Have monster, will travel...

[desmodue]

A good solution for a cheap, effective throttle control: Buy an O-ring that will fit on your bar-end, when you want to "set the cruise" roll the O-ring off the bar-end towards the throttle tube/grip. The O-ring drops inbetween the bar-end and the throttle tube. It will provide just enough resistance to hold the throttle where you have set it, but you can still roll the throttle off if you need to. Buy a few different thicknesses of O-rings and experiment to get the proper drag on the throttle. If you don't have enough friction, move the whole throttle assembly towards the bar-end.

[RB]

thanks i will give the o-ring a test. I had actually moved my bar end mirror in too far once and created enough friction to stay in place, but eventually would return to idle, but i don't like this since it is on all the time.

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

Throttle control:
currently i have been using the choke(which isn't a choke but a throttle cable to warm up the bike) but this isn't going to cut it for highway slab, so it is going to get modified in order to raise the throttle for cruising speed.

This doesn't sound like a good idea, Just get one of  these http://www.throttlerocker.com and be done with it. I rode 650 miles from Death Valley to Northern California a week and a half ago and had no problems.

Here's a pic of it on my bike, I also have an iPod remote control taped to the other side of the bars.

tire Patch:
A patch kit will require removing the tire which isn't going to happen on the side of the road. What if i use a tire plug to limp it to safety?

Heres a few options for tire plugs with CO2 that comes with some kits http://www.pashnit.com/product/stopngo.html

Visor:
I will get a finger squeegee as suggested, and the damp paper towels is a great idea also. I plan on taking my clear visor freshly  rain-x'd and a new tinted when clear. My current tinted visor was cleaned with windex....once....ouch!

Just buy some plexus. They sell it in a very small 7 oz. bottles and clean your visor very well. You can fit it in your pocket.

[RB]

This doesn't sound like a good idea, Just get one of  these http://www.throttlerocker.com and be done with it. I rode 650 miles from Death Valley to Northern California a week and a half ago and had no problems.

Heres a few options for tire plugs with CO2 that comes with some kits http://www.pashnit.com/product/stopngo.html

Just buy some plexus. They sell it in a very small 7 oz. bottles and clean your visor very well. You can fit it in your pocket.

Thanks for the concern, i have used a throttle rocket and it doesn't allow me to move my wrist into different locations/angles because of the heel pad, and the throttle miester is out because of my mirrors.

I have a tire plug kit already, and think i will take a couple of CO2s as suggested and a small bike pump from my mountain bike.

And yes i plan on buying some plexus....which won't harm an iridium shield....right?

thanks

[Slide Panda]

Just buy some plexus. They sell it in a very small 7 oz. bottles and clean your visor very well. You can fit it in your pocket.

I was thinking even smaller - like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Pocket-Spray/dp/B000F8EV5W

A 0.42 oz (just looked at mine) pressurized metered spray.  One or two shots takes care of pretty much any mess.   Not sure how many you get in that bottle.  I lost my 1st one before it ran out.

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

I was thinking even smaller - like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Pocket-Spray/dp/B000F8EV5W

A 0.42 oz (just looked at mine) pressurized metered spray.  One or two shots takes care of pretty much any mess.   Not sure how many you get in that bottle.  I lost my 1st one before it ran out.

Yup I've got a couple of those as well. They're great but for the price you pay it's not much more for the bigger bottle. That's just my preference cause I ride with a backpack all the time, even on long trips. I carry everything with me on long trips, tools, oil, tire plugs, automatic tire pump (you connect it to your battery), chain lube, everything and anything just in case you need it.

[2 Wheel Wanderer]

Here's a link to a super cheap RF iPod remote. It works very well. Shove you iPod in you jacket strap the controller to your handlebars and you good to go. The only other thing I do is put it in a small Ziploc bag before I tape it to the bars just to keep it dry if it rains.

