|
Author |
Message |
Ambitiousdrea... |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Ambitiousdrea... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 22 Dec 2016 Karma :
|
Posted: 20:56 - 22 Dec 2016 Post subject: Long distance bike trip planned, no experience |
|
|
Hey, apologies if this is in the wrong forum,
I have a life goal of driving a motorcycle from Alaska-San Diego, and i'd like to keep the option open to extending this trip down through Central America.
I'm looking to start putting this plan into place, my only problem is I have no motorcycle experience , I do have 2 years of moped experience, whilst i'm aware this likely pales in comparison to the task of riding a motorcycle, I feel it sets me at an advantage to a complete beginner.
In an ideal world, id love to do the trip on a Triumph Bonneville T100, for no other real reason as I love the look of it, it also doesnt appear to be 'too' powerful. I understand that there is a good chance these bikes are not set up for those kind of journeys, or I wont be able to pick one up in Alaska, so if someone could suggest a more suitable bike, or give the go ahead on the Bonneville, it would be appreciated.
Other questions are,
- Assuming I purchase the Bike in Alaska, does anyone have any experience of what paperwork, etc, id have to fill out as a UK citizen?
- Is it possible to drive over the border into Canada/back into USA without much hassle? Ive crossed the border previously in a rental car but it was several years ago and forget the experience.
- Is there any problems with buying/riding a motorcycle with just a UK driving licence?
Any help appreciated,
Thanks. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ADSrox0r |
This post is not being displayed .
|
ADSrox0r World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Ste |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Ste Not Work Safe
Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Beehive Bedlam |
This post is not being displayed because the poster has bad karma. Unhide this post / all posts.
|
Beehive Bedlam World Chat Champion
Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Cali747 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Cali747 Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 07 Dec 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Ambitiousdrea... |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Ambitiousdrea... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 22 Dec 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ADSrox0r |
This post is not being displayed .
|
ADSrox0r World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 22:47 - 22 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
Right
https://www.thelostadventure.com/5-things-to-consider-when-renting-a-motorcycle-in-america
Point 5. " Lastly – you MUST be a licensed motorcyclist and provide documentation which proves this. Make sure to bring your license as most bike hire companies will not rent you a motorcycle without proof you’re licensed to ride in your home country. Also, most companies require that the rider is a minimum of 21 years of age."
This is to HIRE a motorcycle in the USA. Purchasing and riding a motorcycle is no different. You must have a full UK motorcycle license to ride in the US. Now that's not to say you couldn't walk into a second hand bike lot and ride off into the sunset, but WHEN the state trooper catches up with you for wobbling around on a 900cc motorcycle you have NO experience on.....you're in deep shit. ____________________ Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30
Last edited by ADSrox0r on 22:50 - 22 Dec 2016; edited 2 times in total |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Alpineandy |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Alpineandy World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Beehive Bedlam |
This post is not being displayed because the poster has bad karma. Unhide this post / all posts.
|
Beehive Bedlam World Chat Champion
Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
stevew |
This post is not being displayed .
|
stevew Scooby Slapper
Joined: 23 Jul 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 23:04 - 22 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
Suggest you register on HUBB's forum.
Lot more info there
www.horizonsunlimited.com
Also worth a read is "Old man on a bike" Simon Gandolfi just to show it can be done, and on a 125 !!
