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 ender |
Must haves |
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HSATF Member
Posts: 20 03/24/09 8:40 AM |
Howdy all.
I'm taking two long rides this summer. What are "must have" accessories? My bike is stock except for a stock seat. thanks |
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alepel |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 9758 03/24/09 9:27 AM
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ender wrote:I have only one.....a camera for taking.... Pictures....Pictures....Pictures You're new here ender, but all the others just knew I was going to say that! 
How about some details about these upcoming trips?
alepel
"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr |
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dukey33 |
#2 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 963 03/24/09 9:43 AM |
"must have" accessories are really up to the rider. There have been riders that go cross-country on 50cc scooters. They obviously don't have
much.
Myself, I like having the following bike accessories for longer rides: -throttle rocker and throttle lock -highway pegs (although I don't use them as much since I added the running boards) -map holder/tank bag (or GPS) -12v power outlet (for phone charger, air pump, etc) That's what I consider the "essentials". Riding gear, toolkit and supplies are a whole 'nuther discussion.
duke
loud horns save lives |
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Guns90 |
#3 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 1133 03/24/09 11:13 AM
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I agree with list that Duke gave, but I don't use a mapholder/GPS. (a. I never get on the bike unless I know where I'm going; and b. It drives me nuts
to see people reading a map while driving. They might as well be reading a book.) (Please don't be offended, Duke.) To add to that list, I have found
that a small package of disposable wet wipes comes in handy for several possible needs. Additionally, because of necessity, I have to have a small cooler for
my insulin and other injectable meds (Just FYI).
Two mods I think are important for LONG distance riding: 1)If you don't have a backrest, get one. 2) I found that after so many miles I just become bored and enjoy some music. I strongly disapprove of headphones/earbuds for safety reasons; however, if you want to make a more permanent mod, a stereo is a must to me. 
Hope this helps.
Gary
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!!! What A Ride!!!" |
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Fredrider |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 7580 03/24/09 11:58 AM
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Ender,
In addition to what others said rain gear, mesh jacket and pants (you can put the rain gear over the mesh jacket and pants if you get cold), tools including a small volt-ohmmeter and an air compressor to pump up your tires, emergency medical kit, Pro Honda spray cleaner or equivalent, extra towel & rag, water, bungee cords, bike cover, snacks...
Fred
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dukey33 |
#5 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 963 03/24/09 1:57 PM |
No worries Gary!
I find I can't really read the map while rolling, but I can quickly pull over or stop at an intersection and check my bearings with the map on the tank. Prior to that, I carried a map in the saddlebag but had to stop and dismount to get the map out. I got tired of doing that. I can only memorize so much of a new route. If I plot a convoluted route, changing roads several times, then the map holder becomes indispensable to me.
duke
loud horns save lives |
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ender |
#6 | |||
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HSATF Member
Posts: 20 03/24/09 5:52 PM |
Thanks guys. That's a good start. I ordered floor boards and a taller backrest today for my wife's comfort. One of the trips is 700 miles one way
(solo riding), 2 days of rest, and then 700 miles back. I'm planning on driving the whole 700 in a day each way. The other trip isn't as long, but
it's about 500 miles to Aspen, CO. I plan to have my saddlebags and T-bag stuffed with anything I can think of.
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fedspaz |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 741 03/25/09 9:56 AM
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rain gear! and of course, a smile.
Keep your knees in the breeze!
-Kirk |
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burninfilm |
#8 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 644 03/27/09 9:58 AM Tail Gunner |
How about a spray can of windshield cleaner, wrapped in a towel ( I use lemon pledge). All of the other suggestions are good ones for sure. If you will be
crossing stretches of desolate country, then some water is good. Also, your favorite pain-reliever like tylenol or advil. You will need that for sure if you
try 700 miles in a day.. That is brutal..In fact, 500 miles is pretty brutal. I usually limit myself to 350-400 if possible...
