What to Bring: Also
See What to Wear. We've put a
few suggestions together below. Some of which is related to
multi-day and single day tours.
Tour Safety:
DOT Helmets are required by Nevada
State Law. Non-DOT helmets such as "Beanie Helmets" or
"Novelty Helmets" are not permitted under any circumstances
on the tour and are illegal.
What to Bring:
Single-Day Tour Suggestions
What to bring on a motorcycle tour with VVMT. That's a
fair question and it will depend how long of a journey we
are talking about. What you need,
what's desired and what will fit on a motorcycle is a
balancing act. For starters, I would suggest
try keeping it as light as possible since most of our
time is going to be spent on our bikes.
Lock: Since we'll be with the bike most of
time, it really isn't necessary except for what is on
the motorcycle such as the steering lock.
Ear Plugs: These can be cheap and small,
fitting into your pocket. Many hours of loud pipes and
hammering wind is hard on your hearing. Also, it seems
to give riders a bit more of a secure ride when noise
levels are pushed down to a minimum.
Water Bladder: People may not realize just
how much water the body uses while driving a motorcycle,
easily becoming dehydrated.
One way to deal with this is the
water bladder, which can be tucked away in a
Cruiser Tank Bag or Saddle Bag.
Spare Key:
Never travel without a spare key
somewhere on your person. It will not do you much good
if your key gets broke or lost, if it's at home. Ask the
rental shop for a spare. If you loose your key, and it
happens, then what?
Misc. Electronics: Camera & Batteries,
Charger, SD Card: You may be able to plug a charger into
your AUX power supply if you run dry during the trip.
Tire Pump: We happen to to carry a
Cycle Pump with
tire plugs and accessories just in case of a fixable
flat. Anyone on the tour would be welcomed to use it, if
needed.
Tow Strap: We've never had to use one but a
tie-down-strap could be used as a method to tow in the
case of an emergency.
Maps: Each day, each participant will be
given maps of our days intended journey.
Tires: Make sure your bike isn't starting out
with tires that are 1/2 wore out, not a good idea. By
the time we get back you'll have them wore out
completely from the twisties.
Air Pressure: Just because you have a rental,
check the air pressure.
Communication: We use BlueAnt Interphone
Bluetooth motorcycle communication devices, which
unfortunately only work between 2 devices, you can
however, use it for cell
phones such as to call a guide... Here is
a write-up on the devices if you'd like to have
further information. They are only about $120 at Amazon.
You can use it for dialing the cell phone but since the
device can communicate with bike to bike communication
up to about 500 meters, no cell phone usage is needed
for the most part if you are paired up. If not, just
call on the cell phone and we can pickup on the road.
Sunglasses / Goggles: Helmets that come with
rental
motorcycles are open face style. You'll need eye
protection, so be it glasses or sun glasses, or
goggles
you'll need eye protection - it is state law. There are
kinds that work with helmets and wind and some that
don't.
What to Bring: Multi-Day Tour
Suggestions
Our needs are certainly
different for 3 or 4 days of riding. What to wear including
rain gear, gloves, jackets and so forth are cover here, - "What
to Wear".
Ear Plugs: Once again, most people would never think to
bring a pair of ear plugs until you've hit the road for
a few days and wonder what is happening to your hearing.
The wind can be a source of hammering noise. These are
small and fit in your pocket. Bring a couple pair since
they seem to get lost easily.
Water Bladder: People may not realize just
how much water the body uses while driving a motorcycle,
easily becoming dehydrated.
One way to deal with this is the
water bladder, which can be tucked away in a
Cruiser Tank Bag or Saddle Bag.
Spare Key:
Never travel without a spare key
somewhere on your person. It will not do you much good
if your key gets broke or lost, if it's at home. Ask the
rental shop for a spare. If you loose your key, and it
happens, then what?
Spare Leavers: This is a biggie: Just when
you think you've got it down pat, the bike hits the
pavement while doing a slow turn about in a parking lot.
Or for some other unknown reason the motorcycle falls
straight over to the pavement. Ok, what is likely to
happen? Hopefully not more than than a clutch or brake
leaver. In the unfortunate circumstance of braking this,
you'll have the extra part instead of being out of
business until a shop opens, IF there is one in the
neighborhood. Since most of the rental bikes have engine
protectors, you may not loose a foot peg. If you're
riding your own bike and don't have an engine protector,
give consideration to picking up spare leavers and pegs.
- See safety.
Tow Strap: We've never had to use one but a
tie-down-strap could be used as a method to tow in the
case of an emergency.
Misc. Electronics: Camera & Batteries,
Charger, SD Card: You may be able to plug a charger into
your AUX power supply if you run dry during the trip.
Cable Lock: 6' cable of some sort that is strong
enough to run it through your bikes at night.
Tire Pump: We happen to to carry a
Cycle Pump with
tire plugs and accessories just in case of a fixable
flat on a tubeless tire. Anyone on the tour would be welcomed to use it, if
needed.
Air Pressure: Just because you have a rental,
check the air pressure each day.
Maps: Each day, each participant will be
given maps of our days intended journey.
Tires: Make sure your bike isn't starting out
with tires that are 1/2 wore out, not a good idea. By
the time we get back you'll have them wore out
completely from the twisties.
Communication: We use BlueAnt Interphone
Bluetooth motorcycle communication devices, which
unfortunately only work between 2 devices, you can
however, use it for cell
phones such as to call a guide... Here is
a write-up on the devices if you'd like to have
further information. They are only about $120 at Amazon.
You can use it for dialing the cell phone but since the
device can communicate with bike to bike communication
up to about 500 meters, no cell phone usage is needed
for the most part if you are paired up. If not, just
call on the cell phone and we can pickup on the road.
Sunglasses / Goggles: Helmets that come with
rental
motorcycles are open face style. You'll need eye
protection, so be it glasses or sun glasses, or
goggles
you'll need eye protection - it is state law. There are
kinds that work with helmets and wind and some that
don't.
Vegas Valley Motorcycle Guided Tours -
(702) 217-4037