[wspollack]

How often is replacement interval ?
Buying OE or match at bearing house ?
Curious - David

Well, this was on a 650, not a 400, and I can't find the mileage, but let's say somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 miles:

Is my MPH to RPM normal for 2006 AN400 ?

But wouldn't mind lowering Hiway RPM. Understand the Dr Pulley 21g sliders might help achieve this goal. In your quest to lower RPMs, don’t forget that peak power is up around 7500 rpm

www.burgmanusa.com

After that, I had the shop replace bearings about every other tire change.

 

[wspollack]

Had a longer testride this weekend - 3 hours of straight highway - and the trust has been built! I'm confident the Burg can cross a continent without issues.

Solid little engine: it's motto could be "6k, all day!" 😎

At 7,000 rpm it gets buzzy, so not really the sweet spot for cruising, but useful to have for passing when needed.

Also, these long straight rides are great to notice every little vibration LOL and the handlebars are giving me too much feedback, and I think it's that front tyre again; linked to the earlier noticed wobbles when hands-free for a moment. It's the previous owner's tyre, and 7 years old - I already have the new one at home but I was thinking to swap it just before the real trip... I might have to do that earlier than planned.

Also, maybe something like the Grip Puppies?

Do they make a difference?

View attachment 101040

I’ve put the puppies on all my bikes, except a bagger that had very large grips. They make the diameter bigger, and they’re softer, even when you’re not in a death grip.

 

[wspollack]

Starting to eye the cargo capacity of the Burgman 400... actually think it's all going to fit on the bike!

View attachment 101069

I'll have to share some lists once it's firmed up.

For now:

• All bike tools and many spares, including v-belt, brake pads, inline fuel filter, lightbulbs, filters, as well as air compressor, booster cables, and all sorts of ABS glue and trickery to keep the Tupperware from falling off, etc.
• Night camping gear: tarp, hammock, bivvy in case I really can't string my hammock, sleeping bag, proper pillow, mattress, extra blanket if I'm feeling lonely, headlamp...
• Day camping gear: mess kit, SoloStove and wind shield, tinder box, wash bucket, Canadian belt knife, wet wipes for 90 days - large and biodegradable, no further comment. Even a folding chair and table! Coffee and tea, with mug. Lots of paracord. Flip-flops to give the old toes some air...
• Beach bag, because I'm a beach bum! Water shoes and goggles, Bengali wrap, towel, and sunscreen. Wish I could bring a spear...
• Blue dry bags for clothes, for cold and warm weather (not including riding gear). The usual underlayers, and presentable, out-on-the-town pants and shirt. Wooly cap and socks, because I know what cold feels like, and how to avoid it...
• Toiletries bag: toothpaste, deodorant, you know, body and hair soap, no fancy conditioner... Beard balm because I'm a hairy ***, but I like to smell good...
• Technology bag, soft protection for tablet and chargers and few other digital wizzamabangs, redundant chargers, cables, and adaptors, as well as solar battery. Cell phone is my lifeline - no compromise on this.
• And lastly, never to be opened, but always at the ready, First Aid / survival kit.

I really think this is all going to fit on the bike first try - the Burgman has a whale of a belly!

Strap a soft bag onto the back, and I reckon this will turn out to be the easiest bike packing endeavour of all! 😎

Stand by and wish me luck!

I can understand the table and chairs, but I think the linen cabinet and all those pillows is a bit excessive.

 

[wspollack]

Yes, trying to minimize the chances of bureaucratic snafus happening!

Other issue is the general insecurity in the region - just yesterday, papers reported protests in Jordan, with angry yobs blocking highways, burning tyres, and throwing stones at passing vehicles... in protest of rising fuel prices. Nothing I can do about that.
...

Yep, good luck, have fun, and be careful out there. I was looking at the US State Dept.'s travel advisories just the other day; FWIW, here's their map:

Travel.State.Gov CSI

travelmaps.state.gov

 

[wspollack]

You might look at some Mosko Moto bags. While not cheap they are ruggard enough for most off roading adventures.

Motorcycle Luggage

Shop Mosko Moto's premier luggage system for long distance or international touring. Locking straps and instructional videos available.

moskomoto.com

And if they’re good enough for Itchy Boots, well, enough said.

 

[wspollack]

Those straps can't interfere with steering, if they move around?

 

[wspollack]

It's a good point. I was sceptical as I tried it, and at first I was intending to mount it atop the rear bag, but actually it seems to be OK. The strap goes around the head and doesn't interfere in the least. It just slides. Is there any test I could do, other than turning left and right, and observing that the movement is fluid?

I don't know, regarding any test. It's just that I've never attached anything that way.

 

[wspollack]

@prossett , a few comments:

- Looks like an excellent collection of stuff, to me. Nice work.

- It's possible I missed this, of course, but I don't see a flashlight. Even if your compressor has a built-in light, I'd also add a hand-held one (with some Energizer lithium batteries in it), because you may not want (or be able) to run the engine.

- I've long been a fan of Knipex parallel-jaw wrenches. I've kept the 7" one in my bike toolkit for a dozen or more years. I'm talking about www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8603150 (www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603250-10-Inch-Pliers-Wrench/dp/B000X4KP1C). This would be in place of or in addition to the vise grips (which don't have those nice parallel jaws).

- Speaking of vise grips, I've read that the smaller needle-nose version makes an acceptable brake lever extension, if clamped down very tightly, if a stock lever breaks off. (OTOH, I did break an Exec stock lever once in a parking lot tip-over, and the cut-out in the stocker worked as intended, i.e., about 3/4 of the original lever remained intact.)

- I don't understand the need for those extra two valve stems, but you're making the trip, not me. Valve cores, sure; very tiny, anyway. (And don't get me started on brands -- see yesterday's post www.burgmanusa.com/threads/dash-flicker.178655/post-1833877 -- before I have a fit.)

That's all I got.

 

[wspollack]

Thank you wspollack ,

Added Knipex to my Amazon save for later so I can price track.
I always thought they were just expensive Channel Locks but now I understand.
That Plier Wrench will be what I look for at Flea Markets and Pawn Shop grab bins.

Just out of curiosity, I searched my email. Check out how long I've been carrying the Knipex (and of course the price has gone up a bit since then, but not like, say, a carton of eggs). I'm guessing this was before Amazon carried them (or maybe before Amazon carried anything):

If I've used them for bike repairs, it has been very infrequently (to the point where I've completely forgotten). I think it's more of a "comfort" item. OTOH, I do know that once or twice a year, I bring them inside the house, for some task for which they seem appropriate.

 

[wspollack]

@prossett :

I await your final pics with interest. I wish you luck and speedy border crossing on your epic adventure.

BTW, my camping gear supplies, for the few multi-day bike trips I do each year: