First "Long" Ride

[razman10]

Hello all, :wave

In a week & a half, my SO and I are embarking on our first "long" ride (I used the quotes because I know 1,400 miles in 4 days is nothing compared to some of you out there ;) ). Regardless, it is the longest we will have been out on a ride (heck I only bought the bike just over a month ago!)

Anyway, what should I do to ensure she is ready for the ride? From my truck-driving days, I would kick the tires, check the oil and lights, and hit the road. I want to be a little more thorough with the motorcycle. Is there anything special on the LT that I should be checking? Right now she has 10,500 miles so I'll do the 12k service after we return. What are your pre-ride rituals?

Thanks for all your insight.

Regards,
Ray

[Torch]

Besides the usual rain gear,get a good tire repair kit,small 12v compressor(like Slime) with the outlet adapter for the BMW. Chapstick with spf in it,good mini flashlight,tire gauge(Roadgear has a nice digital one with a right angle head on it). Have a good trip.

[rattler50]

I carry a good air guage with a bleeder on it. I just hit the tire with some air and bleed it down to where I want it. And check them when it's cool, before you ride. I carry a bank bag of tools, torx sockets, hex heads, Phillips, small slot type, flashlight, motorcycle jumper cables.......heavy wire and alligator clips, plug kit and compressor, extra battery for alarm and flashlight, hand towels and spray cleaner/wax and sunscreen. Good luck on your ride........ :rotf:

[itspossible]

check tire air pressures daily, tool kit, bungee cords for extra stuff if needed, water bottles and a clean chamois to get the windshield clean before each days ride...I really appreciate the chamois.

sunbloc

Ron

[Smith]

I see from your photo you have the stock seat for you and your passenger, I strongly recommend you consider replacing them with a good after market seat. The stock seat can be a problem after a few hundred miles. You might also consider a throttle lever for your right hand grip. The LT has a heavy throttle spring and can lead to wrist fatigue. Make sure you pack your rain gear where you can get at it without unpacking something else. Take twice as much money and half as many clothes....have a great ride.

Smith
'05 Dark Graphite

[razman10]

Good info, thanks. I did not even think to bring a compressor, but I can see how it would be a lifesaver! The stock seat will have to stay for this trip. If nothing else, It'll make me appreciate the new one when I finally get it! :lol8:

Rattler, nice list; but if I bring all that, there won't be room for anything else! ;)

I'll definitely keep the chamois and rain gear handy. Hopefully I won't use the rain gear though - I want sun :sun: !

Thanks everyone, please keep the info coming :) . (I Love This Site! :bowdown: )

[AlReich23]

Hi Ray -

I have the same bike. year, color and close in mileage (9,500mi).
I don't have the bak-up or arm rests.
I just bought mine 4 months ago.

The longest trip I've taken is 60 miles to the Florida coast.
I wish I had that bak-up addition.
Have a safe trip. You may want to carry a few spare bulbs if you plan on traveling at night.
- Al
'04 K1200LT [Black]

[dgl57]

I would say just kick the tires, check the oil and lights, and hit the road, that bike will do that trip with ease.

[razman10]

Hi Ray -

I have the same bike. year, color and close in mileage (9,500mi).
I don't have the bak-up or arm rests.
I just bought mine 4 months ago.

The longest trip I've taken is 60 miles to the Florida coast.
I wish I had that bak-up addition.
Have a safe trip. You may want to carry a few spare bulbs if you plan on traveling at night.
- Al
'04 K1200LT [Black]Actually, I don't have the back rest. The picture was taken when I went to look at the bike, and the PO had the back rest on it, but made it clear that the bike would not come with it. He did in fact take it off before I picked it up. The arm rests are the Z-Technic (sp?) arm rests and let me tell you, my wife absolutely LOVES THEM!

__________________

[SilverBuffalo]

If you haven't already done so, join the BMWMOA not only do they have a great magazine (and website) http://www.bmwmoa.org/
that keeps you informed where all of the BMW rallies are
but as a bonus you get the "Anonynous book"
a listing of all of the BMW riders by geographical location
that are willing to help you if you need them

An air compressor is a great tool to have with you
as is the "stop&go" tire plug gun,

many of us have an air compressor under the tour pack where the charcoal canister used to be, (do a search)

In all of our travels I've never actually needed either one for myself
but I've fixed three automobile flats "out on the road"

Attached are pictures of my "tool kit" an idea that I shamelessly "stole" from one of our "highly esteemed" members (namely Dick).

