TOPIC:

Hi all,
I have made it to Rupert, Idaho. 500 miles of the 620 mile trip are behind me and not a single problem so far. The weather has been bad all the way, other than that I have had a great time.
I found that I was able to get 6th gear so I kept the sprocket ratio at the stock 16 - 38. I have been cruising at 70 to 80 mph and at that speed I am right around 6000 rpm's. My bike has performed flawlessly, running strong and sounding solid. I usually keep her spotless, so the road grime on her doesn't sit well with me but she probably loves it, after all that's what bikes are for.
I haven't kept track of my mileage so far but I will between Rupert and Boise. I know that Tremonton to Rupert is 108 miles and I filled up in Tremonton and had about 1/6th of a tank left when I got here so I am guessing I have been getting around 45 miles to the gallon.
No windshield this time but I think I will have one on my next road trip.
If there are any forum members in the Boise area I would love to hear from you. I am thinking about getting another 1980 kz550 ltd when I get there. I want to keep this one stock but have one to experiment with and maybe modify a little.
Thanks again to all the members who have given me advice and information. I love this forum.
Steve

luvmykz wrote: Hi all,
I have made it to Rupert, Idaho. 500 miles of the 620 mile trip are behind me and not a single problem so far. The weather has been bad all the way, other than that I have had a great time.
... Steve

Steve, If you're anything like me, years from now that may be the one thing you remember most about the trip Glad to hear the trip is otherwise going really well. Ed

I know what you mean, Steve, about not being all that hardcore. I had visions of taking my 440 this summer all the way from DC to Indianapolis (600 miles) to watch the MotoGP race this year, but i might nix it. A few weekends ago i rode the bike on just a 90 miler from DC to the casinos in West Virginia and i was shocked at how much work it was on the highway. The wind just beat the crap out of me. The bike itself ran fine and i was able to get into the 70-80mph range if i wanted to, but i would need to buy a few accessories to make highway speeds more comfortable for a long haul. The 440 is a perfect city bike and im happy that it can handle the highway, if i need to, but a tourer it is not.

My '82 440 does fine as a tourer. I just did 300+ miles today, and while I did occasionally get blown around a bit, felt fine at the end of the day by breaking the trip up just a bit. It's got a Vetter fairing and I'm sure that helps. Got a solid 60 mpg and easily cruised 65-70 mph @ 5500 rpm. I'm a big fan of the 400s as not too big but big enough to do the job bikes.

Friend of mine toured Europe on a 175 with a passenger part of the time. He weighs about 120 lbs but still, we do tend to over rate size and muscle in the US. I plan to take a 200 mile trip on my 305 this summer, now that its running great. I'm sure a more experienced rider could take it farther.

you sir have much more cojones than I do. I dont even take my 440 on the intersate. I get blown around like crazy unless I am in the racing position which is hardly comfy.

I wouldnt suggest it, but if you do 300 in a day, id say make it a 2 day trip. It would be fun to take the scenic route without all that action on the freeway consuming all of your thinking