What to check before 5000 mi ride?

[ndbueller]

I'm planning a longer ride that is starting to look like 5000 miles round trip. Starting in ND to San Diego in 3.5 days then take a random route back at slow pace(around 8-9 days). I'm not sure what all I should be replacing before the trip and don't want to be stuck on the side of the road real bad.

The bike is a 2007 xb12s with 18,500 miles on it. I replaced spark plugs have some Pirelli Angel ST's on the way and plan on some front break pads. Am I forgetting anything? I don't want to go over board and replace the whole bike but if there's anything common to go out on longer trips I would like to get on top of it.

Longest day I've done so far is 450 mi round trip so any advice is appreciated.

 

[user_deleted]

personally i would do the below prior to your trip.....and then the additional FOR your trip:
prior to: carefully check the F&R wheel bearings and belt idler pulley bearings. when they go out....which isn't common...but when they do it is virtually instantaneous. a fresh top quality battery minimum 220 CCA's a must. clean and tight battery terminal connections and grounds a must. check all engine fastener systems for tightness and visible wear. sound good appearing perishables a must. lube the clutch cable and lever perches.
for your trip: remove your fusebox cover. see your small different colored blade fuses? get 2 of each for spares. see your 3 relays? get 1 of each for a spare. they match up to common ford and chrysler a/c relays and are approx. $4 each. pack them along with the spare blade fuses in tiny plastic bag and put in either your tool kit or tape the bag to bottom front of your battery. you'll be glad you did. lastly..........ear plugs.

 

[rchuff]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Straight from the Buell whisperer and it don't get any better than that. :up:

 

[ocgreenmachine]

Fresh oil change/check levels, clean your air filter, check tires for any issues (nails, pins, cracks), take a look at your brake pads to see that they aren't worn down too much...

 

[jl551c]

I'm riding from California to North Dakota in May. Hanging out for a day or so then heading on to upstate New York via Ontario. What Lunatic said is sound info. I'm doing all he said. Also changed to a new belt, brake pads. Put in a comfort kit, (XB12X). I also got a Madsen windshield and a throttle lock for the long drone across Nevada. New tires as well. I got a Wolfman tank bag and a big Wolfman bag for the back seat.
When are you leaving?

 

[ndbueller]

Thanks guys that sounds like a good list! How do I check wheel bearings?
Just took the wheels off here to put on some Pirelli Angels. They say it's safer with good rubbers ����

I'll be taking off in June

 

[jl551c]

Thanks guys that sounds like a good list! How do I check wheel bearings?
Just took the wheels off here to put on some Pirelli Angels. They say it's safer with good rubbers ����

I'll be taking off in June

I'm leaving California May 16. I'm headed to Cavalier, ND. Looks like we won't get to hi-five along the way since we won't be crossing paths.

 

[jl551c]

I also recommend taking some extra gas if you can. I'm carrying a 1 gallon gas can. 174 miles between gas stations in the part of Nevada I'm going thru.

 

[user_deleted]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Straight from the Buell whisperer and it don't get any better than that. :up:

thanks much for the kind words ricky.

Thanks guys that sounds like a good list! How do I check wheel bearings?

there is no sure-fire way of checking the idler pulley bearings and wheel bearings with all 3 components mounted. a few on here advocate rebuilding your entire bike top to bottom/front to rear prior to a long trip. naturally that's all bull**** but the single biggest potential problem far away from home is a failed idler pulley assembly or wheel bearing. the idler requires a pair of #6203 bearings and they're a cinch to install. buy quality....not chinese garbage. all balls bearing kits work well both front and rear. front bearings straight-forward to remove and install....rear can be quite challenging to remove. if in doubt get help or have a pro do them. pound on the new bearing inner races just one time and they're ruined. just personal preference but the peace of mind that these new bearing sets give on a long trip worth the price of admission. the right rear under alot of drive-line load....the right front continuously exposed to abrasive and corrosive brake dust.

 

[TeamHennis]

I'm leaving California May 16. I'm headed to Cavalier, ND. Looks like we won't get to hi-five along the way since we won't be crossing paths.

What are you going to Cavalier for? I'm PCSing there in about a month (from Florida...) I figured I was going to have the only Buell in the state lol

 

[jl551c]

What are you going to Cavalier for? I'm PCSing there in about a month (from Florida...) I figured I was going to have the only Buell in the state lol

I'm going to visit an old friend in Cavalier. Looks like there will be at least two Buells in ND for at least a short time.

