Advice on taking 1000+ mile trips on the S

[MakarskiJA]

I havent found the info I have been seeking through searching.

So for those of you who tour on the S how do you prepare for the trips and what types of things do you bring? I am planning a 1900 mile trip from Virginia to Colorado and then a 1900 mile return journey a week later. Keep in mind I'm a spry 22yr old who will most likely travel with the minimum sleeping arrangements (camping) and mostly hitting fast food along the way and stopping only every 150-170 miles for gas. I want to be able to get to my destination in 2 to 2.5 days.

I just recently did a 3 hour straight day and weekend full of riding (about 600 miles) and never got a sore seat (Sergeant).

This will be my first long trip on the bike and am looking for some experienced advice.

[VetteRacer]

I did a cross country trip on my S years ago, just changed oil, made sure tires were good and headed out. I made it from Maryland to LA in 52 hours (Just over the IronButt 50CC award). Since I was tethered to the bike with headphones and heating system I really didn't step off the bike other than two hotels and 1 non-drive thru diner. Just stretched on bike at gas stations and headed on my way...
I was riding with a Corbin saddle, and low bars.

If your not familiar with it, check out the Iron Butt association, might qualify for one, kinda fun...

I would just grab some snacks to throw in tank bag, make sure the bike is ready to go, and ride.

Matt

Originally Posted by MakarskiJA

I havent found the info I have been seeking through searching.

So for those of you who tour on the S how do you prepare for the trips and what types of things do you bring? I am planning a 1900 mile trip from Virginia to Colorado and then a 1900 mile return journey a week later. Keep in mind I'm a spry 22yr old who will most likely travel with the minimum sleeping arrangements (camping) and mostly hitting fast food along the way and stopping only every 150-170 miles for gas. I want to be able to get to my destination in 2 to 2.5 days.

I just recently did a 3 hour straight day and weekend full of riding (about 600 miles) and never got a sore seat (Sergeant).

This will be my first long trip on the bike and am looking for some experienced advice.

[dee jones]

You should be able to easily make the ride in 2.5 days. A piece of cake!

Rain gear, sleeping bag, change of undies a tire repair kit and your off. Oh yeah maybe a map!

[ricky racer]

Add a phone charge to keep your phone/GPS charged. Also in your tank bag put a small bottle of glass cleaner to keep your shield clean.

[CoffeeGuy]

Our longest trip on the S was about 6,100 miles. A throttlemeister or equivalent helps with the slab. Here are some items I've always brought (that didn't get tossed into the didn't need/won't use pile).

Tire plugger
Cyclepump
Camelbak
Glass cleaner and a rag
Ipod
Tent, bag and sleeping pad
Rain gear (barely ever used, always got lucky in that regard)
Supplementary tools
Spare relays

I like to have my GPS, because it's nice to track the time of arrival, more than needing it for direction.

[bradzdotcom]

a dollar in cash for every estimated mile you'll be covering.

[Flounder]

I'm relatively new to long hauls on an S, but I've logged big distances on far less friendly bikes. Paris to Prague on a Ducati 916 was ill advised.

I'm a big fan of Kriega bags. This is a pic from a recent overnighter I did in my local area. The tank bag houses a tent, bag, pad and sleeping base layers. The tail bag and pack held water, small stove and a few odds and ends. I'm riding to Boulder, Co from Prescott, AZ in June and will likely use this set up.

My must haves:

- Cycle Wipes for my visor
- New Trent iCarrier charger
- iPhone with tunes piped into my Schuberth C3 helmet
- Buff for my neck to prevent chaffing


I'm a bit of an endurance wimp. I have to get off and stretch for a good bit every 300 miles or so.

[850dunstall]

looks like you have a good set of basics already for the bike, the r11s will do 1000mi days easy, but not so easy on the rider unless you do some warming up for it, by taking a number of longer and longer trips to condition yourself. set yourself a goal of a 250mi then 500mi and then longer if needed.

gear and a place to put it

most of us have used a tank bag, for maps keys, storage for cell phone, gps etc best to keep heavy stuff out of it. in case of hard contact, it can hurt... it you hit it

bmw side cases, great to carry clothing etc, i always have some basic tools along and a 12v compressor. and plug kit

givi top case, is were i keep the camera, snacks, water, and room for warm liners when not needed

start the day with a real meal, hot oatmeal, eggs, skip the coffee and carbonated drinks they just cause you to need to make pee stops... don't stop for big lunchs, the digestive cycle will want you to take a rest break and sleep can't make miles that way

set yourself a route, start early and ride, keep the stops really short, snacks during the fuel stops or if you have a flipup helmet that works too

[GDM]

I would suggest a spare key in a safe place on your body. It seems that with S bikes sometimes they fly off into the bushes.

