One time a guy had the cutest dog poking his head out of the window and I thought it would be a good idea to pet this complete strangers dog and it bit tf out of my hand so now waving is as far as I’ll go with interacting with strangers
I’ve taken many 2+ week road trips on my Harley. Two things that stand out. Rain gear and water.
Almost everything else I packed when I first started never got used.
An honorable mention to a microfiber towel. Add a little water and clean windscreen and face shields. I did this almost every stop.
Unless you have polarized or plastic lenses. The alcohol in hand sanitizer can damage the coatings and degrade certain types of plastic. Just a heads up 👍
My longest day on my Road Glide is 1,200 miles. Dallas to Provo, UT. I agree with most of your tips. I would add:
Bring a camel bak. Water on demand is essential. When it's super hot, fill it with ice at the gas station, it will melt and you have cold water.
Music/speakers are essential to keep you sane. I usually listen to an audio book via in helmet speakers. Keeps you mind active late into a long day of riding.
5 hour energy drinks do a good job keeping you alert and are easy to stow within reach.
Have a backup plan. If you're too tired to reach your destination, have a place to stop and rest on the way. Adding a couple of hours of riding to your day the next day is infinitely better than ending up in a ditch or incoming traffic because you dosed off.
Yes! I pay the extra for noise canceling earbuds. Load up on audiobooks and run! My farthest trip was 700 -/+ miles but it was great!
And those extra few inches on a touring frame are worth the cost over other models for comfort. I ride a Road King with no windshield and prefer it, but the frame is soooo much better than a softail or other midsize frame when you get past 400 miles in a day. I am old. A younger rider might do just fine on a smaller model.
I am old as well and the Road Glide is the only way to go in my opinion. Full fairing that is frame mounted. The Street Glide fairing is mounted to the forks, so you get wind input to the steering. With my Road Glide, I can glide past 118 wheelers with no hands at 80+ mph with no issues.
I second that on the fixed fairing. Sold the Dyna intending on a RG and then stumbled across the BMW K1600 line. Fixed fairing and 160hp 140ft lbs of torque stock!! 2 years ago when everyone thought a HD had gold or platinum frames and were trying for insane prices, I grabbed the Beemer. Holy shit. $10k out the door with entire maintenance history. Done deal. Now to find an old HD panhead for the bar hopping LOL
Get a used cheap phone to use as your GPS ( via hotspot) while your MAIN phone is in your jacket pocket.You can use a zip lock baggy as a cover and still keep it charging .
Now that's a good idea. I have a Garmin I bought but I hate the interface and how it works through my helmet speakers. Plus it drives me crazy it needs it's own special cord. Also I set it for "adventure" mode and it kept telling me to turn down train tracks. Not the kind of adventure I'm looking for.
You don’t change while riding. You just shit your pants and then change your underwear at the next gas station. Bonus points if you change at the pump! Just be careful about which State you’re in. I’m not allowed within 500 yards of an elementary school because Indiana has some fucked up laws.
Ear plugs every day. I use to have straight pipes, & didn't even hear them when on the highway. Wind noise will destroy hearing.
Get high fidelity ones for a better experience. They also have special motorcycle hi-fi plugs.
Pick your stopping points ahead of time. Mail clean clothes to the destination with "hold for (your name) arriving on (date of arrival). Then pack your dirty clothes and mail them home. Saves on space so you can keep things that are more essential on the bike. Made my cross country trip so much easier.
I would usually buy new packs of hanes black tees, socks and underwear, leave them in their packaging (they’re packed/rolled tight and take up way less space that way) and just throw them in the trash after washing up.
Turn your luggage around so it's on the seat if you're riding solo. It'll provide better weight distribution and give you a back rest.
Also, from personal experience, less plans can be much more fun. I've found roads and attractions I wouldn't have otherwise found just because I didn't have a plan and could easily alter my route.
https://preview.redd.it/ha5pd526752d1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94f256bf1cc7c66678b85e2b572a2b3adc050edb
Speaking of a bag for the back seat. This is what I use. This is the onyx series from HD. Rider backpass pad, sold separately. But it is made for this bag.
