Advice for long trip

I like Kryptonite for locks. http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Products/List.aspx?cid=1000
Each bike needs a disc lock, cable the two bikes together at night, and usually a wink at the front counter will let you park in front of the door.



The Givi bags are a great buy. But if you've got a support vehicle following, your ride might be better traveling light. Luggage tends to jimmy buffit in the wind a bit.

 

VFR is not how he'd roll. He'd keep it real on the 'busa I'd park next to with all the LED lights and chrome bling. My bike is stock.

when he sat down on the keg and smoked his cig at the end... that was money.

 

I my best Austin Power's accent:

Excuse me Muffy, but would you mind terribly if we left our beemer by the potted plant?

 

Hey guys, anyone else plan on heading down to bike week? We should try to get together and ride one day.
I would like to ride down, but I am taking the easy way out and loading the bike up in the back of the truck and hauling it down to Ft. Lauderdale. Some of my buddies here at college were planning on heading to Ft. Lauderdale, so I figured I would take the opportunity to hit up bike week for a couple of days and hit up some of the warm Florida weather riding, while it still sucks here in southern Indiana.

My cell number is (812) 890-3559 and my name is Ian McGiffen. I will be hitting up bike week down there by myself (or at least the only one in my group riding)(the other guys may come up from Ft. Lauderdale for a day if they sober up long enough to make it), so if I could get numbers of the guys going to see if meeting up sometime between Monday and Wednesday would work that would be sweet.
Glad to see the VFRs will be representing in Daytona!

 

Damn, SLOav8r! You make me feel completely unstructured and ill-equipped. All those preflight check lists have gotten to you! :smile:

I would only add a couple of items that I did not see listed here (unless I missed them);

1. Bring walk-around shoes and socks
2. I usually carry two or three sets of gloves (hot, mild, cold)
3. Remember to pack your belt, if you use one. For pants, that is...
4. "No-Fog" cloth for helmet face screen
5. Extra ear plugs
6. I always carry extra cash. Sometimes it is the only thing that will extricate you from an emergency.
7. As many cigars as there is room for (optional? Hmmm...)

Have fun at Daytona!

PS I have a disc lock that I've used for many years, with no special features. The sad fact is that a professional thief will get your bike if he wants it. The disc lock will help discourage the casual thieves, so almost any type will work.

Just got back from a trip, and thought of a few more;

A. Chain lube
B. Disposable gloves for applying chain lube
C. A couple of paper towels for the same reason (overspray protection)

I keep all the chain lube stuff in one big zip-lock in the tank bag, along with a red shop towel to fold up and use for a knee-pad while I'm spraying the chain.

 

What days are you guys going to be there? I am staying in Ft. Lauderdale, but I will probably ride up to Daytona on Monday or Tuesday, and then to the Speedway on Saturday for some qualifying and practicing of the AMA bikes!!! I can't wait. Hope is stops raining/icing/snowing long enough here for me to load up the bike. Gotta love Indiana weather!

 

It's always reassuring to carry a spare Voltage Regulator!!

 

A 1 inch braided cable will not cut anywhere as easily as normal twisted rope-type cable. Braided cable tends to squeeze together when attacked with bolt cutters while rope-type just cuts. Food for thought. Hang empty beer cans in an inconspicuous place on fish line. Someone moves the bike, the cans make one hell of a noise.

Randy

 

We are heading down on Friday- Riding, hopefully the ice and snow will melt some before then. We will get to Daytona on Saturday evening. Relax and hang out on Sunday. Sea World Orlando on Monday, Over to the Gulf coast Tuesday to see family. Possibly down to Key West on Wed. Stay overnight then back to Daytona for Bars and Bike shows on Thur. Thursday night I might go to the Honda Rider Club Dinner. Never been- don't know if I would like it. We will try to fit in some test riding during the week, probably go out to Cabbagepatch and watch old skanky biker chics wrestle. Saturday at the Speed way watching the Races. Head for home on Sunday morning- get home monday evening. Back to work on Wed. Hoping for warm and dry weather.

 

As I said, I will be staying in Ft. Lauderdale and was also thinking about riding down to Key West sometime during the week. I haven't mapquested it yet to see how far it was, but it sounded like fun. You may give me a call on Wednesday when you're heading down if you want a third party. If you wanted to ride down to the Keys on Wednesday and then back to Ft. Lauderdale you could probably shack up with me and my buddies if you don't mind sleeping bags / air mattresses on the floor. I'll check and see how far that is.
Man, you guys are going to be doing A LOT of riding. Sounds like a blast!
I wish I could stay for the race, but unfortunately I have to be in classes on Monday morning. Engineering is a biotch!!!

P.S. All of the guys talking about bike theft is making me a little nervous...