Where is everyone #5

It'll definitely happen. I am still a very green rider and that's a long ways to ride with minimal experience.

 

One thing you’re absolutely going to want is a nylon windbreaker/rain suit. Doesn’t have to be a fancy one, just a good one. Best to get a 2 piece, jacket and pants. Not too baggy. The idea is to keep the wind off you, but not have it fill with air as you ride.

Something else to consider is a windscreen. A simple one is to be best. Enough to push the air over your head. Makes long rides less tiring and keeps the bugs off your face.

This next topic can be quite controversial. Not familiar with the laws regarding helmets where you are. All I can say is please wear one.

 

I just blew coffee out my nose. My sister in law has a t-shirt that says "It ain't gonna gonna lick itself "

 

Unless you wear a ######, a helmet is required here. Somehow they get a pass.

I've got a full face helmet with drop visor right now. I may buy a half helmet for the short trips within town though. I might be lucky to hit 50 km/h for all of about 15 seconds within city limits. Just easier to carry/lock a smaller helmet than a full helmet if I'm just shooting over to the cafe or pub. Any time I plan on heading down the highway I'll be putting on the full helmet.

 

I've got both also , half helmet for summer, and if it's really cold full . I'm in Georgia and when we ride to Florida I'll take the helmet off in the city while we're there ,usually a week or so. When heading home I'll put the helmet on , it's surprising how heavy even a half helmet is after riding a while without it.

 

ROFLMAO...but my wife didn't think it was funny.

 

In addition, considering your location and the short riding season, when able to afford it, get youself some heated clothing and equipment. Like TripleSix says, when we had a polar bear ride, I rode to the restaurant, to find out I was one of a few that really did a polar ride. That's how I got those 25k in 3 years. Rode year round...now I just got to find that heated gear again, to make sure it still works.

 

When it comes to helmets, look for ones that have the Snell foundation rating. Do a search on Snell foundation for more info.

 

I bought a couple fuel bottles and holders and strapped them to the forks. That way, I don’t have to move stuff when I take the luggage off on the long road trips. Went through Moab Utah, headed towards 4 Corners and I had to use them. Hades has a 5 gallon tank, and the two extra bottles would put the needle on a half tank. I trip metered and Hades has a range of 160 miles. I don’t trust fuel gauges (had a brand new truck run out of fuel while showing 1/4 tank), and I have no desire to push a bike, so I set the trip meter every fuel stop.

 

A couple weeks ago, I rode to a motorcycle meet. 600 miles in the rain. I hate riding in the rain, BUT the show must go on. I get there, and realize that besides me, there was only 1 other that rode in, and he had his 10yr old daughter on the back. In the rain. Everyone else trailered their bikes, some from 60 miles away.

We met up to go for a group ride. My bike is dirty of course. These guys walk up, look Hades up and down, “That’s a huge rear tire…bet you really have to fight that thing in the curves.” Translation: that bike is a real looker, but probably sucks in a real world application. ‘We do okay.’
After the ride, “Wow! You really lean that thing in the curves…I am surprised!”

‘We do okay.’