I live in Alaska. I just shipped my bike to south Florida. I'm flying down and riding back via Key West to Anchorage. Being retired I have all summer to do it. This will be my first long trip and you gave me a lot of great tips. Thanks.
Great advice all around. Thank you for putting the effort into it to help others have enjoyable rides. Your experience goes on to help others avoid mistakes and potential disasters. Big thanks!
Thank you for the tips! Lots of them I hadn't even considered, until I would run into them in the future, like the chapstick one. Brand new rider in training. :)
Straight simple to the point. Thanks man. I am planning a solo trip on my road glide for the summer. Coming off sport bikes and riding my road glide yet 2018 putting just under 20k miles down I really want to get out and go. I put down over 50k miles on sport bikes broke state lines on all my bikes but my harley is made to ride I plan on riding from Seattle to LA to visit my father's last living cousin. Plan on making this trip around 3 weeks longs. Sidenote I was in Miami Jan 2021 for 5 days rented a Street Glide and rode to Key west and back in the same day 400 miles. The part that bothered me was the stock bars on the bike.
haven't done more than 400 miles on any onr ride, but I do appreciate the tips for preparing to makr that long one. Hopefully my first o ne will be to Austin this year.
Great advice... it might be silly because some people are horribly over opinionated but I also carry a anti gravity xp-1. Plus I started listening more intently when you said you “don’t” wear a helmet. Leading cause of death for people is a cardiac disease, yet I see no one knocking burgers out my hand.
Thanks for the tips. Here is one for anybody thinking of riding into Canada; DO NOT BRING A WEAPON! Of any kind. No switchblades, flip knives, pistols, rifles or a freaking slingshot. You will get busted at the border. The laws in this country are becoming ridiculously stringent against weapons, so I neither carry or own any.
I guess I'm an old school biker. All you need is good leather and a good bike. Lots of bike shops along the way if you need one. Pack light an travel fast.
You : riding a Harley....most important to take with you are tools Me : HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You : Pack some plugs and oils.... Me : HAHAHAHAHAHAHA You : pack your gun Me : whow.... No but serious....I ride a Metric cruiser in Sweden and can´t imagine me taking a gun along for just in case....but the rest is seriously good advice..........look sharp and ride safe bro......
Great advice. I would like to add: start a work out routine at least a week or 2 before your ride. Long rides can take a toll on you both physically and mentally. Also, if you get cold, do push ups on the side of the road to warm up. Another great tip is to bring your old socks and underwear, and throw them away after you wear them.
You'll have to throw your underwear away after going threw Atlanta at rush hour !!! Wear a green work vest over your leather jacket the more they can see you the better
Great tips Zook. Couple of other items that I pack that take up little space are 1) good LED headlamp in case your roadside repair turns into dusk. 2) 3 ft of small clear syphon hose in case someone in the group runs low on fuel.
Read a lot of comments and didn't notice these two items. They have become essentials for my long rides. Have multiple bikes, and have ensured they all have a driver's back rest. I did a 4200+ miler w/o one, but had a back pack behind me that I could rest against. So one or the other is essential in my book for anything over an hours ride. Next: Something you don't hear fellas talking about much, but is worth considering- good pair (or two) of seamless underwear (briefs, drawers, whatever you call them). If you wear the ones with seams in them (I'm a boxer briefs type) then you wind up with diagonal welts burned into your rump if you're in the saddle all day. The seamless ones (no sewn seam on the rear end) prevent serious welts from forming. Of course factors such as saddle comfort, humidity, sweat, etc all play into this. But if your azz is in the saddle for 500-1k miles a day, you'll appreciate this tidbit. Great advise Zook. Good on you for taking the time to post it.
bilmac36 I also had a duffle bag strapped on the passenger seat that I could lean on. On long trips though, I found it more comfortable without underwear, they can't bind up if they are not there.
Been riding for some time but have only managed to do long day rides so far (300 miles out and then back max). Getting an itch to do an "over-nighter" and then progress to three day, and then more. Your advice was appreciated! Smart simple ideas I can use since I ride a Softail Deluxe with no bags. Planning on traveling light with a backpack and one bag strapped down. Thank you so much!
A back pack and a strap down bag will be plenty Mike. A lot of the things I mentioned were actually very small and easy to pack. Check out my video on "saddle bag essentials" that shows how compact things really are. Have a great time!
out of curiosity. how much is a night at a motel usually? Here in Sweden you'd have to be rich to ride around like that. ;) So it's tent for me. :) Ride safe..
19TE72 where I stay it's usually $70.00 - $90.00 a night depending on where I am. The tent idea is great, I want to do that myself next time. But for my first long trip, I wanted a hot shower and soft bed every night.
