Im thinking of taking a road trip...

[RacerAV]

I am supposed to be in Chicago on August 5th, and staying till the 9th. I live in Orange County, So. Cal. I have driven cross country a few times, in cars, a moving van, etc. But never on a bike. Should I do it? I was thinking of leaving on the 1st, and taking my time, only riding in the daylight, maybe till dusk. I have no saddle or tank bags. What am I up against? I will check the weather, but I think It should all be just fine. I wanted to head up to Chicago, then OH, down to NC, then Miami maybe, then back to CA. Tips, advice, opinions, all welcome!!!
Adamo

 

[RacerAV]

Oh by the way, Im riding an 06 12Scg, anything I need to do on the bike in preparation? The primary and oil have been changed with Mobile 1 about 150 miles ago.

 

[lawdog]

What bike do you have? What long distance riding experience do you have? Me I am a 2 hour kind of guy. I can ride 1 hour and have fun, the second hour is tolerable. A third hour on my firebolt and I am toast!

 

[kalifornia]

rain coat, have fun man

 

[RacerAV]

I know Ill be pulling over a lot, but hey, how else can I find out how far I can ride? lol.... Hopefully I wont get to the other coast and decide to sell the bike and fly back... lol

 

[Alfatango1]

Hey, 350 to 500 a day should be good. I did it recently. Good luck bro!

 

[upthemaiden]

My first ride home on my bike was a 5 hour highway trip, and the scg seat is amazingly comfortable. Padded bicycle shorts don't hurt the situation though.

My best advice is to get an aftermarket/large windscreen, and a quiet helmet doesn't hurt either. I had such a massive headache by the time I got home that I thought I was going to die for 2 days straight. My helmet is one size too big, which doesn't help, but there's just not a quiet spot to be found on an xbs.

 

[batman6669]

My wife amd I took a 3 hour ride from Pepperell Mass to Bridgton Me. We had lunch and then rode home. Mostly back roads and had a great time. When we got home she complained a little about her ass but that was it. I was on my 05 12Scg and she was on her 08 Ninja 250. The only complaint that I had was her Ninja is slow and I couldn't go as fast as I would have liked to. So I say DO IT!! It's a great way to see the country, just bring a camera,ipod and charger for both.

 

[rmarquez]

Get you the throttlemiester cruise control from ASB they will help your hand from tireing out. helps to be able to switch hands when steering or just let go and sit up on those long boring straight runs.

 

[RacerAV]

Think the bike needs any additional stuff, cooling in mind. I know its hot. Im worried about that. Heres the link to my map. These are the main stops. Minus the one at the Royal Gorge Bridge, it just looks cool, lol... but Each leg is NOT short, but Ill stop every couple hours for a stretch and some jumping jacks, lol.
Check it out.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...98.39247&sspn=39.856506,66.489258&ie=UTF8&z=5

Tell me what you guys think! Also, hey, if anyone wants to put me up on a couch or something, lol, I'll take it! Shoot, I'll buy the beers! haha

 

[dallasb]

I bought a cramp buster from amazon for 8 bucks. Yea it doesn't lock the throttle but I'm not too keen on locking it on a motorcycle. I just got back from a 500 mile ride which I did in one day with my xb9sx. I wasn't sore at all after the trip was over. I stopped around every 100 miles to stretch and drink water.

 

[RacerAV]

ha, never seen that thing before, but it looks cool.... so i found a small shoe horn, went to my bathroom, melted it a bit with the hair dryer, bent it around a wooden pole and bam,... i think I just made a cramp blaster... lol... (thats what Ill have to call mine, lol)

 

[anrkizm95]

thats one of those things that youll be kicking your self in the ass at times thinking it was a really stupid idea.then thinking this is the best idea of your life.ive made that trip once. only my southern route was on i 40.it really sucked at times and thats what makes it so great.20 years later its one of the things im really glad i did.if you were coming through amarillo youd have a place to crash for the night.good luck,ride safe,have fun.[up]

 

[RacerAV]

Hey actually I posted up the wrong one! That was the one I sent to my buddy saying why I WONT go to FL, just too long. Heres the updated and pretty final one.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...98.39247&sspn=39.856506,66.489258&ie=UTF8&z=5

I'll take the 40 back, again, eh.... But if the offer is still on the table man, I'd love to save on another hotel bill! If not, no worries at all.

Adamo

 

[RT Performance]

if you where going up to Michigan i would put you up.
Ridden from here to nc a few times you need to ride the Dragon while you are in nc/tenn. a ton of great twisty roads around there. depending on you path i would highly recommend riding the blue ridge parkway from Fayetteville across to Asheville. it is all 45mph and federal park but dam it is so awsome

 

[RacerAV]

I have always wanted to ride that, or drive it, since I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.... Ive changed my trip again!

 

[RacerAV]

The NEW and IMPROVED map...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...063956,-98.041992&spn=38.491816,58.051758&z=5

 

[mirkvid]

I highly suggest going down the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA and NC. We did it from Vegas this summer. You'll be a master of cornering by the end, but its a slow road and may add a few days to your trip.


Also, may as well hit the Dragon's Tail while in that part of the US.

EDIT: Beaten, but great info anyway.

 

[RacerAV]

yeah i added the dragons tail to the map... its the little section going north between points F and G

 

[RacerAV]

any tips for bike service or maintenance before I go? I know Ill have to get my oil changed once DURING the trip, seeing as Im going about 5500 miles... or think the mobile 1 I just put in will last till im home?