The trip I mentioned in a few other threads is three weeks out. Briefly, it's a 3600 mile trip from SW Wisconsin to Vegas and back. The plan is to make it to Deadwood for the first night. We are staying in hotels. The purpose of this post is just to see what I might be forgetting, since I still have time to order things or do things, but not a lot.

My '00 Night Train isn't looking the same any more. It now has saddle bags (with Ghost Brackets for easy removal), a Kuryakyn Gran Tour trunk bag, a very comfortable seat (Harley Signature Edition), a bigger back rest, and a set of bars with more lay back. Everything but the bars is easy to undo and those just take an hour. I just couldn't see putting in long day after day on the bike leaning over to the factory drag bars. I think a set of Carlini drag bars may be in the bike's future, but for now, I just used the Harley kit designed to give a 'Train more pullback. It works with the stock lines and cables.

I have rain gear. I have a helmet for Nevada. I have a good jacket and boots. I have sunglasses and sun screen. For other clothes, I'm going to pack one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts (for while we are in Vegas), a pair of running shoes, and a few shirts. We plan on laundering a little, but will probably be buying some shirts on the trip too. Undergarmets will likely get tossed and we'll hit a Walmart somewhere.

I have an appointment in a week to get the primary and transmission oils changed and have the bike gone over. I'm changing the engine oil (using HD synthetic considering the potential temps out there) about a week before the trip. I have an extra set of plugs. I have AAA. We have a tool kit with all the basics. We have a HOG book with maps and dealerships.

I have ear plugs. My MP3 player still needs to get loaded with more music, but it will be ready. I have a good, small digital camera. The 2 way radio experiment (there's a thread on that somewhere too) sort of turned out to be a bust, but we might experiment a little more. Basically the problem is finding a good microphone that works with noise cancelling ear phones. If that fails, the MP3 player and hand signals will have to do.

We still need to make reservations for a hotel in Deadwood for the first night. We want something in town so we can park the bikes and still see a few things. Any suggestions? After Deadwood, I think we are either going to just look for signs or have someone at home book us something each day when we have an idea of where we are stopping.

So, what am I forgetting?

 

Make sure you have good insurance, roadside assistance, cell phone, extra food and water in case of emergency.

I would also have a back up plan if you can't make it to your planned hotel.

 

Advil. For those hangovers, soar bodies, headaches ect.ect. Have a great trip and Ride Safe.

Malac

 

Trip List. Saw this from one of the other members...Ride safe, have fun!!



http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html

 

I would consider at least one more pair of jeans as a backup if the other one gets wet during a storm. Consider a pair of chaps as the mornings will be cool in places even in August. I don't know if you have tubeless tires or spokes, but take a tire repair kit and small compressor if you have tubeless ones. Sounds like a good trip, let us know how it works out.

 

Get a headlamp / emergency light. You can buy them at target, but I like how small this one from REI or any mountaineering / outdoors store should sell. Packs extremely small. I've got three...one for the car, one for the bike and one in the house.

http://www.rei.com/product/749039

 

I noticed you mentioned that you were having your fluids changed at a shop so I doubt you'll need to pack the tools to replace a drive belt but you might want to take enough along to tighten the things that will get loose.

Allen wrenches to fit your mirrors,etc.

A spare set of spark plugs and a simple wrench to replace them.

Ibuprofen to solve the issues you didn't know you had or a tooth ache that just showed up!!

A 12vlt cell phone charger and a recepticle to plug it into.....lots of "scenic routes" don't have a lot of signal and your cell will go into overdrive trying to get a signal and use up the battery at an alarming pace!!

I'm sure I can think of more but it's late.

Have a good trip. You'll learn a lot about yourself as it progresses.

That alone is priceless!!

 

I can't believe I forgot a light!!

I always carry a Streamlight stylus pro but a headlight would work!

 

Don't forget your Huevos. Ya may need them.

 

This is what I do, for the ride I take old shirts and throw them away when dirty. No need in cleaning them. Seems I always buy new anyway for the ride home. saves on space which is always limited. Have a great ride.