Guidance on trip planning (Western New York, Upstate New York)

[Rwelch360]

I was looking for a little help in planning a series of smaller trips around Western New York. I just got a DRZ400 and my motorcycle permit. Was looking to plan a series of small trips, some about 50 or so miles, then some that are about 100 miles and some that are 150miles and so on. I was hoping to make all the trips avoid highways, take some paved roads and some unpaved roads and trials. I wanted to try and get some seat time on different terrains and then hopefully finish it up with a good adventure, do a little camping etc. I don't know how to go about planning any trips. What maps do you use, and also how do you find roads that aren't paved to ride on? I am also looking at buying a GPS to put on my bike. Any help would be great!!

[Jeff Galt]

So, were you successful in getting out on some trips with your DRZ this past year?

I picked up a DR-Z400S this past Sept. and have had a blast just exploring all the dirt roads I can find near Naples/Springwater.

I use Garmin Basecamp software to pick out the dirt roads. It's also fun to find the abandoned roads to see if they are still passable. Trespassing adds a little excitement!

Touch base in the spring if you are still interested in riding in the southern tier...

[Happycamper]

Originally Posted by Rwelch360

I was looking for a little help in planning a series of smaller trips around Western New York. I just got a DRZ400 and my motorcycle permit. Was looking to plan a series of small trips, some about 50 or so miles, then some that are about 100 miles and some that are 150miles and so on. I was hoping to make all the trips avoid highways, take some paved roads and some unpaved roads and trials. I wanted to try and get some seat time on different terrains and then hopefully finish it up with a good adventure, do a little camping etc. I don't know how to go about planning any trips. What maps do you use, and also how do you find roads that aren't paved to ride on? I am also looking at buying a GPS to put on my bike. Any help would be great!!

These guys make great paper maps:http://www.jimapco.com/store/

Some have the right scale to ID unpaved roads and all of their maps are good at showing attractions, points of interest.

[Rwelch360]

Originally Posted by Jeff Galt

So, were you successful in getting out on some trips with your DRZ this past year?

I picked up a DR-Z400S this past Sept. and have had a blast just exploring all the dirt roads I can find near Naples/Springwater.

I use Garmin Basecamp software to pick out the dirt roads. It's also fun to find the abandoned roads to see if they are still passable. Trespassing adds a little excitement!

Touch base in the spring if you are still interested in riding in the southern tier...

Sorry for the delay in responding. Sometimes I can be pretty forgetful to check back on some posts.
Regarding riding the DRZ, I did ride around a bit. Mostly a loop around where I live, taking lake rd. and going both east and west. I mostly just ride it to work which puts me on 104, 590 and 390. Not my favorite, but at least I was riding. I don't have a GPS but am looking into buying one. I have traveled down to naples to meet some people from the WNY & fingerlakes thread. I heard naples is a good area to ride. Would love to go exploring around there. Enjoy your DRZ. I know I love mine.

[Rwelch360]

Originally Posted by Happycamper

These guys make great paper maps:http://www.jimapco.com/store/

Some have the right scale to ID unpaved roads and all of their maps are good at showing attractions, points of interest.

Thanks for the help. I think I saw that brand map at staples. I have not purchased a map yet but I really should. It would help with making some routes to ride.