Heading on my first "long" ride next Monday from my house to my sister's about 130 miles away. I'm only going to be there for 3 days/2 nights, so I'll be able to pack very light and fit everything in a backpack. I was also planning on taking some water bottles in my backpack. I have full gear which is what I ride with anyway, so I'm prepared there as well.

I also have two stops planned. One is only if I need it (about 75 miles in), the second will be for gas since my range is about 120-130... so I'll likely get fuel around 110 miles at a Love's Rest Stop which is right off of the interstate on my exit, and right before I head into the mountains.

My biggest concern is the lack of a significant windscreen on my bike while riding on the highway. Speed limits range from 45mph to 70mph depending on the road and location (further away from Charlotte = higher speed limits on the interstate but the 70mph limit is only for about the last 10 miles).

Any tips or suggestions? TIA

 

Hi jb

First off, enjoy it! I have travelled from the Arctic Circle to South America and most points between by way of motorcycle. Some of the best times of my life. Even a short trip can be very enjoyable.

Firstly, make sure the bike is in proper road condition. Adjust and lubricate the chain, check tyre pressures and all lights and equipment, and generally make sure nothing needs to be serviced. The night before you leave, remove a tiny amount to water from your water bottles and place them in the freezer. The water will expand as it freezes. On the day of travel, wrap them in towels before placing them in your backpack. As the day progresses, the ice will melt, and the water will remain very cold for the duration of your trip.

Although only a short trip, stop when you feel like it. Do not think you need to be in a specific place at a specific time. If you feel the need to stop and rest after twenty miles, then do so. Being uncomfortable on a bike is very fatiguing, and you will not enjoy the ride. You mention that your bike does not have a windscreen, and this in itself can lead to fatigue, as you are constantly having to deal with a fair amount of turbulence.

Even though a short trip, I would bring along a tire gauge and basic tools. And of course a fully charged cellular. Some of my bikes have tubeless tyres, and I assume your sport bike has them as well. Motorcycle shops sell bike tyre specific tire repair kits comprising of plugs and CO2 cartridges. Personally, I wouldn't ride any fair distance without one.

Lastly, take your time and enjoy the ride. If you ever plan a longer trip, I can offer you some more advice if you like.

Terry

 

wear a helmet?

 

My only advice is to bring extra layers and gloves just in case the weather flips on you. Nothing worse than being frozen on a bike on a longer than usual ride. I think Terry pretty much summed it up though. I have to admit I'm jealous. I keep mentioning a bike to my wife and she just gives me that look. You know, THAT look. Sigh.

 

120 miles is nothing. You'll be there before you know it.

I ride 120miles or longer on random trips I do on the weekends (in just one day though).

Don't fill up at a gas station that is questionable! Bad gas can fubar your bike.


Highway riding is pretty boring to be honest, it's also very safe compared to the city/subsurban streets. People can't just randomly pull out in front of you... Just stay alert and keep an eye on everyone around you.

Bring rain gear if the weather calls for it... If there's any possibility of a sprinkle along the way I would bring some. You can get some light rain gear cheap at any bike shop, won't take up much space in your backpack. Only bring it if you think you'll really need it.

If it does *downpour* pull under the nearest overpass and wait out the heavy rain. Hydroplaning on a motorcycle can be scary! I've had the rear tire move around on me before at highway speeds, it's creepy. But it was a super heavy rain storm down in Florida.

Windscreens are for old people, or for cross country trips. I recommend ear plugs though if your not wearing a FF helmet; wind noise can ruin your hearing after awhile. I buy "hearos" from the guitar center. They are made to just cut the noise down, not cut it all out.

Have fun!

 

130 miles isn't too long. I used to ride down to my parents house on weekends from Sacramento, CA to Merced, CA, which is about 120 miles one way. When I bought my Triumph, I picked it up from Fresno, CA which is about a 175 mile trip one way. Hell, my weekend rides in the twisties are sometimes 100 miles or more.

In any case, your plan seems good enough. 2 rest stops is fine, especially if you aren't used to the distance. Take the time to refuel, get some water, stretch out the legs and back.

Like previously mentioned, wear ear plugs. I use Mack's Foam earplugs and they work great and are cheap. And since you don't have a windscreen, it's instinctual for the body to tuck down. When you do so, try no to put too much pressure or weight on your wrists. Remember, loose up top in the wrist and arms, also bend those elbows.

On my trips, I carried everything for the weekend in a tank bag and back pack. Look at getting a tank bag or saddle bags if you don't already have them.

 

Have fun...120 miles should be a breeze. Just stay alert (people on long drives in cars tend to sway into other lanes when they get tired).

The longest I've done is about 400 miles in one day and the biggest complaint that I had was a sore ass and a stiff neck.

When you gas up, take an extra 5-10 minutes to stretch out and loosen up...I find that helps alot. Remember to keep your weight off your wrist and hug the gas tank and you'll be fine.

 

Gotta agree with everyone else. This was about the length of my first "long" ride on my R6 and it was nothing. You have the gear and know the route so you are good to go. My only advise (think someone else said it too) is dont really plan stops so much. Riding can be fatiguing and you should always stop when you first get the urge to. Not a huge deal in a car most of the time but the first signs of fatigue on a bike can quickly kill you.

