Taking a long trip on my 1st motorcycle. Pre-trip suggestions?

Question

I bought a used bike (I'm a newbie) with 1200 miles on it from a reputable dealer. They had replaced all the lubricants, and gone through everything when I picked it up. Since then I have put about another 1200 miles on it. Before I go on my big trip over Labor Day, I'm sure I'll have close to 3,000 total miles on the speedometer.

Since everything was "new" approximately 2,000 miles ago, should I be changing or replacing anything prior to my big 3-day journey? I always check the oil and brake fluid, tire pressure before I go on my little jaunts, but I'd just like to be relatively worry-free maintenance-wise. I'm going to replace the battery because I did have a little trouble with that yesterday.

Thanks for your help !

Answer 1

check yourself too. get plenty of rest before you leave, hydrate up and eat a good sensible meal. make sure you're packed right, got that rainsuit? glasses? sunscreen?? cell phone?

Answer 2

dont lower you shield or you will have a wind burn like i did. take as many breaks as possible because after 6 hours on the road like i had  on my zx-6r i could not sit for a few hours my butt hurt.

Answer 3

Hi,

Make sure you buy rain gear, rubber boots. It does rain. I know all about riding in the rain. Good thing to change the battery. Get a gel battery if you can. You can always stop some where and get your oil changed.

Pack all your cloths in a plastic tash bags. Then place them upside down. This way they keep the water out if it does rain. How do I know this.  I was in the U. S. Army Infantry for 7 years. That should do it.  Oh, one more thing. If you are tired stop and get a place to rest for the night. Don't push yourself. Good luck on your trip and ride safe.  

Answer 4

Much covered in few words.

Carry something to eat, if nothing but beanie weenies. Carry a couple of FROZEN water and you'll have something to sip on while fueling or resting. Stop about every 100-150 miles to stretch the legs and rest the back and neck. Walk around and relax. Talk to people when fueling. We have a fairly bad reputation when it comes to personalities as bikers. Wave at the kids that wave at you when they pass. Remember to wear sunscreen because wind burn and sunburn are going to happen before you know it. Wear safety gear as much as possible. WAVE at fellow bikers out there and don't get upset just because of the occasional prick on two wheels that thinks he/she is too good to wave back.Travel as much as possible in the mornings and evenings because it is cooler if wearing leather. If you get wet.... stop to dry off some (also carry a small towel and cleaner for your face shield). When on the road I carry two large saddle bags and pack on the back (all made especially for bikes and waterproof).

Answer 5

I'm an experienced tourer/camper and I must  say that these first three guys have given you excellent responses.

Its good to see thoughtful answers from experienced hands, here in the mc section.

Have fun, ride safe.

Answer 6

You have gotten a great pile of advice already. Since you didn't mention what kind of bike you have, the advice will be limited though. Really, you should be looking for the same things before any ride. If you even suspect the battery is going to be trouble, just replace it. It can be amazing the number of irritating symptoms a bike can develop when the battery is borderline.

This topic has all sorts of opinions associated with it, but I just started bringing my ipod with me on long trips. I know it blocks some of your ability to hear, but it also helps me keep focused and fights drowsiness. I don't always wear it, but it is a really nice thing to have when you want it. As much as I like to ride, there are times that I am miles from home with miles ahead of me, and I am bored out of my mind. A few hours of music really helps. Bring a wall charger for it, and you can charge it anywhere that has an outlet.

It's just one more thing that can make the difference between a fun trip and a boring one. Since you are just starting, getting a few positive experiences can lead you into a lifetime activity that will bring you hundreds of hours of fun.

Answer 7

It would help to know what kind of bike you have, but my 07Harley's servicing is every 5000 miles. My buddy has a Honda and I think he said he is supposed to get a service every 6000 miles. I changed the oil on my old Harley every 2500 miles and carried extra plugs with me on trips. Never needed them, but I felt better having them.

If you are having problems with the battery, the mileage should not be causing problems. I replace my battery about every four years. If the battery was new and you are having problems, the battery could be the symptom, not the cause of the problem.

How old are your tires? Old rubber suffers from getting hard with time, even if they have low miles. My last bike had only 6811 miles on it, but it was seven years old. I had to replace the tires immediately because of rot.

You are not going on a huge trip, so don't worry so much about it. Heck, I put over 600 miles on my bike between Friday and Saturday- and I hadn't planned on going ANYWHERE Friday morning. It just happened.

Enjoy your ride!