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Author Topic: Touring USA alone on bike  (Read 12515 times)

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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #75 on: January 18, 2012, 10:16:48 PM »
Forget about all those places you have been suggested.

You ain't been to the States if you haven't seen the world's biggest twine ball.

 ;D
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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #76 on: January 18, 2012, 10:26:50 PM »

You want to tour a foreing country for several weeks.

Option A: transport your own bike. Cost of transportation may easily exceed cost of the bike. Unfeasible unless you have sentimental ties with your bike and the trip must have to be done with your bike.

Option C: Rent a bike. Pros: easy to do, insurance included, well looked after. Cons: expensive in the long run, probably has to drop it where you rented it -therefore no coast-to-coast trip unless you plan to do the return trip too.

Option C: Buy a bike at the starting point. Get you one know for its reliability, and for a cross-country trip, nothing less than 750 cc. Windshield is a plus, as well as range. What about a modern Honda Nighthawk? It is cheap when you buy it new, so it must be cheaper if it is secondhand. You can get one for $2000, run the crap out of it, and at the end of your trip, pay a couple of visits to motorcycle dealers and offer them the bike for $1000. It will be well below the market price, so they just have to hand you a grand and then spend some time selling it to make a several hundred bucks profit. Win-win situation at its best.

Chances are that, after the trip is finished, you will feel "connected" to the bike and will think about taking it back home.

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Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #77 on: January 19, 2012, 02:51:53 PM »
Not to be confused with:





Godzilla doesn't lie!!  ;D
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #78 on: January 19, 2012, 03:00:34 PM »
Quote from: Raul CB750K1 on January 18, 2012, 10:16:48 PM
Forget about all those places you have been suggested.

You ain't been to the States if you haven't seen the world's biggest twine ball.

 ;D

Cawker City, Kansas.
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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #79 on: January 19, 2012, 09:46:16 PM »
On a side note, I said "biggest" but the signs say "largest". What is the difference between both adjectives? "Large" is "big in size", but couldn't "biggest" be used too?
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #80 on: January 19, 2012, 10:22:31 PM »
Quote from: Raul CB750K1 on January 19, 2012, 09:46:16 PM
On a side note, I said "biggest" but the signs say "largest". What is the difference between both adjectives? "Large" is "big in size", but couldn't "biggest" be used too?

Nothing really....I think biggest is just a bit more lowbrow. ;D
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Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #81 on: January 19, 2012, 10:43:24 PM »
I think our Euro brothers may be having a bit of a laugh about where this thread has gone  ::)... be sure to see the 'balls of twine'... no ancient monasteries or art  :o ;D ;D
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Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #82 on: January 19, 2012, 10:46:39 PM »
America!.... we've got the biggest balls.............  of twine  ;D
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Offline 754

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #83 on: January 20, 2012, 09:54:38 AM »
 midwestern one-ball towns.....>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>running away..lol..
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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #84 on: January 20, 2012, 10:48:23 AM »
Quote from: srust58 on January 19, 2012, 10:22:31 PM
Quote from: Raul CB750K1 on January 19, 2012, 09:46:16 PM
On a side note, I said "biggest" but the signs say "largest". What is the difference between both adjectives? "Large" is "big in size", but couldn't "biggest" be used too?

Nothing really....I think biggest is just a bit more lowbrow. ;D

Lesson learned.... thanks!
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #85 on: January 20, 2012, 09:48:24 PM »
« Last Edit: January 20, 2012, 10:11:59 PM by srust58 »
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Offline Shik

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #86 on: January 29, 2012, 01:13:53 PM »
A little update, azride.com replied me after I called them to hear if they received my email, they were apolegetic about having not replied before.
They have a BMW 1200GS available and it will cost me 3000,- USD for 18 days.
I think it is a lot of money, but I guess that is what you will pay for rental.
I'm really not sure if I should do this in April, also I will most certainly hit or exceed the 5000$ budget.
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Offline bluezboy

