I am thinking about taking a week to 10 days and just hitting the road and heading to FL to visit my friends and then onto Key West for 3-4 days and then up the East Coast and home via Pa. on my own solo. How many of you guys have made trips like this solo? Any problems on the road?

 

I once rode from Marquette Michigan to Pensacola Florida and only stoped for food and gas. It started with 8 hours of freezing rain, then in Kentucky there were hailstorms and tornado's. 36 hours on the road total. That was about 18 years ago and there's no way in hell that I could do that today. I made some great memories though and got some bragging rights to boot!!

 

Jerry...you aren't building my confidence with that story.........LOL I need to hear the story of how you got stranded in a nice hotel with a hooters girl for 3 days.

 

I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you wanted the Hollywood version.The hooters girlsare a completely different story! ............

 

the longest i've gone solo isa couple of weeks...biggest problem was my evo was using a little oil and had to top her up a couple of times...other than that smooth sailing. Solo rides are my favorite. No one to mess with you plans, make em up as you go. The only down side is not being able to share the views and experiences with someone but that's what cameras are for.

 

Mine wasn't as far as some. Rochester NY to Myrtle Beach for bike week. I did it straight through with stops for gas, food, coffee, etc...
I would do it again. I love the experience I just wish the weather would cooperate more. I left NY with a cold crosswind which fatigued the hell out of me, and then as you would expect the weather became beautiful as I entered the party.
My trip home was a tester to say the least!! I left Myrtle at 1 AM in a thunderstorm. Didn't clear up till I hit VA and it was chilly but nice. I ended the trip in a driving freezing rain for the last 3 or 4 hours. I really hated that as you could imagine.

If you can't tell from my opinion, if the weather is good--your trip will be spectacular. If not you will tell some stories like this.

 

Would you guys recommend a winshield? I have a helmet with the flip up face shield which I prefer to a winshield but I have never had a windshield.

 

I personally don't like windshields, especially on my current ride. Now down the road (on a R King) I'll probably have a removeable one.
They no doubt cut down the fatigue due to wind.

 

i always have when when on a trip. If it rains and you have no shield you're not going to be riding long (at least with an open face helmet)
You can do longer days with a windshield and feel good enough to head out on the town when you arrive for the night.

 

You guys that don't have baggers, how much stuff did you carry? Any tools etc.? I'm thinking about getting a sissy bar installed and a sissy bar pack.