Bike Trip Preparation
Thursday, June 30th, 2005 at 9:59 pm by angrybob
One would think that I would have my bike ready to go for the one week, 1000+ mile trip that starts in one week from today. Nope. While I have managed to put new skins, rotors and pads on the RSVR, the maintenance items still need to be done. I’m looking at the minor stuff like oil change, wash & wax, and a shakedown ride since I had it apart.
I am already going through the packing list, but will be traveling light. A backpack and the space in the rear cowl. Its not as bad as it sounds as we will be shipping clothes to the hotel in Monterey for the remainder of the trip, but the packing still needs to be efficient. My buddy is flying in from Florida and he will be riding my Caponord. He doen’t know it yet, but I have the saddle bags for her and he is likely to be the ‘gear bitch’. Bah…he rides a Ducati anyway, so the power and speed of a weighted down Caponord will make him feel right at home 
with his 998.
My question is simple for you long-haulers:
What are your best tips for preparation, paking, and executing road trips?
For me its simple. Roll up all the clothes to minimize their size and load the heavy stuff towards the bottom. And of course, ear plugs.
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angrybob,
What I do before/during a long ride:
(1) Pack the raingear where it’s easy to get to.
(2) Take action before the pain sets in. I usually take two aspirin right before I depart.
(3) Obey the speed limit in work zones. Here in NY state, several accidents in work zones have resulted in casualties. The police are out in force.
(4) Like yourself, I too use earplugs.
(5) Pay with cash everywhere unless you want your movements to be recorded. (Yes, I’m paranoid.)
- terrymoto