Cardiff - Scotland (Perth) 1st long journey - any tips?

[niff5855]

Going to Perth in Jockland on my new ZX6R. Any helpful, practical tips for motorway riding.
When I brought the bike back from Aldershot I

a)Froze my balls off

b)Almost siezed my neck

c)After a hundred miles my arse, back and wrists were in agony.

Any tips appreciated
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Live fast - die....erm...well...old !!!

[Bendy]

Don't get off the bike in Perth!

[mchaggis]

You could stop for a rest, a piss, a cup of coffee/ whatever every hour or so. You're going to need at least two tanks of fuel I should imagine, and lunch on the way. Walk about, stretch your legs, get a break from the wind noise, read a magazine, grab some chocolate, do whatever.

Personally I think the key is to break the journey into segments, and to keep each segment short enough that you don't get really sore and tired. Having warm clothing might help too.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[niff5855]

aye good idea, breaking the journey into sections. I like it.

Bendy, I've got something waiting for me in Perth thats going to make the trip worthwhile

Assuming my testicles havent fallen off that is lol

Cheers
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Live fast - die....erm...well...old !!!

[Mr.Everready]

I took my ZX6 from Harrogate to the west of Scotland with no major problems except the cold in my hands.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[wildcat]

I'm doing my 1st big run on my zx6 too.
From northern Ireland to southern Ireland then ferry to holyhead then ride to middlesex in one day then on the sunday from middlesex to kidderminster via macclesfield/ cat&fiddle/ buxton,
Then next day up to cairnryan ferry to larne and ride to home. About 800 miiles give or take,
Although I have no balls to freeze off I'm still kinda crapping myself, Let me know if you do have any problems, (so I can plan)
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[wildcat]

Try AA journey planner (google it) it will tell you where all the services on your route are, you can plan your stops.
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[Oilundernails]

If you have time, consider a more scenic route, like going up the A6 and then across towards Edinburgh over the hills, a great ride, more to see, more curves, fewer trucks, you can still make good progress ... don't get cold, get off now and then! you can be in a zombie trance without realising.

[mr.z]

Bit controversial but a mp3 player in one ear (the headphone) helps me concentrate/stay awake, so much so i dont go anywhere 100+ without it. Motorways get so boreing sometimes you can be tempeted to drive into the side just so something interesting happens (no..? just me then?)

Take as many rests as you need, if something hurts/needs emptying/filling then stop, something buging you.. stop, these niggles will sap concentration and lead to many bad things happening, make sure your comfy and ready before setting off, even if your mates waiting for you, that cuff not done up will let 80mph freezeing air up your coat and will pish you off for the next xxxmiles.

Caffine + cold will make you need to pee constantly, not good obviously.

IMO ridieng at 4am is perfect traveling time, no traffic, plenty of light on its way, you'll arrive at your destination before anyone has got out of bed, no filtering/traffic in towns.. brilliant! allthough its a fair bit colder...

Fast food down the coat will help keep you warm and is a handy snack when you do stop.

Camping shops sell hand warmers that cen be reused, they are fantastic, though you can't eat them when you stop.

Balaclava, gortex windstopper, you'll look and feel like a twat, but you will be warm, your neck will thank you...

Two pairs of pants/pants boxers combo, add another pair in -conditions stinkwheel mentioned once long johns, worth a go

Take care of your chain, take lube and any adjusting kit. make sure its 100% top condition, same goes for the rest of the bike + tyres!

Allthough its a bit iffy a tank bag full up can be nice to rest against on the motorway, don't get too comfy obviously.. takes the strain off the back/wrists e.t.c. (not 100% adviseable + depends on the bike + rider)

wildcat - I used to ride the macclesfield - cat and fiddle - buxton route very often, its brilliant, it took me an hour longer than the motorway but well worth it, cat and fiddle does a mean bangers and mash (forget getting on the bike for an hour tho )

niff5855 - the zxr apparently, you get used to that on longer journeys, me and a mate with a zxr400 went from derby to whitby and back, the scenic route... he had only had the bike that week, I was fine, he looked like he was about to die, not being used to the rideing position, now he is used to it not a problem, wales and back fine, 250 miles arorund the peak district only stoping for petrol/pee, no problem.

edit: holy crap of god, apologies for longness
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[R4nger]

Haha. I need a neck brace on the motorway, kills my neck because the wind lifts the helmet. Anything over 100 I can not do just because my neck hurts so much and I don't often want to go that speed.