First long trip, What to take, tools etc?

[McDuck]

Well going down to the wellington CC ride, will be about 550kms each way. What should i take by way of tools etc? Tie downs? Duct tape? Any tips?
Thanks people...

[James Deuce]

It's easy to overload yourself with crap you never use.

Most vital tools:

1. Cellphone
2. Credit/Debit Card.

Everything else is a luxury.

You can probably ditch the cellphone too.

Drink lots of water. Only have one coffee/caffeinated drink during the trip. Stay away from complex carbs/refined sugar. Eat regularly and eat light.

Your bike tool kit under the seat is good enough for simple things you can sort on the side of the road. If you don't have a tool in there that can make a temporary repair, you're probably going to be looking for a trailer/ute anyway.

Service the bike before you head off if it hasn't been done recently.

Clean the bike and check that everything works as it should before you set off.

Lube the chain at the beginning of each leg of your journey.

Check your tyre pressures.

Pack your clothes in plastic bags in case your luggage leaks.

Pack what you think you'll need and then take all the multiple items out except for underwear and socks. You'll be left with 2 t-shirts, a jersey, and a toothbrush.

Pack wets and spare gloves if you have them.

Most of all, stay off the main roads as much as possible, unless boredom and square tyres are a personal goal.

[sunhuntin]

are you bringing anything with you? spare clothes, jacket etc?

i never leave the house without at least one bungy cord, and when i have the top box on, that contains a basic toolkit, and several more bungys.

thats usually about all i take... but long trips i take oil, just in case. im a minor shopper, and normally take an empty backpack for any purchases that wont fit in the top box.

[McDuck]

I will get a top box or pannier bags at some point....

[Conquiztador]

Cableties.

[James Deuce]

You don't need a spare jacket and you don't need 70L of storage.

Please, please, please consider strapping a bag to the back seat and leaving the pack at home.

If you are planning to load it right up it WILL knacker you. You will be sore and uncomfortable which are the two worst things for a motorcyclist. It wears you out and your concentration will go to pot.

Don't make me post what a backpack can do to your spine if you fall off or how it makes it difficult to steer when you're sliding down the road because you can't roll on to your back.

The pack is a really bad idea for your first big trip.

You only need something like soft carry-on luggage that can be bungied to the back seat.

[McDuck]

I dont want to load it up, but it is a case of i have the pack, i guess i will have a play with different combos tomorrow. thanks for any advice.....

[Conquiztador]

Cableties.

Oh, and a bottle of JD. Very versatile.

[yod]

as Jim2 said - I would seriously reconsider wearing the pack

buy a few bungies from a gas station (not expensive) and strap it to the pillion seat if you can but riding with a pack that size on, for that distance, will just be an ARSE...you will enjoy the ride considerably more without it

have fun

[steveb64]

Get a tube of 'Knead It' or 'Fix It' or similar epoxy putty! Magic stuff, and it can be used for all sorts of things... like fixing brake or clutch levers, exhaust brackets, fairing brackets, engine cases, ... all temporary, but solid enough to gt you home from the middle of nowhere!

I repaired a front brake lever with it once, and it got me back from Ohakune to Kaikohe - and when I had the replacement, I tried to break it - had to use both hands before it failed! Have used it on a muffler bracket that failed also - no problems either.

[0arbreaka]

Get some bungy ties and strap your bige 70l pack to the bike, a puncture kit also might be a good idea as well as the other neccesities like cable ties and duct tape. Make sure you take money. Just go by the boy scouts moto and you should be alright.

[BMW]

all have good ideas. but my moto is that money and a phone can fix all.

you should know ya bike by now and know if it uses oil etc. Take what the bike is needing. Do check the bike over before each day!
And most important is you. Stop and rest and walk every so often. keep up the water and enjoy it!

[Patch]

Loose the pack - buy a tank bag or a bungy cord.

People die wearing packs on bikes.

Get a good rest the night before, take a change of clothes and a fully charged phone - thats it. If you think you need anything else, take the car.

Ensure your bike is well maintained and you'll be fine, eat and drink a little when you refuel the bike, take your time and the rest will take care of itself.


It can be a little daunting your first time, but it is no worse than riding 3 hours from your home and back again.

[Patch]

[B]100% agreed!! Add cable ties and duct tape and it's an awesome combo to have.
LOL...the things you learn after living in Northland eh.

Isn't that lesson from owning a TL?

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Heres what I take when going on a longish trip (accommadation supplied I assume, so you want need sleeping bag etc)

Taking

• Wallet: ensure it has your EftPos or credit card and some cash. (and you have enough money in your accounts for the trip.)
• Cell Phone: If prepaid top up, charge before trip.
• Keys: Keys to bike, keys to flat/house
• Wet weather gear: Including thermals, glove liners spare gloves. (if you have them)
• Spare clothes: Jeans, T-Shirts, underwear, sox, (enough for the number of days) Sneakers (if you have room)
• Tolietries: Towel, toothbrush etc
• Tools: If your bike still has its tool kit this should be enough, but I usually throw in a roll of duct tape.

What we use are plastic sealable compression bags (couple of bucks from warehouse) through your clothes and things into them seal, roll up which pushes all the air out and crompesses it saving room and also keeps this dry if you hit real bad weather (as no soft luggage is 100% water proof)...

Checklist

• Get bike serviced before trip, oil change, lubed, brakes checked...
• Tyres, pressure... wear & tear is it enough tyre to get there and back
• If you don't have a Scott Oiler, take a can of chain lube and oil chain each leg
• Give the bike the once over (or even a wash) look for anything out of place or loose

If you are going to use bungy chords, don't buy the cheap ones, as they usually don't stretch as much, the hooks are not as strong and could let go. Buy good quality chords and ones with the hooks moulded in rubber.

Put all the weight on the back seat before the rear of the packrack... COG and all that. Riding a long distance with a biggish pack well I've done it once... and once only

The Trip
As every one else has stated, try to get a go sleep (I usually fail at this as its normally wahoo going for a BIG ride) rest every so often on the trip, eat and drink, walk about and stretch etc. Keep an eye on the bike, look it over each time you fuel up, checking that you haven't lost anything, or things coming loose, nothing broken etc (you look after the bike, the bike will look after you and get you there and home)

Have fun...