Hey nice report. How was the camping situation? A friend and I are setting off on a similar trip from Wisconsin for three months, with Mexico the first stop on the way to SOuth America. We are debating whether or not to take a tent/sleeping bag/thermarest now. It seems like it might be more trouble than it is worth to haul all that stuff. And, although we are on a budget, it is not that tight where we need to save pennies at every turn. But when we do stay in hotels, it will be the cheapest of the cheap. Any thoughts on the camping? Thanks./ Nate
Well, I only camped once in Mexico. I would say it was a waste bringing all the stuff, but the one time I did camp I was REALLY glad I had that option because I didn't have any others at the time. If you're just travelling through and not going into the bush/desert, and not trying remote roads late in the day, you're probably better off not bringing the camping stuff. I think I'd still travel with something I could make an emergency lean-to out of. Maybe a lightweight tarp and some tie lines.
Snowrider, another excellent ride report I Hope we get another one sooner than later, even if it is a local ride to the 711.
Well I also saw her wear a shirt that said "player", but I know better than to believe that shirt or her jacket.
SR greetings from NM ! Great story fellow DR rider ! Hope to see you in NM sometime ! Mi Casa Es Su Casa
Great, great report. Made for some good entertainment in the boring hotel room I'm stuck in. The dude with the GS on the trailer better have a damn good excuse... On to the Alaska report!
Hey Snowrider! I just finished reading about both of your trips, it was the most entertaining thing I have done in a while, (OK, not quite as exciting as my 4 season 24 marathon last month, but close ;o) The army men and rocket engines really took me back, I used to duct tape the engines to the model cars I built and watch them fly, great fun for a 10 year old.. I was so glad to get to hear you play your new guitar, good to hear you are not a poser ha ha, we have plenty of those in Nashville. Paracho is the bomb, I used to work for a Luthier and I built a custom dreadnought while working there, I love to meet great craftsmen. If you ever get near Nashville, give me a shout and I can show you the town and some of the great riding around the area (on and off road). Loved the pics especially the great landscapes in Mexico... Todd
Hey great story, why don'tcha see if any Moto mags will use your stuff possibly "Rider" or "Dual sport") may help in financin your next gig...latuh,zeek
Snowman, really enjoyed your trip, hope to run across your next one, or better yet run into you as you travel the world,,, will buy you a cool one.
Hey, I might take you up on that offer DiVango. I've been wanting to check out Nashville for quite some time now, and I've never been. I might even get down there this summer. If you want to see any other guitar videos, I have a few of different styles on youtube, plus a video from my camera taped to the front of the DR. here: http://youtube.com/user/manzruin Thanks for all the comments, if anyone has the moto mag hookup let me know. I've been meaning to make an article and send it out to see what happens, but I wasn't happy with the writing, and haven't gotten back to it in a while.
I too have just read your reports snowrider, great stuff! You are a true adventurer! About the DR, I have one also, and have been reading all of the threads about the upper chain roller issue, can I ask, what, if anything, have you done with yours? Is it still intact and on the bike, or have you removed it? Any other major issues with the DR? Thanks! Dave
It's still on there. I replaced one at some point, but don't remember which. The replacement didn't seem very good, so it was probably the lower one, which I think is missing right now. Not real concerned. If it breaks a piece out of the frame like with some, I'll just weld it up.
I enjoyed the trip report, it's a reminder that us fat guys with beards can do cool stuff everynow and then. I'm getting ready to read the alaska thread, snowrider for the whitehouse!
I just finished you Alaska thread, what an awesome story as well. Having had a DR previously trips of those magnitudes are an undertaking. Awesome trips, keep us posted on your next ones. Nice work on the guitar also!!
How much was the average price of a hotel in Mexico? I hope to go in December.. I don't mind roughing it... But it's good info. to have. I would LOVE to camp on the beach! BTW, thanks for making me decide on the DR650 for my adventure bike... I'm going to read some more about your trips before asking questions about your setup.. I'm impressed that you didn't have any sidecases.. I prefer not to. But I plan to camp out a lot more so it might be necessary. Great ride report!
Around $20 or less usually for the motels. 180-200 pesos. In the future for luggage I'll be using dry bags secured in a saddle bag position on the bike with a system I'm making that will adapt to mount any type or size of soft bag not necessarilly intended for motorcycle use.