Cross Country Riding

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

Unlike the 80% we get here. The east coast is worse.

I know we aren't as humid as the midwest or other parts of the country, even on our worst days of the monsoon.

The point I was trying to make was riding 300 miles in hellish heat is no fun at all.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

I wonder if the critters are out then too?

Not many "critters" in the areas with that kind of heat, other than coyotes, which tend to be thin and scraggly from malnutrition, maybe the occasional javelina. I'm more worried about hitting "Arizona alligators", those strips of retread from semi truck tires that litter the highway during the summer here.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

I never said gatorade and water made it fun, just that it's the wise thing to do in heat.

Agreed. You can die if you don't stay hydrated.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Not many "critters" in the areas with that kind of heat, other than coyotes, which tend to be thin and scraggly from malnutrition, maybe the occasional javelina. I'm more worried about hitting "Arizona alligators", those strips of retread from semi truck tires that litter the highway during the summer here.

I remember seeing a lot of dead jack rabbits on the secondary roads in Nevada. That and tumbleweed.

[mobandy78]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

This is worth looking into. Does the AMA plan provide coverage in Canada as well as the US...? AAA covers both, but if the AMA plan does both, does all vehicles with no per person add-ons, one would have to check it out!

I'm not sure, but it'd be worth calling and finding out.

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by aeropilot

I am also planning a long trip for next year, Philadelphia area to Oshkosh WI for EAA AirVenture at the end of July. These tips and posts are very helpful. Today, I actually looked at two 500 mile days to get there, but then three days of more relaxed routes home.

Anyone have tips on road maintenance or agencies to belong to for these long trips? My auto insurance offers towing and service, but I was thinking of making a list of Kawi dealers/shops along the route if something should happen.

Check with your insurance company to see what sort of mileage limits they have on providing you "road service". If you are looking at AAA, ck the same with them. There has been some sad stories on this board about insurance companies and AAA and their "limits" on how far they will come to get you without charging. I worked in Nat Parks (most not near anything) for a career and I can assure you a lot of folks found out the hard way ($$$$) that their AAA or MC Insurance would not cover towing without additional fees. While working in Death Vally NP I saw tow bills over $300 with folks who thought they had "road coverage". That is the reason I use Progressive MC Insurance. Their road service has no limits. Knock on wood - I have not had to use it yet.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by usranger74

Check with your insurance company to see what sort of mileage limits they have on providing you "road service". If you are looking at AAA, ck the same with them. There has been some sad stories on this board about insurance companies and AAA and their "limits" on how far they will come to get you without charging. I worked in Nat Parks (most not near anything) for a career and I can assure you a lot of folks found out the hard way ($$$$) that their AAA or MC Insurance would not cover towing without additional fees. While working in Death Vally NP I saw tow bills over $300 with folks who thought they had "road coverage". That is the reason I use Progressive MC Insurance. Their road service has no limits. Knock on wood - I have not had to use it yet.

I wonder if multiple coverages can be used? I have the coverage with my insurance, but like you say, it is limited. The manufacturer also covers tows while the bike is under warranty, but expenses related to it are capped at a per diem basis, which I think is $500 a day, of which they may cover towing, motel, and transportation. They also have a concierge service that will make arrangements for the above and also flight if needed. I hope I never need it. I believe HOG offers the same kinds of coverage and some other MC orgs offer coverages at a cost as well. I know I can get life flight coverage for $250 a year that covers me anywhere in the world. If I got hurt in India riding over the Khardung La Pass, it will cover all expenses to get me back home into a local hospital or home. Not a bad deal for those budding adventure riders. May be we'll see something like this offered through VBA someday.

[cnc]

ROK was offering some kind of emergency help with a membership weren't they?

[Monkeyman]

That's a good idea, ponch. Multiple coverages might work if one only covers a 15 mile tow and you need to get 40 miles. Or if one covers a long tow but no motel and another covers motel/living expenses but not much for a tow. Might be worth paying the extra premium.

[sho_greg]

i want to go to the Grand Canyon...

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by sho_greg

i want to go to the Grand Canyon...

I AM going to the Grand Canyon as part of this years SW Regional Rally...!!

[jrecken]

I did 826 miles one day but I didn't even want to look at my bike for days after that.
Keep Gatorade on hand. Sometimes in hot weather I would get a headache and the Gatorade cleared that up shortly.
I have Progressive insurance and for $5.00 a year I got coverage that if the bike breaks down 100 or more miles from home they will pay for hotel costs until the bike is fixed. I figured that was a worthwhile investment.

Have a safe and pleasant trip

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

Get a AAA card....but get the RV Plus plan. That is the plan that includes motorcycle towing and pickup...

Only problem is it's limited to 100 miles not 200 like they advertise. After caindriver posted his adventure I looked into it and he was right, 100 is the limit on motorcycles.

[cactusjack]

I know this doesn't apply to 99.9% of the members here, but I thought I'd throw this out there...

Harley Owner's Group (H.O.G.) has a roadside service plan that I think is an extra $20 a year over the $40 HOG membership. I am a member of AMA, but I believe there is a towing mileage limit. The HOG plan will tow you to the nearest HD dealer, regardless of how far that might be. My HOG membership will need to be renewed in a month or so and I am considering the extra coverage.

I am talking about the national HOG, not a local chapter. I don't belong to a local chapter.

[ponch]

BMW has something similar you get if you buy a BMW new.