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From: gordon@scgvaxd.UUCP (Gordon Howell)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Cross Country Ride Info
Message-ID: <439@scgvaxd.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-Oct-85 22:24:46 EDT
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Posted: Thu Oct 17 22:24:46 1985
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Organization: Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, CA
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Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Cross Country Ride Info
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My discoveries after several lengthy journeys:

BIKE :  I am a BMW fanatic, so take it with a grain of salt.  Use a
BMW R80RT (or similar) for pavement.  Unbelieveably smooth and reliable.
For one-up and cheap, an older R65 or R75 is good (get rubber engine mounts 
to kill the few vibrations)

Just got back from 7 weeks in Alaska and the Northwest Territories.  The
only bike for this territory is the BMW R80 G/S.  I was able to re-build
the transmission in the arctic (air freight in parts) with tools available
in an auto shop and my shop manual.  Try this on a Gold Wing.  This is the
only breakdown I have ever had on a BMW (and I deserved it...)

LODGING:  Join the American Youth Hostel Association.  Not always where
you are going; but I plan my destinations around them.  Otherwise camping
is easy.  I never go anywhere more than a day away without tent and bag.
If you get a BMW (here he goes again...) you can join the
BMW owner's association and have another resource for fixes, lodging,
friends, etc...

Other resources I use: Rider Motorcycle Touring Club; KOA directories;
Motel 6 directory; local advice on out-of-town cheapo motels; train and
bus stations (as a last resort to a wet night!)

The single most satisfying way to find lodging is to befriend the locals.
I have spent many happy, dry evenings at fellow biker's homes; people
I met on a previous journey; sympathetic auto shop owners (!); MOTOS...; etc.

FOOD:  Never spend more on food in a day than you do on gas  :-)   [after
all, I can travel on an empty stomach, but try it on an empty gas tank!]
I usually only cook at youth hostels.  Don't pass up the handout ---
most people really want to meet you (who is this strange human travelling
thousands of miles on a bike??)

REPAIRS:  Always be prepared.  Carry duct tape, baling wire, tools, and
crazy glue in that order.  I also carry a spare tube, tire patch kit and
pump (standard on guess-what-brand motorcycle).  Small items include:
headlight bulb, breaker points and condenser (if you need 'em), several
nut & bolt sets, electrical wire, and loctite.  Carry your shop manual!

ROADS:  Avoid the interstates.  I go for 60 mile roads that connect two
points 10 miles apart.  If an RV is there, you don't want to be.  Look
for lines on the map that you thought were rivers.  Look for roads marked
'unimproved'  --- on a light touring bike (such as a BMW :-)) you will
have no problems, and LOTS of fun.  US Highways winding their way through
Iowa cornfields are actually a lot more interesting than you might think.

COMPANIONS:  I prefer to travel alone, meeting people on the way.  I have
not had good luck travelling two up --- I finally taught a girlfriend
to ride, and that made all the difference...

This is already longer than expected...  Common sense is the most
valuable commodity on the road, whether you are on the interstae or
the outback.

Most of all, have fun.  (and stop by when you get to LA!)

Gordon Howell
engvax!gordon@CIT-VAX.ARPA
(213) 419-0254