What to bring on an 8,000 mile trip?

Oops had some posting snafu

Oh yeah KZ Rage- a trip of this nature shouldn't be taken lightly. I'll follow up for sure with a list later tonight, the reason I've been so busy and unable to do so is that I'm actually doing some physical training for this trip. I've been running a mile and a half each night (tonight I'm off) and doing calisthenics to prepare physically. 8,000 miles in the saddle isn't just something you can decide and do on a whim.

Stay tuned...

one more thing, toilet paper

Alright, here's my working list, please feel free to comment or suggest otherwise.

Camping equipment:

• 3 season lightweight 2 person backpacking tent (this little tent is hot in the summer, there is little mesh, so it should serve well in the fall)
• 20 degree sleeping bag (don't have the cash to buy a 0 degree bag, may have to bundle up at night)
• Groundpad
• LED headlight
• Zippo
• Matches
• Lockback pocketknife

Clothing:

• Waterproof ("double waterproof" actually- whatever that means...) and armored motorcycle specific jacket and pants
• Waterproof, insulated and armored motorcycle gloves
• Helmet [no shit] with clear visor
• Sunglasses
• Windjammer (try it out, I REALLY like this item- www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windjammer/helmet-wind-blocker.htm )
• Polypropylene neck gaiter
• Two pairs of expedition weight polypropylene long johns (polypropylene insulates even while wet)
• One pair of "street" jeans, to party in Anchorage :laugh:
• Two sweat-wicking shirts
• Motorcycle boots
• Sneakers
• Electric heated vest ( www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/461/10...ner-with-Collar.aspx )... yes this could potentially cause problems if ran for hours on end, I have a head on my shoulders and will use it at my discretion. Hopefully I won't even need it. Won't be running my high beam while the vest is on
• Heated vest plug in cords
• Wool beanie hat to keep my head warm at night or maybe under my helmet
• Flannel shirt

I need some more insulated layers... working on it

Motorcycle stuff:

• Windscreen
• Spare clutch cable
• Spare push throttle cable
• Two 2.5 gallon filled gas tanks
• New (hundred or so miles on them) Spitfire tires
• Tire levers
• Brand new (and charged) battery
• A pint of distilled water to fill the battery
• New chain and sprockets (after consideration I'm staying with the 630 chain- 16t front and 33t rear sprockets)
• My old (but still good) 630 chain
• 630 spare master links
• New voltage regulator/rectifier
• Potentially a new stator
• Replace all the fuses and carry spares: five new 10 amp and five new 20 amp AGX fuses (I'd like to convert to blade fuses, but at this point, if it ain't broke don't fix it and I'm leery of making so many changes and not logging much saddle time before this ride)
• 19" tube
• New can of PJ-1 chain lube
• 2 quarts of oil (I know an Amsoil dealer in Anchorage so I can get more when needed)
• Extra ignition coil (coils are the bane of my existence!)
• Eight plugs (I'm changing the plugs halfway regardless of their condition)
• CO2 inflators
• Spare headlight
• spare key hidden on bike
• JB weld
• Zip ties
• Clymer manual
• 6"x6"x1/4" square of steel for my kickstand

Miscellaneous:

• Milepost (a MUST for traveling up north- milepost.com/ )
• Credit cards (AmEx and Visa- both will be notified of this trip)
• Cash hidden on the bike in case I get robbed
• Heavy duty cable lock and multiple keys to lock bike if needed
• iPod+12v charger
• Cell phone+12v charger
• Camera+spare battery+charger
• Elastic cargo net
• Rubber bungee strap
• Gold Bond powder
• Pills (Tylenol, Advil, Excedrin, Imodium, Pepto)
• 20 feet of duct tape
• 10 feet of electrical tape
• 5 feet of 16 gauge wire
• Wet Wipes (good call uncledirt!)
• Camelback
• Chapstick
• Ear plugs
• Toiletries (including toilet paper)
• Powerbars
• Maps (I make maps for a living- not quite sold on GPS yet )
• Sunscreen
• Two 1-quart waterbottles

testarossa wrote: So are you going to try and complete the whole Dalton Highway trip this time? I read your other thread at ADVRider, sounds like a memorable trip.

Anyway, in addition to the stuff that the others have mentioned, bring along a bit of extra wire, and some electrical tape (good for lots of things) so you can wire around any problematic connections that could pop up. Also, a couple of spare master links for that 530 chain in case something happens there. Planning on doing an oil change during the trip? Maybe bring along the filter so you don't get stuck in the boonies and can't get parts. Not sure if you need to remove your exhaust to change oil so take four exhaust gaskets in case you do. Spare clutch cable. Check your brakes real good before you leave. Maybe bring one extra coil. IIRC that is what stopped you on the last trip, no? Spare plugs. I could go on forever.

