How many miles per year?

[leikam]

I'd rather do 60 miles with a big stupid grin on my face than do "400 miles before breakfast" just so I can say I did 400 miles before breakfast.

 

That's the thing about a bike like the RT: I don't think it's ever given me a big stupid grin after a 60 mile ride. It takes me a few hundred miles to get real satisfaction out of riding it. Other bikes get that satisfaction going a lot quicker for me, but after a few hundred miles the grin is gone. So, different bikes for different rides.

 

This year, I'll log ~15-20k miles mostly from commuting. But the best rides have been about a half dozen 100 mile days.

[Illini]

 

 

It's heart, courage and determination that makes a long distance rider, not a "thousand dollar saddle."

 

So there. Nyah.

 

Steve in So Cal

 

Actually It's getting paid 48.5 cents per mile. So 60,000 in a year and the bike is paid for

[Mike O]

I'm not sure, Mike, but I think he's being sarcastic.

Figures, and after a looonnnggg day, too. But I stand by the quality vs. quantiy comment.

 

Mike O

[Bob Palin]

But I stand by the quality vs. quantiy comment.

Not even certain about that, if I had to choose between 1 perfect 500 mile day and 100 OK 500 mile days I might go for the latter.

 

Actually It's getting paid 48.5 cents per mile. So 60,000 in a year and the bike is paid for

Where do you get 48.5c? The IRS rate is only 30.5c

[Whip]

The only reason I ride long distance, is to make a "Ride Tale That Lasts"............. maybe next year.

 

Whip

[BUSTED]

At least 2 past BMWMOA Mileage Contest winners surpassed 100,000 in 6 months. A fellow riding a K1100RS won in 1994 with 113,205 miles.

[russell_bynum]

You guys never fail to make me smile....I'll give you that much.

 

 

Honestly, who just goes out to put on miles on a bike with the same drudging approach that they would for, say, mowing their lawn?? "Man, I really don't want to go for a ride today, but the oil's getting thick and the gasoline's turning to varnish so I'd better get out there so I can hold my head up high at the next Beemer Rally."

 

But you will admit that the odometer IS a status thing with many BMW riders, right? For example, you won't see guys at a sportbike gathering walking around looking at each other's odometers. (They're looking at chicken strips...but don't get me started about that. ) And my guess is that your extended warranty would cover the replacement of your broken speedo needle...probably by just replacing the whole speedo/Odo unit, so why do you still have "old stubby"? We attach some sort of status or credibility to people who's odometers have lots of miles on them. I find that funny because it really doesn't say anything to me other than "Joe has XXXXXX miles on his bike." It doesn't mean that Joe is a good rider. Hell...it doesn't even mean that Joe has any particular endurance ability. It just means that he's got XXXXXX miles on his bike.

[russell_bynum]

That's the thing about a bike like the RT: I don't think it's ever given me a big stupid grin after a 60 mile ride. It takes me a few hundred miles to get real satisfaction out of riding it. Other bikes get that satisfaction going a lot quicker for me, but after a few hundred miles the grin is gone. So, different bikes for different rides.

 

Yeah...the RT never really gave me that "grinning like an idiot" thing anyway. Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy the bike...I enjoyed the hell out of it and I really have a hard time imagining a better all-around bike. But I did have to get it in it's element before I started to really connect with it. That didn't always mean "Long rides", but it rarely meant "just run to the corner for milk".

 

Likewise, I despised my CBR600RR after riding it on the street a few times. Then I put it on the track and just fell in love with it.

[ghaverkamp]

We attach some sort of status or credibility to people who's odometers have lots of miles on them. I find that funny because it really doesn't say anything to me other than "Joe has XXXXXX miles on his bike." It doesn't mean that Joe is a good rider. Hell...it doesn't even mean that Joe has any particular endurance ability. It just means that he's got XXXXXX miles on his bike.

 

Joe's been a surgeon for 25 years. Joe has 10,000 hours in an F-4. Joe's appeared in over 1300 porn films.

 

Surely you've heard of inference.

[russell_bynum]

Joe's been a surgeon for 25 years. Joe has 10,000 hours in an F-4. Joe's appeared in over 1300 porn films.

 

A Fighter Pilot/surgeon/porn star...sounds like an interesting guy.

 

Surely you've heard of inference.

