Triumphrat

12-06-2005

I got my '98 T-Bird this past summer and have no complaints. After graduation in May, I'm planning a cross country trip from Virginia to California. I am looking for any advice on pretty much every topic...ie. pre-trip tuning, equipment to bring, tool kit, luggage styles...ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.
I truly appreciate any help...I'm relatively new to this scene.

95TBird · 12-06-2005

For a trip of that magnitude, I would say the two most important things are a better seat and a good windscreen. I was always squirming after about an hour on my old Thunderbird seat. It made trips alot longer because I was stopping to stretch twice for every tank of gas. A better seat could cut that down to only stop every fill up.

The windshield is a big deal. I can't recommend a good one but there are plenty of people here that can. Find one that blocks the wind pretty well but does not have much buffeting. If you are talking about summer riding, you may want to consider a smaller screen because it will keep most of the wind off your chest, causing you to be less fatigued from fighting the wind all day, but still allow some airflow to help keep you cooler. You would be surprised how hot it can get behind a great big windscreen that effectively blocks all airflow to the body.

Beyond that, the rest is pretty easy. There are alot of choices on luggage. None of them really bad, provided you have enough room for your gear. I use these and they work rather well. Very easy on and off so you can carry them into your hotel room with you.

They are the Tourmaster Cortech series and I love them. They also make a larger tail pack for more room if you need it. It is more like a large duffle bag but it still has the easy on / off tie down straps.

As far as what to bring, There are several websites on the internet that deal directly with that. They can give you a much more comprehensive answer than any of us have the time and space for here. Some of the basics though are spare parts for the bike (spark plugs, fuses, etc.)and the tools necessary to make repairs. sunscreen, flashlight, cell phone, chain lube (important), extra bungie cords, maps, aspirin (take some before you ride as well), AAA membership would be very helpful in the event of a tow.

Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps
Frank

parrycm · 12-06-2005

Don't get the bike serviced/tuned just before your trip - if they FUBAR something you need to give them time to rectify it. Nothing worse than starting a long ride with a bike that's not all there.

I limit my roadside repairs to simple stuff like tyre pressures, bulb replacement and chain lube. So a small/simple and light tool kit and AAA membership for peace of mind. I'm not going to repair flats so I don't bother with puncture repair kits.

I have the stock seat and yes, it's a bug*er long distance but I haven't bothered with a windshield - I hate the buffeting. Yes - get throwover panniers and a tank bag or a duffel like Frank's. You want to be able to quickly unclip them and take them with you at stops where you can't see your bike and get to it PDQ. Anything that takes more than 15/30 seconds to mount/dismount is a PITA. I cable-tied the clips that attach to the bike so I didn't have to worry about them getting lost.

In addition to Frank's list:
Tyre pressure gauge - a good one.
Cable ties
Ziplock baggies
Water/juice boxes (you dehydrate a lot quicker on a bike or so I find)
Snack bars.
Small digital camera (and optionally, a handle bar mount if it takes video clips - great fun! See example here)

If you are in doubt about whether to take something, I would say don't. Travelling light is easier, more relaxing and there are Walmarts everywhere.

If you don't do anything else, lube the chain and check the tyres everyday or twice daily, depending on mileage.

Oh yes, and have fun.

[ This message was edited by: parrycm on 2005-12-06 17:56 ]

cafetbird · 12-06-2005

Never bothered with the windscreen either - I think this is a matter of personal preference. I never have wanted to spoil myself with one, as I've always preferred "riding nekkid"

Get new skins before you go, and pack a spare throttle cable and an ignition coil or two! These are the things most likely to fail you in the middle of nowhere. Pre-plan your service intervals along the way if needed.

A water bottle is also good just in case you run out of gas - makes it possible to transfer fuel from another bike's tank to yours!

The AAA membership Parry mentions is the way to go instead of a tire kit too - I use the Progressive roadside assistance available with my bike insurance. Don't leave home without it!

I also throw in an ultralight backpacking tent in case there is no room at the Inn.

Good luck!

[ This message was edited by: cafetbird on 2005-12-06 22:01 ]

UJMrider · 12-07-2005

If you are an AMA member, you can get AMA MoTow for $25/year. Worth it just for the peace of mind, IMO.

Stock seat is not comfortable. Don't be two days on the road before you discover this or you will come to hate your motorcycle. Train up for it by taking progressively longer rides.

Don't plan too many miles per day, and remember that as you ride you will get more fatigued, so you can't go as many miles on the third day as you can on the first. Even if you are staying on the interstate I would not exceed 400 miles/day at the beginning and not more than 300/day at the end. Fatigue is a killer, so if you start to get tired, find a motel or campsite and call it a day.

I put a National Cycle Street Shield EX on my bike - seems to work great and relieves a lot of fatigue, plus it removes in 20 seconds if I want to ride naked. A tank bag is a nice place to keep stuff you will need to get in a hurry (rainsuit, camera, cell phone, etc.)

Stay hydrated. I followed the Iron Butt guidelines when I rode from NC to CO on my Virago in '96 and it seemed to help a lot. No caffeine (it will act as a diuretic) and plenty of water. By the time I got to Kansas I was drinking a pint of water every 100 miles or so. No heavy meals until you're done riding for the day and avoid alcohol, even at night (yeah, this may cramp your style a bit...)

Take a digital camera and plenty of batteries.

That's about all I can think of now...

JWoodsie · 12-07-2005

Jim's first rule of touring: There is no such thing as waterproof luggage.
I always put my gear in plastic bags inside my panniers and gearsack.

YrfuneralMytrial · 12-08-2005

waterproof boots
raingear
some sort of cruise-control (O-ring if you're cheap like me)
mp3 player
maps
cell phone and way to keep charged

cafetbird · 12-08-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-08 00:26, YrfuneralMytrial wrote:
some sort of cruise-control (O-ring if you're cheap like me)

Good suggestion. I like the CrampBusters of ThrottleRockers - they are easier to control than the O ring IMHO...

idahotb · 12-08-2005

My best suggestion would be to pack some extra time. I have never taken a long trip where I had more problems than places I would have liked to see. The other thing you might want to do is plan a general itenerary, then post it here and try to hook up with as many characters from this list as you deem wise.

95TBird · 12-08-2005

In regards to the windshield, I wanted to clarify something. After I posted that you should have one, several other people commented that they don't. It is by no means necessary and I myself do not have one. I have taken several lengthy trips, in excess of 1500 miles, and never had a windshield. On my last trip back from the Smokey Mts. I ran into a pretty stiff headwind and it stayed with me for the entire 350 miles home. 70 mph into a 20 mph headwind completely exhausted me. After that trip I have been reconsidering my no windshield decision and I am probably going to pick up and National Cycle deflector screen or something similar that is very easy on and off. That way, I can afford myself some highway protection but still have the ability to ride naked (the bike, not me :-D ) when I arrive at my destination.

There is nothing wrong with touring on a bike with no windscreen until that 1 day when the weather nearly requires it. Like the old saying goes "It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"

Just my opinion
Frank