Touring query approved.

One simple suggestion: Try going on smaller rides before you jump on to bigger ones. Wait for the new bike to arrive ,spend some quality time on the saddle, get in touch with some senior riders in you city/locality,learn the basics of touring and take the wheels to places you wish, because motorcycle touring is not just about twisting the throttle- a lot of other things go into it. Without much practice if you plan for bigger rides ,both you and your machine will strain a lot buddy.I can understand the anxiety of getting a license and a new bike but have patience.

@ Phanikar

Thanks...good suggestions all.

I would dearly love to follow your advice, but I don't have the luxury of a lot of time...this is something I have to do, and the sooner the better.

Should have left out the part about being a novice...tends to bring out the mentor in you experienced riders. Still, as i said earlier, sound advice and received with many thanks.

thats the best anyone can advise you....spend some quality time with your new bike...test its possibilities and impossibilities...enjoy your first road trip....

I totally understand your condition. However, I would second when you say you do not have much time left. Not because of any reason other than the "skills". They are not inborn, they're acquired. and it takes time to acquire the skills.

Now you said you're just learning. Mind you, not only the highway scenario is completely different from the city streets, its also the situation changes from city to city.

As already advised, try and do shorter riders first. From your word, I can make out that there is no family objection. When I started riding, I used to go out riding for 3-4 hours of city riding. Then the same time on highways and then it was one day ride, the a couple of days ride and finally it was the Golden Quadrilateral.

Don't jump, its all gradual!

Completely agree with what rubber_stamp_champ has to say..

I haven't gone on too many highway rides but i'm pretty sure that the time spent testing out my and my bike's capabilities in the city and on empty roads has helped..

Spend a couple of thousand kilometers getting to know the bike.. thousand if you learn fast :P

As advised by many, there is no short cut to earn skills or get experienced.
What I can suggest from my learning through some years is..

1. Spend sometime with the bike and try understand the mechanism
2. Browse about the bike and discussion to learn valuable information.
3. Go for a short rides (<50 kms) and check if your Physical endurance and so your bike's.
4. Get yourself familiar with road and various challenges one may have to anticipate.
5. Buy riding gears
6. Participate in respective G2G meets and interact with seniors, participate in discussions and learn, learn and learn.
7. To become a tourer, you'll first need to know about the machine. So don't hurry in getting out to ride Chennai-Kanyakumari.

After getting new bike (GS), it is a totally different story as there is something called Run-in period to adhere with. Check this link.

Just bear the above points and theoretically lot to learn. It's not that a huge task, it is achievable and just need to follow the rules of the game.