Cruiser Roadtrip

[JaceMass]

So I'm nineteen, learning to ride a motorcycle, and just bought my first bike. It'll be ready far before I plan to take the trip, but I was wondering if y'all had any advice. I'm planning the 1,200 mile road trip for mid July. North Texas to Tennessee to South Carolina and back.

[HoustonHD]

honest advice - wait until you have at least a year of riding experience under your belt before attempting any long roadtrips. you're still learning and need the experience. And when you DO finally do a roadtrip, avoid interstates at all costs. rural state highways only. Riding a bike on the interstate sucks.

[bumblebee]

Drink more water than you think you need. It's gonna be hot and at 70mph you aren't even gonna have a wet shirt.
You'll think you are hardly sweating until you suddenly feel like .
With that in mind, keep you're clean and dry or you'll get the dreaded "Monkey ".

[flipstyledsm22]

Like bee, drink plenty of water. Also, you might want to consider buying a Weego jump start battery (I have used mine on so many occasions).

Plan your trip ahead of time. Figure distance, places to stop for breaks, and places to lay your head down at night. Pack lite and only bring the essentials. In case of emergencies, buy a preloaded cell phone from Wal-Mart and place it in a ziplock bag. Keep it on your person at all times and make sure it is charged.

GL on the trip!

[bumblebee]

I have a cousin that takes long road trips with his wife. They plan what they are going to wear and only take what they need.
As they travel, they stop at a post office every 3 or 4 days and box up their dirty clothes and ship them home. That gives them room for stuff they buy along the way and they don't have to hassle with laundry while they travel.
I'm guessing a 19 year old ain't gonna worry about that but thought I'd throw it out there

[JaceMass]

I have a bit of experience, but I've never ridden in town, just on country roads.
The first day of my trip is a ten hour drive to Jackson, TN where I'll stay with family for the night. After that heading to graceland and Nashville for two days, then to South Carolina and back the same way with the same stops.

[HoustonHD]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

I have a bit of experience, but I've never ridden in town, just on country roads.
The first day of my trip is a ten hour drive to Jackson, TN where I'll stay with family for the night. After that heading to graceland and Nashville for two days, then to South Carolina and back the same way with the same stops.

From here to Jackson TN is 10.5 hrs on the interstate. You'll never do that distance on a bike in that amount of time. Rephrase, yes you CAN but you'll be miserable. The idea of a roadtrip (to me) isn't to cover as many miles as you can but to enjoy it instead. If it were me, I'd split your travel from here to Jackson into 2 comfortable days off the interstate where you'll actually see something and not just get beat to death by 80+ mph speeds while dodging semi trucks.

[TMAX]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

I have a bit of experience, but I've never ridden in town, just on country roads.
The first day of my trip is a ten hour drive to Jackson, TN where I'll stay with family for the night. After that heading to graceland and Nashville for two days, then to South Carolina and back the same way with the same stops.

Listen. Interstates are fine, however your 656mile trip according to google will take 10 hours, however your bike cannot get that type of miles per tank.

With more frequent stops because of the amount of gas your tank holds, it will likely take more than 14 hours to do that trip. Bank on it. YOu may want to take a nap.

I suggest you leave at 6am. You might get there by 8pm.

You dont need to take backroads bro, sometimes its just about getting there, and doing it on a bike is better than doing it in a car.

FYI Ive done Htown to Colorado, Htown to California. Forgetta bout the backroads till you get there.

[JaceMass]

On a 3 gallon tank my bike will make it 180-210 miles if on the interstate, but even if I fuel up five times, it only takes about five minutes to fuel up, rehydrate and get back on the road, right?

[TMAX]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

On a 3 gallon tank my bike will make it 180-210 miles if on the interstate, but even if I fuel up five times, it only takes about five minutes to fuel up, rehydrate and get back on the road, right?

what kind of bike you got? doubt you will get that many miles on interstate going 75-80mph. if you kept it 65-70 steady maybe.

you will likely need a bit of rest as well and snacks ornlunch.

[ZX-Dominance]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

On a 3 gallon tank my bike will make it 180-210 miles if on the interstate, but even if I fuel up five times, it only takes about five minutes to fuel up, rehydrate and get back on the road, right?

thats a joke right?

pissin
eating
drinking (water or electrolyte fluid)
stretching
shittin
lubing your chain?
talkin to random characters you meet a long the way.


Even if you were on a 'wing- you're going to need more than 5 minutes per stop... and the process of slowing down, stopping, getting back on the hwy actualy takes more than 5 minutes worth of time off your google estimates

[ZX-Dominance]

That being said,

I LOVE 200-350mi trips, interstate or twisties/country roads.


Man you get over 4,5,600 and it really becomes a chore. I guess 19 was the better part of a decade ago, but even then, you better have the bike double checked, totally prepped, weather checked ahead of time, and be ready to go eeeearly. Or you'll be riding at 10pm in unknown areas while dehydrated and tired

[JaceMass]

I guess that's why I'm here. Let me lay out the trip and I'll have y'all help me plan it.

Start:
Bluegrove, TX

Jackson TN

Nashville TN

Charlotte, NC (Turn Around Point)

is what I have so far. I'm open to stopping in other places to rest, but I won't be doing much sightseeing aside from those places. I'm planning to eat a decent breakfast and lunch so I won't be eating at most of the stops. If you see no problem starting with what I have planned, then I'll add to it with each reply y'all give.

[atvmxr]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

I guess that's why I'm here. Let me lay out the trip and I'll have y'all help me plan it.

Start:
Bluegrove, TX

J.

WTF? Thats NE of DFW - why on moto houston?

anyway, Id pick somewhere around arkadelphia, Camden, PineBluff, El Dorado AR to spend the night

[pbfoot]

It is completley doable. That being said, some trip planning ahead of time is in order. Take a tire plug kit( if you have tubless tires), or spare tubes , and a small 12volt or foot pump air compressor. Know where the hotels are so you can stop if you get too tired. Iron guys and gals run 1000-1100 in a day. Start riding more now and work your way up to 400 miles in 8 hours just to practice. Join the AMA or a group that offers inexpensive roadside service. Probably the most important is how many cc's is your bike. A 500 or 600 is going to beat you to death. A 750 is better, 1000 is perfect. A windscreen is also important. Naked bikes will wear you out over the long haul due to the wind. Get a rainsuit. There is a lot to think about. You can do anything you set your mind to if you prepare first.

[trunxgp1224]

Well maybe he could drive but is deciding to take his bike and the "road trip" isn't a joyful vacation but a need to get from point A to B.

In what ever case I've done Texas to LA in 20 something hours. I stopped for gas and food.

[JaceMass]

I drive a little 250.

[pbfoot]

Originally Posted by JaceMass

I drive a little 250.

Wow! You have set the bar pretty high. Could still be done.

[Repth]

This is a terrible idea and I disapprove in its entirety

[JaceMass]

Well you can't just say you disapprove without telling me why haha