Gerry

Seriously, take a spare key and attach it in your jacket.

[nathanmargolis]

Last summer did 1,100 miles in two-days on S bike. Used tank bag and Nelson Rigg soft bags. Did fine. One thing though I would never leave home without is an AirHawk seat cushion. Have a Corbin that is horrible after 300 miles for me. AirHawks are great and go bike-to-bike.

[ckcarr]

Spare key, no brainer. Don't leave home without it.

My longest days on the S were around 550 miles.
You can go as far as you can stand.

Did you even mention what time of year? I didn't see it. Kind of important in the mountains... You got your spring snowstorms, summer squalls, monsoon season...

Fast foods are overrated. Go with a Slim Jim at a gas station.

[flatbutt]

I always started with fresh fluids all way around. Fresh rubber or at least less than 1000 miles on them. I carry spare bulbs and some hardware such as a spare oil filler plug. Yes I did lose one once, that sucked. Tire kit is a must. You're a young 'un so a credit card might not be in your kit so maybe you can steal one.

Brad posted a toolkit list years ago that was useful. See if you can find it.

And lastly, locate BMW shops along your route as well as any Pelicans that are willing to be called in case of an "oh s h 1 t!".

Oh and I favor Red Bull/ granola breaks at gas stops.

[1100s nut]

Good info from a lot of very experienced guys. I would add have flexibility in your schedule, don`t hurry and don`t make hotel reservations... and call your credit card company and give them the dates of travel and that there will be many small charges...I have had mine cut off before...my card has very high security and I am glad. If you have a bmw MOA book those are great...many people and dealers willing to help if you have problems.

Dito on the spare keys...all of my road bike have a key stowed as well as my cars.

If you take Brad`s advice on a dollar a mile, you will bring $3800...if you end up at the mustang ranch you should be good! lol

Have a safe trip!
Lane

[ckcarr]

It sure wouldn't hurt to post a general route... Just if something goes wrong. Never heard from a Nebraska member however, so you're on your own for that 430 miles of I-80 (If you go that way). Of course, 400-500 miles is really nothing. I can do that when I would ride to Escalante and back...

[AZ-J]

I did a 4000 mile turn-around (2,000 miles each way). I had the BMW saddlebags, a rear bag on the tail, fresh oil, newish tires (that were replaced when I got home).

I did that in 2009 at 50+ years old. At the end of a 750 mile day, my tail was a bit sore, but ready to go the next day. I have since had my seat redone. I think I could have prevented the soreness.

[Chris Canning]

I'm not really in the mood for this Jeff and all,but he'd be still posting so here goes.

I just wished I'd have known 40 years ago what I know now!!!,even after all this time our holidays are travelling Europe,our prefered mode of long distance transport is.



Note the blue bag(looks a mess e'h!!),we can be off the bike and into our unlined waterproofs in seconds,oh no panniers!! my idea of lane filtering(lane splitting) doesn't allow for such things.

Note the tennis ball with the wet sponge in for cleaning our visors while on the go.

When the old Tiger let us down had to rush back home and grab this.



Having already ridden/driven 500 miles the first day(on the Tiger) rode 775 the following day on the S nearly all of it in the rain(look at the colour of the Dymags),this was in Switzerland,with the broken tank strap!!!

The deal breaker is riding gear.

Leather trousers
3/4 armoured jacket with big pockets that you can vent when hot and keeps you dry when wet with the aid of an unlined over jacket.

Trials glove when hot,otherwise Alpinstars 365's for everything else.

When it rains can you guys buy one of these.



The ace iin the hole is one of these,but you'll be lucky to get one a double glazed Arai visor,or the likes.



If you note down what the other guys have said and a million things that haven't you'll be half way there,and just as important is the mindset to do it.

[adrianw]

Spare battery for you alarm fob if you have an alarm.

Make sure you have enough tread on appropriate tire types i.e. will you get 4000 miles from that tire type?

Make sure you have enough break pad(s) left.

Some oil might not be a bad idea for ~4000 miles - but you can always buy on the way:- I've always found that the bike didn't let me know it was upset (funny noises when breaking hard) until it was about 800ml below the sight glass.

Good luck

Adrian
PS Depending on your weather you might want to carry some light weight thermal under garments (bin liner and ladies tights (high denier) will do at a push - you can always use the tights for decanting port as well)

[sgoodwin]

Come on guys it's a BMW he's travelling on, all he needs is his American Express card.

[adrianw]

Do camp sites take AMEX?

[sgoodwin]

The ones I stay at do.