 

Sure, but my point is you can't really infer much from someone's odometer.

[SteveB]

[quote

 

Sure, but my point is you can't really infer much from someone's odometer.

 

Other than they have a lot more free time than I do!

[russell_bynum]

[quote

 

Sure, but my point is you can't really infer much from someone's odometer.

 

Other than they have a lot more free time than I do!

 

[ghaverkamp]

Sure, but my point is you can't really infer much from someone's odometer.

 

You can infer that they actually ride. From that, you can infer they've probably seen some things and have stories to tell.

 

It may be wrong, but my hypothetical Joe could be a quack, a lousy F-4 pilot, or a virgin. The guy who has put lots of miles on his bike may not have seen or experienced anything interesting and may hate talking about riding. He could be wildly unsafe and a lousy rider in spite of the miles. It's just a whole lot less likely.

 

Sometimes we make judgments based on objective measures that may subjectively be invalid. As a result, some in this community see high mileage as a credible indicator that the person is "our" type of rider. I don't really see anything wrong with that.

[russell_bynum]

Sometimes we make judgments based on objective measures that may subjectively be invalid. As a result, some in this community see high mileage as a credible indicator that the person is "our" type of rider. I don't really see anything wrong with that.

 

OK...so the guy who has three bikes and divides up his riding between the three of them is overlooked because he obviously isn't "Our type of rider". And how 'bout the guy who bought a low-miles used bike? (His "age of bike/miles" ratio is going to be way out of whack.) And if Jamie replaced his speedo/Odo with a new 0-miles unit six months ago because the speedo needle broke with 106K showing, then do we just assume he's a "poser" and blow him off? Whoever's riding Paul's old RT must be treated like a God everywhere he goes.

[texasaggie97]

I have done 11000 miles in the first year of ownership of my 1150 GS. I have loved ever minute of it.

[Paul Mihalka]

Sometimes we make judgments based on objective measures that may subjectively be invalid. As a result, some in this community see high mileage as a credible indicator that the person is "our" type of rider. I don't really see anything wrong with that.

 

OK...so the guy who has three bikes and divides up his riding between the three of them is overlooked because he obviously isn't "Our type of rider". And how 'bout the guy who bought a low-miles used bike? (His "age of bike/miles" ratio is going to be way out of whack.) And if Jamie replaced his speedo/Odo with a new 0-miles unit six months ago because the speedo needle broke with 106K showing, then do we just assume he's a "poser" and blow him off? Whoever's riding Paul's old RT must be treated like a God everywhere he goes.

Russell, the thread is about how many miles per year and not about how many miles on each bike or how many miles on the odometer.

A guy or gal with a lot of miles under his/her belt may not be the best rider, may not ride in the "RideSmart" style, but can't be too bad if still alive with not too many broken bones. A low "accidents per miles" ratio may also be a indication of a certain quality in a rider. Track and bambi does not count.

[Patallaire]

An interesting discussion. I engage in some of this with my "other" bike riding friends who, rather than miles will extrapolate that they have been riding for 10 years or 15 for example , have 22,000 miles in total yet consider themselves great riders as their years of experience would indicate experience. I suggest that some of them have had one experience repeated by the number of years of riding. The same could be said for high mileage riders, but I doubt it. I think that mileage gives exposure, this exposure helps create better rider through varying experiences. That is not to suggest that someone can't have the same experiences repeated every mile, however the probability is remote. So, while one can agree that each ride creates different experiences, it is determined that you become a better rider by learning form these experience and riding more. I know, for example, that I did not ride that much this year, so I would never go to Colorado and let it rip through the corners as I did several years ago when I knew I was on my "A" game. Experience, awareness, bike sense, and skill sets only come from awareness miles and time in the saddle.

Thats' my 2 cents{sense}.

[W8NONU]

I ride to have fun, so all of my miles are fun miles. I am not quite as anal as some who have detailed records, but due to tracking maintenance I have a record of miles per year. This year I will be just shy of 25,000. Had some great trips, one to the Canadian Yukon, several rallies and one Torrey trip. I take a lot of day rides on the weekends that can be any where from 200 miles to 600 miles.

 

If I am on my bike I am enjoying myself. I don't count the miles on my dirt bike, but they are no less fun and I take it quite often so those miles add up.

