Helmutt Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Awesome idea, but maybe a bit tenacious to try and pull off in just 16 days? Like others are mentioning, if it were me going out west ( and I've never done it, so this is simply speculation ) I would add a week just to pad time for poor weather, off seat days, mechanicals, etc. I would pack as many necessities as I could to help get me out of a bind in the middle of BFE like in the event of a flat, chain break, coolant/oil leak, other small items that could be stowed on the bike. You would know more than I about what issues could arise, and whats needed to keep a bike rolling since its your profession - but sounds like quite an adventure and one I would love to enjoy myself someday......just not on the bike I have now, more of what you have or some other tourer would entice me to take a month off work though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snot Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Try to check out the red wood forest, painted desert, bad lands, petrified forest and mesa Verde. Good luck! Consider talking to a travel agent as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 call me negative nancy, but I foresee a high potential for issues.This is true enough just about any time someone slings a leg over the seat of a motorcycle. However, there are more threads than you could read in a year on ADVRider from people who've done that kind of mileage in a week on everthing from a Goldwing to a Passport scooter! 700-1000 miles a day back-to-back-to....well, you get the idea. Hey, I don't get it and I wouldn't do it on a $10,000 bet, but that's me. I don't know the OP here, but maybe he likes the idea of maxing his mileage and pain be damned.If you do the trip as envisioned, you will definitely "see" a lot of the country, but I'd hazard a guess you won't be able to enjoy a lot of what you see to any great extent. As an example, I spent 14 days in Colorado this summer in the tiny rectangle of the state bounded by Denver-Colorado Springs-Montrose-Durango. I took two bikes--WeeStrom and DRZ400 with knobbies--and road highways, backroads, off-roads and single track, camped and motel-ed....and still didn't touch 10 percent of what's out there. That's how I like my adventure to be--by seeing a small area up close and personal. Not suggesting that should be what you strive for.Now that I've said that tho, I'd love to try to make a trip like you're thinking about just to say I did it!!! I always wanted to do the scenic tour of America on a bike, ride the Coast Highway, southwest desert, Pacific northwest, >>>insert scenic area of choice here<<<. If you've got the inclination and guts to fulfill your fantasy journey, go for it. Hell, this is the United States--if the SHTF for whatever reason, you'll never be more than a tank of gas away from a 3-star motel and a WalMart. Just remember: pics, or it didn't happen!!!Here's the link to my ride report from this summer on LocalRider:http://www.localriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17189 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wicked94s10 Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 (edited) You guys sound like a couple of Harley riders. This man is going on the adventure of a lifetime not on some lame ass hocking hills two hour trip. Once you start riding in most of these places you lose track of time. Some days I get in the zone and ride for 15 hours straight just stopping for gas and food. That's the difference between living life to the fullest and sitting on Ohio riders wishing you were. . I say 400 a day is fully doable, i like to shot for 500 a day but you have a passenger so that makes for more stops and maybe her wanting to go more places than you do. that long of a trip is hard to fully plan out, i planned out to the west coast then on the way home we just winged it Edited November 6, 2012 by wicked94s10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natedogg624 Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 watch long way around and long way down. become more inspired. go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I ride west twice each year, and have for the past 14 years and have ridden in all of the 48 lower states ( and vowed never to ride in a few of them again:D ), I'd be happy to help ya out with any route info ya might need.Colorado and Utah are my two most favorite places to ride in the US. Colorado:Utah:Bets advice I'd give is to get a National Parks Annual Pass for $80 - it'll get you and your wife into all of the parks and makes entry a lot less hassle.Don't overload your bike with a lot of shit you'll never need.400 miles per day is a piece of cake - we usually do more than that before lunch. Might be different if you're on a sportbike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Idaho is also good...Grand Canyon is cool, but the crowds and expense of staying in the area kinda kill the buzz a bit...If ya book now- you might get into one of the small lodges...Last trip there, I booked 6 months in advance and get stuck in the $120 a night shitty dorm style place...Shit food at the restaurants there as well - much like college cafeterias but at high prices. Hope you like loud kids cause there's a shitload of them running around - everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I always hit Santa Fe on the way - only for the food. Best shit ever if you like hot stuff and full flavors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 A few places that others in the thread mentioned - Mt. Evans, COCrater Lake, ORBe sure to ride The Avenue of the Giants near Garberville, CA and pass through the Redwoods. We hit that area and then stay at our favorite beachfront hotel.