Planning First Long Ride

[peels]

FINALLY.

OK. My friend talked me into a long bike trip this spring.

Not sure it will exactly go down like this...but the plan is to ride all the way down to San Diego, then up the Coast of Cali to the central coast. (hwy 1 -my heaven on earth)

maybe see Death Valley, Vegas, grand canyon... who knows. hard to find time to go together, we've got 7 days, So well fit in what we can. I know myself pretty well... we'll be iron-butting it. I get restless and homesick when I'm away from home,wife,kids. and just want to GOOOO. Call me crazy or reckless but that's how I am. I'd drive/ride all day if I could.

Basically I'll be fulfilling a childhood daydream, 40th b-day to myself.

******

So, Besides the obvious maintenance...I'm doing oil, trans, FD, new spark plugs, new tires. Already done brake fluid, and clutch fluid(thanks to the shot slave)

Any other maintenance or tweaking I should add to the repertoire? Also, besides the toolkit, any special tools you suggest bringing along?

any gear suggestions? I'm open to anything.....I got a cruise control for Xmas

thanks folks, I'm pretty excited. Iv'e never been more than a days ride from home....and only ever on Japanese bikes.

[hawkdad]

Good Luck. I'm up in NE Iowa... it's a LONG way across the plains to get to some real riding..
As far as extra 'stuff'...

tire plugger
air compressor (really nice for starting in the morning)
extra headlight bulb (needed one once)

Personal comforts:
I use cramp busters on both sides.. just to give my hands more support. You'll DEFINITELY use the cruise control
ear plugs stays off the fatigue.

You doing the hotel thing or camping it?

As far as highway 1 is concerned.. don't miss the top from SF north.. that's THE best of it!!

Good Luck! If you're ever up in Dubuque area, look me up!!

Hawk

[peels]

right on hawkdad, you near Galena? that's some pretty riding up there. and a Fun little town. Ill keep an eye out for ya next time we go that way.

yep. at least the 1 from Cambria to Monterey..... thats my favorite ride. 88 miles of curves and only sheer cliff faces between you and the frigid pacific. lol we'll go further north if we can get the time... But.... My heart lives in Pismo beach, if I'm close, i HAVE to go there. Family all over that area, those were my stomping grounds growing up. Until moving to Iowa at least


I think well do part hotel, part camp, part stay with relatives.... I DO want to camp at least a couple times...

thanks for the advice.

[rocky2ie]

It's every bikers dream, go for it, one thing I would suggest is an Airhawk or sheepskin seat cover, you mightn't need it but It could save your ass

[sweatmark]

FINALLY.
OK. My friend talked me into a long bike trip this spring.
Not sure it will exactly go down like this...but the plan is to ride all the way down to San Diego, then up the Coast of Cali to the central coast. (hwy 1 -my heaven on earth)
maybe see Death Valley, Vegas, grand canyon... who knows. hard to find time to go together, we've got 7 days, So well fit in what we can. I know myself pretty well... we'll be iron-butting...

Have you done an IBA SS1000 previously? Suggest you complete one before your big trip. IBA has good resources for endurance riding.

AirHawk, Monkey Butt powder, broken-in gear, audio boredom prevention, water.

IA to DEN
DEN to Vegas
Vegas to SoCal
SoCal to SFO
SFO to ?
? to DEN
DEN to IA

Those are some long-a$$ days, with little time for site- and sightseeing. But good riding adventure. Trip could be more enjoyable as 10-day.

Last year I rode Boulder to Oregon <36 hours (IBA BB1500).
Good trip, no R1150R problems, squared off a sticky rear tire, 35-95 degF, sleet, sun, rain, bad headwinds for last 10 hours.
This year: 1500 under 24 hours, in good weather.

Good luck!

[peels]

thanks sweatmark.

-weather permitting, Ill be doing an 800 mile ride late march to prepare myself psychologically to be lonely and bored. Dont think thatll be trouble though. "Im a loner, dottie, a rebel"

-Looking into the seatpads. Friend swears by the "beaded" variety...well see.

-water, I have a camelbak, i'm sure Ill use that. it was for atv riding, and very handy. TOld thats a mistake, because it will cause extra whizz stops. But...those who know me...know I have a 40 gallon bladder. Hes trying to sell me on the catheter... Im just not doing it.

