Heading out West

kacbrxx · 06-28-2008, 9:22 PM

I am heading out west from Buffalo, New York through Canada and back
into the states at Minnesota ... headed for the west coast in a week.
Any routes via a northern trek I should take or sites to see? I plan to
stop at a friend's house in No. Cal. for a few days and then head back
home with no planned route to take. Just asking for any ideas.

ArmyStrong · 06-30-2008, 10:32 PM

None here, but good luck w/the trip. Take some interesting pics!

SilverBrd · 06-30-2008, 11:55 PM

Don't head South.. It's been 98-101 degrees here every day....almost unridable.......almost!!

lois · 07-01-2008, 1:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBrd

Don't head South.. It's been 98-101 degrees here every day....almost unridable.......almost!!

Oh boo hoo....we hit a sweltering 70 degrees here today.....I'm still wearing a sweater.

I have never been in /thru Southern Ontario, but I here it is very spectacular riding anywhere along or near the great lakes, especially if you get near enough to the "Canadian shield" formations.

Lois

zzki · 07-01-2008, 5:45 PM

No suggestions here... only jealousy. Have fun.

Stan

beestoys · 07-02-2008, 9:29 PM

yep 115 today and hasn't been below 110 high for the last week. Love my cool vest and ride to and from work everyday 15 miles on way. Been looking at the possibility of lowering the thermostat to keep her a bit cooler

CanadianBird · 07-02-2008, 10:14 PM

I suggest you ride through northern Michigan and catch #2 . It runs parallel with the US/Can. border. I wouldn't ride through Ontario, Manitoba or Sask myself.

From Montana you cant cut North through Glacier National Park into Waterton Lake National Park.

Catch #3 and ride West through Crow's Nest Pass.

Get a map of BC but if you stay on #3 it's beautiful ride all the way to the coast. FW its W I rode Van to Toronto via the States and back. Gas and accommodations will be cheaper in the States. Gas is from $1.50 + per litre in Canada.

In some eastern provinces, long stretches of shitty road and everyone says,"hey", at the end of every sentence.

Good luck.

trev356 · 07-08-2008, 12:55 AM

Just went North from Boise, up continental divide to almost Canada, and West diagonal across Washington down to Astoria on the coast, Down 101 to the first redwoods, and back across Oregon to Boise. Only things I can offer are these:
1.: Glaciers' Going To The Sun Highway was still washed out as of the third week in June, and I never did see that bit of info on any Mt. or Fed website. Had to be told at the ID/MT Lost Trail Pass border by a nice guy at the Visitors ctr. (West from Yakima on 12 over White Pass makes up for it)
2.: Mt. St. Helens, closed scenic loop again. Damn!( as of apprx. June 25-08)
3.: Is it just me, or is the route from the Redwoods to Boise, through Klamath Falls, Lakeview, Burns, and Ontario a desolate stretch with gas only at the 90 to 130 mile marks? Oh man i am spoiled by twisty mountain routes out here...My advice, stay north and out of the deserts.
4.: The Relief Pitcher in Newport OR has a great burger, and you can see the bikes out the front window, a few steps away.
Maybe I can help with any other North west routing, let me know.

kacbrxx · 07-08-2008, 1:23 AM

As of now I am at Lake Almanor, California. Drove like an Iron Butt-er for
three days THROUGH the states. I passed on the northern route not
wanting to use a supplied route through Toronto. As usual, loved
Iowa and Wyoming as well as parts of Illinois and Nebraska. Lets face
it... anything thats different than what you see on a full time basis
(aka. my dull existance in Western New York) looks pretty darned nice.
I do plan on leaving with more time to spend seeing the sites on the
way home.

And of course... the good news... that damned XX is something else!
Put a check in the "made the right choice" column on this bike!!!

trev356 · 07-08-2008, 9:22 AM

Right on! I guess you have a point, even in the middle of the high desert, I was better off than I might have been at work.

kacbrxx · 07-08-2008, 9:48 PM

Just a bit of feedback on the bike.

Noticed midway into the second day the bike felt much more like an
extension of me and not just a motorcycle I was sitting on.

Also at one point, mounting the bike the seat seemed lower than ususal.
I did a double take to make sure everything was as it was suppose to be.

I would like to adjust the original rear suspension pre-load for two riders,
but unless their is a tool to increase/decrease the Showa shock/spring...
I guess I will let that go. Might look into an aftermarket replacement
down the road.

For all you crybabies on the ST1300 website...the XX gets damned hot
in 90+ degree weather too! The heat coming off the engine on my left
leg is hot as hell!

The original saddle is taking a toll on my butt. The aftermarket Corbin
smuggler is home safe and sound. I left it home so my significant other
and I could ride two up. I am sure that in my less than physically perfect
butt and state of weight would have caused me to take a beating on
any saddle regardless.

Thanks to those of you who suggested the Michelin Road rear and Sport
(?) front mix. I am getting good results on wear and road worthiness.

The reality is... all I need to do is get better at handling a motorcycle
and I will improve the level of enjoyment I get out of this sucker!!

ArmyStrong · 07-08-2008, 10:09 PM

Sounds like you're there!

rideonXX · 07-10-2008, 11:29 PM

Congratulations on 'going for it' and doing the trip. In nearly 50 yrs of riding I have yet to do a cross country. Lots of riding in the western states, but nothing east of Colorado/Wyoming eastern borders.

As for the shock---just stop in a Honda dealer and have them adjust it. Should take just a few minutes. Make sure you find out how much first--as some are thieves to travelers and locals alike---while others will treat you great. The preload should be set for whatever your load is for this trip---otherwise you won't be getting the most out of the shock you already have. They should be able to do it in less than 10 minutes once they pick up the spanner wrench.

Have a wonderful rest of your trip-----happy trails kel

Catenaccio · 08-13-2008, 6:53 PM

OK, like I'm totally jealous! (Although I have a 4-state retrieval trip coming up soon.)

Strek · 08-14-2008, 7:59 AM

I used to take trips on my bike. Then we had kids. Now our vacation time is spent with the kids (some too young to ride and so far none of my older kids have expressed an interest in riding motorcycles). For me this type of riding will have to wait until they are older. I do love hearing about the trips and routes that all of you take.