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[cahdbiker]

Thanks for all the good advice. I also carry at least 3 or 4 bottles of water. CAHDBIKER

Hi to all the site members. I have a few things that I always do/take with me before I leave for a long trip/vacation for two weeks between 3 or 4 thousand miles. For example: I check the battery cables,tire pressure, check the torque on spark plugs, keep plug kit and pump for temp. tire repairs,air pressure guage, quart of engine oil, extra fuses,zip ties, bungee cords, jumper cables, extra bulbs, a set of plugs, and tie downs with soft ties just in case, and of course my owners manual and warranty card. That may seem like a lot, but I am looking for some feedback on items that some of you guys have needed for temporary fix or just things that you would consider a necessity when going on a long trip. I have been on 3 two week vacations on my 09 without incident, but thought there may be some item that I should have that I haven't thought about. Hopefully I will get another two week ride in again this season.  I forgot to mention one thing that is really important in my opinion which is the valve stem extension that HD sells for getting air in the rear tire if you happen to need air at a gas station that doesn't have a air hose that will fit. It is in the Big parts Catalogue page 774 part no 42300009. $9.95. They actually have something under ten dollars. Thanks in advance. CAHDBIKER

[danner55]

I carry a GI issue poncho. When you get caught in that sudden storm & nowhere to go! I've used mine many times. I have had as many as 6 people under the poncho at 1 time. A real bad storm! Also a rear shock air hand pump.

Happy Trails!

[Rio]

GOOD ADVICE!  Exchange spare keys with riding buddies in the event someone loses their key.  It happened to us twice.  First time, guys wife had to overnight spare key to Wyoming which held us up for a day.  Last year my key was hung on my belt loop and it broke off.  Fortunately we learned and I swapped spares with a buddy.

[dayne66]

One of these...hopin' you never need it!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Nitro-Strike-Mini-Foamer-Fire-Extinguishers-Fights-Wood-Paper-Gas-Oil-Fires-/390412277628?_trksid=p1468660.m200036#ht_1928wt_1304

[JCZ]

GOOD ADVICE!  Exchange spare keys with riding buddies in the event someone loses their key.  It happened to us twice.  First time, guys wife had to overnight spare key to Wyoming which held us up for a day.  Last year my key was hung on my belt loop and it broke off.  Fortunately we learned and I swapped spares with a buddy.

While I can't ever recall loosing my keys (that's what the pockets are for), if it were to ever happen I think I'd handle it a lot better if I lost them than if my buddy lost them.

Back on topic......there's all kinds of little tricks you'll learn the more you do it.  Just take one or two t-shirts because you're probably going to buy more along the way.  Sox and underwear.....get a bag of cheap sox and cheap underwear and just throw them away each night (or go commando)....it makes more space along the way.  You can also stop at any post office and use one of those flat rate shipping boxes to send all the dirty laundry home.

Tools.......there's a whole nother thread on this topic alone, somewhere on this forum.  Be sure to add a hand full of zip ties in several different sizes.  The Cruz Tools kit is a good basic start.  I also include a set of craftsmen sockets that came in their own small, flexable pouch.....had them for about twenty years and they've really helped along the way.

Clothes....modular helemet.  The Nolan N-104 is DOT approved even with the face shield up.....but when it starts to rain, just close the lid and you stay dry.  There's also riding gear that serves a dual purpose of keeping you warm and keeping you dry......FXRG jacket and pants or Gerbing eXtreme Element XE pants and jacket. 

There's a number of shirts designed for the really hot weather.  Here's a thread on a couple...  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=36802.0  And Andy just turned me on to one of the best shirts I've ever rode in when it's hot.  I have several of these.....   http://www.jacoclothing.com/mens.html?p=2  You also might want to think about a cool vest (we've been known to stop at a gas station in the desert and dunk then in the Gatorade ice bucket, then fil the pockets with ice, just to last another 10-15 minutes when it's 112F out there and you're in it all day)....  http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/cooling-vests/   You can find the cool vests cheaper but my observation is that's what you get....cheaper.