-Iv'e got the audio handled with my wireless earbuds. Love them.

-ME maintenance LOL I'm back on the fitness train. I lost 30 lbs 2 yrs ago...then gained it back. at least half gained on the cruise ship. free neverending buffet, turned out to be too difficult to battle. SO I didn't. Panini and ice cream...at 1am.. WHY NOT?! L-O-L I'm still somewhat fit from the routine of jogging and weights........but just carrying some excess ballast that needs dumped before takeoff.

-Friend lives NW Ar. so well be meeting in OK I THINK. still working out details. so ill be by my lonesome for awhile. Which I kinda want to be. Ive longed waited for a day where I just jump on my bike and I'm gone for days....

truth be told... Iv'e seen just about everything between here and there, so I'm not worried at all...just not as a grown up, and DEFINITELY not on a bike. I lived in Ca. my dad was from Ia. so we'd drive back and forth every other year. South when cold, North when hot. I have family from San DIego all the way to Stoner country. (eureka) And I would sit and daydream about riding a motorcycle down the backroads wed pass...so here we are. those were good times, great memories of a time when the travel was part of the vacation.

I'm not planning on riding any more than 15 hrs in a day. But, if conditions are right, and we feel ok, who knows. We did work all day, then drive 12 hrs to Oklahoma, hit the dunes and race quads until 3 the next day not too long ago. but when I died.. I DIED. LOL I'm curious to see how I do.

[sweatmark]

thanks sweatmark.

-weather permitting, Ill be doing an 800 mile ride late march to prepare myself psychologically to be lonely and bored. Dont think thatll be trouble though. "Im a loner, dottie, a rebel"

-Looking into the seatpads. Friend swears by the "beaded" variety...well see.

-water, I have a camelbak, i'm sure Ill use that. it was for atv riding, and very handy. TOld thats a mistake, because it will cause extra whizz stops. But...those who know me...know I have a 40 gallon bladder. Hes trying to sell me on the catheter... Im just not doing it.

http://www.stadiumpal.com
Ditch the bag; secure open tubing to outside of boot.

[riceburner]

Whatever you get - make sure you TEST it beforehand - no good finding out on day 2 that the thing doesn't work - or even worse, causes irritation or physical pain.

Batteries - are you camping or motelling? If camping I'd suggest getting a largish (12000mAh minimum) rechargable battery pack that you can rig up to charge from the bike whilst you're riding. I did this for a week's camping last year and it worked perfectly. Something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C ... ge_o04_s00. Then MAKE SURE you top up your electronics nightly, nothing worse than batteries dying just at the wrong moment.

I put together a foam enclosure under the tank (I've moved the Motoronic access fly-lead ages ago) with an empty volume in the middle just for the above battery pack. I've already got a 'cigarette' lighter power port fitted so just plugged one of these into it : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004 ... detailpage and so I now have a flying usb lead that can charge anything I want whilst in transit.

My bike came with the heated grips so has the higher-output alternator. Its currently got about 4 extra power points wired in, not including the extra full-beams! As long as the extra power points are wired in correctly with relays and are NOT powered unless the engine is running then you should be ok.

[peels]

thanks for the advice folks!

and sweatmark...im guessing thats a whizz tube?

My work network blocked the link...due to the category of: "P0rnography"

LOL

[wncbmw]

tire plugger
air compressor

Second this. Recently salvaged a weekend trip when I picked up a pick of glass in the middle of nowhere on a Saturday evening. You can at least get somewhere to get a new tire.

I had really hoped to test the tire plugger on someone else's tire but alas, I was the guinea pig. But it worked.

Enjoy. I am thinking of escaping for a western ride myself this year.

[peels]

100% agree on that. I have a really good tire plugging kit. I got it for xmas for my atv Dunes trips a few years ago. It actually has an emergency CO2 quick-fill kit in it. pretty nifty.

I have a portable air compressor too. the power port on the side got enough cojones for that? I use it for a radar detector and a phone....

speaking of phone...Need to get a mount for the giant cookie sheet phone (6plus) my wife bought me for xmas. lol i had a nice setup for the little phone before. Oh well-first world problems right? Maybe a tankbag with the plastic sleeve on top..... might be distracting to have that giant thing on the bars.