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Lake Tahoe is a good lace to stay and hang out for a day. Casino's are generally pretty cheap places to stay on week nights and have nicer rooms, good selection of food, bars, etc too...Roads around the Lake don't suck...There can be a lot of traffic on weekends and holidays though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Redwoods are cool, indeed...But like all of California, the freakin' cops are everywhere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Route 1 and PCH and cool but overrated. Better riding elsewhere. But riding along the Pacific for a bit is fun...As with most tourist traps, food and lodging in the area are grossly overpriced. Ride it for a bit and then head inland for better, cheaper food and lodging. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 (edited) I never camp on long trips either - hauling out all of the gear and setting up each night / tearing down each morning would be a huge drag. And if you're going two up, you'll have precious little space for extra gear.Pack light - wear riding gear in the day and the same shorts / pants all week. Wash once or twice during the trip when laundry facilities are available. I gotta have fresh undies each day though - I'm weird. So I pack 5-6 sets of sox and undies and wash a couple of times during a two week trip. 1 pair of shorts and several tee shirts and I'm good.You can get to Colorado, Glacier, Cali and back in 16 days with no problem at all. But you'll have a few 800 mile days in there to do so. Crossing from Ohio to Denver is flat and featureless - sucks no matter how you do it. And will require two, 800 mile days in a row to do it.The southernly route through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico isn';t much better. The views get slightly better once into New Mexico but the previous 1000 miles is a lot of suck.The ride from Glacier south through Idaho, Nevada, Utah and in Arizona for the Grand Canyon is a good one though - lots of great riding and not much crowd, cops, etc. Edited November 6, 2012 by Earache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I gotta have fresh undies each day though - I'm weird. No. Yer a GOOD boy. You listened to yer mutha! Mom knows what's best for you... Nice pix, BTW. I'm jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 You guys sound like a couple of Harley riders. This man is going on the adventure of a lifetime not on some lame ass hocking hills two hour trip. Once you start riding in most of these places you lose track of time...This is true. Don';t listen to those that haven't done it before as they simply don't know what they're talking about. 15 hour riding days are not uncommon and you'll have no problem doing them - so much cool shit to see and roads to ride; you won't wanna get off of your bike at the end of most days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 ...As someone said on another motorcycle forum,"I can't remember one motel room I've stayed in,but I'll never forget some of the campsites I stayed at." What a crock of shit. Might be true if you stay at Motel 6's located right next to an interstate. But if you seek out the best hotels, they can be quite memorable.Vail, Colorado Marriott Resort is fantastic...Gateway in SW Colorado - doubt I'll ever remember staying here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 And ya don;t have to spend a shit ton of cash either...Torrey, Utah Best Western...Best part of the place is their dining patio... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Sounds simply awesome Ryan!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoblick Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 This is true. Don';t listen to those that haven't done it before as they simply don't know what they're talking about. 15 hour riding days are not uncommon and you'll have no problem doing them - so much cool shit to see and roads to ride; you won't wanna get off of your bike at the end of most days.im not a stranger to touring, but this will be my longest journey.we have done most of the east coast.. and almost every year we have done around 3000 - 3500 mile week trips.last year, because of time constraints we trailered to colorado, and just road as much as colorado as we could in the limited time we could. we saw alot, but there was so much more to see. we also made it down to sante fe for a day.We have learned to pack light. after 4 years of traveling on bikes you start to understand what is essential and what isnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoblick Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 i love Colorado! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcat6183 Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Nah dude, sell the Multi and just dump more $ into the track Plus that's good track time of the year.But for real, sounds awesome, and CO is heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drc32-0 Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 What a crock of shit. Might be true if you stay at Motel 6's located right next to an interstate. But if you seek out the best hotels, they can be quite memorable.Vail, Colorado Marriott Resort is fantastic...Gateway in SW Colorado - doubt I'll ever remember staying here...Thanks for making my point...if you want fake man made shit stay in high dollar motels,if you want the real thing and more interesting people,camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) .. Edited November 7, 2012 by Earache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Thanks for making my point...if you want fake man made shit stay in high dollar motels,if you want the real thing and more interesting people,camp.Gotta admit - those fake, man made mountains are pretty cool.More interesting in what way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drc32-0 Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Here's a couple items from Pashnit.com that might help with trip planning in California.The pic is of highway 49,the link is the 5 best roads in California.http://www.pashnit.com/articles/FZ-5BestRoads.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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