Any Tips For Long Trip??

[justlookin]

I swapped my Honda VTX 1800R for the LT last week. What a change!! I was out yesterday going thru some twisties and I kept thinking the speedometer must be way off. I have to be going 10 to 20 mph faster thru the turns with the LT vs the X. But they are effortless, and I'm not pushing it. I used to have to really countersteer the X thru turns. With the LT I just lean and go. Its amazing.
The real question here is; I'm leaving Friday for trip from St Louis out thru NE, WY, into Idaho. (up by West Yellowstone)
I've spent hours on this site looking at possible mechanical issues, but thought I'd post a question about anything else anyone might think I should be aware of.
Any tips for a long trip?? :confused:
Thanks,
Jeff
(I should have made the switch a few months ago to really adjust to the new bike, but what can I say, I lost control.)
(I also will change my avatar when I get a new pic.)

[sheldan2]

lots of water, credit cards,cell phone and enjoy the ride

[dougholck]

Things to take and do;

BMOA Annonumous Book.

Beadrider seat cushion.

Tie down strap loops for around forks (never tie down to the handlebars).

Up the tire pressure to minimize cupping (I use 44/50).

Check oil regurlarly till you determine consumption if any, (I never need to add between 6k service intervals with 48K on my 02).

Park on center stand to avoid blue oil smoke on start-up.

If it ever fails to start, check kill switch, kickstand then reverse lever.

Use caution locking steering so as not to leave Parking lights on.

Ride it like you stole it!

PS: Keep the RPMs up in the twisties and it corners even easier. If you think you need to brake, engine brake first by downshifting to get RPMs up and power thru the corner looking around the corner where you want to go. Its a blast at 5-6000+ RPM.

Ride Safe

[Texas42]

Very good list.

add - Enjoy the ride.

you'll have a great time.

[TomD]

I just pasted through St. Louis on my way from Colorado to Tampa. BTW, found that St. Louis has a dealership again. More about that in another post.

Plan to start VERY early in the morning to get the benefit of the cooler air. The heat was brutal in throughout the trip. Starting out between three and four am gave us several hours of below 90 degree air to drive through. The motels were a welcome sight in the early afternoons. Look for motels with a hot tub!

[airborne]

Get a pair of bicycle shorts with padding on the seat and crotch. Helps with long days....no matter what saddle you have. Helps with compression as well.

[STARFIGHTER]

forget the goal.......enjoy the journey
stop and smell the roses..................

[egs]

#1 - Hydrate: If don't have to pee every tankful then you're not drinking enough. Avoid caffine unless you're also tired. If this happens you should consider stopping for a rest or possibly the day.

#2 - Tire repair kit: I like the Slime mini-compressor and tire plugs. Most flats can be fixed with wheels on the bike. Just be sure to take it easy on plugs and constantly monitor the pressure until you can get a replacement.

#3 - Wear sunglasses under your clear visor: Weather can change quickly and it's dangerous to be looking through a tinted shield when it's overcast or dark. In the east we also have tunnels to contend with.

#4 - Ditto on the padded bike shorts: And don't wear tightie-whities underneath. The shorts will wick the moisture that cotton will trap. Monkey butt is quite literally a pain in the ass.

#5 - Throttle rocker: (A.k.a. wrist rocker) I'm not real comfortable with cruise control on any bike and this $8 plastic wonder takes a LOT of strain off the wrist. The LT has a pretty strong throttle return spring and it gets tiresome after an hour or two.

#6 - Zip ties (long) and duct tape: Fixed a suprizing amount of stuff. Search on the list about securing your mirrors with zip ties or wire.

Last but not least

#7 - Helmet loop or wire: You need this little jem to secure your helmet to the underseat helmet hook when your bags are full. I didn't have one on my last trip and had to lug my helmet everywhere.

Have a great trip!

[STRMN]

I just did 6100 Kilometers from Vancouver BC to the Black Hills SD and home through Edmonton. It was Hot and windy. Take lots of Water and fruit. Stuff llike mellons, strawberries and banana's. I found that every two hours or half a tank of fuel was a good break schedule

Cheers


I swapped my Honda VTX 1800R for the LT last week. What a change!! I was out yesterday going thru some twisties and I kept thinking the speedometer must be way off. I have to be going 10 to 20 mph faster thru the turns with the LT vs the X. But they are effortless, and I'm not pushing it. I used to have to really countersteer the X thru turns. With the LT I just lean and go. Its amazing.
The real question here is; I'm leaving Friday for trip from St Louis out thru NE, WY, into Idaho. (up by West Yellowstone)
I've spent hours on this site looking at possible mechanical issues, but thought I'd post a question about anything else anyone might think I should be aware of.
Any tips for a long trip?? :confused:
Thanks,
Jeff
(I should have made the switch a few months ago to really adjust to the new bike, but what can I say, I lost control.)
(I also will change my avatar when I get a new pic.)

