Chicago to New Orleans

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 10:23 AM

Hi Everyone,

I am considering driving my 07 250r from Chicago to New Orleans pretty soon. I am a bit nervous about putting the bike through 1000 miles in a couple of days. I have ridden pretty far on my bike ( several trips 400 miles plus ) on day rides, and one trip to southern Indiana camping for a couple of days. I know I can handle it, but a break down would be a disaster. Any thoughts?

Alex · May 11th, 2011, 10:36 AM

The bike is definitely up for it, should be a fun ride! A number of folks have asked similar questions, and I've put a few links below to those related threads. I'm also going to move this to General from Ride Reports; Ride Reports is to write up how things went afterwards.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16275
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39460
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17799
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19857
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23175

CC Cowboy · May 11th, 2011, 11:41 AM

Don't worry about the break downs as much as the weather. It's flood time along the Mississippi.

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 11:59 AM

I live about an hour and a half from the MS river. If you are coming down I-55, you should be fine. Honestly though, when are you planning on taking this trip? March-May is not really a good time to be planning anything weather sensitive in Dixie Alley.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, why New Orleans?

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 12:06 PM

I am an artist http://www.ghangebrauck.com/index.html and I am planning on visiting the gallery I am showing in. I have paintings in a gallery on Royal St. in the French Quarter. I ride the hell out of my little Ninja, and I thought it would be an excuse just to make the trip more interesting.

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 12:54 PM

Wow, I'm usually not into art and I find your carnival/mardi gras themed paintings beautiful. Maybe that's just the coonass in me.

Enjoy your ride. Be aware that New Orleans rides the fine line between tropical and sub-tropical. A month ago, I was in Hammond, LA, just on the other side of the lake from NO, and it was breaking 90F with 70% humidity easily.

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 01:03 PM

Yeah, I am thinking that my leathers will be pretty warm. I will wear them regardless, and maybe I will wear the bicycle shorts underneath. I will try and ride very early to be more comfortable. Thanks for the compliment on the art. The masked women are my new stuff. I am having difficulty selling in this awful economy though....

CC Cowboy · May 11th, 2011, 01:31 PM

New Orleans rocks. I rode from Boston to New Orleans about this time of the year and it was sooooo hot (I met a girl from Boston while I was there). I had to stop at grocery stores and sit in the frozen food to cold down. Once your in Nawlins you'll be fine. High crime there so beware of your bike and anything else you want to keep.

Your art work is great. I didn't see any motorcycle art. What gives? You need to get to the races and do some painting from there.

Good luck with your ride and stay safe.

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 01:32 PM

Yeh, it's rough. I know some people who love this kind of art though. I'm sure there is some money in NO, Baton Rouge and/or Lafayette that would kill for this kind of stuff. Add some fleur-de-lis in some of your future paintings in this vein and they will be all the more popular.

A lot of people don't fully appreciate the power that South Louisiana culture has on peoples' wallets. Don't spend too much time there, you might fall in love with it :P

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

New Orleans rocks. I rode from Boston to New Orleans about this time of the year and it was sooooo hot (I met a girl from Boston while I was there). I had to stop at grocery stores and sit in the frozen food to cold down. Once your in Nawlins you'll be fine. High crime there so beware of your bike and anything else you want to keep.

Your art work is great. I didn't see any motorcycle art. What gives? You need to get to the races and do some painting from there.

Good luck with your ride and stay safe.

I forgot to mention this as well. Crime in New Orleans is insane. Be EXTREMELY careful. Don't trust anyone. Don't look/travel down any alleys. Being from Louisiana and having a large part of my family there, I'm completely disillusioned about the "magic" of New Orleans. IMHO it is a !@#$hole to be avoided if possible. If not, make sure you can put your vehicle in a secure parking garage.

Other than that, the culture and food is cool...during the day.

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 01:45 PM

I was there delivering my art ( right after Mardi Gras ) and I was amazed at my actual experience vs what I thought it would be. N.O. is a real different place than I expected. I was in New York for a year ( NYC ) and it reminded me a lot of NYC culturally. Needless to say, I can see myself living near there maybe sooner than later. Part of the reason I wish to take this trip is to confirm ( or to not confirm ) my first experience there. I may already have been hooked on the Big Easy.

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 01:50 PM

I have read the very same things you are telling me. Are there places within a few hours ride you would recommend which are safer in terms of ( after dark )? PS What is IMHO?

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 02:12 PM

IMHO = In my humble opinion

A ton of people live on the North side of the lake and commute into NO every day, as do people from many of the surrounding towns.

North of the lake are the "Florida" parishes, parishes that were traded between Great Britain and Spain as a part of Florida, and were not part of the Louisiana Purchase. There are some beautiful plantations up there. It's mostly timbered countryside with some touches of tropical suburbia in Covington and Hammond.

Southwest of NO is heavily Cajun. Great food. Great culture, but quite a bit poorer than North of the lake.

