Tips for Your First Cross Country Trip

[@richardwhitehead4684]

After all the cliched tropes about how to enjoy your own ride, the presenter finally gave the only advice that really matters: do what you feel comfortable doing. Wish he’d spent the whole video on this one. The only universally thing I’ll add is to be careful and respect all others, be they on motorcycles, cars, truck drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, convenience store counter workers, wait staff in restaurants, police officers, and on and on and on. Love the (whole) world, and it will love you back. That’s my advice for a happy ride.

[@billcarothers9182]

I was blessed to take a month long trip last year with a buddy who loves to ride as I do. We left from Ohio and went to the west coast. Rode N.Cali to Washington. Had a blast and just went with the flow. Would not change a thing !!! 22 states in 30 days and 9200 miles !! Camped the entire trip !!!

[@FiveOenduro]

Sounds like it would have been a great video to document!

[@24juan68]

I myself carry 12 pairs of underwear, I named them.. January, February, March.. April…

[@bradboustead1682]

Many good tips.👍

[@Sledge-fu5zr]

My wife and I keep the mileage to 350 miles or less. We go out for a trip that takes about 2.5 months. We ride for 3 days and have a scheduled down day with no riding. The down day allows us to rest, do laundry and make adjustment to the schedule if needed. We also use the down day to adjust the trip schedule due to weather. I highly recommend the down days, of course you do not have to use them, but you will want to have some. It can get very grueling riding day after day after day.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I agree, we try to do a down day or a short day riding around the area every four or five days.

[@psalm2forliberty577]

I carry a Multi Tool - alongside my Suzuki factory tool set + a set of Tire plugs + a portable rechargeable compressor. That way with any flat I should be able to remove the nail etc, with the pliers & insert the plug, reinflate & keep going. Also, on my 08 Vstrom 650, I run a car tire, "Darkside" on the rear. Its a Z rated 205/55r17 and much more flat resistant than a typical MC tire. Additionally, its lifespan is about 20,000 miles + / - , so no worries about "wearing out on a road trip".

[@CaliforniaFly]

In 1998 I took a half work/half vacation trip from Memphis TN to San Antonio TX. Worked in San Antonio for a week and started vacation from there. Rode to Carlsbad NM, Yuma,AZ, San Diego CA, Malibu CA, Las Vegas NV and I forget the other overnight stays I made. In Vegas I was running out of vacation time and had to do a couple of 400 mile days going back to Memphis. I was on a 1977 R75/7 BMW. Had a blast! I did have to do two valve adjustments during the trip in hotel parking lots. Not too bad. Pretty easy. Keep the videos going. Love em'.

[@Ruleof2plus1]

My wife and I have been doing trips for 40 years and you are 100% on with the stop every 70-80 miles and never book motels in advance. Normally we search for a motel the afternoon each day and set that for the end of day ride. We used to travel with other couples and what you will find is you learn a lot, good and bad, about people when you travel with them. We now travel solo as all our past riding couples have quit traveling. This has actually worked well as we are seeing many more things and travel much more efficiently. The right equipment is a must and as you get older and wiser you will find out what works and what doesn't. I ride an GL1800 Endeavor trike that I built and now also pull a camper trailer. Fly fishing equipment also now comes along as our trips are about more than just riding. Loud pipes may be fun but on long trips it is a real detriment same as not wearing a helmet. Wind noise and pipe noise will burn you out on long trips. It's much better to breeze through scenic areas than invade them with all the noise. And yes take your time enjoy the ride and take time to explore. Personally I tend to venture off the main highways even off on gravel just to see what is just around the corner.

[@DavidNewmanDr]

I have to stop every 90 odd miles to recharge both my body and my Zero DSR. So I ride for 90 minutes, rest for an hour, and repeat until I had gone all around Ireland and this year around the Scottish highlands. The Scottish trip was long enough I got a new rear tyre before I left and a new front tyre when I came back.

[@WJRobbins125]

"Farkles" I'm stealing that one! 🤣

[@jps8941]

Another great tip I got some very experienced motorcycle traveler go to the dentist and Doctor before you go on your trip make sure all that's taken care of. You wouldn't want to be in a strange state or country and trying to find a dentist or doctor.

[@milolabrett6549]

The best tip that I’ve got from you was totally soaking a T-Shirt extreme heat, we came out of mountain weather from Calgary 15C morning half way to Medicine Hat its 40C+. Gassed up, the boys were complaining, so told them to totally soak their T-Shirts to be the remedy at every stop that was the remedy in 40C+. I just think around 90F. I don’t know that system measure well.

[@jamesdumas6602]

Craig, I think you misunderstood the original idea about stealth camping, I don't think it was about treaspassing on Private Property. My take on it is, using my Dual Sport bike to ride off the pavement through the weeds and trees on the shoulders of the roads to access a secluded area out of sight of passing traffic. State or Federal government property.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I could be wrong and I am sure that there are many different approaches. If a rider is camping legally on federal or state land, cool. But if they are not camping in locations where it is permitted to do so and damaging forest land or trespassing, that is not cool.

[@GwenMotoGirl]

Right! Stealth camping is not trespassing on private/posted property.

[@RKA11S]

Good advice. Man I can smell those craftsman screw drivers in my living room😮 IYKYK.

[@msghazi]

I'm heading to Newfoundland from Edmonton, AB on Saturday. We do have some long days as I am time-limited. Unfortunately I'm too young to be retired, so we work with what we have. lol

[@kevinison3740]

I almost learned the hard way about keeping hydrated... almost passed out from heat while riding... a litre of water helped to relievs that after a while... but still was a weird dangerous moment...

[@janSlon-nw1kr]

very good advices. 👍 I have been riding, camping and traveling on motorcycles since I was 16 years old. I am now 68 years old and still travel and love camping with my motorcycle. Sometimes very long distances, Montreal / Las Vegas with great heat, sometimes in cold places like Labrador, 1 degree centigrade in July (34 far.) I was always prepared accordingly. Depending on the circumstances, under my motorcycle jacket: heated jacket or refreshing jacket. If I was having one piece of advice to give to Americans: stop thinking that you need huge mammoth motorcycles to travel! I currently ride a Suzuki V strom XT 650 cc. and I am very happy with that bike. Very comfortable and reliable.

[@janSlon-nw1kr]

i perfectly agree with you to ride about 300 miles a day, 500 KM. . That's smart! I ride and travel on a motorcycle since i was 16 and i still love to ride in my 60 ies. In my life, i was a tour guide. Many people were buying the trip that was having the most different things to visit in a day forgetting that the more you put stuff in a day the less time you have to visit them. You have only 2 weeks to travel ? Don't put too much km in a day. Give yourself one or two days off. Good chance that It will rain hard at least one day during your trip. Personnally, i enjoy to camp in a campground, there are everywhere. The material that i use for camping is very high quality, very lightweight and very compact. I sleep perfectly in a tent since i was a teenager. Great and smart advices that you give. Always wear all the gears all the times. It is a very hot day? My t shirt under my armour will be wet. Ride smart. I bought your t shirt, It took 2 weeks to arrive but it arrive! 🙂

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Sorry, I have no control over that. The shirts are made as they are ordered.

[@FortunateXpat]

I never ride more than 5 hrs in a day. I like to also take my time and sightsee. Also, I don’t want to be tied down to a schedule so I wait until mid day to check hotels for my next stop.

[@SHHHMotoTravels]

Thanks for putting out this video for the tips. !! We are leaving on our x-country tour in May for 5 months, with a 1 month float on the end… just in case !! Haha We are glad to hear that we have planned in-line with some of those tips …. But I just picked up a couple more tips. Thanks.