Yes, the ground is a little harder these days than it used to be. I've got a nice inflatable camping mattress that does the trick for me. I do want a camp ground with hot water, at least every night or so. Don't want to get too aromatic. And the last thing I absolutely need is good coffee so I carry a mini-propane burner that will boil water in 3-4 minutes. That's me at the interstate rest stop making coffee on the picnic table!
19TE72 I too have to have that Fresh start everyday. Plus is doesn't hurt to throw some groceries down so that I'm good and comfortable. For me, I'd budget for a motel, hotel.
Great preparation..!!..although dont get why you wouldnt wear a helmet all the time..seems like common sense...but then common sense isnt very common in some folks who ride bikes..ego and arrogance wont protect your head when it hits the road
Great video good tips , what I don't understand is most of the RU-vid video's all say generally the same when it comes to long motorcycle trip's do bike maintenance do fluids the plugs check tires all things you should. I am new at this great sport just got my first bike 2018 it is a 2004 I have no idea what if any maintenance has been done on it except the tires. Planing a long trip this year and all my friends who have bike's never do much maintenance except tire's and oil they do long trip have no problems they look at me as if I have three heads when I tell them, that I want to do a full maintenance on the bike before my trip. are they right am I worry for nothing.
if you dont like helmets get a good modular flip up. You will actually be more comfortable and you dont have to keep taking it off to eat,drink or fuel up saving time. A good aerodynamic one will actually make your neck less tired than without it. I like the Kabuto Ibuki for long trips for example
Scoty ABML I appreciate the info Scotty. I just don't like anything on my head. From baseball caps to beanies. So when I have to wear one, it's just a skull cap.
Dang, what is it with you tube and home made videos, content is good but the sound and picture are really bad, cmon guys turn on a light, test the shots, put the microphone close to you. this isn't rocket science.
Something I noticed that no one has mentioned is taking extra bulbs never know if your head light or turn signals go out also checking all your lights before leaving is a good idea.
I think that's because he said check the bike a week or two before leaving. If you are gonna change your tires, fluids, and other things then why not change the bulbs one time. Or now save up and get an aftermarket LED light before taking the trip. Only way the LED will fail is if it wasn't installed right.
Thanks man these are great tips. I wrote my list of what you told us. We are leaving on a 1500 mile trip this summer and I will be packing this extra gear. I would have never thought of extra plugs. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this great video. Ride Safe
Great Tips. I am in Crystal River FL and will be taking my first cross country trip this May 2017. FL to CA to ride Hwy 1 and back thru the Rockies. Setting aside 5 weeks for travel. Taking my gal with me and really looking forward to it.
Hi Zook, very helpful tips indeed. I copied your list and will use it next time I go out. My longest trip so far was a weekend trip to Ocracoke Island where we logged 800 miles for the weekend. I just bought an Indian Chief Vintage and next summer, I plan to take some longer weekend rides where I will use your tips. Next time you come up north, stop by. I will show you some beautiful Virginia roads and maybe join you on your ride.
300 miles? That's only 1, maybe 2 fuel stops. I have just recently started riding longer distances (about a year ago), but i find it easy to go 700 or 800 miles in a day, and that is daylight riding.
Thanks for the tips. Planning a 10 day trip in August so compiling a list based on a ton of these videos. Lots more stuff to add, but then have to figure out how you are going to pack and carry it all.
Forza300Man oddly enough I had plenty of room. A lot of the stuff I mentioned is very very small and easy to pack. My rain gear, and leather jacket took up the most room. Have a good trip!
A lot of good things in here...prep the bike a few days before leaving so that you can test it, chapstick...yes! Motel instead of hotel... Zook Life, thanks for taking the time to put this together...I know you've helped a lot of us out!
Hey thanks for the tips appreciate you taking time to help all the new riders . About you but getting numb , have you tried a gel pad ? They work great especially on long trips you should look into it well worth the money . I had mine installed under the leather so you can't tell it's there . Ok ! Ride safe. 👍
I have not tried the gel pad. I've tried another seat, an air pad, and the beads. None of them worked. But now I don't think it's what I'm sitting on, I think it's in my lower back. When I do go to the chiropractor and get straightened out, that seems to help a lot. And I think that would also explain why some people get sore and some don't. It's my body, not the seat.
