Author Topic: Yet another bike trip - 811952 heads West! (Read 374 times)

tncaveman · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2011, 05:37:17 AM »

WOW John, that looked like a really cool trip. Great shots and commentary. Loved the Alembic factory tour shots. That place looks amazing.

We did our first adventure out west this year - Tennessee to New Mexico with 14 of us from our Scout Troop. We went to Philmont and backpacked about 60 miles or so - I have about 1000 pics and need to do a write up. Too much cool stuff not to share.

Stephen

pauldo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2011, 10:12:15 AM »

VERY cool.
Epic travel story.
Pictures are great.

thanks John!

811952 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2011, 12:18:28 PM »

Jon, glad you enjoy. I can't recommend the motorcycle enough. It makes my soul happy.

J o e y, the verdict is still out. I think the Yamaha Super Tenere or BMW F800GS are the answer, but they aren't cheap. The Wee-Strom ate up the asphalt and was an absolute blast to ride everywhere that wasn't deep-ish sand, rocks or whoops. The KLR would have made me crazy across the Great Plains and would have struggled with the high passes. It would have been about perfect for the Bend area though. *sigh* So many choices.. ;-)

Stephen, I have a friend who works Philmont in the Summers. From all I gather, it is truly a special place. Post a link to your write-up when you get the pics sorted. I'd love to see it.

Pauldo, thanks! We need to compare notes at the next Chicago gathering. See you in May!

John

Bradley Young · « **Reply #18 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:26:47 PM »

John,

Your trip logs fill me with a deep sense of wanderlust. The photos and trip details are wonderful.

Bradley

rustyg61 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2011, 02:22:14 AM »

John, you are my new hero! I got rid of my dual sport this year & now just ride my Harleys. I would love to do a cross country trip like this on a road worthy dual sport, mine was a WR250R Yamaha & geared more towards dirt than street. You are a man after my own heart in many ways, you ride bikes, hit close to 100mph every day, play an Alembic, & have toured the Mothership! You got some amazing pictures, thanks for posting! I toured the factory in June, but didn't get to see the electronics room, so this was way cool seeing your pictures of it! If you ever do a trip to Texas, look me up & I'll meet you on the road!

Rusty

811952 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2011, 07:05:34 AM »

Thanks, Bradley! Wanderlust is not a bad thing at all.. ;-)

Rusty, I've done a few trips to Big Bend and love it there. Hope to drag the family down there someday soon before it gets civilized! They're building a new border crossing that's supposed to be done in April I think. I'd love to be able to walk across into Boquillas for lunch, which is definitely on my list. Life's too short, and I'm going to live as much of it as I can while I'm able.

John

rustyg61 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2011, 05:38:44 PM »

Hey John, I have never ridden to Big Bend, been there deer hunting, but never on the bike. I've always wanted to go though. If you make that trip, let me know & maybe I can tag along!

Rusty

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2011, 09:28:29 AM »

Hey John,
Just got home from vacation and saw your moto journal. Very nice! Thanks for sharing. I have been to some of those places, and on a bike, as well. But the non-paved sections were all new to me as I stay on pavement. Hmmm, maybe it's time for an adventure bike.... I like those V-Stroms alot.
I was off to the annual meeting of the Fur Peace Motorcycle Club, our 10th annual. I chose the Buell and Sheila chose her Ninja; they fit in the back of the truck better than our bigger bikes. Yes, we had to haul them for various practical reasons, but the riding in Southern Ohio was outstanding, and those were the right bikes for the purpose.
I'm on my last day of vacation, back at home, and your story has made me decide to spend the day riding. Shiny side up!
Ben

811952 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 03, 2011, 08:11:02 AM »

I used to think poorly of hauling bikes, but recognize that there are indeed times when it's the most logical thing to do. My *plan* had been to haul a small bike out there, but it would have cost twice as much in fuel and I wouldn't have gotten to ride almost 6k miles on some very very sweet roads (but I could have slept inside the Jeep every night and would have stayed dry and warm, for better or for worse). Maybe I'm just fickle, but it seems every bike I get one (with only a couple of exceptions) is my new favorite. Two wheels is two wheels!

John

pauldo · « **Reply #24 on:** October 03, 2011, 04:38:55 PM »

. . . new favorite
I heard that!

I was looking for a new hi-vis multi season jacket and made the mistake of stopping at the local BMW dealer.
Talk about a severe case of GAS!

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #25 on:** October 04, 2011, 10:04:34 AM »

One of these days I'll get a Roadcrafter from Aerostitch, when I hit the lottery.

811952 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 04, 2011, 12:16:27 PM »

The BMW Rallye Pro 3 suit is one very nice piece of kit. I'd like to get a look at the Klim Adventure Touring suit, but it's like two grand or something. Of course, the Roadcrafter is pretty much the standard against which all others are judged (and for less money). So much nice stuff, yet so few dollars in the bank account!