[@hershchat]

(3) on our LONG east west interstates, leave early heading west, and vice versa. (2) even if it takes longer, ride off the super slab. You’ll be less tired end of day (4) AGAT: all gear all of the time (1) don’t be shy about CHEAP motels, and make sure you cover their pillow with a clean shirt. I also take a silk sheet (packs down, and keeps out dust mites) to put between me and the cover. (5) Stop at least every 150 miles (6) Share your GPS location with someone (7) don’t change oil in the parking lot of dealership in Las Cruces, NM

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I agree with #7...

[@hershchat]

Thought you might. We’ll miss your pics with your father this time. 🕉🪔✝️

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you, I will too...but I am sure he will be riding with me.

[@jblue1299]

What happened in Las Cruces ?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

@@jblue1299 I borrowed a plastic oil pan form a dealer to change my oil. It was 104 plus the oil was hot, so when I tried to move the oil to the side, the pan folded and I spilled some oil in their parking lot. I felt bad, but the manager was madder at the guys who gave me the cheap pan.

[@richpuller1348]

I have a suggestion for a trip. I see a ton of KZbinrs doing trips. I have not seen anyone go around all 5 of the Great Lakes in one shot.

[@onerugrat]

appreciate your channel, I; getting ready to go from Philly to tail of the dragon this summer, really has me thinking about some gear I need and planning

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you! Have a great time on your trip.

[@jps8941]

Great video helpful tips I'm planning a month long ride in June to the Pacific ocean from Ontario Canada to British Columbia Canada. One of my biggest challenges is to stop and smell the roses. With this trip I decided to prioritize where I wanted to spend the most time, so the places I don't want to spend I ride a lot more just so that I can get it done in a month. Something else I did to slow myself down and smell the roses is that i booked some sightseeing tours in the places I'm going. The idea being that I won't be spending all the time just riding I'll be forced to stop and see some of the beautiful sights in the area.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Good idea to do the sightseeing trips! Have a great trip.

[@mikewest5796]

Some great tips here. In the planning stages of my 2023 trip from Florida to Deadhorse. Being retired, I have the time (planning 6 weeks) but the lodging costs are what’s gonna be the biggest hurdle. While I do enjoy moto-camping, there’s no way I’d do it for that long.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Mix it up and a do some of each.

[@lesduffey6032]

Thought you were Mitch over at Hard Intentions for a second there.

[@5891jonathan]

Good suggestions. Everyone is different, though. For example, I can’t imagine riding with music, so the suggestion of a long playlist is wasted on me. And each of us has our favorite gear combinations. That said, these broad categories of suggestions are really helpful.

[@TechnMoto]

I stop every 100 miles too for the same reasons. I don’t plan much. I figure out where I want to go and then go lol. Maybe I should plan more 🤔 good info thanks. I would love to ride with you guys but I can’t do camping due to medical equipment I need to plug in. When I do trips I have to always account for the cost of hotels. Not that you would have me 😂

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

We won't be camping 100%, in fact there are more hotel nights, but we like to mix it up. We would be happy to meet up if we are going to be in your area. Send me an email with you location and we can see if you schedules will work.

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Lots of great tips Craig from you & everyone else...thank you. With regards to stealth camping, I live in a rural area and own 20 acres of land. I would be very upset to have someone come onto my property and set up camp without my permission, HOWEVER, If a motorcyclist asked me if they could set up for a night or two, I would be happy to oblige and do what ever I could to make their stay comfortable ( some water, firewood, local knowledge of the area, etc) and maybe even a home-cooked meal & cold beer.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Exactly. If you can get permission, cool, but trespassing is not...

[@jeffpalmer5502]

Hey Craig, been a while. Great video I agree with everything you said and all the contributors as well. I have my 2013 cross country and getting tires brakes and a new starter as we speak, 83,000 and still running strong. How about that new Indian pursuit? I think that’s a Victory for Indian if you get my drift! :-) Ride on my friend!🍻

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks! The Challenger and Pursuit do seem to have a lot of Victory DNA.

