Topic: I'm about to commit to a long trip

[MJL]

My longest trip to date, over 2000 miles. I'm starting in Fort Wayne, IN and heading out to Seattle, WA, a distance of just over 2200 miles. I'll be there for two or three days before I head back.

Before I go I'll be installing new steering bearings, new rear wheel bearings, and front ones if I can find them, exhaust, ignition, oil change, and I'll save the new cam for after I get back.


Any sage wisdom from the iron butts here?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Lots of wisdom and routes. You just gotta start by telling us how you like to ride. Speed, distance per day, road types, accommodations, planned time on the road, etc. 

[seaweb11]

Just ride it like you always do.  It will make it.
Take the time to stop and enjoy the moments.

My best advice:
When you pull into a small town and you are looking to stop for the night.........
Pick the oldest tavern in town for a quick beer stop. Buy a couple of beers for the 2 locals sitting at the bar and ask about the Motels in the town. They will steer you clear of the bad one and after a shower you can go back to said tavern on a 1st name basis and have dinner with the locals.   Worked for me for 14 days on back county roads No better way to travel.

[tramp]

take time and enjoy the ride
have a good one

[Alan F.]

Bring a few spare parts, fuses maybe.  And make sure your cables are lubed.
Got rain gear?  Check out Frogg Toggs if you need some, they're great stuff.
+1 on the rest.

[bucky katt]

fuses, master link for the chain, clutch cable and at least the pull cable for the throttle. patch kit for the tubes and tire irons as well as a small tool kit.

[754]

Figure out your comfortable ride segments.

 I assume you are riding a swingarm bike, so you should be able to do a few hrs at a time, ie 100-130 miles between stops.

 That of course is not wrtten in stone and is dependent on fuel availablity, how you feel, rain , etc.

 Now look at the trip as a series of 120 mile trips, one after the other, as many in a day as you like..

 Try to put on at least 30-60 (or more) miles before breakfast, just so you get in the rythym, at the start of the day..

 

[MJL]

Lots of wisdom and routes. You just gotta start by telling us how you like to ride. Speed, distance per day, road types, accommodations, planned time on the road, etc. 

I just like to get on the road and ride. I generally ride my 750 around 70 mph, but the cbr got me in the mode for 80mph. I'm trying to keep it down.

It'll be 4 days out, 2 days to hang out, and 4 days back, 2000 miles each way. I'd rather spend 2 to 2.5 days riding each way. That's hustling it with breaks just for food and fuel. The last long trip I was on I rode 850 miles in one day, so 1k isn't that far off.

I'll probably spend most of my time on the good old interstate.

Accommodations will be whatever I find on the way.  It's kinda just how I roll, stick it in the wind and sail for the unknown.

I plan to wear a helmet, long pants, boots, leather coat, and carry with me a change of clothes or two, riding gloves, and a camera. (Gotta take pictures of my CB on the road!)

[Uncle Ernie]

When I was younger, I learned to stop evey 100 miles to stretch and drink water, maybe even take a cat nap  These days, it's more like 50-60 miles.
Sheep skin is your friend.
Send a change of clothes to your destination -about 10 days ahead is a good lead time.   Just less crap to carry. 
Rain suit and sun screen.
Get around Seattle some.  It's mone of the nicest cities in the USA with a GREAT vintage bike scene.  Small towns around it are full of small bakeries, and of course- that's where coffee was invented. 
Ride down from Seattle to Portland and then down to San Francisco and eat 'till you die happy.  The whole West Coast is a great vintage bike scene.