Good luck and do give us a write-up when you get back.

Thanks! Nope, no Dalton this time around- my 550 STILL isn't cleaned off entirely. Just riding the Alcan to Tok, AK then down to Anchorage. Kind of playing this by ear as to how much time I have. My plan is to head straight to Anchorage without much sightseeing or delay and take my time, if applicable, riding back. I'd like to ride down to Haines, take the ferry over to Skagway then ride down the Cassiar Highway. We'll see- it might be too late in the year for the Cassiar.

WABBMW wrote: Do a search to bring up my old post entitled:

What Preparation Is Needed for a 4,500 Mile Trip

I listed some things I had done, and many others offered excellent advice. The trip was a fantastic experience and went very well. I did not lack anything. I am including a spreadsheet which was a checklist, plus 4 other sheets, with information on weather, planned stops for each night, mileage between towns to plan gas stops, etc. We were on a tight schedule, doing 4,400 miles in 9 days. I just noticed that this sheet was for an earlier attampt at the trip, which was absurdly optimistic on the mileage. If I can find the more recent one, I'll send it. The checklist is still good however.

Thanks for the checklist! It most definitely helps out!

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote: Reading the thread title and not even looking at it's author, I knew it was you planning this long of a trip. :laugh:

#2 GPS. And make sure it's one that has features like traffic alert, local weather if possible, "Where am I" feature (locates closest hospitals, police, gas / lodging, etc), and wireless voice directions fed to a bluetooth. Some models with the bluetooth feature also have voice activated hands-free calling to boot.

#6 And my personal fav;
Remember to program a primary I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) number, as well as 1 or 2 secondary numbers into your cell phone in case the primary I.C.E. contact is unavailable.
Make certain it's people (immediate family is usually best) that know of any medical conditions (allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, hemophilia, etc.), and are 100% certain of your desires concerning major surgeries and /or if you're in a coma. A "Do Not Recucitate" decision in dire cases is extreme, but I don't know of anyone who want's to be fed through a vein and just "exist", all the while their family is suffering.

Haven't seen you in awhile R^4! I might have a partial sponsorship-type deal with DeLorme for a saaawwwweeeetttt GPS that includes the SPOT receiver and the ability to send one-way text messages and Twitter updates. If that's the case, all you old guys are gonna have to get on Twitter to follow me! :woohoo:

Good call on the ICE numbers and the doom and gloom stuff. I wouldn't have thought of that stuff.

RonKZ650 wrote: I did 2 10,000 mile trips on a KZ1000 and took about everything, tire irons, all the tools, spare gas, spare oil, extra headlight bulb that actually was used at 2am, spare chain, masterlink. For sure fit new tires, 10,000 mile I was bald at the end. take a provision to add water to the battery as it won't make 8000 miles without drinking a quart of water. oil chain every time it looks dry, which in dust or rain may be every 50 miles. Of course take duct tape, bailing wire, spare fuses, spare plugs, normal stuff like that, heated gear will be mandatory too. For gear, you need all the essential times 10. Take the rainsuit, several jackets, at least 5 pair of cold weather gloves even in the summer, waterproof boots. Wear a riding suit like an aerostich roadcrafter or motoport kevlar at all times.

Great call Ron, I appreciate your help. I'm looking at this jacket ( www.bikebandit.com/olympia-moto-sports-a...ng-motorcycle-jacket ) and these pants ( www.bikebandit.com/olympia-moto-sports-r...otorcycle-over-pants ) and this heated vest ( www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/461/10...ner-with-Collar.aspx ). I've heard good things about Olympia and Tour Master seems to be the standard for heated gear.

.

church key and a small can opener.

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Good call on the ICE numbers and the doom and gloom stuff. I wouldn't have thought of that stuff.

Not to add to the doom and gloom stuff, but just a small tip (actually this goes for anyone riding alone no matter what distance): keep your cell phone on your person at all times. In a worst case scenario, if you crash you and your bike may not end up in the same place - your phone won't do you any good if it's 50 feet away in your tankbag and you can't move.

Like I said, worst case scenario, but that's what we're planning for, isn't it?

Best wishes for a safe trip, don't forget the pics.

Mtb, I don't know why this is, but Leatherup.com always seems to have much better pricing on their stuff: www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jack...e-Jacket/115632.html