Hi all, I'm back on two wheels as of yesterday. Proud owner of a 2002 R1150RT, 47K and seemingly well taken care of. Saddle bags and trunk. I haven't ridden much in the last ten years, and only did one longish trip way back when, but that was only really two full days of riding each way. This time I'm heading most of the way across the country, solo, from New Orleans to Northern California to visit family there. While I'm not in a big hurry, this trip is less about sightseeing per say and more about making my destination while enjoying the trip. Mostly plan to hammock camp, but may end up in a hotel or two if things work out that way. Have people to visit in Memphis and Boulder, CO. Anyway, I have a ton of questions I'm trying to sort out and if anyone has any input I'd love to hear it!
- Pace. I know I'm not in great riding shape and plan to start slow, maybe 3-4 hour days for at least the first few. I also plan to try to get in some local riding before I leave (which will be in early July). Any tips for staying safe and comfortable on a long trip? I have read some people suggesting standing while riding for a few minutes. Is that generally accepted as a good idea?
- Route. A big hairy deal I guess lol. I'd like to stay off the interstate as much as possible, but also don't want to do a lot of local traffic lights/stop signs. Any tricks to route planning?! So far I have only seriously looked at leg from New Orleans to Memphis, which I will cover mostly on the Natchez Trace which I have wanted to do for a while. I will tackle the planning each state/leg over the next two weeks. Willing to go out of my way in Colorado and Utah for beautiful scenery! Expect Kansas to be a bit tedious. Nervous about heat in Nevada. California is known to me, have driven that route multiple times, and will expect be ready to be there already.
- Gear. Just ordered a helmet, full face HJC CL-17, no frills but looks like a nice helmet with good venting. Might need to return and replace if sizing isn't right, but I had an HJC ten years ago and it fit well. Have a heavy leather jacket that I'm debating taking. Would be brutal in hot weather I think, no venting. And since I haven't ridden much on this bike, not sure about wind cooling... Any advice on what to expect in terms of temps given my route and time of year (July one way, September coming back). Maybe ship the heavier jacket to Cali, buy a lighter one for first part? Or just get a lighter jacket and layer for trip back. Also concerned about rain. Plan to not ride in it as much as possible. But I guess some is inevitable right? Should I get a serious waterproof jacket, or just a light rain suit to go over jacket, pants? How about rain booties to cover my leather boots.? Cover gloves?
Overall I'm trying to avoid buying and carrying a lot of gear.
- Gear stowage. I have the two side cases. Not sure I want to bring the trunk. It feels a bit much, but we'll see. I might just want to get a couple dry bags and secure them to the rear seat/rack with a bungie net thingie. Tank bag?
- Water. Having access to water while moving seems like a good idea yes? So camelbak type thing, maybe in a tank bag? I'd rather not wear one on my back I don't think...
- Food. Think I will only carry snack food, like trail mix and apples, etc. Otherwise eat out. Coffee is a concern, I like good coffee. Could maybe bring my little mini stove and single french press. But cream? Ugh, more stuff to carry, might be better to just go without if I can't find good coffeeshop...
- GPS. Bike has nice Garmin unit installed, but I'm not sure I need it. I have travelled all over the country using my phone and Google Maps, so why do I need this clunky unit, that takes up a bunch of space on my dash?? Also the way it's mounted prevents screen from coming all the way down. Want to remove it and sell it, looks like it will sell for a few hundred on EBAY. Any reason not to do that? I plan to rig up some sort of holder for my phone which I will use for music/podcasts anyway.
- Music/podcasts. Plan to use my phone and ear buds. Or if I can find a good bluetooth speaker system I can install in the helmet for not crazy money I would go that way. I don't need or want headset, I'm riding solo and don't talk on the phone that much. Just not sure about sound quality/noise and whether it will be comfortable with earbuds in my helmet. Was looking at these earbud 'tips':
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NUJ2RM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2T2D7RWO60SOT&colid=17HJ8OIQTAZ5
OK, sorry this is already longer then I intended. Much love if you read this far lol.
DG
- Pace. I know I'm not in great riding shape and plan to start slow, maybe 3-4 hour days for at least the first few. I also plan to try to get in some local riding before I leave (which will be in early July). Any tips for staying safe and comfortable on a long trip? I have read some people suggesting standing while riding for a few minutes. Is that generally accepted as a good idea?
- Route. A big hairy deal I guess lol. I'd like to stay off the interstate as much as possible, but also don't want to do a lot of local traffic lights/stop signs. Any tricks to route planning?! So far I have only seriously looked at leg from New Orleans to Memphis, which I will cover mostly on the Natchez Trace which I have wanted to do for a while. I will tackle the planning each state/leg over the next two weeks. Willing to go out of my way in Colorado and Utah for beautiful scenery! Expect Kansas to be a bit tedious. Nervous about heat in Nevada. California is known to me, have driven that route multiple times, and will expect be ready to be there already.
- Gear. Just ordered a helmet, full face HJC CL-17, no frills but looks like a nice helmet with good venting. Might need to return and replace if sizing isn't right, but I had an HJC ten years ago and it fit well. Have a heavy leather jacket that I'm debating taking. Would be brutal in hot weather I think, no venting. And since I haven't ridden much on this bike, not sure about wind cooling... Any advice on what to expect in terms of temps given my route and time of year (July one way, September coming back). Maybe ship the heavier jacket to Cali, buy a lighter one for first part? Or just get a lighter jacket and layer for trip back. Also concerned about rain. Plan to not ride in it as much as possible. But I guess some is inevitable right? Should I get a serious waterproof jacket, or just a light rain suit to go over jacket, pants? How about rain booties to cover my leather boots.? Cover gloves?
Overall I'm trying to avoid buying and carrying a lot of gear.
- Gear stowage. I have the two side cases. Not sure I want to bring the trunk. It feels a bit much, but we'll see. I might just want to get a couple dry bags and secure them to the rear seat/rack with a bungie net thingie. Tank bag?
- Water. Having access to water while moving seems like a good idea yes? So camelbak type thing, maybe in a tank bag? I'd rather not wear one on my back I don't think...
- Food. Think I will only carry snack food, like trail mix and apples, etc. Otherwise eat out. Coffee is a concern, I like good coffee. Could maybe bring my little mini stove and single french press. But cream? Ugh, more stuff to carry, might be better to just go without if I can't find good coffeeshop...
- GPS. Bike has nice Garmin unit installed, but I'm not sure I need it. I have travelled all over the country using my phone and Google Maps, so why do I need this clunky unit, that takes up a bunch of space on my dash?? Also the way it's mounted prevents screen from coming all the way down. Want to remove it and sell it, looks like it will sell for a few hundred on EBAY. Any reason not to do that? I plan to rig up some sort of holder for my phone which I will use for music/podcasts anyway.
- Music/podcasts. Plan to use my phone and ear buds. Or if I can find a good bluetooth speaker system I can install in the helmet for not crazy money I would go that way. I don't need or want headset, I'm riding solo and don't talk on the phone that much. Just not sure about sound quality/noise and whether it will be comfortable with earbuds in my helmet. Was looking at these earbud 'tips':
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NUJ2RM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2T2D7RWO60SOT&colid=17HJ8OIQTAZ5
OK, sorry this is already longer then I intended. Much love if you read this far lol.
DG