2000 mile trip, REALLY need help.

[ColumbiaBMW]

Hey everyone, some of you may remember I'm going on a long trip to Colorado on August 7th, and returning to Missouri on August 11th. There was some discussion on whether or not I should do the entire 750 miles in one trip, rest assured everyone I have changed my mind and WILL stay overnight in Kansas at a hotel before making the rest of the trip to Boulder. Here are my questions though:

1) I never did buy a windshield because I was planning on taking this trip later in August, but it turns out the weekend I'm going is the only one I have available this summer due to my wedding coming up Aug 23rd. Are there any places anyone knows of that I could buy a windshield before next Thursday (Aug 7th)? I can't wait on shipping now.

2) My bike sat outside for 3 days because we were moving, and when I started it this morning a HUGE cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust. I think it is just because I took the muffler off a while ago and never have got around to putting an extension on the little stub because it was always garaged anyway. It has been raining this week though so is the smoke due to all the water in the cat converter?

3) Can someone send me either a link or private message with detailed instructions on how to plug a flat? I have AAA though, so hopefully I won't have to worry about this.

4) What should I DEFINETELY carry with me? Water, phone, rain gear, and.....????

I plan on taking lots of pictures and doing my best report on this trip, wish me lots of luck on this trip though as my transmission has been acting funny and making noises (although the BMW mechanic says they are normal). Thanks for any advice.

[rdsmith3]

Regarding #3, make sure that AAA covers a motorcycle. I don't think they do.

[ColumbiaBMW]

Regarding #3, make sure that AAA covers a motorcycle. I don't think they do.

They do, you just have to make sure you have RV coverage which is a little extra a year.

[Boxer]

They do, you just have to make sure you have RV coverage which is a little extra a year.

Right! But I don't think they'll come fix a flat on the bike...and that's pretty easy to do with a plug kit and a small compressor or several of those little gas bottles that come with the bike. Go to Wal-Mart and get one of those kits with the rubber worm things and the plugging tool. That will get you by. You can also pick up a small 12 volt air compressor there and tear off the plastic cover. It reduces down to the minimal necessary size for packing. It'll plug right into your accessory outlet if you have one of those adapters from Cyclegdgets. If not, in an emergency just snip the wire and tie one naked piece to the hot connection on the starter and the other you can ground on the bike close by. It doesn't matter which one goes where.

[mcollect]

Of course Boxer was mostly right. Get a plugging kit and a small cheap compressor, BUT those CO2 bottles are not enough to fill your tire, the compressor is a must. Also you should have a pair of cutters to remove the excess plug. Try to contact Bob's BMW they might be able to get you the windshield overnight, thier parts folks are very helpful.

[wncbmw]

There is a sport shield for sale with some other stuff in the Buy/sell now. You should be able to get it to you before you leave.

[sweatmark]

First, you can do it. And it's smart to include an overnight during that 750 mile leg. We find that a 300 mile day is easy during nice weather. 400 miles is just another pit stop, but somehow the result feels a lot longer, depending again on weather; we rode two consecutive 400 mile days in 100+ degF, and dealt with moto-hang-over after arrival.

Are you riding out I-70? I hate that road. Personally, I wouldn't do it without satellite radio or a good audio book on the iPod.

Unless you know for certain that you're facing a couple days' of strong headwind, then both Mrs. Sweatmark and I strongly advise leaving the R1150R windshieldless. It's a personal choice thing, but our experience has shown that it's less fatiguing to have your entire helmet* in smooth air than to battle windhield-induced turbulence that drives you crazy after a few hours. Our Roadster and Rockster will always stay naked as the day they were born.

Drop by your local motorcycle store (even a Harley shop will do) and get a tire plugger kit as already mentioned. The little electric air pumps are a good idea, but you can also get a motorcycle tire inflated (eventually) with a bicycle pump: smaller types easily fit in luggage, and you get a nice little arm workout. Don't forget to bring a good tire air gauge, and check your tires each day before heading out: look for shrapnel and unusual wear while slowly spinning each wheel (thank Goodness for the centerstand), then check air pressure.

Get a handy travel pack of Windex wipes for your visor, headlight, whatever.

Bring a spare headlight bulb and practice changing it once. You can get where you need to go without any other bulbs.

Bring cell phone, consider your roaming plan and/or cell phone reception if traveling way off the beaten path; a small flashlight; sunscreen for your face + lipbaum; your wallet; spare key to your bike stashed away somepace safe; camera if there's not one built into your cell phone; strong peppermint gum if you're an obnoxious gum-chewer like me.

Everything else seems to fit in one of two categories: generic stuff you can buy most anywhere; and bike-specific parts you'll only find at a BMW dealer (if they stock 'em). Buying bottled water is handy, even if you have philosophical issues with the purchase of something "free"... it's a simple pleasure on the road, like finding that extra pair of clean socks stuffed in the bottom of your bag when all the others are dirty.

And Enjoy. Don't Fret.

Go get 'em!

* Notes * A couple years ago, I learned 3 road trip tips the hard way when I flew down to Pheonix to buy Mrs. Sweatmark's first Roadster and ride it back home to Oregon:

(1) Bring a comfortable & quiet helmet. Packing for my plane trip, I grabbed a new helmet that I'd not yet worn... turned out to be a torture device -throbbing headaches- after a few hours' riding. I vowed thereafter to only use well-known gear for any distance ride.

(2) No windshields! My windshield rant comes from that same trip, since the R1100R Roadster I'd bought was equipped with the BMW windshield (which is a quality piece, BTW). For me, the windshield's turbulence hit square in my face, and contributed to the Helmet Hell I was experiencing. I stopped at Wal-Mart or K-Mart or Some-mart and bought a couple bungie hook things that i stretched across the windshield to restructure the turbulence forces, and got some relief.

(3) "You bet your ass!" That was the slogan written across the bottom of the Airhawk cushion's box that I'd thankfully bought for the trip. Long hours in the saddle? I don't care how comfy anyone's custom-formed-velvet-covered-seat-with gel-inset-magic-fingers-vibro-massage might be... sometimes you just gotta get out the Airhawk for butt salvation.

<edit> I should add that despite the Helmet Hell and in-your-face-turbulence, I rode my first Saddle-Sore 1k mile Iron Butt on that bike (1000 miles in moderate 19 hours)... would not have been possible without the Airhawk.

[wncbmw]

I would agree with sweatmark that a windshield is over rated, especially in summer. I have a sport shield that was supposed to be my winter windshield but I have not put in on in 2 years, leaving the flyscreen on. And I did a 300 mile roundtrip for breakfast last weekend sans even the flyscreen. Just naked. It was fine.

A clean air flow on a naked bike is less tiring to me than the blast from a windshield at the wrong height. And if I want completely wind free, I will buy an RT!

[Just-Beeming]

Not to hijack: but I want to add my two cents about audio book for ipod....

I just listened to The Art of Racing in the Rain on my most recent 600 mile day on i-90 to Gillette. It is a captivating story that is well narrated. It distracted my brain from thinking about my butt. (on my f650)
I highly recommend it. Great analogies to racing/riding.

Ok back to trip advice.....

[pinecone]

Don't worry about the smoke, they all do that. I think you have the necessities covered, I would definitely bring a compressor. For luxury items, a fresh pair of gloves is just as nice as a fresh pair of socks if your hands get sweaty. Also, if you're listening to audio make sure you have some good earplug-type earbuds (love my Etymotic ER-6i). If no audio, earplugs are a must to combat fatigue.

You all have me tempted to remove my windshield. It's great in cold weather, but the buffeting really is annoying on a longer ride.

[Monarksy]

I ride 660 miles in a day from Ohio to Ottawa. I've done it several times now and have learned not to go too far till the first break. It doesn't have to be a long one, just get off your butt. Also stand up on the pegs at lower speeds or faster speeds if you are comfortable doing so. I think the butt takes all the abuse. Take one of those kick-stand rest so your fine ride doesn't keel over in the baking asphalt parking lot! Relax and enjoy.

[toolinalong]

Dude,

You need to stop fretting and start riding. It will all become very clear very quickly.

Get your shocks dialed in for your weight. Windshield is a personal preference, the wrong one does suck.

Necessaries: fuses, tire pressure gauge, tire repair kit, rain gear, good helmet, good seat, ear plugs and/or tunes. credit/debit card with enough room on it to do the deed.

check tires every morning when cold. check the oil every 500 or so miles.

Have a blast. WO HOO. Unbelievable fun awaits you.

signed,

Joe

[Ukemi]

I wonder about the audio book. I personally love to listen to audio books on road trips. But I can never hear my book while riding. Are my ears just bad or what? How do other people listen to it?

[ColumbiaBMW]

Dude,

You need to stop fretting and start riding. It will all become very clear very quickly.

I do ride, quite a bit, everyday to work and I usually do a good size trip on the weekends. I've been riding for 9 years now, since I was 16, but I just haven't taken a trip quite this long before, and the bike has already been in the shop three times since I bought it last year, stranding me once on the road 100 miles away from home. So maybe you can understand why I am "fretting" a little bit before taking a 2000 mile round trip ride a week and a half before my wedding.

Thanks everyone for all of the advice, I really like the electric air pump idea, windex wipes, and audio book. Those are things I never would have thought of, I just figured the little Co2 cartridges that I got from the guy that sold me the bike would be enough to fill the tire, but an electric pump would work way better. Also, I think I will go without a windshield, it's been extremely hot in Colorado this last week so I'll want all the wind blast I can get in that kind of heat.

[Just-Beeming]

I wonder about the audio book. I personally love to listen to audio books on road trips. But I can never hear my book while riding. Are my ears just bad or what? How do other people listen to it?

I have custom ear plugs that go directly to ipod.(Ear Inc... ads in ON magazine as well as other publications) It is the greatest thing since chicken soup

The first time I rode with music it was pure bliss. Last month on a 600 mile day I needed the diversion of an audio book to keep my mind off my smarting backside.

JB