Trip advice

[Clickjack]

I'm posting this here instead of in gear, as I would like general advice or experiences as well as gear recommendations.   

A friend and i are planning on taking a couple of long trips.  first to a state park 3 to 5 hours away, spend the night come back.   Then one to Dallas, up to Tulsa, up to Fayetteville Arkansas then back home to Lubbock.   Assuming we actually enjoy ourselves we are thinking about a cross country ride this summer.

We've taken a couple day and most of the night trips but thats about it.  And this will be my first on the DUC.    I have a 2007 S4R T.  I would like recommendations as what I will need?    Anyone know of a good tank bag, and saddle bags that are easily removable and won't require any permanent mods to the bike?   (I hate the saddle bag look so they will only be for trips).    Rain gear?  Cold weather?   We are considering going through Colorado and Montana.    We are planning on packing a tent and a couple of small sleeping bags/bed rolls and sleeping in state parks when the weather permits.  We will have to pack and light and smart.

thanks guys.

[RichD]

Besides the usual socks and stuff...

1) Gerbings heated gear.
2) GPS
3) Advil, Immodium, Blistex, Earplugs. (in a Ziplock baggie)
4) Visa card
5) LED flashlight.
6) BASIC tools (leatherman, allen wrenches, electrical tape)

Spandex "training" shorts reduce chaffing, fit under leathers, wash-and-dry quickly in hotel sinks with a little shampoo, and don't take up much room.

Same goes for mesh/synthetic tanktops/T-shirts.

I can go cross-country in five or six days on a 1098 with just a Joe Rocket tankbag comfortably...
It all depends on how you pack and what is important to you.
A credit card and a 24 Hour wallmart can fix anything you forgot.

[sugarcrook]

Did you make any mods to the 1098 for comfort?  I ride my 848 for 20 minutes on slab and I'm hurting. 

[El Matador]

Did you make any mods to the 1098 for comfort?  I ride my 848 for 20 minutes on slab and I'm hurting. 

Not that I know of,

But then again, RichD has several young, beautiful virgins sacrificed in his name regularly, so he might not be made of the same stuff than most people. Just ask his dog 

[silvy1200]

you should check out http://www.advrider.com/

those dudes have all kinds of neat tips. i am sure every question you have could be answered there.

[Popeye the Sailor]

It's nice to have a second set of gloves, in case of rain.

I prefer textiles for touring.

+1 on the heated gear-it means you pack less for colder areas.

I got my tank bag from (don't laugh at the name)
http://www.tbags.com/
Nice quality stuff. Name is a little odd.


Pack a tent for each of you-your gear will take up half the space. Get a little air pad, and a nice sleeping bag. All of these items can be strapped to the back of the bike. Those bungee nets work great.


Bring water, some minor emergency supplies.



Take pictures.

[Spidey]

Cortech tail bag.   It's like a stap-on duffle.  It has lots of room and doesn't get in the way if you wanna get your chest on the tank (or you can have a tank bag too).  

[RichD]

Did you make any mods to the 1098 for comfort?  I ride my 848 for 20 minutes on slab and I'm hurting. 

I've broken three vertebra, and would count them as "mods".
The new alignment of things means the sportbike crouch is comfy all day. 

Other than that, myself and the bikes ergo's are stock.

...But then again, RichD has several young, beautiful virgins sacrificed in his name regularly, so he might not be made of the same stuff than most people...

Not "sacrificed" so much, ...more like "consumed"   

[swampduc]

I've broken three vertebra, and would count them as "mods".
The new alignment of things means the sportbike crouch is comfy all day. 

Other than that, myself and the bikes ergo's are stock.

Bionically modified for sportbike touring 

[pennyrobber]

A fellow DMF'er and I have done a few multiday over night trips. Here is a link to the last one we did in Fall through Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12510.0

My main advise would be to get a descent tail bag. You can see the pictures on my S2R in the link with clothes, tent and sleeping bag all loaded up in back. If you can only take on set of gear, make sure it is waterproof. I have been caught off guard on a road trip without rain gear and it got pretty missarable at times. I highly recomend Tourmaster Cortech gear as far as bags go. Other than that enjoy the adventure.

[KnightofNi]

i have nelson rigg saddlebags and rain gear.

my bags are an older version of this. i can overload them pretty easily. they attach to the bike with plastic buckles and straps that go over the tail.
it would be a good idea to fab up something to keep them from swinging as i have found some evidence of them rubbing against the edge of the rear tire. i just zip tie a piece of a 1" dowel rod cut to size in place and it works fine. i don't know how it would work with teh s*r bikes though since i use the rearset to brace the bottom part.
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL1000-Big.htm

i honestly dont' kow what tank bag i have, but it is expandable, holds my ez-pass, camera, id, has a map pocket, and a great rain cover. it can also be used to carry a 6 pack in ice if you put the cover inside and expand it 

i've got pics somewhere if you want to see them.


and here's another recommendation for advrider.com. there is actually a thread in one section about moto camping.

[sugarcrook]

i have nelson rigg saddlebags and rain gear.

Something like that would be interesting, but I'm sure the 848 exhaust would melt those bags pretty quickly. 

[KnightofNi]

Something like that would be interesting, but I'm sure the 848 exhaust would melt those bags pretty quickly. 

for that bike you would absolutely have to have a rack for the bags. they also sell a heat shield to help witht hat issue. i still woudlnt' want it rubbing right against the pipe though.

[Clickjack]

We are going to be camping off the bikes.  Any advice about that?   You guys mostly eat at restraunts or did you find some way to cook at camp?

[El Matador]

We are going to be camping off the bikes.  Any advice about that?   You guys mostly eat at restraunts or did you find some way to cook at camp?

Bring a tent

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9277.0