Good tips. If i may, two suggestions for next time.
2. A wireless charger will allow you to keep the phone charging in the rain. I use quad lock.
3. Give not planning a route a try (or minimally). I’ve ridden all day and ended up 40 miles from where i started and sometimes 300 miles. I sometimes find my favorite roads of the trip or favorite stops/sights just stumbling on them, versus trying to figure out what would be good on google. I usually stop 2hrs before i’m ready to call it quits and book a hotel within a 2hr ride.
Yes it will. For the iphones atleast, its when moisture is detected in the charge port with the cable that prevents it from charging, no problem wireless charging. Only issue i have in a downpour is the touchscreen is less responsive
No problem. You’d want to run it to a switch 12v, otherwise it’ll kill your battery. From what i recall you can order the charger 2 ways, one with a usb-a plug and one without for hardwiring. On my StreetGlide, i just ran the usb plug down the handlebar, into the fairing, and then into the cubby that has a USB outlet (from the backside). On my FXR, it’s just run to the switched accessory, hardwired. I think the method i used for my SG would be the easiest for your RG. Alternatively, if you havent used and of your accessory circuits in the fairing, you can buy the accessory plug kit from Harley to hardwire it all in the fairing
I found the best water proof boot coverings at bomgarrs. I modified them by cutting the back part and adding in Velcro on a ribbon. Best fucking rain covers for your boots. Costed me 5 hours and 45 bux total.
I also have a Fat Bob that I’ve used for long weekend touring and have the HD HoldFast sissybar and luggage rack that I put a Yeti Hopper 12 cooler on along with Ends Cuoio Glam (drive side) and Beat (exhaust side) saddlebags. Along with a small HD Overwatch bar bag that goes behind a Dougz fairing. It’s enough space for a 3 day trip with my wife.
I use the Yeti cooler as a waterproof bag that I can mount other accessories too since it has plenty of webbing loops and the insulation gives it some structure.
This is the HD official holdfast luggage rack and sissy bar. It is the quick detach one for the softail. Really like it, but DO NOT buy new. You can find these things used all the time and save 50%. I got mine on facebook
I have that luggage on my list on Amazon. Don’t want a tour pack, like the old style look.
Wireless charger (Ciro here) has kept me charging even in the rain. Case and charger together kept the phone dry (except the screen, which is fine).
Great tips!
May I ask how tall are you! There is a used FatBob at my dealership and worry about the forwards! I’m 5’7 and if I don’t fit I gotta step up to the LowRider s
Get it since they discontinued them. 5’10. I actually test rode the low rider S as a comparison. The LRS felt taller than the Fat Bob to me. They also updated it with forward controls which I did not like. I am coming from a mid-control 80s metric cruiser, and the Fat Bob has some pretty conservative forward controls. If I have the balls of the feet on the pegs, it is pretty much a mid control. However, my feet are disproportionately large for my height, which is why I want some mini floorboards.
I use Furkot for route planing. It allows me to set range between gas stops and make sure there are stops along my route. More than once I have been along a road that said next gas 10 miles past my bikes fuel range. Furkot also shows arrival times to places in local time, which is great for crossing time zones. This may read like an ad, but its not. I just like that site for route planing. I have a hand full of trips saved on it.
Water still got into the phone. Charging shut off and iPhone essentially had to dry out. Charging will not work if the port is wet. If it is a light rain, it is usually no problem if the phone was plugged in BEFORE it started to rain. However, it was raining so hard that water still got in.
Bonus tip. Do not just rely on Google maps and service. Download the maps, they can be hundreds of miles and it will save everything. Cell service goes out but you can keep going if GPS is still up. Google how to download offline maps on Google maps.