 

I have done Iron Butt qualifying runs, but have never registered for any awards. The rides were not for competition, but for pleasure. Sometimes I had to ride long days to be able to spend the time at the destination instead of travel time.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Joe's been a surgeon for 25 years. Joe has 10,000 hours in an F-4. Joe's appeared in over 1300 porn films.

 

Ah, I see my reputation precedes me.

[tallman]

Sarcastic, not me.

Beth and I love to ride together. She has a leg problem that precludes her riding her own bike, but when we were younger we bicycled thousands of miles together.

The quality and quantity of this time together is priceless.

I also commute @115 miles/day. Most of that is through a National Forest with rolling sweepers and some long straightaways.

The fauna can be a concern, but the solitude of empty roads makes it a pleasure.

Sometimes I get up early on Saturday and take a 223 mile route to the dealership (1.3 miles from home) where I work part-time.

It's all about the ride.

Haven't made the time or budget for track days, yet.

To me it really doesn't matter how many miles it's the ride.

But, I agree with Greg and Paul that an odometer with big numbers can lead to a reasonable hypothesis that the person rides a lot.

Whether that was in five hundred 100 mile bits, or ten 5,000 mile trips, miles is miles (unless they're kilometers ).

Happy trails.

[Marty Hill]

Amazing turn this thread took. I started riding at 59. My skill level is less than wonderful. I am happy to be riding no matter the type of road. I assume that I am learning a bit as time goes on. I hope to continue riding with my less than wonderful skills. Only time I keep track of miles is when I sell the bike.

 

Gleno is right, some people get hung up on the color of a shirt or the hair style. I have never looked at anothers odo. I would think that is beyond shallow and very pointless.

 

Enjoy the ride or fluff up the couch.

[lexxol]

Marty I agree. It is about the ride. I don't put a lot of miles on compared to most on this board. No one has had more fun and enjoyed riding more then I have. I have enjoyed the events that have been put on by members of this board in FL. I have met some nice people through this board and riding. It's not about the miles one racks up, it's about riding no matter if you do Iron Butt or ride to the store down the street.

[GelStra]

Would this have been easier if I had asked how many minutes do you ride per year? To me, time in the saddle is fun. Not always toothy grin kinda fun, but, with some exceptions, I am enjoying myself when I ride. Lumbering up a dirt road at 15 MPH doesn't add much to the odo, but it sure increases the time=fun factor.

Soooooo, since few of us have a Caterpillar hour meters on our bike, the only other measuring device is the odometer. Nut shell (seems appropo here): how much time/miles do you get out to do the hobby which, besides splitting hairs and arguing what shade of blue is the sky, you profess to enjoy? To me, more miles (time) = more smiles.

Roy said it for me, "not enough." Me too.

[Bob Palin]

I don't think I can say that I enjoy every minute/mile on the bike, mostly I do of course, but for instance coming back over UT24 the other night through the deer gauntlet was a bit tense. I had to go slowly and keep a high level of concentration on something other than riding. It wasn't horrible but I wouldn't choose to do it regularly and I'd rather do it in my truck.

[g_nuse]

I assume I can count the miles I put on my other bikes, airplanes when I am PIC, racing, etc.

 

If I assign quality points, then mileage gets reduced. At lunch last Friday, I met 12 BMW riders that I had never met in person. I had a great ride up to the mountains to lunch, a great ride after lunch, and the last 15 minutes of the ride to the house was terrible. It always is and I imagine Marty and others suffer for the same reasons..... we reenter the "urban zone" of cell phones, traffic, drivers that are unaware of their surroundings, etc.

[Mike O]

...Where do you get 48.5c? The IRS rate is only 30.5c

From IRS, issued 11/1/2006

IR-2006-168, Nov. 1, 2006

 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2007 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

 

* 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;

Complete release is here.

 

Regards,

 

Mike O

[Bob Palin]

Yes the rate is 48.5 for cars (inlcuding trucks blah blah balh) but not necessarily motorcycles. I can't actually find a rate for motorcycles on the IRS site but many other government sites report it as 30.5c before the 8c rise.

[russell_bynum]

Just to show that I'm a "Team player", I did go ahead and answer the survey.

 

 

 

This year it was in the 3000-6000 range I think. It probably would have been a good bit higher, but I've been without a street bike since June. (All that's about to change, the Tuono is ready to rock and roll and my new Aerostich shipped yesterday.)

 

 

 

I think the first year with the RT I did 18,000 miles or so...almost all commuting. I had one year where I put 24,000(ish) on it. Then I tapered off and have been doing 10,000/year or so. I'm not commuting on the bike anymore, so that's a big chunk of my miles gone. Fortunately, it was generally the least enjoyable miles. Factor in trailering the bikes across the slab whenever we can, and that takes out even more of the least enjoyable miles. We also started doing track days, so that's taking up a bunch of our time/budget and doesn't result in a whole lot of miles...but a HUGE number of smiles.

[BUSTED]

A few logistics from a CA rider that did 102,976 miles in 6 months, a 5 week vacation included, in 1993.

Worked a full time job.

Bikes used - 92 K100RS, 90 K1, 93 K1100RS, 85 K100RS, and a 91 K100RS.

Averaged 560+ per day.

Replaced rear tire every 5-10 days.

replaced front tire every 15-20 days.

Major service every 15-20 days.

[Ben_Ricci]

There is definitely a close association between mileage and BMW motorcycles that I assume either originates from perceived longevity of the brand and/or the perception of long distance touring being the domain (in part) of BMWs. Because I am new to riding a BMW it is easy for me to see this as nearly every stranger (riders) who asks me about my R12ST first wants to know how many miles are on it—when clearly it’s a very new bike. No one ever asked me about mileage before.

 

I could put upwards of 25,000 miles on it in a typical year if I used my bike for commuting. Or I could ride mostly on weekends and probably rack up 5,000-9,000. The commute would an unfulfilled 46 miles on a divided four-lane highway one way and 46 miles back. On weekends I go for hours enjoying wonderful scenery and excellent less-traveled country back roads and I’m almost never more than an hour from home. The commute would repeat virtually identical miles, and be the same overall experience repeated multiple times, whereas the weekend jaunts no mile is the same and each is rarely repeated. In this hobby not all miles are equivalent and using mileage, as a yardstick can be almost meaningless.

[BereIsland]

I'm on 24,000 miles in 18 months, and I'm fed up, my local dealer that I used for servicing has gone bust, and my next closest dealer has stopped with the bikes, is there anyway I can disconnect the speedometer?

Steve

[mikeR1100R]

I don't think of being aware of the number of miles I ride per year as bragging. I think it is interesting, (probably only to me). I bought this motorcycle a year and a half ago with the intention of exploring the back roads of New England at first with my intrepid wife who just got her motorcycle license last year. How fast the miles added up was interesting, especially since there was a twenty year motorcycle riding gap for me which ended last year. Mileage for its own sake is pointless, but it does come up often in conversations with other riders and oftentimes leads to some really interesting stories.

[Peter W]

OK, but my silly question is: if there are so many damn long distance riders out there, why is it that 99% of the BMW bikes for sale have less than 100K miles on them? Answer that sages. Are they junked? Most have far far less than 100K, for example at ibmw.org.

 

Find one example over 150K and I'll send you $10 cash.

 

heh

[russell_bynum]

OK, but my silly question is: if there are so many damn long distance riders out there, why is it that 99% of the BMW bikes for sale have less than 100K miles on them? Answer that sages. Are they junked? Most have far far less than 100K, for example at ibmw.org.

 

Find one example over 150K and I'll send you $10 cash.

 

heh

 

[Tasker]

OK, but my silly question is: if there are so many damn long distance riders out there, why is it that 99% of the BMW bikes for sale have less than 100K miles on them? Answer that sages. Are they junked? Most have far far less than 100K, for example at ibmw.org.

 

Find one example over 150K and I'll send you $10 cash.

 

heh

 

I know where there are two BMWs in Indy that have over 150K miles each. One is an F650 and the other is an R1150GS. Both original owners.

 

Send the $10 to...

[BUSTED]

Well, Paul's bike had a lot of miles on it when he let it go. My R100RT had 177,000 when I sold it. A friend sold his 96 R1100RT in 1999 with a 150,000+ on it. A lot of long distance riders keep their mounts. The fellow from MI that did 113,205 miles(112,600 on one bike), in 6 months in 1994 had his bike completely gone over mechanically and a new paint job after that season. I think he is still riding it. I know of several bikes with over 400,000 miles on them and the owners have no plan to park/or part with them.

