Issues to consider when preparing for your long distance motorcycle road trip By: Christine Malazarte (Updated March 6, 2009)
Tires
Check your tires for adequate tread and for any visible signs of damage. If tread is low or the tire is damaged, replace tires before departure. With normal use, a standard rear motorcycle tire can last between 8-10,000 miles and a front tire approximately 10-15,000.
Maintain good tire pressure. Check your tire specs for standard inflation levels. It is okay to add a few extra pounds of air; that helps with ride comfort, extends tire life, and increases fuel economy.
Flats can happen on the road. Be prepared and bring emergency supplies such as tire plugs and motorcycle-specific tire inflation foam. After emergency repair always replace the tire ASAP.
Service
If you haven’t gotten that oil change or that major service, do it before your trip. A properly maintained bike is a more reliable bike. If your trip is more than 4000 miles (one-way), consider arranging for an oil change at a stop or switching to longer lasting synthetic oil.
If your motorcycle is chain-driven, bring a small can of chain lube. Ideally, a chain should be lubed every 600-800 miles. A little squirt every now and then will help the chain last longer and keep you on the road.
Luggage
Ideally, luggage on a motorcycle should be mounted as low as possible and as balanced as possible. This will ensure that the motorcycle’s center of gravity stays low and that control of the bike is not compromised.
Straps and bungees are essential to keeping cargo attached to the bike when saddlebags/sidecases, sissy bar bags, tank bags/panniers, and tail bags aren’t enough. Make sure that all strapped cargo is attached firmly to the bike. Attaching points vary from bike to bike but make sure that where you attach doesn’t interfere with the bike’s normal operation. Consider load limits on your motorcycle’s mounting areas. Exceeding them may compromise your safety of cause racks and/or plastics to break.
Pack lightly. Limit the amount of luggage you are carrying. If you’re making frequent stops, consider using local amenities such as Laundromats and hotel sinks to wash clothes. Take what you need and select multi-functional gear to bring. Multiple uses for a single product makes the load a lot more compact.
Attire
Motorcycle gear, like weather, changes with the conditions. Do a little research and get the weather forecasts of your proposed destinations. Weather is also quite random. Prepare for weird instances of rain, hail, or snow. Bring the layers even if you think you don’t need them.
A couple things to remember: 1. Layers = flexibility and 2. Adjust accordingly.
The "perfect" outfit setup for you may change with time. Ride through various weather conditions to experiment with and adjust your equipment. Try different gloves, jackets, and combinations of clothing. See what fits and see what doesn’t.
Hydration: Get that H20 in you!
With the exception of a flat tire or mechanical failure, nothing will take you off the road faster than dehydration. Weather and distance will take a toll on you. Sharpness and awareness of surroundings begin to fade. The ride becomes arduous and taxing. Don’t let this happen to you.
Ideally, one should drink ½-1 liters of water every 125-150 miles, especially in hot weather. Frequent sipping from an ice-filled water backpack reservoir (Camelbak™) will keep your inner core cool. As an Iron Butt rider put it, "Drink so much water to the point that you have to pee at every gas stop." Also, drink lots of water 24 hours before the start of your journey. This will get you used to this higher level of liquid intake.
Resting the Wrist
Does your right hand get tired after all those hours on the throttle? Help it out! There are several types of cruise assists ranging from the simple, yet effective CrampBuster (http://www.crampbuster.com/) to the mechanical Throttlemeister (http://www.throttlemeister.com/). Find the one that works with you and install it on your bike. Your hands will thank you later.
Also, giving your driving wrist a stretch before you start riding will relieve a lot of the strain. A simple exercise is as follows: With your arm out in front you, place your right palm up, take your left hand and push the fingers of your right hand toward your body. Hold for 20 seconds, rest, and repeat. You should feel an easy stretch on the bottom parts of your wrist.
Souvenirs
You went shopping on the road…now what? Have you run out of space on your bike for all those goodies? Ship them back home!
Many tourist stops provide means of shipping goods home. Often times you can use those services to ship unnecessary supplies or cargo ahead of you. If timed well, your shipped goods will meet you right when you arrive home!
The Road Isn’t that Lonely…
If you’re travelling by yourself and happen to be part of a national motorcycle organization (i.e. Women on Wheels®, BMW Motorcycle Owner’s Association, etc.), utilize your club’s nationwide member directory as a resource. Thousands of riders have voluntarily given their contact information for networking and also to provide services for travelers in need (i.e. tools, phone access, lodging, and in some cases, even towing). If you’re not part of a motorcycle club, join one! You’ll never know who you’ll meet.
