Long Distance Tour

[steelby]

I've got a Norge 2014 and my wife has a 2015 V7 Stone.  We want to take a tour out to Yellowstone, Utah, Colorado and back home (Pittsburgh), but I have a couple of concerns.

To date we have only taken short trips between 200-300 miles.  This trip would be about 4000 miles. My concern is that I am in no way a mechanic, and with the limited availability of the Guzzi service network, I'm worried that we end up out in the middle of nowhere with a breakdown and won't know what to do. 

I have watched our Guzzi mechanic work on my Norge with a laptop to read service codes, adjust valves, change oil and all the rest, and while he makes it all look easy, there's no way I can mimic his skill, not to mention having the appropriate tools on hand. 

It's like with my car: I drive it, I take it to be serviced, but when I look under the hood it's all I can do to add windshield washer fluid.  If my car ever breaks down (and it has not), I would call Triple A and they would tow it to the nearest auto mechanic, which is less than 100 miles away no matter where you breakdown in America.  If our bikes break down, a certified Guzzi service facility could be two States away...

There seems to be quite a bit of knowledge on this board, and most of you probably could work your way out of a mechanical issue, but there's got to be others like myself that don't have that confidence.  Words of wisdom would be appreciated.

"I can type 100 words a minute, but it's in my own language." -Mitch Hedberg

[canuguzzi]

Get the Norge serviced before the trip. Then it can make the round trip without needing another service.

No matter what bike you own , regardless of brand or model, a BMW, Honda or a Guzzi, if you aren't confident in its ability to make a 4000 mile trip, I wouldn't try.

The Norge is a good bike for that distance but no matter what, you must have confidence in it or that is what you'll think about the entire time and that doesn't make for a good time.

Is there an aspect of the Norge that causes you concerns?

[oldbike54]

 Remain a member in good standing on WG and carry some type of device to access the net . Being a member here means you are never truly stranded .

  Dusty

[radlefty]

I'm also in the very limited mechanical ability camp. I've been riding for over 30 yrs and taken over 25 cross country trips on a variety of different bikes from different manufactures, with only one minor breakdown that caused me to lose one day of travel.  I had an 07 Norge which I took 3 long distance trips on, averaging around 5,000 miles on each trip with never a single issue.

As Norge Pilot said, have it serviced before you go then go out and enjoy your trip. I do belong to a motorcycle towing service for piece of mind, but otherwise I figure as long as I have a cell phone and credit card I'll always be able to get home even if something unexpected should happen. Take lots of pics and give us a ride report when you get back. 
 

[Guzzistajohn]

All good advice, get the bike checked out and just do it. If you don't you'll always wish you did instead of staying home. Keep in touch here as you go. Don't think of it as a 4000mi trip, just a bunch of 3 or 400 mile trips. HAVE FUN!

[ccoli]

My motto,  as my avatar suggests,  "What,  me worry?"
Join Mgnoc  and get the contact list. Or just count on the WG  folks,  just in case.
You'll be fine.  Sounds like a great time.

[rodekyll]

Think of it as a bunch of 300-400 mile trips happening in quick succession, interspersed with adventurous eating and some campouts.  Bring a camera.

[Lcarlson]

Let your dealer know your plans, have the bikes checked out and serviced as needed, and forget about it. Modern bikes are just about as reliable as cars. It's unlikely you'll have any serious problems, and any that arise can always be managed.

[Wayne Orwig]

Join the MGNOC. Carry the "owners list".
Don't have high expectations from a towing service like triple-A. They only take the bike a SHORT distance and leave you at a place that doesn't work on Moto Guzzis.
Worse case, cell phone, two truck, and U-Haul home.

[canuck750]

I've got a Norge 2014 and my wife has a 2015 V7 Stone.  We want to take a tour out to Yellowstone, Utah, Colorado and back home (Pittsburgh), but I have a couple of concerns.

There seems to be quite a bit of knowledge on this board, and most of you probably could work your way out of a mechanical issue, but there's got to be others like myself that don't have that confidence.  Words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Go for it, all you ever need is a cell phone, some cash in your wallet and your credit card paid up before you leave. These basic three rules were given to me twenty years ago when I started long distance touring with a seasoned rider who has been to every Canadian Province and Territory, all of the American states less Hawaii and a lot of Mexico on his bike.

