Cross-Country Tour

zip code 20117 (northern VA) if you need a place to sleep, wrench or someone to ride w/ you down the Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/TN border). Let me know if you need anything

 

I also have an assortment of tools too. But you best not let me near anything you own with them. Last night, I removed a screw from my belly button and my pecker fell off. My balls rolled out the garage door and down the storm drain. Now what?

 

i have a similar set up on my 5th gen & i agree w/ randy. the saddle bags & tail bag will carry a ton & will expand if you start collecting stuff along the way. I use the tank bag for the "i need it now" stuff.....camera, phone, screen cleaner, map / GPS if you have one.....Leatherman, zip ties.....yada yada.
sounds like an epic trip. I'll be somewhere in California or Seattle when you come through...look me up!

 

Great stuff VFRW.
Have a great trip

 

Sorry for the delay, fellas, lost my computer charger and was off-line for the week.
So, I've assembled an early list. Let me know if I'm forgetting anything.

-Tire Repair kit, with C02 cartridges
-Multimeter -Spare R/R
-Sport touring boots, weatherproof (can anyone make a case for or against tall, over-the-calf boots?)
-Rain Gear (Gloves, jacket, pants, RainX for face shield)
-3 days worth of clothes, plus sweatshirt, flannel
-Reflector Vest
-Leatherman
-1994 VFR750 Tool kit
-CamelPak style thing
-Luggage (Tankbag, tailbag, saddlebags, all soft)
-Photo gear (GoPro, film camera, point-and-shoot)
-Plastic zip-ties
-Journal, pens
-Snacks, pain-relievers
-Duct tape
-Spare chain
-Oil, coolant
-Better AAA coverage?

Anything else?

Yonan and crusty, I'll let you know when I firm up my route for where I'll be passing through.
Randy, thank you very much, sir. And thank you very much for the tips on making it through Canada; always best to get them from a local, let alone an experienced rider. Whether or not you'll be around, I guess it's just wait-and-see. Have a blast in Scotland, you lucky bastard. I hope you get a chance to ride, I understand that those roads are ridiculous. Good luck finding your balls, btw.
Reg, I can't refuse the offer of a beer or two. If the weather turns drunk, then I'll be forced to stop riding for the night. Also, it would be an honor to visit such an avid tourer.
Silver Surfer, I much appreciate the ability to stop by, and I will absolutely take you up on that offer. Thank you! Beta, glad to have another place in the east to stay at, it is much appreciated!
Leftcoast, I will certainly look you up once I hit the west coast.
Thanks Mark! You sure I can't stop by for a night?

 

WTF DEUDE ! ! !

Where's the bottle of single malt?

 

As a rapidly-consumable and a given, I chose to leave it off the list.

 

Here's something I've had on my mind: what are the cops like in your respective areas?

 

Freeways in WA & OR are pretty well patrolled & while nice guys, the cops are looking for revenue. Back roads vary & local Knowlege will probably help out some.
I have found a Number of locations that are well patrolled (!) in CA. The most recent being in San Jose on the 101. seems 14 over will get you an invitation to meet the Judge.....although I was being passed. LIDAR.
Got Radar Detection??
Also CA has mobile aproaching Radar - so an oncoming cop can pop you.......
good luck!

 

I've got the very same bike with 50k on it now, and I'd jump on it today and ride to NYC without a moment's thought. The only thing I've ever had an issue with is the R/R failure around 45k. If this happens, I'm sure someone here can get another one to you post-haste. Honda still makes them (with a better design) and they are readily available, and it's a plug & play job. You can still get anything for this bike, even plastics, the last time I was over @ Honda HQ.

 

As far as cops, as long as I've lived here in CA with an out of state license/ins/plate, etc I've never had an issue. My license is my "get out of jail/ticket free" card. If you are stopped for anything, play up the "just visiting/passing thru" bit. Always works for me. Most cops don't worry with folks passing thru I've learned. Also, in regard to the freeways, I have never known anyone who has gotten a ticket for speeding (we are talking about speeding, aren't we?) on a CA freeway. I rarely see cops on the freeway actually, and ever rarer see them pulling anyone over. To me, I like to think of it as "Look. We know you've been going .003 MPH for the last 40 miles, so even if you wind it up to 70 in a 55 when it all breaks free, you still average 30 mph in your morning commute, so I'll look the other way."

