part 2 of 3 of post from ADV
Motorcycle Farkles:
Cyclops head light failed. Came apart. Light separated from clip that holds it in place. MacGyver fix for rest of trip.
Admore light bar failed. Screws holding cover on pulled out the plastic post they were attached to. Now glued and held together with 2 zip ties.
SW Motech crash bars
Highway pegs mounted on crash bars. ā Critical for longer days allowing different riding positions.
Go Cruise Throttle Lock ā Simple and inexpensive, but valuable to allow letting go with right hand to prevent cramping.
Denali DM2 aux lights
Mirror Extenders ā conflicted with used OEM hand guards I got and did not get work-a-round prior to leaving.
Madstadd Screen. Eliminates buffeting and some of wind off chest, but still lots of air flow on chest and helmet as screen is narrow.
Corbin Seat ā Allowed long days in saddle without problems. I would not have finished first day with horrible stock seat.
Givi 33 ltr Trekker side cases and 52 ltr Trekker top case. Durable and ability to partially open top of side case while on bike prevents spills, but off bike can completely open like a suitcase. They had 50,000 miles of use on my NC prior to this trip and I would buy them again.
Tutoro Chain Oiler ā My second one as I have one on NC. Love the simplicity and it works. This time had a problem with the flow adjustment screw backing out making a mess on rear wheel and back of bike. Will contact Tutoro for fix. My other one has never done this. A tiny drop every few seconds using 2 oz over 1,000 miles is far superior for chain wear than once a day lube. Properly adjusted will not make a mess. Works by gravity and road vibration. Without road vibration will discharge nothing. (Good idea to close valve is trailering.)
Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS. 10 years old and works. Canāt hold maps for all of U.S. and Canada so set up for west of Mississippi. Only issue I have is it doesnāt have blue tooth to hear directions when moving. My Tomtom Rider screen fogged up and I havenāt been able to find a replacement screen. Really like the Tomtom, but $400 for another one after this problem with screen isnāt going to happen. Updated maps just prior to trip and disappointed in how many places such as gas or restaurants were just plain wrong. A reported gas stop in 20 miles that turns out to be a pasture can be a problem.
Dual USB outlet in dash with volt meter. Wired through relay to come on with ignition. Run GPS from it and can charge something in tank bag or run cable to Pack Talk with second outlet. Versys has a small alternator but volt meter never below 14 v with heated gear at full, extra lights and a couple items charging such as my jumper battery under seat.
Jump Battery ā Battery capable of jump starting but primarily used as power for phone or computer in tent. Would recharge from motorcycle while riding.
PDM 60 power distribution module. Switched power with digital overload protection. No fuses, if circuit trips just cycle engine power and it resets. Can program trip point for each lead. Much better than standard fuse power distribution.
Power outlet for heated gear from under seat
Un-switched power outlet under seat for accessories like air compressor or with USB plug for charging items when bike is off. Typically charged my communicator and camera under seat overnight. Started leaving lead sticking out from under seat when riding so I didnāt have to take gear off back seat to get to it for something like air compressor. USB plug has 2 outlets and volt meter. Voltmeter switches to ammeter when charging so you can see how much current going to items being charged.
The one thing I wish I had installed is hand guards. Many small rocks thrown by cars on gravel and they stung through gloves. Would have been warmer / dryer in bad weather.
Of all the things I could have left behind, spare flashlight batteries was at top of list as flashlight got little use with long daylight most of trip. Did not use one spare battery.
Camping:
Tent ā Coleman Expedition Phad 3 ā Unfortunately Coleman failed to convince customers they could make higher end camping equipment and this line is no longer available in U.S. It may still be available in Europe where it was more popular. The advantage of this tent is a large vestibule. I can sit inside the vestibule in my REI low chair and make coffee in the rain. Also the fly stays attached when stored so setting it up in rain the fly is keeping the interior dry. I bought it after reading a review in ADVrider.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/coleman-phad-x3-review.270297/ One of my poles was held together with duct tape but I found a source for a new one prior to trip. If you need a pole for any tent, contact tentpoletechnologies.com Gave them number of sections, total length, diameter and what type end on each end of pole. Arrived in 3 working days. Coleman was ZERO HELP
Chair ā REI Flex Lite ā Major increase in camping comfort and small and light to pack. 2 issues. Small feet will sink into soft soil. Pull string opening on bag a touch too small and hard to get in bag. Walmart now sells a similar one under Ozark Trail name for fraction of cost. I have had good luck with the brand but have not tried this chair.
Coffee ā I need my morning coffee and 90% of stove use is boiling water for coffee. I have a GSI Commuter Java Press. It is a press pot and mug in one so no extra item to pack other than mug. Works well and has provided many hundreds of cups of coffee for me.
Sleeping Bag ā Nemo Disco 15 allows me to sleep on side and stay warm below freezing without being too hot if a bit warmer outside. Waterproof treated down.
Sleeping pad ā Therm-a-rest Prolite Sleeping Pad 1ā thick small pack size. A little thicker would be nicer.
Stove ā I have an Optimus stove that screws on top of propane bottle. It used more than twice the gas to heat water as Nukeās JetBoil so I am seriously considering replacing. Small propane bottles were not easy to find. The large ones for small grills were common but the backpacking sizes were not. Canadian Tire a good place to find them in Canada. With his more efficient stove it was not an issue for Nuke.
Cot ā At TOK campground a fellow inmate had an Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot. I am considering purchasing one for next trip. Light, packs reasonably small, plenty long and wide, off ground and comfortable.