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I have a crazy touring idea...well my friend does

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  #1  
Old 10-24-2009 | 07:50 PM
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Default I have a crazy touring idea...well my friend does

I just got a 2010 Wide Glide. My friend (evil woman) graduates law school in Oregon in May of 2010. She told me as she told friends of my new bike they kept bring up: ROAD TRIP! As in me driving from Philadelphia area in PA to Portland Oregon. At first I said she was NUTS, but then I started thinking. This is always dangerous, but thought well hmmmmm.....drive out for her graduation? Ship it back and fly home? I know the bike can take it but can I?

So here's the questions, for those folks out there who have done loooooong distance riding: what are the MUST haves/Must dos, from a riding perspective? What kind of distances per day aren't absolute killers? Take it easy on me - i'm getting semi old at 43, LOL. If this develops into a discussion I am sure other questions will arise.

Would Saddle bags be a must, for someone who definitely doesn't want bags 99% of the time? Ive read in the forums that windshields on Dynas cause buffeting which is confusing, because isn't that what they are supposed to stop?

Please help me figure out if I am crazy. :-) or maybe just crazier than I thought.
 
  #2  
Old 10-24-2009 | 08:02 PM
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She is giving you a reason to ride. Both ways! Ship some clothes. Take some tools. Take some Money. How far you go in day depends on how much you can ride in a day. 500 to 700 miles would be a challenge. What an chance to see the USA! Go enjoy yourself!
 
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Old 10-24-2009 | 09:51 PM
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seems like you should be on the road now!
come back in the spring . MAYBE
 
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Old 10-24-2009 | 11:51 PM
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I think a windshield makes a big difference, however a good helmet and wind breaker make work also. If you do 600 miles a day your looking at a good ten hour day. Which is do able. Pack light and ship your cloths like was said. The other thing thats not a bad idea is a device called Spot, its a personal GPS tracking system.....about $100.00 claims plus a subscription. I was just involved with finding a solo rider in mountana. Went off the road and it was almost 3 weeks before they found him.......I heard he had his cell phone on his chest. No cell service and no one really knowing his flight plan.
 
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Old 10-25-2009 | 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by x1wildone
seems like you should be on the road now!
come back in the spring . MAYBE
I wish...it hasn't taken me long to go from "thinking timid thoughts" to being really excited about this trip. I have had some great suggestions - best of which is posting the route and hooking up during the ride with some bro's from this board for part of the ride or just a friendly face.

This is the WRONG time of year to be running through the Rockies though.... not to mention I have to give work more notice. LOL
 
  #6  
Old 10-25-2009 | 08:03 AM
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Hey US Mule

i was 45 when i took my first "big" road trip. rode from Virginia to Las Cruces N.M. to hook up with the Run For The Wall group who ride from L.A. (california) to D.C. EVERY year. learned a lot that first trip. two basic "fundamentals", imo are:
1) pack LIGHT!!
2) allow for the unexpected.

i appreciate your reserve regarding bags on a dyna; however, you're talking bout right at 3k miles. at 500/day that's 6 days. 500 on interstate is doable without feeling like a Zombie at the end of the day. Back to the bags, i would suggest dedicating one bag to the bike, i.e. BASIC tools (spare plug(s) and wrench, tire gauge, tire plug kit...) there's a company called "cruz tools" sell a unit that's bike specific fairly cheap. if ya plan carefully, you'll probably have room left for rain gear, chaps, etc in that bag. the other bag is for stuff for you that ya won't need to access every nite in the motel. don't pack this one too tight as you're gonna get her some little thing on the road that'll scream at ya when ya see it!! you'll know it when ya see it and you'll wanna have a place to put it. a luggage or "T-bag" is also a must. here's where you put the stuff you will need in the motel every nite (tooth paste, meds, phone charger, etc.). time off from work i can also relate to: give yourself at least three extra days from waht you think it'll take (five would be better for me personally) as for the windshield: for me it's like my gun - never leave home WITHOUT IT!! if nothing else the fatigue factor will be so much lower at the end of the day. leave with new rubber, fresh oils and do or have done a thorough preride check of your bike i'm talking the 10k check in the service mannual regardless of the miles on the bike! take a look at rftw.org for some great intel. hit the tab on the right marked FAQ for info re what to pack. you'll be able to disregard several items but it'll get ya thinkin' bout the unexpected. these guys go coast to coast every year and have been doing it for more than 20 years!!

lastly, try to get a bud to make the trip with ya. increased visibility = decreased vulnerability and people see two bike better than one!

trust me, you decide to make this trip and you'll NEVER regret it!! it'll be a blast.

