Ready for the long haul!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 14
From: Right where I belong!
Yeah the interstate would not be my first choice either but I am on a timeline. Its either do it this way or leave my bike in Florida for up to 3 years and that is not going to happen!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 1
From: Hot Springs Village AR
Well it will be worth it once you get there I lived in San Diego for 3 years my wife worked at Nasco shipyard for 20 years its right next Navy base you cant beat there weather and the beaches are the best in CA
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I recently rode from Adelaide to Darwin and return which is a round trip of 6100 kms on a stroked nightrod special - some of my learnings are:
1. A full face helmet makes life so much more comfortable; if wearing a skull cap make sure you wear sunscreen and have ear plugs.
2. I didnt have a windshield but it would have been a "nice to have"
3. I only had PM forward controls on the bike; it would have been nice to have some mid mount pegs to change my leg position but after the end of day 2 i simply got used of it.
4. I struggled to get 200 kms out of a tank of petrol; once the ECU "learned" I was on the highway it stretched out to about 220 kms - I needed to carry extra fuel as one stretch was 280 kms before I hit the next station. I used a 5 litre heavy duty plastic fuel container.
5. I also carried at least 5 litres of water and I mobile phone with a service priovider who i knew would have coverage most of the way in case i got stranded.
6. I had my bike fully serviced and brand new tyres but on before i left; even then I ruined the rear one on the 2nd day when i bottomed out on a section of road and put a decent gouge in the tyre - it was replaced when i got to Darwin.
7. Had I been more organised (and less drunk when I was in Darwin) I would have got my bike serviced (or at least dropped the oil) when I was in Darwin.
1. A full face helmet makes life so much more comfortable; if wearing a skull cap make sure you wear sunscreen and have ear plugs.
2. I didnt have a windshield but it would have been a "nice to have"
3. I only had PM forward controls on the bike; it would have been nice to have some mid mount pegs to change my leg position but after the end of day 2 i simply got used of it.
4. I struggled to get 200 kms out of a tank of petrol; once the ECU "learned" I was on the highway it stretched out to about 220 kms - I needed to carry extra fuel as one stretch was 280 kms before I hit the next station. I used a 5 litre heavy duty plastic fuel container.
5. I also carried at least 5 litres of water and I mobile phone with a service priovider who i knew would have coverage most of the way in case i got stranded.
6. I had my bike fully serviced and brand new tyres but on before i left; even then I ruined the rear one on the 2nd day when i bottomed out on a section of road and put a decent gouge in the tyre - it was replaced when i got to Darwin.
7. Had I been more organised (and less drunk when I was in Darwin) I would have got my bike serviced (or at least dropped the oil) when I was in Darwin.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
If you are staying in Beaumont, there are some decent hotels as you get into town. But I would try to stay near the west end, like on the out skirts of town, out towards the big movie theater. There's also some decent grub out that way. And be sure to stop at Bucee's in Lulling, between Houston and San Antonio.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
San Diego to Oregon
Once made a trip from SD to just inside Oregon on a ZX12 I feel your pain, I did not see saddlebags on your list I would add them also I would recommend not carrying fuel you don't want to turn into a fireball.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
I recently rode from Adelaide to Darwin and return which is a round trip of 6100 kms on a stroked nightrod special - some of my learnings are:
1. A full face helmet makes life so much more comfortable; if wearing a skull cap make sure you wear sunscreen and have ear plugs.
2. I didnt have a windshield but it would have been a "nice to have"
3. I only had PM forward controls on the bike; it would have been nice to have some mid mount pegs to change my leg position but after the end of day 2 i simply got used of it.
4. I struggled to get 200 kms out of a tank of petrol; once the ECU "learned" I was on the highway it stretched out to about 220 kms - I needed to carry extra fuel as one stretch was 280 kms before I hit the next station. I used a 5 litre heavy duty plastic fuel container.
5. I also carried at least 5 litres of water and I mobile phone with a service priovider who i knew would have coverage most of the way in case i got stranded.
6. I had my bike fully serviced and brand new tyres but on before i left; even then I ruined the rear one on the 2nd day when i bottomed out on a section of road and put a decent gouge in the tyre - it was replaced when i got to Darwin.
7. Had I been more organised (and less drunk when I was in Darwin) I would have got my bike serviced (or at least dropped the oil) when I was in Darwin.
1. A full face helmet makes life so much more comfortable; if wearing a skull cap make sure you wear sunscreen and have ear plugs.
2. I didnt have a windshield but it would have been a "nice to have"
3. I only had PM forward controls on the bike; it would have been nice to have some mid mount pegs to change my leg position but after the end of day 2 i simply got used of it.
4. I struggled to get 200 kms out of a tank of petrol; once the ECU "learned" I was on the highway it stretched out to about 220 kms - I needed to carry extra fuel as one stretch was 280 kms before I hit the next station. I used a 5 litre heavy duty plastic fuel container.
5. I also carried at least 5 litres of water and I mobile phone with a service priovider who i knew would have coverage most of the way in case i got stranded.
6. I had my bike fully serviced and brand new tyres but on before i left; even then I ruined the rear one on the 2nd day when i bottomed out on a section of road and put a decent gouge in the tyre - it was replaced when i got to Darwin.
7. Had I been more organised (and less drunk when I was in Darwin) I would have got my bike serviced (or at least dropped the oil) when I was in Darwin.
Sick run on the nightrod man, woulda got good chance to run it out on those roads
Thanks
Mirrmu
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 86
Navy Chiefs have a reputation for being tough and Wide Glide is obviously a man of great fortitude ! ... I hope !
Everybody should ride what they want and looks are a personal choice ... but I would dread having to set out for California with apes, no windshield and a mini butt pad !
On top of that the temps are record-breaking hot out west right now.
Go for it ! Good luck. Drink lots of water.
Everybody should ride what they want and looks are a personal choice ... but I would dread having to set out for California with apes, no windshield and a mini butt pad !
On top of that the temps are record-breaking hot out west right now.
Go for it ! Good luck. Drink lots of water.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
The lack of fairing is certainly noticeably when one allegedly sits on 200 kmph for any length of time.
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