[@ichbinmartin]

I would add lot of don'ts to these great advices: Don't hesitate and GO! Don't drive on the highways, bypass them completely. You'd better take the country roads. You really don't need a clean set of clothings every day. Realize that once they all get dirty anyway, and washing so many things at once is worse than washing one set every night or every other night. Cotton things stink quickly and dry slowly. Get sports ones. You don't need cameras. YT is full of videos, even very nice ones. Nobody's really curious about yours, thousands in a row. Even you yourself will never watch them. You don't need to look at your phone while driving, put it in your pocket. In case you get lost, pull over and look at the road. Otherwise, look at the road signs and the scenery. You don't need a tankbag. Of course you can take water, but you don't need to eat and drink while driving, you'd better stop every hour and a half, get off the bike and take a 5-10 minute break. You don't have to have a wallet like the cashier in the old movies. Put your money, essential documents and essential cards in a small wallet and always carry it in the inside pocket of your jacket. If you don't live on the desert, pack a rain cover. Don't book your accommodation in advance. Just an hour before you arrive, see for yourself where to stay or if the weather will be bad and change your plans. The less stuff you have, the more controllable the bike, the more comfortable the ride, and the more you can leave it anywhere without fear. Instead of aiming to cover as many kilometres as possible, aim to pack as little stuff as possible. Try, for example, that instead of packing in a cases and various additional bags, you pack in a backpack and carry it on your back at all times, even when riding. See how little you really need! The best way to learn is from your own mistakes. So do it your way, but if you are a beginner, make a note every night how many axes you have ridden, where you have ridden, what all you really but really needed to solve, eat, drink, dress, or use on the bike. And also what you didn't need at all, or used just because you had it and it was stupid not to grab it during the whole ride.

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

One hour or 100 miles is our stop interval on long trips.

[@blackbiker1961]

I had to drop the group I was riding with just to many problems of when to go where to and I have to hurry up and get back because my wife said so. Now I ride by myself and I refuse to ride with anyone. My next big ride is Route 66.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Great way to present trip advise, using standout tips by experienced riders. Excellent video! The tips are right on too!

[@SteelHorseman]

Ride on my BMW brother!!

[@UnapologeticAhole]

Long motorcycle trips are physically and mentally demanding. Try and be in good physical condition.

[@kevinneal117]

Just start…din’t let perfect be the enemy of great.

[@bulgingbattery2050]

На таком велосипеде вы проедете через всю Россию, от европейской границы до самой восточной части Сибири.

[@richardanderson4916]

I'm trying to figure out which cartoon character this gentleman looks like. I can't quite place it.🤔

[@MaxFromSydney1]

Riders don’t need a KZbin series of increasingly longer trips. Do it yourself. Stop being so worried about making mistakes, folks. I can’t believe some people who need to be told every tip and trick, every great piece of equipment and riding apparel to buy, and every great road to ride before they set off on their bike trip. C’mon! Life is supposed to be an adventure.

[@NickCurcio-c7n]

Agree, there's never a perfect plan or time to do it, just gotta pack the bike up and leave the driveway

[@g2bold174]

Toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser are non negotiable.

[@bradboustead1682]

March 2024. The ads leading into your video were a Mountain Dew ad, and Biden asking for a donation.🤷

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I have no control over that...

[@bradboustead1682]

@@LivingOffTheSlab I'm aware, just letting you know for the entertainment of it.

[@balijoko]

Please Indonesia subtitle language

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Ok, I have added subtitle in several languages.

[@timnye718]

I love the advice but I just don't know what all these people do that they can afford those 1 month, 2 month, or longer trips. Unless you are rich or retired rich these types of trips are just not in the cards for many of us. I am thankful for long weekend trips. I don't have a sponsor, or someone to bankroll my travel, and really don't care to watch travel videos of those who do. That is just not the real world.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

The secret is to work for 45 years, just like everybody else, saving money for retirement along the way. We humans are pretty good at accomplishing things if we really set our minds to. By the way, nobody sponsors my trips.