Fuel costs and road trips

[Grumbler]

Fortunately, my 1500 Classic FI averages ~47mpg on road trips as it's box stock other than for the Bub Big Willys.

Right now the cheapest price for regular near my digs here in Boise is $3.10 at the Flying J for regular although I use premium.

That said, have planned a couple of road trips with gas prices in mind as $5 a gallon is quite possible later this summer.

The 450-mile loop from Boise to Mackay and Challis then back via Stanley and Lowman has been changed from a leisurely overnighter to a longish day ride. Not having to pay for lodging (not into camping) and extra meals on the road makes a big difference there.

The original North Central Idaho loop was going to have us rotate from Grangeville to Orofino to Grangeville over 4-days, but we chopped a night off that trip and staying in Grangeville both nights.

The 1500 mile California Redwoods road trip was changed from 6-days to 5, and managed to get the use of a friend's vacation home near Klamath Falls for first and last nights on the road although I still have to pay for 2 nights lodging in Arcata, CA.

Now, altogether it might not seem like THAT much of a savings, but those savings will help us out when we get gas for our Camry and Trooper S.

I'd be *very* surprised if I'm not the only one with these sort of plans.

[Jake '53]

We're bringing camping gear with us. Our plans for this summer's trip changed from motel every night to camping whenever it's not raining.

[Deeppurple52]

Grumbler...... Glad to see your post. I have maintained from the beginning that the best way to get the best overall performance is to leave the bike as close to stock as possible. It appears to be working well for you. Those are good number on your 1500 and I suspect that haven't been sucking anybodies exhaust fumes.
Trips.... We have a very ambitious schedule this year including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Silverton, CO, Bonneville, The Arches and Canyon Lands in UT, Sequoia, Reno Air Races and the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque. We already have Death Valley in the bag. Although gas will certainly be more expensive, the cost/benefit of riding the bikes far outweighs the cost. A former POW taught me years ago to not delay what we want to do. I listened, we're going come hell or high water!
Good luck on your journeys.

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by Deeppurple52

Grumbler...... Glad to see your post. I have maintained from the beginning that the best way to get the best overall performance is to leave the bike as close to stock as possible. It appears to be working well for you. Those are good number on your 1500 and I suspect that haven't been sucking anybodies exhaust fumes.

It's a CA-spec model, and does run just a little bit lean. I would think that the newer Vulcans might be running leaner mixtures although I haven't any hard data on it. I recall riding with a bud on '99 1500 Classic carb with intake/exhaust mods, and mine was slightly better.

Originally Posted by Deeppurple52

Trips.... We have a very ambitious schedule this year including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Silverton, CO, Bonneville, The Arches and Canyon Lands in UT, Sequoia, Reno Air Races and the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque. We already have Death Valley in the bag. Although gas will certainly be more expensive, the cost/benefit of riding the bikes far outweighs the cost. A former POW taught me years ago to not delay what we want to do. I listened, we're going come hell or high water!
Good luck on your journeys.

I've been to Yosemite countless times over the years. I recall being at the eastern entrance to Tioga Pass from US-395 several years ago, and there was chartered bus full of Japanese tourists blocking the road as they all got off to snap pics. After waiting awhile, we rode past the bus, and pulled into the parking area. We then walked over to the ranger, and paid our fee before continuing on our way.

Unfortunately, family and work commitments prevent me from doing the longer road trips like yours. 5-days the best I can do for now.

POW friend ... are you associated with the ALR?

[The Menace]

We don't intend to let the gas prices prevent us from taking any trips, though we don't have any planned for longer than a 3-day weekend. Lots of short day and weekend trips.

Life's too short.

Dennis

[OhSteelerfan]

I won't let the gas price keep me from doing any trips. Its vacation ... save somewhere else and enjoy. I drove truck for 16yrs and everyone would always say the gas price would keep people from traveling .. never did believe it and still dont. Just look AT ALL the traffic .. gets worse all the time.

[trikebubble]

Getting away from civilization is the reason my wife and I bought bikes. I tend not to think about the cost of fuel when either riding, or deciding where to ride.
I'll figure another wya to save my pennies.............Kraft Dinner got me through college, it should still be (sort of) tasty.......

[bbristol]

My girlfriend and I where just talking about this. We are planning a cross country 3 week trip this summer. Idaho-North Carolina-Vermont-Idaho.
We both will be on bikes I on my 2k and she on her 900.
I was trying to figure out if its cheaper to take a car than 2 bikes.
What I figured out was:

Our average mpg is 45mpg. Based on 2k=40mpg and 900=50mpg average is 45.
So taking two bikes is equal to driving a civic or a hybrid type car.
Neither of us has such a car, we both have cages that would not get 20mpg if you added them together!

The way I see it. We are going on the trip either way. Its a plus that we can save money taking the bikes instead of a cage

[Deeppurple52]

Grumbler... No I am not associate with ALR. I am a 12 year vet.. Air Force Fighter Pilot; F-100, F-4, F-15. Had several friends that were were not as fortunate as I and spent significant time as POW's. One of my F-4 squadron mates taught me not to set aside things you want to do because the opportunity may be unexpectedly taken from you. It was good advice. Get out there and ride!

[warsw]

Originally Posted by bbristol

My girlfriend and I where just talking about this. We are planning a cross country 3 week trip this summer. Idaho-North Carolina-Vermont-Idaho.
We both will be on bikes I on my 2k and she on her 900.
I was trying to figure out if its cheaper to take a car than 2 bikes.
What I figured out was:

Our average mpg is 45mpg. Based on 2k=40mpg and 900=50mpg average is 45.
So taking two bikes is equal to driving a civic or a hybrid type car.
Neither of us has such a car, we both have cages that would not get 20mpg if you added them together!

The way I see it. We are going on the trip either way. Its a plus that we can save money taking the bikes instead of a cage

Remember you have two bikes both traveling the same distance and both taking on gas so your mileage for the two of you on separate bikes will be half of what you figured.

[Uthor]

Originally Posted by warsw

Remember you have two bikes both traveling the same distance and both taking on gas so your mileage for the two of you on separate bikes will be half of what you figured.

Yeah, they'll be doign twice as many miles than driving a car. Based on his numbers, he'd be only getting 22.5 mpg with two bikes, which is worse than pretty much any relatively new compact or midsized car.

[anrfknm]

after thinking about this a bit, i guess i fall into the group that won't change my planned trips, but rather conserve somewhere else.

[Plato]

Reading this thread makes me think we'll all be riding Ninja 250s in a couple more years

Seriously, my commute to work nowadays on my lil' Ninja costs the same as it did 10 years ago in my old 91 Ford Explorer

Even the Nad is starting to look expensive just to ride to work

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by Deeppurple52

Grumbler... No I am not associate with ALR. I am a 12 year vet.. Air Force Fighter Pilot; F-100, F-4, F-15. Had several friends that were were not as fortunate as I and spent significant time as POW's. One of my F-4 squadron mates taught me not to set aside things you want to do because the opportunity may be unexpectedly taken from you. It was good advice. Get out there and ride!

Have a bud in Apache Junction who rides a '02 1500 Drifter, and he's in the ALR due to his father's service. Wasn't in the service myself due to getting 4F on my draft card (severe neural sensory deafness from oxygen chamber).

Am definately looking forward to the riding season!

[Grumbler]

Originally Posted by Uthor

Yeah, they'll be doign twice as many miles than driving a car. Based on his numbers, he'd be only getting 22.5 mpg with two bikes, which is worse than pretty much any relatively new compact or midsized car.

And replacing tires that last only so long is ex$pen$ive. Maybe they should take turns riding 2-up. Heh-heh.