I have once had to rent a U haul van to ferry three bikes through a snow storm in Nevada one late October and last summer I ended up trading in a dead KLR 650 in Whitehorse Yukon for a new one to continue my trip up the Dempster. I have had flat tires and ran out of gas in the desert, broke a clutch cable in New Mexico, a shift lever in the Rockies, and fried a CDI box in Vegas, it's all good and I enjoyed the mishaps as much as the smooth sailing. Overcoming these minor 1st world problems builds confidence in the rest of you life.

A tow truck is a call away and a Greyhound bus goes through most towns.

[ITSec]

You hinted, but didn't state specifically, whether your wife will be riding her Stone or will be pillion. If she is on the Stone, I'd suggest a good long day will still be in the 3-400 mile range; if she is riding pillion, you could move that up to maybe 600 at most.

While MG-specific mechanics are sparse out here in the west, most of what could need attention is easy and familiar to any good mechanic - they just need to send for parts. Carry a basic - but full - set of tools, a tire patch kit and a mini compressor. As others have said, a full service before the trip and one when you return.

If you are riding on two bikes, you have an out if you can't get cell service - one of you can ride to the nearest town. If a tow is required, you may be better off negotiating the cost locally than the price you get by calling your standard service. I get roadside assistance through my insurance company on the Norge; they were good the one time I had to call, but I had to wait for the sun to go down and radio range to improve before my phone could reliably hit the tower 

If you haven't already got a GPS, get one. It's really good for your self-confidence and enjoyment to have a clear idea of where you are and where the next gas, food, or bed may be. Not only that, it will let you tell the people at the other end of the phone line where exactly you are if needed.

In addition to MGNOC, I would also recommend the Motorcycle Tourers Forum over on Delphi, and their Motorcycle Tourers' Assistants program. While they may not have the MG specific expertise, they may also be in places where MGNOC members may be few.

[canuguzzi]

Just observations: Try not to ride more than a few hundred miles per day unless you are droning the highways. A 600 mile day is way over 12 hours of straight riding if you average 50 mph. Add in a breakfast and a lunch and walking out the door at 6 am has you still on the road at 7pm. That is stopping only for an hour total time the entire day. Add at least 3 fuel stops and you've got closer to an hour and a half plus the 12 hours of straight riding.

Of course it is personal preference but with a passenger, unless they are really into long distance riding, they are done long before the 12 hour mark especially if the trip is nearly across the country and it isn't something done with regularity. The Norge is a Sport Tourer, not a full dresser or long & broad bike like other Guzzis.

I know, some wives are heros but the average speed is rarely the miles divided by the speed limit, often it is less. There is a big difference between riding 200-300 miles for a trip once in a while and putting down twice as many miles + a day for days.

If you take scenic routes, you are lucky to break 600 miles in a day because that average speed is going way down unless you never stop to take a picture, sit by a river for a nice lunch or chat with people you meet.

When planning a cross country trip, optimistic miles per day can often result in frustration and no fun.

Don't get me wrong, some of us have wives with iron butts but that isn't everyone. Idea is to have fun not see how many miles you can lay down.

One thing that has worked and is only a suggestion: Ride out single and fly the wife out a few days later. That lets you lay down miles and take the leisurely way back. You carry less with you on the way out, can make better time and the wife is refreshed and good for a long ride back. I've also done it the other way around, ride together there and she flew back. It allows for a lot of flexibility. It gives her a taste of a long distance tour and you're not half way through and facing hardship.

[twowings]

Learn how to check oil level and tire pressure at the very least and perform them religiously...if neglected, those two items tend to cause the most trouble

[guzziknight]

One thing that has worked and is only a suggestion: Ride out single and fly the wife out a few days later. That lets you lay down miles and take the leisurely way back. You carry less with you on the way out, can make better time and the wife is refreshed and good for a long ride back. I've also done it the other way around, ride together there and she flew back. It allows for a lot of flexibility. It gives her a taste of a long distance tour and you're not half way through and facing hardship.