[EffBee]

Ah, young grasshopper (don't want this to sound condescending, but I guess there's no way around it, so at least accept my apology up front). Actually, Russell, I love your passion. But you often seem only able to see things from your own perspective, much though you would argue otherwise.

 

Objectively, what other measurement is there BUT the odometer. Nothing records smiles, or grins, or yeehaws, though if something could it might bring measureability to your criteria. And yours is a fair criteria. But it is not the only one.

 

Sitting in a saddle and trying not to fall asleep? Yet you yourself admitted that you don't have the physical or mental capabilities to do the serious Iron Butt stuff like Ebie does. So, then, long-distance riding takes physical and mental capability by your own admission. And Iron Butt riding takes that to the extreme. Why then, isn't it valid for someone to measure their physical and mental growth as it relates to motorcycling, in miles (as only one measure, but a measure nonetheless).

 

Is it not progress to grow in capability and confidence from 100 mile days to 300, to 500 and more? Is it not a sign of the growth of commitment to riding to slowly arrange one's life and schedule to permit more riding time such as is required by longer and longer days in the saddle? Why, then, is the stating of such accomplishments received so acrimoniously? Because it doesn't fit on the Russell Scale O'Fun?

 

To each his own. If this is how some measure it, I say let them. If this is how some want to brag, let them. If the number of track days in a year or the number of memorable/enjoyable rides in a year is how others want to keep track, or "brag," I say let them, too.

 

There are a lot of years between you and me, my friend. And when you get to be my age, I probably won't be around any more. I hope you discover subjectivity before you get here. [/arm guidingly across shoulder]

 

Go now. Use your passion wisely. Be one. --Master Po

[russell_bynum]

Objectively, what other measurement is there BUT the odometer. Nothing records smiles, or grins, or yeehaws, though if something could it might bring measureability to your criteria. And yours is a fair criteria. But it is not the only one.

 

You're absolutely right...there's no objective way to measure the stuff that matters to me when I'm trying to figure out what kind of a year I'm having.

 

The numbers on the Odometer are definitely objective, but they just don't say much that's meaningful to me.

 

Why then, isn't it valid for someone to measure their physical and mental growth as it relates to motorcycling, in miles (as only one measure, but a measure nonetheless).

 

Because it isn't a particularly relevant measure. I could start commuting on my bike...which would add ~28,000 miles per year. After a year of that, would I have grown or progressed as a rider?

 

Two more things before I pass out for the night:

 

1. You started your post with an appology...no need. You didn't say anything which required an appology. (or if you did, I'm too dense to get it. )

 

2. Of course, I'm talking about me and my perspective. And I'm fully aware of the fact that other people are different. (If I've figured out one thing in my life, it's that.) I'm cool with that. I may disagree, and I may not understand, but I'm cool with it.

[EffBee]

Why then, isn't it valid for someone to measure their physical and mental growth as it relates to motorcycling, in miles (as only one measure, but a measure nonetheless).

 

Because it isn't a particularly relevant measure. I could start commuting on my bike...which would add ~28,000 miles per year. After a year of that, would I have grown or progressed as a rider?

 

Only point with which I differ. Actually, my answer would be Yes. You did it on your Bandit before you got your RT. A better rider insofar as twisties, apexing, body position, line, looking through the corner, etc? No. But will 28K of commuting teach you a thing or two about lane position, emergency braking distances, reaction time, creating an envelope around yourself, emergency escape lanes, cager stupidity/ignorance/arrogance/mean-spiritedness? Ablooly. Does that make one a better, more-aware rider? Yes, with more to learn, but definitely Yes.

[90%angel]

To each his own. If this is how some measure it, I say let them. If this is how some want to brag, let them. If the number of track days in a year or the number of memorable/enjoyable rides in a year is how others want to keep track, or "brag," I say let them, too.

 

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

BTW, I think I voted wrong in the survey. I said less than 3000, but after a recount (and no, I'm not from Florida...), I think it was a wee bit more than that. I forget how many miles we actually lay down at the track. I wasn't counting those miles at all, and it's got to be up there...one lap around Reno seems as though it would qualify you for the IBA plate...

