camping backpack setup image
im traveling through all the mainland, so 48 states going from ca and ending in ny . i think the trip with last 3 or so months. what are some tips for backpacking through the states?
Answer
I did a 2,700 mile trip on my small cruiser (583 cc) in 2008 and a 1,900 mile trip last spring. The best thing I did to prepare was install a GPS to my handlebars with a marine 12 volt cigarette lighter style power outlet to my front fork just under the fork tree. Don't leave home with out it unless you like being stuck on the interstates and major roads only!
Using the GPS I was able to do about 90% of the trip on state highways and back roads which made the trip most pleasant! Purchase your GPS at a national retailer and buy the extended replacement warranty. That way if the unit expectantly fails on the trip you can most likely replace it soon for free and continue. Happened to me in Boston, MA. 800 miles from home. The motorcycle GPSs on the market are waterproof and that is really a good feature on such a long trip. I did not get one, I got the car type due to money considerations. The down side is, if it starts raining I have to put it away in a zip lock bag and travel "blind" until the weather improves. Can be inconvenient when relying on the GPS's directions when caught on back roads away form major roads in the rain. Then again if you don;t ride in the rain that would not be an issue often. Savings to inconvenience, it's always a trade off. I made my handle bar mount but there are mounts available on the web to mount most any GPS on your bike at reasonable prices. This means you don't have to go with only a motorcycle GPS just becuase you need to mount it on a bike.
Another thing I have found is that motorcycle camping has economical advantages but may slow the progress if you are destination oriented. Hotels are faster, in and out, but much more expensive.
For more info on camping you are welcome to follow this URL link to see how I pack my bike for camping.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92225127@N00/sets/72157621752025385/
Also, consider an upgrade to your stock motorcycle seat. I upgraded to a "Mustang" seat for my Honda Cruiser. Best money I have ever spent on my bike. I often spend 12 to 14 hours per day on my bike on these trips with breaks about every two to three hours with little discomfort. That stock seat was painful after just a few hours and almost unbearable after six.
My last tip: If you ride a cruiser style bike setup your luggage to provide some type of back support. I use two sissy bar bags backed up to the sissy bar. I made a marine vinyl cover with a two inch foam insert to serve as rain protection for my luggage and a back rest. Since I don't use a windshield this setup takes all the force of the wind off my arms and makes even interstate riding much less fatiguing. Even with a windshield lower back support is a good idea for long distance riding.
I did a 2,700 mile trip on my small cruiser (583 cc) in 2008 and a 1,900 mile trip last spring. The best thing I did to prepare was install a GPS to my handlebars with a marine 12 volt cigarette lighter style power outlet to my front fork just under the fork tree. Don't leave home with out it unless you like being stuck on the interstates and major roads only!
Using the GPS I was able to do about 90% of the trip on state highways and back roads which made the trip most pleasant! Purchase your GPS at a national retailer and buy the extended replacement warranty. That way if the unit expectantly fails on the trip you can most likely replace it soon for free and continue. Happened to me in Boston, MA. 800 miles from home. The motorcycle GPSs on the market are waterproof and that is really a good feature on such a long trip. I did not get one, I got the car type due to money considerations. The down side is, if it starts raining I have to put it away in a zip lock bag and travel "blind" until the weather improves. Can be inconvenient when relying on the GPS's directions when caught on back roads away form major roads in the rain. Then again if you don;t ride in the rain that would not be an issue often. Savings to inconvenience, it's always a trade off. I made my handle bar mount but there are mounts available on the web to mount most any GPS on your bike at reasonable prices. This means you don't have to go with only a motorcycle GPS just becuase you need to mount it on a bike.
Another thing I have found is that motorcycle camping has economical advantages but may slow the progress if you are destination oriented. Hotels are faster, in and out, but much more expensive.
For more info on camping you are welcome to follow this URL link to see how I pack my bike for camping.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92225127@N00/sets/72157621752025385/
Also, consider an upgrade to your stock motorcycle seat. I upgraded to a "Mustang" seat for my Honda Cruiser. Best money I have ever spent on my bike. I often spend 12 to 14 hours per day on my bike on these trips with breaks about every two to three hours with little discomfort. That stock seat was painful after just a few hours and almost unbearable after six.
My last tip: If you ride a cruiser style bike setup your luggage to provide some type of back support. I use two sissy bar bags backed up to the sissy bar. I made a marine vinyl cover with a two inch foam insert to serve as rain protection for my luggage and a back rest. Since I don't use a windshield this setup takes all the force of the wind off my arms and makes even interstate riding much less fatiguing. Even with a windshield lower back support is a good idea for long distance riding.
What kind of homemade protection can be used for paintball shooting and war games?
amateurgro
like play fighting with sticks and shooting at each other with paintbulletts?
Answer
Wear a real face mask/goggle setup and cup. These are kind of important and harder to make than buy.
Aside from that...
Sections of empty 5-gallon pails can be used in sheets or in laced and/or overlapping pieces to provide good protection. You might be able to find these for free. You'll need a sharp knife and be careful when cutting this up, or use a saw (coping, keyhole, hack, etc). Holes can be drilled in it to increase ventilation. File or sand the edges, maybe cover with duct tape or split sections of hose/tubing so they don't cut you.
You can get really cheap crummy leather work gloves, even at some convenience stores. You might want to cut the fingers mostly off.
Blocks/sheets of styrofoam, old mouse pads, closed cell foam will work. If you look around, you might be able to find some cheap foam sleeping pads (for backpacking/camping) to serve as a source.
The possibilities are almost endless, depending on your budget or how goofy you're willing to look. Try browsing your local thrift store for things you might be able to cut up and re-use (old leather jackets, buckets, belts, camping gear...).
Protect your throat too. Taking a blow there will be very painful if not worse.
Wear a real face mask/goggle setup and cup. These are kind of important and harder to make than buy.
Aside from that...
Sections of empty 5-gallon pails can be used in sheets or in laced and/or overlapping pieces to provide good protection. You might be able to find these for free. You'll need a sharp knife and be careful when cutting this up, or use a saw (coping, keyhole, hack, etc). Holes can be drilled in it to increase ventilation. File or sand the edges, maybe cover with duct tape or split sections of hose/tubing so they don't cut you.
You can get really cheap crummy leather work gloves, even at some convenience stores. You might want to cut the fingers mostly off.
Blocks/sheets of styrofoam, old mouse pads, closed cell foam will work. If you look around, you might be able to find some cheap foam sleeping pads (for backpacking/camping) to serve as a source.
The possibilities are almost endless, depending on your budget or how goofy you're willing to look. Try browsing your local thrift store for things you might be able to cut up and re-use (old leather jackets, buckets, belts, camping gear...).
Protect your throat too. Taking a blow there will be very painful if not worse.
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Title Post: Tips for a really long motorcycle road trip?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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