Long Rides Are My Business...Business is good! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

FarRider · 03-20-2007, 05:32 PM

So, I am new to this forum here. About me & my bike's. I have had many & I mean many Honda's & Suzuki's over the years. I have riddin them, some incredible distances in America & Central Europe.
Lessons Learned from the Europeans in the 80's.....
I was absolutely amazed at how much German's put on there bike's, as a young man in the Army during the mid 80's. I too learned to pack like the Grinch that stole Christmas. I have since refined my packing technique. The European tour is up there with some of the best riding I have ever done. Words can not describe the scenes through the Spannish coast or in the French Alp's between Germany & Austria.
It is enteresting to pull up to a biker bar in Europe. You ask yourself,"where are the Harley's"?
Then you remember, you are in Europe. Aside from the usual bikes you are all probably familiar with you see, Bimota, Ducatti, BMW, Triumph, etc.....
The dual purpose machine is a popular breed in Northern Europe more than any other part. I suppose it is due to the adverse weather. Riding on coblestoan in wet or icy conditions is no picnic.
The AutoBahn & you On your Bike.......
Give up the romantic notions of endless acceleration & speed. Instead prepare for unforgiving wind's & strictly enforced 100k zones. There are areas where you can open it up. If you have a bike with the horses, there are sections with no speed limit at all. The local authority's will catch you & stop you if they deem you are not riding safely.
Getting your driving permit in Europe is no easy task. You must take a written exam that consists of a 100 question test & a sign recognition test, where you must identify 50 different European Union sign's. The margine for error is small on these exams. So study for them.
Riding in America!
After being gone for several years in the Army I was stoked to be home. I got a new bike! As my BMW RS80 was not specked correctly for the U.S. My barely used 1981 GS1000S Suzuki (less than 6000 miles) was the perfect bike to come home to.
After a couple of week's at Ft.Riley,Ks. I was ready for a little leave time. I headed for Kansas City. Good BB-Q! Many rides followed after that. Some Coast to Coast! Even to Canada.
One of the prettiest rides in the U.S. is up the West Coast. Start in San Diego on the 1. Head North. Just keep going until you hit Vancover B.C. I did & I promise you won't regret it.
Another ride worth taking is West to East by way of Pheonix, Az. Head out in the direction of Globe,Az. Keep going until you get through the mountains. Take route 666 & head to St. John's Mountain. You are realy in the middle of nowhere now. At the top of the Mountain Get some gas. You'll need it. Say hello to the Chief while you are there. Keep going & stop off at Elmoro Natnl. Monument. Just past the Continental Divide. Take the 40 to Grants New Mexico. From there your destinations are limitless. After all, you are in the middle of the country almost.
Bike's I have had........
To many to remember. Suzuki's take abuse! Honda's tend to be comftorable. I wouldn't ride a Yamaha across town. I have never owned a Kawasaki. BMW is a master of the road. However does not care for abuse and is fussy about altitude changes. CV carbs I guess. Alway's wanted a Harley Davidson. Never had the Money all at one time to buy one. So I will keep riding metric.
Any of you that ever want advice on a trip. I have probably riddin there. Ask me. If I can help I will.
On Any Given Sunday.......
On any given Sunday, you can usualy find me at ED & Verns Rock Store. Just off the Mulholland HWY. Sipping a beer or comming back from a calming ride in the hill's of Malibu. Often my buddy's & myself will ride down to PCH from the Rock Store to Neptune's Net for some Chowder. (They make the best) You will often see Jay Leno or the Govenor of California The Terminator on these roads. Don't be surprised by the uncontrolable smile you have on your face from the experience of this ride. It is Beautiful out there. You can see why the rich folk's buy homes there.
Keep the shiny side up. I'll see you on the road.
The Far Rider