!st timer road trip and InZane.

[Whistler]

Okay, I know I need to get the bike ready, so far new darkside on and lube done, front tire on the way and should be on next week, oil changed, and putting new plugs in. Now what else should a rookie InZaner bring and be prepared for.

Clothes for two of us, and speedo for the pool party, I assume that from Stanley Steamer's videos and posts. A few assorted tools in case of breakdown, hopefully not, it is after all a Valk! Will there be any activities that we might need special clothes, equipment, or outfits for? Also, I see vendors will be present, do they usually have good deals on accessories and assorted wares, or should I plan on buying when I get home?

I have been waiting for this for a year, wanted to go last year just could not get it worked out. I am anxious to meet as many of you fine people as I can and learn as much as I can about the Valk. And of course RIDE as much as I can! Leaving central Kansas Tuesday INZANE Bound and down! 

[fudgie]

Yes, the speedo is a must!  Bring your rain gear, which I assume you would any way. What we do when we trip, we are gone for 10 days, is bring old clothes. The ones you would throw away at home. Wear them a day or so of riding and pitch them. Lightens your load. I gotta box full of holey stuff! We bring 3 prs of pants and a few shirts. You can always get shirts at your rally. Sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt to. All the stuff we are bringing for 10 days fits in my T-bag. Also bring some laundry detergent. I use a qrt of Tide cold water, cause we never know if we will have hot water. We wash every other day or so. Also a small container of gas is a must, at least for me. I always run out.  You can buy your booze out there. Enjoy IZ.

[R J]

If you bring clothes that you do not want to toss when they are dirty, put em in a box and ship em home........

Anything ya don't bring and need, can always be bought at Wally World.  Wally World stores are easy to find.

When my youngest daughter used to ride with me to Rally's, I'd  call the Motel where we were staying and ask if I could have UPS drop off a box for me and I retrieve it at registration.

In the 16 years she rode and we did this practice not a Motel refused the request.  Saved having to pull a trailer with all her stuff she thought she needed to attract boys.   You know that stage young girls go through?  Like, dad, get lost for a few minutes.   LOL...

Shipped the box home with our dirty clothes in it.

[9Ball]

how's your battery?  What condition are your valve stem holders in?

I like to carry a stop n' go tire plug kit and a 12V compressor just in case too.  Spare sidestand spring and the special bolt are always in my tool bag.

[Whistler]

Thanks for the advice! The tire kit and compressor are a great idea, shipping clothes as well, need to look at the battery did not think of that. Rain gear is in the bags. JDW

[NCGhostrider]

I remember my first long road trip many years ago... all the things I was told to take, and what I did take, versus what I take now days... are much different.  As it is, my I/S is loaded when Susan and I travel...lets see, rain gear for two... clothes... but we do stop at walmart when necessary to add things when they either get dirty or ???  A laptop (not sure why), my cpap, because I am fat and snore now like a freight train... ham radio gear (usually just a handheld), misc cleaning and polishing stuff for the bike... some times a can of fix o flat and some plugs for the tires...  Plus a couple of bottles of water at least, some cigars to drive away pesky things of various sorts.  In the box by  the battery, I have a spare set of bulbs for the headlight.



I have noted that there are walmarts every 50 or so miles, and I have never pulled off the road to take a break when someone didn't stop to ask if I was ok or just needed something.   I figure I can get it, or someone will have it.  Been all over North Carolina, Texas and Colorado carrying way more than I should.  Its' no wonder I don't get any fuel mileage!!!

I have bag liners for the saddles and the trunk.. it makes it easy to get into the hotel, and they help you size what you can "carry" in the bags easier.

I also carry a set of clear or amber safety glasses along with my sunglasses.  Good raingear is a must, the afternoon t-storms of Colorado can soak you and get you cold in a hurry.  Been there and done that a bunch of times.


I once left for a weekend trip to Amarillo and instead of coming home on Sunday, turned towards New Mexico, and then spent an impromptu week in Colorado with nothing but a light rainsuit, a couple of shirts and jeans and a camera.  Walmart supplied the remaining wardrobe as I needed it... had one of the best times on the road yet!!

Have a great, safe trip.  Its a good ride up that way... 


see ya..
Craig
NCGhostrider << Can't ever seem to get things lined up to go to Inzane... maybe one day
99 I/S