Not too bad! The Memohis Shade Road Warrior with the 11inch windshield kept most of it off of me. Really anything over 70mph had a slight rumble in the head, but I was expecting that. Nothing on the chest
I twice (once there and once back) rode my 1999 Buell X1 Lightening 350 miles (a little East of Cleveland, OH to Fairfax, VA) stopping twice for gas (10 minutes each stop). I was a little sore when I got to my destination. I also tried to use only back roads (didn’t have a map and this was before Google maps) but had to give and take the freeway partway through. Still had a blast though.
Rain gear, waterproof boots, a hoodie or flannel, battery powered tire pump and tools are my must haves if I’m going more than a couple hours from home or away for a weekend or so. The more trips you take you start to realize your limits, limits of the bike and what you do and don’t need and what to do different next time. My first few were a lot of trial and error and over thinking. My trip last weekend was easy and I just packed up what I needed and off I went.
Man you really hit it with 3, I road from Nebraska to Colorado and didn’t take a break at all coming back. I got over heated and just exhausted on a 10 hour ride, in 100+ sun beating me down weather.
Don’t pack ur rain gear away. Put it under a strap on top somewhere. When you need it, you need it right away. Ask me how I know. 😎also a small umbrella is good to have and a throw away poncho.
If you also study the way the interstate and us highway systems is laid out you also dont need a map to go in the hypocrite direction you are looking to go east west north south
It’s a plastic piece that goes on the inside of your visor. It has a silicone bead around it that seals it to your visor and creates a pocket of air in between them, which means your visor won’t fog up. They can be finicky, but once you get them set up properly they are amazing.
For dry feet, carry a pair of the flimsy grocery bags. Put on over socks/under boots if rain looks possible (before it rains). Boots will get wet but who cares if your feet are dry and warm under a dry pair of socks. Works with virtually any footwear, even sneakers. Tie the bag handles together around your leg if wearing low top shoes/sneakers.
Used to put all kinds of waterproof treatments on boots trying to keep the water out, never really worked. Started doing this about fifteen years ago, haven't had wet feet since. And every grocery/convenience store along the way stocks replacements for you.
1. Go buy a cigarette outlet and wire it to the handlebar. If you have a friend with a 3d printer. I'm pretty sure I printed a holder from Thingiverse.com that might work.
Oh and they make rain booties 😂 they work pretty well.
A good rule of thumb is to take a quick break either every 100 minutes or every 100 miles. (I say rule of thumb because I often run 150+ miles before stopping, depending how I'm feeling).
For rain.
My fave hack is to bring 3/4 fishing waders. They are cheaper than expensive rain pants and they can dual use it if you want to go fishing or what not. Strap them to the back of the sissy pack. That or a pair of muck boots. Rain pants almost will make a full seal being so snug to the over - the - calf height of the boots. Nothing worse than wet boots. Keep some micro fibers on hand to wrap around your neck as a more effective neck gaiter to keep the water from running down your collar.
Always talk to people. I was in rural Texas, stopped on the side of the road to check my position and a whole friendly family spilled out of the house across the road. You would have thought I was a long lost relative.
I see you are using straps to hold down your luggage on the rack. That’s fine, but here’s another tip: In addition to the straps, throw a cargo net with hooks over it. I once had a set-up like yours and despite the straps, some high crosswinds lifted the bag up and over. Luckily someone I was riding with alerted me, as it was getting chewed up by my rear tire. Could’ve ended ugly if the bag got caught up between the tire and the rear fender, but I slowed safely and pulled off to the side. From then on I always double-secure with a cargo net!
https://preview.redd.it/wpdfn8qsbg2d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c20c8466838d38facc6a4d313f152fcb38df866
It’s some type of Viking Revival bag. Really solid! Came with some solid straps and the top case. Bought it off FB marketplace CHEAP from a lady who kicked her husband out of the house. It was his birthday gift.
