| Author | Message | ||
     Phatkidwit1eye |
Around the middle of June I will be heading on a trip too Canada. I think the trip will be about 1000 miles or so. So I was wondering how do you prep yourself and your bike for a long ride? | ||
| Cyclonemick |
If you don't do alot of long distance riding I would suggest take some decent mile trips before the big one. Riding alot of miles takes alot out of you so condition yourself with practice. Also I have heard when riding from one gas tank to the other take about 10 minutes before or after fill up to walk around and get blood flowing to the parts of your body that are mostly montionless while riding. And don't forget to check all your fluids and make sure all your bolts are tight. A cell Phone is also a good safety measure incase of a break down. I would also let someone know of your route incase something goes wrong. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I take 250 mile rides (one day) frequently on my bike and found that a throttle lock was a life saver. I took the one I originaly had on my Honda and modified it to work on my M2. A good set of gelgrips make a huge difference also. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Jump on a Go!!!!!! What part of Canada are you coming to? | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Phat- bring layers of clothes, plenty of cash (or your credit cards) your good sense, and tools. Chances of a breakdown is inversely proportional to your having enough of the correct tools, and the ability to use them! Don't try to race anyone in their own territory. Bring tooth whitener- you'll be grinning a lot and ya wanna look good for the babes. AL | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
If you take your credit cards, make sure you call them before you leave and tell them that you'll be covering massive distances in short time periods. As a theft precaution, credit card companies will prevent purchases when a card is moving too fast across the country. They think someone has stolen your card and is making a getaway. One call to the CC company, and their system won't cut off the money supply. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Its only a thousand freakin miles!!!!!! You only fall asleep on the bike near the 1000mile mark so only go 900miles. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
There should be at least ten or so people riding up. I don't know the exact mileage but we are planning on going too Niagra(sp) Falls. I've made many 2-4 hour rides before, but most of those were in the range that if something where too happen I could have a friend pick me and the bike up. I guess what I'm really asking is do you take your bike too a dealer to get everything inspected or do you just give it a quick look over and head out. Also what kind of bags do you use? I have a tank bag that I made out of my dads old t-bag from his old shovel head. I'm just not too sure about the rest and who makes reasonably priced bags. | ||
| Crusty |
This is your first real trip, and you're going to be traveling in a large group. You mentioned that it's a 1,000 mile ride. Is that each way, or round trip? How long are you going for? If it's just for a couple of days, a Gym bag bungeed across the back seat would hold enough for me. Look your bike over. Do the tires have enough tread to complete the trip? When's your next oil change due? Pack what you think you'll need. No matter how much you pack, you'll discover something you should have brought; and when the trip is over, you'll discover how much of what you brought was unnecessary. Don't worry too much, just enjoy the ride. | ||
| Thunderboltloon |
I haven't done long trips since I sold my old Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, but I guess these tips apply equally to long distance Buelling: If the bike is coming up for a service/oil change, do it before you go. A pair of throwovers and a tank bag/seat pack are plenty for a week away. Take tools, mobile phone, credit cards and you're sure not to need them. Check your suspension setting and belt tightness when the bike is loaded up. Be sure to take maps. You probably need less non-biking clothes than you think, and more biking gear - I found I needed hot weather gear, cold weather gear, and waterproofs. I once went down to the South of France in my leathers, with denim Giali jeans and jacket in the saddlebags for when it was hot. But I forgot to check if the bulkier leathers would fit in the space left by my denims. Doh! | ||
| Robr |
Read "The Complete Motorcycle Nomad", by Roger Lovin, this book, written I beleive in the early seventies is the touring bible for motorcyclists. A wonderful read full of tips and advice from someone who has been there. Highly recommended. Amazon.com has it. Rob | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I think it's 1000 miles each way. The details are still a bit sketchy as I was invited and not the one planning the trip. My dad has been riding with these people for 10 years or so. They always do a few big trips during the summer. One year they took a trip around lake Michigan and then went too Las Vegas. I'm pretty sure that the majority of the trip even when we get there will be riding. As for the bike itself it has fresh oil in it with only about 50 or so miles on the change. The tires are brand new as of last fall. The only real problem I am having with my bike is some tranny problems that I cant seem too get right after I put in the baker smooth shift kit. I'll take a look at that book you suggested. I have purchased a few books from them already like twist of the wrist and street strategies. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Phat - If you are going to Niagara Falls, be sure to go to the Canadian side to see the falls. I lived in Youngstown NY as a kid which is nearby. The NY side was a sh#thole, but across the river it was beautiful! Maybe it's nicer now, I just realized it's been 40 years, which might be enough time for them to gussie it up a bit. AL PS fix that tranny before you go, the thought "maybe it will be OK" has a real meaning, which is "this things gonna break for sure at the worst possible place and time." | ||
| Iamike |
Ron- Forget the dealer, the only problems I've had with mine were caused by the dealer's service. Learn to work on it yourself. One word on long-distance riding 'Advil'. It odes wonders. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I do most of my own work. Normally I can fix the problem if I know what it is. The part I'm trying to get better at is finding the problem before it breaks. As for my tranny I just cant get the bugger right. I did the install myself on the kit but no matter what I adjust it wont go into 4th gear under high rpm's. I pulled it out and found a few raised lips on the drum and filled those off. Then I've been playing around with my primary adjustment and clutch cable adjustments. It's really getting me upset b/c I cant figure out what it could be. I've been riding it hoping that it just needed some lube to get worked around in it, but still no luck. | ||
| Fullpower |
hey phat kid, sounds like a real fun road trip.. just one thing to remember, canada is a socialist country, so leave your pistol at home. it has been recommended by many Long Distance folks NOT to do any major service before a Long Ride. I make a general fastener check, inspect belt, treads, tire pressures, primary chain. pack some spare bulbs, tire patch stuff, and more tools than i have ever needed on the road. the funnest part about group touring is getting your companions to pack the real heavy ridiculous tools in THEIR saddlebags. example: had my brother in law pack a 12 inch crescent wrench, and a 32 ounce ballpein hammer. almost had him take the entrenching tool, but he balked at that point. usually i "LET" some one else carry my tire repair kit, so i have room for my firstaid kit ( bottle of whisky, bone saw, dental floss, straight and curved needles, duct tape) when is your trip? | ||
| Chainsaw |
My advice: hex head & torx head wrenches electrical tape your favorite flavor of loc-tite patch kit, mini bike pump or CO2 inflator quart of oil Water Bungee cords or bungee net On long trips, stuff's gonna vibrate loose and wires will rub. I normally don't pack anything that I can get at the local auto parts store. Bring versatile gear. A waterproof jacket with a zip out liner and vent works great for me. The only other raingear I have is a pair of First Gear Synchro Pants. $20, fully waterproof, and pack down to the size of a Coke can. If I'm gonna buy souvenir shirts on my trip, I'll leave enough room in the luggage to pack them back. I'll also bring only half the clothes I need if I'm making a long trip. I'll do a load of laundry at the halfway point. I pack my clothes in waterproof kayaking bags, otherwise when I put on a clean shirt to go out to eat, I'll still smell like 700 miles of highway dirt. Join BRAG or HOG. You get one tow a year from them, up to $100 value (I used HOG's service in Tennessee last year). I also have AAA RV Plus. They'll bring me gas, give me a jump, make me a key, or tow my broke down bike up to 100 miles. I'm allowed 4 services per year with them, about $95 per year (they cover both my bikes and my truck for that) The HOG or BRAG atlas is helpful, not so much for directions, but for the location of dealerships, should you need some funky part. The atlas lists phone numbers and business hours. Print out a copy of BadWeb's RIDER ASSISTANCE NETWORK . It's a list of volunteers that will render help in the event of a breakdown. When I crossed the Canadian border in the middle of nowhere North Dakota, the border guard went through EVERYTHING I had. First Aid Kit, tools, luggage, the whole nine yards. If it's illegal, don't bring it. Carrying a single bullet across the Mexican border can get you 10 years in prison (according to the signs at the border) Figure out your mileage and range before you go. If you're riding with a bunch of Harley's with 6 gallon tanks, this will be helpful. Fuel stops are planned by the bike with the shortest range. Hope this was helpful, good luck, it'll be fun! Chainsaw veteran of bike trips through 27 states and 3 countries   } | ||
| Ray_maines |
What KCFireBolt says about calling your credit card company to tell them you will be covering some distance quickly is good advice that I wouldn't have thought of. There is a story in the new issue of Motorcyclist about a guy that rode from California to Wisconsin in two days and was denied credit someplace along the way for just such a reason. | ||
| Court |
True. Never taken more than a quick call, but the delay, over a couple bucks, is frustrating. |
