DT125R ARCHIVE

AndyYam · Guru

Long rides??

Rastazak · DTR Member

I was just wondering if anyone here takes their DT on long rides (100+ miles) and how does it cope? Do you have to stop regularly and have you encountered any problems on such journeys?

Im only asking because i am thinking of going from Cambridge to Sheffield which is a 123 mile journey down the a1 and then back again two days later! Is this a stupid idea? Please let me know what you think.

Here is a little info on my bike: its a 2003 Dtr with 16000 miles on the clock! Recent "ish" bottom and top end rebuild when I fitted the 170cc kit (about 4000 miles ago)! Its still running strong doesn't have any problems except sometimes it takes a few kicks to start it in the cold! New rear tyre and brake pads all round. And some more stuff I cant really think of right now.

Thanks in advance.

Zak

ToySoldier · DTR Legend

should be fine pal just change plug before hand you shouldent be a problem i have riden 140+ miles in 1 day going tot he coast and back 6 or 7 times now lol

Reef · Guru

Yeah heard a few people doing long journeys with there's on here, like toy said wack in a fresh spark plug but also take a couple of tools,cable ties, spark plugs (even old used ones is better than nothing incass the one you put in is a dud) and maybe breakdown if your up for it and it's going cheap

The Bandit · DTR Respected Member

The only long distance (100+ miles) problem I've encountered is when I take my DT down the motorway and it vibrates my number plate like hell. After 700ish miles cracks have started appearing and a plate fitting bolt fell out. I just got out my superglue and fixed all those problems in a jiffy.

FunkeyMunkeyDavid · Guru

i've done ipswich to donny (150 odd miles) and back more times than my butt cheeks care to remember,with no grief. also did ipswich to weston-super-mare and back in the same weekend.... as said though,a toolkit is a must. also a roll of gaffer tape. sounds stupid,but anything falls off it can be strapped back on biggrin i gaffer taped up a split rad on the run back from weston-super-mare. ran hot but covered just under 200 miles and got home (seized the next day,but hey)

MrPickle · DTR Member

And I worry about my 10 minute, 60mph commute up the A24 everyday!

I did go from Worthing to Maidenhead and back on my old DT,
Ended up getting lost on the way home and taking the M25 and M23 home. L plate flapping in the breeze all the way !

AndyYam · Guru

Thats not a bad route home, probably the way i woulda gone. When i rode to cornwall on my DT125RE a few years back I said "never again" but i was on my own and 17 at the time.

nathanlee · DTR Respected Member

I recently did Preston, to Shrewsbury, to Swindon (over nighted), then next morning to Christchurch (Dorset), overnighted again, then off to Brighton (another overnight) then London. Quite a distance on a 125 stroker. Map here Longest leg was 226 miles.

Obvious point to make is dress well. Full biking clobber, not only for safety, but to keep you warm and comfy, and protect you from the wind. You will get tired pretty quickly otherwise. You will get tired anyway.

Keep it around 40/50 mph as much as possible. If you do long stints on A roads, pull over regularly and let it cool down. I've had, on a few occasions now, the bike overheat and die when running at sustained high revs. Usually when I've been brapping along at 50 ish, then go spastic up to 70 odd.

Probably worth adding a little extra oil to the petty tank, or if you premix, go a tad richer than normal.

Take plenty of smokes, and change for coffee stops.

Enjoy it. It'll be fun.

For inspiration, here's my first ever trip out after passing my CBT two years ago. 958 miles on a GS125, in late october/november. http://youtu.be/b6Vz6IgDFmc

FunkeyMunkeyDavid · Guru

nathanlee wrote:

Keep it around 40/50 mph as much as possible. If you do long stints on A roads, pull over regularly and let it cool down. I've had, on a few occasions now, the bike overheat and die when running at sustained high revs. Usually when I've been brapping along at 50 ish, then go spastic up to 70 odd.

that sounds a bit odd? like its got tight clearances or a lack of oil? i've run all my dt's on pure silkolene pro cool (or pure antifreeze) and they should run flat out at 80 ish for miles and not hit halfway on the temp gauge. 958 miles on a 1st trip out? nothing like easing yourself into it biggrin

AndyYam · Guru

Yeah mine never got near half way on the temp guage and i was motoring. M6 fast lane, A1 M1 etc etc. Dont know what speedos as the speedo broke but was comfortable at 8krpm for long stints, going to 8.5krpm for over takes on the m25. Never got to half way then. I use Castrol Racing fully synthetic.

MrPickle · DTR Member

My tempo gauge has never been above 1/4 ,even in that hot spell we had. (Summer, I think its called)

Sgt-syphilis · Guru

I did a 250 mile round trip over two days....lovely on the way there...head gasket went on the way back. had to keep stopping to let it cool down...ditched the coolant out a few times and replaced with what i had in my bag...water and beer. It was a nightmare...running out of petrol, no phone battery, slightly lost on the side of a 3-lane a road. had my dark visor on and it started getting dark fast as i had to keep stopping... and it was raining so had to choose between rain hitting my face or darkness lol. In the end i did 18 miles on reserve (boy was i shítting it looking for a petrol station in rugby) but meh it was all good in the end....wish i had a riding buddy for teh lulz mind..

AndyYam · Guru

I know that feeling of "wheres a ****ing petrol station". When we were on our ride i had that 3 times. I cant remember what the reserve capacity of the bike is but i beleive its something like 2.5 - 3 litres, which is 1/4 - 3rd of the tank. I was ****ting it for no reason as t get to reserve i could do about 100 miles iirc.

Not fun diving for the hard shoulder when the bike runs out on "on" in the fast lane of the M25 at about 70. Didnt fancy reaching to turn it to reserve so just whacked the indicator on and got off the road lol.