Is the R18FE a Long Distance Capable Motorcycle?

[Black Dog]

That sounds very much what I mean

Ride em like you stolem? Like a 16 year old Speed shifting on Jocky shift with a Suicide Clutch?

 

[Tony the Skin]

Ride em like you stolem? Like a 16 year old Speed shifting on Jocky shift with a Suicide Clutch?

Nice slogan but poor choice on a new tight motor. Run it it in with a bit of care and then enjoy blasting it for a very long time.

 

[Deleted member 939]

Check the speedometer as mine is 5 mph fat.40-45mpg seems about my average here in Arizona with 75mph speeds.
After the sidecar install mpg's dropped to 25-35 coming back from Kentucky depending on headwind.

 

[BeerMe]

Do the guys that own one of the FE model see themselves taking it on long road trips? I mean something equal or exceeding 1,000 miles round trip.
I am readying mine with the addition of saddle bags and a comfortable seat. Don't even consider using a windshield no matter how long of a ride. I rode Harleys with no windshields mounted for most of the time.
I like the styling of this one and I really need to go old school and not alter the way the bike looks, because to me it's perfect the way it is.
But in all honesty, there's no way of knowing before I go on one of those long rides to either The Moab or Death Valley. Just wondering how you guys feel about it.

Sure, did 1,200 miles round trip to the Texas Hill Country from Dallas on my R18c right after purchase. Stock seat was fine, but windshield sucked (have removed now and will follow good counsel on this site for a windshield extension for the next long trip). What a great bike…I bought a spare because I love it so.

 

[goforth]

I feel the luggage on the ‘classic’ is not sufficient for touring. You’ll end up with a huge bag strapped down. Plus side- it can be a back rest. Down side- limited placement for a tail bag without luggage rack

 

[nielsm]

I feel the luggage on the ‘classic’ is not sufficient for touring. You’ll end up with a huge bag strapped down. Plus side- it can be a back rest. Down side- limited placement for a tail bag without luggage rack

Really depends on how much stuff you are carrying with you. If camping, you'd likely need additional. I've done 4 day camping trips on my S1000R with two Kriega 10 liter and one 20 liter bag, but no cook gear. I've done 4 day hotel trips with just a 25 liter backpack that wasn't full. On my GS the aluminum panniers are 36 and 44 liters (due to exhaust on one side). I've only needed to fill those carrying full camping gear with cook gear, cot, camp chair & fire tools. My Classic's bags are 15 liters each. That'd be plenty for hotel trips to carry change of clothes. Camping, I'd likely throw a bag across the pillion. I find if the trip is more than a long weekend, you'd likely do some washing on the road, so 3-4 days of clothes is plenty. Having done so much camping on the motorcycles, I tend to bring less bulky gear. For example performance material shirts & pants pack up much smaller than jeans or cotton shirts. Gore tex riding gear also helps by avoiding to also carry rain gear. Certainly debatable as to how it looks, but definitely a stable in the long distance crowd, the Aerostich Roadcrafter is another option as you can wear street clothes under it, saving a bit more pack space.