Amen to that!Motorcycling is not about logic and convenience
And another big AMEM to darthriders post. It sums up my feelings pretty well. It was good the first time too!
Patience please - long post
Moderator: Moderators
I can't imagine making a long trip like that on a Rockster or R but maybe I'm just getting old. Last year I rode my R up to Reno, Nevada from the SF bay area to visit my son. I had the sports shield and my city cases for gear. I ride with ear plugs and enjoy the committee in my head to keep me company, no radio for me. I had my First Gear mesh pants and Kilamanjaro jacket. And of course a full face helmet with a flip-up face.
I took off early in the morning and loved the hum of the boxer twin at 70MPH on I-5. At Sacramento I stopped and got gas, not because I needed it but because that Teutonic slab BMW calls a seat had my ass in big time pain. If I got one thing for the bike it would be a decent aftermarket seat. After topping it off I headed up Donner pass and enjoyed getting caught in a mild thunderstorm...absolutely wonderful smelling the ozone and rain on the pine trees. I stopped at the summit to take a leak and rest my butt and then went on to Reno. Everywhere I stopped peeps wanted to talk to me and ask questions about the bike. I took some neat backroads and loved the thrill of rolling the bike through corners in the Sierras.
Having said all that and certainly enjoying the short trip of 200+ miles, if I were going to do any serious touring I would buy a R1200RT. I think a full fairing would have made a big difference in my comfort level. I love my R but in my opinion BMW makes the touring bike just for that reason.. it's for touring.
This year I rode to Bakersfield for the nostalgia drags and stayed in a motel with my cousins and they thought the bike was way cool. I stopped a lot at the rest stops going down and coming back and I really enjoyed it. But there again, the one way miles were only about 200.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents. Touring? Get a touring bike. Under 500 miles I think the R or Rockster is great...maybe I'm just getting old.
Bud
I took off early in the morning and loved the hum of the boxer twin at 70MPH on I-5. At Sacramento I stopped and got gas, not because I needed it but because that Teutonic slab BMW calls a seat had my ass in big time pain. If I got one thing for the bike it would be a decent aftermarket seat. After topping it off I headed up Donner pass and enjoyed getting caught in a mild thunderstorm...absolutely wonderful smelling the ozone and rain on the pine trees. I stopped at the summit to take a leak and rest my butt and then went on to Reno. Everywhere I stopped peeps wanted to talk to me and ask questions about the bike. I took some neat backroads and loved the thrill of rolling the bike through corners in the Sierras.
Having said all that and certainly enjoying the short trip of 200+ miles, if I were going to do any serious touring I would buy a R1200RT. I think a full fairing would have made a big difference in my comfort level. I love my R but in my opinion BMW makes the touring bike just for that reason.. it's for touring.
This year I rode to Bakersfield for the nostalgia drags and stayed in a motel with my cousins and they thought the bike was way cool. I stopped a lot at the rest stops going down and coming back and I really enjoyed it. But there again, the one way miles were only about 200.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents. Touring? Get a touring bike. Under 500 miles I think the R or Rockster is great...maybe I'm just getting old.
Bud
Member #296
"Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana." Groucho Marx
"Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana." Groucho Marx
I think that you made a very courageous and intuitive posting, Meistre.
But that you made that posting at the wrong time. Doing so within sight of home is not the best time to do it, but rather four weeks after you've got back.
Yes, bikes are uncomfortable at times, yes, they're not convenient.
But have you ever driven out in a convoy of cars with like-minded friends just for the hell of it? Probably not.
Let me explain.
Some time back, I owned a restored Fiat 500 and I belonged to the Fiat 500 Club. This tiny little 500cc air-cooled twin car was beautifully restored to it's former glory.
I toured Europe in it three times with the club, a trip of 2,000 miles each time. First time on my own, the second time with my son and the third time with my daughter. It was a slow and hot journey. But great fun. But there were times in that car that I felt exactly as you feel now. Exactly. And that was in a car.
If I did it now on a motorcycle, it would be uncomfortable at times - and hot too, I expect - but for all the positive reasons listed above it would be better. Meeting people, seeing the world from a different perspective. Riding the machine, living the machine.
Post again in two or three weeks. You'll feel differently by then.
