Cross country trips on your 125 SX

[EvanMac]

Any of you SX or SM owners taken long adventure/touring trips on your bikes?

I'm considering some short 2-3 day trips on some back country roads and trails and was wondering how these 125 handle it...

I plan on taking the Arkansas portion of this "trail":

http://www.transamtrail.com

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks,

Evan

[Stretchy]

Hi Evan, the most I've managed to do on my SX is 'bout 160km in a day mostly on rough tracks (Byways and RUPP's in the U.K.) was fun but hard work; no problem for the bike tho' as being water cooled it won't overheat. You'll have to perform some minor mods, like putting a decent gel-cell battery in there and finding what makes the bike cut out when it goes thru water. Being a single cylinder and not too light it can be a little tiring and vibey but taking frequent breaks and wearing appropriate clothing will get you thru'. The bike is built like a tank but its weight and 14 H.P. let it down a little, something lighter with more power would be better, but hey the liddle SX does my commute at 80MPG, looks good and does the trails at the weekend. Oh and don't for get those tyres, I use comp 3's (Michelin) coz theere good at flinging mud (which we have a lot of over here) but maybe something a bit less knobbly if ur trails are dry.

Have fun!

JohnB.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i have an rt 125 and do 500 mile 3day or 4 day trips from Parkersburg WV
to New Bethlehem PA

did 220miles in 5 hours once in a hurry to get back

mine turns 9700 rpm at 65mph and runs 70mph flat out at rev limit

do change to fresh oil and filter befor and after flogging it like this


ps the luggage last year was 94 lbs and i was at 210 lbs

great little bike shame it was not a 250 cc and 28 hp

ar dave

[EvanMac]

Hey Dave,

I've been looking on the Adventure Riders Forum and I keep seeing all the giant silver (aluminum or Stainless steel??) "boxes" everyone is using for saddle bag storage and I must say I just don't get it???!!!!

Why would you want those big square boxes on the side of your bike??

They look like they would hurt your aerodynamics, weight, get in the way, cost too much when you crash.... Not to mention all the damange to the mounting rack and bike frame when you lay it down??? Just generally in the way.... I'm at a loss. Why not just some well made, waterproof bags?

Oh, not that it really matters but they look kinda stupid too.... I'm all for function, but

I Know all you guys know what your doing so what's the deal? Why are they so popular? What are the advantages etc.?

[DAVID THOMPSON]

there on bigger bikes than ours and you can take every thing with you

check out the link to pictures of my 2 mz bikes

http://www.mzriders.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=30

after 50 years riding i like a hard box and

bigger is better when it comes to gastanks saddlebags
batterys and pocketbooks (full of money )

i just bought a new riding coat and when its in my saddlebag nothing else
fits including any air