Heading up toward Baton Rouge is a town called Gonzales. I have several cousins that live there, and it's cool if you are in your 20's/30's as it's almost halfway between Baton Rouge and NO. Baton Rouge is growing like wildfire, but it's a business/University city and comes with all the associated pros and cons. It's fun, but I'm an LSU apostate, so I'm not welcome there.

Lafayette is probably my favorite city in South Louisiana. It's not too big and it's not too small. It's about 2 hours from NO depending on how you want to drive. It's overflowing with Acadian culture. Amazing food, Fun/Nice People, low cost of living, beautiful women...i could go on and on. I'm biased.

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Hey Liber,

Thanks a lot for the info. I appreciate your local expertise.

Liber · May 11th, 2011, 02:31 PM

No problem. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. It's a different world down there, one I will more than likely be re-joining in the future.

coondog · May 11th, 2011, 02:34 PM

relax dude, riders use these bikes in ironbutt rallies, make sure you have your paperwork (AAA) and tool kit w/tire kit and it'll be an adventure you won't forget pal.

gbrauck · May 11th, 2011, 02:44 PM

I am not sure when I am going, but I am definitely looking forward to the experience. An artist needs to recharge his artistic batteries now and then. To take yourself on an adventure is a great way of doing this. I have been looking at buccaneer state park on the gulf coast. It looks like a good place to camp... The reviews are good. Some salt air will be good for my soul...

CC Cowboy · May 11th, 2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liber

IMHO = In my humble opinion

Lafayette is probably my favorite city in South Louisiana. It's not too big and it's not too small. It's about 2 hours from NO depending on how you want to drive. It's overflowing with Acadian culture. Amazing food, Fun/Nice People, low cost of living, beautiful women...i could go on and on. I'm biased.

and Freddie Spencer is from there!

IndyTwoFiddy · June 2nd, 2011, 07:14 AM

I lived in NO for 4 years...I was stationed at Belle chasse Air station...spent a year living in LaPlace, and then moved on base.

I miss raising canes chicken fingers...just saying.

Liber · June 2nd, 2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyTwoFiddy

I lived in NO for 4 years...I was stationed at Belle chasse Air station...spent a year living in LaPlace, and then moved on base.

I miss raising canes chicken fingers...just saying.

They're starting to be more common out of Louisiana. The first one I ever saw out of state was in Charlottesville, VA...of all places. I think theres one opening in Hot Springs, AR. I doubt it will be long before they make it up your way.

NathanUc · June 2nd, 2011, 01:31 PM

If you are from around chicago, we should go riding sometime. I'm from Valpo (lived in Alsip for a long while)

May 11th, 2011, 10:23 AM	#1
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	Chicago to New Orleans Hi Everyone, I am considering driving my 07 250r from Chicago to New Orleans pretty soon. I am a bit nervous about putting the bike through 1000 miles in a couple of days. I have ridden pretty far on my bike ( several trips 400 miles plus ) on day rides, and one trip to southern Indiana camping for a couple of days. I know I can handle it, but a break down would be a disaster. Any thoughts?

May 11th, 2011, 10:36 AM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	The bike is definitely up for it, should be a fun ride! A number of folks have asked similar questions, and I've put a few links below to those related threads. I'm also going to move this to General from Ride Reports; Ride Reports is to write up how things went afterwards. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16275 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39460 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17799 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19857 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23175 __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 11th, 2011, 11:41 AM	#3
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Don't worry about the break downs as much as the weather. It's flood time along the Mississippi. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 11th, 2011, 12:06 PM	#5
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	Why N.O. I am an artist http://www.ghangebrauck.com/index.html and I am planning on visiting the gallery I am showing in. I have paintings in a gallery on Royal St. in the French Quarter. I ride the hell out of my little Ninja, and I thought it would be an excuse just to make the trip more interesting.

May 11th, 2011, 01:03 PM	#7
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	Goin' where the weather suits my clothes Yeah, I am thinking that my leathers will be pretty warm. I will wear them regardless, and maybe I will wear the bicycle shorts underneath. I will try and ride very early to be more comfortable. Thanks for the compliment on the art. The masked women are my new stuff. I am having difficulty selling in this awful economy though....

May 11th, 2011, 11:59 AM	#4
Liber ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Arkansas Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250J Posts: 511	I live about an hour and a half from the MS river. If you are coming down I-55, you should be fine. Honestly though, when are you planning on taking this trip? March-May is not really a good time to be planning anything weather sensitive in Dixie Alley. Also, if you don't mind me asking, why New Orleans?

May 11th, 2011, 12:54 PM	#6
Liber ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Arkansas Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250J Posts: 511	Wow, I'm usually not into art and I find your carnival/mardi gras themed paintings beautiful. Maybe that's just the coonass in me. Enjoy your ride. Be aware that New Orleans rides the fine line between tropical and sub-tropical. A month ago, I was in Hammond, LA, just on the other side of the lake from NO, and it was breaking 90F with 70% humidity easily.

