Pre-Trip Checklist

[skydog]

I asked a good friend of mine with two SS1000 and a BB1500/36 under his belt to provide me a list he uses when he rides LD. He provided the following and I wanted to share it with the group. Everything here may not pertain to your style of riding, but heh, its a start. Feel free to modify as you please. The author of this checklist rides a BMW 1150RT with every Farkle you can imagine. He has since given up the MP3 / CD player and now uses the Roady2. If you have other ideas or packing lists, comments, please list them here.

Pre-Trip Preparation Activities:

Charge - Cell Phone; Load GPS MapQuest Routes
Check, Replace or Charge Batteries (flashlights, CD player, etc.)
Clean - All Support Equipment, M/C, Truck, Trailer
Identify & Clean - Riding Clothes; Waterproof Boots & Gloves
Route Planning - Map Study, Route Cards, City Segments, GPS
Reservations - Hotel/Motel/Ferry/Transportation

Preventative Maintenance:
Clean & Wax Bike; Inspect & Lubricate
Brakepads & Discs
Drive Chain - Clean & Lubricate
Fluids - Brakes, Crankcase Oil, Coolant, Clutch
ID and Inspect Spares, Tools, Equipment
Mount Soft Bags, Bag Liners, Radar Detector, GPS, Camping Gear
Nuts & Bolts - Retention mounts for hardbags or softbags
Tire Pressures & Condition
Truck & Trailer – Fluids, pressures, clean, service, locks, tiedowns

Packing List (includes overnight camping equipment; No food preparation):

Aerostitch Suit/Darien Jacket, Boots, Gloves, Helmet(s), Leathers, Neck Warmer, Net Jacket, Vest
Books - Bible, notebook, paperbacks, pens/pencils
Camera, case and extra film
CD Player – CD’s, earphones, connecting cables, extra batteries
Cellular Phone, 12VDC Cable, Emergency Phone Numbers, Intercom & Cables,
Clothing - Extra Shoes/Boots, Levis, Longjohns, Lt Jacket/Sweater, Shirt, Skivvies, Socks, T-Shirts,
Cold & Wet Weather Gear
Dop - Aftershave, Bugspray, First Aid, Handcream, Shaver, Hairbrush, Toothbrush/Paste, Medications
Earplugs & Spares
Extra Key
Eye Drops
Fanny Pack(s)
Flashlight & Extra Batteries
Garbage bags
Glasses/Sunglasses/Spares & Lanyards
Gun, holster, extra magazine
Hand towel and soap
Hats/Scarves/Bandanas
Knife and/or Universal Belt Tool
Motorcycle Cover
Motor Oil, Spray Cleaner, Wax, Towel, Shop Wipes
Paper towels
Papers –CHL, Driver’s License, Insurance, Registration, etc.
Road Atlas and/or Maps (State/City/Topographical for Offroad)
Tools – “The Football” - Flat Kit, Xtra Cables, Sockets, Tire Inflator, Wrenches, etc.
Wallet, Money, Change & ATM/Credit Cards
Water Bottles/Sodas/Ice
CamelBak
First Aid Kit

Tool Kit:

Sockets, hex heads and ratchet (3/8”)
Combination Wrenches - 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18 mm
6” Adjustable Wrench
Pliers - Needlenose and standard
Electrical wire stripper
Screwdrivers - Flat and apex
Flat kit and (2) inflators
Duck tape & electrical tape
Wire
Rope
Flashlights - Mini and regular w/spare batteries
Twisties
Extra bulbs, fuzes, cables, nuts for throttle lock, AA & C batteries
Bottled Water


Food Preparation/Camping:

Meals - Coffee, Bread, Lunchmeat, Cheese, Starch, Butter/Oil, S&P, Seasoning, Main dish, Snacks
Sleeping Bags & Pads, Small Stove, Fuel, Pans & pots, Dishsoap, Matches or Lighter, charcoal & lighter
Tent or “lean to” tarp, stakes, poles, rope, dropcloth

