If you could have one bike to travel across the US on...

[Reswob]

If I ever really considered buying a big heavy touring bike and strapping a bunch of hard luggage to it... I'd just buy a small car.

[Cedilla]

You know whats funny, I seen this thread and I was about to post up a GWing, but I started to read the thread, and I saw that I already did post a GW back in May. Lol I guess my opinion hasn't changed.

I do know one thing, I would never want to ride coast to coast on my Ninjette. A 300mi day pretty much beats me up to the point where I don't feel like riding for a couple of days.

[sprale]

Originally Posted by Apex

What would it be?

Post up a pic of it too. Just try to keep it from going over 800 pixels wide or high so people with slower connections don't need to wait 10 minutes for the page to load.

(EDIT: Cross country: road or offroad...whatever you fancy) Thanks Rock

I think if I were to do a cross country tour, I'd ride this:

BMW R1200GS

Nice choice, but It's missing a wheel

Maybe in different livery though...

[backinthesaddleagain]

Maybe the VFR1200. Concours or Multistrada would also be cool.

[wvninja]

The bike...


The actual size and ride..


longest cross country trip .... ever...

[Apex]

You could try this too:

Honda Ruckus trip...

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12143

[zilaniz]

vfr 1200 or multistrada

[sprale]

Originally Posted by Apex

You could try this too:

Honda Ruckus trip...

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12143

Awesome! With all the gear, I thought it was a Big Ruckus at first!

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB3/viewto...=35695&start=0

Damn-it! Now I want one of these bikes too! These things are like Lego's. If you have fabricating skills, you can really get creative!

[V2Neal]

The new Yamaha Super Tenere. An FJR would be a really close second, I loved my '05!

[tiggen]

Yamaha FZ6 at a campsite near the bridge in Fayetteville, WV. That was the first stop. I sent some crap home in Cali just to lighten the load.

Btw, if you go cross country, this ain't the bike you want.

[Bill N]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

Yamaha FJR1300

+1 For the FJR except it would be on my ebony 2009 with Givi trunk. Sorry no pics but she's a beauty and loves the open roads.
Bill

[MiniCog]

I'd have a V-Strom 650 or a Concours 14.

[Sailariel]

Peter, I gave in and bought a red NT-700V. The dealer gave me a great trade in on the Ninja. I tore up some tendons in my back a couple of months ago and found riding the Ninja pure agony. Doc said that it will take a long time before it is right again. Tried out a friend's NT-700 and found the ride painless. The ergos were right on. That is what made up my mind. I absolutely do not regret my choice. I do get some looks from the BMW folks. Honda was not too subtile in its copy.

[littledog]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

Peter, I gave in and bought a red NT-700V. The dealer gave me a great trade in on the Ninja. I tore up some tendons in my back a couple of months ago and found riding the Ninja pure agony. Doc said that it will take a long time before it is right again. Tried out a friend's NT-700 and found the ride painless. The ergos were right on. That is what made up my mind. I absolutely do not regret my choice. I do get some looks from the BMW folks. Honda was not too subtile in its copy.

A very nice bike I hope you get lots of good miles out of it.

After having sat on a bunch of bikes I think I'd have to change my choice to a Wee Strom. It is very comfortable for me being moderately long legged. The 2011 model has ABS standard and msrp of 8k.

One thing I wonder about is turbulence at helmet level from air coming off the windscreen (or elsewhere). I read that some Strom owners have a problem with that.

Alex, if you dont mind, how is wind on the NT at highway speed?

[wild-bill]

This spring I am going to attempt an Ironbutt SS1000 on my 650R. If it's good enough for that, it should be good enough for a cross country trip. I would just have to figure out how to lube the chain without a centerstand. But I will have the Airhawk seat pad instead of the sheepskin pictured here. All the sheepskin does is make the bike goofy-no comfort gain.




But a really great accomplishment would be to do a cross country ride on this awesome great looking bike

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by littledog

A very nice bike I hope you get lots of good miles out of it.

After having sat on a bunch of bikes I think I'd have to change my choice to a Wee Strom. It is very comfortable for me being moderately long legged. The 2011 model has ABS standard and msrp of 8k.

One thing I wonder about is turbulence at helmet level from air coming off the windscreen (or elsewhere). I read that some Strom owners have a problem with that.

Alex, if you dont mind, how is wind on the NT at highway speed?

I really don't want to sound like a wisea--, but there is no wind. They make optional wind deflectors, but with 5 positions on the windscreen (which is optically incredible--checked it out at night) the deflectors seem redundant. The bike for some reason likes 75 to 85 MPH. It is, like us hot rodders in the past, used to say, "It's up on the cam" Now we call it the sweet spot. It likes 7000RPM - which is 1500RPM under redline. I very rarely ran the Ninja under 7000RPM. I think that the Honda will be quite happy at 75MPH. A very common myth is that babying an engine will make it last longer. All that will do is give you carbon buildup. You got to let them run.

