Going to be doing a 360 mile trip soon. Besides the normal items like cell phone, keys, wallet, cash, deodorant, body wash, and 2 days worth of clothes (its a weekend trip) is there anything else I should take?
I've only had my bike road legal for 2 weeks now so I haven't done any trips. Figured I'd ask if I should take anything else with me.
- Hand wipes (such as you get from KFC) for cleaning visor
- hand held UHF/CB radio in case you have no cell phone reception but still need assistance
- foreknowledge of available fuels
- bottled water
- zip ties
- small pocket torch
- some basic tools (pliers, screwdriver)
- first aid kit
- puncture repair kit of some description
- side stand puck
- small roll of duct tape
Michael
Quote from: ReverseTrike on July 21, 2011, 09:57:48 PM
Going to be doing a 360 mile trip soon. Besides the normal items like cell phone, keys, wallet, cash, deodorant, body wash, and 2 days worth of clothes (its a weekend trip) is there anything else I should take?
I've only had my bike road legal for 2 weeks now so I haven't done any trips. Figured I'd ask if I should take anything else with me.
Not really. My first big trip I took less than that and didn't have any problems. All the trips since them have been about the same.
I like Michael's advice. Someone suggested a small safe canister of fuel, just in case you run out and need to get a few miles to a petrol stop.
quart of oil just in case your bike is a burner.
360 miles is a morning trip for me.Take rain gear.I got a set of those cheap yellow rain suits from Lowe's that I use in emergencies.I hate riding in rain.Crash gear is a must.If you're riding at night,take a spare headlight bulb,signal bulb,and brake/running light bulb.Small multi tool or a screw driver with interchangeable bits,small & large flat and #2 phillips.Needle nose pliers are always handy.
Either an auto-club card which covers bikes or a bike-specific version of same (if you have a car or truck, the first may be more generally useful and cheaper than getting two.) Last I recall AAA would ignore a bike, but AAA Plus-RV would cover bike towing/assistance, for instance.
If you have the stock toolkit, it's a start. If you use a master link type chain, a spare master link. Should bad things happen, you'll be able to find the chain, but not the link parts.
The more throughly paranoid might carry a spare clutch cable. The moderately paranoid will merely take a look at the current one and replace if there are signs of fraying, or if it does not move smoothly/easily.
What kind of puncture repair solution is good? A vulcanizing plug plus a few CO2 inflaters?
I would recommend OIL. Always have oil on long trips, not a lot but if you can take a little bottle it can save your GS. On the french forum, quite a lot of people destroyed their engines because of long highway trips / max speed testing without checking their oil level.
It's the main weakness of the GS500's engine.
And, take your gear with you. (helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, back protector)
Have a nice trip!!
in my experience, a different bike!
Seriously though, do a full check over the bike before you go - tyre pressure and tread, chain tight enough and lubed lights working etc.
Take a spare fuse (20amp), bulbs etc
I agree with whoever suggested the hand wipes / kfc wipes - they work surprisingly well.
Otherwise, take it easy, pace yourself and take regular breaks, and have fun.
Quote from: twelvepoint on July 22, 2011, 11:59:11 AM
What kind of puncture repair solution is good? A vulcanizing plug plus a few CO2 inflaters?
There are essentially three options for puncture repair...
#1 - vulcanizing rubber with CO2 canisters
#2 - insert, twist and leave being plug with inflating CO2 canisters
#3 - bottle of liquid foam
The foam is by far the quickest as it inflates as well as puts expanding/sealing foam into the tire.
The insert/twist/inflat/go takes up less space and doesn't need glue
The rubber strip/plug with glue takes the longest but is the least messy and probably the most reliant to get you out of a pickle - I carry this type. It can fit under the seat of my GS along with a first aid kit. The rest of the gear on my list fits in my tank bag with space left over.
Something else to take... sunglasses & a hat (like a ball cap)
Michael
i second the quart of oil! i did a 6hr drive this past weekend in 100+ temps and went through half a quart!
up until then my bike didnt use a drop of oil :cookoo:
Here's a good complete tire repair kit:
http://store.mm411.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1181&ParentCat=252
also consider a strap on emergency gas can - like a quart or liter - just in case.
In the end on all my rides........water :thumb:
take a tyre pando ,dont know what you call them in the states ,one i use is for a car tyre it pumps a foam sealant into tyre gives about 20 psi worked a treat for me when a 6 inch nail went into tyre and out side wall next to rim , left it in rode home about 25 miles keeping speed down and bike upright , have a good trip
Take a friend, if you can.
My uncle is going with me. Hes a Harley rider so he'll have tons of tools with him.
We are going to be making like 4 stops up and 4 stops down. its 180 miles there and 180 back.
Perfect! I'm sure you'll have a great time. And with your uncle along you should have peace of mind and won't have to worry about anything happening. You'll be able to relax and enjoy the ride.
Not that I'm advocating it, but I know of some Harley riders who, instead of packing tools, pack extra large speakers for their stereo or beer bottles packed in their saddlebags which are drilled with holes on the bottom to drain out the melting ice used to keep the beer cold.
Quote from: kininja on July 25, 2011, 01:50:41 PM
Perfect! I'm sure you'll have a great time. And with your uncle along you should have peace of mind and won't have to worry about anything happening. You'll be able to relax and enjoy the ride.
Not that I'm advocating it, but I know of some Harley riders who, instead of packing tools, pack extra large speakers for their stereo or beer bottles packed in their saddlebags which are drilled with holes on the bottom to drain out the melting ice used to keep the beer cold.
Man we don't drill holes in our bags.We keep the water in there so the beer stays cooler longer.I don't own a HD or drink alcohol,but I know people that have done this to their bags to carry it with them.
This book might be handy:
"Packing Light, Packing Right"
http://store.mm411.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1082&ParentCat=179
probably available elsewhere, but saw it on one of our local Pacific Northwest sites.
Wow I took way less than what everyone says. I just made sure I had road side assistance paid up for the bike and my rain gear. Plus wallet, phone and visor cleaner. Admittedly when I normally go for a go through twisties I do carry a puncture repair kit as extra kit. Less I was gone for days and away from civilisation or road side assistance I don't carry extra tools. Maybe I'm a little stupid. Actually as I read this for errors (which I'm sure I've missed) I tend to think that about myself as well.
Maybe I'm stupid too: I have my phone, cash, visor wipe, a snack, like a Clif bar or something, and that's it. I do have roadside assistance.
I would take my toolkit but that's popped open before causing me to lose tools on the road. I think part of the problem is that the fender is missing two bolts which help secure the area where the toolkit rests.
No puncture kit. Sometimes a friend.
Edit: I haven't gone quite as far as 360 miles in one trip, but I don't think I would pack more just for another hour or so of riding. If it was for days, totally.
I need to ride the route with my GPS data logging when I do the mountain tour with newbies.I think it's close,if not over,360 miles round trip.