Dunno what sort of bike you will end up with but don't discount small bikes 125-250 as they are cheap and easy to get repaired anywhere. ____________________ Maxsym 400i 2013, Sterling 125 2017, Honda Wave110i 2014,
Orpington
The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity. Robert Anthony
Last edited by stevew on 23:06 - 22 Dec 2016; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Azoth |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Azoth Brolly Dolly
Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Karma :
|
Posted: 23:04 - 22 Dec 2016 Post subject: Re: Long distance bike trip planned, no experience |
|
|
Ambitiousdream wrote: | In an ideal world, id love to do the trip on a Triumph Bonneville T100, for no other real reason as I love the look of it, it also doesnt appear to be 'too' powerful. |
An experienced biker or sportsbike rider is free to make that call, but as a beginner, you aren't. I've just looked up its specs. It's more than enough to kill you, or maim you for life. Far more than enough... Supercar acceleration with no protection, like any standard type bike. It would be a good idea to start off with a bit more respect for the machine, until the requisite reactions and habits are well-practised and firmly a part of muscle memory. In other words, it's better to learn to walk before you run. In my enthusiasm, I can get carried away sometimes too. But on serious calls like that, never. I wouldn't take it so lightly! I'm not saying don't make the trip (providing you're legal first, etc.) ____________________ Safety in numbers |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
arry |
This post is not being displayed .
|
arry Super Spammer
Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ADSrox0r |
This post is not being displayed .
|
ADSrox0r World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Ambitiousdrea... |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Ambitiousdrea... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 22 Dec 2016 Karma :
|
Posted: 01:11 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
Cheers
Quote: | I'd suggest you get your full bike licence here and then ask on advrider.com
Plenty of those guys have done that journey.
However if you tell them you don't even have a licence yet then they're unlikely to waste their time telling you how to go about it. |
Cool site, thanks.
Quote: | OK. Your first step is CBT compulsory basic training should cost around 100 ponds.
Second step is a Theory.
Third step is a DAS course. |
Thanks, provides some clarity.
Quote: | Suggest you register on HUBB's forum.
Lot more info there Wink
www.horizonsunlimited.com
Also worth a read is "Old man on a bike" Simon Gandolfi just to show it can be done, and on a 125 !!
Dunno what sort of bike you will end up with but don't discount small bikes 125-250 as they are cheap and easy to get repaired anywhere. |
Quote: | An experienced biker or sportsbike rider is free to make that call, but as a beginner, you aren't. I've just looked up its specs. It's more than enough to kill you, or maim you for life. Far more than enough... Supercar acceleration with no protection, like any standard type bike. It would be a good idea to start off with a bit more respect for the machine, until the requisite reactions and habits are well-practised and firmly a part of muscle memory. In other words, it's better to learn to walk before you run. In my enthusiasm, I can get carried away sometimes too. But on serious calls like that, never. I wouldn't take it so lightly! I'm not saying don't make the trip (providing you're legal first, etc.) |
Thanks for info(forum,site, and book), and yea its becoming apparent my initial choice of bike was ambitious, especially for the time frame of which I want to start this journey(~7 months time), the trip isn't really about which bike I do it on, and the specs of it are irrelevant to me, id even do it on a vespa(but theres nowhere to store my vinyls ) the threads goal was to provide some info into making the optimal plan for the trip, and so far its doing that, thanks. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Alpineandy |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Alpineandy World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
thx1138 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
thx1138 World Chat Champion
Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
stevew |
This post is not being displayed .
|
stevew Scooby Slapper
Joined: 23 Jul 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 11:37 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
Ambitiousdream wrote: |
Thanks for info(forum,site, and book), and yea its becoming apparent my initial choice of bike was ambitious, especially for the time frame of which I want to start this journey(~7 months time), the trip isn't really about which bike I do it on, and the specs of it are irrelevant to me, id even do it on a vespa(but theres nowhere to store my vinyls ) the threads goal was to provide some info into making the optimal plan for the trip, and so far its doing that, thanks. |
Where are you based AD ??
Re, the bike. There will be loads of suggestions here but as you have already said don't get too hung up on it, it really isn't important.
Just keep it really simple and if you are buying in the US a second hand 250 will be cheap and very likely will have hardly been used !!
Also don't get too hung up on the luggage thing either. Stuff like the Giant loop saddle bags (American) will go on just about any bike that has space for a pillion.
https://www.giantloopmoto.com/product/great-basin-saddlebag/
There are cheaper versions from companies like 21brothers in Poland too.
