touring
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2000 11:17 pm
Paul: I have so much stuff that I have no idea where I would put a milk
crate. My 20 degree sleeping bag has a sheet pinned inside with an egg crate
mattress pad under it. I have a sweat suit to wear as pajamas, thermal
underwear, and a ski cap for cold situations. I have Roadgear leathers and
Combat touring boots all water resist treated as well as layered clothing and
a rain suit which can be worn with or without the leathers. I have light and
heavy leather gloves as well as rain over-mittens and rain booties. I intend
to do relatively short hops and refrain from driving at night as much as
possible. It is very dangerous where I'll be going, not to mention colder. I
will have to use touring tires for the first leg of the tour to Canada. When
I approach areas where I can expect hundreds of miles of gravel roads, then I
should have the proper tires to handle those conditions. The archives are
full of varied opinions on which is best. Take your choice. When I am in
Latin America I expect the choice will be very limited unless I don't mind
waiting and paying (I do mind) for international shipping. I am hoping to
minimize chain and sprocket problems by using a D&D and a steel 16 tooth
front sprocket with a Scott touring oiler. If it turns out to be a waste of
money I'll let everyone know. I will have an electric vest and 12 volt
auxiliary outlet. My understanding is that the stock alternator/battery will
work fine if you don't use the lights. I will also use a 55/90 watt H-4
headlight. Again, I don't expect to travel much at night anyway. I am
considering taking an emergency starting/12 volt camping battery along with
an inverter and a small battery (AA, AAA, C, D and 9 volt) charger. Will
charge low batteries during daily bike runs. I have a camp lantern, AM/FM CD
player, Olympus water resistant camera and a fan, all of which are battery
operated. All batteries are nickel metal hydride rechargeable. A guy in
Pennsylvania posted a y2k klr650 with 850 miles like new for about $3500.
Wish I was ready. You are right about decisions not to take things. Some
smart soul said "If you are trying to get away from it all, don't try to take
it all with you." Knowing that, I still keep buying more stuff and the pile
gets bigger. Enough for now.
Lew Waterman
Punky & Lew's Americas Motopaseo