48 States in 10 Days tips

Here is some information that will be useful to prepare you for your journey based on my experience. I will also make a post about my journey.

Preparation:

I did some research on the Iron Butt and MCTourer websites for suggested routes to take.
I didn’t have much work to do to the bike before I left. I changed all the fluids, checked all the fasteners and went over the mechanicals.
I wired in an additional Cigarette outlet off of the headlight (Truck-lite LED) that I ran behind my windshield and located it in the center pouch of my 3-pouch bag. This would allow me to charge the GPS and Phone/iPod all at the same time.

I made a gear checklist and figured out how to make everything fit on the bike.

I set mileage/location goals for each day during my trip. This would help to keep me on track and to know if I had to make adjustments based on my progress.

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Gear list:

Bike Gear –

My normal tool kit with pliers, wrenches, sockets, Alan/Hex keys, etc.
Zip Ties, Duct Tape, Electrical Tape
Spare light bulbs
Spark Plugs
Tire plug kit
12V pair pump
Jumper Cables
Chain and Lock, Disc Lock
Travel Bike cover
1 Gallon spare gas can
Bike Chamois
Extra bungee chords
Airhawk seat cushion – Worth its weight in gold

Personal Gear –

Clothes –
6 Days worth of Street clothes (socks, underwear, shirts)
3 pair of Jeans
Rain Gear – Jacket and Pants (I left my over boots at home and kicked myself pretty hard for it in Utah)
Chaps – really good for the cold mornings up north
Leather Jacket
Modular Helmet – Better for rain and cold than a ½ helmet
North Face shell jacket
Wool long underwear tops/bottoms
Gloves: 3 pairs – light, winter, waterproof
Boots
Flip-flops for hotel
Baseball hat

Clipboard for travel log/receipts/ Ride notes

Toiletry stuff – the usual
Advil, Multi-vitamins
Sunscreen, Chaps stick – possibly two of the most important items I had with me.
Builder Bars (cliff bars) to eat while on the road
Camelback 100 oz water bladder (carried in my tour bag to drink while riding)

Electronics:
Cell phone charger / GPS Charger / Ipod charger cables
Headlamp, flashlight

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Emergency Gear – In case I didn’t get to where I was heading or worse

Sleeping Bag
Tent (in case I didn’t make it to a town and got tired)
Large First Aid Kit

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Things I will change for the next time:

Lights – The Truck-Lite performs far better than the stocker, but riding from before dawn to past dark every day is stressful. I would add a set of fogs/spots for sure. This is top of the list. Item #1.

Rain Gear – I will never leave home without my over boots in a saddlebag again. I took them out during my last gear check and they were waiting for me in my garage when I got back... nobody but myself to blame for this one.

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Closing Thoughts:

This trip was part reason to go for a motorcycle ride, part excuse to see the country and part personal challenge.
I truly believe that everybody should do something like this in his or her lifetime. I don’t mean they should have to take a motorcycle through all 48 states, but just get away from their normal life, unplug for a while, and go see something in this world that they haven’t yet. It is eye opening and inspiring.

It’s amazing how a small change in scenery can lead to such a large change in perception about life.