 

[jl551c]

Wait, you said PCSing? You're in the military? What military installation is in Cavalier. I thought Minot was the only military around there.

 

[ndbueller]

I'm going to visit an old friend in Cavalier. Looks like there will be at least two Buells in ND for at least a short time.

There're a few Buells in ND but all the roads are straight and flat in a grid so most go for HD. A quick ride from Cavalier and you can be in MN lakes country and there's some pretty good riding out there.

 

[TeamHennis]

There is a small station by Cavalier. I was in the panhandle of Florida, which was straight and flat too. Maybe eventually I'll get somewhere with fun roads.

 

[Cooter]

The usual smart guys covered the bike pretty well. I'd also vote for a wheel bearing change. They are cheap to swap now, but that would be a bad day in the middle of Nebraska 18K is time for a fork re-build, but it wouldn't be catastrophic so you could ignore that.

What about prepping your body? Have you ridden that bike 400 miles in a day before? How do your shoulders feel after? Some good core exercises and eating particularly well before the trip can go along way for your own comfort.

I'd be curious to see your packing list. Good helmet? Riding clothes, emergency food, protection, etc. Hotels? Or bag on the road?

 

[ndbueller]

When I have the tires mounted and balanced I'll have the shop really look over the bearings and change if needed.

Yeah I've done a 450 mile day mostly interstate but it wasn't all riding...I had an out of town meeting so it was split up with a 3 hour break in between. It really wasn't all that bad. Other than that a 300+ mile a day weekend trip in hotels. Never any camping. I've gone through the route and planned it out to stop around every 50 miles. First one to stretch the legs for a couple min and the second for fuel. I learned that from riding with some older guys and it definitely helps with fatigue at the end of the day. At the first stop I was not ready for a break yet and baffled at why we were stopped but by the end to the day it really helped.
As for the diet I'm on a pretty strict B&B....(Beer and Bar pizza) but stay really active so that's not much of an issue.

I plan to camp most of the trip which is new(not camping in general just camping on motorcycle) but I'm 2 months out for take off so I want to get the bike ready and do a couple long practice weekends to make sure everything runs smoothly on the bike. Also to test out some new camping gear.
I don't have a pack list yet but 2 months should be plenty of time to get one together.

Trying to find the fine line between completely winging it and over planning right now.
I'll be riding with a buddy so I'll have some help if anything really goes wrong and he'll be on a v-star so we won't be pushing record speeds.

 

[jl551c]

There're a few Buells in ND but all the roads are straight and flat in a grid so most go for HD. A quick ride from Cavalier and you can be in MN lakes country and there's some pretty good riding out there.

After Cavalier my route takes me to Duluth, thru a part of Wisconsin, UP of Michigan, into Ontario and then drop into NY around Ogdensberg. Twisties are great, but I'll take whatever the road has to offer.

 

[Cooter]

That's all good to know! Sounds like a bunch of fun, I have a trip coming up as well, Los Angeles to Pikes peak just because. Can't wait!

Don't forget a small first aid kit, with something for road rash. If you bring it, you won't need it!

 

[ndbueller]

That sounds like a good trip! To bad you didn't wait a few weeks, Cavalier has a bike ride they call "Sturgis of the North" on Fathers Day Weekend. I've always been fishing with the old man but I hear it's a good time.

That's all good to know! Sounds like a bunch of fun, I have a trip coming up as well, Los Angeles to Pikes peak just because. Can't wait!

Don't forget a small first aid kit, with something for road rash. If you bring it, you won't need it!

I'll have Electrical/Duct tape for cuts. If I can't rub a little dirt on it and walk it off there will probably be an ambulance of some sort on the way.

 

[jl551c]

I throw a small bunch of zip ties in my bag. Strangely, they become useful on occasion. First aid kit great idea. Checking misc bolts or nuts for tightness is a good idea. 2 days ago I heard a strange noise with my Uly at idle. I found one of the bolts that secure the pannier frame almost all the way out. Tightened it up and the noise is gone. I checked all the rest and they were all tight. I'd hate to be in the Middle of Nowhere, Nevada and lose one of those bolts.