Harley Davidson Forums

dolce · Jul 28th, 2011, 11:00 PM

Getting ready to take my first ever long distance bike trip. Me and a buddy are leaving Washington DC area next Friday headed for Detroit area on the fist day to pick up a third. Next day we will start west riding as long as we feel like until we get to camping area at Mt Rushmore area. I'll be riding a 2011 Dyna Super Glide Custom and my buddy on a 2007 Fat Boy.

Any tips, tricks and recommendations for a first timer are welcomed.

What type jacket is best, mesh or leather?
What's the best pack tent?
Steeping bag or not?

Thanks,
Michael

TripleJ · Jul 28th, 2011, 11:08 PM

Here is a link worth looking into. If I had to choose between leather and mesh I would choose leather.

Motorcycle camping tents - Harley Davidson Community (Motorcycle camping tents)

For any more info put whatever you are looking for in the search bar at the top of your screen and you should get more info than needed. Hope you enjoy your trip and don't forget the pictures

Almost forgot, welcome to the forum and just realized you are from my old stomping grounds. Grew up in Dale City, VA. Lots of good riding in your area.

DakotaRob · Jul 28th, 2011, 11:21 PM

Howdy and welcome to the forum...

I got my first mesh jacket last week before I headed across South Dakota in 100+ degree heat. I really liked it, the air flow through the mesh was great. You can get some pretty wild temperature swings in the Black Hills, so I would recommend bringing a leather jacket too. Don't have any advice on the camping stuff... not much of a camper.

dolce · Jul 29th, 2011, 05:45 AM

thanks for the advice... we'll see what happens. No matter what, I'll enjoy the ride.

dbmg · Jul 29th, 2011, 05:59 AM

Leave watch, and cell phone behind. Do take camera. Drink water. And most of all enjoy yourself and make memories that last a lifetime....

Have a great trip and be safe.

Breeze3at · Jul 29th, 2011, 02:59 PM

[QUOTE=dolce;397200]

Any tips, tricks and recommendations for a first timer are welcomed.

If you aren't anxious to use the mens room at each gas stop, you are not hydrating enough. The first effects of dehydration are lack of attention and sore joints. I'm guilty of not drinking enough water because I'm the guy that has to keep making pit stops.

Billbo · Jul 29th, 2011, 04:19 PM

[QUOTE=Breeze3at;397390]

Quote: Originally Posted by dolce View Post

Any tips, tricks and recommendations for a first timer are welcomed.

If you aren't anxious to use the mens room at each gas stop, you are not hydrating enough. The first effects of dehydration are lack of attention and sore joints. I'm guilty of not drinking enough water because I'm the guy that has to keep making pit stops.

very good advice Breeze! I would only add this if you do not have hiway footpegs - git some!! For me to be able to stretch out a little is very helpful on longer rides.

Bill

Dr. Dolittle · Jul 29th, 2011, 06:05 PM

Some good tips in these threads:

What do you take on a road trip ? - Harley Davidson Community (What do you take on a road trip ?)

Road Trip/Rally Advice - Harley Davidson Community (Road Trip/Rally Advice)

Road Trip Advice needed for camping - Harley Davidson Community (Road Trip Advice needed for camping)

dolce · Jul 30th, 2011, 01:20 PM

Again everyone, thanks for the great advice. I'll be sure to remember the hydrating advice for sure. Still a lot to do in terms of tent and assorted lite camping items. Want to make sure I have minimum of what I need for a nine day trip but it all has to pack into the HD pack/luggage as I am trying to NOT put bags on the FXDC just yet... We'll see....

Jack Klarich · Jul 30th, 2011, 08:35 PM

As far as a sleeping bag We usually went to K mart in Spearfish and bought cheap air mattresses to sleep on, that way we could just toss them when we were done. It is usually pretty warm in the Hills at night, Tho I always travel with my leather, the weather out there can sneak up on you

The Jacket doubles as a pillow

Jul 28th, 2011, 11:08 PM	#2
TripleJ Community Guru Wannabe Ride: 2012 Road Glide Ultra Join Date: Oct 4th, 2009 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 1,091 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis Here is a link worth looking into. If I had to choose between leather and mesh I would choose leather. Motorcycle camping tents - Harley Davidson Community (Motorcycle camping tents) For any more info put whatever you are looking for in the search bar at the top of your screen and you should get more info than needed. Hope you enjoy your trip and don't forget the pictures Almost forgot, welcome to the forum and just realized you are from my old stomping grounds. Grew up in Dale City, VA. Lots of good riding in your area.