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-AirClick-Remote-Control-iPod/dp/B0007NWM10

[redxblack]

I just upgraded to AAA +RV. It's silly that a motorcycle costs as much as a winnebego for AAA coverage. They don't see motorcycles as primary transportation vehicles. I found this out when I needed AAA to help me out roadside. 

But now I know and now I'm covered.

[DoubleEagle]

There will come a time in your life when that will be welcome.   

+2                                                                                                                 Dolph

[DoubleEagle]

thanks a ton everyone for some great advice. I have the gel seat, and ipod.

i plan on riding during the daylight,  and have been thinking about swinging south to the dragon. Any one  around the Kentucky, Indiana,Ohio area, that has a free couch for the night? Still not sure if i am going early summer/late spring or late summer/early fall.
Yes she will be getting a fresh lube before the journey.

AAA or similar roadside insurance

Throttle control:
currently i have been using the choke(which isn't a choke but a throttle cable to warm up the bike) but this isn't going to cut it for highway slab, so it is going to get modified in order to raise the throttle for cruising speed.

Cargo:
I have a friend lending me tank and tail bags, no back-packing. I will be using a camel-back.

rain Gear:
i have gortex gear i use for camping, packs small, and with some lashing down (so it doesn't snap at speed) it fits nicely over my armor.

Documentation:
Great suggestion, and it will be utilized Medical insurance, Blood type, emergency #s, Moto Insurance, Registration

Muscles:
This never crossed my mind, but i will be spending more time in the coming months preparing my core muscles for this trip...great advice. gold-bond to reduce monkey but (i seriously hate it), and lots of stretching.

tire Patch:
A patch kit will require removing the tire which isn't going to happen on the side of the road. What if i use a tire plug to limp it to safety?

Tools:
Piers, Safety wire, crescent wrench, zipties, allen keys, duct tape, multi-tool (i have  leather man...any suggestions on something more moto specific?)

Visor:
I will get a finger squeegee as suggested, and the damp paper towels is a great idea also. I plan on taking my clear visor freshly  rain-x'd and a new tinted when clear. My current tinted visor was cleaned with windex....once....ouch!

Snacks:
LaraBars, cliff bars, trail mix, and a camel back

Don't forget and Ipod or most definitely Earplugs . Try some different ones to see which work best for you. I use a Microfiber towel that is about 12" X 12" . It is great for not scratching my Mirrored Visors . Also you can get the small 3" container of Plexus with 325 measured sprays to clean and polish your Visor . Most any bike shop carries it.

With the Microfiber cloth, water works just fine. It can be washed in the Washing Machine when it gets dirty.

Be sure to stay hydrated. That will help you fight cramps and fatigue.

One other thing. With the poor Economy ,  will be writing more tickets to bring in money for cities that have no other way to generate revenue so they say  .   Dolph       

[RB]

ipod control...great idea, i actaully had one of those for my ipod-mini

Earplugs...i have custom Westone ear plugs, i play in a rock band, so good ear protection is a must.

thanks for the Po-Po info, i hadn't thought about that.

[z0mb1e_DUC]

one local PD recently put out a memo telling their patrolmen to write more tickets.  They got hammered in the local papers for it, cause they got wind of it.

[NvrSummer]

I did about 2000 miles in four days last summer, and yes the superslab sections sucked.  I had the gel seat which was a life saver, so you're good to go there.  The absolute best item I purchased for that trip was a set of Etymotic Research ER6i ear phones for my ipod.  They work like ear plugs, so they totally block wind noise and allow you to listen to your music without blaring it.  Think they go for about $70 on amazon.  I love the things. 

Most of all, be safe and have a good time!!!

[Popeye the Sailor]

On the "be safe" side, when you're tired, or the weather sucks, just pull over and rest.


As the saying goes, "Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night."

[RB]

stopping when i am tired is going to be my biggest challenge, i get bull-headed with my self at times to just push on, just a little further.

I have the Sennheiser earphones that should fit my westone earplugs since they have removable db filters.

keep the advice coming

thanks
RB