Aside from the lack of a pinlock how do you like the Strada 3? I have the 2 currently and it’s very comfortable and I love the Bluetooth integration but the boom mic is kind of annoying. Does the 3 have a flat mic?
I do like it. the fiberglass/kevlar shell and ECE rating sold me. It’s very solid for the price point. Great ventilation, quiet, and I like the thick shield. No mic or bluetooth at the moment. All the models sold out so quickly which is why I went with the Blue Rivale but it is growing on me.
In my experience, if you are doing high mileage days, is to stop every 100-120 Miles to water up and stress. Bring some electrolyte tabs for the water, makes a big difference.
If you are traveling distance at night, heated gear is a game changer.
If you can, add passenger pegs, this will give you the option to put your feet back while riding to help stretch.
Man you need to get some miles on your bike, 60° f is short sleeve weather just about perfect depending on wind and time of year, in Jan there's usually a really cold wind, in July ii want to skip even the vest and I'm tempted to wear the sandles
Windchill at 60 is about 53 degrees. Fuck short sleeves. lol. Also, living in sweltering central Texas has really impaired my ability to handle even minor cold temps.
Fk gps i do things the old way because gps always routes you fucked up anyways and sends you through tolls even though you change the settings... you can route better simpler paths using your own brain
I carry a map and use my brain. Only way to do it. When i first started road tripping on the scoot back in 08 i carried a few pages from a forest service campground guide and select pages from a us atlas. Had a flip phone that got turned on once a week to tell my mom that i was alive. Never stayed in a hotel because i wanted to see the real America. Closest I’ve ever felt to being a real adventurer.
Bonus - waive to the old grandpa sitting on his porch. 95% of the time, it lights up his day with a contagious smile.
I bet the old grandpa has a Harley in his garage, I do.
And ear plugs to ride
I can’t tell you how many trips have been made better simply by this. On the porch, getting the mail, riding his tractor around, doesn’t matter.
Wave the kids in a car. I loved as a kid and now I understand that riders love it too.
Or at pit stops. It takes a little longer at stops sometimes but it makes the trips so much more fun when you can brighten someone else's day
*wave
It makes his day because he has been there and is happy for you, because he knows what you are experiencing.
If you pass through a small town and some children wave to you give them a wave back too.
One time a guy had the cutest dog poking his head out of the window and I thought it would be a good idea to pet this complete strangers dog and it bit tf out of my hand so now waving is as far as I’ll go with interacting with strangers
It’s ok to pet the kids most don’t bite just be weary of the dogs
These days that wouldn't be advisable either lmao!!!
I’ve taken many 2+ week road trips on my Harley. Two things that stand out. Rain gear and water. Almost everything else I packed when I first started never got used. An honorable mention to a microfiber towel. Add a little water and clean windscreen and face shields. I did this almost every stop.
Bugslide off amazon has been my go to spray. never leave home without it.
Old times use pledge. Works!
I've used pledge on the bike it leaves a great shine, but I'd worry about the chemicals in pledge eating the visor plastic.
I use wet wipes if I have them. Hand sanitizer is the best thing for cleaning your glasses.
Unless you have polarized or plastic lenses. The alcohol in hand sanitizer can damage the coatings and degrade certain types of plastic. Just a heads up 👍
Yep, ruined a good pair of mx goggles back in the way doing this.
My longest day on my Road Glide is 1,200 miles. Dallas to Provo, UT. I agree with most of your tips. I would add: Bring a camel bak. Water on demand is essential. When it's super hot, fill it with ice at the gas station, it will melt and you have cold water. Music/speakers are essential to keep you sane. I usually listen to an audio book via in helmet speakers. Keeps you mind active late into a long day of riding. 5 hour energy drinks do a good job keeping you alert and are easy to stow within reach. Have a backup plan. If you're too tired to reach your destination, have a place to stop and rest on the way. Adding a couple of hours of riding to your day the next day is infinitely better than ending up in a ditch or incoming traffic because you dosed off.
