Planning a cross-country trip on my XS. Any suggestions?

[snakedriver]

Hello folks, I've almost finished my '79 xs1100F, and I'm already dreaming about a cross country trip this summer. It's something that's been on my "bucket list" for a long time.

I'm thinking about getting a fairing for wind protection, such as the Vetter Windjammer. I also like the National Cycle Plexifairing III that member Bonz has on his bike though. I'd like to hear your $0.02 on the windjammer before I pick one up and get it fitted correctly. I don't need a radio or anything fancy.

Also, I'm interested in your recommendations for gear to take with me. I'd like to rough it as much as I can, so I'll be packing a small tent and sleeping gear. I want to stay in motels as infrequently as I can stand. I'll have a GPS, an Ipod for tunes, and my smartphone.

I'm sure a lot of you out there have done this before, and I'd like to learn from your experiences before I start packing.

Thanks!

[crazy steve]

I'd like to rough it as much as I can...

And you want a fairing or windshield?

Well, anything that keeps air pressure off your chest will help with fatigue quite a bit. Beyond that, it's about comfort. Large windshields and fairings will change how your bike reacts under some circumstances, so I'd try getting used to it before you leave.

Gear? I quit sleeping the ground years ago, so no help there. You will want rain gear 'just in case'. You can only pack so much 'stuff', so trade-offs are always involved.

Make sure the bike is up to snuff; any niggling 'little' problems can turn big all too easily. If you have the factory tool kit, that's usually enough to do any 'roadside' repairs with the addition of a flat repair kit and mini-compressor. Do think about how far you're planning to go and if the tires will make it, particularly if you still have the 17" rear wheel.

[DGXSER]

By all means, either pack a cot, or one of those self inflating air pads along with the tent and sleeping bag. A little backpacker stove will do quite well.

Interestingly enough, I am planning to go on a backpacking trip with the local scout troop, HERE is a packing list they recommend, I would think it would be just as practical for your trip as well.

[jwhughes3]

Keep it light as possible. I found extra gear cost mpg and hassle in packing and unpackng the bike. A nice 3" Big Agnes sleeping pad and you wont feel the ground.

We are heading on a 6000 mi R/T in July. Other than new tires and fresh oil, an AMA Roadside Assistance membership card I am not worried about the XS11 making it. They are tough to kill.


John

[fredintoon]

I'm already dreaming about a cross country trip this summer. - - - I'm sure a lot of you out there have done this before, and I'd like to learn from your experiences before I start packing

Hi snakedriver,
what they said.
In addition, here's how to take a weekend bike trip in 1949 Great Britain:-
Buy an ex-army Norton for ten quid. Be sure it still has the military panniers.
Buy an ex-army dispatch riders coat from a surplus store.
Load up one pannier with the tool kit of your choice.
Load up the other pannier with a can of beans, some strips of bacon in wax paper, a handful of tea in a twist of wax paper and two eggs in the sawn off end of an egg carton.
Siphon a tank of petrol out of your neighbor's car to extend your own coupons because petrol is still on ration.
(Although it ain't in Germany, who won the f**king war anyway????)
Set out on your trip.
Camp overnight off the road by a stream next to a gorse bush.
Wrap yourself in the DR coat and dive into the gorse bush to sleep.
In the morning, light a small fire, open the can of beans, warm and eat the beans, wash the can out in the stream, boil up the water in the can and steep the tea.
Drink the tea.
Cut the can with the tinsnips in your tool kit so it will flatten.
Fry the bacon over the fire on the flattened can.
Eat the bacon.
Crack the eggs onto the bacon greased can, fry and eat the eggs.
Bury the can afterwards to keep the campsite tidy.
Continue the tour.
Stop at a pub for lunch.
After lunch the rain will start so ride home.
Sell the bike.

[natemoen]

I would probably suggest a frame mounted fairing over a bar mounted windshield. With the fairing you at least don't have to fight the wind with your arms as much. Plus the fairing gives you a little extra packing space.

[snakedriver]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm going to go with a Windjammer fairing and I'm going to fab up some .50 cal ammo cans as saddlebags. Or maybe get some leather ones. I agree with staying as light as possible. My goal is not to drag a ton of gear around, but to enjoy the ride. I figure I can "live off of the land" which means buy crap at stores scattered around our great country as the need arises.

I'm thinking some raingear is probably wise, but I'm a fair-weather rider, and I don't want to ride much in the rain.

Good suggestions fellas. Keep 'em coming.

[natemoen]

Pacifico fairing and 1200 round 7.62x39 ammo cans.

[snakedriver]

Very cool. I'd like to see some details on how you mounted those cans. That's just what I had in mind. I don't know if I'll use cans that big but the idea will be the same. Thanks!

[natemoen]

They are mounted using just the stock bracket and then used a price of 1.5"x1/4" strap bent around the shock to fit the lower front corner. They rattled around toouch to not anchor the front corner. If you use smaller cans you may not need that.

Eventually I want to fab up a nice tube frame to mount them too and make it stronger. The stock bracket it just aluminum plate bent to shape.

[crazy steve]

I'm thinking some raingear is probably wise, but I'm a fair-weather rider, and I don't want to ride much in the rain..

You can only hide under overpasses so long....

Take some raingear, even if it's only some cheap crap. With luck you won't need it, but you'll be glad you have it if you do.

[MaximPhil]

Hi snakedriver,
what they said.
In addition, here's how to take a weekend bike trip in 1949 Great Britain:-
Buy an ex-army Norton for ten quid. Be sure it still has the military panniers.
Buy an ex-army dispatch riders coat from a surplus store.
Load up one pannier with the tool kit of your choice.
Load up the other pannier with a can of beans, some strips of bacon in wax paper, a handful of tea in a twist of wax paper and two eggs in the sawn off end of an egg carton.
Siphon a tank of petrol out of your neighbor's car to extend your own coupons because petrol is still on ration.
(Although it ain't in Germany, who won the f**king war anyway????)
Set out on your trip.
Camp overnight off the road by a stream next to a gorse bush.
Wrap yourself in the DR coat and dive into the gorse bush to sleep.
In the morning, light a small fire, open the can of beans, warm and eat the beans, wash the can out in the stream, boil up the water in the can and steep the tea.
Drink the tea.
Cut the can with the tinsnips in your tool kit so it will flatten.
Fry the bacon over the fire on the flattened can.
Eat the bacon.
Crack the eggs onto the bacon greased can, fry and eat the eggs.
Bury the can afterwards to keep the campsite tidy.
Continue the tour.
Stop at a pub for lunch.
After lunch the rain will start so ride home.
Sell the bike.

Hi Fred,
Thanks again for another great story loosely based on the facts
I am suprised it took until after lunch for the rain to set in but a good story none the less.
Phil

[hamjam]

I take a credit card and a cell phone with a charger the holiday inn is camping

[MaximPhil]

Hi Snakedriver,
as a recent convert to Textile riding gear I suggest you get a suit (jacket & Pants) that is waterproof and if you select carefully it will work in most temperatures except blistering heat. when nothing is really cool anyway. I too recommend the fairing option and also if you can find the Yamaha hard bags or Vetter they have lots of room for all the stuff you need.
a waterproof pack ( try outdoor stores) like the canoe trippers use to strap to your carrier (which you also need)
Get the bike sorted and running properly before you leave. Lube anything that is supposed to move and tighten everything that is Not supposed to move Clean the electrical contacts. Spare Clutch and throttle cable.
Test ride to a campsite some week end will soon show any missing parts of your set up.
Phil

[MaximPhil]

Specially for you Fred

I had a wooden Cycle and it wouldn't Cycle


Phil