You have forgotten the very best part about riding in Socal, and probably the #1 or #2 reason I moved here, left, and had to get back:

Legal lane splitting/sharing.

It is fantastic. Seriously, it's like having the state and the roads to yourself. Nothing stops you except a stoplight/stop sign, and you're the first one at every single one of those. You will be sad to have to get back in line with the rest of society when you leave, I bet.

 

I saw a spare chain on your list. You'll definitely need that if you ain't bringing along chain lube.

Oh - what about some anti-monkey butt powder?

 

Spare chain? No way I'd take along a spare chain. Too heavy/big. Take a can of spray lube instead. You can get a chain anywhere along the way. Plus, they last a hell of a lot longer (35-50k) than your trip will be.

 

Leftcoast: thanks for the heads-up about WA and OR! It's true though, they are just doing their jobs. Radar detection... hm. Never really thought about it. I was going to say that when I'm on highways, I don't really speed, but that would be a blatant lie, in addition to the fact that I'm sure that at some point on this trip, I'm going to be only 3/4 of the way to a destination at some unreasonably late hour, and speeding sure is a great way to get places faster (including dead ). Thanks for the info!

Greg, that is exactly what I needed to hear, thanks mate! Turns out the PO replaced the R/R with an upgraded unit. I have to take a close look to see what it is exactly. Also, I am very glad you said what you did about out-of-state licenses, etc. Now, there is always a strong element of luck when it comes to getting pulled over/ getting ticketed, but I feel like a Mass state plate in CA/ every other state I'll go through that is more than a day's trip away from MA, will be helpful. I like to keep my eyes open, either way. I can't believe I forgot about lane splitting. Another reason to be totally stoked on this journey! Way too excited about that.

Pliskin, I'm going to install a ScottOiler over the summer, and a fresh chain a couple weeks before the trip to get the initial break-in dealt with. Anti-monkey-butt powder! Looks like I forgot that, too! Good catch, brother

 

I know you said your friend is stationed here, but I'm in Virginia Beach as well and I have a guest room if you need it. I'm a young-in like yourself, I'm 24 though. I also grew up in Massachusetts so perhaps we can talk about the greatness of the state while kicking back a couple Sam Adams.

I pick up my 99 VFR Saturday so we can most definitely go out for a ride as well.

 

A couple of suggestions: there is a VFR ride Aug 19-21 from Vancouver to Nelson, see if that fits into your plans (VFRD). Second if you plan to come thru the sea to sky area (Squamish/Whistler) give me a call, maybe I can come for a ride, might be able to offer you a couch. Garage, tools, know how. I'm just 30 min north of Horseshoe Bay terminal. If you've never done it, look up the "Duffy Lake Road" or the "Duffy Lake Loop" it's my prefered way to get to the coast from the interior; no straight roads. Another suggestion is rather than just dumping yourself on the ferry and going to Naninmo, look at : Horsehoe Bay to Langdale, head up the Sunshine Coast all the way to Earls Cove, Ferry to Saltry Bay thru to Powell River, then Ferry to Comox, down the old Island Highway to Naninmo and points beyond. Take the scenic route and thanks me later. If you choose this route I'm from that area and would love to go on that ride and visit home. I take an annual road Trip Starting usually Sept 6 after the kiddies go back to school. PM if you need my Cel #

Good luck!
Mike

 

I have been known to over-prepare for most any trip I go on. A few thoughts:

- Bring more than one tire repair kit, or, more specifically, more than one type. Those compact ones with mushroom plugs suck, the plugs keep breaking during insertion. I found the car-tire style work better with their tar-covered rope inserts. Also those CO2 canisters will NOT fully inflate your tire unless you use about 8 of them. Count on getting air at the next stop or, possibly bring a can of Fix-a-flat (though using the Fix-a-flat can be messy and gives unpredictable results if you use it on a flat WITHOUT plugging the hole. [ I saw online a repair kit that included a neat air hose that screws into a spark plug hole and uses the running engine to pump up the tire. Just a thought. ]

