How to prepare for long-distance touring

[C_Boogie]

I'm still a novice spyder rider. I bought my 2012 RT A&C SE5 brand new last June and currently have about 2,600 miles on her. I would love to come to Spyderfest but I am concerned about the length of the trip (~750 miles one way). Any advice on how I can prepare myself for such a long haul? Should I break the trip across several days?

 

[Spacetrucker]

Well for me I think two days and take your time. Stop see thing on the way. You will lots of people come your way down could hook up them. Anyway just take your time see the world your way not the fast way...have fun......see ya their I hope ......................

 

[szohar]

If you can take your time I will do it in two days, I am usually staying at about 500/day I once did 800 but was too long for my wife. Take a break between refueling, get coffee stretch and take your time. If you plan your luggage you will find out that there is just enough room on the RT.
Have fun!

Sent from my ME302C using Tapatalk

 

[murphybrown]

I travel alot on my RT

Don't be in a rush unless you have limited time. There are times I am destination oriented...other times I'm traveling "in the moment". Every time I fuel Ms Spyder...I walk around a little..visit the girl's room....talk to a few people...enjoy the trip. I can pack and carry everything I need for 2 months of travel on my RT...I do not have a passenger. My furthest one day was a little over 900 miles and the last 200 was grueling....I have around 2100-2300 miles to get to Spyderfest (I avoid freeways as much as possible...much more interesting on the backroads)..And I will plan on 5 days....fastest I ever made it was 3 days....miserable weather and I just wanted to GET THERE...
I always have a check list for Spyder and self...check it twice, thrice...hop on and grin all the way...
My strongest recommendation is to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy...
See you there..:yes:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Make sure you have good riding gear. Nothing can spoil a day like being wet and cold. :yikes:

 

[fastfraser]

750 miles is due able in a day for sure . 375 miles a day is certainly more enjoyable. Stop and smell the roses and take back roads or haul A@@ your choice.:dontknow:

 

[flamingobabe]

I too am 750 miles..... split up in 2 days is great riding.....if you want to take the back roads do it in 3 days....as Ann said good riding gear and rain gear.....wear a pair of jeans, take a pair of jeans....about 4 t-shirts...most hotels have laundry/washer/dryer.....we wash about every 4 or 5 days...enjoy

 

[Pennyrick]

I'm still a novice spyder rider. I bought my 2012 RT A&C SE5 brand new last June and currently have about 2,600 miles on her. I would love to come to Spyderfest but I am concerned about the length of the trip (~750 miles one way). Any advice on how I can prepare myself for such a long haul? Should I break the trip across several days?

I checked your profile but didn't get a sense of your age. Age and physical condition has a lot to do with how many miles you log in a day. In our case, the trip to and from Spyderfest will take eight days as we really intend to stop many times and smell the roses.

Our trip will cover about 1700 miles broken into bite-sized chunks going from 300 miles one day to no significant miles when we arrive in Springfield. We'll probably average 225 miles a day. We are in our mid-seventies and retired so we probably have more time available than some folks. Added to that is the fact that my wife has one arm that is paralyzed and and a metal bar in the middle of the other one and that limits her time on the Spyder each day.

My advice since you are a relative newcomer to long haul is to shoot for three days to cover getting there. Say, 250 for day one, 300 for day two and 200 for day three. That should put you on the road just a half day on the final leg and leave you rested enough to enjoy the events in Springfield. If that works out then shoot for a two day return. The Harley Davidson rider planner is a good site http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/Ride_Planner/ride-planner.html to lay out your trip and decide where to stop each day.

Enjoy and hope to see you at Spyderfest.

 

[ARtraveler]

All the above advice is good and doable. Back in the day, 600 mile days were no problem. Those were the days when it was go, go, go. I know I missed a lot by not stopping to smell the roses along the way.

Then, I think I got a little more wise. These days--a long trip is 300-350 miles. The pace gives one plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery, and whatever else is desired. Due to back issues, a stretch stop is necessary for me every 50-75 miles or so. If there is a gas station, time to use the room and top off the tank. Conversation with new friends usually happens at these intervals.

I find that now, an unhurried pace is a great way to travel. :thumbup:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I too am 750 miles..... split up in 2 days is great riding.....if you want to take the back roads do it in 3 days....as Ann said good riding gear and rain gear.....wear a pair of jeans, take a pair of jeans....about 4 t-shirts...most hotels have laundry/washer/dryer.....we wash about every 4 or 5 days...enjoy

FB ....................... We been meaning to talk to you about this washing every 4 or 5 days , but seen as you brought it up. :roflblack::roflblack:


(sorry, i just could not let that one pass by)

Cruzr Joe

 

[ARtraveler]

FB ....................... We been meaning to talk to you about this washing every 4 or 5 days , but seen as you brought it up. :roflblack::roflblack:


(sorry, i just could not let that one pass by)

Cruzr Joe

Doesn't everyone use the "when the jeans can stand by themselves, its time for a wash" rule? :roflblack: WARNING: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN OTHER IMPLICATIONS. :roflblack: