On a 2 Month Trip around Europe on a Yamaha TTR 250 (yes I am Mad) On a Tight Budget. I kept the costs down by travelling out of season (March-April) Bit cold in the Pyrennees - any camp sites I stayed at were generally closed and after knocking on doors I Camped for free !
For a meal, head into a bar or cheap diner and wait until someone has finished there meal and left some, then ask if you may have it - slightly cheeky, but several times the staff would even go and microwave it for me !!! Not everyones style though....
Oil changes were done in Motorbike shops - id buy the oil from them and use there tools.
You are blessed in North America with cheap Fuel and camping, - In Canada Camping is about half the price of Europe is well thought out and equipped - the National Parks are simply stunning, and fuel is less than half price of Europe, so your money goes much much further, like the guys say, the faster you go the more it costs.....
When I sold the TTR 250 it had done 75,000 KMs and never missed a beat !!! - though it was a little slow....
Always talk politely to people and they will look after you....a Roof, Meals, Laundry and a shower !!!
Cheers
Grif


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Ex RAF Regt, Ex Dragoman, LRE Instructor,
LR 90 300 Tdi Overlander
Suzuki DR650 Overlander
..and Bloody Nice Bloke!

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca