St. George to Oregon...to Alaska?

[Gone in 60]

Interesting topic. MotoQuest recently released their spring transport specials, and most run from Portland to Anchorage, riding GS 750, 850 or 1250. Tried to work it nine ways to Sunday, but just couldn't make any of them work with my current work travel.

Of all of their bikes, I prefer the smaller models like the 750 and 850. Just as good as eating up the miles as the big bike, but less work getting into the twisty stuff through the mountains and on the trails that I dip a toe on to get some better views. Yeah, chain vs. shaft, but hey, it's not mine, so I don't even look at it. On all of them, I have a buffeting issue at high speed with the tall windscreen, but not enough to be a pain.

Always think though, if I were to do long distance rides on my own bike, what would I want? It would have to bias to highway comfort, so as much as I'd like an anvil-simple KLR, might not be the best choice.

As for the NY to West Coast, there's a guy on YouTube, can't remember his handle, who does it on an air-cooled Bonneville. Gives me some thoughts that I can do that... heck, I already have one, and it's the most comfortable of my current bikes.

Ooh, I need to look more seriously at this idea. My friend is basically giving me the chance to do this on his 1200. I helped him paint a house once free of charge, so it balances out.

Interesting topic. MotoQuest recently released their spring transport specials, and most run from Portland to Anchorage, riding GS 750, 850 or 1250. Tried to work it nine ways to Sunday, but just couldn't make any of them work with my current work travel.

Of all of their bikes, I prefer the smaller models like the 750 and 850. Just as good as eating up the miles as the big bike, but less work getting into the twisty stuff through the mountains and on the trails that I dip a toe on to get some better views. Yeah, chain vs. shaft, but hey, it's not mine, so I don't even look at it. On all of them, I have a buffeting issue at high speed with the tall windscreen, but not enough to be a pain.

Always think though, if I were to do long distance rides on my own bike, what would I want? It would have to bias to highway comfort, so as much as I'd like an anvil-simple KLR, might not be the best choice.

As for the NY to West Coast, there's a guy on YouTube, can't remember his handle, who does it on an air-cooled Bonneville. Gives me some thoughts that I can do that... heck, I already have one, and it's the most comfortable of my current bikes.

Sometimes the best cross-country bike is the one you already have matched with a generous helping of "attitude".

Wow, beautiful country! Good on you for getting home in time for Mother's Day!

See? There's a case to be made for the GS1200...had I been on my DR650 or the KLR, I'd still be out there.

That, or some esoteric electronic component would fail and you'd still be out there.