[leikam]

Check http://www.ibmwr.org/market/adlist.php?cat=kbs and you'll find this gem:

For Sale 95' K1100LT

95' K1100LT, 180K miles, Well maintained with receipts, Morea Green (looks blue),Heated grips, Elec. windshield, Wilbers shock, Race Tech fork springs. Stock and Corbin saddles, Stock and shorter wind screens, additional ME880 Rear tire, Clymers. Can e-mail pics. No Scammers.(Please call before 8pm central) Thank you

Price: $3250

Location: Chapel Hill, TN. (near Nashville)

Contact John Bruce at <JBruce@united.net>

Telephone 931-364-5838

Posted Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 20:00:11 (EST)

Paypal accepted at the address in my profile.

 

The answer to your question is simple: even if every long distance rider rode a BMW and kept the same one long enough to hit 100k (or 150k), there are still a lot more people buying and selling BMWs who are neither long distance riders nor long-term owners. LD riders just don't make up a large percentage of total riders. And bikes which eventually do rack up a lot of miles usually aren't advertised as having 300k miles; they're listed as "5000 miles since last rebuild."

[SteveB]

Bob, Bob are you there?

 

“Yes, Jane, we’re here at the local BMW dealership where a rather large crowd has gathered. Initial reports of a long line outside the men’s lounge all morning fed rumors of food poisoning. We understand now that something else may be up. Excuse me young man, can you tell us that’s going on?”

 

“It’s a farce really, spandex, butt pads, day-long, I mean it should really be about the smiles it brings”.

 

“Miss, perhaps you can tell me what this is all about?”

 

“Well BOB, if you have to ask then I’m sure YOU would never understand. They just issued the L.D. award to the older gentleman up on the stage displaying his large trophy.”

 

“But what did you think about that young man’s argument?”

 

“Silly boys, some get testy when they don’t think they measure-up. Some can go the distance; others are in it for the short jaunt. Personally I like to rack up a Big Odometer however, I have to admit sometimes just fooling around in the local area can be very satisfying.”

 

“Well, there you have it from the high mileage awards ceremony. Mark your calendar we can expect to hear more about this argument during the long winter months ahead.

 

This is Bob Johnson reporting for Channel 6, err.. Channel 12 News. Now back to Jane in our studio.”

[Global_Rider]

1st, this isn't some us v. them thread. I'm just curious.

 

I never really think about it but since someone with higher than average kilometers on another forum already brought it up (he was bragging), I had to take a jab and have fun with the guy, so this is what he got...

 

I actually had to go and do the math since I don't normally bother with those stats except for maintenance purposes...10,062 kilometers for 2006.

 

03 R1150 GS Adventure: a piddly 4,016 kilometers on my local roads...Calabogie, Bancroft, Desert Lake Road, Battersea Road, Prince Edward County.

 

04 R1150 GS Adventure: a piddly 6,046 kilometers on the most exciting roads in the Alps and Corsica.

 

But forget the numbers since they really don't mean or tell you anything. Instead, I'll tell you where I've toured and what I've seen.

 

Corsica is a small island in the Mediterranean; maybe 200 kms tall by 80 kms wide with the most incredible roads.

 

In my seven days there, I put almost two-thousand kilometers on this tiny island, yet didn't get to ride all the roads that I wanted to (so I guess I'll have to go back next year for more...oh the misery of it all). A long day there was 340 kms. With the roads as twisty as they are (it was also extremely hot), I was totally worn out....compared to our 750 kms days here where you are still fresh when you get back from a ride.

 

The view coming into the port of Bastia abord the Moby Lines ferry...

 

Taken above the town of Lento on the D5, those D series of roads that are narrow and twisty...

 

And this is what one of those D series of roads looks like. Near Lento...

 

The town of Porto...

 

The view over the Golf de Porto...

 

The view of Cap de Roccapina in the south near Bonifacio...

 

The view of Bonifacio...

 

Near the Col de Bavella...

 

Beware of falling rocks takes on a whole new meaning when coming across this upon exiting a tight hairpin. Its a cubic meter in size...

 

Motorcycling! There is no better way to see the world! Have bike, but need more time off or a winning 6/49 ticket.

[Shawnee Bill]

Alex, if you didn't label those I would think you were in Southern California! Looks just like that, scary.

