Post Iron Butt Saddle Sore Review

[plgoddard]

Okay, a quick review of my experience on the TTSE over this past weekend's Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000. The event in which I participated was called Yooper Madness (you can read about it here http://members.triton.net/vandenbe/2015YM.htm). For those not familiar with an IBA ride, look here (http://www.ironbutt.com) -- riders attempt to ride 1k miles in <24 hrs. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be. Probably because I was on an awesome machine? 

Overall, the bike performed flawlessly, beautifully, effortlessly. It's ridiculous how effortlessly this machine handles at all times. Ok, in all speeds >10mph, that is; slow speed maneuvering -- for me -- keeps me quite alert. The Explorer rider commiserated on this point. 

Everywhere I went, people loved to look at it, compliment it, and admire it. I think it's the pacific blue color that draws most people to it, personally! Or maybe it's the design, the shape, the curves...? I digress.

I rode with a Yamaha FZ1, an R1200R and a Tiger Explorer. There was absolutely no issue in either keeping up or challenging the others to keep up. (H-58 in the UP is FUN!) I led most legs because the TTSE has cruise -- why stress the arm/wrist/hand when a (gorgeous) machine can keep the pace for you?

The ride and handling -- acceleration, suspension and rider feedback, all of that sort -- was superb. The comfort -- heated grips, wind protection, ease of working the luggage compartments etc. -- was top notch. I'll get to the seat in a minute. Although I must say, the size of the front compartment is not only oddly shaped but very small. Using a 12v adapter to charge a phone left no room for anything else. Minor, minor complaint.

As a newby to the TTSE, I really noticed not having backlit controls. I had enough time in the saddle to become accustomed to adjusting what I needed to without my eyes leaving the road. For the most part.

The big question was how the seat and riding position would feel after several consecutive hours in the saddle. I posted in another thread that I was interested in swapping someone my low seat (which I believe come standard here in the US) for a regular 'comfort' seat. I wasn't able to find someone to swap, but one member on this forum was kind enough to let me test it for a while before making an offer. After a few weeks I decided to buy it and likewise immediately found a buyer for my low seat -- again, to someone on this forum.

The comfort seat -- in either position -- worked very well for me. I hardly noticed a difference at first, but after a few hours I can tell the difference and appreciate having the ability to adjust it. As a rider who has enough years on this earth to round up to half a century, I was really worried about my comfort on this trip. They don't call it a saddle sore for nothin'!    But I fared better in this area than my younger companion riders. And getting on the bike yesterday morning to ride to work felt oh so right!

After I bought the bike, I noticed high-frequency vibrations in the grips that my hands are sensitive to, so I bought and installed Beemer Buddies. Good buy! Only once or twice on the trip this past weekend did I notice my hands feeling slightly numb. I'm sure had I not had the buddies I would have had issues in this area. Anyway, since the TTSE is so blessedly smooth, the solution was simply to give one of my hands a break for a minute, shake it out, and do some quick exercises (safely).

We "took our time" and did the ride in about 21 hours.  The Trophy never faltered; it performed flawlessly. And I filled up half as often as my companions, leaving me a few extra minutes to walk rather than pump. BTW, I averaged just over 50 mph and just over 50 mpg.

It was a pleasure, and I look forward to my next IB event!

[w8d4it]

Nice write up.  I never understood the attraction for Iron Butt rides.  But I did the 1000, the 1500 and the 2000 just to prove to myself I could do so at the age of 61.  I didn't find them particularly hard but I also didn't find them particularly interesting or gratifying.  I think one has to have a certain mentality to find them appealing. Me I prefer to sightsee

[GarminDave]

Nice report plgoddard, thanks for sharing.

I now have almost 30,000 miles on my TTSE and my seat has squashed so much I'm sitting on the base pan!  I blame myself for being 18st7lbs (114kg or 260lbs big whichever units you use!) so I currently have a production date of 9th September for my Russell Day Long https://www.day-long.com/.  I have fitted one of these spectacularly comfortable seats on three bikes now and never been disappointed.  Because I live in UK and Russell only work on your seat pan (they do not offer new saddles just rework yours) I bought a used TTSE saddle on USofA eBay and had the seller ship it to Russell thus saving the cost of sending mine to USA and meaning when I buy a new TTSE (probably next year) I can keep my Russell and put my knackered standard seat back on.  I have a few IBA Certificates and some done on a Russell Day Long.

The second thing I picked up on, and have experienced, is the tingle in my hands so today I shall invest in a pair of Grip Puppies.

Later

Dave

[CoJaW]

Grip Puppies - good choice!

[NOLA]

Excellent write up!  Thanks for sharing

[twowheeladdict]

Originally Posted by w8d4it

Nice write up.  I never understood the attraction for Iron Butt rides.  But I did the 1000, the 1500 and the 2000 just to prove to myself I could do so at the age of 61.  I didn't find them particularly hard but I also didn't find them particularly interesting or gratifying.  I think one has to have a certain mentality to find them appealing. Me I prefer to sightsee

Sounds like you understand the attraction  to me. 

[Ernest T]

I ride long distances, but not just for the sake of riding long distances.  Once I get on I don't like to get off until I'm there.  The Trophy is only the second bike I could do 1000 miles on in one day, the other being the Gold Wing.  If there were some easier way to add highway pegs, it'd be even better.  The one thing that disappoints me about the Trophy is the range.  With a 6.6 gallon tank I'd have thought I could go farther between fill ups, but I find 240-250 miles is it as I average right around 40 mpg at highway speeds.  I expected to get closer to 50 mpg.

[tdragger]

Thanks for the review.  I'm an aspiring IBA rider with a target to get selected for the 2019 IBR and the Trophy is in my development plans.  Riding IBA rides on a Rocket III is quite brutal so I look forward to acquiring a Trophy late next year.

I understand the issues with the seats.  Other than the new seats on the Commander and TBird LT, Triumph seats break down to the pan if you are on the more heavy side.  Russell is the way to go.

My question for current owners is about handlebar position.  Could the Trophy stand to have a set of risers?  Do you find yourself having to reach too much?