Minimalist Touring Thread (250cc and under)

[John Fabian]

I took 50 days to do 7,000 miles across the United States in the heat of 2012.





I traveled solo & camped most of the way. You can read about it on the blog I wrote at the time. I called the my trip, The Coulee.
My vehicle of choice, a 150cc scooter.

[DYNOBOB]

Originally Posted by UtahFox

Been using these shoes for a week now and am loving them. They're really comfortable, and everyone here is asking about them. They don't stand out too much, and I feel comfortable going out to dinner/lunch here in Palm Springs.

So... Equally good at camp, and out on the town.

Nice!

[Klay]

Originally Posted by John Fabian

[FONT=Courier New][SIZE=3][COLOR=White]I took 50 days to do 7,000 miles across the United States in the heat of 2012.

Thanks for the link, great story!

[shipman]

Originally Posted by John Fabian

I traveled solo & camped most of the way. You can read about it on the blog I wrote at the time. I called the my trip, The Coulee.
My vehicle of choice, a 150cc scooter.

And a Chinese scooter at that! Nicely done! I just read your entire blog account of your journey. A great read, thanks for sharing!

[Slipinn]

I have been lurking for some time now and enjoying all the post on here. I see a lot in common of what I enjoy having to do with motorcycling and I see a lot of people in my own age group too. Like some of you here I am now more interested in a lighter bike and ease of handling. I am 65 and find that I feel more confident on my trusted 250 than I do on my bigger bikes. I have a xr250l I bought new back in 1996 and most of the time it has been a shed queen. I have 1150 miles on it now as an example. I recently took it out aand started getting it all ship shape again, The biggest problem I have always had with that bike is it has ben hard to start. I bought a xr250 carb and that did not help much so went back to the stock carb. I think I finally found two problems that caused the hard starting.The decompression lever has now been deactivated and I have done the accellerator pump fix. Now it starts much easier than before but I still dream of electric start from time to time LOL..
I just ordered a set of luggage from the walmart web site that is pretty reasonable and a tank bag. I installed a new windshield this week as well. My next project will be to research the Rack's available for next month's update.
Thanks for all the good tip's on here.

[Kankujoe]

Originally Posted by John Fabian

I took 50 days to do 7,000 miles across the United States in the heat of 2012.





I traveled solo & camped most of the way. You can read about it on the blog I wrote at the time. I called the my trip, The Coulee.
My vehicle of choice, a 150cc scooter.

Looks like a great trip! Thanks for posting the link for your blog, I enjoy reading other's ride reports... Gives me inspiration for my own travels.

[conchscooter]

It ended kind of abruptly with an engine that "blew up." Not quite the endorsement of minimalist touring I was looking for.

[Yokomo]

Originally Posted by Slipinn

I have been lurking for some time now and enjoying all the post on here. I see a lot in common of what I enjoy having to do with motorcycling and I see a lot of people in my own age group too. Like some of you here I am now more interested in a lighter bike and ease of handling. I am 65 and find that I feel more confident on my trusted 250 than I do on my bigger bikes. I have a xr250l I bought new back in 1996 and most of the time it has been a shed queen. I have 1150 miles on it now as an example. I recently took it out aand started getting it all ship shape again, The biggest problem I have always had with that bike is it has ben hard to start. I bought a xr250 carb and that did not help much so went back to the stock carb. I think I finally found two problems that caused the hard starting.The decompression lever has now been deactivated and I have done the accellerator pump fix. Now it starts much easier than before but I still dream of electric start from time to time LOL..
I just ordered a set of luggage from the walmart web site that is pretty reasonable and a tank bag. I installed a new windshield this week as well. My next project will be to research the Rack's available for next month's update.
Thanks for all the good tip's on here.

I had one and it didn't like to start either. I did some searchin' and found they are very lean. Easy fix. The air/fuel screw has a tab on it so you can't turn it too far. I just dremeled that ear off so I could richen it up. Then you just have to open the carb and raise the needle using 2 little washers. Reinstall and she will kick to life with ease EVERY time.
Here's a little vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMlw6NlgRYA

[shipman]

Originally Posted by conchscooter

It ended kind of abruptly with an engine that "blew up." Not quite the endorsement of minimalist touring I was looking for.

Not exactly, but to me it was more about the sense of adventure and taking things as they come... Just buy a Chinese bike and ride the hell out of it till it breaks!

[poppawheelie]

Originally Posted by John Fabian

I took 50 days to do 7,000 miles across the United States in the heat of 2012.





I traveled solo & camped most of the way. You can read about it on the blog I wrote at the time. I called the my trip, The Coulee.
My vehicle of choice, a 150cc scooter.

Just read the whole Coulee and enjoyed every word. Thanks for posting.

[Ed@Ford]

Originally Posted by conchscooter

It ended kind of abruptly with an engine that "blew up." Not quite the endorsement of minimalist touring I was looking for.

A Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha scooter wouldn't blow up

[John Fabian]

Originally Posted by conchscooter

It ended kind of abruptly with an engine that "blew up." Not quite the endorsement of minimalist touring I was looking for.

Keep looking & good luck.

[John Fabian]

Originally Posted by poppawheelie

Just read the whole Coulee and enjoyed every word. Thanks for posting.

It was a great ride except for the blazing heat in the Great Plains. Glad you enjoyed the Writeup. -J

[John Fabian]

Originally Posted by Ed@Ford

A Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha scooter wouldn't blow up

Maybe not, maybe so. It sucked a valve into the cylinder and spun the timing belt off. The engine had about 28K miles on it. In the best of worlds I should have pulled it all apart before I took off and do a complete tuneup. But I didn't. I just jumped on and drove it across the USA. I'm okay with the outcome. -J

[Ed@Ford]

Originally Posted by John Fabian

Maybe not, maybe so. It sucked a valve into the cylinder and spun the timing belt off. The engine had about 28K miles on it. In the best of worlds I should have pulled it all apart before I took off and do a complete tuneup. But I didn't. I just jumped on and drove it across the USA. I'm okay with the outcome. -J

Ya rode, ya had a good time....what else is there?