What to bring on an 8,000 mile trip?

19 days and counting, how long till the U-turn back. the weather can change in a hurry up north.
Sorry to hear the Vetter didn't pan out. They are great for touring, since that is what they are designed for. Beats a windshield for cutting the weather.

Motor Head wrote: 19 days and counting, how long till the U-turn back. the weather can change in a hurry up north.
Sorry to hear the Vetter didn't pan out. They are great for touring, since that is what they are designed for. Beats a windshield for cutting the weather.

Well, I'll reserve that decision for the right time. I'm not stuck on this trip, I'd REALLY like to, but if I have to turn around because of a foot of snow, I might do it. Or I might just camp out an extra day. I got my new textile jacket and pants on Saturday. Man, they are nice! Can't wait to try them out. I'm tempted to shower in them.

I'm tempted to shower in them...Funny you should say that as it might not be a bad idea. I have showered in things like, army equipment, boots, 1 piece leather suit (the motorcycle racer kind, not the studded with a leash kind) and other similar things to help break them in.

Not great news for this weekend- I didn't get nearly anything done that I wanted to.

I mocked up the trunk on my bike and it sits 4 inches further back (to the rear) than I had wanted- it's going to do wonders for weight distribution. I tried putting on my Lesters and the front [Z1] wheel has a completely different hub system than the KZ wheel/lowers.

I installed a new, modern voltage regulator and rectifier unit and got my LED tail light running correctly. Unfortunately, the is the only good news I have to report

As my departure date is Friday the 19th or Saturday the 20th, my feet are starting to get colder. I'd had to cancel after putting this much time (and money) into the trip, but I can always try for a date next year. I need some good things to happen this week.

Stay tuned guys.... I have a bad gut feeling about this trip (not to mention a front wheel that doesn't fit.. my fault) and my gut is almost certainly always right in situations like these.

Aaarrrggghhhhh!!!! :evil:

don't do this unless you're sure everythingis in order, good Karma to ya

Yep- I called it off. I came pretty close to getting everything in order, but I completely blew my budget. My gut is right 95% of the time in situations like these, so no hard feelings.

I'm just this much more prepared to do the trip next year.

well, the new riding gear should be good and broke in by then right.

hope it is a budget issue, and not a puss out issue.

I think you are right to trust your gut. If you delay a trip to Alaska, winter could get you. As you well know, winter comes on early up there.

Jacksdad, click the "Dalton survivor" link in his signature line. I doubt you'll think he's gonna puss out if you read that story. This ain't his first rodeo.

just razzing him, i read the doc. and think he's got bigger stones than most

Yeah it's primarily a budget issue- I shattered my budget. Cost a little more than I anticipated getting a 35 year old bike ready to ride 8,000 miles through the middle of nowhere and back. I have some savings to fall back on in a dire pinch, but not a comfortable amount. Also a few other issues- like my Z1 front wheel not fitting, with an extra 100+ pounds of gear, I wanted to install a second front disc and that didn't happen, I've just replaced my voltage reg/rect so I'm dying to throw the HID light back in and save some more wattage but damaged a wire connector the last time I took it out, and despite my planning, I didn't have everything I needed in a decent amount of time. I'm expecting a package of goodies today, I had hoped to depart this Friday evening so I'd have to scratch my shakedown ride and I wasn't comfortable simply jumping off the deep end without the even the smallest shakedown ride.

I won't be delaying the trip any later this fall- mid-September is the agreed upon cutoff on ADVRider- it starts to get consistently get cold (<30) at night and snowing in the passes I'd be headed through. I can do cold temps and a little rain [preferably not both at the same time], but snow on anything other than a tricked out BMW GS with proper tires and heated grips/gloves/jacket is suicide.

And yep, my grand of new riding gear should be nice and worn in by the middle/end of next July, my tentative dates of the trip. So I now have 11 months to whip everything in shape.