What to bring on an 8,000 mile trip?

Thanks guys!

MEfolks, what goes into a fuse box change? Just grab a 4-gang block here? www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=765

Then swap out the stock AGX fuse box?

I'll make a more thorough list and post it here tomorrow.

So are you going to try and complete the whole Dalton Highway trip this time? I read your other thread at ADVRider, sounds like a memorable trip.

Anyway, in addition to the stuff that the others have mentioned, bring along a bit of extra wire, and some electrical tape (good for lots of things) so you can wire around any problematic connections that could pop up. Also, a couple of spare master links for that 530 chain in case something happens there. Planning on doing an oil change during the trip? Maybe bring along the filter so you don't get stuck in the boonies and can't get parts. Not sure if you need to remove your exhaust to change oil so take four exhaust gaskets in case you do. Spare clutch cable. Check your brakes real good before you leave. Maybe bring one extra coil. IIRC that is what stopped you on the last trip, no? Spare plugs. I could go on forever.

Good luck and do give us a write-up when you get back.

Johnson and Johnson wet wipes, trust me Small, compact, and not just for wiping your ass, you can basically take a Marine shower with 3 or 4 of them. Was on a 13 hour ride once and had a bad meal in Kansas, whoooo, glad I had them. Cheap too.

Do a search to bring up my old post entitled:

What Preparation Is Needed for a 4,500 Mile Trip

I listed some things I had done, and many others offered excellent advice. The trip was a fantastic experience and went very well. I did not lack anything. I am including a spreadsheet which was a checklist, plus 4 other sheets, with information on weather, planned stops for each night, mileage between towns to plan gas stops, etc. We were on a tight schedule, doing 4,400 miles in 9 days. I just noticed that this sheet was for an earlier attampt at the trip, which was absurdly optimistic on the mileage. If I can find the more recent one, I'll send it. The checklist is still good however.

Reading the thread title and not even looking at it's author, I knew it was you planning this long of a trip. :laugh:


Adding to the mentioned items above:

#1 "Pull/Open" throttle cable. Yes, the "Push/Close" throttle cable can be swapped in a pinch and still be functional. But trust me from experience, it's much faster (and safer!) to install a replacement cable rather than removing and re-installing the "Push/Close" cable in bad weather or on a narrow turnout on the side of the road/highway.

#2 GPS. And make sure it's one that has features like traffic alert, local weather if possible, "Where am I" feature (locates closest hospitals, police, gas / lodging, etc), and wireless voice directions fed to a bluetooth. Some models with the bluetooth feature also have voice activated hands-free calling to boot.

#3 Rainsuit. Yes, it was already mentioned, but let me expand it a little: Make it a 1-piece rainsuit! It will prevent water intrusion everywhere expect hand/neck/foot openings.
There's nothing worse than having ice-cold rain water pool up inside the crotch via the area between jacket and pants. If you can find an insulated version of the same (I still have my Tourmaster 1-piece insulated from the late 80's, granted it's a tad bit snugger than it once was :whistle: ), then you can ditch worrying about where to stow a heated vest/jacket as well as a rainsuit.

#4 Lock blade knife, worn of course on your belt so as not to be deemed a "concealed weapon". Make sure the blade length is legal in the area(s) that you'll be traveling through, and obviously make sure it's sharp and in working order.

#5 Sunscreen, topical bug repelant, anti-venom kit.

#6 And my personal fav;
Remember to program a primary I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) number, as well as 1 or 2 secondary numbers into your cell phone in case the primary I.C.E. contact is unavailable.
Make certain it's people (immediate family is usually best) that know of any medical conditions (allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, hemophilia, etc.), and are 100% certain of your desires concerning major surgeries and /or if you're in a coma. A "Do Not Recucitate" decision in dire cases is extreme, but I don't know of anyone who want's to be fed through a vein and just "exist", all the while their family is suffering.

Sorry for the doom 'n gloom in #6.
But it's always better to cover all bases, especially on such a long trip.

Be careful man, and keep us posted along the trip if possible on where you are and how it's going.

I did 2 10,000 mile trips on a KZ1000 and took about everything, tire irons, all the tools, spare gas, spare oil, extra headlight bulb that actually was used at 2am, spare chain, masterlink. For sure fit new tires, 10,000 mile I was bald at the end. take a provision to add water to the battery as it won't make 8000 miles without drinking a quart of water. oil chain every time it looks dry, which in dust or rain may be every 50 miles. Of course take duct tape, bailing wire, spare fuses, spare plugs, normal stuff like that, heated gear will be mandatory too. For gear, you need all the essential times 10. Take the rainsuit, several jackets, at least 5 pair of cold weather gloves even in the summer, waterproof boots. Wear a riding suit like an aerostich roadcrafter or motoport kevlar at all times.

this one might sound strange, but I'd make a couple of extra keys to the bike in case of pulling over to take a leak and loosing the main key, also a flashlight and some chapstick

.

martin_csr wrote:

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Without a doubt. I have a pair of Lesters coming (so WHEN I get a flat, I'm not cursing my brains out fumbling with a tube)....

Just wondering.... Are the Lester wheels tubeless? I don't know anything about them, but since most (all?) 70s Kaw cast alloy wheels are tube-type...

Lester are tube type, at least all I've seen. They were 70s wheels, no tubeless in the 70s for all intents and purposes except the KZ1000ST that finally broke the rules and updated to tubeless.

RonKZ650 wrote:

martin_csr wrote:

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Without a doubt. I have a pair of Lesters coming (so WHEN I get a flat, I'm not cursing my brains out fumbling with a tube)....

Just wondering.... Are the Lester wheels tubeless? I don't know anything about them, but since most (all?) 70s Kaw cast alloy wheels are tube-type...

Lester are tube type, at least all I've seen. They were 70s wheels, no tubeless in the 70s for all intents and purposes except the KZ1000ST that finally broke the rules and updated to tubeless.

You're 100% positive? What would go into sealing them to run TL tires? With the Enkei wheels I had on a different bike, I could run tubeless, or a tube if I wanted.

Dont forget a way to fill a tire if you have a flat. Maybe one of those on board compressors that dragracers use for the air shifters.

I'd definately take along some kind of backpacking type camp stove and some Raman noodles just in case you get stuck along side the road.
And maybe for a trip like this, putting some tire Slime in the tires would be in order. I don't know. I've never used it in my bike, but I used to get thorns in my lawn tractor tires all the time, and after I put Slime in the tires, I haven't had a flat since.