I am moving to sacramento state for further schooling. If everything goes alright I should be done by end of Fall 2004 (december time).

What do I need to as checklists before I make this 400 mile trip. I am going to attempt mounting the windshield tommorow afternoon...

I am taking my MP3Cd player with me.. plan to listen to music while riding.  Im riding with full gear and since I am taking the I-5 I am taking water with me. My caravan of support vehicles will be following (my car driven by my gf or my brother) and my parents in their car.

What should I take with me (emergency supplies) just in case something crops up.

What should i do pre-ride. I did an oil change about 400 miles back. I put in Castrol GTX 10W40. I will lube the chain before I leave and check the air pressure. Should i set it at 33/36(38) or little lower.

Any tips for the long ride?

Manjul,

Get a can of "Seal n Air" just in case you get a flat tire.  It's not the greatest thing, but it will get you to the next stop.

If you gonna listen to ear bud type head phones, keep the volume just low enough to hear what going on around you.  Also to monitor you bike's condition.  

Baby power.... You know where!

Drive safe and have a great trip, I look forward to hearing from you when you arrive.


Paul

i will get a can of seal and air (maybe a bigger can just in case)..pepboys is the place (or maybe autozone).


anything else.. i will get a 1 gallon fuel tank and that will be my emergency tank...

You should probably do a full T-CLOCK inspection before going:
http://www.esc.org/tclock.html

I'd recommend a mini-mag light and some duct tape as well.  Someone recently posted a story of his headlight croaking as soon as the sun went down.  A mini mag light isn't a head light, but it's better than nothing.  

If you have a tank bag, I strongly recommend always having a bottle of water and some beef jerky or something in there.  If you end up stuck on the side of the road, you'll be really glad you have it.  It doesn't hurt to have a map, cellphone, first aid kit either.

Amen on the first aid kit Manjul.

Paul

Since you've got the "support caravan", throw in some extras like:

* A quart of oil.  (Check oil level at your second gas stop, if not your first.)  If you end up not using any, at least you'll have the extra oil around during the semester.
* A rag or paper towel for wiping the dipstick.
* Tools to fit your windshield fasteners, in case it moves around on you this first time out.
* Rain gear, depending on the forecast.
* A couple granola bars to go with the beef jerky.
* A cooler with ice cold soft drinks!

I have other suggestions for stuff to take if you're camping on a long road trip, but you should be able to do the 400 miles in what - 7 to 9 hours?  (The extra 2 hours are for the drivers in the caravan.)

Weren't you the one that debated whether to ride to an orientation and back in 1 day?  Is this going to be 1/2 of that previous trip?  (Same school, etc?)

yup that was me deciding to go for orientation.. but that was cool days..(may/june) not mid of summer with tempratures in teh 100. I am moving to the school this time, so its  1/2 way ride... compared to last time, but last time i took the car not the bike.

My tank bag is on its way so that is not going to be iwth me for the ride. I got the first aid kit under the bike seat. I have a flash light in my car.

I am carrying tonnes of cold water, gatorade and some other stuff. I got to be hydrated, I dehydrate quite quickly. I got food in the caravan coming along, so that shouldnt be an issue.

Im more concerned about the bike running its course. Im goign to T-Clock and check stuff.

Good luck at school, manjul.

Your oil in the bike should be fine to get you there. Just at stops check your level. Have one of the support vehicles carry the extra quart of oil (less burden on the bike). Maintain your momentum. When you get up speed at the bottom of a hill, try to keep the momentum up the next hill; it makes it easier on the transmission/oil consumption.

Your tire pressures should actually be set a little higher. 1-3 psi. This reduces friction/drag at the front and increases feul economy and lessens tire wear at the rear and again increases feul economy. So if you're running BT45's 110/70 and 130/70 rear, currently at 33 and 36psi respectively; 34-36 in front and 36.5-39psi in the rear. A larger rear tire I would consider running at 40psi, but that's just me.

i would also bring along some visor cleaner for your helmet so if/when you take a break...you can clean off the bugs....

One beer in that cooler....for the END of the ride...and best of luck in school!!  

as for rain gear, you probably won't need it this time.  but come winter, if you plan to keep riding in Sacramento, you would need them.  

Have a fun trip and have a good time in Sac.  Go Sacramento Kings!!

well I got my windshield installed today. Im about to take it for a spin. I didnt fasten it the way it should be properly.. hope it holds..

We couldnt drill a hole for some god forsaken reason.. the stock hole make teh windshield stand up 90 degrees. I will have to figure something out later if this doesnt hold I am going without one tommorow.

For anything more than an around town ride I carry a mini-repair kit in my tankbag (Sounds long, but all this barely takes up a 1/4 of my tourmaster cortech mini-tank bag):

Sparkplugs
Extra fuses
Extra bulbs (headlight and taillight)
mini-roll of duct tape
Tire repair kit (currently progressive trk-2, but you can put together a kit cheaper yourself)
mini-can of wd40
Cheap bandanna (that can double as a shop rag)
mini-light (petzl zipka is great - super-compact led headlamp w/retractable headband, but not worth the money for motorcylce alone, I bought it for camping)
Tire pressure guage
Cellphone
Bungee net
Mini-notebook and pen
Extra key for ignition and disc lock
Small bolt to jury-rig shifter or brake controls
Digital or disposable camera (in case of accident mostly)
Multi-tool
Garmin Rino 120 (combination GPS/FRS/GMRS - a luxury bought for camping, but could be useful)[/list:u]
Depending on circumstances (really long rides, etc.) I might also throw in:

Extra oil
Small can of chain lube
First aid kit
Chain repair tool
Zip ties or wire[/list:u]
For music, I've been really happy with Etymotic ER series earplug headphones (they are pricey, though).  They give 23db of sound isolation (subjectively almost the same as the earplugs I normally wear on the highway) and sound really good to boot.  I have my ipod in the tankbag, clip the remote to the map pocket and then run the headphone lead under my jacket.  Its a little uncomfortable taking the helmet on or off since the leads stick out, so pry your helmet open a little more than usual.  They are nearly as comfortable for me once the helmet is on as the Hearo earplugs I otherwise wear. See

etymotic or headroom for more info.  Be careful about high volume or listening to music around town - I always turn it off for city riding or lane splitting.

... rjs

Quotemini-light (petzl zipka is great - super-compact led headlamp w/retractable headband, but not worth the money for motorcylce alone, I bought it for camping)

Don't let rjsjr fool you!!! you may buy a petzl for camping, but the compact/low energy design of a LED headlamp is GREAT!!!  you may buy it for camping, but it is well worth it JUST FOR CYCLING!!! I carry a Pricetontek Solo waterproof headlamp with LED bulbs with me on the road.  One breakdown at night and you will understand, it is a NECESSARY part of any emergency kit for anyone riding at night.

peace