Hi everyone, I would like to know how many of the members here tour their SM or TBAs? I bought my first bike an 04 America four months ago and after the MSF course I have logged about a 1000 miles a month. I purchased the bike from my best friend and I agreed with him that this would be a great bike to learn on. However, I find myself busting at the seams wanting to really take some long trips but I have yet to feel that me and the America is up to it. I have spent two 7+ hour days on the bike and I find myself seriously suffering for the last two or three hours.
Just to give you a taste of how I do things, I love riding my bicycle and in the first 4 months of owning it, I was riding 100-200 mile weekends. Just riding around town is ok but taking my bicycle from Charlotte to the coast sounds a lot more fun. Believe me when I say I can take pain and suffering.
So back to the Motorcycle, in between the hunched over position and my tail bone going numb, I find the America a real challenge to put in the miles. Also I purchased a Givi windscreen and it does a good job, but I still feel the wind above 65 mph tiring.
Last but not least is getting the America ready for a long trip. I would like to have at least a heated vest, heated grips, set of extra driving lights and a GPS. It seems from what I have read that Triumph has put a fairly weak alternator in these bikes. So I am starting to worry that I am going to be limited in which extras I can have. Luggage is also starting to be an issue. I would like to have some hard case lockable luggage. I have seen the luggage offered at NewBonneville.com but at 600 bucks + paint, I don’t like it compared to what you get with GIVI and other companies.
So what equipment do you all use and what suggestion do you have for doing long trips?
Thanks,
