5 best ways to enjoy your motorcycle breakdown

Lets face it, we want to ride, not sit by the side of the road, but sometimes Murphy's Law will alter your plans no matter what. Suddenly your motorcycle doesn't make vroom vroom noises anymore or makes new funny ones or perhaps something just broke because an animal wanted to take a high-speed look at your ride. The number of things that can go wrong are as endless as the things that can go right on a motorcycle trip. Before you max out your credit card to drag your ride home always remember the old phrase, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Breakdowns don't have to end your trip

The best way to not have a breakdown ruin your entire trek is to prepare for as much as you can before hand. That said we all know things don't always go as planned. Suddenly you are by the side of the road. I've found the more prepared you are to deal with problems determines if this little side stop might not just turn out to be fun. Here are a few ways to ensure the event is not a disaster and may just become a great story to tell your pals.



1- Take care of yourself first.

You can't solve a problem if you're hungry or thirsty

Unless your bike is in immediate danger the FIRST thing you need to do is relax. If you bike is safely off the road take a break. It seems odd but you'd be amazed how a bad situation can escalate if you rush into fixing it.
Always have a bit of food and water with you. Beef jerky, granola bars and trail mix keep for long periods without refrigeration and can be enough to stave off the hunger angers.
Ask any long distance rider about breakdowns and many times they'll tell you it happens just before your planned meal stop. A bit of food and water will boost your energy and improve your mood while you ponder the situation. Trying to deal with a breakdown while hungry and thirsty rarely ends well. You'll be upset, maybe a bit shakey and not thinking clearly. Take a break, the problem isn't going anywhere. Sometimes help arrives while you are having your snack and you may just have a cool photo opp to share when you get home.

2- Know your bike and don't be afraid to wrench on it.

 












We live in an information world. No matter what you ride their are online forums and groups that are dedicated to your brand and at times even dedicated to your specific model. Before heading out, take time to search those forums and groups. Looks for threads on problems others have incurred. Should you develop the same gremlins on the road some knowledge gleaned from the forums may help you narrow your trouble shooting areas. Even better you may discover a potential problem  and take care of it at home before it halts your trip. Simple things like wires that are frayed due to rubbing and vibration can be very easy to fix while still at home, instead of roadside after they've shorted out.
You don't have to be a red-seal mechanic but a bit of basic understanding of the gizmos, doodads and thing-a-ma-jigs, what they do and how they are attached, will come in handy. Check with local shops. Some put on workshops that cover basic maintanance. If they don't suggest it. In my city of Calgary Universal Cycle has such workshops and even has one just for the ladies.
Get a service manual that can help you learn how to do some of the work yourself and save you money. Just know your limits before you decide to attempt something like a top end rebuild for the first time. However, if you need to know the proper way to access things on your bike service manuals are worth their weight in gold. For travel I have a digital version in PDF form which is easily stored in a laptop or tablet for easy access on the road.
Before you pull out that credit card for that oh so expensive tow to a dealer, plus repair bill, why not diagnose it yourself? You may just be able to MacGyver a way to get the bike running and ride to a dealer and at least avoid the tow bill.
Sometimes a break down can be as simple as something that worked its way loose due to vibration. I've stopped to reattach many parts I was sure were bolted down proper.
I had a friend that learned his sport-touring bike was prone to voltage rectifier failure and with very little warning when it did fail. On long trips he'd carry a spare just in case it decided to quit in the middle of nowhere. 

3- Strangers can be friends
When ever I have been on the side of the road, with a bike that isn't going anywhere, I am amazed at how complete strangers just stop and offer help, tools, fuel or at least make sure you are okay. You may make lasting friends due to your mishap.
Enroll in motorcycle groups. I belong to the BMW Owners of America (BMWOA) and they have a special book they publish of fellow riders that offer places to stay, garage space, advice, tools, directions to repair facilities or just a friend to chat with.
There are many owners groups out there to consider buying a membership from and they are even more valuable when they are brand specific to what you ride. The worse that can happen is you meet a new riding pal that steers you in the right direction of a good shop or, great roads once your problem is solved.
If you have an uneasy feeling about someone who is offering help trust your instincts and don't hop into a car with them to go and fetch parts, fuel etc. A true biker friend will know you wish to stay with your ride and will return with items needed.

