Tips/Tricks/Advise for first long road trip

[alke46]

Besides a tire plug kit and 12v pump, are there any other tools you guys recommend bringing along?

This should go without saying but I will say it anyway. Don't neglect the tire pressure gauge.

[mrbill5491]

For tube tires get a couple bottles of Ride On tire sealant, It could be what saves you getting to a shop to get the tire fixed or sitting along side the road waiting for a hauler to get you in. I run it in both my bike and the Spyder. https://www.ride-on.com/us/support/t...rcycle-formula

[LAB3]

I'n my case I carry far too many tools but I also quite literally carry everything I own on my bike.

I'm running tubes and carry a set of tires irons, a patch kit and mini compressor with gauge built it. That's a LOT of bulk and weight! Since the irons aren't used very often, they're put inside an old piece of tire tube (along with other stuff I'll list) and strapped to the luggage rack out of the way.

3/8 drive sockets, 5mm through 13mm and a 1/2 drive (with adapter) 29mm socket for the front drive sprocket) also a 3/8 drive plug socket. Both of the latter are in the tube with the tire irons.

6mm though 13mm combination wrenches and a crescent wrench big enough for the rear axle nut. Allen wrench set.

Three piece JIS screwdriver set, handle is separate from bits.

Needle nosed pliers and electrical pliers, small vice grips

Digital multimeter, a few pieces of wire, crimps and a couple jumper wires with alligator clips, solder, laminated wiring diagram.

Feeler gauges and circular plug gap gauge.

Small C clamp for brakes (in the tube)

Hammer, different length zip ties, duct tape, oil, chain lube, master link, assorted nuts, bolts, washers and screws

All of this fits in a soft sided lunchbox I bought at a resale shop other than what's carried in the old piece of tube.

Like I said, I live on my bike and everything I need is carried with me. I'm sure I'd pare that down a bit for a trip like you're planning. The multimeter, C clamp and drive sprocket socket would probably get left behind. If your bike is running in top notch shape the stock tool kit is probably all you really need if you'll be traveling the interstate with lots of traffic to get a cell signal and call for help.

[93Bandit]

Nope........

Didn't think so, but I have zero experience with tubed tires so I thought I'd double check.

For tube tires get a couple bottles of Ride On tire sealant, It could be what saves you getting to a shop to get the tire fixed or sitting along side the road waiting for a hauler to get you in. I run it in both my bike and the Spyder. https://www.ride-on.com/us/support/t...rcycle-formula

Good idea, thanks. Have you noticed any vibration issues with the sealer?

[cowboyup3371]

Bring an extra set of cables (clutch and throttle) just in case one breaks and keep it in the tank bag you can get from Motorcyclegear.com (NewEnough.com) or your saddle bags. Also take a read through this thread I posted when I went to Omaha in 2018 - https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...=long+distance

[limeex2]

TourMaster has nice rain suits, bags, tank bag at a decent prices. As mentioned, get your butt ready. At the beginning of the year my Versys seat sucked. By the end of the year it seemed fine. Look at your stock tool kit. They have most of the proper sizes, just low quality. Bring the same ones but your own better quality. I used to take a film container put some 5&6mm nuts n bolts hen wrap some wire around it, then secure it with some duct tape. Make sure your electric system is up to date, a LED headlight will consume less power and make you way more visable.

[Wingsconsin]

This can be done without too much angst

IF you truly have the mechanicals up to snuff and sorted out you have a bike that IS easily capable of doing what you want to do...

I too have a 1983 GS850GL and have ridden some longer days on it - 400 - 500 miles is easily do-able IF you seat is right --
The OEM seat was torture for me so I had a custom Diamond seat made on an extra seat pan I found on eBay -- it was $600 but I can ride ALL DAY with no issues.

Consider LD Comfort underwear to avoid chaffing (Google it)

Consider a throttle rocker and/or a throttle lock


Vista Cruise is teh preferred throttle lock for a short rest


I have a volt meter on mine showing me the function of the charging system


Here you can see the Ram mount for my Zumo550 GPS on the left and the Ram mount for my phone




The 850 will tell you when it is time to stop -- the smallish tank will need fuel every 135 miles +/- at highway speeds so that is your chance to rest a bit.
Every 135 is 4 stops in 500 miles so no trouble.

Take notice of the cities you are riding through or around - rush hour traffic can easily Kill an hour of time (every time I go through Chicago I add 1 hour expected delay)

Carry a credit card and cell phone for emergencys and an extra quart of oil -
On MY 850 at highway speeds (75-80mph for prolonged periods) the bike eats a little oil -
I have redone the seals and it doesn't leak so it just gets evaporated or something...

Tires are your life line - be sure to have GOOD NEWish tires and check them often (every day) for proper pressure - low pressure heats and eats rubber quickly.

Have tunes - a Sena 20S system can play music into your headset wirelessly from your phone or a bluetooth enabled GPS (GPS another good choice)

The 850 can run all-day at prolonged highway speeds and not be 'buzzy' to exacerbate fatigue - Eat light - keep moving - be patient with those cage drivers who do not see you -

My bike has saddlebags and top case from SHAD - water resistant and easily and mounted - and a tail bag I use for clothes -

I packed and spent a week on it in June 2019 covering 2500 miles - some days 500 + others 250 -

The bike never skipped a beat