J
PS when touring I now absolutely insist on the following:
1) No camping. No way. I'm too old for that malarkey now, at 47. I want a decent bed, an en-suite bathroom and clean sheets and towels. Jump off the bike and throw your case on the bed. Ready for a beer.
2) Tour with friends. Over a beer or two and a good meal, somehow everything that happened during the day seems better and more enjoyable.
3) Make daily distances sensible. For me, 250-300 miles on a bike is the absolute maximum. It's a hobby, not a crusade. What's the point in doing 600 miles and killing yourself?
I should add that I sold the little Fiat after we had to drive from Portofino in Italy on the Mediterranean coast back to Grimsby in a hurry. My father-in-law had died suddenly and unexpectedly, and I had to return home as quickly as possible. 1,200 miles in a car with a top speed of 60 mph. Hot, no air-con. We did it in 32 hours (with an 8 hour stop to sleep) - but the point I make is that if you set yourself huge targets, you spoil the experience. In this case there was no alternative. But you see my point.
But that you made that posting at the wrong time. Doing so within sight of home is not the best time to do it, but rather four weeks after you've got back.
Yes, bikes are uncomfortable at times, yes, they're not convenient.
But have you ever driven out in a convoy of cars with like-minded friends just for the hell of it? Probably not.
Let me explain.
Some time back, I owned a restored Fiat 500 and I belonged to the Fiat 500 Club. This tiny little 500cc air-cooled twin car was beautifully restored to it's former glory.
I toured Europe in it three times with the club, a trip of 2,000 miles each time. First time on my own, the second time with my son and the third time with my daughter. It was a slow and hot journey. But great fun. But there were times in that car that I felt exactly as you feel now. Exactly. And that was in a car.
If I did it now on a motorcycle, it would be uncomfortable at times - and hot too, I expect - but for all the positive reasons listed above it would be better. Meeting people, seeing the world from a different perspective. Riding the machine, living the machine.
Post again in two or three weeks. You'll feel differently by then.
J
PS when touring I now absolutely insist on the following:
1) No camping. No way. I'm too old for that malarkey now, at 47. I want a decent bed, an en-suite bathroom and clean sheets and towels. Jump off the bike and throw your case on the bed. Ready for a beer.
2) Tour with friends. Over a beer or two and a good meal, somehow everything that happened during the day seems better and more enjoyable.
3) Make daily distances sensible. For me, 250-300 miles on a bike is the absolute maximum. It's a hobby, not a crusade. What's the point in doing 600 miles and killing yourself?
I should add that I sold the little Fiat after we had to drive from Portofino in Italy on the Mediterranean coast back to Grimsby in a hurry. My father-in-law had died suddenly and unexpectedly, and I had to return home as quickly as possible. 1,200 miles in a car with a top speed of 60 mph. Hot, no air-con. We did it in 32 hours (with an 8 hour stop to sleep) - but the point I make is that if you set yourself huge targets, you spoil the experience. In this case there was no alternative. But you see my point.
BMW R850R in silver
heated grips
panniers
flyscreen
cylinder head protectors
heated grips
panniers
flyscreen
cylinder head protectors
Re: ride or drive?
This pretty much bottom-lines it for me.GJBushman wrote:I would rather ride 1000 miles on a bike with a sore ass than 500 miles in a car listening to great music. A car is simply a method of transportation to me. Riding a bike is an active, in the moment experience. I cannot even listen to music while riding a bike, its too distracting. Time also passes much more quickly for me while riding a bike instead of driving a car. That's me.
I 'tour' only maybe 300mi/day, tops. I have no planned destinations, just miles to put on. Most trips I prepare to work at it...every turn, every line, every entry speed etc etc. Not much scenery viewing on those days.
If you just want to get from A to B on 2 wheels, well, that's great too. I do that sometimes...
But it will never be as comfy as on 4 wheels. Where you can drink a beer
, eat a sandwich and talk on your cellphone all while trying NOT to kill anything....It's more work on 2 wheels...but imensely more rewarding, also.
j magda
TripleLifer Member 454
04 Black (the Classiest Color) R1150R
Deep in the OH wasteland...
TripleLifer Member 454
04 Black (the Classiest Color) R1150R
Deep in the OH wasteland...
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mcooperstein
- Moderator
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- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:01 am
- Location: Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Meistre, I wouldnt feel bad if you don't warm up to touring on a bike. It's just another facet of motorcycling, it is *not* the end all! I personally don't think I could tour anymore. I'm just too old, have too much arthritis that just starts huring like hell after a couple hours in the saddle. When I was 20, I toured the US with two other people. We did 17,000 miles in one summer. For the most part, we camped out, and stayed off of interstates. I remember thinking I must be crazy to endure such torture, but then there would be a day of incredible riding, scenery, people, smells, the whole gamot. That made it worth it.
Now, at 53, my ideal touring would be an RV with the bikes being towed. I'm just too fat and old too ride all day long! But I love riding..I've put 37,000 miles on my R since I bought it (july 2001) and all those miles are pretty much local!
Mark
Now, at 53, my ideal touring would be an RV with the bikes being towed. I'm just too fat and old too ride all day long! But I love riding..I've put 37,000 miles on my R since I bought it (july 2001) and all those miles are pretty much local!
Mark
touring
Lose the ipod while riding, plan shorter trips, enjoy the process of mastering your vehicle, take the time to see places instead of just passing through, take the journey at a slower pace (What's the rush?), feel the real freedom of riding on two wheels, realize that wherever you are is where you are supposed to be -- no schedule or demands except to find food and fuel, do things and go to places where you would not go in a car. Really you state a lot of concerns in your story while at the same time telling us you are having a great time. I think you need some post- trip reflection as stated by an earlier post.
NCRoaster
NCRoaster
Great thread! Thanks Meistre!
I'm really enjoying this.
BTW, I just returned from a 300+ mile day loop around central Georgia. My wife wanted to go with me, so we went two-up all day. She doesn't ride much at all and this was brutal for her, even though we stopped often. And I can certainly tell I haven't been riding as much this past summer. I am beat as well.
But it was such a treat. We both looked at each other when we got home, and even though we were bedraggled looking and glad to be off that seat, we both thoroughly enjoyed it.
Check the great rides section later on for my pics, etc.
I'm really enjoying this.
BTW, I just returned from a 300+ mile day loop around central Georgia. My wife wanted to go with me, so we went two-up all day. She doesn't ride much at all and this was brutal for her, even though we stopped often. And I can certainly tell I haven't been riding as much this past summer. I am beat as well.
But it was such a treat. We both looked at each other when we got home, and even though we were bedraggled looking and glad to be off that seat, we both thoroughly enjoyed it.
Check the great rides section later on for my pics, etc.
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Beemeridian
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Last edited by Beemeridian on Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Most people don't do what's right, they do what's most convenient and then repent
2015 Honda PCX150
2015 Honda PCX150
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darthrider
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Kevin Markwell
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What Darthrider said!
I wish I had the time to write some similarly beautiful ode to riding, but I couldn't top that for enthusiasm or accuracy or quality of the prose. Although there is some truth to the idea that if you have to explain it to someone, they will never "get it", I think Dave hit on the elements of the fundamental highlights of riding that distinquish it from driving. Meister's post obviously makes us ponder what it is that makes most of us willingly put up with the frustrations, hassles, expenses, risks, and aches and pains of riding. To most people it just doesn't make sense. So at the risk of being overly analytical I am going to propose some amateur psychological explanations, even though Dave proved poetry is better than science at capturing the essence of the feeling.
When riding there is close contact with nature transmitted directly to the deep-seated primative parts of our brains where smells, weather cues and motions in the surrounding environment are interpreted at some primative, and therefore intinctively emotional level. When in a car with the windows closed, we are cut off from all of that.
The olfactory center in the hippocampus is intimately and strongly also associated with memory, accounting for the instantaneous and powerful associations that both new and old odors arouse. Everyone has experienced the almost overwhelming reliving of an experience or the seeming presence of a loved one brought on by simply smelling a distinctive odor or a long forgotten perfume.
It wasn't long ago that surviving in nature meant more than getting up off the couch to change the thermostat. The hightened awareness induced by a temperature drop or nipping wind necessarily stimulates an anticipatory sense of preparedness. We have all seen animals ears prick up when the leaves rustle in the breeze of an oncoming storm front. -- What are we going to do now? Think think think. Be tuned in and perceptive or be caught with your pants down. -- There is a hard-wired alertness to such changes that can literally raise the hairs on the back of your neck that comes into play in rapid succession when riding.
Perceiving motion, both your own and that of the world around you, is one of the most fundamental hereditary preprogrammed concerns of organisms hoping to stay alive in a world governed by gravity and full of predators and prey. -- Am I falling? What was that? How do I respond to either challenge right this instant? How do I control my body to make the right thing happen as effectively and safely as possible? -- Getting it right, and quickly, may determine whether you fall from that tree or not, or eat or be eaten. Yes there is behavioral learning from experiential success and failure but again, intinct is strongly evoked even in humans. Hunger and pain are the obvious evolutionary punishments for failure; feeling pleasantly full is one reinforcement for success, but the reward for satisfactorily thwarting gravity and evading trauma is less well defined but no less deeply gratifying. I always love to watch squirrels run across the road in front of cars because I am certain that those last few bounding hops they take after they are beyond danger are expressions of the joy they are feeling in the confidence they have beaten death yet again. I think somewhere deep in the brain, the concept of fun is intimately tied to mastery of motion, and there aren't too many places in modern life more closely evoking that sensation than on a motorcycle.
So, this may be all speculative BS but I couldn't resist the attempt to decipher why I so much associate with Dave's obvious heartfelt love of riding. I'm one of the ones here that very definitely get it. I don't think parsing the reasons I like to ride so much makes it less romantic, I'm just curious why the good parts are so much more alluring than the inconveniences are off-putting.
Kevin
I wish I had the time to write some similarly beautiful ode to riding, but I couldn't top that for enthusiasm or accuracy or quality of the prose. Although there is some truth to the idea that if you have to explain it to someone, they will never "get it", I think Dave hit on the elements of the fundamental highlights of riding that distinquish it from driving. Meister's post obviously makes us ponder what it is that makes most of us willingly put up with the frustrations, hassles, expenses, risks, and aches and pains of riding. To most people it just doesn't make sense. So at the risk of being overly analytical I am going to propose some amateur psychological explanations, even though Dave proved poetry is better than science at capturing the essence of the feeling.
When riding there is close contact with nature transmitted directly to the deep-seated primative parts of our brains where smells, weather cues and motions in the surrounding environment are interpreted at some primative, and therefore intinctively emotional level. When in a car with the windows closed, we are cut off from all of that.
The olfactory center in the hippocampus is intimately and strongly also associated with memory, accounting for the instantaneous and powerful associations that both new and old odors arouse. Everyone has experienced the almost overwhelming reliving of an experience or the seeming presence of a loved one brought on by simply smelling a distinctive odor or a long forgotten perfume.
It wasn't long ago that surviving in nature meant more than getting up off the couch to change the thermostat. The hightened awareness induced by a temperature drop or nipping wind necessarily stimulates an anticipatory sense of preparedness. We have all seen animals ears prick up when the leaves rustle in the breeze of an oncoming storm front. -- What are we going to do now? Think think think. Be tuned in and perceptive or be caught with your pants down. -- There is a hard-wired alertness to such changes that can literally raise the hairs on the back of your neck that comes into play in rapid succession when riding.
Perceiving motion, both your own and that of the world around you, is one of the most fundamental hereditary preprogrammed concerns of organisms hoping to stay alive in a world governed by gravity and full of predators and prey. -- Am I falling? What was that? How do I respond to either challenge right this instant? How do I control my body to make the right thing happen as effectively and safely as possible? -- Getting it right, and quickly, may determine whether you fall from that tree or not, or eat or be eaten. Yes there is behavioral learning from experiential success and failure but again, intinct is strongly evoked even in humans. Hunger and pain are the obvious evolutionary punishments for failure; feeling pleasantly full is one reinforcement for success, but the reward for satisfactorily thwarting gravity and evading trauma is less well defined but no less deeply gratifying. I always love to watch squirrels run across the road in front of cars because I am certain that those last few bounding hops they take after they are beyond danger are expressions of the joy they are feeling in the confidence they have beaten death yet again. I think somewhere deep in the brain, the concept of fun is intimately tied to mastery of motion, and there aren't too many places in modern life more closely evoking that sensation than on a motorcycle.
So, this may be all speculative BS but I couldn't resist the attempt to decipher why I so much associate with Dave's obvious heartfelt love of riding. I'm one of the ones here that very definitely get it. I don't think parsing the reasons I like to ride so much makes it less romantic, I'm just curious why the good parts are so much more alluring than the inconveniences are off-putting.
Kevin
A good world needs knowledge, kindliness, and courage. --Bertrand Russell
Member #37 - Lifer
Member #37 - Lifer
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Beemeridian
- Lifer
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Last edited by Beemeridian on Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Most people don't do what's right, they do what's most convenient and then repent
2015 Honda PCX150
2015 Honda PCX150
Touring on a motorcycle, I don't even know where to start...or how. Perhaps if I had Bro Darths ability with the written word..only perhaps.
The smells, the temp changes the sounds and the physical feelings, heat, cold humidity...the continous and complete stimulation of the sences tell me that I am alive and not in a man made cocoon isolated from the world. You touch, feel, breathe, see and smell life...I am alive.
I just finished yesterday my 4th major 3000 mile plus trip this summer and it was possibly among the best ever. I'll tell more about it in another post.
By far most of my trips are totally by myself. My first attempt at a trip was while in college my sophomore year in 1962 on a Mobolytte moped. I tried to ride from Lubbock Texas, Texas Tech to my home in Houston, got as far as Big Springs about 100 or so miles, but what an adventure. My next big trip was from St. Petersburg, Fl to Houston Texas in '68 on a '68 BSA Lightning. I have been hooked every since.
My R1200ST is a better tourer than my R1150R and if I was to add a bike a bike to make touring more comfortable it would be the R1200RT, a truly fantastic bike.
My ST at the Golden Gate bridge Sept 2 last with all my camping gear on the way to the Range of Light Gypsy tour for 3 days of camping and serious motorcycling riding.
The smells, the temp changes the sounds and the physical feelings, heat, cold humidity...the continous and complete stimulation of the sences tell me that I am alive and not in a man made cocoon isolated from the world. You touch, feel, breathe, see and smell life...I am alive.
I just finished yesterday my 4th major 3000 mile plus trip this summer and it was possibly among the best ever. I'll tell more about it in another post.
By far most of my trips are totally by myself. My first attempt at a trip was while in college my sophomore year in 1962 on a Mobolytte moped. I tried to ride from Lubbock Texas, Texas Tech to my home in Houston, got as far as Big Springs about 100 or so miles, but what an adventure. My next big trip was from St. Petersburg, Fl to Houston Texas in '68 on a '68 BSA Lightning. I have been hooked every since.
My R1200ST is a better tourer than my R1150R and if I was to add a bike a bike to make touring more comfortable it would be the R1200RT, a truly fantastic bike.
My ST at the Golden Gate bridge Sept 2 last with all my camping gear on the way to the Range of Light Gypsy tour for 3 days of camping and serious motorcycling riding.
Dean-O
Member #33
Member #33
I spent 1 year and 27 days, LIVING on a R100RS in 1982. I got out of the Air Force and had saved some money. I stored everthing I owned except for what would fit in the Krauser bags and on the rack. I had a tent and sleeping bag. I hit all lower 48 states. I lived in KOA's and cheap motels.
I worked for cash, construction sites, was a bouncer, bartender, I did what ever I could to survive. There were times cash was low and I did'nt know where my next tank of fuel or meal was coming from. I was always honest though, never stole. I had to pick gas or food more than once, I picked gas. I stayed in a forest down dirt roads more than once to save money. I've got some stories, used a .357 once in Alabama to kill a Ford pickup, it was that or the 2 real unfriendly dudes IN the truck. Met some great people. I got real sick at a KOA, the owner and his wife lived on site, when my tent was still there after the night I paid for, he checked on me and found me. Took me in the house and his wife nursed me back to health. I was down for 3 weeks. when I was well enough I helped at the campground for a while to repay them. Most all the time I got by. I'm 45 now and would not trade that time for anything. The memorys are vivid, and few pictures exist of the trek except for in my mind.
I love long distance riding, the road and every trip has its own rhythm, the trick is to find that rhythm and roll with it. I went to OKC for a family reunion 8 years ago on a R1100RS. took off from Phoenix with the intent of spending as little time on interstates as possible. Got good and lost a couple of times in Texas, always found some local to help out, one of them an oldtimer asked me to lunch at his house. I ended up talking with him and his wife all afternoon. An oral history of the south Texas area, you can't get that in a car. It seems on a BMW people do not percive us as a threat. I'm pretty clean cut, one tattoo of a rondel and an earring.
I have a young family now so my long trips are curtailed, but I have the memories of many 100"s of thousand miles on a motorcycle and many more to come. I have the pleasure of introducing my kids to motorcycles to look forward to. I hope they enjoy the way of life as I do, but I won't force it on them.
I love to travel on a bike, long trips in a cage suck! I'd rather be miserable on a bike than insulated in a cage with a CD player and all of the luxuraies they afford now. Alone in my thoughts, the road ahead, watching the clouds, that's living, really living, not just exsiting.
Ride on all.
Rog
I worked for cash, construction sites, was a bouncer, bartender, I did what ever I could to survive. There were times cash was low and I did'nt know where my next tank of fuel or meal was coming from. I was always honest though, never stole. I had to pick gas or food more than once, I picked gas. I stayed in a forest down dirt roads more than once to save money. I've got some stories, used a .357 once in Alabama to kill a Ford pickup, it was that or the 2 real unfriendly dudes IN the truck. Met some great people. I got real sick at a KOA, the owner and his wife lived on site, when my tent was still there after the night I paid for, he checked on me and found me. Took me in the house and his wife nursed me back to health. I was down for 3 weeks. when I was well enough I helped at the campground for a while to repay them. Most all the time I got by. I'm 45 now and would not trade that time for anything. The memorys are vivid, and few pictures exist of the trek except for in my mind.
I love long distance riding, the road and every trip has its own rhythm, the trick is to find that rhythm and roll with it. I went to OKC for a family reunion 8 years ago on a R1100RS. took off from Phoenix with the intent of spending as little time on interstates as possible. Got good and lost a couple of times in Texas, always found some local to help out, one of them an oldtimer asked me to lunch at his house. I ended up talking with him and his wife all afternoon. An oral history of the south Texas area, you can't get that in a car. It seems on a BMW people do not percive us as a threat. I'm pretty clean cut, one tattoo of a rondel and an earring.
I have a young family now so my long trips are curtailed, but I have the memories of many 100"s of thousand miles on a motorcycle and many more to come. I have the pleasure of introducing my kids to motorcycles to look forward to. I hope they enjoy the way of life as I do, but I won't force it on them.
I love to travel on a bike, long trips in a cage suck! I'd rather be miserable on a bike than insulated in a cage with a CD player and all of the luxuraies they afford now. Alone in my thoughts, the road ahead, watching the clouds, that's living, really living, not just exsiting.
Ride on all.
Rog
There has been so much described on this thread. I can't think of much more I can add. The experience has been nailed to a T here!
I bet dollars to donuts that any web surfer, non-rider, who stumbles across this thread will definately start looking further into motorcycling! Even if only to ride vivariously through his/her findings on the topic.
I made my decision to begin riding after reading a paragraph in the opening pages of 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'. It was something to the effect
"....travelling by car you 'watch' the scenery pass by, as if it were on TV. While riding a motorcycle you are 'in' the scenery.....watching the road pass by 6" below your foot...." (this is not verbatim, but the general gist of the paragraph - I no longer have the book).
After reading that phrase my mind was made up. Within weeks I was registered for my course and had chosen my first bike...and Robert Persig was bang on! After riding for 3 years now I sometimes wonder what took me so long.
...But like Boxer said...it's not for everybody.
I bet dollars to donuts that any web surfer, non-rider, who stumbles across this thread will definately start looking further into motorcycling! Even if only to ride vivariously through his/her findings on the topic.
I made my decision to begin riding after reading a paragraph in the opening pages of 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'. It was something to the effect
"....travelling by car you 'watch' the scenery pass by, as if it were on TV. While riding a motorcycle you are 'in' the scenery.....watching the road pass by 6" below your foot...." (this is not verbatim, but the general gist of the paragraph - I no longer have the book).
After reading that phrase my mind was made up. Within weeks I was registered for my course and had chosen my first bike...and Robert Persig was bang on! After riding for 3 years now I sometimes wonder what took me so long.
...But like Boxer said...it's not for everybody.
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
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yjleesvrr
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A slight change in thought from my earlier post. As couple people have mentioned at this point, there are other bikes that are better for touring than the Roadster. The R1150R is a decent bike to tour on, a heck of a lot better than a Yamaha R6. But it's not near the best for covering long distances. At this point in my life, I'd get a R1200RT as a dedicated touring bike because all the reviews I've read say that it also handles well. The Gold Wing can wait a couple more decades for me as can the Harley Electra Glide.
This post is somewhat akin to what I'd say to someone who just rode a thousand miles on a GSX-R1000 and said that they didn't think motorcycles were good for long distance trips.
This post is somewhat akin to what I'd say to someone who just rode a thousand miles on a GSX-R1000 and said that they didn't think motorcycles were good for long distance trips.
Member #93, June 2002
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
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iowabeakster
- Quadruple Lifer
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- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:43 am
- Location: iowa city, ia
i dont think you are at all in error of the "inconvienece" of 2 wheel touring. fnfalman said it well. And i agree with the statments of others. I stop ALL the time on a long distance rides. Food, cigarettes, gas (gasoline and flatulance), drink, change undies, wipe helmet, giant balls of twine, drain rain out of boots, lemonade stands, tacky touist shops, photo opportunities and broken down Harleys are all perfectly good reasons to stop, stretch and enjoy the trip even more.
To me you may have been a bit ambitious on your trek(or maybe a bit skimpy on your time frame). A car may have been a better choice to fit in so much into a small span of time. I would be dissapointed trying to fit all that beutiful scenery in a month with a helicoptor! (is that how you spell helicoptor?).
Ride with friends. If you absolutely must, ride with your brother, (sometimes my bro reads here).
I might suggest you simplify your road gear. Maybe leave the ipod at home. Shop for more functional clothing and protective gear. I'm assuming you have GPS to solve "map inconvience." etc etc. Lots of accessories to help you out on the market in this area. Storage is good!
Are you really saying you would have rather rode the Going to the Sun Road in car? I was in a car when I was last there. I must have stopped and gotten out to take pictures at every single place there was room on the shoulder. I hope you rode "bear tooth pass" while you were in the area! On a motorcycle trip I would give myself at least 12 hours to ride back and forth from sunrise to sunset (with snacks and cigarette breaks). REALLY!
Riding motorcycles will never be "Drive thru" convenient and hopefully never will be.
Touring on a bike may not be for you. That is of course fine. If you want a "car" trip then take the car instead.
This reminds me of the worst apple that I ever ate. It turned out that it was a PINEAPPLE and I was not supposed to eat it like a Red Delicious.
To me you may have been a bit ambitious on your trek(or maybe a bit skimpy on your time frame). A car may have been a better choice to fit in so much into a small span of time. I would be dissapointed trying to fit all that beutiful scenery in a month with a helicoptor! (is that how you spell helicoptor?).
Ride with friends. If you absolutely must, ride with your brother, (sometimes my bro reads here)
.I might suggest you simplify your road gear. Maybe leave the ipod at home. Shop for more functional clothing and protective gear. I'm assuming you have GPS to solve "map inconvience." etc etc. Lots of accessories to help you out on the market in this area. Storage is good!
Are you really saying you would have rather rode the Going to the Sun Road in car? I was in a car when I was last there. I must have stopped and gotten out to take pictures at every single place there was room on the shoulder. I hope you rode "bear tooth pass" while you were in the area! On a motorcycle trip I would give myself at least 12 hours to ride back and forth from sunrise to sunset (with snacks and cigarette breaks). REALLY!
Riding motorcycles will never be "Drive thru" convenient and hopefully never will be.
Touring on a bike may not be for you. That is of course fine. If you want a "car" trip then take the car instead.
This reminds me of the worst apple that I ever ate. It turned out that it was a PINEAPPLE and I was not supposed to eat it like a Red Delicious.
I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
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darthrider
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Beemeridian
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Last edited by Beemeridian on Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Most people don't do what's right, they do what's most convenient and then repent
2015 Honda PCX150
2015 Honda PCX150
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Guest
I love touring on my Roadster and do it as much as I can. That may be because I have modified my bike extensively for comfort, added a fairing, etc. Why not get an RT instead? Because I am not big enough. A Rockster might be different as far as comfort - don't know, haven't ridden one myself.
The other thing, though, is that it's okay not to be into touring. Nothing wrong with that at all as long as one rides enough to keep up one's skills.
Ebet
The other thing, though, is that it's okay not to be into touring. Nothing wrong with that at all as long as one rides enough to keep up one's skills.
Ebet