Well, I just got done with two decent rides in a few weeks and I got to thinking about what I might need or want to improve on. Small stuff, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas in the following areas:
1. Toiletries. Right now I carry (travel-sized) toothpaste, a folding toothbrush, soap, shampoo, cotton swabs, bug spray, sunblock and Gold Bond powder in a fanny pack, and it's pretty handy. But I saw a guy at the campground with a nice roll-up thing that would have been perfect except it was too big. Anyone have any ideas? It would be nice if it was flexible, waterproof, fairly small and cheep and hold the wet bar of soap in a sealed area.
2. Monkey Butt. It's not funny; it f'n hurts. I use Gold Bond, but it seems like powder just delays the onset, instead of preventing it. Bicycle shorts? Specific motorcycle shorts? Shave my behindus? What works for you high-mileage guys?
3. Rain Gear. I have a banana yellow PVC 2-piece. It's 100% effective, but it's bulky, hot and takes up a lot of space in the bags. I'm almost all-set on this one; my buddy had a set of "Frogg Toggs", and they seem like just the ticket. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them or a similar product.
4. Helmet. Is there any consensus on what makes a helmet quiet? I need a new lid soon, and I want something that lets me hear the music at 85mph or so. It has to have a lot to do with fit; what's the quietest helmet you've ever owned and how did it fit?
5. Anti-fog. The stuff I have seems to work exactly one day. I'd rather not bring any with me (that sounds like a recipe for a spill). Anyone know of something that works for a week or more?
6. Gloves. I have a great set of Alpinestar cool-weather gloves, but I got the Icon "Twenty-niner" gloves last year for warm weather and they're falling apart already. What's good in the way of a light, wrist-length ventilated glove? Decent protection, cool, cheep (heh...a theme), durable and...maybe not waterproof per se, but able to stand up to a drenching.
7. Tires. My Pirelli Angels will be toast soon...I'm thinking about a set of PR2's or PR3's, and I wanted to see if someone who has them can tell me how they are on rain grooves and bridge decks. The Angels have zero tendency to follow the pattern, and I was wondering how the Michelins were in that regard. I'm just assuming they're good in the rain too...am I wrong?
Both trips were mid-range; one from Syracuse to Long Island & back and the other from Sorrycuse to Laconia & back...350 miles or so each way. The bike never hiccuped, coughed, backfired or did anything but run perfectly at all times. I had to put 91 octane in at one fillup, but it didn't seem to make a difference, at least that I noticed. I haven't looked at my tires, but I think they're "end of life" about now. No matter what other bike I compare the C14 to, it's still the best in my mind. Price/value/capability and the Concours wins. It's amazing how small the bags are on some sport-touring bikes.
I traded bikes with my buddy for the last 60 miles or so (08 Triumph Sprint ST); it has razor-sharp handling, but the severe tank hump, feet up under me and weird vibration put me off. That bike has the weirdest headlights; the one on one side always seems to be flashing yellow (When we followed my Sister she kept flashing her signal because she thought his was left on), and the other flashes blue, but less frequently.
I learned that a light-colored shirt is a no-no on a trip; when the sun was in front of me the GPS screen was totally washed out. When I put my hand between the GPS and my shirt, the glare was gone.
Only one "more-experienced American" tried to kill me by jumping a light; she had her window down, so I thanked her. Really; that's what I do...yell "Thank you!" and wave. Always doing the motorcycle PR thing...
Oh, we (buddy and I) were stopped at a light in a small town, waiting to turn left. Just when I looked over to say something to my friend, a (not-at-all large of stature) guy with a Harley full-dresser tried to pull it off the sidestand to verticle. But he didn't stand it up far enough, and had already folded the sidestand. Bang.