[2010 FLHX]

Spring here comes in around February 14 (Valentine's Day). The daffodils are out by then. It doesn't snow here, just wet and windy.

So I'm setting up for some long-distance touring -- 500 mile day or more, day in, day out. (Retired, no obligations.)

2010 Street Glide -- some of these "farkles" derive from the Iron Butt site:

7" LED Headlight. This the H-D option. Expensive but worth the outlay. This is an amazing improvement in illumination.

We had the Stage I SE Nightstick exhaust, intake. Added a K&N filter. 96" engine, no cats. Digital dipstick gauge farkle shows the operating temps at about 225F in cold weather. Plugs look perfect. This engine config is perfect for touring. Ample power, not fussy and doesn't run hot.

H-D Road Zeppelin seat. This has adj. air cushions fore and aft, a third cushion for the passenger. Mostly it's 20" wide and offers a lot of hip, lower back support. Secured w/ the billet knurled knob. No tool removal. We ditched the grab strap. Fits w/ the existing H-D adj. backrest, and Passenger Grip Rails. We added the rails as a point of support for baggage, a place to secure tie downs.

10" Windsplitter windshield. I'm pleased and amazed with this improvement. I have a 4" and 7" standard shield. The Windsplitter is wider, has a "spoiler" at the top edge, is "scooped" at the sides. This has virtually stopped the wind buffeting. I can hear the audio at highway speeds, reduced wind noise. Today in a light rain I noted that the rain goes over my helmet. The face shield is staying clear of water drops. 3 Pocket accessory windshield bags.

Adj. Fairing Wind Deflectors, dark smoke. These further reduce buffeting under the fairing, under the arms. And the larger frontal surface improves the audio, reduces wind noise. There is no highway wind noise to speak of.

4 pt. bracket and luggage rack. I have a medium sissy bar w/ passenger back rest, but I rarely use it. Luggage rack to the rider back rest is 22" for baggage. Passenger Grip Rails add a front platform for securing baggage.

511Tactical.com offers a luggage bag. RED (Responder Every Day) 8100. This bag is high vis. red, reflective strip on exterior pocket. Heavily reinforced 1050 wt. Denier nylon (Kydex). Interior hang pocket, light color interior for finding items in low light. It's designed/engineered for firefighters, law-enforcement, emergency responders. Measures 32" w X 19" X 16" h -- which is about 2" above the rider back rest when secured on the grip rails. Width of saddle bags is 32" to outside edge of the closures. I don't like baggage stacked high behind the rider. Tour-Pak sits too far to the rear, and is not large enough.

eBags.com offers this bag for MSRP $79.99 and free shipping. 511Tactical.com has other similar designs.

We have highway pegs, cruise control, ABS brakes . . .

Just picked up H-D heated jacket and pants. These are mfg'd by Gerbing. I've done a lot of riding wearing a LOT of cold weather clothing. Even in August I got caught in coastal fog / dew one night and damn near froze to death wearing every piece of cold weather gear I own. As close as I've ever been to "comfortable" in cold weather is "not too cold." These pants and jacket actually keep me toasty, warm -- like sitting next to the pot bellied stove. I can't believe I didn't get serious about heated gear any sooner! :clap:

Highway touring for me entails camping. I pack a tent, sleeping bag, some food prep options. Most of the time I eat in a restaurant, but like to have the option to buy and fix simple food out of groceries. (We're slightly diabetic and can't live off the fast food road fare.)

I was looking at Iron Butt -- 1,000 miles in 24 hrs. but then got to thinking that I'd just as soon smell the roses. We're looking at Nevada, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Vegas (Just to pass through . . . It's a carnival.), maybe the Grand Canyon some more, and I have a sister in Grand Junction, Colorado.

!worthless

We're working on images . . .

 

[Greg MacD]

I have a Garmin Zumo, wont leave home without it. I also like to have good riding gear, personal I use a Shoei full face helmets with earplugs, along with dedicated riding clothing, and Sidi boots. This makes for a more comfortable ride when talking long distance.

 

[2010 FLHX]

I have a Garmin Zumo, wont leave home without it.

Yes indeed! Dedicated gear is worth what you pay for it.

. . . and then we have "devices" . . . :clap:

Garmin Oregon 450t (topographic) US topo and Western US high-def topo. Shows contours, elevation, moon phases, sunrise/sunset, ETA, elevation gain, etc.

iPod 4 and 8 gig iPod Nano -- App w/ maps, sunrise/set, tides, weather, email, facebook, banking, photos. I can find WiFi for free most places (there's an App for finding WiFi, but you need WiFi to use it . . . ) MP3 player w/ a playlist called "Rode Daze" (rockin' road music), AM/FM receiver (plug in for the Nano) . . .

Toshiba laptop, but we leave it at home most trips -- use the iPod for online access.

We have an H-D electric tire pump -- plugs into the pigtail. Aux. light plugs into ciggie butt lighter. Clear and tinted face shield.

I found a nice black leather handbag at a thrift shop -- $1.50. It holds license, insurance, registration, manuals, pen, note pad, tire gauge.

I can't imagine ear plugs -- engine is not loud, and I need to hear traffic.

Three pair gloves, three pair boots, three helmets, leathers, rain-gear, poly-pro long-Johns, scarves, balaclava, polar-fleece, polar-fleece, polar-fleece . . .

I have bags, and bags, and bags -- mesh, waterproof, nylon, insulated, leather for devices.

Three tents, three sleeping bags, camp saw, machete, camp shovel, ax, two cook stoves, camping pots/cook gear . . . I'm a gear-head, camper, hiker, kayaker.

Yeah I have a cell-phone . . . Motorola Razr. I hate it!

Five year extended warranty, w/ wheel & tire coverage, roadside assist. Tool kit, American Express *LMAO*

We have a fine selection of knives and firearms, reciprocal interstate carry permits . . .

At some point in the gearing up there needs to be a line drawn between what you pack and what you leave behind because you're on the road to let go of some of life's baggage in the first place.

 

[btsom]

Some of those places you mentioned (Grand Junction) likely won't have daffodils blooming in February or even in March.

 

[2010 FLHX]

Some of those places you mentioned (Grand Junction) likely won't have daffodils blooming in February or even in March.

Yeah . . .

We spend a lot of time online w/ weather applications, NOAA site and forecasting. Lots of weather sites feature "road cams" which post real time video or photos of road conditions.

Sometimes I think about a H-D Trike -- w/ snow tires and traction devices. :redrolf:

 

[Long124]

Hmmm and I thot leaving home with the 64 gig I-Pad was over the top.....

 

[HarleyLance]

Looks like a great set up you will be having! I especially like your most important one. i.e. (Retired, no obligations.) :woohoo: Can't wait myself!

 

[CornFed]

Wow- your list makes my head hurt! Way too much crap for me/us to keep track of:
Helmets, gloves, coats/jackets, few extra clothes, rainsuits, sunglasses/clear safety glasses. Handgun, pocket knife, Garmin (that's new and cool), a few hand tools just to make me feel better. Yuppie tool kit (cell phone/credit card). End of the day: shower, A.C. , remote control and a beverage. Lots of miles, lots of smiles and a few stories to tell.

 

[Bowtie18]

Wow- your list makes my head hurt! Way too much crap for me/us to keep track of:
Helmets, gloves, coats/jackets, few extra clothes, rainsuits, sunglasses/clear safety glasses. Handgun, pocket knife, Garmin (that's new and cool), a few hand tools just to make me feel better. Yuppie tool kit (cell phone/credit card). End of the day: shower, A.C. , remote control and a beverage. Lots of miles, lots of smiles and a few stories to tell.

Agreed, other than the handgun.

For some reason, at close to 45 years old, never felt the need for one.

