pre-trip prep

[andymetzger]

Ok, so thanks to Dale I know everything I need to bring WITH me on a long trip...but what about pre-trip preparations? I tried looking for a thread that might have some suggestions about getting your bike in shape before the long haul, but didn't have any luck.

I'm going to change the oil tomorrow and lube up the chain before I leave. Both spark plugs were changed last week, and the tires are in good condition. Any other things I can do to increase the odds of staying between the lines (rather than on the shoulder) this weekend?

The bike seems to be running pretty well right now. I haven't had any real difficulties with it lately. The only thing I have sensed...and I could just be imagining it...but it feels like the bike has lost some of it's power in acceleration, like it's not as strong as it once was. Any suggestions?

Any other tips for pre-trip prep? Thanks guys.

[Danr]

Originally Posted by andymetzger

Ok, so thanks to Dale I know everything I need to bring WITH me on a long trip...but what about pre-trip preparations? I tried looking for a thread that might have some suggestions about getting your bike in shape before the long haul, but didn't have any luck.

I'm going to change the oil tomorrow and lube up the chain before I leave. Both spark plugs were changed last week, and the tires are in good condition. Any other things I can do to increase the odds of staying between the lines (rather than on the shoulder) this weekend?

The bike seems to be running pretty well right now. I haven't had any real difficulties with it lately. The only thing I have sensed...and I could just be imagining it...but it feels like the bike has lost some of it's power in acceleration, like it's not as strong as it once was. Any suggestions?

Any other tips for pre-trip prep? Thanks guys.

Check tire pressure before you leave. Cell phone if you have one, credit cards. Plan and tell some one the route you are taking. Rain Gear ?

[Shea]

Def have rain gear and make sure anyone riding with you is clear on the path of travel or what to do if you get seperated.

IMO, you will learn alot on your first trip. I generally recommend that people take a much shorter trip their first time to get a feel fr it and figure out what exactly they need and potential problems.

[Louis]

He already checked out GixxerDale' Long trip Checklist.

So, tires wear and pressure, fuild levels (coolant, brake, oil), all indicators work properly, chain slack. Give it a good wash to spot leaks.

Hydrate a lot too

[andymetzger]

thanks guys. Lou, I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure my bike doesn't use brake fluid, or coolant either. At least I'm not aware of it if it does.

[stp1971]

Do you have mechanical brakes on front and rear???? If not then you have brake fluid somewhere on that bike. Coolant on the other hand you may not.

Also make sure that you have your idle speed set correctly and a fresh tune up for the season if yours needs it. I would also pack some tools if you don't have any. Unless you are not mechanically inclined and wouldn't know what to do anyways,, then if that is the case a AAA card or a National towing service is a good idea.

Most major repairs cannot be done on the side of the road anyways,, but minor stuff might be able to be doen,,thus the reason for a tool kit.

[Tanker2]

Don't overlook the condition of your battery

[Louis]

Originally Posted by andymetzger

thanks guys. Lou, I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure my bike doesn't use brake fluid, or coolant either. At least I'm not aware of it if it does.

Yeah, I just noticed your bike in your profile. As Sean is saying (stp1971), coolant maybe not but brake fluid I'd double check.

Not much info on the GS300 on my usual sources...

[Rickster]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...ayphotohosting
Air cooled, and cable operated drum brakes.

[andymetzger]

Woohoo! I'm right! Right? Ha. Y'all know I'm still learning. Figuring it all out one day at a time. Thanks for the advice guys.

[DrBob]

First and most important rule of travel by motorcycle: do NOT do anything to your bike right before you leave. Change the oil if you need to, top off all the fluids, and make any adjustments about a week before you pull out. Then ride the bike normally for a week and just pack up and leave. You check the air in the tires every day anyway, RIGHT?
21 years of experience has taught me that any major mechanical repairs, or new accessories added to the bike the night before you leave on the trip WILL break or fall off. Cables adjusted the night before will break 400 miles into the trip. That new oil filter will leak due to over/ under tightening.
I pulled the dash on my Harley the day before leaving for a 600 mile trip. 200 miles into it the wire I pinched putting it back on shorted out the electrical system. I put new tires on the Intruder the day before leaving for California, and a tube blew 70 miles into the trip at 80 MPH on I-20. My GF changed her oil the night before leaving for Texas, and the overtighened filter leaked out a quart of oil in the first tank of gas. I changed the air filters on my chopper the night before leaving on an 800 mile trip, and woke up to a puddle of fuel from where I put the tank back on wrong. Then I ran out of gas from putting the reserve and regular fuel lines back on backwards. I adjusted the clutch and throttle cables the day before leaving to North Carolina, and broke the throttle cable before I got out of the apartment complex the next morning. The fancy new grips on my Intruder came off two days into a three-week trip. My buddy's new crash bars vibrated loose halfway to New Orleans. My GF new rear turn signals destroyed the rear tire on another trip to Texas because they stuck too far inside the rear fender...I could go on and on...

In short, anything you screw with right before you leave will screw up on the trip. So do it all a week ahead of time, then ride the bike for a week and see what breaks/ leaks/ etc. If the bike runs OK, don't mess with it!

[stp1971]

If it ain't broke,,, fix it till it is!!!!! Good points Bob,,, I have noticed the same thing before as well. That is exactly why I did my brakes a month in advance. Change the oil two weeks prior as well.