Sturgis Purchases

[BlueBob]

I've got one week left before I leave, and I've got to set some priorities in the way of crap I need to buy before I leave. Spent $100 yesterday on a shaggy sheepskin seatcover so the fluff's fanny will survive the ride. What I still need (the way I see it):

1. Windshield = Freakin' expensive
2. Rainsuit x2 = Freakin' expensive
3. Luggage rack = manageable, but not all that important. I don't mind strappin' gear to the sissy bar without one.
4. Service Manual = Not THAT expensive, but I'll need like 8-12hrs of study time, too. I've got no freakin' excuse for not havin' one yet, so this one is gonna happen.

Anyone got any money saving tips on this stuff?

[Hammerhead Pat]

BlueBob, I hope you guys have a great trip. On our recent trip to Myrtle Beach, we got caught in a tsunami fron Savannah to Myrtle Beach and I will give you my two thoughts from that experience. Even though I have a mid-sized windshield, I don 't know if I would have gotten through it without having my full face helmet on. It takes a lot of the pounding off your face and really made the rain more tolerable!! I also take the half helmet to ride in around the event because its easier to communicate while wearing. I would also suggest a one piece rainsuit( yeah, they do look kind of queer), but I was wearing a two piece suit and the only thing dry on me was the top of my legs, I am definetly going to a one piece as soon as I see one at a good price. I hope this helps in your decision making. Have a great time!

[Chris Maida]

I agree with Pat. I've ridden through some horrendous storms and a full-face does make a huge difference.

[botzman]

Hey Bluebob,

I've done my share of traveling and all I can say is a windshield is not necessary although helpful on long road trips. It does help with the beating your gonna get from the wind. Not much help in the rain, at least not for me. I tried to duck down into it in our last cyclone and all it did was hinder my eye sight. I have a decent rainsuit not top of the line. Two other guys refuse to buy HD raingear due to cost and settle for the Gordon fisherman stuff you can buy at K-Mart, etc. Yeah they get wet but so did I. As Hammer head said a full face will help the rain pounding on your skulll but I just cant be comfortable in those anymore. How many miles per day you figuring? Anything under 400 I would say you can survive without a windshield. This is just me personally. Everyone else has there tolerances, some high and some low. Your girl is gonna be miserable no matter what if its raining. Flashlight, wire ties, few extra bungee cords, tools if you can use 'em, sunscreen, coupla rags. I dunno if I would be carrying a Service Manual but hey if you feel better with it what the hell. We just did 2200 mile round trip and hit every kind of weather out there. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Have a blast. I'm hoping to hit Sturgis next year. Be safe Botz

[BlueBob]

Well, here's the trick...

Girlfriend can only swing so much time off, and at $150 a night for a room in Rapid City I can only afford so many nights there. So... time is a factor and we decided to take the whole trip of 475 miles in one day (up and back).

Not sure I can do a full-face helmet. Just not comfortable. But a bandana over my face and a windshield seems like it's doable.

The service manual is for two reasons:

1. (And this is the main reason) It's an excuse to get my lazy arse over to the stealership and fork out the $60 for it.
2. 'Cause I'd rather not get rolled for $$$$$$$$$$$$$ if the bike goes tango uniform out on the highway. I figure this will at least help a little. Better to take the tools and the SM and TRY than let some local bubba charge me a fistfull for a simple problem.

[evoKENevo]

Blue:
I really don't trust in Haynes OR Clymer service manuals for general use...and I still highly recommend getting an HD manual. But IMO they're good enough in combination with your owners manual to handle your needs on the road...and both would fit nicely in a single Qt or Gal.size Zip-Lock bag. I think they're still only about $25** and it makes more sense (to me) than probably screwing up a bigger & bulkier $60** HD manual on the road,that you'd be wiser to leave at home...don't you think ?

Oh,..speaking of Zip-Locks...in case you have'nt (?) thunk about it..the small ones are great for protecting cell-phones,etc.from dirt/sand,moisture,etc. that DOES get into your stuff on these kind of trips and they're CHEAP too.

Just "my2cents",here...along with best wishes for a great/safe trip.

[BlueBob]

Great tips eKe. I'm on-board with the baggies. I always carry 'em since I can't bring my cell and iPod into work and it rains in Colorado every day during the summer. Hadn't thought about the smaller manuals though.

[BlueBob]

I decided that a windsield just ain't worth the $340. I say $340 becuase Harley I thought about a Memphis Shades handlebar mount shield for about $150-$180, but I just didn't think I'd be happy with it. The way I figure it, the backrest that came with my Mustang seat will probably do a lot to combat the fatigue of fighting the wind for ten hours.

Tourmasters makes a two-piece rainsuit for around $25. That is well within the budget.

Also found a super-slick Motherwell luggage-rack for a VERY reasonable price. It's $54 as opposed to the $100+ for an HD rack and mounts to the fender instead of the sissy bar.

http://www.motherwellproducts.com/2u.../mwl-551ld.htm

[GOMO]

TourMaster makes a decent inexpensive 1 piece rainsuit for $79 to help with your budget

[SamW]

Chris might be sounding a little soft here, but I know that's not the case. After riding all over hell and back with Chris I can attest that he rarely pulls over to suit up and don the full-face until you're in the eye of the storm, and thoroughly trashed anyway.

Then he calls you a pussy for suggesting to pull over when the hail started a half-hour ago. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!