Need some advice on a road trip

My bike is at a buddy's motorcycle garage getting gone through. So it will be fully road worthy. New brakes, oil change, forks rebuilt, final gear oil change, mirrors, and just a check up.


What I am wondering though....

I have a buddy who lives in Tulsa , Ok. 386 miles away from my place. I would like to make a road trip out there this weekend. Leave friday night come back Saturday evening. The main journey will be on 44. 65-70mph speed limits some tolls. I used to ride for hours every day after work but am trying to decide if this is a good idea or completely foolish...

I will plan for 4 stops to top off and take a break.

My bike doesn't have highway pegs or bags. It would be me with a motorcycle back pack that straps around my chest/maybe the passenger seat. I would bring water, cash/plastic, my rain gear, and a change or two of clothes.

If I do straight 65mph I would be looking at 6 hours not counting stops. Obviously I won't go that slow and the speed limit is 70 at times.


Advice? Concerns? Recommendations?

 

I don't know how much traffic is normally on I44 but my advice is to avoid interstates like they might kill you, because they can. Or at least all the idiots with blinders on then driving 85 will. :evil: I would look for a different route that takes more back roads and rural highways. It might take a bit longer but the voyage will be more enjoyable and safer.

Have fun!

 

If it were Friday morning to Sunday night, I think it'd be a bit more worthwhile. You'll be doing more riding than being with your friend, and you'll be exhausted while with him.

Also, you'll be doing highway, so it won't be the best riding.

Only thing is it might be fun just to do something longer than you've ever done before. Only you can decide if that's worth it, or if you should just put that off for an actually fun ride.

Obviously, though, it is *doable*. I just don't know that it'd be fun.

Tip, though: Don't wear a backpack on long trips. Buy some bungee cords and strap it to the backseat if you have no other option.

 

I disagree with biggs500. I think the interstate is the safest place to ride. While it has it's own hazards, it does not have people turning left in front of you or pulling out on you - the two most statistically dangerous events after rider stupidity.

It's a long first trip. Sounds like the bike will be ready, question is if you will. I suggest you be prepared for an extend stop or even a turn back if it gets to be too much. If you can't make allowances for that I recommend you take the cage.

 

You do have some valid points there MiCarl. But if you ever took a trip on US 41 in this area your outlook would change in a hurry.

I just don't like cars anywhere near me when I ride.

 

I do 7 hours each way about once a month. I have a nice ferry ride in the middle and you are going to want to plan at least one decent length stop (not just a drink, gas, and go stop) in the middle of your ride to stretch for a bit especially if you aren't used to riding that far. Fintip is right about the bag they get hot and the weight will get tiring, strap it to the bike. Be prepared to jump off the interstate and take some side roads in case the traffic gets to be more than you are comfortable with. If you can manage it extend the trip a bit so you don't end up exhausted on your ride back.

 

Okay so it sounds like I need to plan for a longer stop in the middle, and probably would make sense to stay till Sunday morning. Maybe leave early Sunday A.m.

Any other thoughts? I'm not really worried about getting lost or anything it is pretty much a straight shot. But I will be riding at night on my way there.

 

Make sure your not riding so late the gas stations close on you. I almost got stuck in the middle of vermont with no gas because all the stations were closed. luckily I finally found a 24hr one but I was on fumes.

 

Wow.... I didn't even know gas stations close? I think most by us are 24 hours. I plan on leaving around 7-730 so I'll be there by 1. 2 at the latest.

 

idk, 6 hrs in itself that terrible, but 6 hours each way in the dark is not what i call fun.

Around here there are way too many animals -deer/coon/bunnies/etc. that make riding too long at night outside the city not an enjoyable experience.

if it were me, i'd just drive. It sounds like you're trying to make the commute into a road trip, where-as imo a road trip on a motorcycle is taking scenic roads and stopping frequently to check out cool places and just enjoying the wind in my face.

not to say i havent made some far journeys in the night, but they havent been what i call super fun.

to each his own though. deff strap the pack on the bike instead of wearing it though.

 

Ya 90% of stations near my home are 24hr but seems that isn't the case in some of the really unpopulated areas I was riding through. Now I know where the 24hr ones are in that area and plan for it.

I personally don't mind riding at night at all, especially after upgrading to the modular H4 euro cut headlight, love that thing. I ride almost exclusively rural areas about the only city I do is if they happen to be in my way.

 

I can tell you I don't mind a short trip on a bike at night, but it is not something I do to enjoy the ride. As mtm mentioned, there are just too many animals, and crazy cagers out at night that make it more of a pucked up ride than a relaxed one. For me, to ride at night and always be "pucked up" and waiting for that wild animal to jump out in the road and get frozen by my super bright headlight, seriously detract from the idea of enjoyment of riding...

 

I guess I am just always on high alert day or night. A cat, rabbit, deer, etc can hide on the side of the road in the day and jump out at you as easy as they can at night in many cases. In fact eye shine at night sometimes makes it easier to see them. I have had 2 deer-car accidents in the day (in both cases they jumped out of high grass/corn and hit the side of my car destroyed a front fender and a rear door) and none at night (and I drive at night a lot, probably 25-30% of my driving, car and bike, is after dark).

but YMMV

 

The road I'll be taking is 4 lane highways with a large center lane of grass and cleared grass on both sides so I am not super worried about animals. Just not sure how much fun 75-80mph will be for 5 hours?


I'm aware its not like I am cutting through the grand canyon. So it will be somewhat of an "endurance" ride. and my ride home will be daylight.

 

I personally would think about getting a windshield before taking a trip like that. Five hours in 70-80 mph wind is no fun. It would also do a lot to minimize bug strikes at night as well.

 

Darn... Looks like the trip isn't gonna happen. The guy who was working on my bike turns out to be full of s$!%. His estimate went from 3-400 to upwards of a grand. Looks Like i'll be sucking it up and doing some stuff myself. and starting a new thread.... lol

 

Haha. Unless you find someone really good with lots of references for old jap bikes in particular, these just aren't the kind of bikes you bring to a mechanic. They just don't know what to do with them.

 

Well, if the road trip is off then I'd still suggest one of those bright neon road crew jackets for night riding, yeh they may look geeky but you will be highly visible. And in the case of a collision the person that hit you can't say "I didn't see him", just bring the jacket (or what's left of it) to court and it'll be case closed!

 

Strap the gear on. Forget the back pack! Perhaps some driving lights may be the go if you get to do the trip?