[ironbuttbill]

Howdy Y’all from the Lubbock, Texas area!

I have been riding for only 23 years but unlike others it has been on one motorcycle.

My motorcycle is a 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 500LTD. It is set up for long distance riding. There aren't may good twisty roads around here so I have to travel a bit to get to a nice road. The Texas Hill Country is about six hours away, as is southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

I am looking forward to sharing my riding stories and hearing yours.

 

[lesblank]

Super glad you joined! Folks, this man does Iron Butt rides on a 500. Think about that. Bill, if you get a chance, do a thread here about your Long Haul ride early this year like you did on the Vulcan forum. This is a different group, that enjoy seat time, and would love to read about it. Oh, post your interview also. Hopefully we'll meet up this year, I'm planning to spend a week or so at son's in Eastland soon.

 

[ironbuttbill]

Uh Les, to which Long Haul ride are you referring? You'll need to narrow it down so I can present the proper one.

 

[lesblank]

Wasn't one in 2021 that was something like 10k miles in 10 days? That's the big one I remember, but hey, I'm getting old and memory ain't what it used to be. Better idea, just start at 10k rides and work yourself down. Yes, Bill, folks like reading that kind of stuff, at least I do.

 

[Tinsnips]

Welcome from Niagara Falls. Glad to have you here. I feel your pain about the lack of twisties. If miles and miles of farm land is your thing come up and see me. I know a spot where there are two turns in the same road...

I'm gonna say anyone who has rode the same bike for 23 years and is still heading out for long runs knows how to maintain a bike. When the bike maintenance section pops up on here let us know your secrets.

 

[lesblank]

Wait till you hear about his axillary fuel take and can ride about forever without stopping. See Bill, some of us do notice what you have done with admiration.

 

[GARider]

Welcome @ironbuttbill from northeast Georgia!
Would like to read some of those long haul rides.
Interesting to know:
How is the bike set up.
What do you do to prepare.
What do you pack.
Do you sleep next to your bike, tent, hotel.
How many Miles in one day. For iron butts isn’t it 1000 miles in one day.
How many iron butt challenges has you completed.
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Tinsnips]

Welcome @ironbuttbill from northeast Georgia!
Would like to read some of those long haul rides.
Interesting to know:
How is the bike set up.
What do you do to prepare.
What do you pack.
Do you sleep next to your bike, tent, hotel.
How many Miles in one day. For iron butts isn’t it 1000 miles in one day.
How many iron butt challenges has you completed.
Inquiring minds want to know.

Also what do you carry in your emergency kit?

 

[CarGuy]

Hey @ironbuttbill, I'll have to get used to your new moniker! bikerbill sticks in my mind and my wife will tell you it's hard to change my mind, at least she thinks so. Good to see you here, too. Everyone else, in addition to riding a 500, he bolted an extra gas cannister on the back of his bike so he doesn't have to stop for gas so much. Crazy!

 

[ndncowboy]

WELCOME ABOARD the site, and...





Hope to see you contribute. You get more from the site when you do.

 

[01-7700]

 

[Boog]

Hello @ironbuttbill and welcome from a displaced Texan in Virginia.

My youngest son took over his mom's first bike, an EX500. I love that little machine. Same engine as yours. How many miles do you have on the cruiser?

 

[lesblank]

I'll let him answer how many miles. I'm on another forum with him that we do a Monthly Mile Challenge, and he definitely puts some miles on it.

 

[ironbuttbill]

How many miles do you have on the cruiser?

I keep my mileage updated in my signature. Currently it is 256,000 miles.

 

[01-7700]

 

[ironbuttbill]

Welcome @ironbuttbill from northeast Georgia!
Would like to read some of those long haul rides.
Interesting to know:
How is the bike set up.
What do you do to prepare.
What do you pack.
Do you sleep next to your bike, tent, hotel.
How many Miles in one day. For iron butts isn’t it 1000 miles in one day.
How many iron butt challenges has you completed.
Inquiring minds want to know.

All in good time Friend. All in good time.

 

[ironbuttbill]

WELCOME ABOARD the site, and...





Hope to see you contribute. You get more from the site when you do.

I've been there too:

 

[ndncowboy]

I've been there too:
View attachment 253

You do get around.

 

[bpe]

I keep my mileage updated in my signature. Currently it is 256,000 miles.

The $64,000 Question​

How many engines have you had on your bike?

 

[ironbuttbill]

I wondered who was going to ask that question. 😀

Engines are averaging about 100,000 miles before needing major work. I rebuilt the original at 108k due to excessive oil consumption. (1 qt per 800 miles) That lasted to 204k when a suspected burned valve caused me to install a different engine.

Transmission issues are the other reason for the rebuild/replacement.

The original engine is in the shed awaiting tear down for the rebuild at 300k.