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #87 on: January 29, 2012, 01:24:46 PM »
 Damn, that is a lot of money. Like  a few have suggested already, you probably could buy a decent used bike that will do the job , especially now that it is winter. You could sell it at the end of your trip. I live in Atlanta, home of the world's busiest airport and I'm only 24 minutes away from it, so if you want to buy a bike before your trip and store it in my garage next to my 750, you're more than welcome. I'll even pick you up at the airport, give you a free bed and dinner.  Just say the word
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Offline Shik

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #88 on: January 29, 2012, 01:30:19 PM »
Quote from: bluezboy on January 29, 2012, 01:24:46 PM
Damn, that is a lot of money. Like  a few have suggested already, you probably could buy a decent used bike that will do the job , especially now that it is winter. You could sell it at the end of your trip. I live in Atlanta, home of the world's busiest airport and I'm only 24 minutes away from it, so if you want to buy a bike before your trip and store it in my garage next to my 750, you're more than welcome. I'll even pick you up at the airport, give you a free bed and dinner.  Just say the word

Well thanks a lot for the offer, but Atlanta is just too far away from where I will be driving, AZ, CA etc.
But I appreciate it.
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #89 on: January 29, 2012, 05:10:06 PM »
That is quite expensive.  Is that all costs including insurance?  If I were to spend that kind of money I would pick a better time of the year (Jun 1 thru September 15) that opens up more possibilities of where you can go.

Buying and then selling a bike sight unseen seems somewhat impractical in a 3 week timetable.  Maybe the exception would be to find a member in an area you want to go that would sell a bike and then buy it back at the end of the trip for a reduced amount to cover the "rental".  Insurance and quick title turnaround would be two issues to work out.  Many members here have multiple bikes including newer models.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2012, 05:12:15 PM by srust58 »
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Offline Shik

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #90 on: February 05, 2012, 05:58:37 AM »
Hi guys,

Latest update, plane tickets is ordered, arriving in San Francisco April 7th and leaving from San Francisco April 28th.
I have made a reservation for a BMW R1200GS from April 9th to April 27th.
I'm not sure about the exact route at this moment, but here are some of the things that I need to see:

Yosemite
Grand Canyon
Death Valley
Las Vegas
Highway 1

I have never ridden a motorcycle this large, one of my only concerns.

I'm thinking about purchasing a very compact tent that can fit into the saddle bags, then I can just find a private spot to sleep. What do you think?
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Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #91 on: February 05, 2012, 07:32:00 AM »
USA camping in a tent!
ALL State parks and Natl Parks  have what is called PRIMITIVE campsites which are meant for tents (most have water available nearby for cooking and cleaning) The parks usually require you to be on a tentsite before dark so a RANGER can come around and collect the fee.  The only problem with this plan, some of the parks DON'T recommend tents or even softside popup trailers that time of year due to BEARS coming out of HIBERNATION.  You can check ahead from your route , at each US STATELINE (on major Hiways) stop at the VISITORS CENTER and you can pick up a state MAP also get PARK info from the attendant. Looks like a great ride plan but I would add Crescent City,CA where the GIANT REDWOODS are, the only place in the world where you can DRIVE through a TREE.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #92 on: February 05, 2012, 09:15:22 AM »
Quote from: Shik on February 05, 2012, 05:58:37 AM
Hi guys,

Latest update, plane tickets is ordered, arriving in San Francisco April 7th and leaving from San Francisco April 28th.
I have made a reservation for a BMW R1200GS from April 9th to April 27th.
I'm not sure about the exact route at this moment, but here are some of the things that I need to see:

Yosemite
Grand Canyon
Death Valley
Las Vegas
Highway 1

I have never ridden a motorcycle this large, one of my only concerns.

I'm thinking about purchasing a very compact tent that can fit into the saddle bags, then I can just find a private spot to sleep. What do you think?


