Tips for longer road trips!

[Smolt]

Hi,
I am planning on going for a ~2000 mile round trip roadtrip with some close buddies that I grew up with. We are planning towards beginning of April and about a 7 day trip. I have never gone further than 80 miles on my monster and thus am a noob to the open road and planning/packing and other general knowledge. My first step in preparation for this trip is acquiring saddle/tank/tail bags. Anything else I should know? How/what to pack? Riding formations or riding techniques?
I will make a journal and post my experience and pictures afterwards! Thanks!!

[live2ride]

Rest often. Hydrate often. The wind sucks all the moisture off your skin.

Only issue with saddlebags is that if you load them up heavy and they sag, they can rub the tires. This may not be noticeable until you get on the bike yourself. Usually this isn't an issue though for most.

Tank bags add weight higher up. Personally, I prefer a higher center of gravity but most people agree it is harder to control at slower speeds.  Mine attach via magnets since I have a metal tank. Some people don't like how tank bags get in the way of steering. I like how it blocks some wind and I can rest on them.  

If you are going to hotel it, I would just bungee a small duffle bag to the back since the bag is being removed daily. Or use a tank bag

Highways get boring pretty quick. Stay off them when possible.

I did 9900 miles last summer over 4 weeks. Lots of memories and lots of fun.  Enjoy.

Also pack fuses, duct tape, and zip ties. And other tools, but they can be shared.

[Dirty Duc]

For this trip...

Packing considerations:
Credit card or tent camping? (hint, credit card camping has showers and a bed you don't have to lug)

either way, the monster really likes weight over the tank as opposed to weight hanging off the rear.  I've done it both ways, and tank panniers with tank bag are far more enjoyable.  If you are credit card camping and don't plan on doing much except for riding, don't pack anything you won't need.  

Riding techniques:
I'm not really very experienced in riding with others, but I tend toward a more anarchist set up.  Over a long distance, I prefer regular (or impromptu as necessary) rally points to rules about speed, order, or formation.

2000 miles in 7 days is pretty easy.  Be flexible about end points each day.  If you are too tired to enjoy it, you should probably take a break (nap, snack, water, dinner, whatever).  That in mind, start going on longer trips between now and then.  You should be pretty comfortable doing s 300 mile day before you plan on a week of 300 mile days.

Plan gas stops every 100 miles.  That ends up being about every 2 hours, and is well within the range of most monsters (except SBK ones with plastic tanks and hooligan riders).  

Wear riding gear (pants and jacket).  That way you only have to pack one pair of jeans.

Under your riding gear, wear padded bike shorts.  You can rinse them out at the end of the day for a mild refresh and let them hang dry over night.  When you "camp" at a hotel with laundry on day 3, you can throw them in the wash with your other 2 pairs of underwear.  (note: 7 days = 1 pair bike shorts, 3 pair underwear, 3 t-shirts, 1 pair jeans, 1 pair swim trunks if you can hit laundry on day three.  add 1 camel back bladder (lose the backpack or get one without), some energy squeezy things from the sporting goods store, and a selection of allen keys and open-ended wrenches, you can pack most of that in a tank bag and a tail bag.

there's more I'm forgetting, but that should give you a start.

[Smolt]

sweet thanks! I really appreciate the tips thus far!  keep them coming!

[DanTheMan]

Ive done a few long distance trips here and abroad on a bike and i still haven't perfected my equipment package, mostly its because it changes depending on the nature of the journey.

But....

1. be prepared for wet and cold weather. IT WILL FIND YOU! Sometimes together.

2. what ever you end up packing, leave half of it at home, you always bring too much.

3. Take lots of pictures, once its over thats all your going to have left.

4. Tell us where your going and crash with random DMF'ers along the way.

5. When you feel tired riding, push yourself another 100 miles, then you'll know what tired actually is and never do that again.

6. Just because those little bottles of Jim Bean are on sale, don't drink 750ml worth.

7.  Keep your extra cash somewhere besides your wallet. (you never mentioned which country you were in)

8.  Never run an open tab for your table, the local prostitutes will add their drinks to your table. (again, which country)

9. Plastic bags = waterproof socks.

10. They only like you because you have a US passport, you are only "financially handsome" (hmmm maybe not much of an issue in the US)

11. Learn to fix your own flat tires, or at least have the tools and a Vietnamese interpreter.

12. Oil is not an optional accessory.

Since your only going 7 days this advice will get you through, if you were going longer, i got a whole other list.

[mapman]

Get a tire plug repair kit and CO2 cartridges You can get these at lots of places but I always carry one under the seat. I use this one:

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/category/Stop_and_Go2

You will never regret having it along

[zooom]

my 2 rec's are this...

make sure you have a comfortable seat...if the stocker wears your ass out after a 2 or more tankfulls day of riding...you should invest in a more comfortable seat!

learn how to stretch while on the bike...whether it be your legs in taking them off the pegs and stretching them out or standing on the pegs or whatever...if you want to minimize your stops a bit, doing this will help greatly!

[muskrat]

Monkey butt powder or preparation h.  The latter is in the absence of the first

[Smolt]

United States! starting in California, planning on looping through Colorado and back to cali

[Dirty Duc]

Carry extra gas.  In many interesting parts of the Southwest, gas stations can be further apart than your range.

[seevtsaab]

Good sized tank bag. Rainsuit, extra gloves, water, a few tools, light.
Better too big, and full than too small and overstuffed IMO.
You can find a nice tailbag, Coretech looks decent for Monster.
Yeah your ass is gonna hurt. Work on that.
Slab travel on a Monster is somewhat pointless, avoid if possible.
Back roads rock, so plan on shorter distances. Know the shortest range in the group
and plan accordingly if traveling together (I recommend).
We ride staggered, please don't do that side by side shit, unless your're riding with clowns.
Hydration is easy to ignore, and be sorry.
Get a few rides ~200mi in - so you'll know what'll hurt. Wrists will take some acclimation.
Be sure you can stay warm, stay alert & safe and enjoy! Pics or it didn't happen.

[Ducatamount]

All good tips.
I would add a throttle cruise control (Throttlemeister) or at least one of these -

http://www.crampbuster.com/

[carbmon]

Turn down your spakers and click here to see the "Go Cruise".

Annoying website but a really cheap, simple and effective throttle-stop for grabbing a bit of 'wrist rest'; I've got one on my long-distance Connie and love it.  Get the regular black one.  Super easy to set without taking any hands off the controls (use your right index-finger); just roll the throttle forward and it's "off".


Can't agree more about the seat / butt issues already mentioned.  You're gonna be in a hurt making the instant transition from short rides to days on the bike.  You don't mention your normal riding outfit (hopefully ATTGATT), you might consider getting a pair of lined bicyclists shorts to wear under to help your butt.


Ride your PACE and have fun!

[danaid]

 I've only done a few weekend trips to the Cali coast. I've noticed that I take too much stuff,( clothes for my destination, tools, layering for weather). I use a large tank and tail bag.
 I've bought better touring gear so that I don't need to bring many extra layers. I also realized that I'm traveling with equally smelly guys so I don't need to bring so many extra "fresh" clothes and wear them over again minus the socks and under ware to save space.
 Go over your bike from end to end and check/ tighten all the fasteners you can. I've had zero problems/leaks with my bike but when I rode to Laguna seca this July, my oil cooler hose began to leak at the radiator and I did not have a large enough wrench to tighten it. I usually carry an Allen wrench set, locking pliers and zip ties.

[Smolt]

Awesome tips, I ordered a cramp buster and will being taking longer rides on the weekends!