Long ride: Preparations?

[zeocen]

Well the family has decided Whangamata for christmas this year, and I have decided to go there on 2 wheels!

This'll be the longest journey for me so far, what do I need to know for preparation? I haven't checked the side of my tires for psi but I assume that's where they would be and I remember being told to check that, oil, petrol, good nights sleep.. is there anything I'm missing or am I making a big deal out of nothing?

I'm not going to be alone, I'll have my old man coaching behind/infront me along the way (I feel sorry for his patience and his zzr, I'm sure there's only so much a 1100cc bike can take 80-100kmph before it gets bored!) so I won't be completely alone.. I just want to be as prepared as I can be, it will be a kind of a milestone for me, so I'm wanting to do everything right in preparation/riding/safety.

I may have already answered my own questions, so sorry if I just made this thread redundant

Thanks!

[Gremlin]

You should be checking the pressures of your tyres regularly. I check at intervals of at most, 2 weeks, and I would check them before every major country ride.

You need to know the cold pressures, and check when cold.

For you, being a first time, you might want regular stops, to stretch your legs, re-focus etc, you may get tired quickly.

Whangamata is bypass on a day ride for most... so I guess its not really that far Enjoy, there are some really nice roads.

[The Big J]

How new are you? I would just check all your clothing works and you can cover up all skin effectively (eg bandanna on neck, wearing proper boots). Sort your attitude out that morning so you are focused, don't get on the piss the night before.
Get a good breakfast, a good coffee and have a pee before you leave. Don't forget to have a pee. Make sure you keep fluids up also. Have fun and pay attention to what your bike is telling you about your corners, your lines should improve with your confidence.

[Lucy]

Probably plan a couple of stops. When I went to Whangarei the first stop I made was when I basically was so sore I had to, and my eyes were a bit wobbly when I first took the helmet off! Coming home was a lot easier.

Car drivers are always recommended to have a break every two hours, but modern cars are so comfy it's not really necessary (IMO) but on a bike I think it's a good rule of thumb, or maybe even every hour depending on how comfy you are. In two hours you will probably be there though I guess, so I'd plan a coffee break or two just for a stretch.

Have fun
Merry Christmas!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Well the family has decided Whangamata for christmas this year, and I have decided to go there on 2 wheels!

This'll be the longest journey for me so far, what do I need to know for preparation? I haven't checked the side of my tires for psi but I assume that's where they would be and I remember being told to check that, oil, petrol, good nights sleep.. is there anything I'm missing or am I making a big deal out of nothing?

I'm not going to be alone, I'll have my old man coaching behind/infront me along the way (I feel sorry for his patience and his zzr, I'm sure there's only so much a 1100cc bike can take 80-100kmph before it gets bored!) so I won't be completely alone.. I just want to be as prepared as I can be, it will be a kind of a milestone for me, so I'm wanting to do everything right in preparation/riding/safety.

I may have already answered my own questions, so sorry if I just made this thread redundant check and tighten and loose fittings and or nuts
Thanks!

You should regulary check your tyre pressure... also check oil and give bike a general good looking over... basically general maintanence (a good time to look for these is when you give your baby a bath)

[gijoe1313]

Don't forget to turn off the taps, put out the cat, get a neighbour to collect mail - but yeah, make sure you pack some basic supplies (duct tape or duck quack quack), tools, first aid kit and your essentials ($20 tucked away somewhere), cellphone and possibly a spare key for your ride!

You'll have a blast riding there, and soon you will be a convert to the long riding tours - also make sure you find out where the squiggles on the road map is, they make for interesting rides!

Enjoy and ride safely!

[bluninja]

Don't you do a quick inspect of the bike before every ride? Check the brakes work before you ride off? not aimed at the originator, but a question for others.

I was taught a check of brakes, lights (including brake light) before any journey. Takes less than 10 seconds, and has become a bit of a ritual. I also do a quick walk around the bike for obvious problems before I get on.

Apart from that ...what they said above...

Check the bike is mechanically sound. Tyres (pressure and condition), fluids, chain (tensioned correctly and lubed).

Plan any breaks and take them. It's ok if you feel fatigued, or not right stopping early. don't think 'I feel great' and skip a break; fatigue can suddenly catch up on you. With experience of your own riding limits you can adjust your ride breaks over time.

Have a ball.

[Ralph]

Don't forget to check your chain either and adjust if required, Tyre pressures like you say. Hope you like it and maybe do a few more long rides.
It's not to important on this ride but if get into longer rides I recommend staying away from coffee or energy drinks as the buzz soon wears off and they just dehydrate you. Fluids are important to keep up,
You've got a good bike and your not riding alone so get out there and have some fun.

Merry Xmas.

[Ralph]

Don't you do a quick inspect of the bike before every ride? Check the brakes work before you ride off? not aimed at the originator, but a question for others.

I was taught a check of brakes, lights (including brake light) before any journey. Takes less than 10 seconds, and has become a bit of a ritual. I also do a quick walk around the bike for obvious problems before I get on.

Apart from that ...what they said above...

Check the bike is mechanically sound. Tyres (pressure and condition), fluids, chain (tensioned correctly and lubed).

Plan any breaks and take them. It's ok if you feel fatigued, or not right stopping early. don't think 'I feel great' and skip a break; fatigue can suddenly catch up on you. With experience of your own riding limits you can adjust your ride breaks over time.

Have a ball.

I would think a lot us do those little checks each time before we ride, I do and check tyres pressures and any leaks before every ride, even short ones.
Like you say a bit of a ritual.

[doc]

This time of the year it pays to book early for the ferry and overnight accomodation.

[Big Chim]

Keep well fed and hydrated. i've riden without eating and drinking all day and spent time where i have kept those levels up, you really do notice the difference when you rie but also at the end of the day. you dont feel so drawn out and taxed.

If your not used to travelling those distances then pass your self. If you think your going to have trouble focussing for that period of time it doesent hurt to take brakes.

Most importantly, enjoy the ride.

[yungatart]

Check your bike the night before, lights, indicators, oil, chain etc.
Lots of rest the night before.
Ride your own ride, don't be tempted to push yourself too hard, because your old man might be bored...

Relax and stay focused, if you feel your concentration slipping , pull over for a break.
Last, but not least, enjoy

[Bonez]

Tyre pressures on the side wall of the tyre is normally the MAX psi with MAX load. Do a search for your bike on the internet, which has been just been re-released on the NZ market new. There's probably a forum for it with other riders of your model. Regular stops if you're not use to riding say every 100kms or so to start with till you feel more comfortaible riding longer distances and know the bikes quirks better. Get an idea of your bikes fuel range too.

Plus all the advise others have mentioned. I'm sure you will learn a few lessons along the way.

[Finn]

This time of the year it pays to book early for the ferry and overnight accomodation.

Ferry? Which way do you go to get to Whangamata from Auckland?

Zeocen, take ear plugs.

[merv]

Tyre pressure will be in your owner's manual if you got one, or look on the net as others have said. (My VFR is 36 psi front, 42psi rear so as you can see bikes run high pressures compared to cars on average.) Checking your chain was mentioned, but don't forget to lube it either. If you haven't got any yet go buy some spray on chain lube from the bike shop. Lube your chain about every 1000km so a return trip to Whangamata won't need you relubing it at Whangamata unless you do a whole lot of riding while you are there.