May 11th, 2011, 01:31 PM	#8
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	New Orleans rocks. I rode from Boston to New Orleans about this time of the year and it was sooooo hot (I met a girl from Boston while I was there). I had to stop at grocery stores and sit in the frozen food to cold down. Once your in Nawlins you'll be fine. High crime there so beware of your bike and anything else you want to keep. Your art work is great. I didn't see any motorcycle art. What gives? You need to get to the races and do some painting from there. Good luck with your ride and stay safe. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 11th, 2011, 01:32 PM	#9
Liber ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Arkansas Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250J Posts: 511	Yeh, it's rough. I know some people who love this kind of art though. I'm sure there is some money in NO, Baton Rouge and/or Lafayette that would kill for this kind of stuff. Add some fleur-de-lis in some of your future paintings in this vein and they will be all the more popular. A lot of people don't fully appreciate the power that South Louisiana culture has on peoples' wallets. Don't spend too much time there, you might fall in love with it :P

May 11th, 2011, 01:45 PM	#11
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	in love with N.O. I was there delivering my art ( right after Mardi Gras ) and I was amazed at my actual experience vs what I thought it would be. N.O. is a real different place than I expected. I was in New York for a year ( NYC ) and it reminded me a lot of NYC culturally. Needless to say, I can see myself living near there maybe sooner than later. Part of the reason I wish to take this trip is to confirm ( or to not confirm ) my first experience there. I may already have been hooked on the Big Easy.

May 11th, 2011, 01:50 PM	#12
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	Imho? I have read the very same things you are telling me. Are there places within a few hours ride you would recommend which are safer in terms of ( after dark )? PS What is IMHO?

May 11th, 2011, 02:12 PM	#13
Liber ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Arkansas Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250J Posts: 511	IMHO = In my humble opinion A ton of people live on the North side of the lake and commute into NO every day, as do people from many of the surrounding towns. North of the lake are the "Florida" parishes, parishes that were traded between Great Britain and Spain as a part of Florida, and were not part of the Louisiana Purchase. There are some beautiful plantations up there. It's mostly timbered countryside with some touches of tropical suburbia in Covington and Hammond. Southwest of NO is heavily Cajun. Great food. Great culture, but quite a bit poorer than North of the lake. Heading up toward Baton Rouge is a town called Gonzales. I have several cousins that live there, and it's cool if you are in your 20's/30's as it's almost halfway between Baton Rouge and NO. Baton Rouge is growing like wildfire, but it's a business/University city and comes with all the associated pros and cons. It's fun, but I'm an LSU apostate, so I'm not welcome there. Lafayette is probably my favorite city in South Louisiana. It's not too big and it's not too small. It's about 2 hours from NO depending on how you want to drive. It's overflowing with Acadian culture. Amazing food, Fun/Nice People, low cost of living, beautiful women...i could go on and on. I'm biased.

May 11th, 2011, 02:16 PM	#14
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	thanks liber Hey Liber, Thanks a lot for the info. I appreciate your local expertise.

May 11th, 2011, 02:31 PM	#15
Liber ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Arkansas Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250J Posts: 511	No problem. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. It's a different world down there, one I will more than likely be re-joining in the future.

May 11th, 2011, 02:34 PM	#16
coondog ninjette.org sage Name: john Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812	relax dude, riders use these bikes in ironbutt rallies, make sure you have your paperwork (AAA) and tool kit w/tire kit and it'll be an adventure you won't forget pal.

May 11th, 2011, 02:44 PM	#17
gbrauck ninjette.org newbie Name: Gregg Location: Grayslake IL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 07 Ninja 250r Posts: 9	thanks coondog I am not sure when I am going, but I am definitely looking forward to the experience. An artist needs to recharge his artistic batteries now and then. To take yourself on an adventure is a great way of doing this. I have been looking at buccaneer state park on the gulf coast. It looks like a good place to camp... The reviews are good. Some salt air will be good for my soul...

June 2nd, 2011, 07:14 AM	#19
IndyTwoFiddy ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Indianapolis Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 112	I lived in NO for 4 years...I was stationed at Belle chasse Air station...spent a year living in LaPlace, and then moved on base. I miss raising canes chicken fingers...just saying.

June 2nd, 2011, 01:31 PM	#21
NathanUc B-Town Ninja Name: Nathan Location: Bloomington, IN Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Black 2013 Ninja ZX6R ABS Posts: 609 Blog Entries: 3	If you are from around chicago, we should go riding sometime. I'm from Valpo (lived in Alsip for a long while) __________________________________________________ Downgraded to a 2013 636. Previous owner of a 2010 250r --------------------------------- My moto-vlog YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/bloomingtonninja

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Orleans, New Member!	Moso504	New Members	7	September 20th, 2013 08:24 PM
New Orleans ninjettes!	!!(0_o)!!	Group Rides and Local Events	2	April 8th, 2013 05:19 PM
New Rider in New Orleans	beazy411	New Members	19	November 28th, 2012 08:44 PM
New Orleans! Where are you?	dudemanbrah	Group Rides and Local Events	2	November 5th, 2012 01:02 PM
[motorcycle.com] - BikeWeek hits New Orleans May 7-10	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 3rd, 2009 05:43 PM