A few words about a long trip on a small bike (250 cc)

[Reconstructed]

Love these small bike/big ride RR's.

Man, I've got to do this some day.

Only 15 years to retirement...better start saving now.

[damasovi]

and people call me crazy because I want to ride my TOrnado (that I no longer have) to alaska and back to mexico...

you guys rock!!!

I hope I still have the desire and friends to do what you did at your age!

Damasovi

[Anglewood]

Thanks for a great report! Who says you need larger displacement for anything other than around town? Good Stuff!

-Connor

[mikesova]

I keep coming back to this and feeling the urge to build a "mini GS".

[blaisew]

Thanks for the great ride report, and +1 on the WR. I'm leaving in the morning for the TAT on mine, and at least 10K miles round trip. Between Big Dog and your report, I'm feeling pretty good about the choice of rides!

[wmax351]

Originally Posted by Terrytori

I appreciate the thought... but actually ... no... there really isn't anymore.

I was completely smitten by the staggering beauty and sheer vastness
of America. I also think one's relationship with the land is an intensely personal thing. I basically loved it all... the endlessly flat parts of Kansas as much as the explosion that is Colorado and the sensuality of Pennsylvania.

Almost all of the pictures i took are @ gas stations as we rarely stopped to document anything.

I did not get to bundle up that beauty and take it home with me as a souvenir. It will... unfortunately... be subjected to typical mind fade... which means i might just have to do it again. Aboard something larger this time.

Well Said. I have always been fascinated with the vastness and beauty of the US. I try to explain it to the foreign students I am friends with at UC Berkeley, but it is hard. Taiwan doesn't have the space. The idea of being in the middle of a totally flat area of grassland as far as the eye can see is completely foreign, and impossible to truly imagine.

[Ian Robinson]

Hi Guys, I just came across your ride. great stuff Fabulous pictures. It doesn't seem that long ago when a 250 ( Japanese bike) WAS a big bike. in '67 Yamaha produced a BIG BORE 305cc. (YM1) Oh the memories.

sore arse is part of the package....

[conchscooter]

What's interesting is that the reluctant author is telling us NOT to do it on a 250 if we can help it! I crossed the US years ago on Vespa but I took six months to meander, at a time when the double nickel was the speed limit and i was young and obligation free.
Sometimes I am tempted to think a small bore tour would be fun, and I am forced to wonder at age 54. I have crossed the country several more times and remember my 650 Maxim as perhaps a good compromise, shaft drive fairing and bags included.
I see not much fun in doing it Goldwing style so perhaps there is a compromise closer to the ideal? A modern 650 single by BMW or Kawasaki? A Tiger 800 or my Bonneville? Not perhaps the Suzuki TU250 of my fantasies? I hope I heard the man who wrote the abbreviated story.

[8gv]

If I ever do something like this I want to smell the roses riding 50 mph and under. I know you can ride a bigger bike slow but as long as my but doesn't hurt I'll likely take my two fiddy.

Originally Posted by conchscooter

What's interesting is that the reluctant author is telling us NOT to do it on a 250 if we can help it! I crossed the US years ago on Vespa but I took six months to meander, at a time when the double nickel was the speed limit and i was young and obligation free.
Sometimes I am tempted to think a small bore tour would be fun, and I am forced to wonder at age 54. I have crossed the country several more times and remember my 650 Maxim as perhaps a good compromise, shaft drive fairing and bags included.
I see not much fun in doing it Goldwing style so perhaps there is a compromise closer to the ideal? A modern 650 single by BMW or Kawasaki? A Tiger 800 or my Bonneville? Not perhaps the Suzuki TU250 of my fantasies? I hope I heard the man who wrote the abbreviated story.

[Lawrenre]

So how much did the journey cost? Total??

[fjord]

Terrytori,

I previously read your review of the KTM 690 Duke and came across this article today. I just put two and two together that you authored each thread. So, I'm wondering, would you embark on this ride on your Duke? And just curious to know if you still have it? Have your thoughts on it changed?

[swhite]

great photos. love the b&w!

[Terrytori]

Originally Posted by fjord

Terrytori,

I previously read your review of the KTM 690 Duke and came across this article today. I just put two and two together that you authored each thread. So, I'm wondering, would you embark on this ride on your Duke? And just curious to know if you still have it? Have your thoughts on it changed?

Fjord.... just had reason to revisit this thread and saw your question.

If I were to do it again and had to choose between the two scoots, , I would choose the wee Ninja over the Duke 690.

Although the duke would be way more fun in the serious twisty bits, the ninja is way more comfy after
several hours and handles the wind better above 65 mph.

As I am actually contemplating another coast to coast, I believe my ride of choice would be a Road King.

[alekkas]

I love this ride. Good on ya.

So, next up 650's? Maybe the Yamaha for a KLR? Ninja 250's for Versys or Ninja 650's?

Either way, congratulations on a great ride with great friends.

[N-m]

Holy Sheyit. My wife hates threads like this.

A bump for the new riders like me.