One helluva trip

[finmac]

I'm looking for some road trip advice... At the beginning of May this year I'm hoping to do the 1500km trip from Toronto to Thunder Bay in Ontario. Its all highway travel and only during the day- can I expect to do this in four days? Before I head off, I'm replacing my plugs, oil, brake fluid, tires and chain - anything else? In terms of baggage I' wont have saddle bags but I thought this might do:



Its 35 litres and I'd use tie downs on the rear seat. Any comments from the veteran travellers out there would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,
Fin Macdonald
Toronto, Canada

[budget speed demon]

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do it in even 3 days. Divide 1500km into 3 days and you get 500km a day. Traveling at an average speed of 90km/h you should be riding for about 5.5 hrs a day.
I haven't done a lot of big trips, but I am planning one for September. I'm planning on putting on a new front sprocket. Going up to 17t for better top end and highway acceleration when needed.
Pack lots of rain gear and a few pairs of gloves, just incase.

[manofthefield]

17 is a really nice road if thats what you are planning on taking.  Good cruising speed (90-100 kph?), scenery, and lots of nice curves.  I took it from Sault Ste Marie east, but I haven't taken it around Superior... yet.  I'm sure the part around superior is just as good if not better than what I was on. 

It may be a bit cold in May, depending on the weather.  So dress warm, take raingear, and make lots of stops if your getting cold. 

With all the stuff youre changing, make sure you ride the bike for a week or two to make sure the new stuff doesn't break or come loose.  May want to check the valves, depends on when/if it was done last. 

If you can fit all your stuff in that duffel and get it tied down well, it should be fine for the trip.  You may want to invest in a tankbag if you don't already have one for the small stuff that you may need on the road: wallet, map, snacks, cell phone, etc.

Hope you get to do this, it should be a lot of fun.  Keep us updated

[makenzie71]

That's only a 900 mile trip.  You could do it in one day if you had the mid to.

I've never really liked the bags intended to tie to your pillion seat very well.  I prefer a backpack.  For longer stuff I've always had a large backpack strapped to my tank, and one to my back.  Plenty enough cargo room to hold up for my shinanigans.

[finmac]

Yeah, it'll be highway 17. I remember doing it last year in a van, tons of secenery and curves. Hoping for some good free camping spots. I''d like to get out to Sleeping Giant national park when I'm there too. For highway cruising, I've heard instead of changing the front sprocket to a 17t, I can go up a size on the rear tyre. Same effect? Typically what does a valve adjustment cost at the stealership?

-Fin

[DMac]

I'd suggest just do it in a day, you'll be a bt stiff the next day though. If you find a good camping spot you could make it a good 2 day run and not kill yourself.


Just my suggestion, but then again I don't know what your reasons for going are. Either way it's not going to be too warm in May, esp when you get to Thunder Bay. A  tank bag is a good idea as well, I'm never crazy about putting things strapped to the bike behind me either.

I agree w/ manofthefield about testing the bike after all those changes.
Anyways, it sounds like a great ride so have a good time.

[daneilah]

Ambitious ride!  Good luck!

I find I can only do 300-400km in a day max.  I'm just not alert enough to feel safe after that.  Sounds like you're planning a nice relaxing riding schedule.  That's smart.

Will you go through Parry Sound on Hwy 69?  or are you thinking of taking the ferry from Tobermoray over to Manitoulin Island?  I'm hoping to try the Manitoulin Island trip this summer.


For that kind of distance I'd shy away from a backpack.  You're going to be tired enough without having that weight hanging on your shoulders.  I use the Joe Rocket tankbag and tailbag, and the entry-level Oxford saddlebags.  The tank bag is particularly useful for resting on during lengthy highway stretches.  Get a throttle rocker too!