super slab speed

[geraldlanc]

I am planning a trip from Austin, Tx out to New Mexico and back this spring and will follow I10 most of the way ( new to me 08 GW/MotorTrike). I won't be in a hurry, but 700 miles one way is a long ride. I am comfortable riding at 70 mph, but am I stressing the trike to ride that fast for that many miles?
Gerald

 

[Lucky]

IMO It would not be a problem at all for the trike.However it would not be my choice for a trike trip.I like back roads and a more laid back pace.RIDE SAFE

 

[TNTriker]

IMO It would not be a problem at all for the trike.However it would not be my choice for a trike trip.I like back roads and a more laid back pace.RIDE SAFE

Agree 100%. Why ride if you can't enjoy the beauty of the country side?

 

[geraldlanc]

Austin, Tx out to Fredericksburg on 290 is a nice ride, but from there to Deming, NM is just a long haul with nothing to see but arid west Tx and southern NM and I am on a bit of a schedule and have to return after a few days visit.
If I had more time I would take a longer, more leisurely route, but the scenery would be the same even on the back roads. I usually go that way in the summer on my way to cool Colorado for a few months with the rv, but this year a trip to Colorado may not be possible so a quick trip on the trike for a visit and then back to bake in the Texas summer heat.
Gerald

 

[TNTriker]

I agree about West TX. You could not pay me to live there!

 

[Memnoch451]

I am planning a trip from Austin, Tx out to New Mexico and back this spring and will follow I10 most of the way ( new to me 08 GW/MotorTrike). I won't be in a hurry, but 700 miles one way is a long ride. I am comfortable riding at 70 mph, but am I stressing the trike to ride that fast for that many miles?
Gerald

My house to my friends house in NM ( ABQ ) is 800 miles door to door... I drive 70 - 85 mph and the trike eats up the miles like nothing. Cruise control and good music make the trip a breeze. 700 miles.. no worries! :GL1800: ThumbUp

 

[fred-houston]

I hear all the time about West Texas being a bunch of nothing. I have to disagree. I ride out there at least a couple times a year, and have found much of it to be very scenic. All you have to do is look around.

I-10 through West Texas is not my preferred route, but if you actually look somewhere other than the pavement in front of you, it is quite scenic. If I-10 is such a put off, then take US Highway 90, and if you have an extra day, jump down into the Big Bend Country.

I am one of the ones that enjoy riding in West Texas.

 

[Blondie Gal]

Gerald, no worries about the Wing gettin' stressed - we ride 700 - 800 miles a day several times a year, and have done 980 in 20 hours - trike was just fine!! One thing to remember in West TX and NM - fill up whenever you get a chance; sometimes stations are few & far between!

Fred, I agree with riding in West Texas - lived in El Paso for 15 years and have been to Big Bend (love the hoo-doos!!) several times, in all kinds of weather, from sleet & hail to 110+. Many beautiful places there, just as there are all over this great state!!

It takes all kinds of folks to appreciate all kinds of places - I would never disparage anyone's choices!!

 

[Saltywheels]

Here in So Cal, super slabs are a way of life.Regularly do 300-400 miles a day 2 up at speeds 'well' over 65. 700 miles may be a wee bit boring, but the trike isn't going to complain. Go for it, but ride safe!

 

[07BlueCSC]

Gas mileage will drop off above 70MPH/3000RPM. The trike will hold up better than you.
That is what Cruise Control was made for. Without an auxillary fuel tank, you should get somewhere between 150 & 180 miles between fuel stops. Enjoy the ride.

 

[meredog]

the Texas hill country is a cool place to ride

 

[eagle1]

whats this slab speed? i've heard of
YOU STAB EM AND WE SLAB EM>!!

 

[Bikerbozo]

Love that 80 MPH West of San Antonio. Sucks gas like a hoover vacuum. I carry an extra gallon...Just in case.

 

[John Luciano]

Slab is the 3 lane flat boring road from A to. B at speed above 70 it becomes a SUPER Slab <lOL>

 

[donjack]

Agree with all the rest, carry a little emg gas, but get rid of it as soon as you no longer have gas stations so far apart.

 

[gbsb]

We have made trip from North Texas to Ca. several times on a '08 goldwing Champion trike other than fuel milage dropping over 3000 rpms trike didn't have a problem set it on 80 and punch the cruise watch for gas stations.

 

[meredog]

Agree with all the rest, carry a little emg gas, but get rid of it as soon as you no longer have gas stations so far apart.

Really ? i carry spare gas all the time

 

[mhgoldwing]

Having lived in West TExas for a number of years I would caution you to be aware of high winds. There is nothing to slow it down and the combination of crosswind (predominant in W. Tex) and trucks can beat you up severely. So be alert and have a safe trip. And stay hydrated. The usually very dry W. Tex air can suck you dry in no time.

 

[Woolie]

according to MS Streets and Trips the longest leg of your trip from Austin to Deming is between Fort Stockton to Van Horn 117 miles and Balmorhea is actually about halfway between there, just a little off the road (1 to 2 miles). It is about 105 miles from Ozona to Fort Stockton and about 115 miles from Van Horn to El Paso. You should easily be able to go 150 to 175 miles on a tank of gas. The longest distance I have gone between fill ups is 199 miles but that was when I was testing it to see just how far I could get before I ran out, I had gas with me. I still did not run out but it held 6.3 gallons when I filled up. I think my fuel light comes on at about 175 miles, I don't remember for sure. We have ridden all over West Texas and New Mexico and have never carried extra gas with us, just don't take any chances and pass a gas station unless you know where you are. It would be nice to have that extra security of having a couple extra gallons of gas but if you don't have a place to carry it don't worry about it. As far as speed we have ridden at 70 to 75 mph for hours and had no problems, in fact that is what a touring bike is made to do. The longest stretch of road out there without gas that I know of is between Carlsbad and El Paso, about 160 miles and we have done that before, just not on the GoldWing. You probably know it but there is a lot of pretty country just north of Deming around Silver City. The ride up to the Cliff Dwellings is awesome, and the ride from Silver City to Hillsboro and to I-25 is too. From Alpine Arizona down to Clifton and then back across 78 toward Silver City is a good ride, just watch the gas gauge.