First Overnight Run?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,557
Likes: 1,847
From: Albuquerque, NM
When I was a teenager I rode dirt bikes. I gave that up for a few years, and then bought myself a 650 when I was in my early 20's. Three weeks later I took a 900 mile round trip to visit an old friend.
No big deal, just do it.
No big deal, just do it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,784
Likes: 57
From: In The Corn, Illinois
The interstate is boring and sucks the fun out of the ride. Go for the 2 lane route instead. There are always really good Mom & Pop places to eat along the road side.
Always take rain gear, if I get more than 50 miles from home I get rained on. If you do get rained on, stuff your boots with newspaper and change every few hours at the hotel, it'll help dry them out.
I agree with the advice of take hot and cold weather gear, you never know what you're going to need.
Take paper maps, GPS is not that reliable.
When staying in a hotel, ask the desk clerk if you can park your bike under the edge of the canopy. They'll be able to keep an eye on it for you. Don't forget to lock your forks and ignition. If you've got a bike cover, it doesn't hurt to cover it up. I always take my saddle bags off and haul them to the room on the luggage cart because people these days will steal anything.
Don't forget to take a small bottle of some sort of instant detail to clean the bugs off your windshield.
Always take rain gear, if I get more than 50 miles from home I get rained on. If you do get rained on, stuff your boots with newspaper and change every few hours at the hotel, it'll help dry them out.
I agree with the advice of take hot and cold weather gear, you never know what you're going to need.
Take paper maps, GPS is not that reliable.
When staying in a hotel, ask the desk clerk if you can park your bike under the edge of the canopy. They'll be able to keep an eye on it for you. Don't forget to lock your forks and ignition. If you've got a bike cover, it doesn't hurt to cover it up. I always take my saddle bags off and haul them to the room on the luggage cart because people these days will steal anything.
Don't forget to take a small bottle of some sort of instant detail to clean the bugs off your windshield.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Surrey, BC
After a 20+ year hiatus I got my bike license at age 40. Went on my first overnight ride after 2 months. Before that, probably 150 miles.
Things I've learned:
Unless you're 100% sure of the weather (which is never) warm gloves, chaps, hoodie & rain gear. Besides the obvious toothbrush, fresh shirt/sox/undies, also shorts you can go in a hot tub with and flip flops 'cuz ya just never know.
Most hotels will let you park under the canopy and keep an eye on your bike for you.
If you can avoid the Interstate, do it.
"Let's go That-a-way" can be tons of fun. It's not a race. Enjoy the journey.
Stop before Happy Hour. Enjoy the sunset.
Try not to overthink/overplan/overpack. Roll with it.
If you break down, it's all part of the adventure.
In a group, never be the last one ready to go in the morning.
P at every stop.
Sorry if I repeated any other advice. Just go. Check your oil and tire pressure before you go. If you forget something, buy another.
Things I've learned:
Unless you're 100% sure of the weather (which is never) warm gloves, chaps, hoodie & rain gear. Besides the obvious toothbrush, fresh shirt/sox/undies, also shorts you can go in a hot tub with and flip flops 'cuz ya just never know.
Most hotels will let you park under the canopy and keep an eye on your bike for you.
If you can avoid the Interstate, do it.
"Let's go That-a-way" can be tons of fun. It's not a race. Enjoy the journey.
Stop before Happy Hour. Enjoy the sunset.
Try not to overthink/overplan/overpack. Roll with it.
If you break down, it's all part of the adventure.
In a group, never be the last one ready to go in the morning.
P at every stop.
Sorry if I repeated any other advice. Just go. Check your oil and tire pressure before you go. If you forget something, buy another.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
if ya don't know how to rough it, wtf ya on the road?
You need to read up on road trips and ***** being on the road for 6 months.
What do you need? One of two things: a CC for the motel/diner or a good sense of how to survive.
You need to read up on road trips and ***** being on the road for 6 months.
What do you need? One of two things: a CC for the motel/diner or a good sense of how to survive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,543
Likes: 57,089
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Take the scenic route , stay off interstates, lots of butt breaks and enjoy the country side . For a newbie 250 to 350 miles days on the first road trip are a nice break in period. Your gonna learn as only you can say how you can handle it or want to till you get out and do it.
My youngest brother hadn't been riding 2 weeks on the street when we lit out to Sturgis then to Colorado, was 2200 miles round trip with him solo putting another 1100 on within 4 days heading back to the east coast. You'll deal ok.
My youngest brother hadn't been riding 2 weeks on the street when we lit out to Sturgis then to Colorado, was 2200 miles round trip with him solo putting another 1100 on within 4 days heading back to the east coast. You'll deal ok.
This is good advice ... Don't let all the "tough guys" intimidate you. The idea is to enjoy the ride, not make it a contest.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Don't put too much thought into it. Piece of cake, relax and enjoy. Ride with a smile. Don't stress yourself out and defeat the purpose of a long ride. Enjoy and have fun. Ride until you get tired and stop for the night. Go 100 mile increments and stop for gas, bathroom, drink and stretch. Rain gear, full faced helmet or 3/4 helmet with face shield. In the rain, a wind screen alone wont stop the rain from blinding you. A 3/4 with a snap on face shield works fine. Full face is best for the highway. Nice and quiet with ear plugs and will help with muscle fatigue. It's always good to have multiple footing positions. Highway crash bars are great to stretch your legs. Make sure you have boot straps to keep your jeans from getting blown up by the wind. Bring a few packs of condoms, cause..........ya' never know 
One good piece of precautionary advice.......try to ride with another person. Even a minor problem can be devastating with no one else there to ride to the next gas station to pick something up. It'll also help keep your mind alert on longer rides. Having someone to communicate with while riding.
One good piece of precautionary advice.......try to ride with another person. Even a minor problem can be devastating with no one else there to ride to the next gas station to pick something up. It'll also help keep your mind alert on longer rides. Having someone to communicate with while riding.
Last edited by Thumper09; Jun 10, 2015 at 02:48 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 231
From: Kentucky, USA
As long as you are not holding anyone else up take your time to smell the roses as you enjoy your ride. No need to be in a hurry.
There are some really great people here and have plenty of good advise to give.
There also are some dikwads here that live just to bust someone's ***** because I think their ol has theirs in her purse.
It won't take you long to figure out who's who since you have had a sampling both just on this short thread.
You know what you need on your trip if you give it some thought so pack accordingly.
Just remember to be safe and enjoy.
After all, that's what it's all about.
There are some really great people here and have plenty of good advise to give.
There also are some dikwads here that live just to bust someone's ***** because I think their ol has theirs in her purse.
It won't take you long to figure out who's who since you have had a sampling both just on this short thread.
You know what you need on your trip if you give it some thought so pack accordingly.
Just remember to be safe and enjoy.
After all, that's what it's all about.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 189
From: Louisiana
Really not much I can add to the good advice already given.
For me, interstates are the pits. Nothing wears me out like droning down the super slab. I always prefer blue roads. Enjoy the trip. Get rained on. Make some wonderful memories. That's what it's all about.
For me, interstates are the pits. Nothing wears me out like droning down the super slab. I always prefer blue roads. Enjoy the trip. Get rained on. Make some wonderful memories. That's what it's all about.