| Author | Message | ||
     Kmt |
So I am going to be riding my 2004 XB12R from Chicago to Sturgis. I havent been on a really long ride like this before. Anyone have any suggestions for comfort or things to have in general for a trip like this? So far I have the following. Tank Bag Ipod Saddle Bags (if noones driving) Rain Suit Helmet Jacket Good wind blocking transition sunglasses Any tips would be appreciated! | ||
| Zxzer04 |
Just did one day 800 miles on the Bolt last week...ALEVE... | ||
| Blake |
Water proof "Hydroseal" bags for everything. Ventura Aerodynamic Bike Pack system. | ||
| Beachbuell |
A comfortable pair of gloves and shoes. A nice quiet helmet is also a good idea as wind noise can get old real fast on long rides. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Don't know the route your going but some highways go through Indian Reservations.. Needless to say these roads are not maintained very well from what I understand.. My Father Inlaw went down last year going through a reservation highway.. He hit some gravel in a turn and it threw his BMW to the side of the road. followed by a six inch drop from the pavement then into a ditch.. Spent 3 months in traction. 1 bar through the heel 1 bar through the ankle 1 bar through the shin Frame work to hold it together He also has a pin in his tibia.. Doctor said it come out or stay in.. six month of rehab.... Once he was feeling well again. he bought a Victory Touring bike.. Moto Specific High Boots.... Tinted Shield & Sun Block.... Vented Textile jacket Cooling Vest... "Next Big trip for me a cooling vest a must.. Tools..... Spare Fuses and Relays "especially realys" Socks... Under Armor Shirts work great.... Cool max socks..... Good Gloves..... Got a tank bag? Remember to drink water.. If you have a hydration system like a camel pak use it.. Be Safe have fun... | ||
| Justinxb12s |
Are you heading through the twin cities? | ||
| Max |
Kmt we need hook up for ride man. I'm In Hoffman Estates. | ||
| Chainsaw |
If you can find a way to mount some highway pegs you'll be set! (I'd add a smirk here, but I aint kidding, would be darn helpful) | ||
| Mobuellin |
Don't forget the obvious... cell phone.  | ||
| Buellshyter |
Yea, wear Under Armour  | ||
| Dbird29 |
Camelback | ||
| Kmt |
Thanks for all the tips everyone. Its helping me out with some good ideas I didn't think of. Definatly going to be picking up so Hydroseal bags, hopefully I can get a Ventura pack system before I go, getting a camelback, a new tank bag, and a new pair of boots. -Justin No we won't be going through the twin cities. Just getting on 90 and taking that the whole way. | ||
| Thumper2811 |
Just an idea, I road that trip in '04 from Gurnee Il, drop your rear foot pegs rest your feet there and lay across your tank bag. Makes that long trip more bareable. | ||
| Curtyd |
Pick up some chamois lined bicycle shorts. The long distance guys like them for wearing under their regular riding pants. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
FYI Transition eyeglasses require UV rays to change. Most motorcycle visors block UV. I found this out the hard way. Just get a tinted visor. Bring extra visor cleaning product (windex, len cleaner, etc...) You will need it in the evening. Last thing, a good portion of the roads out in SD are not covered very well all cell phone companies. I have a cheap prepaid CDMA (important) Trac phone that I keep just for such trips. You can order them from Amazon for cheap (~$20 with airtime). Make sure you get the CDMA version, it will allow you to roam on Verizon, sprint, or Alltel. I have found GSM (TMO, Cingular) coverage to be less than ideal in those parts. Last thing you want it to be stuck in the middle of no where with no coverage. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Know the feeling...I have a expensive pair of Polarized Prescription sunglasses they don't work in a helmet either.. Earplugs... I don't wear them as much as I should but they make a difference on a long trip.. especially if you have a helmet with a lot of wind noise like mine.. | ||
| Samiam |
Maybe I just got lucky, my Oakley polarized sunglasses work fine. Granted when I open the visor on my helmet (also polarized) the sky gets a little darker, not everything else just the sky. Weird huh? I'm sure it has something to do with the polarization of the atmosphere or something. Or something. My $.02 Sam | ||
| Teddagreek |
You don't get the weird colors? Maybe the polarized visor cancels out the effect... | ||
| Samiam |
Perhaps my visor on my helmet has the "polarization lines" going the same way as my glasses. I do see some weird colors, but they're pretty faint, and do not interfere with riding. Not like if I were to try to use my glasses on the plane I work on and try to look out the cockpit. The bad thing would be if the polarization lines for the glasses were perpendicular to the ones on my visor. Then I wouldn't be able to see anything out my helmet. Sam | ||
| Xbeau12s |
I Live in Sturgis and just talked to a guy that drove from Chicago and met him this weekend in Belle Fourche (30 miles NW of Sturgis) Definately cover any skin or wear sun-block. He was burnt to a crisp! Pack a hand-gun for safety measures. That's not going to be fun taking 90 the whole way. Straight shot though. Good luck. | ||
| Jimidan |
"That's not going to be fun taking 90 the whole way. Straight shot though. Good luck." A new tire to put on when you get there as yours will be hopelessly flat spotted in the middle. I don't feel that "Straight shot though" is a strong selling point! Straight shots are for Harleys (and alcoholics  ). Look for the curves and all secondary roads and you will not be doing any 800 mile days. jimidan | ||
| Kmt |
Yea, I am getting a new tire put on before it too. I was thinking I might wear in badly on the trip; but its still better than the close to dead tire. I know 90 the whole time isn't going to be too exciting of a ride there at least. I am actually going with my step dads Harley group so I don't have too much of an option on the route. I will make up for it with some riding in the black hills and stuff I hope. | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
Get in the lead and take them off Interslab 90 onto US 14. Just tell them 14 will get them there anyway and you don't know how to get back to the interstate... | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties | ||
| Thumper2811 |
US 1 great road with some twisties |
