All the way...

I just rode across the country! Virginia to California, via interstate 10 and numerous state roads. Beautiful.

Last year this time the bike was a pile of rust under a tarp in my uncle's barnyard. What a bike.

 

Hoefully it was a uneventfull trip, nothing bad happened. I wish I could take the time to do that, family and job won't let me do it. Post some pice if you have them.
I can always dream.......

 

nice, any events on your trip?

 

So many things happened, it's kind of hard to pick. I went solo, so it was lonely, but the need for some solitude was part of the reason I took off. That also forced me to meet people as I went, so I met some interesting characters, especially in the small towns away from the interstate.

One thing that I didn't know is that most dealerships won't touch these old bikes, at least in southern big cities. I couldn't even get oil changes or new airfilters. I felt like my bike rode away with low self-esteem after trying to get help at Yamaha dealerships, with their parking lots full of shiny new bikes. It would perk up after a while.

I also got way too close to my bike. I talked to her a lot. She didn't seem to mind.

 

i know they will here, i have a dealership right down the road

solo would kill me how long did the trip take?

 

one day i will do this. maybe not solo, however i dont think i would mind going solo. meeting people is fun.

im interested as well how long the trip took?

 

Tell your bike to keep her chin up. Bet you could go to any motorcycle hangout and she will have a crowd of people around her. While the Johnny come lately bikes are still sitting off to the side just waiting for the vintage or classic touch that comes with owning one of these XJ's Found out that if its leaking oil and old, people come to check it out.

Sean

 

I enjoy the solo trip. just you, your bike and what you can strap to it.
I admit after a couple days it would be nice to see a known face.

 

I haven't had the chance to do more than a couple hundrered k at a time but i can't wait to do a longer trip I even get a little jealous when I read about them! one day she will be ready!

 

Trip took about three weeks, but I went slow, stayed at friends and family here and there. Whenever I hit bad weather I got a hotel or rode hard till I got to someone's house, then waited it out (otherwise I camped).

Also, it wasn't a straight shot - I had to follow the coast down to florida, and back up california, cause it's kind of cold inland.

Yeah, usually after they told me they couldn't even change my oil, a few mechanics would come out and check out the bike for a while, while I used a milk jug and a wrench and some oil I bought from them. I guess even though they make a lot of bikes to look "vintage" nobody wants to put in the love it takes to keep 'em in good shape. But people really seem to like them.

 

Wow...great story Oak. Did you get your "Zen" back after all that time alone?

 

Oak,
I have been on many solo rides, thats the way I like to roll. I have also mentioned in the past that going solo doesn't force you meet new people but makes you WANT to meet new people. When people see an old bike with seemingly all your life's possesions strapped to it they become curious and start asking questions. It's cool.

I have met very generous and giving people, some even invite you stay at their home or camp in their back yard, or feed you dinner. The solo rider has become almost a thing of the past and I think people are attracted to the lifestyle that they can't have.

You also did it right to get off the stinkin superslab and get out into the country. I very, very rarely take to the interstate, it's a very sanitized slice of America. I always try to have no adjenda and go where the road and desire takes me. If I have a place I need to get to, I always plan more time to get there. Last summer I headed for Yellowstone. I could get there in a day but it took me five days to get there and I'm glad it did.

Thanks for the ride report. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

The Buff

Glad yo

 

Don't know much about that kind of stuff Sushi but yeah, I guess I did.

Buffalo, you just somehow described the experience I had better than I could.

By the way, do you have a posting about your hardcases? I'm really curious.