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Maverik
12-07-2008, 11:10 PM
http://www.motorcycleshows.com/motorcycleshows/data/articlestandard/motorcycleshows/492008/569779/2WT-ANN_082-093.pdf

When I did a trip on my previous SV650 from Montreal to Vancouver, I thoguht I was one of the most frugal LD rider, but there's someone much more hard core! It took me 10 days to complete that trip, but this guy did it in 12 days without using freeways while covering Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.

I don't know if this is the right category to post, but I wanted to share this report of a guy who rode from NY to CA, through Niagara Falls, Great Lakes, then Historic Route 66 all the way on a beaten up EX500, which got already 120,000mi on odo when it started its trip.

I really enjoyed reading, he sounded like a bit n00b, like riding with a nail on rear tire, only with 10psi? Not carrying chain lube? I just love something / someone less perfect.
frontside5
12-08-2008, 12:31 AM
I just love something / someone less perfect.

You're in the right place.

Gorgeous photos. Once again I'm jealous of someone's epic road trip.
PoserX
12-08-2008, 11:17 AM
Great read. Thx.

B.
savagebovine
12-08-2008, 11:29 AM
A few years back I did a trip down to Cabo on a CB750 purchased for $1200 iirc. The beauty of it was that I doubled my buddy(not gay, just really cheap). The bike was in decent condition, but with the two of us and all our luggage, by the time we reached Seattle on the return trip, the rear wheel was just starting to wobble from some damage to the rim. The chain was also stretching so quickly that I had to check it every half day. It was almost exactly 10,000km plus a couple broken backs and a lifetime of memories.
klutch
12-08-2008, 11:39 AM
Nice. Goes to show how we're a bunch of pussies, worrying about whether the next hotel we're staying at will have a down or synthetic pillow, and which type of dual-compound long-distance tire will be best for a coastal-versus-inland trip.
CHIA
12-08-2008, 11:45 AM
Yup, just goes to show the hardest part of doing it, is well...JUST DOING IT!
Borgnine
12-08-2008, 12:48 PM
Isn't the old EX-500 the transverse-mounted v-twin (a la Guzzi)? ---If so, it's a shaftie, so no need for chain lube!
CHIA
12-08-2008, 12:53 PM
Isn't the old EX-500 the transverse-mounted v-twin (a la Guzzi)? ---If so, it's a shaftie, so no need for chain lube!

Nope, EX500's (Ninja 500's), have always been the good ole parallel twin 500, chain & sprocket.
maggotbreath
12-08-2008, 01:52 PM
Good story, thanks!
fastcat1100XX
12-08-2008, 08:15 PM
Cool.I wonder if a $200 Harley would have made it?LOL
bandito
12-09-2008, 09:07 AM
Excellent!

I've done and continue to do similar trips. I don't try to do it... it comes as second nature to me.
JamieJames
12-09-2008, 09:29 AM
Who ever said $200 doesn't get you far these days?

Quite an interesting read.. but why wouldn't he plug the tire right away rather than wait for the nail to blow out?? Crikey..
Maverik
12-09-2008, 09:16 PM
Quite an interesting read.. but why wouldn't he plug the tire right away rather than wait for the nail to blow out?? Crikey..

That's what makes me think he's a n00b or just being cheap.
BlackScorpion
12-13-2008, 01:10 PM
Who ever said $200 doesn't get you far these days?

Quite an interesting read.. but why wouldn't he plug the tire right away rather than wait for the nail to blow out?? Crikey..

Because the plug costs at least $5. Using the nail as a plug is free.
JDM_Ninja
01-20-2009, 02:25 AM
Just read this today in the 2 Wheel Tuner Annual special issue (still on shelves). Great read.
This guy as guest editor did a good job to put out an issue of this magazine that I actually wanted to buy.





Originally Posted by JamieJames View Post
Quite an interesting read.. but why wouldn't he plug the tire right away rather than wait for the nail to blow out?? Crikey..
That's what makes me think he's a n00b or just being cheap.

He had a budget of $200 and all of it went to the initial bike purchase.
(at the same time, he sweet talked his way out of a few tickets, you'd think he'd be able to talk someone into a free plug)
Borgnine
01-20-2009, 06:52 AM
Nope, EX500's (Ninja 500's), have always been the good ole parallel twin 500, chain & sprocket.

You am right. I'm thinking of the old Honda CX500...
A buddy told me about a gal who rode around the world on an old Honda Magna (I haven't seen the story yet myself).....It's amazing what people can do when they don't know "it can't be done".