suz1k3

Hey people,i've been thinking about taking a trip from Toronto,Canada to West Coast,BC and back,but going through the States instead of boring Trans Canada Highway(been there done that)

Just looking for some opinions.I've been looking at buying a low mileage sport touring bike ie:ST1300 or FJR1300?and resell it for what i paid.So i'm just paying for ensurance,gas,hotel's(as cheap as poss.)

Anyways,are these good bike picks for such a trip,planing on fun riding thru the mountains and whats the best bike route to and fro?

Is this a good idea or am i out of my mind again?Keep getting told buy older gentelmen do it while your still young.

thanks,Jeff

gt702

Sounds like a fun trip. I've known friends who have done similar, some young, some older. I've done some real long trips with my VFR750 (and 800 when I had it ... such as Michigan to Nova Scotia, VT/NH yearly, a week in Colorado via Texas, etc.) and really like these bikes for that. You would need to add luggage, but might be a more sporting option than the ST/FJR bikes if that is the way you lean. Find what is comfortable and do it.

As for routes, it depends on what you want to see. Pick a few "I really want to see" things and then it becomes easier to string a route through the points. The great plains are boring (why they are named plain ) regardless of the country you are in and seem to go on forever. The benefit I see of going through the states is a little more population in those far away places for support, hotels, gas, and sight seeing opportunities.

From Toronto, your first decision will be how to get into the States (east of Lake Erie or west), and whether you want to take the loop through lower Michigan and out through Chicago or go upper UP and out through Wisconsin. Well, maybe the real first question is how many weeks do you plan to take and if you want a different return trip route.

Sounds like fun. Maybe one of these days I'll get that far.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

gt702

Oh yeah, welcome to the addiction.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

suz1k3

I was told yellow stone and mount rushmore were some good spots to see but i'm unfamilure with that part of the Country to have "really want to see"things.I guess that is one thing i'm asking,like good roads,sight seeing,places to stay or eat.Little things that i wouldn't want to miss.

I was looking at the VFR800,but don't know how comfortable they are?My last street bike was a Hayabusa,after about 10 hour ride my back would kill.

Going Mich. way is probley the better choice,i have up to a month for this trip and it takes over 24 hours to get out of Ontario going north over the lakes,but it's very beautiful up there,if you've never been

Colorado was one of fav. trips ever,went up pikes peak 5 times(for the race,in a car)then went to aspen with a buddy just like Dumb and Dumber
Thanks for the reply

Bagger

You will NOT be dissappointed with an FJR purchase... my suggestion though that if you do get one to try it out on some shorter weekend trips to see if you need to adjust the ergos a bit for more comfort... some like taller/bigger windscreens and some like the bars high and back a little farther. its all personal preferance. but like I said if you're used to the true sportbike type ride/handling but want the LD comfort and FJR will amaze you...

Leelover

I just finished a trip putting almost 4,000 miles on my 06 FJR. It is a great bike. Comfortable, fast, carried a lot of stuff, and still did well in the twisty parts (not too bad at Grattan either ). They are big and heavy compared to a VFR. You need to figure out where you would like to be on the Sport vs. Tour scale.

Your older advisors are correct, if you can do it now go for it! Have fun

__________________
"The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

gt702

I've posted the rave reviews on the VFR's elsewhere, so I'll save you here

I've done multiple 12 hour ride days in a row on both the VFR750 and VFR800 (in stock condition). Doing a few stretches at each stop and being prepared for the ride (do at least 200 miles in a row about a week before to get the muscles working ... it is all about training ... you'll need the week to recover and then it works much better without pain ... like the first day back to the gym syndrome )

Things like Yellowstone (I haven't made it there) and Mt. Rushmore (been there, it's cool) are the types of "must see" things to consider. The Badlands are cool, but might not want to do those in the summer, and just about anything in the Rockies. Look over the maps/atlases and see what you can fit in. Have fun.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

Bagger

oh and just a freindly word of advise... if you can afford a GPS...GET ONE... having one on a bike is absolutely the best accessory... I'm a bit of a electronics geek so maybe I'm biased compared to the oldschool paper map crowd.. but there's nothing better than having a digital map directly in front of you that scrolls in real time no matter which way you decide to go..

suz1k3

Great info guys,Thanks