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Message started by Blinky on 08/30/12 at 14:27:35

Title: Final Check List
Post by Blinky on 08/30/12 at 14:27:35

OK folks, I am planning on leaving a week from tomorrow on a 1,800 mile round trip from central Kentucky to the Adirondacks in upstate New York to see the oldest daughter, her husband and the three grandchildren. This will be my first trip longer than the 300 mile one day shakedown run I went on last week. I only began riding in April of this year and have logged about 2,500 miles since taking the MSF course. I appreciate your input on my check list and preparations. I would hate to go into "Oh Crud" mode halfway there because I neglected something obvious.

THE BIKE
2007 S40
6100 Miles
Memphis Shades Slim windshield
Routy's froward controls
Air Hawk 2 seat pad
Good Tires
Fresh Oil Change (and no, I will not comment on the brand, let's just say it is a new oil called "Klotella" and leave it at that)
Valves adjusted at 5K
Fresh clutch cable adjustment and cable lube
Fresh EBC pads and brake fluid change
New battery in April
12V fused power outlet

RIDING GEAR
Army desert boots
Spare set of boot laces
Fieldsheer mesh pants
Tour Master rain pants
Tour Master waterproof boot covers
Fieldsheer mesh jacket
Fieldsheer Aqua rain jacket
Vented leather gloves
Joe Rocket rainproof gauntlets
Rainproof balaclava
Bell full face helmet

TOOLS and SPARES
1/4" socket set to 14 mm plus a 17mm for the plug
Wrenches from 10mm to 17mm
Screw driver with changeable Phillips and flat bits
Allen wrench set
Needle nose pliers
Slip joint pliers
Flashlight
Air pressure gauge
Roll of electric tape
Wire ties
New spark plug, pre-gapped
Headlight bulb (installed the 9003 and kept the old one as a spare)
Rear turn signal bulb
Front turn signal/running light/brake light bulb
Oil (still anonymous)
Paper oil funnels
Rag to keep it neat
Heavy zip-lock plastic bag for the oil and rag
Patch kit for the Air Hawk
Wood block to bring the bike about level for oil check

OTHER
Saddlemen BR-3400 tail bag with backrest (closeout for $85, great deal)
Maps with preplanned route and stops
Cellphone with charger
GPS with charger
Camera with charger
Discover Card
Visa Debit Card
My entire cash life savings, $87, plus $1.50 in quarters for the air machine
Added 24/7 roadside assistance for the insurance policy
Advil
Makers Mark

As much as it sounds, i mocked up the tail bag over the weekend and, excluding the riding gear, it came in at 28 pounds including clothes and toiletries. (Do real bikers carry toiletries? I am not talking cologne and styling gel, just a razor and toothbrush. hmmm just a thought)

I plan to allow three days each way on the back roads staying mainly on US highways and off the Interstates and state roads.

Thanks in advance for your input and wish me luck.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Serowbot on 08/30/12 at 15:14:59

There's a few 8mm on the somewheres... (maybe just the turn signals?...
23mm for rear wheel...
Couple 'a water bottles?...
Sunblock...
Choc chip cookies...
TP.?... :-?...

Have fun... ;)...
Ohhh!... camera!...

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by ALfromN.H. on 08/30/12 at 15:24:16

If you have room you might think about a quart of fuel just in case. On my way home from the tail of the dragon I was getting low so i stopped to fill up (the pick-up truck) and the power was out from a storm the previous day. I didn't have enough to get to where the power was on but I had a small amount in a gas can and the savage had about a half tank so I made it but it could have been a problem. I wasn't planning on power outages when I was planning my gas stops.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by clearush on 08/30/12 at 15:32:01

Like serowbot said TP and some alcohol wipes to clean with......road side bathrooms can be not so inviting :o

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Boofer on 08/30/12 at 18:15:16

I'm only 59, but the first thing I get straight is my meds. BP, Cholesterol, pain. Zip ties take up no room and weigh less than Helium. Definitely take a camera and a phone. I also carry flat fixer that says it works in tubes. If I want to go outside my comfort zone, I have a friend ready with a trailer who can get to me within 24 hours. We had an agreement that I would pay for his gas and trouble even though he said he wouldn't take it. He was also familiar with my route. Fix up an ICE card or two in case you get knocked out. Go prepared for trouble and expect to have fun. ;)

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Gyrobob on 08/30/12 at 18:36:29

517C7C757661130 wrote:

Often, those who get rid of all wheat/grains/sugar have to stop taking BP meds because their BP gets too low. Same for cholesterol meds and pain meds,... these situations improve so much the meds are not necessary anymore.

Another thing I like about it for motorcycle travel is that I don't have to worry about eating at all during the trip.
-- The appetite decreases so much you can ride all day and, if you want, completely forget about food stops.
-- I go to Daytona every year.
--- I used to always plan out an eating schedule of where to stop for food, which snacks to carry with me, etc.
--- On this last trip I skipped eating altogether. Not one hunger pang. No distractions. It feels liberating.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/30/12 at 20:29:15

The body makes cholesterol to Repair weak spots in blood vessels. Vitamin C ( which we dont make) allows us to make collagen, which is the building block of the blood vessels,.Take C, daily, to bowel tolerance, then back off a little. Vessels will get stronger, cholesterol will decrease.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by youzguyz on 08/31/12 at 03:06:08

Once this is complete, it should go in the tech section.
It may contain things that some won't want to take, but it would be a nice reminder of things you you have forgotten!

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by tizzyfit on 08/31/12 at 10:04:06

Blinky, first and foremost, ENJOY YOURSELF! Is your route primarily secondary roads or interstate? 300 miles a day seems reasonable enough. Ride defensively and take lots of pictures.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by sjaskow on 08/31/12 at 10:11:16

The packing list looks great but I don't see any clothes listed. I'd advise taking a couple more pairs of socks that you've planned to take, just in case. It's nice to have dry socks on even if you're putting on wet boots.

My only other comment is if you're looking at 900 miles one-way in 3 days, you're talking 300 miles a day. I did Cincinnati to Bowling Green at the beginning of this summer which is a little over 230 miles and I was wiped at the end of the that day and I'm slightly younger than you at 47. 300 miles doesn't sound like much but when you avoid the super-slabs, you spend a large amount of time doing between 25 and 40 and that means an 8+ hour day in the saddle.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by mojohand40 on 08/31/12 at 12:57:28

That's a long trip. Good list! The longest trip I did in a day was about 360 miles on a Ninja 250 mostly secondary roads. Brutal...but fun. Took about 9 hours or so.
Anyway, two things you might want to stash somewhere: Duct tape and some Zip ties. You'd be surprised how many things you can repair with just those things if you have to!
Have fun, ride safe, take lots of breaks!

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by LANCER on 09/01/12 at 09:55:07

Don't forget a small pack of spare fuses; usually 4-5 in a little metal or plastic box for a few bucks.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/01/12 at 16:44:02

Ive heard of [people doing a Pre TRip dry run, where they get all the stuff they want together & start packing it on. Sometimes, they just said NO to a few things.
I wouldnt do it unless I had some kinda road side assistance insurance, including towing to a repair facility qualified to repair my bike. Not just "The next town"..

I know of no product that will fix a flat on a tube type tire, I spent about $20.00 on fixaflat stuff to get from Tyler to Longview. On a fairly new rear tire, on a straight stretch at 65 or so, its okay even if its almost flat.
Front tire? Youre parked,.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Blinky on 09/02/12 at 15:52:45

Thanks for all the input. I have added a few things based on your comments.

I intended to use an older Panasonic video recorder mounted to the bike for some motion video. I tried an ebay handlebar mount and then two home-brewed attempts but the video was so shakey it was all but unwatchable. I took the plunge and bought a Go Pro Hero Naked camera from Best Buy for $129. It does not come with memory but I already have a 32GB SDHC card which should give me several hours at top resolution.

I gave it a test today and have attached the you tube link. I was very impressed with the stability of the image. The video is nothing special, just around the block for about 5 minutes and then some old guy spending the next minute or two trying to figure out how to turn the dern thing off.
http://youtu.be/UP_wNHpc7Xk

Thanks again and I will post updates when I get back on the 16th.

Good Hunting

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/02/12 at 19:45:27

What a great picture..no blur, bike sounds like a sewin machine,, I kept leanin my head back, tryin to see on up the road. I think if ya tilted the camera up a bit so your mirrors & such are out of the pic it mite be better.
If theres a Mic plug, you mite consider getting one & pokin in it. You could leave yourself verbal notes as you film, for when you edit later & it would kill the wind noise. Sounds like the sewin machine is trying to give birth to a hay baler..

Man, how tall Are you? I was almost nauseated by the time you sat down,

& remember, if youre filming, dont run a stop sign,,

Re: Rowboats post about how amazing technology is.. 1971, in high school, they had a camera to film us & we could watch ourselves in a mock job interview,.No telling what that big, clunky, sorry pictured, lousy audio havin piece of crud cost. Your $130.00 camera KICKS its Butt!

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Charon on 09/03/12 at 06:03:52

With no attempt to criticize your checklist, how many of those tools and parts do you carry when you go on a comparable trip in the car? Do you have any reason to believe your motorcycle is less reliable than your car?

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Blinky on 09/03/12 at 08:26:44

JOG,
I will work on the camera poition to see if I can get the horizon in the shot. I like having the mirrors in the frame though. They give some orientation to the point of view. To answer your question, I stand 6'2" but with the Panama sole boots, helmet, and camera mount, the lens would be at about 6'7".

Charon,
You make a very good point. Maybe it is just the old boy scout in me or maybe it is because this is my first bike and first road trip. I have done all the preventive maintenance so do not anticipate any issues. The tools and spares take up little space and, although I could do without the 6 pounds they add, they do provide some peace of mind.

Good Hunting

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Serowbot on 09/03/12 at 09:08:53

I think GoPro put the controls on the face of the camera, just to make us look stupid...
;D...

... another option, if you want more bike in the shot, is mounting the camera on the side of the helmet... (if you have the mount for that)...
You get a bit of helmet in the shot too... which I kinda' like...

... and now that you have a camera,.. add AAA batteries to your list... ;D...

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/03/12 at 09:31:04

If you can pack so that you dont have to go past things you dont need to get to things you do need, yep,, uh huhh,,

Some guys have a tool bag mounted atween the pegs, dont they?

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 09/03/12 at 10:56:28

I got a Midland XTC camera on Ebay for about $65. Wal-mart has them for about $90. Shoots 720 HD & uses micro sd card, charges from usb. I'll post a link to video I have on Utube in a different thread. 8-)

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/03/12 at 12:28:47

& what happens if ya smash a bug on the lens? Got any kinda screw on lens protector you can swap out if it gets pitted by sand?

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Boofer on 09/03/12 at 17:00:04

Blinky, I'd get a little trinket or two on the way as a gift for your daughter. There are always small, unusual, rarely seen gifts in different parts of this country...some handmade.

And there are several bicycle sights on the net for bike travel/camping. Those guys even saw the handle in half to save weight on their toothbrushes. :)

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/03/12 at 22:53:37

0E23232A293E4C0 wrote:

Those guys even saw the handle in half to save weight on their toothbrushes.

& the really serious riders have half their teeth pulled, too.

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by Blinky on 09/06/12 at 18:39:23

I am as ready as I can get and will be leaving at 0:dark:early Friday. Thanks to all for your advice. The tail bag fully loaded with everything came in at 41 pounds. About 12 pounds more than i anticipated but it includes everything on the check list except the riding gear I will wear.

Also part of the load not on the original list is a 4' cable lock to lock the bag to the bike and lock the bike overnight, fuses, a hi-viz safety vest for the black rain jacket, clothes for six days, six sets of foam ear plugs, and last minute gifts for the grandkids.

Thanks again and good hunting.

http://p1.bikepics.com/2012/09/06/bikepics-2452130-800.jpg

Title: Re: Final Check List: Update
Post by Blinky on 09/15/12 at 08:57:50

I arrived home at 11 last night. During the 1,968 mile roundtrip from Lexington KY to North River NY, riding through sun, rain, wind, fog, on back roads and Interstate highways, I came to one conclusion; the 650 is a proper road bike. Other bikes may be larger, more poweful, and have better range; but the fact remains the little 650 got the job done.

In a few days I plan to go over the check list again and sort out what I really used and where I could have saved some weight and volume.

Until then one picture on US 20, south of Utica NY.

Good hunting
http://p1.bikepics.com/2012/09/15/bikepics-2455564-800.jpg

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/15/12 at 10:06:46

Congratulations! Been waiting on your ride report.. glad you got home with no drama.

Title: Re: Final Check List: Update
Post by LANCER on 09/15/12 at 15:13:11

Quote:

the 650 is a proper road bike.

Y E P

Good to hear you made the trip without incident.
Congrat's

Title: Re: Final Check List
Post by PiaFea on 09/18/12 at 18:59:41

Congrats on making the trip safely and enjoyable!
Looking forward to read you comments and experiences on the trip.