July 14th, 2011, 08:00 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Rockland, NY
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 63
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Planning on going on a cross country ride.
So I am going to bring my bike to school in Arizona and I am in NY at home for the summer. A year ago my plan was to ship my bike there, but now things have changed and I really want to take a long distance ride like this one for the experience. I have been waiting for my chance at a walkabout for a while now and I have finally found it. I have been reading about cross country riding for a couple weeks now and I have read all of the forum articles and ride reports including the iron but write ups and that other one where the guy rides his 250 cross country with a couple of buddies. I am looking for some fresh ideas/tips for what I should do to my 09 ninja 250 before going and what I should bring and expect. I am planning on buying a tank bag and a set of saddle bags because my backpack would cause too much strain on my shoulders and back. Is there anything else I should do to my 250 besides doing a full service and inspection before leaving? What should I expect during this time of the year? I plan to leave on or around August 10th. I am allotting 6-8 days for the trip.
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July 14th, 2011, 08:13 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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Take two weeks and really enjoy the ride.
Always check the weather. Bring a pump with you.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! Last futzed with by CC Cowboy; July 16th, 2011 at 08:17 AM. |
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July 14th, 2011, 09:39 AM | #3 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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I made the trip from GA to CA with my tank bag and backpack. My biggest issue was thinking that I ran out of gas (likely, the tank formed a vacuum and just needed to be opened/closed) and getting severely chapped face, neck, chest, etc. My skin was peeling for weeks after the cold, dry air sapped all the moisture from it and killed the top layers. I didn't even know until days later. If you ride in the winter, look for some kind of clinical-strength moisturizer!
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July 14th, 2011, 09:58 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jesse
Location: Ann arbor mi
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250r Posts: 374
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Find a better seat! on the newer ninja's my butt starts hurting around 170 miles.
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July 14th, 2011, 10:02 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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See how many hours per day you will be riding and give it a test run.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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July 14th, 2011, 10:35 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joe
Location: Lansing, MI Ghetto
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Green 2011 SE 52yo Geezer Posts: 122
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Take your time. Publish your trip path on here well in advance so the users here can offer to give you a place to stay for the night, and a shower and some grub when you pass their way..
- Joe |
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July 14th, 2011, 10:45 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chris
Location: Pike County, PA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Vulcan 500 Posts: 50
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Exactly, test the hours you are planing to ride. Plan on riding longer than expected. Sometimes you just want to take a day off. Things get tough after 4 hours in the saddle. Plan on riding at night once you get down south. Have tire repair kit with CO2 pump. Change oil, lube chain and check tension. Check break pads and tires. Have both keys, one hidden. RainX your faceshield. Sun protection. Might want to pick up one of those handlebar clips so that you can use the throttle without gripping the grips.
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July 15th, 2011, 08:09 PM | #8 | |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
My globular objects actually get killed
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blink-182 |
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July 15th, 2011, 08:33 PM | #9 |
Resident Old Guy
Name: Kurt
Location: Goodyear, Az
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): sold Posts: 264
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Get yourself a throttle lock, or cruise control. I have two of these.... work great.
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Off-Recr...0787132&sr=8-2
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Resident old guy... get off my lawn! |
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July 15th, 2011, 09:32 PM | #10 |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
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$.50 rubber O-ring from your local hardware store would serve the same function as throttle lock..
Find a secure tank bag that you can rest against for the long hours of riding. |
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July 15th, 2011, 09:59 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Eric
Location: NoVa
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388
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Go for it. Let us know where/when you are passing through as Im sure folks will be more than willing to open their doors to you.
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July 15th, 2011, 10:06 PM | #12 |
Name: ...
Location: ...
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): ... Posts: 999
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Good luck and best wishes.
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July 16th, 2011, 04:18 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Rockland, NY
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 63
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Quote:
------------------------------------ And thanks for all the input guys. I am going to order a tank bag next week and I'l be sure to add the throttle lock to the list. Probably going with the cheap cramp buster since i'm on a tight budget. I found a good deal on a gps on ebay and that should be coming soon. I don't know if I'll be able to afford a more comfortable seat though. Those things are way more expensive than I thought they were. Might have to just settle with that monkey butt powder. I really do want to enjoy the journey and not feel like I have to rush. I am bringing my camera and plan on taking a lot of pictures. I had an urge to buy a Replay XD HD to mount in my helmet and document the trip but I got the gps so I don't think that will happen. I can't spend another 200-300 on an action cam. Thanks for the suggestions/offers about giving me places to stay but my parents already said they would pay for the motels. btw.. How much are motels once I start getting into the more rural areas? I would assume they would be cheaper than in NY right? |
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July 16th, 2011, 05:00 AM | #14 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Eric
Location: NoVa
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388
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Quote:
As a sidenote, check out advrider.com before you take off. That site is all about trips like you are planning. Dont underestimate the capacity of the motorcycle community to go out of their way to help a fellow rider, even one they have never met before. Finally, if you are passing through or staying in the D.C. area and need anything, feel free to hit me up. |
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July 16th, 2011, 05:59 AM | #15 |
IBA # 44620
Name: Steve
Location: Sudbury Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 94 Ninja EX250F, 2004 Yamaha FJR 1300 Posts: 13
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I do a lot of LD riding on the FJR, last year alone I racked up over 50Km.
You've got some pretty good tips here but I'll add. 1: Keep your ass clean and dry. No joke! Buy a small container of baby wipes. Or if your pressed for space throw about 10 of them in a ziploc bag. You'll know when its time to use them. This is especially true of the Ninja's seat which isn't very wide and you carry a lot of weight in a very small area. 2: The biggest secret about putting on miles is 'No seams'. If your underwear, pants, over pants or whatever, finds you sitting on seams, your going to be VERY unhappy. I love the LDComfort stuff but it's pricy. Bicycle shorts are relatively cheap and available everywhere. The worst thing to do is ride in cotton/tighty whiteys and jeans. I usually ride in LDComforts, a pair of light track pants (no seams!) and riding/over pants. I'm all day good with this setup. 3: Stay hydrated. Don't stop and gulp water, that will just make you whiz. Better to wear a camel back and just sip away at it. 4: Get comfortable standing on the pegs for a short distance at Hwy speeds. 5: ANY little irritant you notice on a short trip will be magnified 1000x on a long trip. Boots to tight? Some gear flapping in the wind? Pressure points from your helmet? All these things will find you miserable at the end of the day. 6: Food. While grabbing a burger for lunch sounds appealing don't do it! You'll find greasy foods will make you 'crash' mid-afternoon. Better to eat a light lunch and get the calories at dinner time. 6: Pace. Some days you can ride all day, 500 - 800 miles in a day, no problem, other days, you'll think your sick or something because after a few days you'll feel done at 100 miles. Theirs no shame in taking a 'down' day. Otherwise, it's a case of 'Sit there, Twist that' and above all else, ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE. -Steve |
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July 16th, 2011, 08:58 PM | #16 | |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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July 16th, 2011, 09:10 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Eric
Location: NoVa
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388
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Quote:
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July 17th, 2011, 08:30 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: ___
Location: ___
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): ___ Posts: 160
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I don't know what your mileage will be but figuring on at most 2700 miles one way and taking six days would be an average of 450 miles a day. That would be a very nice and pretty relaxing pace.
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