Love your bike i have one just like it. lol. Lot of people think you have to have a ultra or goldwing to do long distance. My heritage fits me like a glove all I modified was a drivers back rest and a 4 inch handelbar riser and like I said fit me perfect I have back problems and my bike believe it or not can help me from getting stiff.
t watson I agree, they are nice bikes, I'm 6'3" so the highway pegs on the engine guard were a must have for me! Other than that, my aftermarket parts are just cosmetic. Ride hard
thanks for sharing this info .very helpful .I am leaving South Carolina on May 1st with destination being Redwood Forrest In California and everything in between I-20 west bound May First ..3 of us so far
awesome video. thanks. want to take a small trip on my heritage one day. good advice. Always thinking about what to bring! now I have a better idea thank you and ride safe brother.
Excellent Video!! The part on carry your side arm interested me because I just got my CCWs for my cross country trip. Just wondering what's the protocol for states that don't allow CCW. Basically the word is to lock it up when you ride through. I hope HWY officers are still cool with that. Some can be problematic :/)... again great tips.
Great advice, funny how you said 350 miles was what people figured for traveling in a day. Thats exactly what I figured too. But then I found that 350 miles goes away fairly quickly and next thing ya know, your up around 800. I usually stop about every 100-150 miles just to walk around, get a drink, get rid of some water etc.
Good tips. In general I totally agree, for example on the need for sunblock on exposed parts, motels vs hotels, earplugs. I am just back from a 5000 m tour across several states. My daily mileage was between 100 and 350. I took with me the famous 20W50 oil can, as you can find this basically only at Harley dealers - but I found it useless. I went twice by a Harley dealer along the road, and they refilled it for me (in one occasion even for free!). As to rain gear, for me this is a must. I have been riding 13 (thirteen) consecutive hours in rain, WITHOUT getting wet. So it all depends on what you have. As to brake fluid, I had NEVER had an issue with that (and I mean in the last 40 years) - provided my brakes were properly maintained. As to helmet - I know this is a delicate issue, almost a religious matter - I wear always full face. Please do not try to convince me do otherwise. It saves so many troubles, including bugs and stones on your face, and sunburns - not to mention keeping your brains dry when it rains...
People, wear a good quality full helmet or modular or flip up helmet all those 3/4 bullshit baby training pots are good for local riding, but for serious long distance riding are pain. Thanks Zook for your time for making this video.
Hi Zook, nice tips. I never took any long ride but planning to take one after 2 months or so. I am new to bike and I don't know anything about bike repairs. I want to ask you, what are the things I need to learn in repairing area or anything which is related to bike which I have to know before the trip. Btw my bike have carburetor engine. Thank you
Good question, it is important to become familiar with your bike before going out on a long ride. Make sure you know how to change your fluids and plugs and that you are able to tighten anything that may come loose while you are out on your ride. Enjoy your ride.
Look up your bike's 5000 mile maintenance list, or a good video. If you're familiar with all of the components that covers you should be good for anything you'll run into on a trip.
Thanks for the upload! I have a question if you have the time to answer: I just bought an Indian Scout Sixty and will be heading out for my open ended tour of the US on it. I am a new rider and have VERY little experience working on a bike. With that being said... you mentioned "don't bring any tools that you have not used while working on the bike" that would be zero work on this bike and zero tools on my tool kit list. :D Any recommendations? Or website you recommend? Thanks in advance!
I'm going for my licence this April and I bought a 92 Sportster do you think It would be a good idea to do a trip to Atlanta Georgia or Texas from Maine so soon.
If you're comfortable, go for it. But the short answer is no. Get some experience with traffic, Learn how to throw your bike around for an emergency situation, learn emergency braking, etc...
great vid! I don't ride a cruiser but your advice was great. I like the sound of riding with a concealed gun too. Bike crime in the UK is soaring. the only guys with guns are the ones stealing the bikes.
I've always carried one of those little 12v air compressors, and a tire plug kit just incase, but never had to use it so far. I also carry a pair of bike jumper cables (they make smaller ones for bikes) and a length of fuel line with a squeeze bulb on it incase someone needs gas and I can transfer it from tank to tank. I've never had to use any of my stuff on the road, but I figure it's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it!
Good video... It made me realize that i never thought or planned for any of my rides. Just took off with my tank bag and backpack. Yeah on an extreme long ride added a tailbag. Happy Riding
I'm old school. Here's what I do to go on a long ride. #1 tie blanket roll onto forks. #2 get on bike and go. That's about it. Whatever happens, happens.
I listened to you list to the end and I swear that is exactly the list I would and have used. One thing you didn't mention is a air compressor I always take one but have never had to use it. You mentioned brake fluid I was riding with friends in the mountains and we had radio communication and the rider in front of me was going down hill and lost his rear brake. Turns out the level was so low when going down hill it ran to the front of the reservoir and got air in the line. No rear brake.
This was a great informational video. It's amazing how many of us ride but we don't think of the small things that could effect us like weather and wind noise.