[wncbmw]

Power port runs the pump fine.

[maccraith]

Great plan! You will love it. And when traveling hwy 1, do not fail to spend some time in the Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey area. Some of the most beautiful stuff the States has to offer. Along that coast and in that area is the Ventana Inn. Famous Hotel with themed rooms, famous restaurant AND A CAMPGROUND all of it perched on the side of a mountain overlooking the sea. We camped in the campground, ate in the restaurant and took a room for one night to shower, shave and enjoy the luxury of it. Fabulous place to ride! And if your travel budget allows it, this is the area to spend some money in. Enjoy! Looking forward to hearing your stories.

FINALLY.

OK. My friend talked me into a long bike trip this spring.

Not sure it will exactly go down like this...but the plan is to ride all the way down to San Diego, then up the Coast of Cali to the central coast. (hwy 1 -my heaven on earth)

maybe see Death Valley, Vegas, grand canyon... who knows. hard to find time to go together, we've got 7 days, So well fit in what we can. I know myself pretty well... we'll be iron-butting it. I get restless and homesick when I'm away from home,wife,kids. and just want to GOOOO. Call me crazy or reckless but that's how I am. I'd drive/ride all day if I could.

Basically I'll be fulfilling a childhood daydream, 40th b-day to myself.

******

So, Besides the obvious maintenance...I'm doing oil, trans, FD, new spark plugs, new tires. Already done brake fluid, and clutch fluid(thanks to the shot slave)

Any other maintenance or tweaking I should add to the repertoire? Also, besides the toolkit, any special tools you suggest bringing along?

any gear suggestions? I'm open to anything.....I got a cruise control for Xmas

thanks folks, I'm pretty excited. Iv'e never been more than a days ride from home....and only ever on Japanese bikes.

[peels]

thanks Macraith!

Iv'e driven HWY1 from SLO to Monterey at least 10 times. In rental vans though LOL I ALWAYS force my family to take that route. It's a shame NOT to. Your other choice is the 5 UGH! you think Iowa is flat? Although...you CAN do 100mph for 5 hrs straight and be constantly passed. lol My brother in law, last time we visited in 2010 was enthralled with the gas prices at the gas station halfway down hwy 1(just shy of 9 dollars), but the family, all of us with small kids, weren't thrilled with the "unendingness" of the road. I'm just cruising along...staring out the windows. that's the way I am though. the drive/ride is an important part of the vacation.

I'm from San Jose originally...and My mom's family, is from central coast area. its my favorite place to visit down there.. family in: SLO, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Morro Bay(best place to grab a cup of coffee and stare blankly at the ocean), Templeton, Paso Robles.

Anyways...Iv'e long daydreamed of riding it on bike, and a BMW boxer to boot. This is a lifetime trip for me, guys.

Ive heard of the Ventana, never been though! Partial to Madonna Inn. and its pink decor in the dining room. But mostly...the rocks that you pee on. Finally got to take my wife there, in all its gaudiness....

There is place along the road between Pismo, Avila, Oceano...forgot the name "halcyon rd" maybe... there's a SMALL eucalyptus grove at the bottom of a hill. I get near that and catch the smell on the breeze, and Im 8 years old again, if only for a moment.

whoa. sorry. didn't mean to get so blatantly nostalgic....it happens.

[maccraith]

Ha! Ha! So I was preaching to the choir. Sorry, but hey. They are great stories to share. And since you are so familiar and it is so full of memories, it will be just that much more incredible. Have a great time!

thanks Macraith!

Iv'e driven HWY1 from SLO to Monterey at least 10 times. In rental vans though LOL I ALWAYS force my family to take that route. It's a shame NOT to. Your other choice is the 5 UGH! you think Iowa is flat? Although...you CAN do 100mph for 5 hrs straight and be constantly passed. lol My brother in law, last time we visited in 2010 was enthralled with the gas prices at the gas station halfway down hwy 1(just shy of 9 dollars), but the family, all of us with small kids, weren't thrilled with the "unendingness" of the road. I'm just cruising along...staring out the windows. that's the way I am though. the drive/ride is an important part of the vacation.

