(kind of a long rambling thread)
I'm looking for some tips from you iron butt folks and anyone else with good road and touring tips. I'll be going on my first long trip in September from San Luis Obispo, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, almost 500 miles. Las Vegas Bikefest will be my first big bike rally type thing.
I'll be meeting up with and riding out with my dad and some of his friends (all on harleys) from the Bay Area, so I'll be the only sportbike in the group, and probably one of very few in Vegas for the event. Should be fun.
Here is what I have come up with for my trip so far.
-New equipment
sport touring windscreen (on the way)
Tourmaster tank bag (on the way)
Joe Rocket tail pack
I've got a nice hydration pack that I plan to either put in the tank bag, or in a backpack. For navigation, I've got a Garmin GPS loaded up with maps that's going in my new tank bag.
-Bike adjustments
put the shorter stock shock back on my bike for more comfortable riding position
raise clipons a bit
What to bring along is where I figure I'm going to forget something important. Here's some of the stuff I've thought of so far:
chain lube
honda polish
cleaning towels
JB Weld
fuses
zip ties
piece of tubing (for gas)
tire pressure gage
flashlight
extra headlight bulb (in case the HID puttzes out)
I know there were a couple other things I was planning on packing, but I can't think of them right now.
Gearwise, I was considering getting some riding pants and some real motorcycle boots, but those are going to depend on available fundage. I'm hoping to at least get myself a fully perforated leather jacket for the long ride through the desert. Right now I've got an Icon Timax mesh jacket but I've been meaning to replace it with leather.
I'm also considering working out a way to ride with my MD player, but I may just go with earplugs.
I appreciate any advice, tips, or general road knowledge you folks can give, and I'm looking forward to my ride.
I'm looking for some tips from you iron butt folks and anyone else with good road and touring tips. I'll be going on my first long trip in September from San Luis Obispo, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, almost 500 miles. Las Vegas Bikefest will be my first big bike rally type thing.
I'll be meeting up with and riding out with my dad and some of his friends (all on harleys) from the Bay Area, so I'll be the only sportbike in the group, and probably one of very few in Vegas for the event. Should be fun.
Here is what I have come up with for my trip so far.
-New equipment
sport touring windscreen (on the way)
Tourmaster tank bag (on the way)
Joe Rocket tail pack
I've got a nice hydration pack that I plan to either put in the tank bag, or in a backpack. For navigation, I've got a Garmin GPS loaded up with maps that's going in my new tank bag.
-Bike adjustments
put the shorter stock shock back on my bike for more comfortable riding position
raise clipons a bit
What to bring along is where I figure I'm going to forget something important. Here's some of the stuff I've thought of so far:
chain lube
honda polish
cleaning towels
JB Weld
fuses
zip ties
piece of tubing (for gas)
tire pressure gage
flashlight
extra headlight bulb (in case the HID puttzes out)
I know there were a couple other things I was planning on packing, but I can't think of them right now.
Gearwise, I was considering getting some riding pants and some real motorcycle boots, but those are going to depend on available fundage. I'm hoping to at least get myself a fully perforated leather jacket for the long ride through the desert. Right now I've got an Icon Timax mesh jacket but I've been meaning to replace it with leather.
I'm also considering working out a way to ride with my MD player, but I may just go with earplugs.
I appreciate any advice, tips, or general road knowledge you folks can give, and I'm looking forward to my ride.