Am planning a long (and painful) trip on my new (stock) 2007 Z1000 within a couple of weeks. Am just starting to plan what to take, but the most important thing will be a tent...a small tent. Anyone have any suggestions for what kind/brand of tent fits best on a bike. All I need is a single or just big enough for two. Not that two are using it, but certainly good one day

I did a few searches and found a few threads that were quite old. Just wondering if anyone has updated experiences with any tents and how small they can pack down.

Any additional advise for a long trip would be greatly appreciated as well!

Thank you very much and I found this site to be an excellent resource!

My biggest suggestion is to invest in a luggage rack (I don't know of any but some people have discussed them on this forum), and not use a backpack. I used a backpack for a trip about 400 miles long and my shoulders were in so much pain by the end. And I would bring some earplugs, an mp3 player, and rain gear. Have fun and good luck!

I live in NJ (05 Z1K), but keep a zrx1200s in the UK for long distance touring. After tryng a number of alternatives both my brother(04 Z1K in the Uk) and I have settled on a large Hard topbox (Givi)on a good rack. We can do a week to 10 days with a the topbox and a medium tank bag. It may not look the best, but seems to have less impact on handling than for instance panniers. We also filter(lane split) in Europe, so after market panniers sometimes make it a tight squeeze between the cagers.
We take the Tankbags with us when away from the bikes.
I wear earplugs all the time as as I have slipons on both bikes.
I have lightweight rain gear that will roll up and fit under the the rear cowl on the Z1K. In the summer I wear mesh jacket and pants (Firstgear)and if its real cool will put on the rain gear. I also have a cycling wind/water proof jacket that I can put under my mesh early and late in the day. It rolls up less than a tennis ball so it also goes under the cowl.
I generally take thin dark clothes, so I can wear them more than once. We also get very creative with washing and drying the underwear. As I wear sidi's I also take a simple light pair of shoes.
It's all a quesion of managing the weight and space.
We generally ride on secondry roads at a good rate of progress(80 to 100 mph outside of the vilages and towns) to enjoy the twisties rather than the freeways, so we take a break every 1.5 to 2 hours.
Good luck with the long ride.

Originally Posted by daniel-son

My biggest suggestion is to invest in a luggage rack (I don't know of any but some people have discussed them on this forum), and not use a backpack. I used a backpack for a trip about 400 miles long and my shoulders were in so much pain by the end. And I would bring some earplugs, an mp3 player, and rain gear. Have fun and good luck!

I agree. DO NOT bring a backpack. I'd strongly recommend getting a nice tank bag. It's a life saver after riding in the wind for 500 miles to be able to lean onto the tank bag (and it also carries stuff)

If you bring a back pack, bunge net it to the back. Make sure you use painter's tape to protect the parts of the rear where the cords may rub against.

A pair of padded cycling shorts

Originally Posted by G-Panzer

A pair of padded cycling shorts

+1

And don't wear underwear under them... the cotton/poly will stay wet and leave you raw, while the shorts alone will wick away the wetness and the gel padding will be a welcome extra!
<--- see that avatar photo... I'm wearing them under those jeans!!!

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

+1

And don't wear underwear under them... the cotton/poly will stay wet and leave you raw, while the shorts alone will wick away the wetness and the gel padding will be a welcome extra!
<--- see that avatar photo... I'm wearing them under those jeans!!!

TMI lol

Where can I find a pair of these, a sporting goods store I suppose? How much are they?

Yellowfinch, this long trip, it wouldn't happen to be Sturgis would it?

I got mine at D!ck's Sporting Goods for about $30-$35 if I remember correctly. They are in the bicycle area and not with the clothing... They have cheaper ones, but I wanted the ones that used multi-piece gel padding. It is supposed to contour better than the one piece.

You should get one of those sheepskin covers for the seat and ride in STYLE.

Seriously though, dont forget the water. Have a look at camelbacks when you're at Dicks.

Originally Posted by Subw00er

You should get one of those sheepskin covers for the seat and ride in STYLE.

A new level of squidism

Originally Posted by Jason 306

TMI lol

Where can I find a pair of these, a sporting goods store I suppose? How much are they?

Yellowfinch, this long trip, it wouldn't happen to be Sturgis would it?

Yes, Stugis it is...cruising from Central MN to go. Looking forward to it, but know I will be soar as heck!

Originally Posted by yellowfinch11

Yes, Stugis it is...cruising from Central MN to go. Looking forward to it, but know I will be soar as heck!

I'll be there as well, keep ur eye peeled for a Titanium Z with 2 bros exhaust. Minnesota huh? Well, I'll be riding from Ohio, so you should feel lucky!

Originally Posted by Jason 306

I'll be there as well, keep ur eye peeled for a Titanium Z with 2 bros exhaust. Minnesota huh? Well, I'll be riding from Ohio, so you should feel lucky!

Cool! I will be sure to keep a watch out for you. Going by yourself?

We stay the nights in Deadwood and hang out there quit a bit. Lot less wild there and we can sit on the main drag and watch bikes go up and down while smoking cigars.

+1 on getting something to cushion your rear, done 600 miles in 2 days last week with no protetion and a standard seat! still in pain!! Cycling shorts with a padded ar*e would be a good bet, think i'll try that one aswell!!