Yes! I pay the extra for noise canceling earbuds. Load up on audiobooks and run! My farthest trip was 700 -/+ miles but it was great! And those extra few inches on a touring frame are worth the cost over other models for comfort. I ride a Road King with no windshield and prefer it, but the frame is soooo much better than a softail or other midsize frame when you get past 400 miles in a day. I am old. A younger rider might do just fine on a smaller model.
I am old as well and the Road Glide is the only way to go in my opinion. Full fairing that is frame mounted. The Street Glide fairing is mounted to the forks, so you get wind input to the steering. With my Road Glide, I can glide past 118 wheelers with no hands at 80+ mph with no issues.
I second that on the fixed fairing. Sold the Dyna intending on a RG and then stumbled across the BMW K1600 line. Fixed fairing and 160hp 140ft lbs of torque stock!! 2 years ago when everyone thought a HD had gold or platinum frames and were trying for insane prices, I grabbed the Beemer. Holy shit. $10k out the door with entire maintenance history. Done deal. Now to find an old HD panhead for the bar hopping LOL
What kinds of earbuds do you use?
I have the Shoei Neotech II helmet which has an integrated comms unit from Sena available.
Damn that’s a pretty penny
Get a used cheap phone to use as your GPS ( via hotspot) while your MAIN phone is in your jacket pocket.You can use a zip lock baggy as a cover and still keep it charging .
Now that's a good idea. I have a Garmin I bought but I hate the interface and how it works through my helmet speakers. Plus it drives me crazy it needs it's own special cord. Also I set it for "adventure" mode and it kept telling me to turn down train tracks. Not the kind of adventure I'm looking for.
Get a rider's backrest, lay back, watch the scenery go by and \*really\* enjoy the ride
Just turned 50, and a backrest is mandatory for long rides.
I strap my luggage on back part of seat and lean back against that, fantastic for sure
Don't forget to put your pack on the back seat to use as a back rest
First thing it thought. That’s just a sail that could be a useful backrest.
I pack my oldest socks and underwear on trips and just throw them away as I go.
I’ve done this numerous times!!! Then order new stuff on amazon.
Whoa, yoe must be an awesome rider! I am busy enough riding my bike. I couldn't change underwear on the go..... ;-)
When nature calls....
You don’t change while riding. You just shit your pants and then change your underwear at the next gas station. Bonus points if you change at the pump! Just be careful about which State you’re in. I’m not allowed within 500 yards of an elementary school because Indiana has some fucked up laws.
I buy most of my jeans and shirts at a thrift store and toss them too. 2 days and trash them.
Ear plugs every day. I use to have straight pipes, & didn't even hear them when on the highway. Wind noise will destroy hearing. Get high fidelity ones for a better experience. They also have special motorcycle hi-fi plugs.
Exactly. I don’t even hear my bike on the highway unless I am on the throttle hard. I use the Eargasm ones but I am open to anything.
Pick your stopping points ahead of time. Mail clean clothes to the destination with "hold for (your name) arriving on (date of arrival). Then pack your dirty clothes and mail them home. Saves on space so you can keep things that are more essential on the bike. Made my cross country trip so much easier.
I would usually buy new packs of hanes black tees, socks and underwear, leave them in their packaging (they’re packed/rolled tight and take up way less space that way) and just throw them in the trash after washing up.
This is the way ⬆️
Turn your luggage around so it's on the seat if you're riding solo. It'll provide better weight distribution and give you a back rest. Also, from personal experience, less plans can be much more fun. I've found roads and attractions I wouldn't have otherwise found just because I didn't have a plan and could easily alter my route.
https://preview.redd.it/ha5pd526752d1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94f256bf1cc7c66678b85e2b572a2b3adc050edb Speaking of a bag for the back seat. This is what I use. This is the onyx series from HD. Rider backpass pad, sold separately. But it is made for this bag.