Just to give you an idea of what is possible;-
https://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s453/stevewatkin1/C90/20160414_140212_zpsew8c0qlb.jpg
Wouldn't suggest this is the best way and it's only been for UK/Ireland but 56000 miles later it's still working for me ____________________ Maxsym 400i 2013, Sterling 125 2017, Honda Wave110i 2014,
Orpington
The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity. Robert Anthony |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Wonko The Sane |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Wonko The Sane World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :
|
Posted: 12:19 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
stevew wrote: | Suggest you register on HUBB's forum.
Lot more info there
www.horizonsunlimited.com
Also worth a read is "Old man on a bike" Simon Gandolfi just to show it can be done, and on a 125 !!
Dunno what sort of bike you will end up with but don't discount small bikes 125-250 as they are cheap and easy to get repaired anywhere. |
not forgetting Ed March who's doing it on a Honda C90 - he's on youtube ____________________ Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
Posted: 12:30 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
I would quite seriously consider a Harley for this trip. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
bamt |
This post is not being displayed .
|
bamt World Chat Champion
Joined: 15 Dec 2013 Karma :
|
Posted: 12:55 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
^^^^ wot he sez.
You don't want to be in smallsville, backwater USA, when a funny foreign machine that the local mechanics have never seen before breaks down, then they have to order parts from the other side of the world.
Any garage in the US knows what a HD is, and where to get bits, or where the nearest bike shop is (which will definitely know HDs). Plus, if you are doing the US, then do it US style. Not the ideal bikes for long distance rough stuff, but probably what I'd choose for that journey.
Otherwise, I really wouldn't be hung up about a T100 being "too much bike". Yes, they are faster than most cars. But you'll have been riding something similar power-wise to get your full bike license so it really isn't an issue. By the time you've finished the trip you'll have plenty of miles under your belt.
Also, with only 7 months to go, you need to get a full license ASAP, then ideally get a proper bike in this country to get some experience on the road in familiar surroundings and without the stress of needing to be somewhere and carrying full luggage. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Alpineandy |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Alpineandy World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Alpineandy |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Alpineandy World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Ste |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Ste Not Work Safe
Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 20:22 - 23 Dec 2016 Post subject: Re: Long distance bike trip planned, no experience |
|
|
Ambitiousdream wrote: | Hey, apologies if this is in the wrong forum,
I have a life goal of driving a motorcycle from Alaska-San Diego, and i'd like to keep the option open to extending this trip down through Central America.
I'm looking to start putting this plan into place, my only problem is I have no motorcycle experience , I do have 2 years of moped experience, whilst i'm aware this likely pales in comparison to the task of riding a motorcycle, I feel it sets me at an advantage to a complete beginner.
In an ideal world, id love to do the trip on a Triumph Bonneville T100, for no other real reason as I love the look of it, it also doesnt appear to be 'too' powerful. I understand that there is a good chance these bikes are not set up for those kind of journeys, or I wont be able to pick one up in Alaska, so if someone could suggest a more suitable bike, or give the go ahead on the Bonneville, it would be appreciated.
Other questions are,
- Assuming I purchase the Bike in Alaska, does anyone have any experience of what paperwork, etc, id have to fill out as a UK citizen?
- Is it possible to drive over the border into Canada/back into USA without much hassle? Ive crossed the border previously in a rental car but it was several years ago and forget the experience.
- Is there any problems with buying/riding a motorcycle with just a UK driving licence?
Any help appreciated,
Thanks. |
Why not try a bit of 125cc touring before leaping in at the deep end? I watched these a few years ago and they're worth a look if you haven't seen them. It's something you could do without too much aggro and would give you a chance to see if you're into touring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Vz6IgDFmc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_G9cgClhDk ____________________ "Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."
Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
waffles |
This post is not being displayed .
|
waffles World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 7 years, 117 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
|
|
|