As mentioned previously, this will be the third major cross-country motorcycle trip for Stewbert and me. As such, the other day I came to the most joyful realization - I don't need to purchase any gear! For the first time I actually have everything that I need to cross the North American continent and return home.
My essential gear consists of, naturally, new tires. I decided on a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart for it's superior wear for the rear tire, and a more aggressive Pirelli Diablo for the front. The Diablo will wear faster than its Dunlop counterpart but is much less likely to lose traction in varying conditions - an essential characteristic of a front tire. Besides, folks, with my Yamaha R1 supersport, the front tire rarely touches the ground anyway!
One of the most intriguing aspects of my and Stewbert's cross-country voyaging is our luggage. One need not be an avid motorcyclist to know that a supersport is not a typical choice for touring. Bags-Connection, a German company that specializes in motorcycle luggage systems, offers products that effortlessly overcome this inconvenience. The Trolleybag is waterproof, track-tested, deceivingly spacious, and even features a pop-out handle and wheels (God forbid I should have to carry it). Roughly the size of airline carryon luggage, the Trolleybag straps easily to the passenger seat of my Yamaha R1, and folks; I do not even know it is there.
More sensitive items like my laptop, camera and iPod are carried in my waterproof backpack, which never leaves my body while on the road. Finally, superior documentation of our travels is made possible by a tank-mount camera system. This allows me the ability to effortlessly snap pictures and video, because, after all, it is nice to have proof that we actually do make these journeys!
- Dan Wegmueller writes a weekly column for the Times, and an annual journal from his summer motorcycle trip. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
My essential gear consists of, naturally, new tires. I decided on a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart for it's superior wear for the rear tire, and a more aggressive Pirelli Diablo for the front. The Diablo will wear faster than its Dunlop counterpart but is much less likely to lose traction in varying conditions - an essential characteristic of a front tire. Besides, folks, with my Yamaha R1 supersport, the front tire rarely touches the ground anyway!
One of the most intriguing aspects of my and Stewbert's cross-country voyaging is our luggage. One need not be an avid motorcyclist to know that a supersport is not a typical choice for touring. Bags-Connection, a German company that specializes in motorcycle luggage systems, offers products that effortlessly overcome this inconvenience. The Trolleybag is waterproof, track-tested, deceivingly spacious, and even features a pop-out handle and wheels (God forbid I should have to carry it). Roughly the size of airline carryon luggage, the Trolleybag straps easily to the passenger seat of my Yamaha R1, and folks; I do not even know it is there.
More sensitive items like my laptop, camera and iPod are carried in my waterproof backpack, which never leaves my body while on the road. Finally, superior documentation of our travels is made possible by a tank-mount camera system. This allows me the ability to effortlessly snap pictures and video, because, after all, it is nice to have proof that we actually do make these journeys!
- Dan Wegmueller writes a weekly column for the Times, and an annual journal from his summer motorcycle trip. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.