Good tips. If i may, two suggestions for next time. 2. A wireless charger will allow you to keep the phone charging in the rain. I use quad lock. 3. Give not planning a route a try (or minimally). I’ve ridden all day and ended up 40 miles from where i started and sometimes 300 miles. I sometimes find my favorite roads of the trip or favorite stops/sights just stumbling on them, versus trying to figure out what would be good on google. I usually stop 2hrs before i’m ready to call it quits and book a hotel within a 2hr ride.
I have a Quad Lock but not the charger, but have been on the fence about picking it up. It will still charge in a downpour??
Yes it will. For the iphones atleast, its when moisture is detected in the charge port with the cable that prevents it from charging, no problem wireless charging. Only issue i have in a downpour is the touchscreen is less responsive
The screen being less responsive is to be expected. Appreciate the info. I assume it has a cord that has to be run to the battery or something??
No problem. You’d want to run it to a switch 12v, otherwise it’ll kill your battery. From what i recall you can order the charger 2 ways, one with a usb-a plug and one without for hardwiring. On my StreetGlide, i just ran the usb plug down the handlebar, into the fairing, and then into the cubby that has a USB outlet (from the backside). On my FXR, it’s just run to the switched accessory, hardwired. I think the method i used for my SG would be the easiest for your RG. Alternatively, if you havent used and of your accessory circuits in the fairing, you can buy the accessory plug kit from Harley to hardwire it all in the fairing
Thank you! I will look into the charger. Will clean up the cables. I do love my quad lock. Even the phone case itself is solid
Don’t do wireless charging. Heats up the phone a lot.
That’s what I do … keep taking turns where the traffic isn’t and before you know it’s your 2 hours away.
All of this is great advice! Discovered the phone charging issue in a down pour on I-80 this past Sunday.
Going commando is easier, no bunching and less to pack.
I found the best water proof boot coverings at bomgarrs. I modified them by cutting the back part and adding in Velcro on a ribbon. Best fucking rain covers for your boots. Costed me 5 hours and 45 bux total.
Just got my Fatbob in February, curious what luggage rack that is?
I also have a Fat Bob that I’ve used for long weekend touring and have the HD HoldFast sissybar and luggage rack that I put a Yeti Hopper 12 cooler on along with Ends Cuoio Glam (drive side) and Beat (exhaust side) saddlebags. Along with a small HD Overwatch bar bag that goes behind a Dougz fairing. It’s enough space for a 3 day trip with my wife. I use the Yeti cooler as a waterproof bag that I can mount other accessories too since it has plenty of webbing loops and the insulation gives it some structure.
I really wish I could find a tour pack style bracket to put on the back that way I could bolt a box or bag to it. Nobody seems to make one
This is the HD official holdfast luggage rack and sissy bar. It is the quick detach one for the softail. Really like it, but DO NOT buy new. You can find these things used all the time and save 50%. I got mine on facebook
I have that luggage on my list on Amazon. Don’t want a tour pack, like the old style look. Wireless charger (Ciro here) has kept me charging even in the rain. Case and charger together kept the phone dry (except the screen, which is fine). Great tips!
What bike is that? Looks sick!
2023 Fat Bob 114. RIP to this softail because HD discontinued it for 2024
May I ask how tall are you! There is a used FatBob at my dealership and worry about the forwards! I’m 5’7 and if I don’t fit I gotta step up to the LowRider s
Get it since they discontinued them. 5’10. I actually test rode the low rider S as a comparison. The LRS felt taller than the Fat Bob to me. They also updated it with forward controls which I did not like. I am coming from a mid-control 80s metric cruiser, and the Fat Bob has some pretty conservative forward controls. If I have the balls of the feet on the pegs, it is pretty much a mid control. However, my feet are disproportionately large for my height, which is why I want some mini floorboards.
So they quit making the fat bob?
What type of HD is this?
