Trip Preparation (The Bike)

The bike I am taking on this trip (2007 Honda ST1300) has about 76,000 miles registered on the odometer.  And while it has a full coverage warranty through February 2014 (hey that's next year), you can't always depend on finding a Honda dealer on the road. 

So, the bike has had an oil and filter change.  The front and rear brake pads have been checked (replaced the front and left the rear pads in). and the tires have been replaced.  The front tire was down to less than 2/32 of an inch tread depth and the rear tire, while it had plenty of tread,  had a nail embedded in the tread so it was replaced as well. 

While I was removing the tires (I take them on and off but let a dealer mount them), I also checked the mechanical aspects for loose parts, weir looking pieces or other anomalies.  Also the bike will be cleaned which includes the lights and windscreen and major body parts.  This not only makes the bike look good, buy you end up putting your hands on every part of the bike which will so any loose parts or other unexpected issues.

Next I will attempt to change the air filter, check the fluid levels and say its ready. 

Finally the electronics will be checked and verified.  All the audio parts go through a single system made by AUTOCOM.  This includes the GPS (which contains the music, books, and XM radio) and the CB Radio.  The system also includes a rider to passenger intercom.  On nice feature is that the AUTOCOM system also includes an automated volume system based on ambient noise.  As the outside noise increase, so does the system volume.

One item built into the GPS is a method of interfacing the GPS with a cell phone via Bluetooth.  This has proved handy on the road, primarily for finding places to eat and on occasion, communicating with home.  You want to try it out sometime, call the cell phone number on the department's contact card.  Just remember the time zones and the lack of cell phone service in some remote areas.

Tools

I only have minimal tools on the  bike.  A multi-knife, a volt ohm meter, two Allen wrenches, an emergency tire repair kit (tire plugs and CO2 cylinders for inflation), duct tape, electrical tape, and spare fuses.

Spare Parts

Apart from the fuses, none, with the exception of spare earphones.