- Plan on replacing tires most likely more than once during the trip. Build that time into your itinerary, as some shops may be too busy to do it quickly. Best to take care of this in a major metropolitan area, even better if it is one where you are enjoying the hospitality of one of the fine members here. In fact, always have extra time built in on such a trip. Its fun to have extra time, and no fun when you are always behind schedule.

- You'll need a way to contact members here en route, especially if your arrival dates change. So a way to read/post here, or at the very least ALL the phone numbers and addresses and map printouts you need to make route decisions on the fly, even if you can't reach your next host at the moment. Nothing worse on a trip than sitting around not knowing what to do or which way to go.

- I didn't see extra fuses listed above. Bring extras of each size you may need.

- Extra earplugs! And if you don't wear earplugs, I beg you to reconsider, both for your health and your enjoyment.

- Throttlemeister! or Throttle rocker (plastic clip-on "paddle" that lets you relax your fingers on the grip); this is low-tech (=reliable) and lightweight *Highly recommend!* Just remove it and toss it in tankbag for urban driving, as its easy to forget its there....

- Select your gear thoughtfully, to be able to take advantage of the ability to layer each item to suit the climate. This helps reduce the overall amt of gear and luggage space devoted to it when not in use. A vented jacket with zippered liner is invaluable. Non-riding shoes always seem to take up a lot of space. Bring as few pairs as you can, and you can save room in your bags by throwing them in a durable plastic bag and strapping them on the outside of your luggage. Then they are easily accessible if you stop too. Rain gear (over-gear) can double as another outer layer in the extreme cold like in the mountains.

- May want to apply some waterproofing product to your gear before you leave.

- Never attempt any last minute maintenance on the bike RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP. Things go wrong and items broken during your work may take time to replace. Give yourself at least a couple shakedown rides before setting off on the big one. Big plans get sidetracked by the littlest things.... Test out any luggage or new items to make sure it isn't going to be a problem on the road.

- Bright Flashlight!! 'Nuff said.

- If you wear tinted shields, bring a clear one for night riding. If you use a clear, bring sunglasses or a shaded Pinlock insert.

- Balaclava, a thin one that won't make your helmet too tight. And a nice fleece neck warmer will not only sustain your warmth, but cuts way down on the wind noise!

- A cable lock, to run through the sleeve of your jacket and secure to the bike when you leave it parked. Can you imagine finding it gone on a cold Sunday when you need to make some miles? Better bring another cable lock to run through the handles of your luggage too, to secure them to the frame. A little discouragement for thieves goes a long way.

- At least one backpack, to be able to take some stuff with you if you leave the bike to walk around town.

- Spare key!

- Spare credit card, hidden somewhere besides in your wallet, if you LOSE your wallet. Keeping it in the side pocket of your tankbag will allow quick fill-ups without having to remove gloves, hunt for wallet, etc.

- A tank bag with a clear map pocket on top is worth it's weight in gold, making it easier to navigate without having to stop every time.

- A few cheap disposable razors are much lighter to carry than a rechargeable shaver.

- Plastic zip ties are light & small, and small roll of duct tape can both help fix stuff in route in case of a mishap.

- Snacks and liquids can help when you are fatigued or just don't see anywhere to stop to get food.

- Use plenty of painters tape on the fairing if you are going to have any straps or bungees contacting the paint. It will protect it and removes easily.

- Triple A or Honda Riders Club membership is good insurance, just in case something goes wrong.


Ok I think I am all out. There are so many little tricks for touring that you learn over the years. I see you are still a young buck, and you are actually planning ahead (unlike some!) but this trip will definitely teach you a few things. Nothing like heading out on the road with packed bags, knowing you don't need to turn around halfway and come home!

 

RELEASE THE KRAGEN! (sorry, couldnt resist).