My friend Keith who helped when my fuel pump quit- Antigonish NS

4- Bring some extra gear
Besides the usually pathetic tool kit most manufacturers include with your motorcycle you should always bring some of your own. If you've done some of your own wrenching you'll soon learn the commons sized bolts that you may need to adjust. A small socket kit with a variety of heads is handy. I string the sockets on a pipe cleaner so they are easy to pack and are always together. Fuses, wire connectors, pliers and small lengths of wire are always handy. Spare nuts and bolts are always good to include as well.
A tire repair kit can be the difference of riding to the next shop or having a very expensive tow truck take it there for you. Can you tell I don't like seeing my ride on the back of a tow truck yet?
A roll of duct tape and zip ties can be enough to patch broken fairing pieces back together should you have an animal impact or drop your bike.
Being able to add more clothing is a plus especially if the temperature starts to turn. I live near the Rocky Mountains so, even on short day trips, extra layers are with me as our weather can change drastically in a short time. If you are not a tenting type you may still want to consider a small nylon tarp in case you have to set up a small lean-to or cover over your  bike to fix a problem while its raining. Its much more enjoyable when you are dry, trust me.

5- When the break down is you
Sometimes the reason you're parked at the side of the road is due to injury or health issue. We've all had that lunch special in a greasy dinner that just didn't sit well. Maybe it was the excessive fresh fruit you pigged out on yesterday but for what ever reason your body is telling you to find a toilet and fast. What if you're in the middle of nowhere? 

I see the men's room right behind those trees!

A small roll of toilet paper, or collection of napkins from eateries, can be the difference between answering the call of nature or throwing out some stained clothes. Plus they are always handy just to blow your nose when the ol' sniffer gets congested.
Maybe your intestines and gut are doing just fine but you've taken a bug in the eye and need to rinse it out. If you've got water you can solve this. Perhaps you've had an allergy sneezing fit or just got stung from an angry wasp that flew into your jacket or, worse yet, helmet. Antihistamines are great to have on hand for such occasions. Swelling of the sting can be reduced by taking one immediately. This is extremely important if stung on the face. You don't want an eye to swell shut if the sting is near there. If you have a cold beverage use it as a cold pack to further take the effects of the sting away.
You should also never leave on a trip without a small first aid kit. Painkillers are a must for all sorts of aches that can make you unsafe to ride. Migraines, back ache and other distractions can stop the trip. I also like to travel with packets of electrolytes for extreme heat when sudden muscle cramps can set in due to dehydration.

Items for all sorts of situations

Remember, just because your bike is not working does not mean your trip is over. Nor does a small health issue need to end your ride. With a bit of preparation and knowledge you'll be able to beat Murphy and his Law of "What can go wrong, will." to "When things go wrong I can beat this!"
There's nothing quit like that feel-good moment when you stomp a problem down just by being ready. Enjoy your next roadside breakdown and make it a fun event. Don't forget to snap a pic.
- Daryl Makk and The Planet Tour

Give thanks for motorcycles, nice weather and great friends

Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving holiday mid-October, a month before the USA. I'm pretty sure our weather has something to do with it. Perhaps I'll Google it later and find out if I'm bored enough to know.
A group of riding friends gathered at Planet Tour headquarters for a night of celebration and copious amounts of food and drink. The following day a ride was planned, 5 bikes and 6 people.

Sunny October sky

Since we had so much food left over, one of the group suggested a Thanksgiving picnic. With turkey bun-wiches, salads and a pumpkin pie we set out. The food packed in cooler bags and stored in the bikes with full luggage. As the sun warmed the day we headed west and south from Calgary. Our destination was Sheep River Falls area.
This year's Thanksgiving weather was nothing short of amazing for this time of year in Alberta.
A crisp fall morning soon gave way to a rapidly warming sun. There was little to be had for a breeze. Fall days like this just put a smile on my face. Our first fuel stop most of us were peeling off layers as the blue sky and sun embraced us.

