It has been a dream to cross the country via motorcycle. I'll be going from NC to CA and possibly back. Advice from experienced long haulers appreciated.

 

I just returned from a Chicago/Canada trip and the best advice I can give is to setup your bike to be as comfortable for you as possible, to only ride as many miles a day as you feel comfortable with and to get the best possible motorcycle-specific luggage you can afford. Lastly, enjoy yourself and take your time.

 

Take every 4th or 5th day off.

See sights, don't just grind.

There is a Wal-Mart every 50 miles, don't overpack.

 

What's the longest ride you've been on so far?

 

I've done all-day rides, but that's it. That said, I don't expect to 'grind' this. My job is done on-line, so I'll work during the day, and then ride 2-4 hours to the next stop.

 

It will be easier than you think. Prepare for weather changes. I always take a leather jacket, chaps and rain gear although I met a rider in Canada who refused to wear rain gear and he was in a great mood after riding most of the day in the rain.

Drink lots of water and use sunscreen. Enjoy the adventure.

 

2-4 hours per day will be easy, it will just take you a long time to get cross country. Sounds like that's not an issue for you. Enjoy!

 

Did the NC to CA trip along I-40 a couple of years ago. the sign on 40 coming out of Wilmington with the to Barstow mileage mocked me, so I did it. I took 15 days there and back. Someone mentioned Walmarts. I bought one of those Atlases that had the Walmarts marked. Good inexpensive lunch stop and bathroom break along with gas stations and rest stops. Did do some detours down in NM and AZ, also worked in the Hoover Dam and Vegas. Check out the hotel flyers at rest stops--decent coupons usually. Don't overpack, some clean drawers and socks are good, shirts and pant air out well at 80, plus a lot of the hotels have washers and dryers. I budgeted $175 @ day and stayed within that.Also someone mentioned it already-water, water, then copius amounts of beer at night. Enjoy the ride, it's awesome.

 

Did it last July during the heatwave. Bring plenty of sunscreen and aloe. You'll be riding right into it. Stay hydrated, stop and stretch the legs every so often, and above all, have a good time.

 

I have done 49 States and much of Canada so far. I keep it simple. Stop after about 2 hours. Walk around and hydrate.

Full face helment, armored mesh jacket (even in Death Valley)and gloves. Rain gear optional. Wet does not hurt anything. Sometimes motel, sometimes camp. As the years went by, I carried less and less.

Sometimes $1 menu at McDonald's. Sometimes a $35 steak at the Big Texan.