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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Who is this on bike #4? We need to find out and cheer him on..."GO Forrest, GO!" http://www.youtube.com/user/Fleeter05#play/uploads/1/1anzAHh8gTo For you who don't know what this is, it is an 11 day/11,000+ mile rally held every other year. This year there were 3,000 applicants worldwide and only 100 are invited. You must qualify and be accepted by a committee. It is a big deal to finish this. For those Vision owners who want to push the envelope, here's the IBA link. http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Denver | Two years ago a vision finished 15th... Not bad for a first year bike...
Willy |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Yep, that was Andy Mills, Polaris engineer. Looks like he's at it again, just found his website. http://www.ironbuttmills.com/all_status.php |
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Tourer
Posts: 340
Regina Saskatchewan Canada | Has a HD ever finished an Iron Butt Rally? I think I seen only one in this year's start and one Vision. The rest where BMW's or Wings |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Having just attempted the Saddlesore 1000 or 1500 (I had two opportunities for each on my trip to the AVR) I can say unequivocally that had I been on a a Vision, I would now have TWO Saddlesore 1000 and TWO Saddlesore 1500 certificates. Being that I only missed it by a few hours on a V29C... all I kept thinking was... "dang... if this was only a Vision". The 11,000 miles in 11 days is a challenge in/on any vehicle. Frankly I don't think the regular Saddlesore 1000 or 1500 is even really much of a challenge on a Vision. One of my earlier 900_ mile runs in one day involved starting off in a couple hours of near freezing rain and my grip-wrap heaters shorting and shocking me any time I shifted.... and also included walking the bike for 45 minutes when I got stuck in traffic between exits with no shoulder to get off the road. I guess that might have been a challenge on a Vision. On the way home from that trip, it snowed, but I still did 700 miles in that day. My V29C as comfy as it is... is no Vision, not even close... I'm thinking a Vision on any of these rides... just isn't fair to the rest of the folks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | A lot of things about the Vision aren't fair. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | SongFan - 2009-08-25 2:03 AM
A lot of things about the Vision aren't fair.
I'll say. My first year to ride to Texas was on my GL1200 and I unofficially Iron Butted the Saddle Sore doing 1,024 in 19 hours. The following year I rode to Texas on the Vision and I did 1,200+ in 19 hours and was shooting for the Bun Burner but high winds and a serious storm got in the way.
Earlier this year I did an official Saddle Sore and got my patch finally, doing 1,036 miles in 15 hours. That Saddle Sore also achieved a world record, the most participants at 382 at one time finishing out of 400+ starting. It was also the larget Iron Butt for Virginia.
I do plan on doing the Rally at some point in time unless my health evades me. I think 11,000 miles in a 11 days is very doable on a Vision if mentally and physically prepared. The main reason you see all the wings and bmwers on the extended Iron Butts is that HD just cannot carry the comfort level. To me the Vision has no problem in this area and even gives an unfair advantage. There is an article somewhere about a HD modified by the rider to do the Iron Butt but it took a lot to get it there.
The key to any Iron Butt is a steady speed and very minimal stops, I mean very minimal. Me and my Navy Seal friend on his SoftTail were about 8th to finish the Virginia one, only being beat out by "professional" Iron Butt-ers" The only only reason they finished before us is they started out in the first group with about 15 minute headstart.
On last note, these rides are by no means a race, it is only against the clock within the time period alloted. First or last means nothing, finishing does.
Hope Andy does well....
Edited by varyder 2009-08-25 6:00 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I wonder, it sounds like the bike was new a few days before the race. Will he change oil on the road? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I don't know what their schedule would be, but I'm sure they'll average about 1,000 miles in a 14 to 18 hour period. Leaving 10 to 6 hours to refresh and recoup to stay on schedule. I don't see anyone stopping for 10 hours at all, but I use that to illustrate that in averaging 1,000 miles a day physically, that is what you have to play with.
There would be a plan to change the oil in that time frame. My guess is also, he's starting past the 500 mile mark so his next change would be in about 2 to three days and at least two more times before he's done. Wow, I look forward to a ride such as this. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| I will be at checkpoint 2 in Santa Ana this Sunday 08/30/09. So let's show some support all you nearby Victory owners.
IBKING |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | This is a better link to follow the daily updates: http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009.cfm At the top of the link you will find tabs to previous rallies with pictures and stories. Click on the IBR tab to really get a feel for how this all came about. This is a very unique group of humans. VaRyder is a perfect candidate. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'..... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Vision Pilot Andy Mills is in 4th place after 2 Legs. The Iron Butt Rally has a points system that has precedence over total miles and the riders have to collect a minimum number of points in order to qualify as "finisher". If they rode the rally without going for bonus points they would only pile up a little over 4000 miles in 11 days. With the bonus points it will be closer to 11,000 miles. 20 riders (out of 101 that started) have less than the 36,000 minimum points allotted for the first two legs and even if they finish out the 11 days they will not be certified as "finishers". 7 have withdrawn due to crashes or other issues. Visions at Bonneville and the Iron Butt rally at the same time. Pretty cool. http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009.cfm http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/2009IBRday7.pdf - Scroll down to page 2 to see a photo of Andy at a scorer's table. http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/2.html http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/34-1.html
Edited by SongFan 2009-09-01 3:38 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | Crawford - 2009-08-24 8:47 PM
Has a HD ever finished an Iron Butt Rally?
Yeah. The the first year the Vision was in it, I recall a 1200cc Sportster finished in the top 10. That couldn't have been easy, at least not for my butt. 
Herb |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | there's a story on it, it was modified to compete. raw, a rider would have never made it. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| I saw Andy pull in check point 2 and let me tell you I never saw dirt on a bike that thick. At some point he hit some heavy rain.
IBKING |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I wish I was there when Andy pulled in. I would have washed his Vision, changed the oil and inspected it while he slept.
Would that be against the rule of the IBR? What kind of crew can you have? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | The only Harley is out. The rider, Bob Lyskowski. hit a deer near Laramie, WY on tuesday. He is banged up but no broken bones. Bike is totalled. At least half a dozen bikes have had deer strikes this year. No word on Andy Mills. Rally ends today. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 63
Corpus Christi Tx. | Just checked the finishing stats and Andy Mills finished 14th this year on the Vision. Got to be proud given that the only American made bike finished such a grueling rally and kudos to Andy for enduring such a feat. That says a lot for Victory and I'm happy that just by looking at my Vision I know that IF I ever attempted such an enduring 11,000 miles that I could finish knowing that I have a bike that has what it takes....and then some. I'm sure that the only Harley on that rally could have finished also if not for that forsaken damn deer that took the Harley out. I give a lot of credit to the ladies that finished the rally and have very much respect..more than ever...for even attempting such a feat as taking on 11,000 miles in 11 days. Especially the one that rode a CBR1100...that is awesome.There was also one gentleman that rode a Ninja 250 who finished as well. Imagine that!!
Overall congrats to all who finished the rally and to those who attempted and DNF.
Ride safe. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | thanks for the update. I was going to do some checking later as I need to get my mind psyched up to see if I could even start such a feat.
Doing a 1,000 miles in 24-hours Saddle Sore took a long time to even include in as an Iron Butt event as all the other events are truly grueling, nearly as much as the 11/11 one.
Most average riders would be done about 3rd day so a lot has to do with preparation, mentally.
congrats to all that completed, and even to those who started. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Congrats to Andy on his "Gold Medal" standing. These Iron Butt stories are some of the best in all of motorcycling. One guy hit a small deer only 200 miles from the finish. (Andy had the same thing happen to him in 2005 but it was a tire carcass instead of a deer.) Two of the sentimental favorites to finish were a Suzuki RE-5 (58th) and a BMW R60/6 with over 500,000 miles on it. 3,000 riders applied worldwide, 101 were accepted, 70 qualified as finishers. Props to all who attempt this stuff and live to tell about it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Sparta, WI | I followed the race. Something new to me. Andy and the others are the real deal. Inspried me to do the 1500 miles/36 hours last week. I made it. Good for the soul. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Minnow,
Congrats! Good Riding! Any good stories from the road? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Sparta, WI | .Minnow,
Congrats! Good Riding! Any good stories from the road?
-----
Radioteacher
Hey Radioteacher, Thanks for the congratulations. I actually trained for a month riding bicycle before the voyage. Hell, I haven't even driven a car 1000 miles in 1 day so I thought I should do some kinda metabolism kick start of some sort. Left Sparta WI at 5:06 am on Sept 27th and rode to Vivian South Dakota, turned around and came back, I finished the day at 10:35 pm with 1020 miles in a total of 17 hours and 29 minutes. Spent the night at home, got up at 6 am, rode to Worthington Mn, turned around and came back home for a total of 1560 miles in 34 hours. The second day was gravy compared to the first and even had time to bull shit with a few other riders. Lots of road construction but overall a good trip. Had an early eye opener about 200 miles out on the first day involving a cager and learned once again, to never trust the other people sharing the road with me and to drive it like I am invisible. Plan on attempting 2 consecutive 1000 days later this fall when I take the bike to Phoenix and leave it for the winter at my son's house. The whole deal hinges on him purchasing the house he is dealing on right now (damn, I hope he closes soon)and storing the bike in his garage for the winter months. Looked into renting storage but it runs about $106 a month. Sure would be great having it there for my holiday-winter visit! I'll fly down and bring it home in the Spring. Maybe... I'll try the 1500 in one day on the way back north.
Edited by Minnow 2009-09-09 1:31 PM
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Vision on the 2009 Iron Butt Rally