My friend is drawing up plans to fit a JAWA Sidecar. I will probably go that route. A Connie may have been a better choice performancewise, but they are thirsty. That has to be the most under rated bike around. It is an absolute beast that rides like a Cadillac. The Kawa engineers did a superb job on that machine. They really need to extoll its virtues in the press. IMHO, the Connie is the penultimate touring machine--priced right as well.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by wild-bill

This spring I am going to attempt an Ironbutt SS1000 on my 650R. If it's good enough for that, it should be good enough for a cross country trip. I would just have to figure out how to lube the chain without a centerstand. But I will have the Airhawk seat pad instead of the sheepskin pictured here. All the sheepskin does is make the bike goofy-no comfort gain.




But a really great accomplishment would be to do a cross country ride on this awesome great looking bike

[Sailariel]

Bill, I was hoping to do a cross US with my 08 250SE until I got hurt (Always remember that working on your house is MORE dangerous than riding a motorcycle. Ask me how I know.)

Your 650 looks like a great contendor. Check out Corbin seats. For that kind of distance riding, I would look at a ZG Touring windscreen and a set of risers for the handlebars. It would make the miles much less tiring.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by Reswob

If I ever really considered buying a big heavy touring bike and strapping a bunch of hard luggage to it... I'd just buy a small car.

Josh, You sound like my wife--why not get a Miata and put a rack on the trunk lid. Put the top down, and you have it all. Probably true--doesn't do much for me. I like 2 wheels whether they are motorized or pedal driven. Maybe I am just an old purist.

[wild-bill]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

Bill, I was hoping to do a cross US with my 08 250SE until I got hurt (Always remember that working on your house is MORE dangerous than riding a motorcycle. Ask me how I know.)

Your 650 looks like a great contendor. Check out Corbin seats. For that kind of distance riding, I would look at a ZG Touring windscreen and a set of risers for the handlebars. It would make the miles much less tiring.

Hi Alex. Instead of a Corbin seat, I may do the Spencer's seat mod to the 650 like I had done ot the 250's seat. It's less than half the price, even with shipping both ways. And both bikes have 1" handlebar risers-the 650 photo was taken before I got them. They help alot on long rides.

[Racer x]

I had planned to ride my Ninja 250 from Lewes Delaware to the Santa Monica pier in 50 hours. I have all the maps and all figured out . It was to be my first Iron Butt Ride.

I got hooked on racing before I had a chance . I have driven cross country 10 times or more .But always working or something . And never on a motorcycle. I like the mileage of the 250 . BUT I like this .With a set of bags I could get into this. I had a 2006 VFR Honda. But I like the look of the new 1000 a lot.

[MiniCog]

Originally Posted by Racer x

I had planned to ride my Ninja 250 from Lewes Delaware to the Santa Monica pier in 50 hours. I have all the maps and all figured out . It was to be my first Iron Butt Ride.

I got hooked on racing before I had a chance . I have driven cross country 10 times or more .But always working or something . And never on a motorcycle. I like the mileage of the 250 . BUT I like this .With a set of bags I could get into this. I had a 2006 VFR Honda. But I like the look of the new 1000 a lot.

Oh God, the new 1000 Ninja. I would ride the crap out of that bike.

I have a problem, I would take all of these bikes cross-country, and my '07 250, but I don't have the money for most of these bikes.

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

Josh, You sound like my wife--why not get a Miata and put a rack on the trunk lid. Put the top down, and you have it all. Probably true--doesn't do much for me. I like 2 wheels whether they are motorized or pedal driven. Maybe I am just an old purist.

To me at least, even a sportbike gets pretty boring after a couple hours on the highway. Some of those bigger bikes (Goldwing, Concours, etc) are so big it's almost like a car anyway. So I figure I might as well have weather protection and comparatively infinite luggage space.

[sharky nrk]

I like the idea of a Versys or even a 650R appropriately touring modified - the big touring bikes are quite awesome (mmmmm Connie14 mmmmm) but they are more of everything and maybe more than I would need.

[scotty]

Kawasaki vulcan 900. Great style, lots of power too!

[oroboros]

I have a problem, I would take all of these bikes cross-country, and my '07 250, but I don't have the money for most of these bikes.

Just looking over this list makes me think about all of the bikes that I have yet to know about or even consider. They cost as much as car. I go to Europe a few times a year and was in Japan recently. I always freak out when I see some bike that I have never seen before and tops my list of coolest looking things ever. How about this BMW scooter thing with a roof. Not that you are gonna go cross country but...maybe?

not my picture, hoarked from the interwebs

[MiniCog]

Originally Posted by oroboros

Just looking over this list makes me think about all of the bikes that I have yet to know about or even consider. They cost as much as car. I go to Europe a few times a year and was in Japan recently. I always freak out when I see some bike that I have never seen before and tops my list of coolest looking things ever. How about this BMW scooter thing with a roof. Not that you are gonna go cross country but...maybe?

not my picture, hoarked from the interwebs

That's pretty cool, I'd rather have a regular bike but if the market exists...