[justlookin]

Thanks for all the info..
What is a BMOA Annonumous Book?
And 6,000 rpms???? I really have to get used to that.
I am so used to my big V, 2500 rpm was way up there.
Also with regard to tie downs on front fork?? When would this come up?
Where can I get a beadrider seat cushion before Thursday?
(Found a Samson Beadrider seat cushion) (Hope it gets here by Thurs.)
I've got the bike shorts, and camelback.
I'm trying to get J pegs mounted before I take off.
I think the radio works great.
The bike is not using oil, but I'll watch it.
I need to "up" the tire pressure, I think the guy before me let it get a little low on the front, its a little cupped already.
I'm strapping on a tent, hopefully when I get to high enough altitude it will be cool enough to camp.
Gatoraid and food bars until I get to the mountains..
I should have made this switch earlier, the BR Parkway, Dragon, and Skyway would have been a blast on the LT. (They were pretty fun anyway.)
Thanks again,
Jeff

[ironbuttwannabe]

www.bmwmoa.com

you have to join and then you will get the anonymous book. It has all the dealers numbers and peoples numbers if you get broke down or something else you can call them and they might help you out. I don't think you will get it by thursday if that is when you are leaving. Maybe someone in your area has one you can use.

The beadrider, order it off the internet and you should receive it by thursday. I use an airhawk and that works for me but have never tried a beadrider so I can't make any comments on it.

Yes and run the motor at least always above 5,000 through the twisties to stay above the buzz and to make the bike feel sporty. Taking off the topcase as I did lastweek makes a difference too.

Have fun!!!!

[kdog]

#5 - Throttle rocker: (A.k.a. wrist rocker) I'm not real comfortable with cruise control on any bike and this $8 plastic wonder takes a LOT of strain off the wrist.

Wow, I'm exactly the opposite. When I'm on the highway, I'm on cruise. At a minimum of 8 over the speed limit. And if I need to adjust, it's usually with my left thumb rather than the twist grip.

I do have a throttle rocker as well though and they're well worth the money.

Cheers,
-joel

[justlookin]

The BMWOA is located about three miles from my home. I'll just have to drop by..
Joined the BMWMOA... Visited the forum, noticed some talk about a high altitude loop, do I need one on a 04 K1200LT??
Since I have not seen it mentioned here, or in the owners man, I'm thinking it may be a issue w/ carburated engines.
Thanks again,
Jeff

[Jburwell]

I love my J-peg and cup holder. I don't think my knee would work if I didn't have the J-peg. I did 2-9.5 hour trip 2 weeks ago (630 miles each way) with very short gas stops and used both (a lot). It was in the 90's.

As for the speed control, my GPS show that the speed was very very tight (maybe 1 mph change). On a long trip I wouldn't want to be without.

[justlookin]

JBurwell,
Where did you pick up the cup holder..
I was thinking of taking the camelback, but a nalgeen w/ straw would be easier..
Thanks
Jeff

[c00k1e]

Talking of your tent - dont bother packing it all in one place. Pack the pegs and poles low and the lighter parts up top. Unless you have an empty back seat of course

[Jburwell]

I bought my cup holder (BMW) when I bought the bike, I think it was $150. works very well until the bottle get empty, when has flew out. I like the big cans of stuff and leave a little it the can until I stop for gas.

I saw a nice cup holder on a HD that he say was $50 but the bracket used the bolts on the mirrors, it wouldn't work on a LT.

[justlookin]

Going solo, the wife does not like 2 wheels..
So the tent will be on the back seat, along w/ fly fishing equip..
$150 for a cup holder? Only for a MC..
I'll stay w/ the camelback..
Thanks,
Jeff

[pickerbiker]

It sounds like you may be near Challis, Idaho. There is a great campground, Challis Hot Springs and B&B. Reserve tent site T-10. Nice place. I'm heading down there the week after Labor Day for camping in the Tetons. Have fun, ride safe.

[Fountain]

Visited the forum, noticed some talk about a high altitude loop, do I need one on a 04 K1200LT??
Since I have not seen it mentioned here, or in the owners man, I'm thinking it may be a issue w/ carburated engines.


The high altitude plug was for the older K bikes made several years ago, not for the newer bikes. You will be fine.

Water is better to drink when it's hot, sports drinks include lots of carbs. They give you an initial boost of energy but when you loose the sugar buzz you may find yourself tired. Some have caffine too. That is not good to help you stay hydrated.

As stated before, keep the rpms up on the engine. I usually don't use 5-6,000 but I try to keep it over 4000 in the twisties. It really helps with engine braking and pulling out of the corners. The bike is so smooth it's like riding an electric motor. Don't ever let the motor get under 2,000 rpm, lugging is hard on it.

Have a good trip.

[cfell]

Yeah..head South, West, North, East... just remember to stop before solid objects or bodies of water...

If you are on a TRIP... then have a TRIP... When you get off the bike to refuel, think about the previous tank... what do you recall.... if you can't really remember, maybe you're not paying attention or could slow down a bit...