Michigan to New Mexico

[kat9908]

Well its decided we are going to take the bikes from Edmore Michigan to Albuquerque New Mexico with a twist. We decided not to take the direct route and go to Colorado and down 550 to NM. So we will go Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, then into New Mexico. If there is any place we really should stop please let us know I want to enjoy the view between here and there. Also any bad places we should stay away from will be appreciated too. As I firm up the plans and dates I will keep you all posted. This is gonna be so much fun!! See my son and take a trip of a lifetime.

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by kat9908

Well its decided we are going to take the bikes from Edmore Michigan to Albuquerque New Mexico with a twist. We decided not to take the direct route and go to Colorado and down 550 to NM. So we will go Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, then into New Mexico. If there is any place we really should stop please let us know I want to enjoy the view between here and there. Also any bad places we should stay away from will be appreciated too. As I firm up the plans and dates I will keep you all posted. This is gonna be so much fun!! See my son and take a trip of a lifetime.

When are you heading out?

[kat9908]

Lauren, we are not sure yet somewhere around the 26th or 27th of April

[Alawicious]

Thats going to be an awesome trip

Safe Journey Kat

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by kat9908

Lauren, we are not sure yet somewhere around the 26th or 27th of April

Oh, so you're leaving soon.

We are getting ready for something similar over the July 4th week.

[LaurenOE]

I've done a Florida to Colorado and back on my ZZR1200 and the only thing that I wasn't prepared for were the wind rivers in Kansas. They were the scariest thing I have ever experienced on my motorcycle. Long road trips on a motorcycle really change your perspective. You look at your bike differently when you travel huge distances.

There were times in rural colorado when I didn't see a car for hours. I did the Colorado trip in October -which was too late in the season - and there was desolation across the plains. I'd roll into towns to get gas and it was like a movie set. I stayed off the interstate from about mid Kansas to Colorado Springs to avoid the wind rivers and it was an awesome experience.

Also be aware of the major highways with the double long tractor trailers. If there is wind that day, and you get your motorcycle in the wake of one of those trailers, be prepared to get rocked around and pushed about.

[LaurenOE]

Let's see, Tips.
1) Make a habit of lubing your chain every night .
2) Make sure you look over your tires and check tire pressure every morning before you head out.
3) Take your hand and test all the bolts you can touch each morning to test if anything is loose.
4) Get gas and rest every 1- 2 hours. Resting is good, gas may not be available
5) Charge your cell phone every night.
6) Tell someone not on the trip where you are every night.
7) Before the ride, google all the dealerships of your brand of motorcycle that are on the route you are taking and have their phone numbers.
8) Have a tire kit and an inflation device - a small Mt. Bike hand pump is better than a Co2 cartridge.
9) Check your oil regularly during the trip.
10) Have a few of the major fuses that your bike takes as a spare.
11) Have all your paper work in a place you can get to it.
12) Have some rain gear plan.
13) Have a clear visor if you have a tinted visor
14) Be especially aware of critters in the morning and evening out in the middle of nowhere.
15) If you can, take a bike cover so you can cover your bike at night so no one knows what you are riding.
16) Have some kind of lock so that your bike is not "too easy" to steal.
17) Have a fresh set of tires for the trip.
18) Have all your maintenance done.
19) Have some of the packets of detergent from WalMart in the travel section so you can do laundry on the road.
20) Have a spare key someplace and put a spare key in one of those postal pre-paid fixed rate overnight envelopes and give it to a friend so that they can send it to you if need be.
21) Think about your medical insurance.
22) Think about how to get your bike home in case something happens.
23) Know where the airports are.
24) Know the road side assistance options you might have.

[SassyBikerChick]

How fun! I know y'all will have a blast and I can't wait to hear your experience and thoughts on doing a longer trip like that. I love doing touring trips on my bike, but haven't done a trip that long yet. The hubby and I would love to do much more sport touring and take longer trips when/if we ever get enough vacation time to do so, ha! Have a safe trip!

[stevo_x]

Iowa! Woot! You should stop and grill some Iowa chops on the way through

edit: Do you know what route you are taking yet and what way you'll be coming through iowa?

[kat9908]

Originally Posted by stevo_x

Iowa! Woot! You should stop and grill some Iowa chops on the way through

edit: Do you know what route you are taking yet and what way you'll be coming through iowa?

I am stopping at your house for the night LOL! Steve I don't know yet we are working that out any suggestions on route through Iowa? Bill was a over the road truck driver for years so he has some thoughts but any suggestions are welcome.