My dad and I are planning a seriously long road trip. We are planning to literally drive across America. We are not going to set out and race across as fast as we can. There are a lot of places both of us want to see. We are planning on being on the road for about 2 and a half weeks. This trip is about a year out we are trying to start planning the trip now; however we are not going with a definite plan. We have a start point and a destination and how we get their well the road will tell us. My family and I use to do this when I was a kid but in cages. Neither my dad nor I have ever done any super long distance touring like this. Both of us are planning on purchasing ultra classics within the next 6 months. Will somebody provide some advice or web links about necessities of touring. I have no idea how to pack for a trip like this.
Thanks.

 

I've made a lot of long distance trips and here's some thoughts that come to mind.
-Pack for 3 or 4 days, do laundry at the hotel. If you plan on buying t-shirts along the way, don't pack any, just wear the ones you buy. Dirty clothes won't pack as well as your clean clothes, towards the end think about mailing them back home.
-Rain Gear. You will ride through rain. FroggToggs.com has some good inexpensive rain gear and you won't sweat.
-Tools, flashlights, duct tape, cable ties, fuses, light bulb, spark plugs, rags, a quart or two of oil. All good stuff to carry with you.
-Tire plugger and a small air compressor. I have the small one Slime sells.
-Get a AAA tour book for the area you are riding through. When you are ready to stop for the night, find hotels in the book and call them or the 800 number to get a price on your cell phone. If they see you coming in off the road, they will take advantage of you being tired and wanting to crash.
-Get some type of water bottle holder. You will want to stay hydrated. Don't forget sun tan lotion.
-Use a cable lock to lock your bikes together at the hotel. The idea (sadly) is to make someone else's bike look easier to steal.

 

i'd rent a couple of different touring models before you buy, unless you are sure the bike fits you to your satisfaction. Do some shorter distance trips and make sure you are both in shape for that long of a ride or it can get painful, drivers backrest, highway pegs, duct tape, flashlight, tools, tire repair kit, rain gear, light jacket, heavy jacket, first aid kit, camera and the rest is up to you, you can get anything at a wallmart along the way. You sound like you are approaching it with a great attitude which is the most important, taking your time and enjoy the trip of a lifetime with your dad.

 

There are many threads about what to take on trips. Use the search feature at the top of the page and you will have hours of reading so you and your dad can be prepared. Good luck, however, I would recommend you get your bikes sooner rather than later and make the comfort adjustments so you have your bike tuned in for the long haul. I have noticed that most on this forum that take long trips usually get a new seat, handle bars, and other features that better fit their needs than stock equipment. You can also use the search feature for many hours of reading on this subject as well.

 

my brother and I started taking road trips on our motorcycles a few years ago - we do one a year. Last year was minnesota to colorado. This year to north carolina and surrounding areas. Our first two years we only did 5 day trips - now we do 10 day trips and cover many more miles. I am sure you will get plenty of advice on what to pack but I can suggest a few things about the riding: my brother and I do 150 mile strecthes at a time throughout the days ride - I lead for 50, we switch to him leading for 50, and then I take lead for the last 50 and we stop for gas and rest however long is needed (sometimes it's gas and go). This can be done in shorter mile intervals but in any case, why I like it is because 1) it changes the ride up a little (I find it different leading than following) and 2) it kind of gives you a sense of time - you know how long it is until a break and also you know how many 150 mile segments are planned for the day and you can write them off when each one is done. Also, we learned to eat light - if you eat heavy, it doesn't take long to get really tired....probably from the blood pooling in the gut for digesting. We also like to drink a 5-hour energy drink after a stretch or two (before you get too tired) - that drink is just a shots worth but it makes you alert...NOT JITTERY....but nice and alert and I think we were able to go longer distances because we were not fatigued. Anyways, hope some of this helps. Good luck! Ride safe!

 

Underwear: Compression Shorts - they are tremendous help with Numb Butt and a sweatty butt
Walmart: $10 (Starter)
Acadamy: $20 - $30 (BCG, N*ike, Under Armor)

 

Two and a half weeks should be plenty enough time to enjoy the trip without hurrying. I would suggest taking some weekend trips beforehand to see how far you can travel comfortably. On a trip like that you shouldn't push yourself, but you may find yourself traveling longer than you planned some days, especially out west where towns are further apart.
A GPS is a must have item for me. I use a paper map to get the big picture, then put in waypoints in the GPS. At night it is handy to pull up a list of nearby hotels and call for pricing. Plus knowing where the closest gas station is can save your ***.
Locals are your best source of information. They'll point you to the best routes and places to stay if you just ask. How else are you gonna find out about One Eyed Bill's Snake Farm and Bagel Shop?
Google motorcycle touring, and you'll have enough reading to keep you busy until your trip.

 

You will need a drink holder also. A little bit of water or fluids while riding is better than trying to catch up at stops.

http://www.kruzerkaddy.net/
http://www.hogtrough.com/
http://glassact.com/
http://www.barefootwillies.com/

 

Also, roll your clothes, less wrinkled and take up less space. Wife and I took 9 day trip one year on a 98 wide glide with just saddlebags.

 

A buddy of mine rides from Oregon to Boston in 4 days.....You're only going to be gone a little more than a week... ;-)