I did a couple 350 mile days on a CB450SC through Appalachia. The 750 will be great. I'm no expert, but here's my advice.
A rainsuit is a necessity. It's a good investment, and you'll get a lot of use out of it in the winter. Does a great job blocking that cold wind. A couple garbage bags are great for rain. Put your stuff in the trash bag, then put it back in your luggage. Bone dry. Toolkit. Tire patch kit, portable bike tire pump, ratchet, 10mm combo wrench, multi-head screwdriver, pocketknife, electrical tape, vise grips, LED headlamp (you can get these for like $10 now, I don't even use flashlights anymore), rag, zip ties, couple bungies, lighter, small 1st aid kit, chain lube, pressure gauge. That's all I can remember. Through it in a little stuff sack ($4 at REI) and strap it to rear fender. Adjustable bungies are awesome. Wear bike shorts in place of underwear. The moisture wicking and padding are awesome. I don't know much about luggage. I'm a strap-a-rucksack-to-the-passenger-seat kinda guy. I'd also like to reiterate what Joey said about fatigue. I found although I was physically tired, the mental fatigue was even worse. All that scanning the road, trying to figure out where to get gas, watching for wildlife, it takes a lot of concentration. So yeah, frequent breaks. Have fun, and upload some photos along the way! -Noah On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 12:19 PM, paul annen <[email protected]> wrote: > alot of great points have been made here (and zen and art is a great read to > get you in the right mindset for the trip) > > +1 on ziplocks.. living on a sailboat and doing a 45 mile commute daily i > keep a set of rain gear in a large ziplock as well as an extra set of > clothes in a separate bag. > > +1 on the camelback. there not expencive, and VERY usefull.. when planing a > long day trip i would pack mine with ice and water and run the tube (i put a > longer one) through a hole in my trunk (goldwing) so that i would not have > to keep it on my back. > > +1 on gas too.. i normaly carry a 20oz (because thats what i had for the > dinghy) bottle. i recomend MSR because i have never had one leak on me ( > http://www.backcountry.com/msr-fuel-bottles?CMP_ID=PD_GOO001&mv_pc=r101&mkwid=s4nEnVnEz|pcrid|12016058587&002=2480193&004=2580799747&005=1363297722&006=12016058587&007=Search&008= ) > > other things not mentioned > > boots, make sure you have good shoes on, they can make or break you > gloves, anything is better then nothing, but a good set of leather gloves > can stop your fingers from freezing if you plan to do any night riding as > well as protecting you from stinging rain and road debris (and bugs and the > sun) > > tools, even if you just have a 10mm wrench, you can do alot with these > bikes, but i recomend a small tool kit for emergansy breakdowns.. the one > that came with my 250 saved my skin 3-4 times, i not carry that with a few > extra tools in the goldwing > > if i can think of anything else il let you know... > > somebody here should put all this toghether in a PDF check list for us all > to use... > > > > On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 11:44 AM, MJB_LBC <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Thanks for all of the replies and good advice! A lot of useful >> information! As mentioned, I have driven this route before, I am aware of >> the traffic until Phoenix and how desolate it is after El Paso. Have been >> looking ahead at potential gas stops, etc. >> >> I will certainly post as many pictures as possible. >> >> I already have a Corbin seat with the small, probably 7" high, padded >> passenger back rest. Also have Kuryakyn hand grips. I'm planning for around >> 340 miles days. >> >> Normally when I start out on long driving trips, I like to get up early >> and do a lot of driving in the cooler parts of the day. like to avoid >> driving in the hottest part of the day. That's usually when I stop for food, >> rest, etc. >> >> Really don't eat a lot of heavy meals when I'm driving, makes me sleepy. >> Not that picky on hotels, since I'm not buying the place, so basically any >> place works for me. >> >> I realize the 750 Nighthawk might not be the best touring motorcycle, but >> it is the only one I have. I'm sure it will work out fine, I don't really >> have any time frame for the trip. I take a little comfort in the fact that >> in the book 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,' presumably he was >> riding a 305 Superhawk, from Minnesota to California. >> >> On Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:41:50 PM UTC-7, MJB_LBC wrote: >>> >>> Thought I would share with the group, I'm planning a road trip with my >>> 750 Nighthawk from Long Beach, CA to San Antonio, TX, 1300 miles, mostly Rte >>> 10. >>> Probably leaving first week of June. >>> I have driven across the country several times, but this will be my first >>> trip by motorcycle. >>> Will start with a fresh oil change, tires are in good shape, have my AMA >>> card. >>> I'm searching for bags and a good windshield on several sites right now. >>> Just looking for any advice, tips, etc. >>> (I guess I'm really hoping there will be Nighthawk group members along >>> the route to invite me in for beers and pizza!) >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nighthawk_lovers/-/Bo3APrp4IcMJ. >> >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. 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