Jul 28th, 2011, 11:21 PM	#3
DakotaRob Community Star Ride: 2011 Road Glide Ultra Join Date: Jun 27th, 2010 Location: Elk Point, South Dakota Posts: 363 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis Howdy and welcome to the forum... I got my first mesh jacket last week before I headed across South Dakota in 100+ degree heat. I really liked it, the air flow through the mesh was great. You can get some pretty wild temperature swings in the Black Hills, so I would recommend bringing a leather jacket too. Don't have any advice on the camping stuff... not much of a camper. __________________ Rob

Jul 29th, 2011, 05:45 AM	#4
dolce Warming The Wheels Ride: 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited Join Date: Jul 23rd, 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 53	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis thanks for the advice... we'll see what happens. No matter what, I'll enjoy the ride.

Jul 29th, 2011, 05:59 AM	#5
dbmg Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Join Date: Jul 4th, 2010 Posts: 3,234 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis Leave watch, and cell phone behind. Do take camera. Drink water. And most of all enjoy yourself and make memories that last a lifetime.... Have a great trip and be safe.

Jul 29th, 2011, 02:59 PM	#6
Breeze3at Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Electra Glide Classic Join Date: Aug 18th, 2009 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 3,515 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis [QUOTE=dolce;397200] Any tips, tricks and recommendations for a first timer are welcomed. If you aren't anxious to use the mens room at each gas stop, you are not hydrating enough. The first effects of dehydration are lack of attention and sore joints. I'm guilty of not drinking enough water because I'm the guy that has to keep making pit stops. __________________ I don't ride fast, but I do ride far.

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Jul 29th, 2011, 04:19 PM	#7
Billbo Contributor$ Ride: 2001 Heritage Softail Classic Join Date: Oct 21st, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 474 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis [QUOTE=Breeze3at;397390] Quote: Originally Posted by dolce View Post Any tips, tricks and recommendations for a first timer are welcomed. If you aren't anxious to use the mens room at each gas stop, you are not hydrating enough. The first effects of dehydration are lack of attention and sore joints. I'm guilty of not drinking enough water because I'm the guy that has to keep making pit stops. very good advice Breeze! I would only add this if you do not have hiway footpegs - git some!! For me to be able to stretch out a little is very helpful on longer rides. Bill

Jul 29th, 2011, 06:05 PM	#8
Dr. Dolittle Moderators Ride: 2008 Street Glide Join Date: Feb 1st, 2008 Location: Woodstock, Georgia Posts: 6,216 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis Some good tips in these threads: What do you take on a road trip ? - Harley Davidson Community (What do you take on a road trip ?) Road Trip/Rally Advice - Harley Davidson Community (Road Trip/Rally Advice) Road Trip Advice needed for camping - Harley Davidson Community (Road Trip Advice needed for camping) __________________ 2008 Street Glide - Dobeck GEN3 EJK - SE Slip Ons - SE Stage I A/C - Hogtunes amp, speakers, and tweeter pod

Jul 30th, 2011, 01:20 PM	#9
dolce Warming The Wheels Ride: 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited Join Date: Jul 23rd, 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 53	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis Again everyone, thanks for the great advice. I'll be sure to remember the hydrating advice for sure. Still a lot to do in terms of tent and assorted lite camping items. Want to make sure I have minimum of what I need for a nine day trip but it all has to pack into the HD pack/luggage as I am trying to NOT put bags on the FXDC just yet... We'll see....

Jul 30th, 2011, 08:35 PM	#10
Jack Klarich Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Streetbob Join Date: Sep 25th, 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,585 My Mood:	Re: Northern Virginia to Mt Rushmore and Sturgis As far as a sleeping bag We usually went to K mart in Spearfish and bought cheap air mattresses to sleep on, that way we could just toss them when we were done. It is usually pretty warm in the Hills at night, Tho I always travel with my leather, the weather out there can sneak up on you The Jacket doubles as a pillow __________________ CAPITAL JACK( Nuff Said, We're Burnin Daylight, Let's Ride)

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