bout tourin and what i like vs what i can do....first, i hate the weight of a loaded up full dresser....we shipped our leather home by the 2nd day an that made it better....i have some really nice rain gear that does keep us warm and we can pack a few more clothes for layers easier than 35lbs of leather....next, pack the real heavy stuff low....toni got me those neat saddlebag luggage so one was hers and one for me, prob is we packed clothes and lite stuff in them which meant the heavy weight stuff went in the tour pac up high....big mistake as i dropped the damn bike the first day and still have quite a limp....reason is cause i fractured my outside legbone(forgot what the doc called it) and pulled the muscle along with the bruisin associated....these bikes loaded up are 1500lbs so put the weight low....then i learned with a loaded up bike parked in pea gravel that my *** aint got enuff to pick it up off the stand....now for me ridin alone, 400+ per day aint no prob...but with momma and other guys wifeys, thats also painful....no need for 3 pair of gloves neither....i took the helmets, only one returned .... i did have plenty of cash for once tho so's i dont owe anybody....best thing tho has to do with my tune....as yall know i run the DTT w WEGO II Autotune....lots of us do and we twiddle & tweak way too much...i turned my autoshit off ....now the bike runs like a scalded ape with no pops, no goofy startup stuff, & 40 mpg.....i loaded my best sea-level map and let er rip....up to 12k ft above with no pops or load up noticeable....GREAT...also i foundit payed off to have great tires and brakes ... we used the AirHawk System on my beloved Corbin and it really was a neat deal...momma didnt bit@h, my *** didnt get hot & i even helped out a friend who's air-ride pooped out....here'ssome other things most dont think about

fill up when everyone else does cause then you wont be the one to hold the group up when you run low

if your the passenger, dont wave people to pass, let your driver do that as he's hung out in the on-coming lane

spray on sunscreen is a must

spf chapstick too

bee sting sticks help and a pill bottle with antacids, advils, imodium, & whatever prescripts you may need

dont drop your bike, be careful cause its heavy and if you do..dont blame your wife in front of people cause then not only are you hurt, she's hurt, but now she's pissed and you look like an ***...also, dont ride behind paul

 

Sorry bout your bike, hope there's not too much damage.
Where's the pic's?

 

Bryan,

BBBWWWWAAAHHAHHHHH, Out of all of the things you learned on the ride, that one there IS THEE MOST IMPORTANT!!!

 

I hear ya Bryan. My wife and I just returned from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana and it was an effort to keep my balance at slow speeds sometimes. We ran across a scale on our return and wieghed in at 1375 on my 06 RKC. My mileage sucked bigtime whenever I had to hit the interstate. At one point I think I got around 27 mpg doing about 80 to 85mph but rebounded nicely when cruising at 40-55 mph. I think I found a little of your pea gravel as well, that $hit sucks.
Anyway I hope your bike wasn't too badly hurt and that you mend okay, and that you get back into her good graces.

Jeff

 

Bryan, Sorry to hear you dropped your bike. Hope you and the Mrs. are OK and recover soon.
I have dropped my 07 UC 3 times. You are right about being fully loaded when she start to go she goes.
The wife and I are getting ready to head for the Blue Ridge park way for a week. We went to Fla in December on our 1st trip.
Took way to much stuff. Had all bags and pack loaded and a expandable bag ontop of tour park. Way too much weight.

I am cutting down to two pairs of pants and 4 shirts. Will wash everything in a hotel when I need to. Still haven't decided about the leathers yet.
I know they are heavy but I think they are warmer than my rain suit and provide more protection. Need to keep everything low as you said.

 

The man speaks the truth!

I also just got back from 2 weeks on the road and learned a few more things:

1. Pack for 3 days max and use the hotel laundry. That's 2 pair of jeans (extra if it rains), 3 shirts/socks/skivvies. I also packed sneakers. swim suitand a pair of shorts for hanging around in.
2. Bring a long sleeve shirt and a leather jacket and you are set for most of the summer weather you will encounter. If it gets really cold, put your rainsuit over everything else.
3. If you like to buy stuff on the road, ship it home.
4. Toiletries, etc. need to be in small travel bottles.
5. Ibuprophen on the bike is a must. Tums, too.
6. Keep hydrated. We keep a bottle of water on the bike and kill it between gas stops.
7. The bike handles much differently loaded up. Especially when you are stopping on a hill or lateral decline. Careful, it's really easy to dump it.
8. I keep tools, full finger gloves, a knit hat, a long sleeved T-shirt, small rainsuit andjacket in the saddle bag. All the other stuff is in the T-bag since it's not needed untilwe are in the hotel. I also pack a thin waterproof cover from Exigent which folds up into a very small bundle. The bike tends to vanish when covered in the hotel lot, plus it helps protect it from a downpour or hail.
9. I second thenotion on the sunscreen and lip balm.
10. We pack our clothes in large, zip lock bags. Put them in, press out the air and seal them up. Saves space and no worries about them getting wet.
11. Put a can of Skoal in your windshield bag. You know what I'm talkin' 'bout! Mmmmmm......

 

Bryan, I hope your leg heals up soon and well. Make sure and get some rehab for it so it doesn't get stiff and become a permanent limp.
I get used to the extra weight pretty fast, but you do have to be careful at slow speeds. I pack the tools, leather, first aid kit and raingear in the saddlebags. The clothes go in the tourpak and the T-bag.Sunscreen, glasses, Aleve go in the tank bag. So the setup looks like this.

 

wow im surprised Toni didn't leave your ***** on the ground.... lol... glad all went well and I sent you an email about my parts shipment

 

I cut down on packed weight and bulk by going to a waterproof Bellstaff textile jacket and overpants. With the zip-out lining that compresses down in the bottom of the tourpak, I'm ready for hot, cold or wet conditions. Leather is fine for day trips or around town but I leave it at home when we're touring.

 

Sorry about your leg, hope you fully recover soon. Thanks to everyone for the tips - getting ready to make the first trip on my Ultra.