Sounds like you're gonna be on less traveled roads mostly..Its not really the highway cruising that will give you problems...it's the low speed maneuvering, riding in heavy traffic, stuff where there's bound to be distractions and things coming out of nowhere, etc...practice low speed riding, work on braking, and get comfortable just being on/riding the bike where there aren't a lotta distractions...so basically just ride...

Be prepared for rain, cold, etc as the weather could change or if you're at work late, whatever, you may be riding in different conditions than what you started in.

As far as a windshield - I started out on a V-star 650 without a windshield...then my roadie with windshield, and now it has a fairing. 250 miles on the vstar wore me out, but with winshield or fairing I can ride all day. Besides, I love the look of my fairing. I just had the Roadie out without a windshield for about 15 miles the other day and I hated it. Got the fairing on as quick as I could (normally ride with it all the time).

Just ride brother...take it slow and don't outride your current skills (which will increase the more you ride), keep your head on a swivel, and enjoy it...you'll be fine!

Looks as if you have a nice seat already which is one of the most important items you can put on, but I think the fairing is the second best item you can add for comfort, I had a shield on mine before and it was ok but no comparison to my ms batwing fairing for wind protection.

JerryR wrote:
Really what Gram, John and some others said. One thing in particular that seems different on a bike than a car, especially in the early stages, is judging corners. Most people have a better sense of judgement in a car, entering a corner, than a bike. A lot of bikers get into corners too fast and don't know what to do with them. Panic can set in and then the bike goes straight.

Don't be fearful but be wise and cautious. You can always work up to corners but you don't won't to be getting on the brakes hard in a corner. It's much better to be accelerating out of them. Practice counter steering and never stop practicing. Be smart and you will be fine.I actually find that if I turn my head and totally look into a curve, the bike just goes where I want to go.

I also find that not relying on my sense of balance to do what the bike has to do and just trusting the bike and momentum makes for much tighter corners. If anything, so far, I find myself taking corners *too* sharp.... I want to lean into the turn because it's so damn fun.

The good thing about having awesome teachers in my safety class was that they harped totally on head turns.

A good thing about being on this forum, is I read about where guys have gone down, and I put that in my thoughts. Before coming here, I had a good idea of what to watch out for. After coming here, I find that my worst enemy is gravel at low speed. Seems to be where most people have gone down. My second enemy is fuel on the road. Diesel especially. Problem is if it's there, I can't see it.

Been riding since mid 60s and I'd have to say always be on guard, watch the other guy, he's the one that going to get too close or cut you off. I always look ahead as far as I can on secondary roads to see if anyone even looks like they are going to pull out, its kind of like trying to second guess. Then there's the ones that like to get as close to you as possible from the rear...leave him. Naturally slower in the corners, it always seems to be the cause of losing it. Relax and be Confident but take thing easy till you hit your comfort level.

Riders Edge class from HD is top notch. I recommend it for any rider. I took the class with my dad when I first started to ride. My dad has rode for years prior to the class and we both learned a great deal. Good Luck and welcome to the clinic.

Big thing I notice is on long trips is make sure your well rested before and during, and have been hydrated (H2O)before and during the ride . Both help keep you mentally alert and the water helps the mussels from cramping.

The longest one day ride for me was 505 miles I was tired but able to focus still. But I stopped several places and had two meal breaks that day. I routinely ride 150 to 300 miles a day on the weekends and find that it has become much easer to do long rides.

For you on your trip....If your on RT90 for miles....Try 20 all the way through if you have time, slower and little less boring road.

While your in Troy, NY stop in at the Dinosaur Barbecue for a break.

Refrain from doing mushrooms before any long trip, that's all I got to say about this

I would build up to it, man. No one would try a marathon or even a half marathon when they've only begun doing 3 milers. You want to KNOW (not think) you can get there and back. Getting stuck anywhere would be a drag, even with a cell phone. Don't rush it. This is a big bike and even a young guy like you (I'm 53) needs to get the feel of it. There is no substitute for miles, and handling the unexpected. Try to search this site for the tale of the guy who hit a patch of diesel oil...

Best advice is all of the above, so just relax and don't get in a hurry and everything will be fine and enjoy the ride. I remember being there and the best advice i got that day was relax and breathe. Be safe Kroyleahcim

You already mentioned it. The bike will go where you look. Maybe they talked about it on your course but avoid "target fixation' the bike will go to what you fixat on...look away and leave yourself a way out...always.
Don't rush it, you'll know when your ready. Trust your bike and don't make stuff up that builds on your doubts. Check the basics,tires, oil etc...less on your mind.
Riding is supposed to be fun. Ride within your ability and you'll be fine.