 

I have a riding friend that loves Iron Butt ride certificates, his goal is to see how many "in state" SS1000 rides he can do.

I think that's great!

I know how many miles I ride because I like to know how many miles I ride.

I'm too lazy to document my rides and send in for an Iron Butt something or other, Butt that's my fault, not my friends fault because he does keep records.

 

Paul (GelStra), thanks for starting this, I know it has taken turns you didn't foresee but I just love it when someone says it's not the miles but by the way I rode 1100 miles yesterday but don't tell anyone they might think I'm bragging, God forbid some one gets caught bragging. There ain't nothing wrong with bragging a bit when you do something you're proud off. After all, the mileage thread always brings out a few that Brag about how they don't brag?

Personally I love reading, hearing, ride tales, part of a good ride tale is the distance covered.

I think we're all embarrassed because we can't keep up with Ardys Kellerman. For those who don't know, Ardys is a lady a bit older than Paul Mihalka that just rode 80,129 miles for the six month BMWMOA mileage contest!

 

I also ride because I like to find great roads to ride, this is eastern New Mexico, a really great M/C road.

If you look over your shoulder from this picture you will see mountains that still had a bit of snow in August! All only a quick 1300+ mile day ride from central Oklahoma.

[Global_Rider]

Alex, if you didn't label those I would think you were in Southern California! Looks just like that, scary.

 

Bill, I don't think any area has a patent on landscape.

 

When I rode the Col d'Izoard in France, it reminded me of pics I've seen of the southwestern US (have yet to get there) that some riders have posted...

 

 

I have a riding friend that loves Iron Butt ride certificates, his goal is to see how many "in state" SS1000 rides he can do.

I think that's great!

 

I'm sorry, but I always have to take a jab at any mileage contest, because to me, an odometer reading means nothing more than X miles done on some road somewhere. I'd sooner know where that rider has been (with pics )...a lot more informative to me as a participant in forums.

 

It was so funny when a rider on another forum wrote and said I hadn't done those thousand milers because I didn't have them documented or a certificate to prove it. Like I cared; I was on a trip with time constraints. It clearly indicated to me what his riding was all about...the spotlight.

 

 

Paul (GelStra), thanks for starting this, I know it has taken turns you didn't foresee...

 

There ain't nothing wrong with bragging a bit when you do something you're proud off. Personally I love reading, hearing, ride tales, part of a good ride tale is the distance covered.

 

I haven't had time to read all the posts (been away on a trip), but Paul's thread reads as an innocent inquiry to me.

 

As for the bragging part, I guess we're all different. I have lots of flying certificates that I could hang on my wall, but they're in a box in the basement (my IBA certificate would only end up there as well, if I bothered to get one). If I listed all the mountain passes in my signature line, we'd get one post per page.

 

But to me a "ride" is the goal and the "miles" are a by-product and of no importance or measure (except for maintenance and to tell people how comfortable my stock BMW seat is). A day ride in the Alps of a mere 350 kms (~220 miles) far surpasses any of my thousand milers over here. Just as Boffin said, you can't do more than 5 miles between towns. To add to that, the roads in the UK and Europe are narrow and twisty. I'd sooner ride a lot fewer great miles than lots of boring ones. And the magnitude of miles is a function of your time off and the straightness of the roads. No art to that.

[BUSTED]

As an extra for the MI rider, he visited 48 states, Canada, and Mexico and went to every Grand National Championship Series race but 2 during that 6 months. He had been a pro dirt track racer in the late 50's. As for myself, the many destinations I travel to, mileage is just a side effect. I wish I had my oilhead in Europe summer of 69!

[cruisin]

From 1968 to 1980 averaged ~9K/yr.

 

20 year hiatus

 

162K+ since April 2000 to present

 

current average @ 24.5K per year

 

Current year-to-date miles 27K.

[Shawnee Bill]

Well, I don't keep real close track, get a lot of flack around here for that you understand.

 

Approximately 26,307.69 miles per year.

 

And that's the truth

 

Well, it only counts the BMW miles, after all, those are the only ones that anyone needs to know about? I didn't make that number up, it's real.

Didn't have to keep any records either, just look at my title, it has the date and mileage on the bike when I bought it, then walk out and look at the odometer and the calendar, plug that in excel and it tells me my mileage.