 :1:

We did this last year: I rode to Austin for the Moto GP, and my wife flew out and rode back with me.

This year, we're doing a similar thing. I'm taking 4 days to ride to Hartford, CT. She'll fly in, then we'll spend 12 days riding through New England and Canada, ending up in Buffalo. She'll fly home from there, and I'll 4 days to ride back.

Also, as has been said before, Our longest day on the bike will be less than 300 miles, leaving plenty of time for sight seeing. My solo days will be much longer, probably 300-400 per day.

[Zoom Zoom]

IMHO, there is a lot more to consider than just the bikes. Many here, including myself have done some extensive traveling on two wheels. Stuff, and the ability to carry it, need be considered. Riding gear, clothing, perhaps camping gear, and so on. Once you pull out you have what you have or have to buy it along the way.

Yellowstone is a great place to visit BTW.

If you have a desire to discuss it further, send me a PM and I will call you or you can call me. I would be happy to talk.

John Henry

[Kev m]

Just to reinforce some points;

* most people aren't mechanics and can't really fix anything serious on the side of the road anyway.

* if you've got 2 bikes one can always go for help.

* a Uhaul is never all that far away and worse case scenario you can always get back home.

* Jenn and I have long preferred taking our time when touring. Highway droning is a tool we've used for compressed timelines but otherwise we prefer to keep it to 200-300 miles a day max on back roads. I don't know that in over a decade of riding that Jenn has ever done much more than 400 in a day and I remember her looking exhausted and getting cranky around that number.

[tazio]

Yes, get bikes serviced but give yourself a few shake down miles with all your stuff hanging off.
No major adjustments before hand without trying out first.
Let bank know of travel plans so as not to cancel your debit card(ask me how I know).
Lots of pictures, and lower expectations of daily miles to be covered.

[chuck peterson]

Pull a Daniel K and live out of one bag

[Sheepdog]

I've done some long trips on my Vintage and the bike did very well. My biggest issues were flats and loosening nuts and bolts. Start the trip with new or newish tires and go over your bike daily to find loose fasteners and you will likely be fine. Like Kev said, a U-Haul dealer is seldom far away...

[rocker59]

A 600 mile day is way over 12 hours of straight riding if you average 50 mph. 

Your sentence doesn't make sense.  A 50mph overall average includes food and fuel stops, and quite a bit of stopped time.  Straight riding, especially in the west, is 60-80 mph.

In my experience, the 50mph overall average is a good rule of thumb for a truck driver, but when travelling my average is rarely that low unless it's a day set aside for few miles and lots of sight-seeing stops.  On "transit days" where stops are few, maintaining a 55-60mph overall average is no biggie, and 65mph overall average is doable in places with 75-80 mph speed limits.

On week-long trips out west, I mix the days.  I'll ride a full day through some areas, knocking out 600-700 miles in 11 or 12 hours.  Then the next day might mean 100-200 miles through an interesting area with lots of stops.  Sometimes I'll stay 2 or more nights in one place if I'm really interested in checking out the area.  Then I'll knock out another big day in order to get to another place that interests me.

Riding 400-500 miles a day, every day, for ten days would not be my first choice.  I'd rather have a couple of 600-1000 mile days mixed in with some short ones.  But everyone is different.  And everyone wants to see and do different things when travelling by motorcycle...

[charlie b]

I second everything above.

I would consider getting a good towing service plan, even if it is for one year.  To me, in your situation, the  AAA premium plan would be worth it for peace of mind.  A 200mi tow will get you to almost any decent size town.  From there you can plan how to 'fix' whatever is wrong, even if it is to rent a uhaul to take them home.  There are other benefits as well, like hotel discounts and such.

When I travel and see the sights along the way a 300mi day is more than enough.  Yes, you can do more.  If you don't have anything to see along the way you can hop on the interstate and blitz it for a few hundred miles.

I will be embarking on a 2000mi trip next month, solo, on my 32yr old Guzzi.  I don't plan on anything breaking either, but, am prepared in case it does.

