advice for long bike tours...?

I did a solo ride from Georgia to Upstate NY in 1987. I averaged about 100 miles a day. I didn't camp out, I stayed in motels along the way. After being in the saddle all day, sleeping on the ground didn't seem like much fun.

I would stay away from using a backpack, it will put too much strain on your back. Get a set of rear panniers and a trunk rack. If you need more space, get a set of front panniers. Any local bike shop should be able to help you out with those things. Practice riding the bike while it's loaded; it will handle differently than when it's empty.

Know how to make basic repairs on the road. If your bike is in good working order now, chances are you'll only get flat tires. Carry a patch kit and a few extra tubes and also a good frame pump. You might want to get a good light system in case you get caught out after dark. A reflective vest and leg bands wouldn't hurt either. Also bring a cell phone in case you get into trouble along the way and to keep them informed of your progress back home. I didn't carry any food with me, I just stopped along the way as needed. And most important: Have Fun!!

New or used ? If new, i'm a Harley guy, yet I would desire to confess that at present the main inexpensive thank you to bypass is a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 classic LT or a Suzuki side highway C50 SE. the two are with regard to a similar value and the two comprise great windshields and saddlebags. If used; you will discover diverse used eastern tourers, however the main inexpensive is going to be a Kawasaki Voyager XII (the 4-cylinder 1200, to no longer be puzzled with the 6-cylinder 1300). tender, properly-made, and hard as nails. I used to own an '86 that i ultimately bought with 156000 on the odo. and nevertheless going stable. EDIT- once you're keen to think of outdoors the field, the Kawasaki KLR650 is an exceptionally stable journey tourer and doubtless the main suitable bang for the greenback in all of motorcycling.

For that long of a tour, you really do not need toooo much gear. A backpack really is not desirable. It will be cumbersome and not to mention hot. Rear paniers are the first choice. Get a nice set of bags to fit over a rear rack. You can bungee your tent to the top. If you need more room, I would suggest front paniers mounted on a low rider rack. Blackburn makes the best racks in my opinion.