I've traveled extensively on the west coast, through alaska, done some backpacking, etc. But after reading here, I've decided that I am absolutely going to plan out a trip on my own (potentially with girlfriend in tow, potentially not)

Premise:

But since I don't have a lot of money, and don't have ANY experience cross country riding (longest drives I've done have been about 2200 miles in my old Bmw M coupe, staying in hotels...) I'll start small. I'd like to do a coast to coast and back ride. Staying in the country leaves me with a bailout plan (save enough on my debit card for a flight or bus ride home) and considerably simplifies the international concept (I've been in and out of mexico pretty much my entire life, but always with parents, so experience is limited) as well as makes the overall risks much lower.

The bike: which one?

I currently have 3 bikes.

2000 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille. All it has is a rock hard corbin seat and the race clip ons moved to the top of the triple tree for a TAD more upright riding. This thing is bone-shatteringly uncomfortable on rough roads and in traffic, but once the roads open up, it's surprisingly comfortable, and it is bound to be my most reliable bike (I get it serviced like a hawk and the rotax 990 is astoundingly reliable) but it's also the most complicated and should it break, parts would be hard to come by and expensive as all hell, and it has the off-road capabilities of a trout. It does get 60-65mpg on the freeway.

Next is a 75 Honda CB125 single. Right now it's a cafe racer, but I could easily throw the original bars back on to make it a standard. It's the second most simple bike, with the most available parts (honda still makes EVERYTHING.) and the best fuel economy (if I keep it under 50 it'll return 115mpg) but it's also weak off road (it does have new michelin gazelles, which WILL work on old dirt roads, but nothing else, with shite clearance) it'll also be the second most reliable, as it's in just fabulous condition with a fresh carb build, practically no miles, and perfect compression. My caveat is that I could only do 60mph freeways for VERY short stretches, as it's redline in fifth.

The final bike is an '81 suzuki TS185. two stroke, easiest to fix (the previous owners did some pretty incredible things with baling wire, haha) but parts are VERY hard to come by, though it's astounding what this bike can live without, and there's lots of cross-referencing. It's also got so-so performance (top speed is supposedly 82ish with 15hp) but it's probably the most comfortable bike, I don't have to worry about a battery, and I could comfortably do 60-65. It's also balls-out good on trails. My concerns with this (ideas as it seems ) is that I got the thing for $50. And it had a seized piston. Freed it up, honed it myself with one of those autozone tools (it took the rust off perfectly) and put it back together, as the rings looked good. I'll do fresh head and jug gaskets, make sure the oil pump is working well (and have a syringe/premix cup for if it fails, as the TS uses the oil pump to lube the main bearing) and I'll also carry a tire, put new ones on it, and overall have it running as well as I can get it for cheap.

So the Ts really seems like the bike for the job, but it's a monkey-metal farm bike that I'm putting right myself (I am a pretty fair mechanic, however) for as cheap as possible.

The honda will be the best mix of reliability and comfort, but it's got the top speed of a labrador, making route planning pivotal.

The Aprilia will probably make the trip easily, but it's the least comfortable, parts are the most expensive by far, and should it go completely wrong, I would HAVE to ship it home, whereas the other two I could just throw on craigslist for $50 and be done with them. also, despite being a big bike, I can only get about 210 miles from a tank if I ride like an old woman. more common is 150.

equipment wise, I have good riding gear (ultracompact rainsuit, a corbin all season jacket, shark modular helmet, icon field armor that I can easily remove/apply, would need two pair of gloves, however) and a decently big tank bag, and quite large expandable ogio soft bags. I could also weld together a rear rack for the TS185. aside from the obvious tent, sleeping bag, essential toiletries and medications, first aid (I'm a lifeguard and soon to be EMT, so I'm good there!) and associated camping gear, what other essentials are needed? I can bring a ratchet with essential sized sockets, a small set of essential wrenches, a crescent wrench, extra water and a few small snacks, but being in america, I could also just buy tinned food whenever i need it to save weight. Also, with the TS, two stroke oil, and gear oil for the chains.

What else would be needed, for a trip in america? I'd be starting in Seattle and working my way across towards the east coast.

Again, sorry if all these questions have been asked before. I've only recently decided that I wanted to do this. Goal for leaving would probably be next year come may or june. Budget would be as low as humanly possible. If this winds up being a GREAT plan that I start really looking forward to, I may also sell the ape and buy something like a vstrom 650 or transalp.