Dual Sport/Dirt Bike:

Boots
Motocross Socks
Jerseys
Goggles
Cotton Long-sleeved T-Shirts
Turtleneck T-Shirts
Pants
Shin/Knee Guards
Chest Protector
Elbow Guards
Darian or Aerostitch Jacket Top
Motocross Gloves – Summer/Winter
Sweater
Trailer Gear Box
Gas Can
Bike Stand
Tools
Fanny Pack – Extra Tubes, Tools, FixaFlat
Water Bottles
CamelBak

[crazykz]

If you want to make planning your trip easier then I highly recommend "The Next Exit". The 2005 edition is now in print. Some of the bigger book stores will carry a copy or two but you can order it online just as easy. It's a book that describes what is at every exit along the major interstates in the US. Sure you can do it without it but once you've used it you won't want to be without it.

I used this to plan my BBG because I needed every minute on the bike and wanted to plan out every stop exactly. It didn't let me down and it cut my planning time by 60%. I can now plan long trips and make the most of my gas because I know there's gas where I'm headed. I tried the online resources like Yahoo Yellow Pages and things like that but this by far faster and more complete.

The Next Exit Website (http://www.thenextexit.com)

Curt

[skydog]

"You won't need to pack a whole lot. On a trip like this, I'll probably pack 2 changes of clothes, rolled, in one of my side trunks using my fitted nylon bag liners, but probably won't bring my BMW tail trunk.

I'll use the other side trunk for overflow, maybe a lightweight jacket, etc. I'll put my Chase Harper nylon tailpack and rolled sleeping bag (my "backrest") on the rear seat to carry incidentals that I need to get to in a hurry without breaking out the side trunks (i.e. tool kit, flat kit, 12 VDC tire pump, extra water).

I'll pack my tankbag with only need-to-have stuff (C-cell Maglite flashlight, ballcap, eye drops, aspirin/motrin, hand lotion, snacks/hard candy, power plug for cell phone, extra batteries, extra shop wipes, visor cleaner, CD player, pen, IBA logbook and receipt envelope).

I'll wear a "fanny pack" that will have my Leatherman universal tool and mini-Maglite flashlight mounted on the belt, plus will include my insurance/registration papers, extra earplugs, extra pen, a couple of shop wipes, cell phone, glasses/sunglasses, extra fuzes, and gun (when I'm in a legal CHL state).

Clothing - I may pack one pair of levis and one or two pair of nylon hiking pants. I like the ones that can be converted to shorts. Summer shirts - t's and maybe a long-sleeve mock turtleneck if it gets chilly. Good padded socks and comfortable skivvies. Tennies. Meds.

I've got a fairly standard, all inclusive "trip list" Word document that you can modify/tailor for IBA events, rallies, trailer trips, etc. I think I sent you the basic list, which even includes stuff like on-bike camping supplies, dual sport equipment, etc. Obviously, it's got categories and stuff that don't apply to this trip.

Mike Kneebone always tells folks to not be trying out something new the day they go riding on an IBA run, like a new piece of gear on your bike, so make sure you complete some pre-rides and ops checks if you're hanging a new GPS, XM satellite radio, or other stuff.

Here are a couple of important general categories that maybe you should think about:

:biker: "Preflight" Preparation - Bike PM - In accordance with your maintenance schedule
Tires (this will be a 4K trip!), fluids, pressures, equipment
Execute your trip checklist, buy the stuff you need
Mount and "ops check" your comm, GPS, radar detector, etc.
Do a short "pre-ride" in your IBA ride configuration

:tools1: Build up a decent tool kit - Flat repair - Plugs, goop, CO2 or 12VDC pump, etc.
Sockets - (I carry a compact 1/4" drive set with deep sockets)
Wrenches (may be in your stock tool kit, if you have one)
Allens "
Combo pliars/cutting dike (or universal belt tool)
Screwdrivers
Lug wrench
Small (10") crescent wrench
Small duct tape
Small electrical tape and ties
Extra fuzes, light bulbs"

[Horst]

... for an SS1000 that list seems too long. Now let think back '99 ...