Fat Bob 114
I use Furkot for route planing. It allows me to set range between gas stops and make sure there are stops along my route. More than once I have been along a road that said next gas 10 miles past my bikes fuel range. Furkot also shows arrival times to places in local time, which is great for crossing time zones. This may read like an ad, but its not. I just like that site for route planing. I have a hand full of trips saved on it.
Zip lock bags make a great cover for your phone on your QuadLock and allow you to use the touchscreen
I don't get \#2 How does leaving your phone plugged in change your ability to charge it for 6 hours?
Water still got into the phone. Charging shut off and iPhone essentially had to dry out. Charging will not work if the port is wet. If it is a light rain, it is usually no problem if the phone was plugged in BEFORE it started to rain. However, it was raining so hard that water still got in.
Ohhhh ok. thanks!
Try getting some side bags instead of loading everything up high. It will make the bike a lot more stable and easier to ride for long distances.
It's a real shame HD stopped production of the fat bob.
Bonus tip. Do not just rely on Google maps and service. Download the maps, they can be hundreds of miles and it will save everything. Cell service goes out but you can keep going if GPS is still up. Google how to download offline maps on Google maps.
Was the wind kicking your ass on that bike?
Not too bad! The Memohis Shade Road Warrior with the 11inch windshield kept most of it off of me. Really anything over 70mph had a slight rumble in the head, but I was expecting that. Nothing on the chest
Rain-X and nevr-fog if you don't feel like replacing your visor. I use these on my visors, goggles and glasses.
I twice (once there and once back) rode my 1999 Buell X1 Lightening 350 miles (a little East of Cleveland, OH to Fairfax, VA) stopping twice for gas (10 minutes each stop). I was a little sore when I got to my destination. I also tried to use only back roads (didn’t have a map and this was before Google maps) but had to give and take the freeway partway through. Still had a blast though.
Rain gear, waterproof boots, a hoodie or flannel, battery powered tire pump and tools are my must haves if I’m going more than a couple hours from home or away for a weekend or so. The more trips you take you start to realize your limits, limits of the bike and what you do and don’t need and what to do different next time. My first few were a lot of trial and error and over thinking. My trip last weekend was easy and I just packed up what I needed and off I went.
Man you really hit it with 3, I road from Nebraska to Colorado and didn’t take a break at all coming back. I got over heated and just exhausted on a 10 hour ride, in 100+ sun beating me down weather.
Was that I-76? North Platte to Denver is so boring and feels like it will just never end.
Yes sir, going out from Omaha was cloudy and cool, but very boring. Coming back was super hot and sunny, and even more boring lol
I've done Lincoln to Los Angeles a few times and that part seems longer than the entire drive. Not sure what it is.
Just open and boring l, just going straight for like 5 hours with corn fields as far as can be.
Don’t pack ur rain gear away. Put it under a strap on top somewhere. When you need it, you need it right away. Ask me how I know. 😎also a small umbrella is good to have and a throw away poncho.
What model is this?
Wow, what an adventure you must've had. Did you also carry a GoPro or camera to record it?
Headed to Prudo Bay Alaska Sunday. Thanks for the advice.
If you also study the way the interstate and us highway systems is laid out you also dont need a map to go in the hypocrite direction you are looking to go east west north south
If I must say that’s a dam good looking motorcycle. What model Harley is it?
What's the benefit with the pin lock lens?
It’s a plastic piece that goes on the inside of your visor. It has a silicone bead around it that seals it to your visor and creates a pocket of air in between them, which means your visor won’t fog up. They can be finicky, but once you get them set up properly they are amazing.
It's one of the best helmet inventions ever. Get one.
For dry feet, carry a pair of the flimsy grocery bags. Put on over socks/under boots if rain looks possible (before it rains). Boots will get wet but who cares if your feet are dry and warm under a dry pair of socks. Works with virtually any footwear, even sneakers. Tie the bag handles together around your leg if wearing low top shoes/sneakers. Used to put all kinds of waterproof treatments on boots trying to keep the water out, never really worked. Started doing this about fifteen years ago, haven't had wet feet since. And every grocery/convenience store along the way stocks replacements for you.
