How to get your mileage up

[BSNinja250]

Do you guys have any tips on improving how long / far you can ride your ninja. I feel like i can ride for like an hr but then i get tired. I really want to start venturing out further and further. So does anyone have any words of advise for me?


Thanks

[Reswob]

Earplugs if you're on the highway.

[dubojr1]

What is stopping you at 1 hour. Butt sore, body aches, etc?

[Snake]

Body conditioning is very important to staying in the saddle for long periods of time.

Stretch before mount your steed and for conditioning try running and lifting light weights for body tone.

Also, the more you ride the longer you will be able to stay on each time.

[MikeCG23]

Make stops every hour till you get used to it. I'd advise wearing earplugs or getting one of those black condom looking things to put over your head, under your helmet. It's called wind fatigue I believe.

[drowe531]

Originally Posted by drsketch

yeah continue riding, and not sure why you would want ear plugs on the hwy

Um to keep your hearing and reduce the fatigue from the wind noise.

[Alex]

Earplugs thread --> Linky

Bunch of threads out there on how to improve long-distance riding, one of them that came up for me quickly is right here ---> Linky

[Zombiphone]

It really depends on what it is that's making it so you're too tired to ride-

Earplugs will definitely help a lot with the physical fatigue from the constant wind and engine noise.

If it's the wind hitting you in the chest that's wearing you out, crouching behind a bigger wind screen and even laying on the tank can help tremendously.

A lot of people swear by corbin seats if it's the sitting that's too much.

Be conscious of the weight you're putting on your wrists and try too keep as much weight off them as possible if it's upper body fatigue that's getting you.

And your best bet of all would be just riding more until you're more used to it.

Otherwise, I'll just reiterate stretches and getting in shape won't hurt.

That's all I do anyways, save the corbin seat. But then, the longest I've ever ridden in one shot was only around 6 1/2-7 hours or so over the course of 370 miles (Should have been 350 miles, but i have a superb sense of direction ) to northern california for the gp race last month, only dismounting a couple times just long enough to get gas. Aside from the seat being really brutal after a while, I was fine. Just like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Just go on increasingly long rides whenever you get the time, and eventually you'll start making it more and more manageable.

[emdsd]

I am also a long distance cyclist. Being in good physical condition makes a huge difference.

If you are hardcore about staying in the saddle the best way to prepare is to weight train and work your way up to 25 miles a day on a bicycle. Then wear you padded cycling shorts under your motorcycle gear when going for a half a day or longer ride.

[50sGrl]

I had the same problem in the beginning and as for myself, I realized I had 2 problems. I was stressed/tensed up as a newbie, which also sometimes causes me to hold my breath, which will cause exhaustion to come rather quickly. For that, I repeatedly told myself to relax and take full breaths while riding. Also, I found myself basically leaning on my arms & the handlebars, which is also tiring for the body. I constantly reminded myself that no weight should be on the arms but rather my back/stomach/legs should be holding my torso up.

I suppose in a nutshell, what worked for me was to relax, breathe, and keep my weight off my arms. And ride, ride, ride, within your comfort zone so you won't get too stressed.

[Snake]

Very well put Ann.

[BSNinja250]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Maybe I should work on exercising and then try to just relax and enjoy the ride.

[CC Cowboy]

The more you ride, the easier it gets. Just ride.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

The more you ride, the easier it gets. Just ride.

i think we're missing the subtle undertones here... maybe "mileage" is a new-age slang for his... uh... "manhood"...

in either case the answer is the same... experience leads you to ride on it longer. why just the other day i rode my baby HARD for 8 hours straight!

now unless you're getting up there in experience and getting the damn thing started has become a problem... in which case there's an answer!: viagra! ... i mean seafoam!!!

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i think we're missing the subtle undertones here... maybe "mileage" is a new-age slang for his... uh... "manhood"...

in either case the answer is the same... experience leads you to ride on it longer. why just the other day i rode my baby HARD for 8 hours straight! :thumbup:

now unless you're getting up there in experience and getting the damn thing started has become a problem... in which case there's an answer!: viagra! ... i mean seafoam!!!

You must be the man.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by 50sGrl

I had the same problem in the beginning and as for myself, I realized I had 2 problems. I was stressed/tensed up as a newbie, which also sometimes causes me to hold my breath, which will cause exhaustion to come rather quickly. For that, I repeatedly told myself to relax and take full breaths while riding. Also, I found myself basically leaning on my arms & the handlebars, which is also tiring for the body. I constantly reminded myself that no weight should be on the arms but rather my back/stomach/legs should be holding my torso up.

I suppose in a nutshell, what worked for me was to relax, breathe, and keep my weight off my arms. And ride, ride, ride, within your comfort zone so you won't get too stressed.

Well said
I tense up like crazy too, and after 45 minutes I'm ready to go back home
I'm sure once I'll start relaxing more it'll be easier and less tiring!

[spooph]

Originally Posted by MikeCG23

Make stops every hour till you get used to it. I'd advise wearing earplugs or getting one of those black condom looking things to put over your head, under your helmet. It's called wind fatigue I believe.

Balaclava:



Not to be confused with Baklava:



But more to the point. Great advice! Relaxing, and ride ride ride.

The more you ride the more you'll figure out what you actually need to change.

For instance, I always thought my butt just needed conditioning until I rode 600 miles in a day. Then I realized I really just don't have a but, and need a new seat and bicycling shorts....

You also get quite creative with seating positions on the long-haul.

Oh, and as you ride more, don't be too surprised to see muscles develop you didn't know you had before.

[TrueFader]

motorcycling is an active sport, do some exercise to build strength, focus on muscle groups that you use while riding (legs core) dont try pushing your limits riding to get endurance, riding tired or exhausted will lead to mistakes. weight loss from working out will make you a little faster too dropping weight off the rider is the best way to remove weight from the bike

[tjkamper]

It is just like any training. The more you do the more you can do. Push yourself past that wall. And slowly build up the distance you go. Just like training for a marathon, but a lot more fun.

[onetruevibe]

Originally Posted by spooph

Balaclava:

Spooph...is that a pic of you in that head condom?

[ScorpionNinja]

One thing i use alot is...

Tip: When you come to a village/town where the speed limit Drops from 50+ MPH, down to 25 MPH, while riding at 25 MPH just stand up on the footpegs the whole time your cruising through the small town. Afew trips here in Mi. ive ben able to use this to keep riding w/o taking a butt break.

Keep in mind, shifting/braking takes more talent to do while standing on the footpegs, but keep your head up, eyes scanning for possible cager threats and at 25 MPH, if you need to suddenly STOP, its quick and easy enuff to drop your butt back down on the seat and maintain proper body position for braking/sweerving, etc!

[road_rascal]

For long rides (Iron Butt type) I wear padded bicycle shorts under my riding pants. Keeps the rear end happy and the 'furniture in the same room", if you know what I mean. I also stand on the pegs too going through small towns but keep in mind to some Leo's (law enforcement officers) that can be considered reckless driving/ riding. I had a cop stop me for doing this and asked what the heck I was doing. I just stated that I was riding to another state and that my legs needed a stretch and I didn't need to stop for gas yet. Seeing as I had on the full gear he just said have a good time and be safe.