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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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New to motorcycling, planning a longish trip
I live in Seattle and have purchased a Honda transalp down in Los Angeles. My plan is to fly down and pick it up and take 4 days to drive it back to Seattle. I received my motorcycle safety foundation certificate in November, but the only times I've been on a bike other then that was driving a 125 around the Dominican Republic, about 50 mph on the highways, and test driving a KLR 650 for a little while. I haven't seriously been out on the freeways yet.
Anyways, I thought the trip sounded like a pleasant ride up the coast, but a concerned party (parents) have become concerned about the idea and are offering to pay to have the bike shipped. I already purchased the plane ticket and don't like to waste other peoples money, but all of their fretting has worked its way into my head and now I'm questioning the trip. Is 1200 miles in 4 days for a beginner rider a good start or a bad idea, assuming the unseen bike doesn't blow up along the way.
Thanks,
Tyler
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  #2  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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sounds like a great idea. you're realistically looking at riding a couple of hours in the morning, and then another couple of hours in the afternoon. not much of a big deal once you get going.

motorbiking's not actually that difficult (as you probably know), but the more practice you get the better you become. I can't think of anything better for your riding skills than 4 days of riding in a row. well, 6 months riding would be better...

the distance, over 4 days, is nothing. so you're going to get a few days to ride without pressure and just get into it. much better to learn a new bike that way than riding with your head full of work/college/whatever once you get back home.

cheers
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  #3  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Hey Tyler,

Many people have hopped on a motorbike with less than adequate experience, the vast majority of times it works out fine and they grow up to be crusty old bikers who warn their kids about not doing the same crazy things that they did when young.

Having said that, I would suggest the freeways around LA are not the most forgiving place to get your feet wet initially though. To mitigate this less than ideal starting point, you may want to strongly consider starting off on less busy days ( i.e. the weekend), riding off peak hours, (i.e. crack of dawn) and taking secondary routes for at least the first bit until you begin to feel more comfortable. Your skills will improve with practice and rider training courses.
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  #4  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Hi Tyler,

I live in Sacramento, and I have ridden from Sac to Seattle. I think riding from LA to Seattle in 4 days will be easy, and I think taking your time is smart.

If you want to enjoy the ride - and you certainly have plenty of time - from LA, follow US HWY 1 up the coast to where it intersects with US 101 in San Francisco, take 101 north, then get back on 1 at Bodega Bay, and follow it north until it becomes 101 again. Then just stay on 101, and follow all the way up the Oregon coast.

Continue along 101 to Astoria, cross into Washington there, and continue north/east on 401 to where it becomes 4, then 101 again. At Aberdeen (Grays Harbor), turn east on 12 and follow it to Hwy 8, and continue to I-5, then to Seattle.

This route is slow (not like I-5 all the way), extremely scenic, and will give you all the time in the world to get used to the bike. By the time you get on I-5 in Washington, it will be no problem.

Bring rain gear and a camera. You'll love the trip.
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Last edited by Bain Dramage; 8 Mar 2011 at 02:45. Reason: Typo
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  #5  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Learning?
Fly down there and if the owner is about have him get the bike to a larger semi deserted parking lot for you and practice a while there. Then sneak out of L.A. very very early and hit the coast headed north. Maybe watch some old "then came bronson" clips on utube. Once you get thru big sur get on 101 and head north.
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  #6  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Agree wih everybody here, ride the off-peak hours and stay away from the highways if you can. I've been commuting on the 101 from San Fran to San Jose (albeit in a hire car) last week, and if I were new to bikes I'd a) take the centre lane and leave a large gap to the vehicle in front, allowing me to 'appreciate' the awful road surface, and b) take the 280 over the 101 wherever possible. Highway 1 would be my route of choice, but you'll need at least twice as much time as you'd take for the 101.
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  #7  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Experience on a motorcycle isn't neccessary for doing a long trip at all, you can't get experience without riding so rather I would say a long trip is the BEST way to get experience!! I'd done about 150 miles in total (apart from the 5 days getting my license) when I set off on a 20,000 mile trip and after a few days the nerves had gone and after a month I felt like a seasoned biker.

Go for it, if you're feeling out of your comfort zone with the traffic then as suggested avoid peak times. It's OK in the UK because we're allowed to filter through traffic so it doesn't slow you down too much. I believe that in the US 'lane-splitting' is frowned upon?
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