Hittin' The Road in 4 weeks!

[valkMJ]

I'm leaving on a 2 week riding/camping vacation in a month!  And there's so much to do to get ready!   

I'm getting new tires and my hard bags installed this weekend, and hopefully I'll have the bags painted some time next week.  I've got my camping gear all set to go, and I've planned out where I'll be riding.

But there are still a couple things I need some advice on, which is where I turn to the collective brilliance of the forum.   

A major problem I've run into is that my GPS will not charge off the battery anymore.  I have a TomTom Rider 2, and it came with a charger cable that you hook to the battery.  I know the unit is getting some juice, because when I hook it up, it turns on.  But for whatever reason, it will not charge.  Now I know the valk battery has tons more power than a little GPS needs to charge, and I don't know what else to try.  It's going to be a bummer of a trip if my GPS doesn't work (and yes, I know we've become far too reliant on them).  Any ideas?

The other important thing I need to do is purchase a luggage rack for the back seat.  But of course I don't know what backrest I have, and I'm not really sure how to tell.  Can anyone help me out based on these pictures?  What luggage rack should I look for that will fit my bike?



Any advice on these issue, or on long camping trips in general would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!   

-Mike

[Scooby]

You have got a genuine Honda backrest, the broken bolt was not factory though .  Not sure what is still available for a luggage rack.  See the OEM floating around now and again, and Iam pretty sure that there were some aftermarket luggage racks available at one time, but someone else will have to chime in on that.

Scooby

[Scooby]

Found this one   http://www.valkyrieblingandmore.com/chwoluranius.html

[Scooby]

Here is another one, I do not know if either are available, but you can check it out http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=254&str=2

[valkMJ]

Found this one   http://www.valkyrieblingandmore.com/chwoluranius.html

Ah yes, that one looks nice.  Anyone done business with valkyrieblingandmore.com?  I found the same rack on valueaccessories.net, but it's a couple bucks more.  Might be worth the extra money only because I've done business there before.   ???

[Daniel Meyer]

I have that one. Nice.

Top notch folks...

[valkMJ]

I have that one. Nice.

Top notch folks...

Good enough for me.  I'll order it tonight then.   

[valkMJ]

All right.  Order for the backrest has been placed.  Now the only big outstanding issue is the GPS not charging.  Any ideas on what I can try to figure out this problem?   ???

[..]

Get the bags painted on your return so your camping stuff and other luggage doesn't knock the crap out of the new paint.

Do you use zip loc bags for clothing? Squeeze the air out and carry more stuff with the extra volume available.

[valkmc]

Just an idea, but once you get the backrest on pick up the sears large trunk on sale for $50. It mounts easy and can be removed and the back rest put back on without much trouble. It holds lots and I have been caught in the rain with it (Florida) and it has not leaked. Good luck on your trip, camping is my favorite way to travel on the bike. You meet lots of people when you pull in a campsite and on the Valk and set up a tent.

[fudgie]

The best luggage I found for clothes is a cheap $20, 21" roller luggage from the Wal-mart. Ratchet strap it to the bike and your good to go. Mine has been thru a few storms out west and didn't even get wet. Unhook it and roll it to your camp/ hotel. Kit and I have 10 days worth of clothes in there with room to spare. Still be able to strap your jacket up top and hang your helmet off of. Look thru the 'overloaded' post for more suggestions. Dont be afraid to sleep at rest areas, there free. Also you can find little out of the way spots to catch some sleep under a tree in the middle of no where.

[valkMJ]

Get the bags painted on your return so your camping stuff and other luggage doesn't knock the crap out of the new paint.

I hadn't actually thought about that.  I don't relish the idea of riding around the continent for 2 weeks with primer-gray hardbags, but at the same time I don't want my new paintjob screwed up.   

How much danger will my bags be in if the paint is only 2 weeks old or so?


And thanks for the other tips, everyone.  I'll be sure to send some e-postcards from the road.   

[laserpat]

Our garmin "spit the bit" after riding through rain felt lost without it, went to walmart and found one that fit the ram mount for less than $100. the old one was 2years old and to update the maps was over $60.00

[fudgie]

Get the bags painted on your return so your camping stuff and other luggage doesn't knock the crap out of the new paint.

I hadn't actually thought about that.  I don't relish the idea of riding around the continent for 2 weeks with primer-gray hardbags, but at the same time I don't want my new paintjob screwed up.   

How much danger will my bags be in if the paint is only 2 weeks old or so?


And thanks for the other tips, everyone.  I'll be sure to send some e-postcards from the road.   

If its that close, i'd wait to get them done also. No one really will care that its primer, if they do, screw'm, its your bike. Might scatch easier. I know a few friends that have primer bikes for years still. I have a few camping scars on my bike. Sunk $2500 in paint 8 yrs ago. Now I dont worry about it to much. I did have lid covers made to help with paint rubs from stuff strapped to the lids.

[valkMJ]

Hmm.  In that case, I think I'll see how much it would be to just get a quick solid-color paintjob on the bags.  I will probably be repainting the whole bike sometime next season, so I don't want to waste too much money on the bags now.