Road Rookie
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 106
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From: Madison Wi.
Road Rookie
I just got my bike about a month ago and I'm thinking of going from Wisconsin to Virginia Beach to visit some military buddies. This will be my first road trip on a bike. Any suggestions/Things to think about for the road rookie?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
Read the other posts in the "Road Trips" section titled, "What I should've left behind" and "What I wish I'd brought." There's a lot of good tips in those two posts.
(1) Don't overpack your bike.
(2) Take your time and have fun.
(3) If there's financial worries, camping is a great alternative to hotels. Most State Parks have campgrounds that are anywhere from free to $15 a night. Much less than a typical hotel room.
(1) Don't overpack your bike.
(2) Take your time and have fun.
(3) If there's financial worries, camping is a great alternative to hotels. Most State Parks have campgrounds that are anywhere from free to $15 a night. Much less than a typical hotel room.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
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If your going that way pass through York, PA and tour the Harley Assembly Palnt there. Five of us rode down from Maine in June of 07 and really enjoyed the tour.
Maybe set yourself up with an EZ Pass or the like if your going to spend much time on toll roads. Saves some aggravation digging for toll money.
I agree. Don't overpack. Less is more. Make sure you give the bike a good going over before departure. Tire pressure, oil change, etc.
This year we'll be headed your way into Milwaukee to visit the Harley Museum then up and back through Canada ending up at Laconia Bike Week in New Hampshire to wind down for a few days there. Any suggestions for traveling in your area?
Maybe set yourself up with an EZ Pass or the like if your going to spend much time on toll roads. Saves some aggravation digging for toll money.
I agree. Don't overpack. Less is more. Make sure you give the bike a good going over before departure. Tire pressure, oil change, etc.
This year we'll be headed your way into Milwaukee to visit the Harley Museum then up and back through Canada ending up at Laconia Bike Week in New Hampshire to wind down for a few days there. Any suggestions for traveling in your area?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 106
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From: Madison Wi.
Milwaukee
Yeah, make sure you take the time to visit the Miller brewery and do the tour. It's really interesting and you get free beer at the end. What could be better than that. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it's all totally free!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,217
From: In your head rent free
Get the HOG touring map book, it shows the locations and phone #'s of all the dealers along the way. Just in case something goes wrong.
Carry a credit card.
Remember, it's about the ride, not the destination. If it was about the final stop you could take a plane. Enjoy.
Carry a credit card.
Remember, it's about the ride, not the destination. If it was about the final stop you could take a plane. Enjoy.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 180
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From: Oregon City, OR
otherwise, yeah jsut what the otherguys already said
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 2
From: USA
You will get your maximum mileage on the first day- plan accordingly. Mileage per day goes down hill after day 1.
Take a water bottle and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK at every fuel stop. You will dehydrate fast while riding. LS shirt reduces dehydration rate through bare skin.
Chances are that it is gonna rain- take a rain suit.
Take an extra pair of goggles/ riding glasses.
Take an extra MC key.
Take sunscreen and use it- especially on your nose. Take lip balm with sun screen and use it.
Take eye drops in case grass, dust, dirt, road salt, bugs or other road $hit gets in your eyes.
Take minimal clothes- you wont wear them. Load up on socks instead.
Join HOG so you get a minimal amount of towing to the dealer if you break.
Carry your Insurance and registration in an easy to find place if your not weaering a genuine DOT helmet- you will get stopped. To avoid a helmet ticket, you will have to go and buy a DOT helmet.
Take your leather jacket if you have room. If weather turns freaky and you dont have it, you will be sorry. Roll it up and strap it on if you have to. In lieu of jacket, wear your rain suit.
Wear black pants so the bugs and road grime don't show so bad. On a trip that long, dont wear your favorite shirt- It'll get grimy with road and bugs and s**t.
Eat well, sleep well, ride safe.
From experence,
KB
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