FIRST REALLY LONG TRIP, (need advice)

[andrewraffaele]

[andrewraffaele]

thanks for the help with the photo posting, I had followed directions properly with flickr... but it just wasn't doing. The photobucket account was much better! thanks, and go ride Hwy 1!

[Kit]

Nice scenerey (I especially like that last shot ). A lot of those shots look very much like the Oregon coast, so if you enjoyed that, you'll like Hwy 101 too.

[psycoreefer]

My number one tool - a smart phone or laptop.

No mater what goes wrong the chances are that there is another member here that is within an hour or so of your location that would be willing to help you get the bike back up and going, and there is no way you could carry as many tools as most have in their garage.

Daily averages are a very individual thing (and weather dependent). I don't have an issue riding 400 miles a day or more if the weather is nice and the roads are good. SWMBO and my dad are both exhausted after 300 or so. If I'm riding through crappy weather(heavy rain, strong wind, real cold) all day then I tend to get tired faster... If I were planning a multi-day (and I am for the CO rally in July) then I'd plan about 350 miles a day, not so many miles that you can't see some stuff and take breaks, and short enough that if the weather is bad you're not totally wiped out when you get to the next stop.

Also you might check out the rallys sections, might be cool to hit a few of the xs gatherings on your way if the timing works...

[MaximPhil]

hi Andrew,
300 to 500 makes a good days ride. pick where you want to visit and i suspect you will find them within that range. If it rains you will want a fender on that front wheel Think of it as a bunch of day rides. Take the time to visit and see the things that interest you along the way.
Thanks for the pictures.
Phil

[rover]

trip

Beartooth Pass northwest of Yellowstone is fantastic. I am sure it is on mapquest, right along the wyo-montana border.

[rover]

correction

Should read northeast of Yellwstone

[bg241ihc]

As reading material take along Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig. It is about a ride from Minneapolis to California in which the author explores the metaphysics of quality and other deep subjects. Although according to the author, "it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very factual on motorcycles, either."

[DiverRay]

My $0.02,
ONE: Buy, beg, borrow some soft saddlebags! You will have to fabricate a brace to fit between the bags and the shocks/rear of bike. You can put a LOT of things in the bags, and with NOTHING on your back you will be much more "comfy" on the 500 mile days.
two: Plan on the first two or three days to be short, and then you can start to go longer. It will help in the long run, as the miles get easy after a few days in the saddle.
three: As said before, just bring the basic bike toolkit and a netbook or smartphone. local help should be close most of your trip, and you can post now and then from the motel room.
four: Layer! I used mesh pants and jacket, with Tshirts and shorts under, one pair of jeans, one sweat shirt, and my rain jacket/pants as an overjacket when things got cold. You don't need to pack much, and I was able to stay comfy for a two week trip from CA to Cleveland and back.
five: HAVE FUN!!!!!

[jetmechmarty]

The hardtail 650 will kill you. If for some reason you choose to ride it, take generator brushes, and if it's an original component, the charging rotor. I've gone long on an XS650, but mine is stock.

Consider changing the bars on the XS11. You may be young, but on a long trip your back will appreciate a more upright position. You can always switch them back after the trip. Put a fender on it, too. You won't do well in the rain with that much water off the front wheel.

[Pain]

As reading material take along Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig. It is about a ride from Minneapolis to California in which the author explores the metaphysics of quality and other deep subjects.

A lighter read is "Zen and Now" by Mark Richardson. I don't know how it would be if you hadn't already read Zen and the Art, but covers the route Pirsig took to the ocean, and the personal path he followed trying to get the book written. It also doesn't have all the Quality lectures, giving cliff note versions instead.

It might be more of a companion book than stand alone, but it will also make your head hurt less.

[jwhughes3]

advice...

Eat less cholesterol with your breakfast. Egg white omlet with hash browns and/or grits (no butter - blasphemy I know but pepper instead) and pancakes with syrup only.


Couldn't resist - my doc has me obsessing about cholesterol.



John