For a while now, I've been planning a motorcycle tour to get from where I am now to the Great Lakes in the middle of the United States. Why motorcycle? Why not? I'll be visiting friends along the way, in virtually every state I pass through (about 17 states) and visit several landmarks along the way, like Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and the Great Lakes, my destination.
A few reasons why I'm mentioning it here:
One. Motorcycles. Most I've done is dirtbiking. I've got my motorcycle license, and have taken my Dad's Harley out once or twice, but I don't know what I'm looking for. The entire trip will be around 6,000 miles. If any of you are motorcycle-savvy, I need a bike that will go long stretches comfortably. My father recommends BMW 800.
Two. I'm mentioning why I'll take a disappearance next year from June-July-possibly into August.
Three. IF you happen to live in:
Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Wyoming or Arizona and want to say a 'Hello!' to me on the way, feel free to speak up!
Four. I'm looking for sponsors to help alleveate the cost. Not necessarily from you guys, of course, I was thinking of going to some companies I visit frequently, and speak with Gaia Online advertisement reps. With luck, they might chip in a few hundred bucks if I wear their hats and stickers.
So feel free to reminesce here, offer me tips, or whatever else you feel like. No, I'm not going to cancel my trip because you said so. I've invested a lot of planning into it already. Food, calling up friends and arranging a place to sleep, and all the other core stuff. Now, I just need the cash..
The Harley Davidson Road King was made for longer trips like that, Google it. Also, good luck on your trip, and I hope you stay safe, and just in case you die or something on your trip, RIP. :lol:
Bring your passport and hit up British Columbia while you're in Washington, you wont regret it. Other than that the Road King is a classic but you'll want to search around and see what suits you (and your budget).
Type of bike, eh? Well, seeing as you're in the US, the obvious choice is the Harley. The fact that it turns like a cow (:P) won't be a problem with your loooooong straight roads.
My own personal recommedation would be a Mk2 or Mk3 Honda VFR750. But then I'm biased as I own one myself.
Basically for that kind of distance you want something comfortable. Something that can carry all the gear you need. I'd say that rules out anything under a 750, though if you're more a fan of sports bike types than cruisers, the Honda CBR600 is also good.
I must admit to going slightly green when I read you are headed for Yellowstone. That's somewhere I really want to get to myself. Hopefully it'll be long before the super volcano underneath decides to go boom!
The biggest bike I have right now is my XR 250. My dad has a Harley, and he says that a jump like that is a bit too big. Gotta learn the physics of turning a bigger bike so I don't just tip and fall over (Apparently common for hotshots like me) and break a leg or something. Which would be a bummer out in the arse of end of Montana.
Then again, it might just be the 'what-if' side of Dad, worrying about his kid touring America.