riding from san jose to los angeles

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newbiker07 · Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:32 am

I was just wondering...I have a suzuki gs500f2k6 and I just wanted some advice or opinions on this decision i'm trying to make. I'm thinking of driving it down 101 from san jose to los angeles so I can bring my bike to school. I'd be riding by myself but would leave early morning and get there in the afternoon (so always when it's day time). My parents are sort of against it but I think I can do it. I've been riding for about 3 months now..any suggestions, warnings, comments? thanks

RhadamYgg · Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:06 pm

What kind of distance is it? - And can you take a larger highway that 101?

And how comfortable are you with riding?

RhadamYgg

Johnj · #3 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:45 pm

It's 300 miles from San Jose to LA and the 101 should be ok. There will be lots of different traffic types, but as long as your good with that then I say go for it.

coffee_brake · Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:10 pm

I too learned to ride on Hwy 101 in CA, near San Jose...

Dude...be careful, that wind combined with those (beautiful, fantastic) curves is nothing to play with. You are smart to leave early and avoid the traffic, and the early morning winds will be much less gusty than in the afternoon.

Stop and take pictures, don't try to sight-see while riding.

But I totally think you can do it if you give yourself pleny of time, and many chances to stop and take a break.

You will never forget this day's trip, if you take it.

#5 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:24 pm

Be sure to stop and walk around (helmet off) for 5 to 10 minutes about every 60 minutes.

Carry some quick snacks - granola bars, etc. and a bottle or two of WATER. Drink, munch, when you stop. This too will help refresh. It may stretch out the trip, but it will help keep you mentally sharp and less physically fatigued for the duration.

Don't push yourself like you might be tempted to on a long car trip... the consequences can be dire.

P

RhadamYgg · #6 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:11 pm

300 miles isn't too bad. I haven't done it yet on my Suzuki but on my Ninja 240 I covered at least 250 miles in a morning.

The biggest problem I had was the changing road surfaces. I was on Route 80 in NJ and PA, and the road surface and maintenance level changed from Eastern NJ to Western NJ - and then again in PA plus PA had road maintenance + new road construction.

Lap joints (I think they are called) - little humps between pavement sections - can send the bike upwards on to you.

Scary, but not bad as long as you aren't going to fast and don't freak out when you hit one.

RhadamYgg

jmillheiser · Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:09 pm

300 miles might make you a bit sore if you have only been riding 3 months.

beware the 101 is a nightmare once you hit LA, it ALWAYS has heavy heavy traffic. I have to drive part of it everytime I go to LA to visit my mom and even in the middle of the night its packed.

a gs500 will do 300 miles easily, though it might get a tad buzzy at 70+mph. I remember my bandit being infinately more pleasant to do long highway stretches on vs the 500 I started on (the 4 banger was really smooth compared to the twin my 500 had)

Schmink · #8 Unread post by **Schmink** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:46 pm

I concur, if you make sure that you start early, stop every 100 miles for gas and a break (stretch your legs, drink some water), I think you will find that you can make this trip and enjoy some of the scenery there is to see. Depending on what part of LA you are going to, would depend on what time I would plan on arriving. Early mornning is always best as there is less traffic in LA than afternoon or early evening.

s0crates82 · Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:42 am

jmillheiser wrote:300 miles might make you a bit sore if you have only been riding 3 months.

a gs500 will do 300 miles easily, though it might get a tad buzzy at 70+mph. I remember my bandit being infinately more pleasant to do long highway stretches on vs the 500 I started on (the 4 banger was really smooth compared to the twin my 500 had)

Seriously. I rode 240 miles on easter, 120mi up, and 120mi back, and it was the largest amount of miles i've ever put on a bike in a day. (LB to AV. surface streets to 710N to 10W to 5N to 2N to 210W to 14N to surface streets) This was on my gs500fk5. 70 is actually pretty smooth, but riding for a hundred miles at 80+ mph will definitely vibrate the stuffing out of you. You'll probably get a little saddlesore if you're a speed freak.

I can't wait until they finish repaving the 710... I hate the washboard SO MUCH.

jmillheiser · Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:04 pm

Distance is relative. My first few months I would get a bit sore after about 100 miles or so of highway riding.

The most I have done was 600 in one day, but that was already after I had been riding awhile and was on a much smoother bike than I started on. That was stopping every 140 miles or so for gas and was mostly backroads.

On most bikes you will need to stop every 120-150ish miles for gas. Great time to stretch out a bit