Thomas the stuffed turkey mascot on a test flight

A short while later we found ourselves on a road I had yet to explore,  Highway 546 just west out of of Turner Valley, AB. The road winds through the foothills before becoming Township road 194A. Traffic was light, almost as light as road maintenance. The pavement became progressively worse, each bike slowing to pick their way through the potholes, broken pavement and several Texas gates with bumpy crossings. There was one dual sport bike which was way in the lead, seemingly unaffected by the rough road. I made a note to look into getting one.
While a group of sport bikes and sport touring bikes are best suited to nice black top, the road was passable by taking it easy, which was fine as it allowed one to take in the scenery. Fall colors greeted us with tones of yellow, orange and in some areas green still. Nature was wearing her fall colors with style.
Our intended destination area was closed due to the earlier floods Alberta had in June. Our dual sport rider had managed to scout ahead and find a spot before the slower sport bikes caught up (I never thought I'd ever write those words LOL). Soon we were hauling all our goodies past families that also had the same picnic idea.
I suppose bikers carrying a pie, veggie platter and bags of turkey on a bun looked harmless as the usual reaction to "bikers" was not there. Maybe it was the fact one rider had brought Thomas, a stuffed turkey toy, for the occasion. Smiles and hellos abounded as we greeted tables on our way to a vacant one. Thomas served duty as our center piece but not before a test flight or 2. 

Despite snow being visible in the shadows of the forest the day was warm and almost springlike. It was one of those "good to be alive" days, something to truly give thanks for. The group went into action, two of them collecting wood for a campfire (for ambiance) and the rest of us getting the feast laid out on the table. It mattered not that we were having some of the same stuff as the night before, the scenery seemed to make the food burst with new flavor and fun.

Thomas enjoying the meal.

With Sheep River babbling near by, the fresh air warmed by the afternoon sun and the camaraderie of good friends. What more could you ask for?

Sheep River

Thanksgiving bikers

Here's hoping you had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you celebrate this holiday or not my advice is when someone comes up with a fun idea on a nice fall day be thankful you were included. To our American friends, I hope your holiday goes well next month.
Cheers,
Daryl, the gang and Thomas

A fun group, thanks for being there Shannon, Brian, Lasia, Carl and Matt

Its the little things that count

Forget Me Not Pond- Alberta

Based on the title and the limits of storage on a motorcycle you'd almost think that this might be another article for packing small. Relax, it's not.

I would like to focus on the little places one can discover, the places not found in  glossy brochures. Little hidden gems tucked away in unique locations that make you wonder why more people do not visit it, then again, maybe its best they don't. These places are my favorite  memories even though sometimes what you find only lasts for awhile and then its gone.
While doing some of my early motorcycle runs last year I took time to stop at "Forget me not pond"  on Highway 66 just southwest of Calgary in Little Elbow Provincial Park
Less than an hour from Canada's 4th largest city, visitors are treated to a pristine pond, often sporting a mirror like surface, surrounded by trees, stunning alpine views and that big, beautiful, blue  sky of Alberta.

If you visit early in the day, before any wind picks up, the pond surface is like glass creating that reflection off the water that makes me conjure up my best Forrest Gump impression: "It was like there were 2 skies Jenny".
The water is clear and inviting but I warn you, diving in may cause "shrinkage". Remember, this is mountain country where water is freshly melted from snow and it's icy cold.
While the pond is accessible to all who drive out and is easily found on maps and in brochures, it still has its hidden treats you have to find on your own.
A short walk past the picnic sites brought me to a clearing near the river. The Elbow River rushes past on its way to tumble over Elbow falls then on to Calgary to help feed the city's water supply.
It was back here, off the paths, where few wander, that gave me a sense of adventurous roaming. This is where I discovered the great picnic table pyramid! The parks department had been storing picnic tables back here and someone had taken the time to stack some into a pyramid.

Great Canadian Picnic Pyramid

All I had, in my haste to get out and ride, was my smart phone to record the moment and I had no assistant. I wish I had my camera, with the timer, with me as I would have loved a picture of me climbing the pyramid. One of just the tables would have to suffice.
A chattering squirrel near by and a raven circling overhead were my only company as I clicked away at this "monument to the picnic gods"...or whatever it was supposed to represent. It just had that "Meanwhile in Canada..." moment written across it.
A few weeks later I was back in the area and wandered back in toward the river. The picnic tables were all gone. No more Canadian pyramid. I could only assume the parks department had hauled them off to their new locations.
Moral of the story: Always take advantage of viewing anything unique or cool while you have the chance .

Apes love open fires

Nothing is permanent. If you have a camera with you record it. Save the memory of cool sites you see. You never know when the moment is gone or if you will even see it again. I mean really, how often does a guy in a gorilla suit crash your bonfire? Better snap that pic just in case.
Enjoy your journey
Daryl

Review of an extinct tank bag.

I do reviews, from time to time, on some of the gear I use on The Planet Tour but this is going to be a different kind of review. Mainly due to the fact that this product is  no longer available for you to buy.
Say what?

