stopping5. There was a group of 5 and that wasn't too big or too small. I don't recommend you do one alone if you can avoid it6. Take snacks that pack a lot of nutrients and don't go carb heavy as carbs and sugar can make you tired.7. Have a good idea of the high and low temps so you can dress accordingly and mostly be warm at night. It was 90 during the day and freezing cold at low 50s in the night. There are probably other things to consider but that's my advice. Good luck on your trip!

keep you fuel receipts. they should be from different places and times.

Squats. Lots and lots of squats.

get an adjustable backrest! will change your life forever!! haha

Have you done your SS1K yet? If not, I recommend 500 miles out, 500 miles back on highways/interstate. If you can,start early and go west so the sun is at your back in both directions. Don't overthink it, it's arduous but not too difficult, so make your first one as easy as possible. That's what I did for my first one and I got done in about 18 hours, with multiple stops and 30 min for dinner at Steak-n-Shake. Take Advil before you need it and stay hydrated - it helps with the soreness the day after. Be prepared to be bitten by the Long Distance Bug. For more LD shenanigans, have you checked out the Iron Butt Rally that's going on right now? ibr.wvi.com/

Did you ever do an IBA SS 1000?

gloves bro...gloves!