Is it reasonable to take a PCX on a cross country trip

[emmett518]

We're thinking of taking two PCX150s on back roads from California to Massachusetts. We intend to avoid highways if possible.

Is this a smart move, or is it going to be a discomfort nightmare on something this small?

Thanks

[Jge64]

It’s all personal, it certainly can be done, but I wouldn’t do it on anything less than a 300 because once you load up the bike with your luggage , some of the hills that you encounter may be problematic.

[emmett518]

We're going to have a van that carries luggage, snacks, and other stuff. So that shouldn't be an issue.

[mymitzi]

Isn't that cheating? Go for it....before it gets too cold.

[fish]

Do it!
Take pix and have the van guy post them!
Where you headed in Mass?
I thumbed from Springfield MA to San Diego.....
best adventure ever....when I was 18.
Fish

[relic]

A support vehicle,someone to ride with, and the time. Sounds like your stars are aligning I wouldn't miss the opportunity.

[Coasting]

I've done quite a few day trips of several hundred miles. My suggestions:

- Be aware that the fuel consumption increases considerably if you're at wide open throttle a lot.

- Oil consumption increases too - which may or may not be a problem depending on the age of the bike.

- It's not the best tool for such a trip - but it will do it no problem.

- Personally I'd wear ear plugs for that much riding.

- My rear end gets a bit saddle sore on long rides.

- Probably 30% chance you'll get a puncture - might pay to plan for that.

[grndslm]

I would only do it if I upgraded the variator/rollers/belt/etc....

There are long stretches of highways around here, where 45 means 60 and 55 means 70. The beautiful thing about the PCX is that 70+ is obtainable with $100 or so in parts. This will give you an extra belt and necessary tools ahead of time, just in case.

Totally worth it to me, as an old saying rings true: "Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."

EDIT: I see you have a 2021 model. Perhaps it goes 70+ already? I'm not even sure... You could probly ignore my comment, but older models....

[Conelite]

Have support vehicle have:
- Spare belts
- Spare variator/weights
- Spare Tires
- Tools
- Tall windscreen and maybe knee guards (Will save you from wind fatigue)
- Tire plug kit and compressor of course
- Tire changing tools and spare tires

[Inoplanetyanin]

It's a lot of fun on the PCX if you are not in a rush and avoid the freeways.

[Mel46]

I can not advise you on longer cross country rides but my wife and I did a 5 state run in a single day and it was really fun.
Here is what we had on our bikes that made the ride really enjoyable:
1. Tall windshield (really helped with wind fatigue. )
2. Michelin City Grip tires. ( helped the bikes stick to the curves better)
3. Custom seats. ( unless the newest models have improved seats, these were worth their weight.)
4. NCY variator and 13 gram weights (gave us the extra oomph during hill climbs and on fast moving roads)
5. Lights, lots of lights (if you plan on any night/evening riding, you NEED extra spot lights)
6. Water bottle with easy access opening. (Riding makes you thirsty. Don't put off drinking water when your body tells you it needs water.)

Otherwise, go for it. Others have done it so you shouldn't have much of a problem if you plan ahead. If I were younger I would think about doing it too.

[Coasting]

Have support vehicle have:
- Spare belts
- Spare variator/weights
- Spare Tires
- Tools
- Tall windscreen and maybe knee guards (Will save you from wind fatigue)
- Tire plug kit and compressor of course
- Tire changing tools and spare tires

I'd add:

- Engine oil
- First aid kit

A spare spark plug probably wouldn't be a silly idea either.

[relic]

You'll find all the preparations will leave you one or two short and will leave pissed off along the way. One one piece of advice though when riding with another rider go your own pace,
things can happen in a spit second and a green light for one is a red for the other.

[grndslm]

After posting in this thread yesterday, I ride in to work with some winds that must've been going 20 mph or faster.

Surely, on a cross-country trip, you'd experience winds like this. Are you ready for them?

Can't remember where I read this, but if a wind is coming from your right side, you can straighten yourself up on a lightweight bike such as this simply by putting your right knee out toward the direction the wind is coming from, almost like a flag or pendant. Seems like a silly tip, until the winds are dragging you sideways after a rainstorm just starts. Then you'll be glad you read this.

[emmett518]

We plan on sticking to back roads, and only doing highways when we have to.

[Coasting]

We plan on sticking to back roads, and only doing highways when we have to.

For what it's worth, I've done heaps of highway riding at full throttle. If there's someone who wants to get past ... I just let them go past (I don't want them behind me any more than they want to be behind me - so it's a win/win to let them by). Sometimes I have to slow down and pull over - other times an indicator and pulling over to the side a little is all it takes.

Never once has it been a problem. Total non-event IMO (not suggesting that you SHOULD take the highway - just saying that I can't understand why it would be a problem for those portions of the trip where you do have to ride on them).

[Chris753]

Hey all, it's really interesting to see this topic I was about to ask a very similar question.

Mostly I try to stick to 45Mph roads or less for little exploration trips, however around here 55MPH roads are the norm...

I noticed when riding at 55 for less than 3 miles, that my seat got pretty warm quickly from the engine, as well as I could feel the plastics in the center (by the filler cap) also getting pretty warm through my riding boots...I took this as a hint to back off and turned off to a side road.

Just curious your thoughts, I felt pretty...un-easy at 55MPH on the PCX but I am a new rider (3 months)...It just felt much more stable at 50Mph however I would get plowed over at those speeds on a 55MPH highway (a.k.a 60Mph basically)

[ajwmrr]

The pcx definitely shouldn't be over heating from running 55mph..

As a newer rider, ride at your own pace. You'll get more comfortable the more you ride. The pcx is stable up into the 60s & 70s.

[byronb70]

It is paramount that you acquire a windscreen. https://www.nationalcycle.com/n20050.html

[Coasting]

I noticed when riding at 55 for less than 3 miles, that my seat got pretty warm quickly from the engine, as well as I could feel the plastics in the center (by the filler cap) also getting pretty warm through my riding boots...I took this as a hint to back off and turned off to a side road.

That runs counter to every experience I've had with mine. You should be able to run it all day long at full throttle and not be able to even detect any temperature change anywhere.

The only HINT of temperature in mine comes in the form of a slight warming of my helmet if I put it under the seat when I'm parked - there's a small amount of residual engine heat that slightly warms the luggage compartment.

I'd be doing some further checks on your ASAP - especially water coolant level (visible at the back of the luggage compartment per the book).