Travel List?

I am thinking of taking a long 1,500 miles each way (strugis). What are the must haves and what is nice to have if I have room? I have never gone on a extended trip before. I am all ready planning on taking the repair manual. Other than spark plugs what extra parts should I have? I will be traveling alone for much of the trip.

 

Must Have:
Good set of basic hand tools. Keep it small and light.
CO2 tire inflator and tire repair kit.
Map(GPS if you like new gadgets)
Small flashlight
Cell phone and charger
Electrical tape or Duct tape
Small roll of twine

Nice but not necessary:
Extra quart of oil
spare plugs
Spare light bulbs

Hopefully you won't need the repair manual.

 

Make sure you do a valve check and adjust before you leave; that service has a 5000 mile interval and you're going to be going over 3000 miles.

I would take a chain kit consisting of spare master link, and a "half-link" or two to facilitate roadside repairs if necessary. Carry a small can of chain lube, you'll need to keep ahead on that.

Also, keep in mind that you will need to adjust your chain more than once during a journey that long, so I would take cotter pins and an appropriately sized socket. You should be able to borrow a 1/2" breaker bar from friendly service stations along the way but then at least you'll have the right socket.

 

What is a half-link? The manual calls for 10w-40 going that far should I add some 20w-50 for summer travel? Yes I just adjusted the valves a few weeks ago. Is 500 to 600 miles do able per day?

 

credit card with a high limit

 

That depends on your nether regions, not the bike.

I've done a 700-mile day on my Norton before, but it was not something I'd care to oft repeat.

I usually plan on 300-400 miles a day, but I don't travel on Freeways (expressways, Interstates, whatever you call them) I'm a two-lane blacktop kinda guy. You see more of the real country that way (and smell it too.) Plus adventures kind of... develop. Get up early, get rolling "stop and smell the roses" at any opportunity if you know what I mean... 300 miles. Maybe 400.

I would run 20W50 (Castrol 4T) from the get-go. It's summer, ditch the 10W-anything. Change the oil right before you go, 3K is pushing it on one oil change.

A "half-link" is more like a "link and a half" and can be used to patch a broken chain without losing length. I've been a chain drive guy my entire motorcycling life, and have only ever loaned my chain kit out to guys who didn't properly care for their chains. But it's cheap insurance. Just make sure you keep it lubed and adjusted; you're going to get rained on and it will dry out quickly if not properly lubed.

Speaking of which, unless your jacket and boots are waterproof, invest in a decent rain suit and a pair of "over-boots." And an extra pair of gloves.

And pack anything you don't want soaked in ziploc bags.

I've done 3000+ mile motorcycle journeys before; it's an incredible experience. Plan to have your plans change; be flexible; savor the moment and BE CAREFUL.

 

Sorry: Here's a true "half-link." http://www.partsstorellc.com/servlet/th ... %2C/Detail My repair kit has one of these and one "link and a half" plus two master links.

Unfortunately, I bought my chain emergency kit around 30 years ago, and Google as I might, I can't find one. You need to make your own.

 

I just did Ottawa to Toronto to Philly and back to Ottawa. Bring a roll of toilet paper (or a travel sized kleenex) for those times you may be short a bathroom. Also some glass wipes if you wear a full face helmet to keep your shield clean. They don't take up much space but I was glad I brought them and used them almost every stop.

I'd also second bringing some extra oil. Mine seems to blow a bit out so it was great to have extra to top it up any time I needed to instead of having to bite my lip hoping to get to the nearest town that had some oil.

You're probably already planning for it being from the US but I had to remember to bring several $1 bills to tuck in my front jacket pocket for all the damn tolls.

 

I would bring a spare clutch and throttle cables. Or put new ones on before you leave.