Long trip ahead, suggestions?

  Taking my VL800 with 18,000 miles, on a road trip across
America....most of it.
I'm taking U.S. 6 from where I live (near the Ohio/Pa.) border to it's
termination in Bishop, Ca. May return via the same route, maybe
another like U.S. 30, or 40 or a combination of all of the above ect.

 I have checked the valve clearances, changed the oil and installed a
new front tire. The rear tire has about a thousand miles on it.
 Lubed up everything and done all maintenance items. Taking a tent,
sleeping bag, and camp pad, and a couple changes of clothes.


 This is the first bike trip I've done more than a few hundred miles.


 No, I won't be taking a cell phone, I mean, I'm a child of the 70's
and we didn't have them then and I won't take the "adventure" out of
the adventure by taking a cell with me.


 I may pick up a back belt/kidney belt.


 Any suggestions?

 


Yes.  Don't be stupid.  TAKE a cell phone.
If you were going with others it would be a different story.
Imagine yourself laying battered and broken in a ravine someplace where the
passing traffic can't see you.
A LOT or riders in the '70s rode with T-shirts, shorts and no helmet.  Are
you going to do that too ??

Then be sure you have insurance that includes towing for a bike or a plan
like AAA.

 
Doom and gloom man! First off, I don't OWN a cell phone, so I don't
think I'll miss it when I'm laying battered and broken in a ravine too
broken to call 911 on a broken cell phone. Riding without a cell phone
is not the same as riding in t-shirt and shorts with no helemet, which
I don't do.

 Towing plan, AAA and a cell phone...Hmmmm, why don't I just take
AmTrak or Greyhound?

 Thanks for the advice though, I asked for it. ;^)

 


 >Thanks for the advice though, I asked for it. ;^)

While my advice doesn't seem to fit your ....mmmm......plans, it is only the
beginning of the "standard" list of things recommended by riders who do a
lot of long distance.

Without some practical planning ahead, your trip may turn out to be more of
an adventure than you wanted.  The simple things I suggested will in NO way
detract from your experience.....if you don't need them.....and might make a
big difference if you DO.

How about a rain suit?
After all, there's no adventure in riding encased in plastic !!  ;-)

Hope you have a lot of flexibility in your schedule.  Something unexpected
is almost sure to show up.
Have a good trip!

 
Got a good rain suit. I plan on the unplanned and have no time limit.

 I would guess a lot of the experts would frown on my bike of choice
as well - a "cruiser" suzuki. At least it's liquid cooled and shaft
drive.