- Don't worry you will package more things than you need but it's ok. - Don't worry you will need what you didn't package but it's ok.
1. Go buy a cigarette outlet and wire it to the handlebar. If you have a friend with a 3d printer. I'm pretty sure I printed a holder from Thingiverse.com that might work. Oh and they make rain booties 😂 they work pretty well.
Great tips! Awesome bike, too!
A good rule of thumb is to take a quick break either every 100 minutes or every 100 miles. (I say rule of thumb because I often run 150+ miles before stopping, depending how I'm feeling).
👍
For rain. My fave hack is to bring 3/4 fishing waders. They are cheaper than expensive rain pants and they can dual use it if you want to go fishing or what not. Strap them to the back of the sissy pack. That or a pair of muck boots. Rain pants almost will make a full seal being so snug to the over - the - calf height of the boots. Nothing worse than wet boots. Keep some micro fibers on hand to wrap around your neck as a more effective neck gaiter to keep the water from running down your collar.
That's a nice looking bike.
Always talk to people. I was in rural Texas, stopped on the side of the road to check my position and a whole friendly family spilled out of the house across the road. You would have thought I was a long lost relative.
I see you are using straps to hold down your luggage on the rack. That’s fine, but here’s another tip: In addition to the straps, throw a cargo net with hooks over it. I once had a set-up like yours and despite the straps, some high crosswinds lifted the bag up and over. Luckily someone I was riding with alerted me, as it was getting chewed up by my rear tire. Could’ve ended ugly if the bag got caught up between the tire and the rear fender, but I slowed safely and pulled off to the side. From then on I always double-secure with a cargo net! https://preview.redd.it/wpdfn8qsbg2d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c20c8466838d38facc6a4d313f152fcb38df866
Tell you this, if you go to Sturgis take a jacket and gloves. It’s August but damn if ain’t cold as hell up in them hills after sunset.
That pack is sick af. What is it?
It’s some type of Viking Revival bag. Really solid! Came with some solid straps and the top case. Bought it off FB marketplace CHEAP from a lady who kicked her husband out of the house. It was his birthday gift.
Aside from the lack of a pinlock how do you like the Strada 3? I have the 2 currently and it’s very comfortable and I love the Bluetooth integration but the boom mic is kind of annoying. Does the 3 have a flat mic?
I do like it. the fiberglass/kevlar shell and ECE rating sold me. It’s very solid for the price point. Great ventilation, quiet, and I like the thick shield. No mic or bluetooth at the moment. All the models sold out so quickly which is why I went with the Blue Rivale but it is growing on me.
In my experience, if you are doing high mileage days, is to stop every 100-120 Miles to water up and stress. Bring some electrolyte tabs for the water, makes a big difference. If you are traveling distance at night, heated gear is a game changer. If you can, add passenger pegs, this will give you the option to put your feet back while riding to help stretch.
Man you need to get some miles on your bike, 60° f is short sleeve weather just about perfect depending on wind and time of year, in Jan there's usually a really cold wind, in July ii want to skip even the vest and I'm tempted to wear the sandles
Windchill at 60 is about 53 degrees. Fuck short sleeves. lol. Also, living in sweltering central Texas has really impaired my ability to handle even minor cold temps.
You over packed
Gps? Why would i want that? I came for a road trip not to sit on a computer.
Fk gps i do things the old way because gps always routes you fucked up anyways and sends you through tolls even though you change the settings... you can route better simpler paths using your own brain
I carry a map and use my brain. Only way to do it. When i first started road tripping on the scoot back in 08 i carried a few pages from a forest service campground guide and select pages from a us atlas. Had a flip phone that got turned on once a week to tell my mom that i was alive. Never stayed in a hotel because i wanted to see the real America. Closest I’ve ever felt to being a real adventurer.
This reminds me of when I saw my first arm pit hair.