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It's easier than ever to get on a BMW. For years, serious riders have always chosen to step up to a BMW Motorcycle. However, if these riders are on the shorter side, sometimes they wind up "stepping up" to a BMW bike in more ways than one. But that's no longer an issue for anyone who's lusting after an R1200 GS, R1200 R, R1200 RT, or F800 ST because each of those bikes is now available with a Lower Suspension option, which includes a Low Seat. Available for just $175, this package lowers the seat height on the R1200 GS to 31.1 inches, 29.5 inches on the R1200 R and R1200 RT, and 29.9 inches on the F800 ST, 30.1 inches on the F650GS. Now riding any of these bikes is easier and more comfortable than ever.
Information on BMW Motorbike Series:
K series
On 25 September 2004, BMW globally launched a radically redesigned K Series motorcycle, the K1200S, containing an all new in-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine featuring 123 kW (165 hp). The K1200S was primarily designed as a Super Sport motorcycle, albeit larger and heavier than the closest Japanese competitors. Shortly after the launch of the K1200S, problems were discovered with the new power plant leading to a recall until the beginning of 2005, when corrective changes were put in place. Recently, a K1200S set a land speed record for production bikes in its class at the Bonneville Salt Flats, exceeding 174 mph (280 km/h).
In the years after the launch of K1200S, BMW has also launched the K1200R naked roadster, and the K1200GT sport tourer, which started to appear in dealer showrooms in spring (March-June) 2006. All three new K-Series motorcycles are based on the new in-line four-cylinder engine, with slightly varying degrees of power. In 2007, BMW added the K1200R Sport, a semi-faired sport touring version of the K1200R.
In October 2008, BMW launched three new 1,300 cc K-series models: the K1300R, K1300S and K1300GT. The K1300 models feature increased in engine capacity of 136 cc, an increase in power to 175 hp (130 kW) and a new exhaust system.
R series
In 2004, bikes with the opposed-twin cylinder "boxer" engine were also revamped. The new boxer displacement is just under 1,200 cc, and is affectionately referred to a "hexhead" because of the shape of the cylinder cover. The motor itself is more powerful, and all of the motorcycles that use it are lighter.
The first motorcycle to be launched with this updated engine was the R1200GS dual-purpose motorcycle. The R1200RT tourer and R1200ST sports tourer followed shortly behind. BMW then introduced the 175 kg (390 lb), 105 kW (141 hp) HP2 Enduro, and the 223 kg (490 lb), 100 hp (75 kW) R1200GS Adventure, each specifically targeting the off-road and adventure-touring motorcycle segment, respectively. In 2007, the HP2 Enduro was joined by the road-biased HP2 Megamoto fitted with smaller alloy wheels and street tyres.
In 2006, BMW launched the R1200S, which is rated at 90 kW (121 hp) @ 8,250 rpm.
F series
BMW has also paid attention to the F Series in 2006. It lowered the price on the existing F650&GS and F650GS Dakar, and eliminated the F650CS to make room in the lineup for the all-new F800 Series. The new motorcycles are powered by a parallel twin engine, built by Rotax. They feature either a belt drive system, similar to the belt drive found on the now defunct F650CS, or chain drive. Initially, BMW launched two models of the new F800 Series, the F800S sport bike and the F800ST sport tourer; these were followed by F650GS and F800GS dual-purpose motorcycles, both of which use the 798 cc engine despite the different names.
G series
In October 2006, BMW announced the G series of offroad style motorcycles co-developed with Aprilia. These are equipped with an uprated single cylinder water cooled 652 cc fuel injected engine producing 53 hp (40 kW), similar to the one fitted to the single-cylinder F650GS, and are equipped with chain drive. There are three models in the series, all produced for BMW by Aprilia in their North Italian Scorzè Plant, each focused on a slightly different market:
- G650 Xchallenge hard enduro featuring 21 inch front and 18 inch rear spoked wheels
- G650 Xcountry scrambler / adventure sports featuring 19 inch front and 17 inch rear spoked wheels
- G650 Xmoto street moto / supermoto featuring 17 inch cast alloy wheels
In some markets the single cylinder F650GS has been rebranded as the G650GS.
HP2 Series
First was the the 175 kg (390 lb), 105 kW (141 hp) HP2 Enduro, followed by the road-biased HP2 Megamoto fitted with smaller alloy wheels and street tyres in 2007.
In April 2007, BMW announced its return to competitive road racing, entering a factory team with a "Sport Boxer" version of the R1200S to four 24-hour endurance races. In 2008 they released this as the HP2 Sport.
The S1000RR is a super bike launched to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship. It is powered by a 999 cc (61 cu in) inline-four engine producing 193 bhp (144 kW).
Husqvarna acquisition
In July 2007, it was announced that BMW had signed a contract to acquire Husqvarna Motorcycles, including its production facilities and staff, from Italian manufacturer MV Agusta.
See all these bikes and more at Motohio european motorbikes
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