And this rowdy bunch is online almost 24/7 for any questions/issues/help you may need.  A bonus is if you let us know where you'll be we might even link up for a breakfast/lunch or just ride along a bit if you want.  Warning, some of us can be a bit 'scary' on first contact.  :)

FWIW, there are some on here and elsewhere who are more than just a friendly place.  Folks like Matt Forslund in Albuquerque are full fledged Guzzi mechanics with all the tools and spares needed to get you back on the road.  Yes, he even has a few complete engines and transmissions sitting in his garage (along with about 20 motorcycles if you decide you want a different one :)  ).

Last, Yellowstone is great, but, to really see it you need to spend at least two days there.  Yes, it is worth it. 

The entire area you are looking at is full of wonderful sights and roads.  Don't plan too much ahead and take your time.  Except, if you want to stay at a hotel near any of the popular spots you need reservations well in advance.  If expense is not that important then see about staying at places like the hotels at Old Faithful, Mammoth Springs, Zion, North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon, etc.  They are really great historic places.

[rocker59]

One thing that has worked and is only a suggestion: Ride out single and fly the wife out a few days later. That lets you lay down miles and take the leisurely way back. You carry less with you on the way out, can make better time and the wife is refreshed and good for a long ride back. I've also done it the other way around, ride together there and she flew back. It allows for a lot of flexibility. It gives her a taste of a long distance tour and you're not half way through and facing hardship.

We did this last year: I rode to Austin for the Moto GP, and my wife flew out and rode back with me.

This year, we're doing a similar thing. I'm taking 4 days to ride to Hartford, CT. She'll fly in, then we'll spend 12 days riding through New England and Canada, ending up in Buffalo. She'll fly home from there, and I'll 4 days to ride back.

Also, as has been said before, Our longest day on the bike will be less than 300 miles, leaving plenty of time for sight seeing. My solo days will be much longer, probably 300-400 per day.

This is a good idea, and works well.  For the Wildguzzi Western Adventure in 2013, Marcia couldn't take all the time off for the trip.  We bought her a plane ticket into Durango Colorado, which saved her sitting on the bike for two days.  I rode out from Arkansas, knocking out 650 miles to Cimarron NM the first day, then 250 miles to Durango the second day.She spent a long weekend at the campout in Ouray, and I dropped her at at the airport in Durango on Tuesday morning, on my way to Santa Fe for a couple nights.  Then I knocked out a 775 mile day home on the last day.

While in Colorado, she rode with me on a 250 mile lunch ride to Gateway Canyons Resort, and we took the long way back to Durango through Telluride and Dolores.  She logged nearly 500 miles while there.  I logged about 2400 miles.

[Chuck in Indiana]

It sounds to me like you haven't done this before. If that is true, here is my advice gleaned from over 50 years of doing it.
(1) Don't worry about the bikes being able to do it. Modern motorcycles are almost reliable to a fault. 
(2) Your most likely break down is a flat tire. Be prepared to plug one. It is still extremely unusual. I could count the number of flats I've had in 50 some years on both hands.
(3) Don't plan long days, especially if your wife is low on experience. Without much experience, over 300 miles is a long day. Depending on what kind of roads you are on, it can be a *very* long day.
(4) It *can* turn into work if you *need* to be somewhere for whatever reason and weather intervenes, for instance. Give yourself plenty of wiggle room. Be flexible in your planning.
(5) See number 1. 

[Lcarlson]

A word of caution: if you are going to be traversing any open desert, be aware that the desert deserves serious respect. In the East, when it's hot you can always find some shade or an air conditioned place to cool off. In the desert, not so, and you aren't acclimated to the extreme conditions you may encounter. Last summer I crossed the Nevada desert from Las Vegas to Utah in triple-digit midday heat under a scorching sun. I spent the better part of several hours wondering if I was going to die in the next minute when I passed out on my rented Road King at 75 mph. You have no choice but to keep going. I do not recommend this experience.