[bakerzdosen]

You know, I was thinking that someone would bring this up, but it just never happened, so I guess I'll just say it:

 

IMHO (and that's a big IMHO), odometer miles are a lot like internet board post counts. Some people just live to see their post counts go up. They respond to every post out there, and really have nothing other than "+1" or "dude, I gotta get one of those" to contribute. And yet, after a while, they some how build up credibility (to some) for the simple reason that they have a whole lotta posts.

 

I think I kinda get where Russell is coming from here. In this analogy, just because someone has a lot of posts doesn't make them incredibly knowledgable. BUT, it doesn't preclude it either. If that were the case, that would mean that everything our esteemed Mr. Bynum has to say is 3 to 4 times more valuable than anything Paul Mihalka has to say... (I'm not saying that Russell's posts are not 30x more valuable than anything I have to say - because they probably are. )

 

Look at Dick Frantz. How many people have come to this board because of MYRP? How many riders has he helped? (Count me as one.) I've seen quite a few mention that in my time here. The guy's got 4000+ posts. However, if you read a lot of those posts, they've got LOTS more motorcycling info in nearly every one than I think I've contributed to this board in most of my 500+ posts combined. Now, if you're looking for sarcastic humor, you'll probably find more of that in my posts. That's just the way it goes.

 

Or even worse: There's this Keithc guy who acts like he knows a lot, and yet he has only 6 posts. How could he know anything about motorcycling with only 6 posts?? I'll bet he hasn't even done a 100ccc. (Yes, I know EXACTLY who he is and if you don't get the sarcasm, you haven't understood my post at all...)

 

Not all posts are equal. Not all miles are equal. Can 50 miles on the track be more educational than an IBA on the interstate? Of course. However, like anything, you must actually do (whatever it is) to gain experience. Chances are really good that someone with 50 miles ridden in their life - no matter how high of quality those miles may have been - just isn't going have as much experience or credibility (IMHO) with sport touring as someone who has ridden 100k+ miles. It's not to say that one can't learn from someone with only 50 miles under their belt, but the lessons would certainly be different.

 

 

(538 posts... suhweeet. )

[Firefight911]

You know, I was thinking that someone would bring this up, but it just never happened, so I guess I'll just say it:

 

IMHO (and that's a big IMHO), odometer miles are a lot like internet board post counts. Some people just live to see their post counts go up. They respond to every post out there, and really have nothing other than "+1" or "dude, I gotta get one of those" to contribute. And yet, after a while, they some how build up credibility (to some) for the simple reason that they have a whole lotta posts.

 

I think I kinda get where Russell is coming from here. In this analogy, just because someone has a lot of posts doesn't make them incredibly knowledgable. BUT, it doesn't preclude it either. If that were the case, that would mean that everything our esteemed Mr. Bynum has to say is 3 to 4 times more valuable than anything Paul Mihalka has to say... (I'm not saying that Russell's posts are not 30x more valuable than anything I have to say - because they probably are. )

 

Look at Dick Frantz. How many people have come to this board because of MYRP? How many riders has he helped? (Count me as one.) I've seen quite a few mention that in my time here. The guy's got 4000+ posts. However, if you read a lot of those posts, they've got LOTS more motorcycling info in nearly every one than I think I've contributed to this board in most of my 500+ posts combined. Now, if you're looking for sarcastic humor, you'll probably find more of that in my posts. That's just the way it goes.

 

Or even worse: There's this Keithc guy who acts like he knows a lot, and yet he has only 6 posts. How could he know anything about motorcycling with only 6 posts?? I'll bet he hasn't even done a 100ccc. (Yes, I know EXACTLY who he is and if you don't get the sarcasm, you haven't understood my post at all...)

 

Not all posts are equal. Not all miles are equal. Can 50 miles on the track be more educational than an IBA on the interstate? Of course. However, like anything, you must actually do (whatever it is) to gain experience. Chances are really good that someone with 50 miles ridden in their life - no matter how high of quality those miles may have been - just isn't going have as much experience or credibility (IMHO) with sport touring as someone who has ridden 100k+ miles. It's not to say that one can't learn from someone with only 50 miles under their belt, but the lessons would certainly be different.

 

 

(538 posts... suhweeet. )

 

+1 to that dude!!

 

(1403 posts . . . suhweet. ) That makes me nearly three times as smart as you!!!