First long ride

[Baffler186]

Should maybe be in Workshop, but wanted your advice on my first big(ish) trip:

In June I'm doing John o'Groats to Land's End. My oil and filter is only 800 miles old - is it worth changing them for new to do the trip? I was thinking use supermarket oil (cost less) and then change again after the trip (back to regular branded stuff) or is that overkill?

Also - I don't have a chain oiler, I was planning on giving it a clean and lube at the end of each day (doing roughly 300 miles a day). Any problems with that?

Likewise air filter is not up for a change but is a good idea to stick a new one in anyway?

In case anyone is interested, here is my route:

Day1: Load bikes in van, drive from Plymouth to Inverness (sharing driving, dropping van off at Enterprise Inverness).

Day 2: Ride up to JO'Gs for the start line, then down to Glencoe via the A82 Loch Ness.

Day 3: Glencoe to Ripon via the Trossachs, Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

Day 4: From Ripon to Leeds via the Peak District (Leeds is a work thing). Then down to Frome.

Day 5: Frome to Plymouth, via Yeovil, Taunton, Barnstaple, Exeter, Torbay (again, a work thing).

Day 6: Plymouth to Lands End, then back home to Plymouth.

Kit-wise, I have a 52L top box so will be taking tools, a few spares (plugs, pads, clutch and brake cables), Breakdown card, dry clothes. My mate is taking the tent. Have I missed anything?
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Skudd]

What bike are you on?

Lube chain if you want daily, but really every other day or less even, as most do on their bikes. Don't panic when the arm chair mechanics pop their heads in. Oil and filter changes, if you are due a change, then change, but if not don't worry, just make sure you have the right amount in.

Most people who ride bikes do checks on them not as often as they have you believe. weekly 600 mile checks are the norm, quick glance at oil level, chain lube and tightness and that is about it.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Baffler186]

I'm on FZ6, my mate is on a 300 scooter. I'm only used to cleaning and lubing my chain once a week, but that's a total of 30ish miles for me! I suppose a week of all weather commuting is different from a long ride at steady speed.

Cheers
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Monkeypony]

I did a 2 1/2 week lejog last year, my route was:

https://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm52/monkeypony/1_zpsd2c56b92.jpg

I'd say, If you're going to go all the way from Plymouth to the top of Scotland, spend as much time in the highlands as you can. Everywhere else in the country will seem very dull once you leave!
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[Baffler186]