All American Trip! Give me your input Please!

[ibanez]

Hello all,

(Caution lots of text)

I have been lurking on the forum since I purchased my 748s last year, and I finally have something to ask of the community.

I am currently working at MINI in England and I am eagerly awaiting my return to the states next year. Living on such a small island and meeting so many people from around the world has made me realize how little I have seen of my own country. Coming to this conclusion I can find no better way to explore the country than by the roads that connect it. There is a tentative map in my head, that I am gradually transferring to google maps, of places I want to see and things I want to do.

The route starts in Tucson Arizona and cuts over to San Diego. Once there staying near the coast up through California to the Redwood forest. From there up too Seattle. From Seattle, over to yellowstone and then on to Mount Rushmore. From Mount Rushmore, I would like make to it over to Boston, MA. Down to NY City, and then to Washington DC. From DC I would like to go through Deal's gap and then head back down to Miami, FL. Coming back up florida, I would like to make my way to Louisiana and snake through the states I missed on my way to boston. Gradually making my way through colorado, to Pike's Peak and then over to Utah, and coming back into Arizona.

I would like to stay out of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Michigan as I have already spent quite a lot of time in these areas, and recall some of them boring me to death. (I want to see new places!)

I would like to appeal to the massive knowledge and touring experience on this forum with a couple of questions.

#1 My first questions is if there is a book or some other resource that outlines a trip of this magnitude, in order to give me some ideas of what lies on my routes. I am mostly interested in natural attractions (National parks) or motoring attractions, (such as barber Motor park).

#2 This seems like a daunting amount of miles, but I would like to take my time and experience the country. My main concern is whether to take a motorcycle, which seems like a great idea, or a car, which seems kind of boring.

#3 Is it a good idea to take such a journey by yourself on a motorcycle? I generally like to at least ride with a buddy in case something happens, but i doubt I will be able to find someone to accompany me on a ride of such long length. I am sure I could find riders along the way, but I am sure I could find more people willing to travel with me in a car as well, so I torn on which method to use.

#4 Obviously I want to take a bike by my post in this forum, but what bike would be a good compromise between comfort and sportiness in the corners? I don't want to take the superbike as it is completely uncomfortable for long hauls, but I don't want a gold wing. As much as I love Ducatis, they may not be the cheapest and funnest way to experience a journey of this length.

#5 What is a reasonable pace (miles or hours per day) for a comfortable riding schedule?

#6 What gear is absolutely essential on a journey of this type and what is often overlooked and greatly increases the enjoyment of a journey?

#7 Ideas on economy lodging? I am thinking camping as much as possible to reduce cost.

Any help is greatly appreciated and I apologize if some of this has been covered in another thread. I am currently searching to find resources on the topics I have listed.

Thanks in advance for the help and I look forward to any feedback,
Tyler

[scott]

I will answer a few questions from my perspective now and come back later to answer a few more.

#2. I don't think it's a daunting amount of miles on a bike at all and it's a great way to see, smell, feel and generally take everything in. I have done every state from California to Colorado on a bike and it just can't be beat.

#3. I really like riding with someone also, it makes it nice to share what your seeing with someone and gives safety if something happens. As you start to plan you trip you can post on a few forums and you will probably find people willing to jump on portions of the trip with you (or all of it). I planned a trip to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley back in 1995 and posted on the forum I was active in, a guy name Bruce Hallberg wrote that he would like to tag along on his bike and ended up being a great travel partner. Always nice to have a good looking passenger too

#4. I suggest a few bikes that are still sporty but pack well. Ducati ST bikes, BMW K-GT (the new one), BMW RT, Honda ST, Kawi Concours (the new one), or an Yamaha FJ.
#5. I'll do 600-700 miles a day when I'm cruising but it quickly cuts to 250 miles a day when I'm stopping for hikes and intensive site seeing (like visiting Zion, Bryce, Monument).

[jbcaddy]

years back i did a California to Nova Scotia trip on a '71 Honda 750. 12,000 miles in 6 weeks. camped most of the time. headed East we were with another bike. came back separate routes. great way to see the country and meet folks along the way. on a forum like this you could probably find folks that would let you camp in thier back yard along your route.

[ChuckV]

Hi Tyler,

#2: I have talked to more people while on my bike than I would haver talked to while driving a car. I mean "me initiating a conversation"...I'm fairly schizoid, but the bike brings out my will to be friendly. There is also something about not having a radio, GPS, etc that makes us more open to outside stimuli.

#6: There is nothing you can't buy in a pinch at the local sporting goods store. It might not be the best quality, but it will see you through the next rainstorm.

I have been all over this country in a car and always thought it would be better on a bike. Glacier, Mt Rushmore, anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, etc...

The small towns are the best! I look forward to being reacquainted with them.

Chuck

[Derwood]

Chuck V mentions it, You must do Glacial National Park. The road to the sun is the most amazing road I have traveled . That was in a van. on a bike I think it would be most spiritual. I saw my first Grizzly there. Even at 200 yards you could see in his posture he commanded respect as Lord of his domain.

[Derwood]

"Ducati not the funniest way " Wash your mouth out with soap ! and take a ST3s for a demo . You can sport carve up any road with shear footed confidence, the comfort of a gel seat , suspension that soaks up the nastiest of bumps , with out wallowing ,ergonomics for the sporty long hall and that beautiful very willing L twin booming its way into your sole .


The Bike gets my vote as the coolest way. I did a 12 month trip around Australia on a Honda XL500 . I would not trade that experience for anything. When you travel on a bike you are at play with the bike you feel part of the country side you smell it . In a car I fall asleep .