Don't object to em, just don't see the need. Other than that, you list about covers it. Hell, I don't take a GPS either. Getting lost could be part of the fun.:woohoo:

 

[strokerjlk]

man I dont pack that much stuff in the bunkhouse when I got to camp.:redrolf:
what on earth do you need 3 pair of boots for?
I usually have to ship stuff home every 4 days just to keep going.
us post office flat rate box.
I know you dont think they are cool,but a detachable tour pak,big t-bag on the rack,goes along way. all those bags you speak of are good quality and a decent buy,i have some myself. what they dont do is mount secure.now you got bungee cords and nets everywhere. been there done that. you need to be able to pack and unpack quick or it just becomes a chore. and if you cant get to anything you want at any stop, without it becoming major tear down,it becomes a chore.
you need some 13 " shocks if you want to even begin to think about carrying a 1/4 of that stuff. if you cant get the bike to sit with the headlights adj proper while loaded,and not feel like a hard tail then you need to reload or re shock.
think about some compression bags for packing.
after a few trips if there is anything you took with you that you didn't use ,don't pack it again. (tool kits and tire plug kits excluded)

 

[Greg MacD]

I can't imagine ear plugs -- engine is not loud, and I need to hear traffic.

You will hear traffic better with ear plugs than without, they are also for cutting the wind noise down NOT for the exhaust note......also when riding long distances the fatigue level is lower when it is a bit quieter, another option is trying fitted ear buds for the ipod, these can be pricey, but if you can afford the Harley another $100 for ear buds is just a drop in the bucket

 

[Bowtie18]

You will hear traffic better with ear plugs than without, they are also for cutting the wind noise down NOT for the exhaust note......also when riding long distances the fatigue level is lower when it is a bit quieter, another option is trying fitted ear buds for the ipod, these can be pricey, but if you can afford the Harley another $100 for ear buds is just a drop in the bucket

Very true. The ear plugs help know out wind noise, and you can hear the sound of tires on the road quite cleary.

I do the same thing at concerts. It takes the edge off of the noise and actually bring a clarity to the music that the sheer volume can take away.

Check out a concert video sometime, a lot of musicians do it. Or are pugged into the feed that way with ear buds that also have noice reducing ability.

 

[NJ Rider]

I bought a Harley helmet that has the ear covers. It cuts enough wind noise to make it pleasurable, but not so much that you can't hear the traffic.

 

[2010 FLHX]

what on earth do you need 3 pair of boots for?

Three pair of boots for riding options. I don't pack them with me when I ride! Actually, in "boots" I probably own a couple dozen pairs -- live in the country, at the beach, and hike. Footwear is gear. I own 7 bicycles and 5 tents, 3 sleeping bags, lots of lights, water bottles, rain gear, jackets. (OK, and I own 40 firearms, a small naval cannon.) I'm a gear-head!

When I'm riding I sleep on the ground, in a tent. I don't stay in motels. State and Federal give me camping/park passes. State camp grounds offer showers.

Sometimes I eat in fast-food. Sometimes I shop groceries and cook. We're doing the "road-trip" bohemian narrative, cheap, simple, basic. I'm diabetic, need to eat "real food" -- not road junk. I've never stayed in a motel when traveling. I camp.

That said, I'm 63, retired, financially comfortable. I don't enjoy nor need to spend a lot of $$$ living on the road. But I have the bike set up so I can live off it comfortably for days and days -- weeks and weeks. A bike set up for serious touring, long-haul riding. Efficient gear, the communication touches that keep me connected to "my tribe" while I'm out on the road. (My tribe wants to know where I am, what I'm doing, and that I'm safe.)

I'm a shooter -- life member with the local trap club. Firearm is just another "tool" and I have a lot of them to choose from. It's not a "bad ass" thing. It's because I like to shoot, just like a enjoy riding.

 

[strokerjlk]

I see. i though you were packing three pair.
think about the shocks. if you load half that stuff,your shocks are useless now. not ragging just my experience. have you looked at SPOT for your personal tracking. friends and family can follow along on your journey...on line. several guys I know run it. I never ran it myself. but I have tracked several of my friends on extreme IBA rides. it is pretty cool. I just never wanted others tracking me on a competitive ride.
if you come to the communist state.....lock your firearm in your saddle bag (unloaded lol) this is the only way you can carry LEGAL. in IL. we don't honor any states CCP.:spank: as long as the saddle bag is locked then it is considered a locked transport case.
f...ing Chicago! if we could just get them to form their own state