Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 IRON BUTT MAGAZINE | Winter 2014 Many owners with standard-style seating positions add highway pegs to allow alternate leg positions. Keeping the blood flowing instead of pooling in your legs is critical when doing big miles. I have seen riders at rally checkpoints or at the end of a long day whose legs and ankles looked like they were swollen balloons. Being able to move around and change posi- tions will make you more comfortable on long days and reduce fatigue. Long rides will tire the muscles in your right wrist. If your bike doesn’t have electronic cruise control,there are a number of options to relieve this stress, including various throttle rocker- style devices and throttle locks. Personal preference comes into play here, so you may want to experiment with several different devices until you find one that is safe and functions intuitively for you. Wrist angle and reach to the bars are very important when riding long distances too. There are aftermarket bars and bar-back kits available for most bikes to allow different sized riders to find a comfortable position. WEATHER PROTECTION Riding long distances without good wind and weather pro- tection is a recipe for misery. Just this one thing can make the difference between a rider feeling normal after a long day or looking and feeling like the proverbial “meat on a stick.” The ability to look over your windscreen is important, especially when it’s covered in bugs and grime or you’re riding through a torren- tial downpour. While many prefer electrically adjustable windscreens, it is certainly not a requirement. Whatever screen you use, it should offer minimal buffeting and noise for your height. Some riders try several different screens before find- ing one that works for their torso length. Note also that some wind buffeting problems are the result of airflow from below the tank area or around the mirrors, not the windscreen itself. Redirecting airflow around the tank area, much like the deflectors found on some Adventure Tourers can resolve many noise and buffeting issues. Hand guards make heated grips more effective and help keep your gloves dryer when it is raining. If your bike’s fair- ing does not offer good hand protection, consider adding some hand guards. There are several aftermarket options or stock hand guards from bikes like the Suzuki V-Strom can be adapted to many bikes. Heated gear provides both comfort and safety. For many people a digital controller to dial in the right comfort level is better than an on-off or high-low switch. When using a heated vest or jacket and/or heated gloves and pants,you must be aware of your bike’s alternator output and how many extra watts are available for accessories. Modern HID and LED lighting options are making alternator output less of an issue than it used to be,but heated gear still requires a lot of wattage.Two-up heated gear can overpower many electrical systems, which is just one of the reasons that the Gold Wing GL and its  watt alternator is popular for two up long-distance riding. HYDRATION Hydration is necessary for both comfort and safety when on long rides, regardless of the weather. Most riders consider a bike-mounted hydration system to be better than a backpack style system for long days since the bike is better than your shoulders at carrying the weight. Remember that we are look- ing for every edge we can get to stay comfortable. Having a large opening on the container makes adding ice and liquid easier and faster; a retractable lanyard connected to the end of your drinking hose and attached to your tank bag will keep the hose from dangling on hot exhaust pipes or getting wrapped up in the rear wheel. Whatever system you use, keep it clean! Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea FARKLING PRIORITIES