Long Distance Riding "Must Have" List

Hey all:

I'm planning a ride from New Jersey to South Florida leaving December 26th. I will be working there for 3 months and my only means of transportation will be my motorcycle. I am compiling my list of must have equipment and gear. Would love to hear some suggestions as to what to bring along. I have a tank-bag, textile saddle-bags, and a Givi topcase (E460 ((46 Liters)) ), and I will be strapping a dry bag to the pillion seat for storage.

What are my absolute must have items?

The things I have already are:

Hi-Viz Vest, Heated Jacket, toolkit, tire plug kit, flashlight, first aid kit, cramp buster.

I have just ordered tires, brake pads, clutch, chain, and sprockets new which will be installed this week. I am also installing a voltmeter into the left fairing where there is a pre-cut hole (3rd Gen VFR). I have also added a Ram Mount and Powerlet outlet to run my Droid Razr for Navigation.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

 

1. Rain suit. Like $30-50. 2. Monkey butt powder sold at ACE hardware stores $4. 3. A friend that can ship you yer pre-packed shit UPS. Then recieve it when you ship it back.

 

Well, you certainly don't need a GPS. Hard to get lost slabbing it on I-95 for 20 hours or so.

 

You're right, I don't need GPS. I just want it.

 

Rain-X wipes, OTC pain meds, take these preemptively. Its not really all that far you should be ok if you take breaks often.

 

Dunkin Donuts has a "must have" app that finds the closest store. Very useful during those long days

Throw a can of Pledge All Surface cleaner and a microfiber cloth into your saddle bag for cleaning bugs off your helmet visor.

 

I dont know what kind of weather you are expecting, but riding wet or cold is the worst. Invest in good riding gear, stuff that will keep you warm and dry. If you want to get OCD get duplicates of some basics (boots and gloves), if they get wet, just throw on the other pair and your golden.

Plan for stopping. If you're going to be on the road for 600 miles a day (for X amount of days), take a break every 100-120 miles. You and your bike can go farther, but for an "endurance run" a simple 20 min break does wonder for your ass and can clear up your head.

I didn't put that link in there. I like Dennis Kirk for gear, and More Power Racing for hardware.

 

As long as you have time, make a trip of it and stop at some tourist spots. (ie Washington D.C.) So bring a camera, take pics, post on VFRW!

 

I agree with all the above plus wear decent earplugs.

If the bulk of the trip is motorway then you will really regret not fitting a throttle lock. OK a cramp buster will help a bit, but you still need to maintain pressure on the throttle and a few hours in, you will really regret not fitting a proper throttle lock which will allow you to get some feeling back into your throttle hand.

I purchased a cheap Vista throttle lock from eBay and find it works brilliantly for long runs across europe. Don't leave fitting to the last minute - it WILL need some tweeking to get it set up. So expect to spend a few hours adjusting the spring grip pressure until it stays exactly where you want it, but in an emergency you can still just twist shut the throttle even if the throttle lock is still engaged.

Make sure you have suitable breakdown assistance and carry a fully charged mobile phone.

I trust you will be wearing the obligatory santa suit over your biking gear - seems pretty mandatory for biking over the festive season


Good luck

 

Whatever you do make sure to pick up a set of Canyon Dancer straps in case you break down and need to call a tow truck. If you don't know what they are just Google it for more info. Most towing companies are ill equipped to handle motorcycles and most are clueless about how to safely strap them down once they get to you. Canyon Dancer straps eliminate this problem completely and are a must have in my book. I always keep a set under the seat on both my bikes.

It also wouldn't hurt to have an extra R/R handy too since the OEM units are very prone to failure. Trying to find a suitable replacement if you break down in the middle of nowhere would be quite challenging and if you are not proactive you may end up waiting days for a replacement to ship to you.

Rollin

 

I've been considering the spare R/R, my funds are getting stretched out pretty good with all my recent purchases. My current R/R is about 5 months old...may have to take my chances on this one, all though I don't want to. I have the VFRness installed already. Thanks for the replies.

 

Nah.... Unless you were thnkng of an extra R/R for just riding around home. If your bike beeds one due to model year the. Get that done but taking one is not needed.

You are looking at probably 8 hour days...

Make sure you have good gear, extra undies, rain suit.. I agree with ear plugs but to me they are a given unless you are riding with music (recommended), Do you have a decent lock for the bike. Getting a bike stolen on the way will suck and is just as likely as the R/R possibility. Not that either can't happen.
Im a fan of traveling light and saving money for the trip.

Agree with plotting out the trip. Doesnt hurt to know what hotels you have at your disposal. Also check for any cool sight to see time permitting.

Microfiber towel to to deal with face shield cleaning. You can pull off anywhere, get it damp and clean or deal with helmet.

Its all random just thinking of things while writng.

Personaly I would wear the same clothes every day while riding and keep a clean set to change into when I stop for the night. That way you're not changing out for riding everyday and the next stop doesn't know that you wore that outfit the day before.

 

It's a Honda, remember !! I wouldn't go on a trip without a small multimeter, electrical tape, and spare wire !! Duct tape too !

 

Ok, Ok...A couple wire ties under the seat...

Guys...its just a trip down i95. Once he is there, he has cabs at his disposal and im sure so local shops etc.

Ya know It's funny. Guys put 20-30K miles on their bikes running around town, commuting, hitting back roads but the minute they hit the road the worry warts come out of the wood work.

Cut it out. He is gonna have a blast, enjoy his trip and share lots of photos...

 

My biggest concern is the weather when I'm leaving, once I'm to Virginia or so, I don't anticipate anything but rain possible. Most of my parts arrived today, as I type with grease on my fingers. I just want to do all of the preventative work here, with my own garage at my disposal. Now I'm feeling pressure to do a ride report. At least I have the tappatalk app for my phone to post pics.

Anyone know of the cheapest R/R unit around?

 

Canyon dancers ordered. Is that something that you'd mount somewhere permanently, or wait?

 

Bottom of a bag and hope you dont have to use them

 

You may want to think about something like a fog city anti-fog shield - if you have any fogging on your visor in cold temps or damp conditions. More than half of your of your miles may go past while the temps are below 40 - prime fogging zone.

 

Rain suite or alternatively a textile jacket with removable liner, Kevlar jeans with removable armor (you can wear these around when off the bike). Plot your trip to where you can gets parts if you need need them.
Work out what stuff you want/need to take & then halve it, trying to carry stuff for every contingency takes space, adds weight & wastes fuel. First aid kit, even a modest one include, eye wash, antiseptic & a couple of pressure bandages. Packet of various size ties & a couple of bungie cords. Credit/debit card with enough $'s to cover your arse, so you can at least get home.

 

Canyon dancers are not meant to be mounted permanently. They just slide over the bar ends when you need to use them. Just search Google images and you will see exactly how they fit over the bars. You can buy the original Canyon Dancers and the Canyon Dancer II version that works the same way but is designed with hard plastic cups that fit over the ends of the bars to prevent damage to your grips which was common with the original non-cup version. If you bought the Canyon Dancer II version just make sure to stuff some paper towels or newspaper inside the cups so you don't scratch the paint off your bar ends. They are so simple in concept and truly one of the best inventions for securing and transporting motorcycles. Are you planning on slabbing the whole way or are you thinking of having some fun along the way?? There are TONS of great roads in the Southeast.

Rollin