[Gliderjohn]

You just have to jump in and do it. My first serious road trip was in 1980 on a Suzuki GS400 with a home made pasley duffle bag for luggage. Rode from Central Kansas to Houston and back.
The only things I might add that has not already been said is be prepared for the sun. Full face helmet or a 3/4 with a shaded face shield. Cover all the body to protect from sun and windburn (yes, there is such a thing) and use some sort of lip balm. Enjoy!
GliderJohn

[Sheepdog]

The danger of the desert is no joke. I had to repair a tire in West Texas. It was June and the temperature was 117F. Despite drinking a liter of water and completing the job in 45 minutes, I suffered heat exhaustion and lost a day resting and re-hydrating. There was absolutely not even a spot of shade where the tire went flat. I've lived most of my life in Louisiana or New Mexico, yet that was my first heat-related issue. It really got my attention...

[Scud]

All great advice. I'll just reinforce the peace of mind that comes from having the following:
- Tools - even if you don't know how to use them, a fellow motorcyclist may.
- Tire repair Kit - same as above
- Food and water - if stranded, running late, or just starting to feel down on energy while crossing a long, open section without services
- AAA or AMA memberships - especially the long-distance towing option. I think every state is different, but my CA AAA club includeds motorcycle towing under the RV category.

And I don't think I saw this in the thread so far - does your wife's bike have a windshield? If not, you might want to invest in one for the trip. You'll get a lot of protection on the Norge. If the V7 has no windshield, she'll probably get tired sooner than you.

Have you been riding at night together? If not, it would be good to go get a little night riding practice in places you know. That way, in case you get caught in the dark it won't be a totally not a new experience.

Desert pic from last week (NGC):



Don't be the person who needs a helicopter ride.

[PJPR01]

Highly recommend having a new set of tires, or at least ones with 5000 miles of tread life left, giving you enough time to explore back roads, side routes etc without having to change a tire on the trip.  300 miles a day in the twisties is a fun all day trip with plenty of time for pics, lunch, walk abouts and just schmoozing with people you meet along the  way.  There may even be some days where you park one bike and ride 2 up...perhaps the Beartooth and back depending on whether you are planning on staying in 1 place for a few days...can make it easier just to hop on one bike.

Plenty of liquids...bring a camelback and drink drink drink thru the day...
Helmet liner - can be wet and put back on...provides air conditioning for the head in hot climates
Nike DryFit or Under Armour gear...can wet a shirt and also provides air conditioning

Long distance riding underwear:  LD Comfort or Moto Skivvies...trust me, these things are important on a long trip!
Good pair of riding socks as well
A good seat or sheepskin/airhawk...
A few pairs of gloves in case one gets wet, at least one should be water proof...
Miniature tire compressor, small tool pack
Hydro Flasks are great for keeping Hot Coffee all day long with you in the bags...fill it up at the hotel in the morning, you'll have hot coffee all day long

[rocker59]

Yeah.  The biggest hassles any of my riding buddies have experienced on longer trips were tire related.

Leaving on a thousands mile long trip, knowing the tire won't make it will just cost you time and money on the road.

My favorite story is a friend discovering he needed a new tire in Western Oklahoma on a Saturday.  Made it to Liberal Kansas.  The kawasaki store didn't have a tire that would fit.  The Harley/Buell dealer had a tire, but wouldn't mount it on a motorcycle brand they didn't sell.  He thought he'd buy the tire at the Harley dealer and have the kawasaki dealer install it, but they wouldn't install a tire they didn't sell.  Catch-22 deal, for my friend.  They burned a day with that debacle, and still didn't have a tire for the Ducati Monster.

Sunday, he ended up riding home 400 miles on cords, trying his best to keep the bike leaned a few degrees left, alternating with leaning it a few degrees right, to spread the wear off the tire's centerline. 

If he'd left home on a new sport-touring tire, that would've never happened...

[pyoungbl]

PJPR01 brings up some great points.  I'd even go so far as to say that you should leave with brand new rear tires on each bike.  You'll be surprised at how fast the last couple mm or tire wears away!  That gets worse when the road surface is hot. 

The OEM seat on my '13 V7 was only good for about 100 miles, it became unbearable after that.  If your wife thinks the seat is OK she's one tough rider!  Now is a good time to consider upgrading the seat.

Peter Y.