Its a tank bag whose only marking is "KG" stamped into the leather flap on the front. I've searched and searched but the KG Tank Bag company, or anything about a KG tank bag no longer exists. I'm not even sure what model it is or where it was made. I did find one on ebay though so they sold a few.
It's the history behind this particular bag as to why I decided to do a product review on it. Call it a posthumous product review
The bag was sponsored in a way.

No longer available KG Tank Bag

I had been using a magnetic bag on my old bike, but my new bike's tank is all plastic so I was in search of a replacement. My good friend and riding buddy, James Moore, (creator of Comedy Monday Night ) loaned me his old tank bag while I was without.
This bag had some history.
It was used by James on his solo trip down the west coast over a quarter century ago when he strapped it to his trusty Yamaha 650 Seca along with a small duffle on the back. He used it from Calgary to San Diego plus many other trips.

The KG on the new K1300S 25 years later

This same bag was used again on the 25th anniversary of that same epic trip in 2009, a trip I was lucky enough to go on. James found it fitting to use the same, old, reliable, tank bag and he strapped it to his shiny new BMW K1300S. It had been stored in his garage for many years. The map pocket window had started to discolor but other than that, everything was functional. Despite the age gap this 80's vintage bag did not look out of place on this sleek new touring missile.
For 27 days we played down the coast on the famed Pacific Coast Highway. The bag worked wonderfully. He could now say that he rode down the coast of California and back twice with the same tank bag on trips separated by a mere 25 years. After all these years it was still serviceable so, when James offered it up for my use I thought,  "Why not?".

At Mile Zero - Alaska Highway

It strapped on easily, to my BMW K1200RS I bought in 2010, with an anchor strap that went around the steering head plus two more that came up from under the seat. It was very easy to attach. I then loaded it up and went across Canada. This well traveled bag was about to get another workout. It faced heavy rain, hot sun, humidity, salt air and a lot of over-stuffing by me.
The map pouch was easy to access, even with gloves and the main compartment had plenty of storage. In addition there were side compartments for those odds and ends you need to keep at the ready.
It was home for my cameras so I was happy the rain cover was still usable. I used this vintage tank bag for over 20,000  kilometers and it worked wonderfully. Maybe that is why KJ is no longer in business, no repeat customers?

Loaded with lots of gear

The bag worked well but only had one design shortcoming; the rain cover, but that goes for all tank bags that use rain covers. Is it that difficult to make a bag that can survive the elements without having to put a heavy duty shower cap on it? While the covers do make the bag waterproof they can come loose at highway speed plus they also require you to stop the bike to put them on. This is not always possible with surprise showers. I then searched for a waterproof tank bag that would suit my needs and came up empty.
Since I couldn't get a KG and was unable to find a fully waterproof tank bag I went one better and made my own tank case.

Waterproof

I purchased a small, used Pelican brand case for my cameras and an aftermarket locking ring system to attach it to my gas cap ring.
Now I have a waterproof, shockproof case that mounts up off the tank with no contact to the paint surface. I am sure its the kind of system KG would have come up with eventually.
Its not quite as roomy as the KG but I believe it will suffice.

The new tank "case"

Thanks again to James Moore of Comedy Monday Night for the use of his classic KG tank bag.

Loaded up

Now, I look forward to testing my new one.

Chill Out man!

Long term review of Oxford Chill Out undergarments

4 years ago Keyport Lock, the Canadian distributor for Chill Out garments, sponsored The Planet Tour with some great gear from Oxford. Probably my favourite, and most used, item has been my Chill Out undergarments.
For cool weather, wet weather and less than mild temperatures they are fantastic at keeping the chill off your body. They breathe so well you almost never feel any body moisture build up.

Made from Chilltex™ they are Waterproof, Windproof yet Breathable. They also contain an insulating  lining, which is soft in touch to the skin and possess a wicking action to remove moisture.
While wearing rain gear, they helped prevent that clammy feeling so many waterproof outer shells create.

The front zips up like a high turtle neck giving great wind protection to the neck area while keeping the chill air from sneaking in under your jacket's collar.
There are extensions on the sleeve, with a thumb hole, to keep drafts from sneaking in past your gloves and chilling your arms.