Above all ride safe and read one of my trip stories. :)
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7868&highlight=buffalo+roams

[zippy_gg]

Get acquainted with the cruise control system, it will be your best friends on long stretches of road. There is nothing like being able to relax your right hand.
A radar detector might be a good idea if you are anything like some of the members of this forum...:rolleyes:

[razman10]

Thanks Hans. I did join the BMWMOA about a week ago. I hope to receive the packet before we leave!

I already have tire plugs with CO2 cartridges, but I will have to get a compressor. It makes more sense (i.e. What if I don't plug the tire right and use up all my CO2 cartridges, then what? If I have a compressor it's an unlimited amount of air!!!)

Great story about your ride, I'm glad everything worked out for both you and your wife in the end. Thanks for sharing. :)

[razman10]

Get acquainted with the cruise control system, it will be your best friends on long stretches of road. There is nothing like being able to relax your right hand.
A radar detector might be a good idea if you are anything like some of the members of this forum...:rolleyes:I have used the Cruise already (I have put 2k miles on her in the month that I have had her :cool: ). No need for a radar detector, I'll have my wife behind me telling me I'm going too fast :deadhorse !!

[buddyp]

Be sure to take your spare key especially if your imobilizer is still set in the auto on mode when the bike is powered up and down. Make sure your key fobs have good batteries as well, again, especially if your imobilizer is still set in the auto mode.

I recently went on a small trip to the Carolina mountains and for some reason my key fob went bad and would not disengage the imobilizer. I went through all of the manual rituals,including installing a new battery on site, to bring it to life but nothing worked. I normally take my spare key with fob but not this time. Anyway I was stranded, had to trailer the "motha ship" home.

When I got home I got my spare key fob, hit the button, and it worked normally. I have since deactivated the auto on imobilizer feature. Follow some of the other tips already given and you'll be fine.

Enjoy........

[phydough]

Kick the tires a few more times during your trip too.

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/5/7/0/8/Barkley013E.jpg

That is what I found doin a pre-ride check the morning after our first night out.
Kept a close eye on it during the rest of the trip.

Hope you have a great time.

[wacolt]

I find this useful:

Long Distance Rider Check List (http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/PackingList.html)

Ride safe and Enjoy the Ride!
Curt

[dmatson]

On my first long ride (seven days and 2,300 miles) I made a list of all the things I wanted to change that were bugging me. Seat, wind screen, and pegs were the major offenders. Use this trip to figure out what you like and what you want to change. Every trip I evaluate the changes to keep perfecting my LT.

[AliMar]

Most important Raz is this... Enjoy the ride, be safe, stop when it's getting to be too much even if it's "just" the right hand getting tired. Don't hesitate, just stop - take a break. If you're not feeling 100%, something isn't right. Stop and evaluate, make changes as necessary and rest as appropriate. Don't push it. It's better to be late than to not arrive at all especially with the SO pillion!

The previous comments about BMWMOA and the anonymous book are right on. If you're leaving soon you might want to borrow the book. Better yet perhaps is to have a phone number of someone who has the book. I haven't needed it yet but I can certainly see the value of it when in a pinch, mechanical or personal. Most of us will be more than willing to help a fellow rider in need.

I'm in central CT. PM me and I'll give you my contact info. I have the book and if something comes up, you get in a bind I'll do what I can to help you make things right.

[indianut]

Nobody mentioned a good book! Rand McNally is my favorite author.

[rattler50]

And Ray.....that mute button only works on the radio, not your wife......... :histerica ........Have fun and ride safe....... :wave

[412driver]

i bought this bit of kit from www.AdvDesigns.com

Micro Tire Pump Kit with Pump Kit Tubeless + EZ Air Tire Gauge

I believe if you have the kit....you won't need it and this one is very compact!

check your pressures every morning. I'm sure you have seen the threads about pressure and can make an informed decision....

also, what i learned from this site: always keep your tires where all the other tires are because nails and other crap are thrown to the sides ect. i.e. don't cut out early on the freeway on ramp to blow past someone. so far so good.

other than the stock tool kit nothing else because the SO needs all the rest.. :)

oh....and what Alimar says is true, rest often. it's all about the ride not the destination. my SO needs a stretch every hour or so but by doing that we can stay on the bike all day which is better than going the distance and having her unhappy....... happy wife, happy life :dance:

[razman10]

Great info everybody. Thank you ALL very much.

AliMar, I'll PM you shortly.

I emailed BMWMOA as I have not yet received anything and I'm only 4 "mail" days away until my trip. Still awaiting a response from them as well.

412Driver, I just bought a mini compressor. I already have tire plugs so I'm all set there. But I'm with you - if I have it I won't need it! ;)