Lastly, here's a thread I started about six years ago that you might want to review before setting out on a long trip this summer....   http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=5540.0


Lastly.....remember the camera (best worn on a lanyard or camera strap around your neck).....we look forward to your ride report cuz everybody knows rule #1....   

[smiley1049]

My credit card and AAA card that's all that's needed light weight to.

[Indenial]

Don't forget the HOG tourguide with all the Harley shops listed. You never know when you'll need to find the closest one.

[dayne66]

...and a small flashlight with fresh batteries...

[Rio]

While I can't ever recall loosing my keys (that's what the pockets are for), if it were to ever happen I think I'd handle it a lot better if I lost them than if my buddy lost them.

So, as the cliche goes, 1st time for everything.  At 53, I never lost a set of keys either, but it happened now twice in the last 3 years during our trips.  Everyone had brought a second key in 2008 except for the guy that lost his.  That was funny, but it kind of wasted half a day too!  Never dropped my bike either, don't plan to, but as I have been told, not if, but when 

[spada84]

Spare security fob hidden somewhere with plastic over the battery to keep it from making connection.

Duct Tape.

Switch all the bulbs to LED and forget about it (didn't work for me the first time on the front, but that's another story).

[Eagle Eye]

We ship things home as we go and purchase the undergarments as required, like JC.  We also ship some of our purchases, so we don’t feel we can’t buy something just because we’re riding. 

I keep a list of all medications and a first aid kit in the bike; including emergency contact numbers.  I keep a card in my wallet that has the same information.  That way, even if a stranger finds me unconscious; they will know what to give the Paramedics and who to call. 

The first aid kit has everything from large gauze bandages to eye wash and takes very little space.  The kit has only been used once, when a buddy's Indian had a catastrophic tire failure on the freeway near Manteca, CA.   We had his abrasions cleaned and dressed in no time.  No EMT required.  Mostly bruised ego...thank God!

As a side note for those who may ride with me in the future:
I have current certifications in Advanced Wilderness First Aid; Advanced Red Cross First Aid, Disaster Preparidness, Defibrulation, CPR and Urban Traffic Control.  I was a Combat Medic in the Army and have maintained the highest level of training a civilian can do just to stay ready, should it ever be required.  Let's hope I never have to use it.

[Rio]

We can also start a thread on what to leave home long trip prep/necessities

[Midnight Rider]

If I'm traveling with the BSR and tight on space (normally the case), I insist we both use Microfiber type materials for underwear and shirts.  You can wash them out in the motel sink at night, and they'll be dry the next AM, if it's the right kind of materials.  Same with socks.  Most backpacking/skiing clothes work well for base layers. I wear long sleeved T's, even in summer...you stay cooler if they are the right kind of materials.  I'm over buying HD T-shirts, unles I see something really different.  Two pairs of jeans...one for riding, and one for not.  If the ones for riding get funky, they just do.  On trips longer than 5 days or so, I'll find a wash and fold laundry, leave the clothes, go eat, pick 'em up...or spend a couple of hours doing it myself.

I carry very basic tools...the kit HD furnished with the bike with some additions like zip ties, electrical tape, particualar hex wrenches not included in the kit, a shortened 1/2" open end for exhaust flange nuts (just in case), some spare tubing for my Legend Shock system, a small LED flashlight.  Rarely carry spare oil, as it's too easy to find on the road, if needed (knocking on wood).  Stop & Go tire plugger and CO2 cartridges with applicator.  All my running lights are LED's or HID now.  Oh, and a Gerber Multipurpose (small version) Tool, and I've got a genuine Swiss Army Knife (camping version) stuck in my lower glove box.  If I can't fix it with that stuff, it's really broken, and time to call in help.

I try and select clothing, jackets, etc that are multifunctional and easy to care for...usually high end stuff, but it lasts forever.  I just shop on line for sales.

[CVO2FIXUP]

 I always bring some pain killers. Tylenol, Advil, a535, and Imodium for those unexpected meal results!!!

[dayne66]

SUNSCREAN