Trip List

[Persistant]

Did some searching but no love...  Was looking for others recommended inventory of tools and parts for extended trip.  Leaving on an approx ride of 3000 km soon which will be my longest single trip.  Will be riding with 2 other buddies for the whole trip and 2 others for part of the trip.  I will be on the only FJ (93 1200).  Appreciate some suggestions. 

Thanks!

Andrew

[Capn Ron]

Let's see...That's less than 2000 miles so you won't need an oil or tire change on the trip...that makes things easier.  You should bring a quart of oil to top up as you go...some chain lube.  Each night make it part of your routine...stop for the night, lube and wipe down your chain.  I now carry a tiny air pump and a way to plug punctures in my tires.  If you're riding with some other guys, one will do for the whole group.  I also carry a motorcycle-specific tow strap...that will solve all sorts of issues if you're riding with others and something fails.  Whatever spares you carry won't fail and whatever you leave at home will.

Get yourself some good riding skivvies (boxer-briefs)...like Wickers.  Two pair will last you 85 days all around North America (trust me on this)...rotating and washing will always keep you in the mother-recommended clean/dry underwear every day.  Bring the standard set of tools...throw in a couple of your favorites...add ten zip ties, a small amount of wire, a multi-meter and a small amount of electrical tape.  Some Nitrile gloves if you have fuel issues to sort out...a few paper funnels for the above-mentioned oil top-offs.  Carry two microfibre rags.  Bring more than one set of riding gloves.  I traveled with three...Warm, waterproof (yeah, right) and cool to handle the weather changes in your day's riding.  Throw in a few backpacker meals and a way to boil water.  You just don't know how nice it is after a long day's run to be able to feed yourself at 11:00pm when you've finally arrived at camp...or a motel when everything is closed.

Bring enough water to get you through two-days...when you're down to one-day's supply, stock up at a fuel stop.  While you're there, grab more snacks...Jerky, cashews, Clif bars...Stuff that will get you through times of little food availability.  I now carry a spare brake and clutch lever in case of a low-side...I can at least get those two functioning again.  Carry a spare headlight bulb...I went through THREE in as many months.  Carry mosquito spray if you're camping...I had about forty-thousand of dem-bastards trying to carry me off on the north shore of Prince Edward Island.  Get some light weight braided cable to lock up your gear.  You'll find yourself worrying about leaving your bike and things everytime you stop.  If you get a couple 6-footers, you can even run them up the sleeve of your jacket and through the leg of your overpants while you go on a hike.  Download a good weather app for your phone before you leave.  If it has live radar, you can avoid a lot of rain by slightly changing your route on a particular day...  Take a spare key with you...zip tie, tape or Velcro it somewhere hidden.

Well, that was just a dump of what popped into my head...If you want to know anything more specific, just ask!

[aviationfred]

For a tool set, I have in the past always just thrown together a bag of tools that I thought I may need while on the road. I recently got a large tools roll from Cycle Gear. The only think I now add is a 27mm sprocket and 1/2 ratchet to do chain adjustments with.

http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Tools/Wrenches-%26-Pliers/brand/STOCKTON-TOOL-COMPANY/Roadside-Tool-Kit/p/46201

On sale for 50% off until the end of August.

Fred

[Derek Young]

 Hey Andrew. The only thing I would add to Ron's very complete list is a good motorcycle specific map that rates the roads. Donna and I have the destination highways maps. They are colour coded as far as which roads are better bike roads. Google maps or a GPS usually stick with main road and there are some hidden gems you would miss if these are your only route planning tools. It makes it quick and easy to plan a route or make changes on the fly.
Where are you going? Let me know if you need any suggestions.

Derek

[Capn Ron]

+1 on the Destination Highways maps!!!

Whenever Derek and Donna would break out one of those maps at camp, a small crowd would gather, the next day's routes were picked and a good time was had by all!     They also have an app for the iPhone...a bit spendy, but a most excellent product!

[Persistant]

Thanks for the info!