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gordonv |
#9 | |||
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HSATF Tail Gunner
Posts: 223 03/27/09 6:16 PM |
I put together a plastic container with a tire patch kit, and bought a $15 small air compressor with a clip adapter for the battery, for tire repairs while
riding. Had a flat, and don't want it to happen again. Our mags are tubless, unlike wire spokes. Total size, about 8" x 16" x 2", fits in
the bottom our the T saddle bag nicely.
Two MUST have, that takes very little room is tie straps or wire, to rehang something on your bike if it gets broken off. Someone backed into my CM400 the first week I had it, broke the mount for the turn signal, I did not realise that the electrical wire has a connector, rode away, and found the signal missing. Had to ride all the way back looking on the road for it, and it had been driven over. Instead of a $25 weld, it now cost me (them) $200 at a shop. The other one is a container of motor oil, and don't forget to check it when you fill up the gas.
Last Edited By: gordonv 04/01/09 11:18 PM.
Edited 1 time.
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alepel |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 9758 04/02/09 6:42 AM
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From my experiences with riding snowmobiles, I always carry a "good" gas siphon with me. They roll up small and stick in a small corner of the saddlebags. Then I never worry about running out of gas, because as we all know the Tourer is somewhat limited to fuel capacity. Planning of course is the key, but accidents do happen.
alepel
"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr |
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Guns90 |
#11 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 1133 04/02/09 7:53 AM
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 I've got this picture in my mind of Alain sneaking up to cars
stealing gas all around the country. That's one way to beat the high gas prices my friend. 
Gary
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!!! What A Ride!!!" |
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alepel |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 9758 04/02/09 9:45 AM
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Guns90 wrote: I resent the word "sneaking"!
alepel
"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr |
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GaleRich |
Don't care where I'm riding ... | #13 | ||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 522 04/05/09 4:20 PM Road Captain |
"(a. I never get on the bike unless I know where I'm going"
Aw common ... I often get on the bike without knowing where I'm going. I just want to ride. If a road looks nice, I turn there. I find some great roads that way. Sometimes I put my GPS in tracking mode in the saddle bag in case I get too lost. Then when I get home I can see where I've been in case I want to find that road again. In otherwords, if you want to get good and lost, just follow me. (Sorry ... just had to hijack the conversation once ...) - Rich |
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danbgt |
#14 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 2172 04/10/09 1:41 PM |
ender wrote:This: 
-Dan 
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fedspaz |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 741 04/13/09 10:52 AM
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don't they say... "Youth picks a destination and goes... maturity picks a direction and goes"
Keep your knees in the breeze!
-Kirk |
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danbgt |
#16 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 2172 04/14/09 8:38 AM |
fedspaz wrote:
But..............the SO and I have actually picked a destination to go to, but chose a different direction to get there. Last year, in April, we headed out to the Eureka Springs Ride Rally Ride. From our house in Texas to Eureka Springs, AR is only 600 miles. When we pulled into the parking lot of the Edelweiss Inn, we had ridden 1700 miles!! Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
-Dan
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fedspaz |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 741 04/14/09 9:44 AM
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I was thinking of some other "Must Haves" I pack along when I'm doing an LD event.... flashlight, spare fuses, small tool kit, camera...
Keep your knees in the breeze!
-Kirk |
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alepel |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 9758 04/14/09 11:36 AM
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danbgt wrote:Jeesshh....remind me never to ask you for a ride to work!!!
alepel
"Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr |
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danbgt |
#19 | |||
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HSATF 1st Officer
Posts: 2172 04/14/09 12:24 PM |
alepel wrote: Pack a lunch!! -Dan
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 stormothecentury |
#20 | |||
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HSATF Member
Posts: 35 09/27/09 11:44 AM |
At the risk of bumping a really old thread, I thought I might lend a suggestion for something to bring I picked up in my long-haul trucking days.
A dry erase marker. We pretty much all have windshields. Use the dry erase marker to write directions on the edge of your windshield. For example: I390S I86E US15S US22E gets you from Rochester, NY to Harrisburg, PA. And you don't have to pull over or look down at your tank bag to check anything. Clean it off when you arrive - it won't stain, and you'll be ready to write down your next leg. |
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