Appalachia

[Cormanus]

What a great report, dbarkdoll. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it up. It’s good to read of others’ rides, but this one was particularly nostalgic as I had the pleasure of riding in some of those areas in 2015. It’s a lovely area around the Dragon.

As for the windscreen, I’ve managed a lot of touring miles without one and have no great regrets about that.

[emptysea]

— Plus 1 on going minus windscreen
— Wonderful report.
— I’ve ridden past Cheoah Point a few times and it’s simply beautiful.
— I think you may be fine without an aux fuel container. When I planned my SS1000 ride, I plotted every gas stop and a few alternatives to them in case one was closed. Worked so well that I typically plot my gas stops on every planned ride of more than 200 miles. I realize that gas stations are fewer and further between out West, but I’m confident that you can make a route that keeps you out of fuel panic mode.
— Can’t wait to read your next report.

[the Ferret]

Personally on a 13 I would carry a gallon of gas spare. Have I have ridden a lot out west, and although rare I have seen signs that say next gas 175 miles (Washington going into Oregon) and next gas 141 miles (Utah). It was not a concern on my ST 1300 that held 7.7 gallons but on a CB at less than 4 I'd rather be safe than sorry. Maybe Frulk can advise better.

[SportsterDoc]

Before going all solar, I had a fuel can in the truck for a generator at our Arizona ranch. Only once did I have an opportunity to assisst an out of fuel motorcyclist.
That was an east bound rider from Italy, between Kingman (I40 exits 48, 51 & 53) and Seligman (I40 exits 122 & 120)...only about 70 miles between several stations.

Between those locations on old Route 66, the Havasupai now have a filling station in Peach Springs. Other than the Yamahas, I only carried extra fuel on the Extraterrestrial Highway...both for Triumph (4.2?) and the Honda. That included trips to Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

OTOH, an extra gallon may help someone who has not prepared as well.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Great writing and photography! I'm proud to call you friend... as soon as I get this dang cast off of my leg, we need to go hit the Ozarks with Charlie, if we can fit it in before you head west!

Did you ever feel like you needed any wind protection?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Thank you amigo.

Did I ever feel like I needed wind protection...... Hmm.... I'm not quite sure how to answer that. At no point on the highway was I like "Oh my God get me off this thing". Sure the wind blast was there but I have put close to 24,000 miles on this bike without a screen so I'm pretty well used to it. I also have my duffel bag positioned where it makes a nice butt stop/backrest which makes a huge difference. I think I would regret putting a screen on for the type of riding I'm planning on doing. It's gonna be hot, and twisty (hopefully). I just don't want to deal with the buffeting. I've got a really low tolerance for that. I'm tossing around the idea of getting a Dart, but they're expensive, supposedly pretty noisy, and really do nothing for rain protection so at that point it's like why did I even buy this thing. Idk. Jurys still out. I'd love to try a Dart before buying one......any members near Arkansas with one......?

As far as squeezing a ride in before I leave; I'd really like that. Guess it depends on that stump of yours....

Hell, you don't need that thing to ride anyway, that's what your right hand is for!!

Great "pre-west" trip! Your camping / tent set-up areas look clean, nicely done.

Thank you man, I try to keep it nice and tidy.

What a nice trip dbarkdoll. Yes a good primer for a western trip, which is just an expanded version of what you just did. Expanded flats ( the plains) and expanded mountains ( the Rockies). If you can live with yourself, the brief encounters with others you have along the way, and endure what mother nature throws at you, you can be a content motorcycle traveler.

I can definitely live with myself, been doin that for a while now. I'm always inside my own head, and have always been a lone wolf type. Looking forward to getting way the hell out there and feeling the isolation and vulnerability that it brings.

Majorly looking forward to the random encounters with strangers. In a car, not so much. On a bike, people seem to just open to you and go out of their way to say a kind word. It's been my favorite part of moto-touring so far.

The mother nature part will probably be the hardest part for me. I'm fine with getting wet/being hot. I can't do being cold though, especially wet and cold. Luckily I'm doing this in August, and will have a dry set (hopefully) of clothes to change into if that happens. Aint nothin' you can do about the weather so might as adapt or roll with flow!!

What a great report, dbarkdoll. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it up. It’s good to read of others’ rides, but this one was particularly nostalgic as I had the pleasure of riding in some of those areas in 2015. It’s a lovely area around the Dragon.

As for the windscreen, I’ve managed a lot of touring miles without one and have no great regrets about that.

You are very very welcome Cormanus. Thanks for reading along.

Come on back to that area anytime, the waters fine!!

I'm leaning towards no screen at the moment. That may change but we'll see.

— Plus 1 on going minus windscreen
— Wonderful report.
— I’ve ridden past Cheoah Point a few times and it’s simply beautiful.
— I think you may be fine without an aux fuel container. When I planned my SS1000 ride, I plotted every gas stop and a few alternatives to them in case one was closed. Worked so well that I typically plot my gas stops on every planned ride of more than 200 miles. I realize that gas stations are fewer and further between out West, but I’m confident that you can make a route that keeps you out of fuel panic mode.
— Can’t wait to read your next report.

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards no screen at the moment.

I'm a pretty methodical person on the bike so plotting out fuel stops is not out of the question (assuming I have reception where I'm at). I also like the idea of carrying extra fuel and just throwing caution to the wind so to speak. I've got a few weeks to figure it out.

Personally on a 13 I would carry a gallon of gas spare. Have I have ridden a lot out west, and although rare I have seen signs that say next gas 175 miles (Washington going into Oregon) and next gas 141 miles (Utah). It was not a concern on my ST 1300 that held 7.7 gallons but on a CB at less than 4 I'd rather be safe than sorry. Maybe Frulk can advise better.

Thanks for the input Ferret. I'm not opposed to bringing extra fuel at this point so I've got some options to weigh here. I really like having peace of mind, to me that's worth a whole lot.

Before going all solar, I had a fuel can in the truck for a generator at our Arizona ranch. Only once did I have an opportunity to assisst an out of fuel motorcyclist.
That was an east bound rider from Italy, between Kingman (I40 exits 48, 51 & 53) and Seligman (I40 exits 122 & 120)...only about 70 miles between several stations.

Between those locations on old Route 66, the Havasupai now have a filling station in Peach Springs. Other than the Yamahas, I only carried extra fuel on the Extraterrestrial Highway...both for Triumph (4.2?) and the Honda. That included trips to Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

OTOH, an extra gallon may help someone who has not prepared as well.

Good point about having some extra fuel for someone who was not so well prepared. That'd be worth carrying it for me.

[suhawk305]

Great read Daniel!

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Great read Daniel!

Thank you!

[Houtman_imp]

Thanks for the great report !

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Thanks for the great report !

You are very welcome! Sorry I didn't get back to you, I realized pretty early on that I was not going to making it all the way to Asheville. Looks like you were pretty wrapped up with Django anyhow, not sure you would have been willing to accommodate TWO dirty sweaty scoundrels as well.

[Houtman_imp]

Thanks for the great report !

You are very welcome! Sorry I didn't get back to you, I realized pretty early on that I was not going to making it all the way to Asheville. Looks like you were pretty wrapped up with Django anyhow, not sure you would have been willing to accommodate TWO dirty sweaty scoundrels as well.

You are very welcome! Sorry I didn't get back to you, I realized pretty early on that I was not going to making it all the way to Asheville. Looks like you were pretty wrapped up with Django anyhow, not sure you would have been willing to accommodate TWO dirty sweaty scoundrels as well. I would have put both of you in the big enough bed !