Comments on: “Rookie Mistakes” for Touring Riders

By: ENT Doc

ENT Doc — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:19:15 +0000

Just like going off in a private plane or small boat, a prudent idea is to leave a ‘trip plan’, equivalent to a flight plan or boat plan, with someone at home base. Call back in once in a while to notify them that you are ok., and where you are. If some accident happens (and they sometimes do), creating a situation where you cannot respond, someone will start looking for you. Too much ER experiences to go into details.

By: Transalper

Transalper — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:48:00 +0000

From the UK travelling in Europe , Remembering to ride on the ” other ” side of the road , Buy a decent one piece waterproof oversuit for when it’s wet or cold , its as good as wearing two extra layers.

By: DAM8658

DAM8658 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:23:06 +0000

This article and reader tips couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m planning a trip to visit friends in Texas from Houston to Dallas to Jackson, MS and back home to South Louisiana as soon as I upgrade to my bigger bike. Although my XV535 could do it I believe, it has been fine as a starter bike and a short hop cruiser; but long distances and my comfort level are out of the question. I’m 6’1″ and 275 and the seat is horrible beyond an hour of riding. I won’t be able to buy my neighbors ST1100 just yet so a fine Virago 1100 has come up for sale nearby.

By: Dennis Croucher

Dennis Croucher — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:11:26 +0000

Hi folks,

Aside from some of the other good comments I heard, there is one thing that my group of friends do before we head off on another trip. We each carry a copy of every other rider’s personal info, insurance info, contacts (with numbers), bike info, medical info (including insurance with phone numbers). This way if someone is hurt or incapacitated, we have the relevant info needed at the site.

Dennis

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 02:23:46 +0000

I did a cross country ride and back this past summer. Rode from Baltimore MD to Vancouver BC through the States, and back through Canada. Set off June 10th and arrived back in Baltimore on July 18th. I took cold weather gear as well as summer gear as I was going to be going through the Rocky’s in Montana and the Cascade Mts in Washington State. No problems along the way, was nice and toasty, if not a little soggy from time to time. However, the ride back was a different kettle of fish. Riding through Canada, North of Lake Superior, I got hypothermia. The standing air temp was 76 degrees. The moving air temp was only 40 degrees because the lakes create their own weather, and winter and spring were late this year. I had on all my cold weather gear, but 8 hours riding for two days in 40 degree conditions was just too much for the body to deal with. Next time, I might have to invest in heated clothing if I do that trip again…