Need advice for a long trip
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl.
Great ideas above. Using a large bag on the back seat as back support is a good idea. I believe there are things you can buy for your right hand to help with the throttle fatigue. I put a cup holder on my bike. Anywhere I eat I get a to go cup and sip along the way to keep hydrated. One thing not listed on here yet is comfortable clothing. Underarmor was and it is a good idea. I mentioned clothing because on the first day of a long trip I took I put on a comfortable pair of looser fitting pants. They had the straight leg boot fit. What a mistake. I got on the highway and the pant legs just flapped uncontrollably. I would put my feet on the highway pegs and they caught air in them and I looked like Mc Hammer spread eagle. Also, I have a jacket that I bought just for long trips. It is mesh and has two liners. I can ride in any weather with the set up.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
leave early,take a good break at 350 or 400 miles( 45 min. to an hour) we often do 400 miles on a sunday and don,t go anywhere! one time we ended up in the same town 3 different times in the same day. also I take offense at calling a wide glide not being cushy! easiest bike i've ever had to make miles on.lol
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
leave early,take a good break at 350 or 400 miles( 45 min. to an hour) we often do 400 miles on a sunday and don,t go anywhere! one time we ended up in the same town 3 different times in the same day. also I take offense at calling a wide glide not being cushy! easiest bike i've ever had to make miles on.lol
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 90
From: People's Republik of Kalifornia
I have been on several longer trips, and your first day will not be 10 hours, more like 12. You will be fairly beat up.
My experience is that anything more than 300 miles is a lot and will prevent you from enjoying the trip and seeing things along the way.
If you are going to AZ and surround, be sure to hydrate at each gas stop. You need water just as much as your MC needs gas. The time necessary for this is one of the reasons that its not just a 10 hour trip.
My experience is that anything more than 300 miles is a lot and will prevent you from enjoying the trip and seeing things along the way.
If you are going to AZ and surround, be sure to hydrate at each gas stop. You need water just as much as your MC needs gas. The time necessary for this is one of the reasons that its not just a 10 hour trip.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
As for it being more like a 12 hour trip, I hate to admit it, but your probably right. I know I will be beat down after a 12 hour ride, so thats why the next day is only about a 6 hour trip. Thanks for the advice!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
LOL! I love my wide glide, however, whenever I ride over 100 miles w/o stopping, I get the worst pain ever in my right ankle. Went and talked some guys at the shop to see what we could do about moving me up. They sold me some peg extenders from Kurayken. Apparently the problem is the my legs are just a little to short for the bike (I'm 5'7") and on the right side, I'm having to bend my ankle at a weird angle to get around the air cleaner. We are about to have that all fixed when my new seat from c&c seats gets here. Gonna move me about 2.5 inches closer, think that'll fix my issue.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Yellowknife,NT
Get moving early and stop for breakfast.Time your ride going through large centers to miss rush hour traffic.Take a walk around and hydrate at gas stops.Sunscreen,lip balm,ear plugs and good sunglasses.Staying Hydrated is not easy but a must.I love my sheepskin!!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Oklahoma
I've done two road trips on my Deuce I owned. Both were around 2800-2900 miles total. The Deuce had a Sundowner seat, but was lowered in the rear (less suspension aka "ride", thus more fatiguing). Plus, I had no windshield. Your Wide Glides should be easier on you than the Deuce.
550 miles will be "do-able", but you will feel it at the end of the day. (I did 670 miles one day on the Deuce... really felt that one.) Once settled in at your first motel, it will feel GREAT when you shower... and I advise hitting the sack early and get a great night's rest. You'll feel much better the next day. Good thinking on "front loading" the trip (i.e. biggest chunk at first). That's what I do.
Can't emphasize a back rest and hwy pegs enough. Strap one of your bags on the passenger pillion for use as a back rest. Use LOTS of sunscreen. (You'll still be doing the "raccoon thing" around your eyes before week's end!)
Screw the traditional biker "image": Wear WHITE riding jerseys. Long sleeve will help keep your arms from wind chaffing and sun burnt. (Lots of sun screen if you're doing short sleeves.) Keep your top covered in WHITE t-shirts/etc. It will be MUCH cooler on you. You can always break out the black stuff once done for the day and off to find a place to eat supper.
Mark off the first day as a "transport section" and simply keep the miles rolling, taking breaks as needed for hydration/etc. Goal for the day is to put miles under your wheels as comfortably as you can. Think in terms of your next (300 mile) day is where the exploration and new experiences are going to really begin. The pace will be slower, and it will be more enjoyable.
You're going to have a ball. I have found that when riding my bike on a road trip, the adventure begins as soon as you pull out of the driveway.
550 miles will be "do-able", but you will feel it at the end of the day. (I did 670 miles one day on the Deuce... really felt that one.) Once settled in at your first motel, it will feel GREAT when you shower... and I advise hitting the sack early and get a great night's rest. You'll feel much better the next day. Good thinking on "front loading" the trip (i.e. biggest chunk at first). That's what I do.
Can't emphasize a back rest and hwy pegs enough. Strap one of your bags on the passenger pillion for use as a back rest. Use LOTS of sunscreen. (You'll still be doing the "raccoon thing" around your eyes before week's end!)
Screw the traditional biker "image": Wear WHITE riding jerseys. Long sleeve will help keep your arms from wind chaffing and sun burnt. (Lots of sun screen if you're doing short sleeves.) Keep your top covered in WHITE t-shirts/etc. It will be MUCH cooler on you. You can always break out the black stuff once done for the day and off to find a place to eat supper.
Mark off the first day as a "transport section" and simply keep the miles rolling, taking breaks as needed for hydration/etc. Goal for the day is to put miles under your wheels as comfortably as you can. Think in terms of your next (300 mile) day is where the exploration and new experiences are going to really begin. The pace will be slower, and it will be more enjoyable.
You're going to have a ball. I have found that when riding my bike on a road trip, the adventure begins as soon as you pull out of the driveway.