Long-distance travel spare parts

Hooper,

+ Hardware: Bolts coming loose and sometimes falling off is somewhat common for me; some critical, some not so much. I'd get a whole mess of the common M6/M8 fasteners used on most of the fairings and auxiliaries. Tube of loctite. Many of us have lost a center stand or side stand bolt, which I have spares for now. Loosing the center stand bolt would be a critical failure if you have to do roadside maintenance. Hose clamps are always handy.
+ Pepper!!! Like the cheap ground black stuff. I just used this to seal a leaky radiator and it almost completely plugged the leak(s).
+ Fuses: 10's, 15's and 20's are the most common to blow.
+ Tire repair: Absolutely. I also carry a CO2 air chuck system. You could also buy a tiny electric pump but there still bulky and heavy. Valve stem puller, too.
+ Battery pack/ Starter: The large batteries that double as jump starters are pretty good these days, plus charging electronics in a pinch. I recommend 'Project Farm' on Youtube who did a great test of some of the popular ones available.
+ Headlamp: Like a camping one that can fit over a helmet or can clip on to a jacket/pocket.
+ Fuel System Cleaner: I'm a big fan of a can of Seafoam in the tank from time to time. If you get some sketchy fuel, might help out.
+ Chain Maintenance: Clean and break/connect links. A spare chain might not even be a bad idea if you'll be off-roading. At least a section of good chain in the event you break a link.
+ Electrical Repair: Some 8-12 gauge looms, splicers and a test light.
- Bulbs: I'd just shift to all LED's. Less draw on the electrical system and very low failure rate.
- Oxygen Sensors: I guess they don't take up a lot of room but I don't think they actually fail very often. Many of us who have troubleshoot issues that normally lead to bad O2's have found them not to be the issue. Pretty easy to clean them on the road in a pinch, too.
- Starter motor: You'd have to crack the left side engine case, seal it, let it cure...You're not repairing this on the side of a road. You'd have to recycle the oil or have fresh stuff on hand.

Meant to say 18-12 gauge wire for the Electrical stuff

I thought about the same thing, doing multiple 5,000 mile trips here in North America over the next few years. My history with the bike (random failures) and reading about similar failures here for the past few years talked me out of it. The HS (I have a 2014 821) isn't a GS: it isn't designed for long, unsupported trips, especially if you're planning lengthy off-road segments. My opinion, and $5, will buy you coffee at Starbucks, but I'm throwing it out here, anyway. Best to you on your trip!

While I would consider my Strada reliable (2013), it definitely is light on the Grand Adventure side. Even with poor man's cruise control, plenty of storage, upgraded suspension and a couple seats to choose from, multiple 800+ mile days would destroy me.

spare clutch cable

I've put on about 38,000 touring miles and have had only a few things happen:
headlight burn out - of course you only notice at night LOL. Replaced with evetech style LED (sharp cutoff and emulates filament for good focus)
chain adjustment
hose clamps loosen allowing coolant drips
bag snagged on bollard - had extra straps to secure it.
flat tire: rope plug/razor/compressor on the road in 15 minutes
keep an eye on oil

That's it. I rode with a guy who would wipe his bike down every evening and I teased him a bit, but he explained that by doing that he touched everything and could catch loose stuff before it was a problem. Good tip even if not wiped everyday.

I carry a compressor/plug kit and a jump starter (can also be a charger for phone etc, but I have another pack for that) Wired a cable to the battery so I don't have to carry bulky clamps
Knipex - 2 sizes - takes the place of most wrenches.
3/8" ratchet with socket for chain adjust/ chain adjust tool/small chain brush(helical)
magnetic 1/4 hex attachment - short bits (look at pedal hex size etc..) and a couple of long ones for headlamp replacement.Small 1/4" hex screw driver handle
small vice grip in case lever breaks: have folding levers hand and foot to try and avoid this
wire stripper/cutter -
zip ties, loctite, gorrilla tape, that silicon self adhesive tape for possible hose leaks/extra straps/fuses/spare tire valve inserts/lint.....
Leatherman

Probably a few other things - all pretty compact - many never used.

I'd pull those 24mm fairing things off - I've ridden without them with no problem - but if you want to access the coolant filler or front fuse box - they are a pain.

I do have a couple of screw type master links a small length of chain and a compact breaker - never had any issue with the chain though

I tested a CO2 but you have one shot and need a lot to get a tire filled. I do carry a back-up hand pump in addition to the small compressor - a mini floorstander - handy for a top up. Converted all my stems to angled.

It's a solid sturdy bike and should - with minimal care - be just fine.

Oh Yeah - I got a air of padded bicycle shorts and my delicate buttocks are pain and squirm free. So simple - so much could have been avoided.

Yep. Made 4 hours somewhat bearable.

hoopertard said:

@rldixon I know what you mean. Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, and pooling together many other opinions helps me make mine.

But it's funny how heavily one's feeling of reliability is based on subjective, recent experience, coupled with any incidental pain that created. If 1,000 other people had no problems, but your motorcycle suddenly caught fire and set your pants on fire, then you (justifiably) would have no faith in it. The first five people you tell would be pretty alarmed, too! They'd say "Well, I've never had any problems, but there's this guy I know whose pants were set on fire..."

Anyway, for me, if I sold my 2014 Hyper, for the money I could probably get
* A 2015/2016 V-Strom 650 with lower kms
* A BMW G650GS (couldn't quite stretch to the F800GS, which I'd prefer)
* An old R1150GS (don't want that — people say they're the devil to work on; R1200 was a big jump)
* A well-sorted KLR (I've always wanted to be a KLR guy but honestly they just don't really excite me)
* A 2012-2014 Triumph Scrambler in stock trim (boring, and similarly inappropriate for distance)

I'd also be out one nearly-sorted-out Hyper (has some fuelling issues to deal with).

On the other hand, even though a Hyper might give me the odd sore spot, I don't ride a motorcycle because it's comfortable. One day I'll be a Goldwing/Valkyrie guy (tbh Valkyries look freaking cool), but I'm not there yet.

Click to expand...

Of course, we are all subject to bias, and this forum, any dedicated forum really, will attract reports of failures/problems more than anything else. Nobody posts "Hey, today my bike started right up and took me 500 miles without a hiccup", and yet, that's the vast majority of experiences. The real issue is tail risk: how confident are you the bike won't quit someplace where you'll have to spend $500 to get it towed for a repair. I'm reasonably confident that won't happen, but not highly confident with my HS. Also, I'm in Los Angeles, and while there are several Ducati dealerships in the general area, there are not several great Ducati dealerships, and sub-par experiences have biased me, as well.

Longer rides was exactly what I was thinking when I bought the HS, and it has served well on several 1,000 mile trips, but never "that far" off the beaten path. The longest day I've done is only 440 miles, and the HS was really comfortable, no complaints there, at all. There are not many (any?) good alternatives at this price/features point.

If I was leaving the US or Europe - I'd buy a honda for sure.