Planning a long trip, need help!

[Biff's R]

I don't think that there is a noticable performance increase with the K & N, but I don't have one. Floridabeakster's list is exactly what I would make sure that you have done. Changing the transmission, and FD oil is pretty straightforward.

Get the butt pad. http://www.alaskaleather.com Use the advrider coupon "deadsheep" and get 10% off. It has made a couple of 700 mile plus days much more manageable.

The scrunchie also helps reduce the amount of pressure on your throttle wrist.

Leave early(like 5 am). It is cooler, and your body will feel better for longer. Take an afternoon siesta during the heat of the day.

Go as far as you feel comfortable. Take a 5 min break every hour(or 100 miles). Break the trip into sections in your mind.

A BMWMOA Anonymous Book can be a life saver.

[wncbmw]

Columbia - If I had realized the service history, or lack thereof, of your bike, I probably would have given you better or additional advice . My apologies if we weren't helpful.

All the other things are still good advice though!

[ColumbiaBMW]

Columbia - If I had realized the service history, or lack thereof, of your bike, I probably would have given you better or additional advice . My apologies if we weren't helpful.

No apologies needed! You all gave great advice, so far I have learned numerous helpful tips...such as a new kind of underwear I need to buy, because apparently my silk leopard print thong won't work out (obviously, just kidding), the srunchie idea seems like a great idea, and I really appreciate the "deadsheep" code Biff gave me.

Does anyone know about checking the tension on the alternator belt though? Maybe I'll just do a search for it but I really thought it had an automatic tensioner....again, if I sound like I have no idea what I'm talking about it's because I really do not have any idea what I'm talking about. I know how to put gas in it and ride it, and that's about it.

[FloridaBeakster]

I haven't actually done the alternator belt adjustment, nor have I even looked in there (but, yes, I should have by now). BUT, the way I understand it is that none of the R11xxR bikes have an automatic tensioner. The belt is tensioned by loosening the three alternator bolts and physically moving the alternator. There is an adjustment tool from BMW that goes into one of the bolt holes and you set the tension based on a torque value. That tool may or may not be appropriate for all model years, I'm not really sure. The way I've heard to check the tension is to just try and "roll" the belt in place. If you can rotate it 90 degrees (so the outer edge of the belt is facing either front or back), that is the correct tension.

[Biff's R]

I haven't actually done the alternator belt adjustment, nor have I even looked in there (but, yes, I should have by now).

FloridaBeakster, I am in the same boat as you.

[RForestR]

Looks like everyone here has given you the advice I'd be inclinded to as far as your bike's condition is concerned.

As a few have mentioned...make SURE you tires are in good shape. If your'e doing 700miles each way, especially on the slab, that's a whole lot of wear and tear on a set of donuts. Remember, okay tires will likely be fine in dry conditions, but when it rains, and it likely will at some point on your trip, okay tires become S*%&TY tires. Not fun if you're out in the middle of nowhere on the slab and your grip is questionable.

For rider maintenance, remember to bring a dark and light shield for your helmet, if you only carry a dark one now...rain,and sunset make dark shields hard to see out of, night riding is obvious. Speaking of night riding (if you decide you need to) you may want to invest in some reflective tape for the sides of your bike, or you lid etc.

Consider how your wrists felt at the end of your 150 mile day, maybe a set of bar risers can extend your range? An inch or so makes a big difference.
Pack gear for all conditions, not just the 100 degree heat on the day you leave.
Earplugs can do wonders for reducing riding fatigue,
And above all, stop regularly, it can make a world of difference. The bike will last much longer than you will on a 700 mile day (or 2 350 mile days) so the most important thing is take care of yourself and you'll have a great ride.

If the bike does fail on you, the roadside assistance you purchase prior to your trip will cost you way less than a flatbed tow (just things to consider)
Cheers!
Chris

[MikeCam]

Everybody has good advice.

700 miles is not an unreasonable distance in a day. I just completed 4 back to back 700 mile days from San Diego to Wash DC area (750, 700, 850, 650). I more or less rode 125-140 miles between stops, took plenty of water, caffeine, aspirin, and Mountain Dew. It helps to have experience, a big bladder and a well driven semi-trailer driver to follow (not drafting, stay 1/4 mile back) on the Interstates. When traffic gets heavy, get off the big roads and follow the US highways town to town. Starting an hour or two before dawn gets the worst part (settling into the mode) easily accomplished with little traffic. After that it is a matter of mental alertness and concentration. Any time I feel drowsy enough to flinch, I take a break. One thing that works for me - no meal stops. Fluids, minimal nutrition intake on the fly. The only time I sit is on the bike or on the toilet. After 12-14 hours each day there remain long boring hours of NOT riding to rest up, be bored, sleep it off.

[Biff's R]

700 miles is not an unreasonable distance in a day.

One thing that works for me - no meal stops. Fluids, minimal nutrition intake on the fly. The only time I sit is on the bike or on the toilet.

Great one Mike. Power/granola bars keep stops short.

[MikeCam]

My hard food preference runs to Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream cakes and Peanut Butter crackers with a Mountain Dew or Coca-Cola chaser. An occasional Snickers for high sugar, low nutrient value fits the profile!

[ColumbiaBMW]

As a few have mentioned...make SURE you tires are in good shape.

That's really weird, I ordered a new front Metzeler a few hours before you posted this. I just had a new rear put on because of a nail, so by the time I leave for the trip (mid-July) I should have two pretty new tires.

