Thanks for all the tips; I can "hear" the miles you've ridden. It is great to get the wisdom of those who have gone before me. I want to thank everyone who has already chimed in, the "MC Trip" folder in my favorites list is filling up nicely!

Thanks to all, and to all keep 'em comin'! One thing my girls friends always find remarkable: I am a guy who will stop and ask for directions....let's hope I don't have to in the middle of North Dakota!

USMA

 

Even better, get a Camelback like bicycle riders use. You can sip from it as
you roll.

Boy, is THAT the truth!!!

 

USMA,
It sounds like a great ride and you are getting a lot of good advice. My personal opinion is that a windshield is invaluable. Considering the time of year you are looking at, some heated clothing would probably be good to have. It makes a good extra layer if it gets cool and can save your butt if you get into some cold weather in the mountains.

 

me and the wife have done all 48 states and mexico and canada in the last 20 years, i've also done 3 iorn butt rides, our longest singel day was just over 1300 miles, you can always buy more clothes, there are wallmarts and k-marts everywhere, I have found the most important thing for a long ride is comfortable clothes, if your pants are to tight, or shoes unconfortable, or to cold or hot you will stop mor offen = less miles in a day, when i'm on a long trip i skip the look kool clothes and go with jim shoes, pants that are a little big in the legs and rear, next always have some water and a small first aid kit, fix a flat and some basic tools, good sunglasses and a pair of clear glasses. pack light, you will find that you take stuff with you that you never use, took the wife a few years to get that part. you have no use for a blow dryer on a motercycle trip our list now for a 2 week vacation is: 4 undies 1 hairbrush
4 socks 1 toothbrush
3 pants 1 toothpaste
3 tee shirts 1 deoterant
1 sweatshirt rain gear
1 windbreaker
and now that i'm just a tab bit on the gray side of life, 2 1/2 week supply of medication

 

not a crazy idea, as soon as i can come up with enough vacation iam making a similar trip but it will be round trip from ohio to just south of seattle washington my aunt lives there my dads sister and she rides. Me and my dad and my uncle all want to ride out and back. She has a deluxe and has talked about shipping it to ohio and then all of us my dad his sister and his brother and me all riding her back to washington state dam i want to do that ride that is something you probably never get to do agian that many family members only thing stopping us right now is time and money but hope to get it planned out for 2010 or 2011 got to do it none of us are getting any younger.

 

I’m 62, retired and ride 18-25K miles a year, so I have time to ride state highways rather than the Interstates. On the Interstate you are looking at an easy 6 day trip. Give yourself a couple extra days for any problems you might have on the road.

This is an east to west trip probably starting around May 20th. Plan on riding 10 hours per day and being on the road for 11-12 hours. A sunrise departure each morning will keep the sun out of your eyes since you’ll have your day in by 4-5 PM. Riding into a sunrise or sunset is a pain in the butt. A 600 mile day on the Interstate in good weather when you are behind a windscreen is doable and you shouldn’t be too beat-up at the end of the ride. Without a windscreen you will be beat by the end of day one.

HD says your bike should get 35-54 mpg. At 65-75 mph you get closer to 35-40 mpg so you’ll need gas every 140 to 160 miles. That’s a stop every 2 hours or so. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

A middle to late May trip almost guarantees rain. In addition to a good windscreen I’d also suggest an engine guard and soft lowers. The soft lowers are great when it’s raining or if it is really cold. Get a good rain suit, preferably one that has a waterproof hoodie in the collar. Rain running down the back of the helmet and into the rain suit is not good. You will be required to wear a helmet in several states so I’d at least wear a ¾ helmet with a clear full flip-up face shield. Pay attention to the rain jacket fit around the collar. If not tight it will allow water to pour in from the front. Get a pair of gauntlet rain gloves to keep the water from going up your sleeves and either waterproof boots or gaiters to go over your riding boots. Pack all of your rain gear in one bag that is easy to get to. Most of the weather systems move from west to east and south to north. When you see rain clouds stop and put the rain gear on. Get off the road in heavy rain; you can’t see or be seen.

Dress in layers; a heated vest with a controller will keep you at just the right temp if it is cold or when it is raining. A leather jacket with air vents and a waterproof liner is a good idea. Leather chaps are a good idea but take up a lot of room. Instead of chaps, wear long underwear under your jeans and then use the rain pants as a wind breaker. You’ll be stopping every couple of hours for gas so you can adjust clothing at that time.

Put a sissy bar and rack on your bike; detachable or fixed, your choice. Most all of the good looking motorcycle luggage will leak in a heavy rain. I’ve been using dry bags like the ones from Seattle Sports for years and they don’t leak and cost a lot less than T-bags or Harley ones. Put one bag on the passenger seat and lash it to the sissy bar. Put the other one on the rack and lash it to the rack and sissy bar.

A GPS is a nice extra. During the winter I decide what parts of the country I will be touring in the spring, summer and fall. Then I go to each state website and request tourist guides and a state map. I like maps because they show more detail than a USA atlas.

 

Lots of good advice here. If you tie a bandana around your neck before you put on the rain jacket, it will catch the water that gets runs down your neck or off your helmet. It's much more comfortable than having water dripping down your chest and back. I use these rubber gloves I got from Home Depot with an old pair of leather gloves inside. keeps the hands dry, takes up little room and are easily replaceable.

 

To GT & The Captain.....

Wow thanks for such great and comprehensive tips. I have started the planning stages and also realized any trip through Northern states of the country and the western mountains is likely to have some pretty cold times and definitely rain. I have made a short list of equipment, including sissy bar, rack, rain suit etc. I also pretty well know I need a full face helmet for such a long trip for a myriad of reasons mentioned in response to this thread. Protection for rain and cold, road noise etc.

Thanks again to every one who is offering tips... I have been taking notes and collecting product web addresses so I can slowly acquire all that will be on me and on the bike by May.

Peace!

USMA

 

Ride it like you own it...............as we all have......you'll learn as you go what is best for you..........

 

+1 on the gloves. I did the same thing for years until I picked up a pair up water proof Gortex gloves. I use a liner from REI when it is colder. The bandana is just a good idea for any weather. Too hot, soak it water and it will help to cool you down. Cold, it will help to help air out from around your neck. And like capt says good for keeping water out too!