I am heading off next Monday on my first ST trip also, just for the week. 5 days on the road, day after day, a real treat.
The mighty ST is ready to go, all up to spec, new PR4GT tyres, fully serviced, and even, at the last moment (um ah um ah, yes) a new battery.
I am also a solo traveller. My previous mate has given up, and sold his R1200R. I will be looking in my mirrors for that single headlight out of habit, but alas...
In my travelling I have found that time for planning and preparation has made a better trip (fun too). I can relax then and enjoy the scenery. I do understand that spontaneous can be good too, but on a longer trip that is not my way.
I will probably cover just under 2000km in total and each day is a comfortable distance (~400km). This allows me to start at gentleman's hour and be parked and finished by 3- 4:00pm. I'm not sure my theory is sound but I think this allows the morning Kangaroos to be off the road and the evening ones yet to appear. Certainly I need to vigilant on my chosen route.
I can't offer any tips apart from the preparing well (if you are like me), planning achievable and comfortable distances, and enjoying the experience.
All the best.
D