A lot of my touring has taken me through the Rocky Mountains of Canada and to both coasts in North America where temperatures can fluctuate wildly. The Oxford Chillouts provided great protection, comfort and warmth without a lot of bulk.  I found them comfortable up to 24 Celsius (75 Fahrenheit). You can easily zip open the neck to cool down while riding, if necessary. If the mercury climbed any higher I would switch to a lighter base layer, at least on my torso. For early spring or late fall rides they are invaluable for keeping a rider warm and comfortable which also relates into a safer rider with less fatigue.

 The fabric itself is anti bacterial and rarely became "ripe" smelling even after days of non-stop use. While you can machine wash them I often used a sink or motel bath tub, with a small amount of soap, to give them a quick clean. Hanging them to dry they are usually ready the next day for more use.

Multifunctional

As a touring rider that also camps,  they also served double duty as insulating pajamas on cold nights.  I have also used them as my base layer for many downhill ski trips and winter hiking trips.
Combine an Oxford balclava and you have a makeshift Halloween outfit as shown here in my "Ninja on vacation" costume last year.

After 4 years of hard use and over 120,000 kms of travel they are still in great shape and will be used for at least another season or 2.
If you are looking for a way to extend your riding season/days I highly recommend a set of Chillouts. I believe you will find them as indispensable as I have.
If you live in the Calgary area these are available at Universal Cycle
Happy riding and be safe out there.

Cheers
Daryl Makk

Winter time = Prep time

Winter, its the bane of every motorcycle rider's happiness. During this time I keep my sanity, or what's left of it, in check by doing the following list of 10:
1- Work on my motorcycle.
Bikes are machines and as such they require maintenance. If you have a garage or shop to bring it inside you are one of the luckier ones. I use this time to fix anything that requires my attention as well as doing modifications so the bike is custom tailored to me. Lets face it, there is no such thing as the "perfect motorcycle" but with a few tweaks we can get our ride close.

During this winter I took care of leaky engine seals, spark plugs as well as adding several options to make this year's riding season even more enjoyable. If you are not mechanically inclined take it to a reputable bike shop. In Calgary Universal Cycle is a great choice.
2- Prep for the next riding season. Spend the cold winter months doing research. Magazines, online forums and sites are filled with ride reports. Decide which part of the planet you wish to explore.
For me it is a double task as I have to line up bookings, for my live shows, in the areas I wish to visit.
3- Shop!! Do you require new gear? Winter is a slow time for merchants so there are many deals to be had during the snowy months. Save money and buy the stuff you need before you need it.
If you are shopping for a new ride, again, the best deals to be had are when most people are not riding. There are many motorcycle shows across the country during the winter months and deals are there to be had as well as a chance to shop for a new bike.
4- Repair any gear you are keeping. Just because a zipper or buckle has failed does not mean your garment is finished. Like a bike, some gear requires maintenance. Before you drop big bucks on a new piece of clothing see if it can be repaired. I have had jackets, gloves, boots and pants brought back to full use for a fraction of replacement cost. If you live in my city of Calgary I recommend Conti's Biker shop for repair to leather and textile riding clothing.
5- Watch motorcycle videos to help you get your fix. I have posted several and there are many others like me that have riding videos for you to live vicariously through. Do a Google or Youtube search
6- Hone up on safety rules and skills before the melt.
Nothing dulls your reaction times quite like sitting around for snow to melt. Refresh your memory on riding techniques and how to avoid the ever present inattentive drivers. You don't want your season to end just as it begins. Consider signing up for an early season riding course to re-learn what you may have forgotten. In Calgary I highly recommend Too Cool Motorcycle School.

7- Have a biker get together. Invite your riding friends over to swap stories and plan rides. Nothing heats up winter better than hanging with your riding pals. Allow them to bring friends so you may grow your circle of 2 wheeled pals.
8- Reminisce. Go over photos from last year ( you did take pictures...right?) Think of all the fun you had, remember the things that went wrong that you can now laugh about. You did the trips so why not relive them?
9- Save! Riding takes money and an unexpected break down, even from a flat tire, can end the fun of a trip quickly. Squirrel away some emergency cash and keep it accessible, in case you need it on the road.

10- Stay in shape with another fun activity. Nothing hurts more on your first ride of the season than sore, out of shape muscles. Riding takes some physical stamina so find things that are fun to do during winter. To stay in shape and have fun.

For me, its skiing.  I also like to do archery as it helps with mind relaxation and concentration. Just don't sit in front of the boob tube yearning for summer. It will make you cabin fever crazy!!

Hoping this riding season is your best yet!


Daryl Makk and The Planet Tour