Phoenix -> San Jose in 2 days...? On a just-bought bike...?

[wildwolf]

Rent/borrow a trailer to get it home, it's an unknown bike. You haven't done any maintenance on it, don't know the history (regardless of what you were told, you don't know for _sure_ it was done), etc.

A lot of the full size cargo vans you can rent can hold a smaller 800cc cruiser no problems.

[wildwolf]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Down east we don't call it the shocker, it's the minivan... two up front, five in the rear.

[stp1971]

Get a ramp and load her in the back of a pickup truck. I know for a fact that a M50 will fit into a shortbed fullsize Dodge Ram picjup truck as long as the tailgate is down. Longbed truck,, no worries at all.

Or get a trailer. That is what I would do.

[Clint]

Seems there's not much adventure in the American spirit these days.

I say go for it. Dress appropriately (buy a real motorcycle jacket and gloves), drink plenty of water, and ride carefully.

[stp1971]

Nope. No adventure when he is on such a tight schedule on an unknown bike. Now on one of my own bikes and knowing how I do physically for how long I would say do it.

But for him,, if he is already unsure and is going to a forum with this is already showing that he is not confident in doing this. Telling him to just do it might not be the best advice.

If he came and said he had more time and knew more personally about the bike I would say go for it. But he didn't so maybe this is not the wisest choice.

But then again I grew up in one of those no running with scissors households.

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Seems there's not much adventure in the American spirit these days.

I say go for it. Dress appropriately (buy a real motorcycle jacket and gloves), drink plenty of water, and ride carefully.

I think Clint bumped his head in that "get off" in NC.

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Seems there's not much adventure in the American spirit these days.

I say go for it. Dress appropriately (buy a real motorcycle jacket and gloves), drink plenty of water, and ride carefully.

Buy a camel back. Fill with water. Not beer.

[inspiron]

I agree with stp. I wouldn't have a problem with an experienced rider on his own bike making that ride. To mis-quote Landry, "I'd hit it."

But recommend that ride to a total newbie on an unknown bike? No, that's not an adventure, that's negligent.

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

you guys are too harsh on that seat. It does break in after a while. I find mine fairly comfortable and I can do 3 hours on the highway without a stop if I have too, and it doesn't leave me feeling to beat up. So far, longest riding is about 6-7 hours and I felt okay in the morning.

Yep they said the same thing about my Hammer seat. "Gets softer the more you ride it"......
Plan your trip out. get on gasbuddy.com. Check the route an the gas stations.
Check for decent over night accomadations. On our trip out to Cali....some of the places to stay in areas like YUMA...kinda shady.

[stp1971]

They have said the same thing about my Mustang Seat. It breaks in after a while. Well I will say that after about 14,000 miles it hasn't quite broken in yet. Hmmmm.

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by JmalB

Buy a camel back. Fill with water. Not beer.

Not beer

[stp1971]

Nope,,, no beer.

[hammersfan]

That is not the best way to break in a new engine if it is a new bike but if the bike has been broken in already I don't see any problem doing 700 miles over two days, I did 1300 km in one day 6 of it in rain on my M50 last year. Granted, your bum will be killing you by the end of the 2nd day but what the heck, that's character building.!!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by hammersfan

your bum will be killing you by the end of the 2nd day but what the heck, that's character building.!!

Yep, that's where MY character is....for sure!!

[ORBrit]

There's a difference between adventure and a life risking proposition.

Adventure would be a well planned trip over 4 or 5 days, with the right gear, experience, and probably a riding buddy.
The latter you already described in your first post!

[Broc]

Originally Posted by zby

And just an additional comment. Is the LA traffic really *that* bad? I drove there with a car, didn't notice anything special, except for a lot of traffic jams. If one doesn't split a lane, and just rides the way one would drive a car - is it this different? Do drivers force you to let them go, the way they wouldn't with a car? Do they pass you too close and the wind shakes you?

I learned to ride in LA traffic. Not that bad. Probably the best to learn in as it really makes you pay attention to your surroundings. Actually, LA traffic is better than Phoenix, we have some REAL BAD DRIVERS HERE. After 13 years, this traffic still makes me nervous.

My advice to you, if you are that worried, get a trailer and haul it back. Get comfortable with your new bike in comfortable surroundings and not on the highways or freeways. If you are not an experienced rider and you are on a bike you are not comfortable with, you not only put yourself in danger but those on the road around you as well.


For 200 plus expenses, I'll ride it out for you.