One Tip For Trips

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Carry a tire repair kit. I carry tire plugs and CO2 cartridges along with a fold up bicycle pump. Takes up very little space and works a charm.

Made me remember.

I have, under the seat, a tiny tire inflator; operates off a cigarette lighter. Sold under the Slime name; but there's also similar off-brand ones. I always have had a pigtail socket wired to the bike's battery, no matter what I had.

It will add air easily to a tire when you're doing your morning prep. There are parts of the country where you just cannot FIND a tire air station. Moreover, if you pick up a nail or something, and the tire is slow-leaking out...you can pump it up, ride ten minutes, inflate again, another ten, until you get someplace you can deal with it.

The Slime mini-pumps don't hold up - I've had two fail with basically, about an hour's total use. But that's all right - for $25 it was worth it just in time saved and worries avoided.

 

[flynrider]

Carry a tire repair kit. I carry tire plugs and CO2 cartridges along with a fold up bicycle pump. Takes up very little space and works a charm.

Made me remember.

I have, under the seat, a tiny tire inflator; operates off a cigarette lighter. Sold under the Slime name; but there's also similar off-brand ones. I always have had a pigtail socket wired to the bike's battery, no matter what I had.

It will add air easily to a tire when you're doing your morning prep. There are parts of the country where you just cannot FIND a tire air station. Moreover, if you pick up a nail or something, and the tire is slow-leaking out...you can pump it up, ride ten minutes, inflate again, another ten, until you get someplace you can deal with it.

The Slime mini-pumps don't hold up - I've had two fail with basically, about an hour's total use. But that's all right - for $25 it was worth it just in time saved and worries avoided.

+1 Is it this one?

I picked it up a few months ago. It fits under the seat (even with the stock toolkit) and it can connect to a cig lighter or direct to the battery. If I only get one use out of it, it'll be worth it.

 

[JustPassinThru_imp]

That may be the current one. Of course Slime just has their brand put on a model; and stuff from China comes in "batch lots." Make a large quantity and then pull the line down and make something else.

It's similar to this one



But different. I bought three about two years ago; two failed. Third I'm still using.

They've apparently got a different batch now.

 

[emptysea]

Here's a review of several compact inflators for those who are interested. Roadrunner did not include the Slime brand, though. http://www.roadrunner.travel/2015/01/01/buyers-guide-motorcycle-tire-pumps/

I think there also may be a thread on this in the "Tools" section.

 

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Here's something else to consider: MASA. http://www.medairservices.com
Another thing to have handy that one hopes to never use.

 

[4 Paws_imp]

Stop and drink water frequently, before you are thirsty.
Take the time to wander side roads.
Don't be afraid to stop in a small town for a leisurely lunch and talk to some people, great way to discover roads and camping spots.
Lots of barbecues and street festivals in small towns.

 

[ZenBiker_imp]

Follow the traditional "10 for 2" rule: take a 10-minute break for every two hours of riding, or even more frequently than that--pay attention to how you're feeling. Shorten the interval between breaks if you're cold or hot, and drink water during those breaks, even if you're cold.

 

[Cormanus]

Stop at a civilised time at the end of the day, take a shower, change your clothes and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine and another beer with your riding companions. :beerchug:

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Stop at a civilised time at the end of the day, take a shower, change your clothes and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine and another beer with your riding companions. :beerchug:

Sufferin' tomcats! You read my mind.

Cheers

 

[the Ferret]

Hmmm I was going to say carry your own tea bags

 

[veech_imp]

Follow the traditional "10 for 2" rule: take a 10-minute break for every two hours of riding, or even more frequently than that--pay attention to how you're feeling. Shorten the interval between breaks if you're cold or hot, and drink water during those breaks, even if you're cold.

I found, especially when riding with others on longer rides, we stop pretty much every hour. Someone usually needs fuel, restroom, water, leg stretch, etc. Rarely do we ever go for a two hour stretch at a time unless we are really trying to get somewhere by a certain time.

 

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Stop at a civilised time at the end of the day, take a shower, change your clothes and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine and another beer with your riding companions. :beerchug:

Hear! Hear!

Unless you're in an Iron Butt marathon...there is NO sane reason for riding past the evening meal hour. Find a place to tie down...be it a campsite or a Hilton. And do it. Make or buy your meal; enjoy, as Neil Diamond once said, the quiet hour that waits beyond the day.

Unless you have miles to go and people to meet...all you're going to get out of late-night travel is a lot of discomfort, missed scenery, and maybe an animal hit.

 

[Cormanus]

Hmmm I was going to say carry your own tea bags

It may sound strange coming from me, but that's important too.

 

[A440_imp]

Take a battery pack to power up your phone in case it gets drained. Movement between towers seems to strain the phone as it hunts for a signal. They are small and can be had for as little as $12.

My Micro-start jump start battery MICRO-START Portable Jump-Starters will also charge a cell phone and it isn't much bigger than a cell phone battery pack. I jumped my bike and my neighbor's car and the Micro-start still registered a full charge.

I keep a travel list with my motorcycle accessories and update it after every trip. I pack much more quickly that way and I don't worry that I'm forgetting something.