First BIG trip Wed

[edjo69]

Taking my first significant trip starting Wed. driving pretty quick through to Alabama from Colorado, spend a week with Grandma and then puttering along the gulf coast into Florida for a few days and then puttering back to Colorado on secondary roads through Arkansas etc.... I figure it will be about 3500 miles and I will be out and about for 2-3 weeks.

So a few questions:

Are the factory side bags gonna leak?

Bike is prepped, trial packed all looks good. I have all the basics, tools, tire plugs, riding gear etc. Without going into a full list of items are there any unconventional items that any of you have found particularly handy while out and about?

Going solo any advice?

Thanx guys and gals. Ed

 

[08FJR4ME]

I have never had a problem with the luggage bags leaking. My only concern would be hydration cosidering wear you will be traveling. Keeping cool and hydrated would be the most important. JMO

 

[user 6393]

bags will NOT leak. trust me, I live in a rainforest.

have a Camelback, or pack lots of water. I find I never bring/drink enough on long rides, and pay for it eventually (headaches, cracked lips, fatigue)

trail mix in your tank bag is a good pick-me-up (especially if you add butterscotch bits to it )

Have fun! Ride safe!

 

[MEM]

bags will NOT leak. trust me, I live in a rainforest.
have a Camelback, or pack lots of water. I find I never bring/drink enough on long rides, and pay for it eventually (headaches, cracked lips, fatigue)

trail mix in your tank bag is a good pick-me-up (especially if you add butterscotch bits to it )

Have fun! Ride safe!

.... and dark chocolate M&Ms

BIG gunny on appropriate hydration and staying cool. Stop often and drink lots. Side cases don't leak; nor does the Yamaha topcase.

 

[user 6393]

bags will NOT leak. trust me, I live in a rainforest.
have a Camelback, or pack lots of water. I find I never bring/drink enough on long rides, and pay for it eventually (headaches, cracked lips, fatigue)

trail mix in your tank bag is a good pick-me-up (especially if you add butterscotch bits to it )

Have fun! Ride safe!

.... and dark chocolate M&Ms

I love it when you talk dirty chocolate!!!

 

[Lee B.]

Taking my first significant trip starting Wed. driving pretty quick through to Alabama from Colorado, spend a week with Grandma and then puttering along the gulf coast into Florida for a few days and then puttering back to Colorado on secondary roads through Arkansas etc.... I figure it will be about 3500 miles and I will be out and about for 2-3 weeks.
So a few questions:

Are the factory side bags gonna leak?

Bike is prepped, trial packed all looks good. I have all the basics, tools, tire plugs, riding gear etc. Without going into a full list of items are there any unconventional items that any of you have found particularly handy while out and about?

Going solo any advice?

Thanx guys and gals. Ed

for some peace of mind you might want to download the fjr members assistance pdf.

I've heard the bags stay dry as long as the gaskets are lined up and have not been crimped by shutting something over the gasket causing it to deform.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Taking my first significant trip starting Wed. ...spend a week with Grandma and then puttering along the gulf coast ...puttering back to Colorado on secondary roads through Arkansas etc.... I figure it will be about 3500 miles and I will be out and about for 2-3 weeks.So a few questions:

Are the factory side bags gonna leak?

No

Going solo any advice?

Stop often to look around, walk around, seek-out "Americana".

Try to not let the rush/excitement of other road users push you into making rash decisions -- keep your cool.

Ride the 'good' roads....

Good luck.

 

[edjo69]

for some peace of mind you might want to download the fjr members assistance pdf.

Where can I find this?

I am packing 2 32oz nalgenes and a camelbak 70oz bladder, plus snacks and yummy bits to eat. All good stuff, keep it coming.

 

[rbentnail]

Pasty white guy here. I'm so white that I burn if I wash a vehicle on a cloudy day under a tree. A little tube/bottle of minimum SPF 15 sunscreen is essential for me.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Re: FJR Assistance list... send an email to Bungie c/o [email protected]. In order to get the list you have to be on it and willing to assist others.

FJR Assistance

I'd think about a cooling vest, or else plan on soaking your t-shirt often given where you're headed... although in 98% humidity you might not get a lot of evaporative cooling...

Water good. Sunscreen good. Snacks good. Frequent stops for pictures and to absorb the great country you live in VERY good. Side roads good. Back roads good. Dirt and gravel... not so good.

Enjoy the trip

Griff

 

[YukonG]

Some kind of hard candy is good (sonic mints are my favorite for long rides)

Chap stick is a must for me, or else my lips dry out fast

A small air compressor is nice (The Slime brand will fit under the seat)

A soft rag and something (small bottle of eyeglass cleaner works great) to clean the faceshield is handy this time of year

 

[Toecutter]

Become nocturnal....

 

[mdisher]

Yeah, ride the boring hot stuff at night...

Oh and a small zip lock bag of baby wipes. Cause you never know when you gotta go, and some places well...

Baby wipes are very useful for many things. You can often find sample-packs in the sample section of like Walmart. Small resealable packs.

-MD

 

[user 6393]

Oh and a small zip lock bag of baby wipes. Cause you never know when you gotta go, and some places well...
Baby wipes are very useful for many things. You can often find sample-packs in the sample section of like Walmart. Small resealable packs.

-MD

Good one. I have a pack of them in my tank bag. Always getting dirty checking tire pressures etc...

 

[VanHarlan]

I've started keeping a travel journal and track my daily mileage, roads traveled, sites seen, and general thoughts on my ride & route for my bigger trips. Just kind of a neat thing to do.

A small bottle of hand sanatizer . . . ipod, tinted and clear helmet shields, a good book you've been meaning to read . . I have "Leanings" in my bag a collection of short motorcycle stories https://www.amazon.com/Leanings-Peter-Cycle...6028&sr=8-1

 

[v65]

and then puttering along the gulf coast into Florida

Try to locate the elusive BrunDog. Hint, he is not on the road. :lol:

 

[Big-B]

where are you going in Alabama and Florida?

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Bike shorts and SYNTHETIC underwear (cotton will have you screaming for yer mommy by about Day 2 and a half). Monkey Butt BAD

Oh, and eye drops (Visine, whatever) - after many miles/hours, very refreshing. Don't leave home without 'em.

Griff

 

[Sagebrush]

Water! Walmart sells a cheap 2 liter camelback knock off for $20. I picked up one and its "ok", I fill it with ice and a little water. At 104 degrees the ice doesn't last long. I just came from Jacksonville, Al up through TN, AK and OK mostly on I-40, it was 100 degrees by 11 am last Saturday and Sunday, 1600 miles across some very hot pavement, the back pack water systems are a biggie for me. Having a good supply of water keeps you going on those 800 mile days!

Those 10 calorie vitamin waters work for me, natural sweetners used. I carry two with me on the bike in a little cooler.