Consider how your wrists felt at the end of your 150 mile day, maybe a set of bar risers can extend your range? An inch or so makes a big difference.

As for my wrists, they didn't feel too bad, I have freakishly long monkey arms, so I'm pretty much sitting straight up on the bike. My arms were a little tingly from the vibration, but no pain. The only discomfort I felt was my butt, and my neck from the windblast. So, I think as long as I get a windshield, and a seat cover, I should be ok as far as comfort.

I really like the advice about roadside assistance though, that is a good point that it costs less than a tow, and it will lower my stress level a bit on the trip not having to worry constantly about the bike. Ear plugs will be great too. Thanks again to everyone!

[granbo]

Consider adding Canari Velo Gel Cycling Short Mens for $40.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... Id=1891049

Excellent quality for the $$$...
The sizes run large. I ordered a lg and xlg. I'm 6'1" and 190# with a 36" waist. The large fit the best.
These pants along with the Alaska sheepskin seat pad from Alaskan Leather will allow you more comfort for that long 700 mile day.

have a safe trip...

[ColumbiaBMW]

One more thing I just thought of, any suggestions for cheap, but fairly good rain gear?

[wncbmw]

Frog Toggs for rain gear. Available at lots of places, about $50 to $70 a set, breathes and works well. I use it when wearing my leather gear. A motorcyclist favorite!

[KHaynes]

I have my RT set up for long distance touring with everything I could want but even then I avoid a 700 mile day. Sleep, or at least good rest, is a must to enjoy the ride. A 700 mile day is very hard work and your safety is compomised.
I wouldn't worry a great deal about tools unless you carry a range of spares to replace failed parts. My prime tools are my cellphone and my BMW breakdown card.
If you do plan to take the 700 mile day, take plenty of water and stay hydrated.

[RForestR]

Frog Toggs for rain gear. Available at lots of places, about $50 to $70 a set, breathes and works well. I use it when wearing my leather gear. A motorcyclist favorite!

+1

They breathe well compared to standard vinyl rain gear and keep you dry, unless of course it's really driving hard, then you'll want to be off the road anyway for a short break. Really hard rain never lasts more than 10 minutes or so

[oiasghar]

700 miles in one days is not bad. My previous longest day was 574 miles in a day. But last Saturday I rode the Roadster back from Navarre Beach, FL to Keller, TX 769.9 miles with no issues. It took 12 hours total; left the beach house at 6:30am and was in my driveway at 6:30pm. Except for one extra stop for fluid reduction from the body, the other stops were for gas (4) only; spaced about 200 miles apart. The bike is stock except for the Givi small screen on it. It was all interstate slabbing and the bike was surprisingly comfortable.

I did use a CamelBack to keep my self hydrated. Also, It did rain a couple of times, but I did not bother with stopping and putting on the rain gear as it never really got that wet. But I would definitely have good rain gear on a trip this long.

The key thing to remember is that when you are almost at the end of the day, to keep your cool. The first traffic jam I hit entering the east side of Dallas almost had me explode. I had to talk my self to calm down and just relax and not make a stupid move. I was surprised how easily I got irritated at the end because I was tired and it was 100+ degrees in DFW that day.

Remember to not change things that you normally wear when you ride. No new helmet, boots or riding gear. A small irritant on a long day will be very distracting and will wear you down fast than you can imagine. I experimented with a flip up helmet on the way out but had to swap back to my normal full-face helmet after the first stop.

Stay hydrated, alert and know when you call it quits if you can't make it (looks like you already have this part down) Be safe and have a good trip.

[ColumbiaBMW]

Sorry to keep this thread going, but I just keep thinking of other things I may want to take care of before taking off on a long trip.

Someone mentioned getting a roadside assistance plan before leaving, I looked up AAA and their price seemed pretty reasonable. For me and my fiancee' (soon to be wife in just a month or so) it would be $140. Are there any other companies that offer comparable services just so I can look at different options?

[FloridaBeakster]

Basic AAA does NOT cover motorcycles. You have to get the "RV" coverage, which may or may not require the additional cost of "Plus." Either way, you need "Plus" because it covers towing up to 100 miles, not the 5 or 15 that basic AAA does. So, you need to get AAA Plus RV. I think we are paying around $180 for the two of us for everything. We have a travel trailer and use the maps and books a lot, so it's worth it for us.

KOA and Good Sam Club are also good options to look at for just roadside assistance (no maps, guidebooks, campbooks, not as many discounts, etc).

[oiasghar]

AMA MOTOW. The AMA membership is like $37/year and the motorcycle towing is $25/year. I have used them once and my friend a couple of time. Fast and the guys come in a rig setup to tow bikes.

[ColumbiaBMW]

Basic AAA does NOT cover motorcycles. You have to get the "RV" coverage, which may or may not require the additional cost of "Plus." Either way, you need "Plus" because it covers towing up to 100 miles, not the 5 or 15 that basic AAA does. So, you need to get AAA Plus RV.

[*]

I already knew it didn't cover motorcycles because I learned that the hard way once. A family member had AAA and when my bike broke down they wouldn't tow it for free. The $140 I stated in my last post was actually for the AAA Premier with RV for both me and my girlfriend. I wonder why you are paying so much more, and only for the AAA Plus...I had to put in my zipcode to get the quote so maybe it has to do with where we live.