I'm from San Jose originally...and My mom's family, is from central coast area. its my favorite place to visit down there.. family in: SLO, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Morro Bay(best place to grab a cup of coffee and stare blankly at the ocean), Templeton, Paso Robles.

Anyways...Iv'e long daydreamed of riding it on bike, and a BMW boxer to boot. This is a lifetime trip for me, guys.

Ive heard of the Ventana, never been though! Partial to Madonna Inn. and its pink decor in the dining room. But mostly...the rocks that you pee on. Finally got to take my wife there, in all its gaudiness....

There is place along the road between Pismo, Avila, Oceano...forgot the name "halcyon rd" maybe... there's a SMALL eucalyptus grove at the bottom of a hill. I get near that and catch the smell on the breeze, and Im 8 years old again, if only for a moment.

whoa. sorry. didn't mean to get so blatantly nostalgic....it happens.

[peels]

gonna be a good time for sure.

little funny one for my fellow air/oilheaders.... was researching trans and FD oil... came across a post on MOA about which gear oil smooths out the gears, and had to quote:

loud downshifts save lives.

also:

DO you want the the "japanese snick", or the "bavarian clank"

thought I was at a donut shop for a sec....

anyhoo, I was planning on 75/90 jurassic park oil all around. I'm not convinced on synth(not that its bad), unless you really beat up your bike, then it lasts longer. Is that debate settled yet? Im talking any machine here, not just beemers.

[Riverside]

Go for it Peels. You will never regret doing it. I rode from Central PA to Escondido, CA last May. I took two weeks to do the trip. Stayed in motels every night except when staying with friends along the way in Indiana and Arizona. It was a great adventure. Wind in Texas and Oklahoma and snow in New Mexico. A lot of stories and pics. I've crossed the country numerous times in the air but never on the ground... much less on two wheels. I wanted to make it a quest to see something other than the main roads. I did just that. Somewhere in Illinois I picked up old rte 66. Veered off it long enough for a visit to Branson MO to see the worlds largest ball of plastic twine and down into Arkansas to reconnect with 66. Swung by the Grand Canyon for a visit and twelve hours in the saddle home to Escondido where my wife was waiting for me. We had move there. Weekends we get out and ride and gotta tell you that historic 101 headed north is not what it used to be. nearly all stop and go and lights between San Diego and LA. A 20 mile stretch from Oceanside to San Clemente is blocked by about 4000 Marines so 5 is the only choice. Then back to bumper to bumper at least to Laguna Beach. Haven't yet tried any further north. Recommend finding a way north on the inland routes like 79 and head west later. Enjoy the trip.

[Boxer]

I've done this several times from here in Georgia to the west coast. Up the PCH to Oregon in 2010. Beautiful ride!
If you are not a member, I would join the BMW MOA and take along a copy of their Anonymous book. If those folks are home, they will come help when/if you get into trouble. Also, another good internet group to belong to is the Motorcycle Travel Network. Check it out. It is nice to have fellow riders to check in with along the way.

A good credit card also is nice to carry along. Ditto on the mini air compressor and some type of tire plugging tools. And take lots of pictures for later on. The memories are priceless.

[peels]

right on boxer, iv'e got my anonymous book.

Riverside.

any time on the 101 is to get from one cool road to another

we have 3 goals:

-my friend, wants "four corners" under his belt. hes done both east coasts.... I'm guessing next year will be oregon/washington.
-me, since were in CA, I HAVE to stop by Pismo and ride hwy 1 north from there.
-since were coming out north, i'm a "stones throw" repsectively from some family friends, who live in Sonora. And that area is GORGEOUS also. Plus, Lost her husband(my dad's best friend, -my middle name sake) in a CanAm spyder accident this last year. so I'd really like to see them. if even briefly.

the road i'm speaking of is CA hwy 1. from cambria north to monterey. not 101.

its fantastic! even in a Chevy astro. LOL

[swamper]

Good luck on your trip. I'd forget about the camping and look into KOA cabin camping. They are cheap and all you need is a sleeping bag. Saves a lot time and room on the bike not having to pack camping gear on a long trip. The last long trip I took on my R 1150 R I got a front flat, actually rode on it 35 miles before figuring it out. I had a BMW repair kit which worked however it was old and the plugs had dry rotted.