BTDT.

Got my motorcycle license and started riding late last year after my wife and I decided to do a Patagonia dual sport adventure for our honeymoon in late Feb.

Here's how I got started back in October:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/1009515-old-bike-new-owner.html

The only real long distance I did before Patagonia was from San Jose to Los Angeles in 2 days at a leisurely pace, and then back in 1 day making sure to keep the pace up and stop times low. I was tired at the end of that trip, but never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. I actually just did it again a couple weeks ago.

Patagonia was 2000 miles over 2 weeks. Riding almost every single day. Some days were extremely cold, other days the food was pretty awful in some of the more remote areas. There were 3 days in the middle that were brutal, but overall it was very doable. I think I'm a little younger than you at 34 years old. I'm pretty active, skiing in the winter and mountain biking year-round + gym a few times a week. The hardest part for me was the cold. Even with heated grips and layering up with high quality gear it still gets to you. Also, if you're planning on getting off-road, you should be very comfortable with the dynamics and uncertainty of riding on dirt and how to handle the bikes. Also make sure you learn how to fall, I fell about 10 times on the Patagonia trip, mostly at low speeds. Before the trip I didn't do any off-road riding clinics because I had the mountain biking background, but I think I would've hurt myself if I didn't have that knowledge base and reflexes. So make sure you consider that. I've heard the BMW 2-day clinic is solid, but pricey.

Finally, we didn't have the proper bikes or knowledge base to do the route planning so we found a great mostly-all-inclusive package through rideadv called "The Patagonia Experience." They set everything up except for meals, and we had a great time at almost all the places we stayed at.

https://www.rideadv.com/motorcycle-tours/dual-sport-motorcycle-adventure-tours/fly-and-ride-the-patagonia-experience-motorcycle-tour-chile-argentina

Hey, that’s priced fair. Thanks.

I usually ride with just a tank bag and not much else. For the Alaska trip I had hard bags that came with the bike. One carried mostly spare parts (for my 17 year old 180,000 km bike that now has 230,000 on it)

I don’t wear a communicator

I travelled with a paper map

I guess my point is to not overthink it

Advrider.com. Forums on virtually everything from equipment to travelogues including regional forums for your part of the country. Great resources from experienced and newbie moto travelers on what works and what doesn't.

J8tg
Littleton CO

Being a little green, I'd suggest not putting your wife on the back. It's a different kettle of fish and if something goes wrong, you'll never forgive yourself. A friend of mine- super cautious and with his girlfriend on the back of his Valkyrie got caught in a sudden backup of traffic. She's crippled and getting surgery multiple times because things aren't going well.

I too travel light, but that’s a relative term for my touring HD. Two years ago I did 1,800 miles in 4 days of riding in CO and NM and this summer will do around a 1,500 mile trip in 3 days (CO, WY and MT). Mine will not be off road at all, but like Wayner mentions we use paper maps, plan the routes beforehand and get at it.

It’s not uncommon for me to get up in the summer and take off for the whole day by myself. I love the open road.

I say you do it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1557831085.jpg

I've gone a bit more minimalist in my old age.

Cross country on a thumper! If I was younger...would love to do the TAT. Today, not so much.

"Then Came Bronson II" ...starring Vash :)

Go read the Wiki page....head to San Franseeesco...then take a road trip...

I wuz ten then....nobody was cooler ;)

Friendly banter here:)

You brought a spare tire!!:D

My racks are apparently being fabricated. I’ll get them on the 16th I think. I’ll proceed from there.

I agree with everything that you said except for this part :)

plan the routes beforehand

My plan for my alaska/north america three ocean tour was:

Head west and turn right :-)
(once in a while I looked for green spaces on the map, and I took a side trip to south dakota and later on the way back to Colorado just because some people suggested it :-)

But there is no wrong way. Find the way that works for you, your lifestyle, your comfort level, your time constraints and get out there.

Vash, a friend of mine is organizing a group to Vietnam, thailand and Laos (similar to the trip I did with him)
Using an organized tour company owned by another buddy of mine.
All inclusive, fantastic hotels and meals, and most importantly some of the best (and worst) roads in the world depending on what you like and which option you chose. The best all inclusive vacation I could think of

His group is leaving Jan 20th if you want to join with them, otherwise if you want to plan it on your own or get in with another group, here is the link. (PM me if you want in on the tour on January 20th, 2020, or see us at the BMW rally in Tennessee in June 2019)
Motorcycle Tours Thailand and Asia. Official Website - Bike Tour Asia

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kbkEJ3Y4cmk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Travelling light

Travelling Heavy

Point taken :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1557843763.jpg
Light ^
Heavy V
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1557843783.jpg

...and back to the motorcycle riding ability aspect, Vash, going from your sport bike to your current bike poses new challenges, especially two-up with gear and slow speed maneuvering.

I think this aspect is what makes skilled riders feel like novices tiptoeing around parking lots and bad terrain and such.

This is probably THE aspect that is most valuable in regards to initial comfort for rider and passenger.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-qJXO4CZ9S0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Rode dirt bikes. Broke my leg. Decided I should stick to vehicles with at least 4 wheels to keep myself safer.

Good point!

Everyone I know has a story of a hedge, a ditch a fence or a barn. The lucky ones only hit the ground :)

Which reminds me to bring up this video

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fo75lHpLBOM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I do miss how badass those Jesse bags are, had them on my GS.

Cliff, you might know Chris Streit and I have been going on these international riding trips...we have available slots for a trip to Morocco and Spain in late October! 4 days in Morocco, one day of rest (beer and BBQ) in Spain, then 3 days in the hills of SE Spain.

Mostly dirt riding on KTM 250/300 enduros.

Sign up for the ride, buy a used 250cc dirt bike and go get some dirt riding in the summer....then come have the time of your life!

I rode street bikes (mostly sport bikes) since I was 18 yrs old. At 45 yrs old I took up dirt riding and I'm hooked! The first dirt trip was to Baja! And nobody died.

I've since bought a KTM 400SXC, KTM 690 Enduro and a KTM 250 EXC (2-stroker!). I sold my ZX-10 Ninja a few months ago, and will likely not go back. I'll hang on to my Ducati 900SS, but dirt and adventure riding is where my heart is at.

If you have Amazon Prime, watch "Somewhere Else Tomorrow" "Globe Rider Indochina" "Tough Ride: India" "London to Beijing"

On YouTube David Darcy (MADTV) rode a 690 from London to Sydney.

OnHerBike has a cool channel on YouTube, but there are so many people out doing the same. David Darcy's videos are really good with commentary. Other videos are mostly wind noise and lame music of scenery on a bike.