I HAVE ridden an ST-1300 from Texas to Virgina, through the Blue Ridge Mountains for a few days, then back (I was 13, though). The back was comfortable, and my dad wasn't complaining all that much, except our butts were sore (because, for some reason, we left out wallets in our pockets...) In fact, it was so comfortable that when we were riding through Alabama/Louisiana when we went to Virginia, I was falling asleep on the back and hitting my dad's back. We had to pull over for a couple of Red Bulls and a Snickers bar...

If you gave it a good twist, the ST would lift the front wheel. But not as badly as the Super Hawk he had for a while.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by Racer x

I had planned to ride my Ninja 250 from Lewes Delaware to the Santa Monica pier in 50 hours. I have all the maps and all figured out . It was to be my first Iron Butt Ride.

I got hooked on racing before I had a chance . I have driven cross country 10 times or more .But always working or something . And never on a motorcycle. I like the mileage of the 250 . BUT I like this .With a set of bags I could get into this. I had a 2006 VFR Honda. But I like the look of the new 1000 a lot.

Definitely agree on the 1000. Kawasaki did its homework. I predict that this bike will set a new standard in Sport-Touring.

[pugs24]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

Yamaha FJR1300

My pick too. This bike has everything you could ask for on a cross country trip.

[gogoKawi]

Originally Posted by Racer x

I had planned to ride my Ninja 250 from Lewes Delaware to the Santa Monica pier in 50 hours. I have all the maps and all figured out . It was to be my first Iron Butt Ride.

I got hooked on racing before I had a chance . I have driven cross country 10 times or more .But always working or something . And never on a motorcycle. I like the mileage of the 250 . BUT I like this .With a set of bags I could get into this. I had a 2006 VFR Honda. But I like the look of the new 1000 a lot.

That is the one! I sat on it at the motorcycle show. It seems like a comfortable ride. In a year or two, this will probably be the next bike, with the hard bags.

[MiniCog]

I'd would really want a cross between the C-14 and the 1000 Ninja. Kind of a sport-sport-touring...
I changed my mind, I'd ride a Honda Super Hawk 996, in yellow because my dad's was yellow with the silver belly pan and it was an awesome color. My dad's had a tank bra and R1 mirrors.
These babies had skirtless slipper pistons, 48mm Flat Slide CV carbs, a hydraulic clutch, the front brake rotors were nearly 300mm, it had an aluminum frame and the insides of the rims were hollowed. I did my homework on this bike when he had it.
MAN, this thing had torque out it's whazoo!

[wyckedflesh]

I rode from San Diego, to Vancouver, to Bangor Maine(to nail down a town in maine since I really pretty much just wandered) down to Key West and then back across to San Diego...
on...
1986 ZX600


But if I were to do the same trip this time around, I would have to go with the Can Am Spyder. That many constant days on the road, with all the hardware I have in my body, I can guarantee you, within 3 days time, I may have dropped the bike once at the end of the day, after 5 days, at least twice and by the 10th day I would be getting a plane ticket home.

[ryker]

Originally Posted by Daeldren

Mostly because the large touring bikes just wont work well for someone who is built like a jockey.

I've always want to try one of these since they starting showing up on the roads...

[Alex]

But since this thread, I have taken an R1200RT across the country a few times, albeit a newer version than the one I posted a few years back.

[Geezer-60]

I don't think I'd go Euro bike for a US Trans Con. If part X fails in Nowhere Nebraska, you could be there a day or two waiting for a package to show up. That said, no way I'd do an HD even though there is a dealer network beyond compare.

[dcj13]

I will be riding my '94 K75 (with 84K miles) around the US this summer. Big panniers, top case, tank bag hold enough stuff. Comfortable riding position, very little vib (smoooooth), stock seat is all-day comfortable (no monkey butt).

[BlackNinja8]

If I were traveling XC I would want to see the major cities, ride the most scenic country roads, and hit the dirt and gravel for long stretches. So I would need something nimble in traffic, comfortable on the slab, competent in the loose stuff.

I can't see myself spending the kind of money that would land me a bike that would really excel in these categories but a reasonably priced bike that I think would handle the trip well is the BMW G650 Xcountry. Made them from '07-'09 and used models can be had from $3000-$5000. Decent on the slab, great for the city portions, and with the right tires, you could really venture or even spend a day riding some tough trails.

Loses points for small gas tank though. That might be a deal break idk. Actually, I change my mind. I'd go with an F800GS for all of the reasons mentioned.

[Mountain Dew]

Modern BMW with a sidecar. R1200GS sounds nice. Because I'd have someone I care about with me, so fk 2-up.

[EsrTek]

Thinkin FJR or VFR be my top 2 options

[Bill N]

Last year the Yami FJR placed #1-5 in the Iron Butt competition. At age 64 I did a Florida to California and back trip via back roads on my FJR. It's my cross country bike of choice.
Bill