Have fun, get a good nights sleep, get the bike in good working order, and take a good break and stretch when you do stop.

 

Thanks for the replies all!! I know it's not that long of a trip.. that's why I put long in quotes in my OP. Overall it's not a long trip... but it's my longest. All of my other rides have been mainly local.

I'm sure it will be a breeze, but I was just wondering if I was forgetting everything. The bike's in great shape and fresh off of a service, so it's ready to go. I will be doing the standard T-CLOCS check and the bike comes with tools... so the only thing I'll likely need is a tire gauge and maybe CO2 cartridges with a plug kit.

I do not need to be there at any time which is why I'm riding up Monday as Tuesday is the day there are things planned, so I can take my time. I have mapped out the two stopping places as mentioned, but there are a bunch along the route, so if I need to stop to stretch or whatever, I will. I'll also have extra clothes in my backpack, so that's not an issue.

Thanks again all!!

 

here's something to help...

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-C...nChecklist.pdf

 

^ Thanks I actually have that checklist filed in my desk, so I already have it... but I'm going to bookmark that link in case I lose it

 

 

enjoy the ride JB

 

if I remember correctly, you have a bad ass Aprilia, yes?

 

^ Yes, I have an Aprilia Tuono...

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/new-bike-just-got-delivered-722936/

 

FYI, got back yesterday afternoon and it was a blast. Most of the ride is highway, but it was worth it once I got to the mountains.

Going up on Monday I stopped 5 times, but a few of those were to adjust one thing or another. Coming home I only stopped twice.

It was a lot of fun though and I'm looking forward to the day when I pickup a cruiser so the wife can join me and we can cruise in comfort.

Thanks for the tips all!!

 

Glad to hear it was uneventful

I did a similar ride on my first bike a few months after I starting riding. It seemed like a lot longer considering I was riding this model


As you get used to your bike 130miles will feel more like an afternoon cruise instead of a "road trip".

 

Glad to hear you had a safe fun trip.

...and 120 miles is nothing.

 

If you ever do a long road trip, stretch your legs and hips. First time I drove to vegas I got off my bike and couldn't walk. Seriosuly I had to sit down for like an hour haha

 

Yeah, it was weird b/c going I was tightening up pretty quickly... but coming back wasn't so bad. As I ride more and more I'm sure it'll be easier and easier.

Considering most of my other bike rides have just been local this ride was about 10 times longer then anything I had done before. It was fun though and I'm looking forward to more trips!

 

130 miles a very short hop but make it fun anyhow. When I travel, all I pack is socks, underwear and a fresh tee for 5 days. Along the way, there is always a place I can do laundry. Since I tend to do at least one long (7 day) trip but a bunch of overnighters, I also carry a Plug kit as well as a small air pump. It has come in handy. Of course a tire plug is no use to you if you have spoked wheels with an inner tube. Make sure you also have towing which can be as cheap as $20 for the year. Don't speed and ride in the day time only....

 

^^ Always carry a tire repair kit...they are cheap...and don't take up too much space.

 

Yeah, I did not pickup a kit for this trip... but next time I am near the bike shop I will be grabbing one. Also, I have free roadside with AMA, so that's covered as well.

I was able to pack light since I was only going for 2 nights. I just had some under garments, one pair of shorts and 2 t-shirts. Nothing crazy. Fit nicely in my backpack and wasn't too heavy. Worked out well...

 

Advil! Your back in is gonna hurt!

 

oops...you already made the trip!

 

A pair of sound insulating earbud-style earphones and a MP3 player. Keep the volume level low enough such that you can still hear horns and emergency vehicle sirens.

On long trips and back country roads it's nice to have some tunes to listen to. However on highways and roads with moderate to high traffic I do not use them instead using just earplugs.

 

130 miles i ride that almost all the time. hell my g/f lives up by Cleveland if i go see her on the GL i ride that.
most i rode in a day is 650 miles.(about 3 FULL tanks of gas)
i got a 2005 Honda Goldwing 30th anni. edition with 30,000 miles on it Avon Cobras, blood red on both ends chromed out, XM through the helmets, to many goodies(basically the whole damn Kuryakyn catalog on that bike)
bike #2. 2010 Honda Fury Blue,Bikes2NV Gel set, Low and Mean Hypercharger, Mayhem pipes, Ghost flames on the tank. its only got like 2,000 miles on it but i've only had it since early June.
typically i'm putting 8-10,000 miles on the bikes but now since i got the Fury the Goldwing parked more.
If i'm around here I take the Fury.
- get highway pegs if you can. mine on the GL was like 150 or 180 bucks chromed(their nice to stretch out your legs like on interstate or a 4 lane road)
- take some twisty roads

farthest i've taken the GL was Yellowstone national park this last 4th of July shutdown for 2 weeks.

 

lol... I had several Alieve with me. Kind of figured of all of the body parts, my back would be hurting the most. And I was right!

I brought my Ipod and had the volume just above the bike. It was perfect b/c I could still hear my surroundings, but having some tunes in the ear made the ride much better...

 

That a CB 750? Sweet bike.

 

Nope, I was lucky enough to have a '73 CB350 Four. I paid $200 and had no idea what I had purchased. It wasn't until right before I sold it for a hefty price that I realized what I had.