| Author | Message | ||
     Closetbueller |
I have to take 3 days off the ride from central FL to central MN to give my better half a bike to provide a 2up bile in addition to the cityx for her summer adventure. any suggestion to enhance my 2 days in the saddle of the XT? thank you all in advance for any assistance you may offer. Bike has 7K miles, fresh amsoil 20/50 in both holes, new pirelli angels. | ||
| Etennuly |
MP3 player or IPod, AirHawk seat pad, Camelback water toter, proper boots and gloves, a new faceshield, good gear that can ventilate or close up well for variations in the weather. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Operators tubes for spare fuel and first aid. I also keep a small compressor and some "slime" tubes under the seat. If you have electric gear (doubtful, being from FL), wear it and plug it in even if you don't turn it on. Worst case, "over"dress for what you think the weather will be. Sweating is preferable to shivering, at least in my book. Stand on the pegs every now and then to get the circulation going, and keep your passenger pegs down as "rearsets" so you can change body position and weight load on your hips from time to time. If you have a stock muffler and its not installed...put it on. Trust me. +1 on iPod or some sort of music. Even if you can't "hear" it, even the distant "tinka-tink" in the background is enough distraction to keep you focused and out of the snooze-zone. 2 days is easy. I did 3k miles in 5 days last Oct for Buelltoberfest. The Uly is awesome for long days in the saddle. | ||
| Rotorhead |
Stay hydrated!! I usually have to get off every tank of gas to relieve myself and fill the bike then fill myself back up drinking during the ride. Take some Advil before and during the riding to keep the aches away after the ride. Stay away from caffeine and energy drinks, it will dehydrate you and cause you to stop more than you would if you were properly hydrated. Ride at the same time of day you normally are awake. For example I get up at 0600 everyday and go to bed at 1100 most days, this is my normal wake sleep cycle. I normally eat at the same time and this should be the same while on the road also. If you disrupt the cycle much then you will want to have sleepy time while you ride. This is known as a circadian cycle. I'm not this smart the Army taught me this. I have the same challenge ahead of me while on R&R, Central NY to Tampa and back but I'm changing time zones by -7 hours so I must try and keep my body on the timezone/schedule I departed so my body doesn't crash on me. In the long run if your tired, take a 10 min nap it does wonders. BTW My kids play the alphabet game to stay occupied on long trips. While on the interstate you have to find all the letters of the alphabet in order on separate signs and license plates. Yeah, I've done it to pass the miles of slab too. | ||
| Sekalilgai |
...a damp rag for the bugs? around here dawn and dusk are the magic moments for critters and bugs...also the time you're most likely to spear-a-deer. +1 for sure on hydration! | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I carry as small can of Pledge and a cloth to clean bugs off the face sheild. I've done it for years and it works perfect. Plus the shield sheds water better! | ||
| Closetbueller |
Thanks for all the usefull info so far. Already us mp3 for daily commute (made helmet spkrs out of old pair of earphones) and always ride with proper gear, so planned on 2 jackets to accomodate different conditions. I use my buell hydration pack when I ride long distance for hydration {new inserts of h20 bladder available at wally world for around $9} Will definately pack bug cleaner. Wife is already riding around northern MN on the CityX and bugs have been her biggest issue. Thanks again | ||
| Ronmold |
Put on one of my backrests ebay item # 280505920289 | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Greg, when you heading through? I'm in a NW burb of Minneapolis on 94. Kind of on the way north if that's the direction you are heading. If you need a place to take a break or what ever, you're more than welcome to stop. Full garage, lift, tunes, beer, what ever. Brad | ||
| Florida_lime |
...a damp rag for the bugs? Love bugs are out now. Florida residents know what I mean. A damp rag is a good idea, but it won't cut it.  | ||
| Methed |
I rode from Atlanta to MN in two days last April. Despite dodging tornadoes the first day and suffering through the near-zero wind chills the second, I'd do it again. Next time though I'd pack two pair of gloves. Also, be sure to plan to stay in a bed each night--tenting in crappy weather just means you won't be well-rested for riding in crappy weather. Also get SeaLine or some other dry bag for any extra documents/electronics/whatever you'll have with you. | ||
| Closetbueller |
I have been thru clouds of love bugs so thick that the carcasses rolled off my face shield lust like rain drops. thank goodness for thumb squeegees and novus 1 | ||
| Sharkguy |
++! on the Novus 1. I always carry a small mister type bottle of it and a clean rag in the tankbag. On my trip to Hiawassee last month, I also took the bladder out of my camelbak and put it in my tankbag with just the mouthpiece sticking out. When I wanted a drink I could just pull it out and take a sip. It really made a difference. I also didn't want the extra weight from the camelbak on my shoulders. |