1) Rainsuit
2) Paperwork / registration / etc.
3) Credit cards (more than 1 in case they think someone stole it !)

That's about it, normal riding gear and bike checked the night or day before, of course. An SS1000 goes more or less like this - the first 600 miles are pure joy and exhiliration ... the next 200 are more like work ... and last 200 miles seem like forever, they cruel and unusual punishment ! ... but then you finish and get your certificate and of course, BRAGGING RIGHTS ... and a great feeling of having done something few will ever do. Good luck :)

[Hewhois]

Don't forget to take the bike :D

[crazykz]

Credit cards is a good subject. On the LDRider list this topic has come up quite a bit. Pay at the pump is your friend when doing any timed distance rides but your bank's credit card system sees multiple gas stops in a day as a red flag. This can lead to them turning off your card. I have had this happen on about 3 out of my 5 vacations in the last 5 years. Here's my advice on this subject:

Note: If you can keep the same card for a long time and establish a pattern of going long distances in a day with several gas stops some programs seem to take that into account before they flag your card. This is just speculation as it's happened to me less as I did more of these rides.

1. Take at least 2, preferably 3, cards. I normally want to use my bank debit card, then I carry my VISA, and my mastercard in case the others get shut off.

2. Call your banks ahead of time. Make sure you're talking to the right people when you do this. They will probably ask you for your travel route and timing. Tell them you will be making lots of gas stops. Then once you've done that call them back and ask them to check your account. Now keep in mind the computer that flags your card is not going to read that but it will make it easier to turn it back if it does get flagged. Different cards do it different ways so if a human actually reads your record it may save you from having your card turned off. When they do shut off your card you can start using the other ones. You did call the banks for your second and third card right? One more thing about this. Make sure you have the number to call to get it turned back on and the number if your card is stolen. These numbers often are not the number to your bank and the numbers for each can also be different. Store the numbers somewhere besides your wallet.

3. Gas cards are nice but not guarenteed to stay on either when doing a long ride so carry more than one card. Did I already say that?

Different people have had different expierences with different cards and in different scenarios so it's not a one size fits all. I've had problems in the past but I've somehow managed to keep it under control by calling the right people more than once and checking back to make sure. Keep in mind the first couple times I called and caled back to check they still shut off my card because the computer flagged it. After enough complaining they seemed to have stopped doing that but to be honest I don't know what changed to allow my card to stop being flagged. The things I mention above are about the best things I think you can do to make sure you don't have to worry about pay at the pump with your card.

Curt

[Horst]

"...bank's credit card system sees multiple gas stops in a day as a red flag"

He's got it ... that's the ticket ... take 2 or 3 as Crazykz says and you won't be sorry ... take 1 and risk that SS1000 ... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Pansmiker]

... for an SS1000 that list seems too long. Now let think back '99 ...

1) Rainsuit
2) Paperwork / registration / etc.
3) Credit cards (more than 1 in case they think someone stole it !)

That's about it, normal riding gear and bike checked the night or day before, of course. An SS1000 goes more or less like this - the first 600 miles are pure joy and exhiliration ... the next 200 are more like work ... and last 200 miles seem like forever, they cruel and unusual punishment ! ... but then you finish and get your certificate and of course, BRAGGING RIGHTS ... and a great feeling of having done something few will ever do. Good luck :)


That's it Horst keep it simple. The only thing I would add is my passport!

Paul :D

[lddave]

[QUOTE=crazykz]Credit cards is a good subject. On the LDRider list this topic has come up quite a bit. Pay at the pump is your friend when doing any timed distance rides but your bank's credit card system sees multiple gas stops in a day as a red flag. This can lead to them turning off your card. .

Pay at the pump is a wonderful thing, it is nice to roll up to a closed station and be able to still get gas.
I have never had a card turned off for numerous gas stops in a day butt then they are use to me making purchases over a expanded area.
Pack less and carry more money.