Well, that was just a dump of what popped into my head...If you want to know anything more specific, just ask!
[/quote]

[Persistant]

Hey Andrew. The only thing I would add to Ron's very complete list is a good motorcycle specific map that rates the roads. Donna and I have the destination highways maps. They are colour coded as far as which roads are better bike roads. Google maps or a GPS usually stick with main road and there are some hidden gems you would miss if these are your only route planning tools. It makes it quick and easy to plan a route or make changes on the fly.
Where are you going? Let me know if you need any suggestions.

Derek

We are heading to Whistler the first night after getting the 5 pm boat off the rock, over the Duffy Lake Rd and over to Vernon, then across the Arrow Lake and over across to Kootenay Lake, across that ferry and down to Creston (#1 DHBC), thru Elko across the Rockys into Waterton Park, over the Road to the Sun, across Northern Montana/Idaho and into Washington and Cascade Highway back to the coast and home.....subject to change for pictures, extended stops, breakdowns, and sore butts!

[Persistant]

+1 on the Destination Highways maps!!!

Whenever Derek and Donna would break out one of those maps at camp, a small crowd would gather, the next day's routes were picked and a good time was had by all!     They also have an app for the iPhone...a bit spendy, but a most excellent product!

Thanks Ron, forgot to mention that I do have those books as well except Montana and Idaho....

[movenon]

+1 on the Destination Highways maps!!!

Whenever Derek and Donna would break out one of those maps at camp, a small crowd would gather, the next day's routes were picked and a good time was had by all!     They also have an app for the iPhone...a bit spendy, but a most excellent product!

Thanks Ron, forgot to mention that I do have those books as well except Montana and Idaho....

Don't have to worry about Idaho, it's only got 5 or 6 roads.............   If your trip includes Southern Idaho let me if you have a problem on road. Got a dry shop and tools. .

[Derek Young]

We are heading to Whistler the first night after getting the 5 pm boat off the rock, over the Duffy Lake Rd and over to Vernon, then across the Arrow Lake and over across to Kootenay Lake, across that ferry and down to Creston (#1 DHBC), thru Elko across the Rockys into Waterton Park, over the Road to the Sun, across Northern Montana/Idaho and into Washington and Cascade Highway back to the coast and home.....subject to change for pictures, extended stops, breakdowns, and sore butts!

Wow! Awesome journey Andrew! I've ridden most of southern BC and washington but I haven't gone east from Creston. Waterton/Glacier National Park is on my list of places to go for sure!
Creston to Kootenay Bay is overrated IMO, not even in my top ten in BC. Lumby to Needles and New Denver to Kaslo are awesome roads though.
Looking forward to the ride reports. Have a great time and ride Safe!

Derek

[FeralRdr]

A strong piece of advice.  For carrying oil, get yourself an MSR fuel bottle in the 30 OZ. size.



http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/stove-accessories/msr-fuel-bottles/product

This is about the only way I've found to carry an 'opened' quart of oil that doesn't leak.  The key thing is to make sure that you fill it up to an inch below the neck area.  That air space is crucial for 'fluidic' expansion.  Also, I've found that with the 30 OZ size you can carry almost a full quart.  Depending on how much oil your bike consumes, the smaller size units only provide enough oil for one good top off (raising oil level from the bottom of the level gauge/glass to the top off marks).  The 30 oz size allowed me to carry enough for 2 plus top offs (your experience may vary).

[Capn Ron]

I love the idea of the MSR bottle for "top up" oil!   

I searched for a way to carry spare oil on my trip that would stay sealed and found these:



They are 10oz. plastic bottles that are extremely tough and seal well.  They're free, disposable, replaceable at any supermarket and you can see through them.  I use them for both engine oil and olive oil (don't EVER mix those two up!) for camp cooking while on the bike...

I put a quart into three of these for REALLY long trips and chuck them out when empty to regain space in the Givi cases.  For local riding (up to 500 miles or so), I just carry one in my tool/spares kit for me or anyone I'm riding with.