DD out
 
  #7  
Old 10-25-2009 | 09:12 AM
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Great advice DD. I went to the rftw site and the list of what to pack is great. I copied it to use later. Thanks.
 
  #8  
Old 10-25-2009 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DblDfxd
Hey US Mule

i was 45 when i took my first "big" road trip. rode from Virginia to Las Cruces N.M. to hook up with the Run For The Wall group who ride from L.A. (california) to D.C. EVERY year. learned a lot that first trip. two basic "fundamentals", imo are:
1) pack LIGHT!!
2) allow for the unexpected.

i appreciate your reserve regarding bags on a dyna; however, you're talking bout right at 3k miles. at 500/day that's 6 days. 500 on interstate is doable without feeling like a Zombie at the end of the day. Back to the bags, i would suggest dedicating one bag to the bike, i.e. BASIC tools (spare plug(s) and wrench, tire gauge, tire plug kit...) there's a company called "cruz tools" sell a unit that's bike specific fairly cheap. if ya plan carefully, you'll probably have room left for rain gear, chaps, etc in that bag. the other bag is for stuff for you that ya won't need to access every nite in the motel. don't pack this one too tight as you're gonna get her some little thing on the road that'll scream at ya when ya see it!! you'll know it when ya see it and you'll wanna have a place to put it. a luggage or "T-bag" is also a must. here's where you put the stuff you will need in the motel every nite (tooth paste, meds, phone charger, etc.). time off from work i can also relate to: give yourself at least three extra days from waht you think it'll take (five would be better for me personally) as for the windshield: for me it's like my gun - never leave home WITHOUT IT!! if nothing else the fatigue factor will be so much lower at the end of the day. leave with new rubber, fresh oils and do or have done a thorough preride check of your bike i'm talking the 10k check in the service mannual regardless of the miles on the bike! take a look at rftw.org for some great intel. hit the tab on the right marked FAQ for info re what to pack. you'll be able to disregard several items but it'll get ya thinkin' bout the unexpected. these guys go coast to coast every year and have been doing it for more than 20 years!!

lastly, try to get a bud to make the trip with ya. increased visibility = decreased vulnerability and people see two bike better than one!

trust me, you decide to make this trip and you'll NEVER regret it!! it'll be a blast.

DD out
Great Advice DD....thanks for the link! Love that list.
 
  #9  
Old 10-25-2009 | 03:06 PM
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Well, my advice is go for it! I 'm 59 and I completed a cross country trip from Las Vegas back to Harrisburg, PA and back to Vegas. If you don't count the weather (it rained 17 of the 21 days) it was a fantastic trip. I set my goal of doing only 500 miles per day. That is a good pace for me and worked out well. I also packed all clothing in a large T-bag, saved the saddle bags for tools and HD T-shirts collected on the way. I also had a luggage rack with a round bag that held rain gear and some other clothing. For me a windshield is a must, the wind at 65, 70 mile an hour can be very brutal and will tire you out very quickly.

The spot idea is a good sugesstion, but I filed a travel plan with my wife and called in regularly.

I do know that if you don't go you will always be asking "what if...." So, plan it then execute!! Have a great time I know you will.
 
  #10  
Old 10-25-2009 | 05:42 PM
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Hey, West Point Mascot,

Get ye a real sissy bar for that '10 FXDWG, one that you can strap a serious bag to (or a T-Bag).

Then get good sized saddle bags. Like posted above, one for the bike and one for you is a good system. Take some rain gear, too! (Since your bike is new, you should still have the HOG membership and its roadside assistance when you do this trip. So.....finding a way to charge your cell when riding may be a good idea. Not hard to do)

Yes, either shipping out a bunch of stuff or just tossing underwear and t-shirts and buying new ones en route is another way to keep it light.

As far as time: how much time off will you have? You get from Phila. to OR in 5 days all on the interstate. Maybe a little quicker. (You'll be surprised how much quicker you'll get once you cross the Mississippi.)

If you have more time, take US routes and state hwys. So much America bout there, man.

Beat Navy!
 


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