What?????????

Are you going to miss the largest ball of twine???? Really??
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Offline ofreen

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #93 on: February 05, 2012, 09:45:12 AM »
Quote from: Shik on February 05, 2012, 05:58:37 AM
I have made a reservation for a BMW R1200GS...

I have never ridden a motorcycle this large, one of my only concerns.

The 1200GS is a great mile eater.  Have you sat on one?  They are a little tall so loaded up they can be somewhat top heavy.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #94 on: February 05, 2012, 10:38:41 AM »
Don't worry about ridong a bike that big, it will just take a few hours to get used to it. Try to find one in your area for sale, take it for a test ride (tell 'em you are thinking of buying).
Yes to a small backpackers tent, and get a sleeping bad too. Buy them when you get there, start a list of provisions.
Your itinerary looks good. Maybe from San Fran, head south on PCH1, this is an incredibly scenic part of California. Then you could head east to Death Valley. Not sure why you want to go here, it is desert and not scenic, but is on the way to Vegas. Vegas will blow your mind, it is an adult Disney Land.
That would be a good start...
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #95 on: February 05, 2012, 10:54:04 PM »
Get a Thermarest sleeping pad for camping.  Have used one for years on wilderness canoe trips.
I am guessing you are going south on Highway 1? Time permitting a little trip north across the Golden Gate to Bodega Bay would be nice.  San Fran south to Morro Bay would be great.  Save Yosemite till the end and give the snow a few more weeks to melt.  I am still doubtful but the winter in many parts of the country has been strange this year and maybe you will get lucky.  I think riding a bike across Death Valley would be a cool milestone. 8)

I agree with Raul...too bad you will miss the Twine Ball. :D
« Last Edit: February 05, 2012, 11:22:36 PM by srust58 »
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Offline Skonnie Boy

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #96 on: February 06, 2012, 12:30:59 AM »
If you have the time, Bryce Canyon in Utah is amazing.  Not too far from the Grand Canyon. 

Also, you should try America's loneliest highway.  Not sure if they do the checkpoint thing anymore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50_in_Nevada

Just bring long underwear and remember:  Utah only sells 3.0% beer.  Beware.

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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #97 on: February 09, 2012, 10:05:57 PM »
Quote from: ofreen on January 15, 2012, 08:23:15 AM
Quote from: srust58 on January 12, 2012, 06:02:53 PM
Like Jerry and Andy say, west of the Mississippi River is the best.


I am surprised you guys are getting away with this.  I made a similar suggestion a few years ago on the forum in response to the same question from one of our European friends wanting to know the best bang-for-the-buck for a limited time tour in the U.S.  I may as well have kicked a hornet's nest.  Eastern folks were unhappy with me to say the least.

I have been touring around the western half of the U.S. for over 35 years and still haven't seen it all, still discovering new stuff.

I don't mind kicking at the "nest". ;D  I have only had one bike trip east of the Mississippi and that was the circle tour of Lake Superior.  Other than that I don't think I have ever been more than 100 miles east of the river on my bike.  I look at the map and have never been able to piece together an epic ride like I can out west.  I am a bit envious of where you live and ride. 
« Last Edit: February 10, 2012, 07:50:04 AM by srust58 »
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Offline Skonnie Boy

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #98 on: February 09, 2012, 11:26:51 PM »
Hear hear, the West is the Best.  If you want to get gone and experience the zen majesty of No One and Nowhere, head west.  Its not often you get a chance to pass through landscapes that can kill you if you're not prepared.  Part of the fun.
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Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Touring USA alone on bike
« Reply #99 on: February 10, 2012, 01:25:19 AM »
Quote from: Spanner 1 on January 19, 2012, 10:46:39 PM
America!.... we've got the biggest balls.............  of twine  ;D

Okay. I'll post this again. Song #4.

Heater (w/ Mike Hosty) - Song 4
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