Have monster, will travel...

[RB]

So i am planning to ride from Baltimore to Kansas city, Mo this early summer which is about 1200miles. I may do this with a friend or i may go it alone, haven't decided yet. I will mostly be taking highway slab, and probably split it into to days. Aside from taking breaks every 100-150miles and refuel. Is there any advice you all have on such trips. I have never ridden 500-600miles in a day (300 max on the twisties), and wonder if there is anything mechanically i should do to the bike since this would be a constant rpm for many hours.
Any advice is appreciated, i would really like to here from those that have done this on a monster before.

thanks,
RB

[bmonty72]

No info to offer, but when are you coming to KC and for how long??? 

[Munch]

Upgrade your seat, it's gonna be a brutal trip. Straight slab runs will take their toll...

[ArguZ]

Did 400 on the highway twice last summer and yes, upgrade your seat.
I love the original Ducati gel seat...I think 8 hours was the longest day and I was totally fine.
And don't forget your iPod  [moto]

[Langanobob]

I don't think any particular bike prep is necessary, other than making sure it's in good shape and the chain and  tires are too.  Those are the only two items that have given me problems on long trips and it was all my fault for being optimistic before I left.  As long as it's well broken in the motor won't care at all about long stretches at the same speed.

Don't know what your schedule is but it would be more fun if you can stretch it out for a few more days and take longer breaks and some side trips.   And it's always better to stick to daylight riding.

On the other hand if  you just want to get there of course the slab is best for that.  

[needtorque]

Get a wrist saver.  Not sure if that is the right name or not but is an inexpensive little piece of plastic that goes on your throttle grip and the base of your hand rests in it.  It helps with wrist fatigue on those long trips.

[Raux]

i noticed today my hand was going numb also. that was only a few hours. i think i'm gonna look for one of those too.

[Jarvicious]

Plus 1 on the seat and the wrist saver.  Longest I've done is 5 hours with only a few stops here and there and the vibrations are one of the worst parts.  I got a pair of padded gloves that help immensely with the bar vibrations too.  Let me know if you need a stop through mid-missouri.  

[Slide Panda]

Get a wrist saver.  Not sure if that is the right name or not but is an inexpensive little piece of plastic that goes on your throttle grip and the base of your hand rests in it.  It helps with wrist fatigue on those long trips.

i believe the product name is 'cramp buster'  The ThrottleMiester might be something to look at.  It's a friction based 'cruise control' device.  Nice part is you can adjust the level of friction and the trottle can close if you hand comes off the tube.

My longest is just shy of 600 in a day.  Probably the best advice so far is the iPod.  I didn't have one, but I did have a little FM radio ... didn't get signal a lot of the time, but when I did it was a welcome relief.

Go tail bag over back pack.  I've got a good pack, a Kriega 25, but man I was tired of that thing after 1600 miles in 4 days, especially at the end of the 600 mile home sprint. 

As far as prep - I'd say just give your bike a good going over, and make sure all the maintenance is up to date - and you'll have enough tire for the trip.  I'm assuming you're planning on changing the oil before you go, just use the good stuff and that should be fine. 

I'll recommend you pack a tool kit.  Nothing fancy, but the allens you need, crecent wrench, zip ties etc.  On my trip allens were needed to a couple mirrors that went wobbly and other little adjustments.  Nothing critical, but good to have the tools to take care of it when needed.

Other thoughts...
- in the weeks before the trip, work on your core muscles.  It's such a little thing, but it'll make for a more pleasant trip.  You'll be able to last longer in the saddle, and won't feel as beat up at the end of the day. 
- Easy packed snacks, like trail mix and some water. 

[needtorque]

i believe the product name is 'cramp buster'  The ThrottleMiester might be something to look at.  It's a friction based 'cruise control' device.  Nice part is you can adjust the level of friction and the trottle can close if you hand comes off the tube.

There you go.  I knew someone with a better memory than me would chime in.  Worst part is the s4r I just bought has one on it lol.

[lauramonster]

rain suit.  something that packs small, and keeps the water from seeping into your gear.

something to clean your visor (or clean it every time you stop for gas.  Don't use the squeegee at the pumps.  I put a 6" scrape across my visor last year  .)  Damp paper towles in a ziploc bag is good.

copy your information.  license, registration, medical insurance (god forbid), motorcycle insurance, important #s.
somewhere you can get to it quick (in case you're stopped by a cop).  ziploc under the seat is good.

[He Man]

+1 on rain gear you never know whats gonna happen where. I did a 1200miler and ended up underneath an over pass for an hour since it start pouring. it was moving west-east and as soon as i found an open spot i just gunned out of it.

Aside from that

Be prepared to purchase 1 quart of whatever oil to fill top of on your way. Or just bring it with you if you have the space. if you get stuck with no oil at all, pick up diesel oil over car oil unless you run a dry clutch then it doenst matter.

I would get some sort of throttle device, like a throttle rocket for cheap, or a throttlemeister if you have a larger budget.
buy a finger tip squeegy and just throw it on ur left index in case it rains.

and everything laura monster said, ESPECIALLY if your gonna be riding alone. if your riding with someone, exchange copies. you know just in case.
as for the seat goes. GEL SEAT!!!!  i custom shaped my seat before i hit the trip and im very glad i did. it would of been 10x better if i had a gel seat. Some people have bad luck, if your one of them, id bring a tire patch kit.

as for cargoing stuff, try to stay away from book bags. and if you must, get a moto specific one like the kriega. otherwise your shoulders are gonna be in a shitload of pain.

other then that, have fun! me and a friend are looking to ride a trip in the summer, from nyc to somewhere west. maybe we can meet up and do part of it together!

[Bigbore4]

1200 miles eh?  What are ya gonna do on the second day?

My best so far is 850, and it was not on a Monster.  If you slab it, music is must have.  Do not put new tires on before a long haul on the slab, they just get flat.  If you are going to hit some riding when you get there, make arrangements to get some new tires then, don't ruin them on the way out.

In addition to the cramp buster (they work!) get some sort of throttle lock, I have Throttle Meister, but there are other, way less expensive options.  Sometimes it just helps to be able to take a hand off for a few moments, and not have to slow, down gear, or even stop.

In addition to some sort of comfortable seat, look at Bead Rider.  The wood beads are not much for keeping you butt stuck to the seat in a corner, but they are fantastic for a long hot day in the saddle.  I did my 850 mile day on a day that hit near 100 degrees, it really does work.

And last, swing south on your way out, ride The Dragon.  You will never regret it.

[vfrhans]

Installing a throttle control device appears to be excellent advice for a long slab trip like yours. I have a Throttlemeister on my VFR (works well) and used a mechanical throttle lock on a KLR 650 (cost 25% of the TM). I wonder what would work best on a Monster (750, like mine). I recently heard about the Manic Salamander, a device similar to the Throttlemeister. What device worked well for others on a Monster?

[Buckethead]

Backpacks are fine, you've just got to get one with a waist belt.

I used an L.L. Bean Bigelow last year when I rode to Nova Scotia. The plastic frame was nice too as it actually lessened the strain on my core muscles, and it has a place for a CamelBack. It also has a pocket on the waist strap that I keep some Windex wipes in.

Otherwise, yeah, gel seat and a throttle helper will make the ride a lot easier.

UnderArmor pants/shorts or something similar and some Gold Bond will help fend off the inevitable monkey butt.

Also, don't forget to stretch at the end of the day. Nothing worse than waking up stiff and having to throw a leg over and ride another 500 miles.