Well, the van died, but I lived, so I thought I’d test my fate on two wheels.
So far, so good.
Warning: If you don’t like pictures of motorcycles, campsites, and scenic vistas then this TR is not for you. Otherwise Enjoy!
-there are a lot of pics here and a lot more I didn’t include (you’re welcome).
A song to sing along with while scrolling and enjoying.
My brief history of motorcycling is as follows:
-I never rode a motorcycle until mid summer of 2017.
-Personal motto: “If someone else can do it, I can do it”.
-I had a premonition when I was 10 that I would die on a motorcycle when I was 45. (44 at the time of purchase, 45 now, surprisingly not dead).
-Disregarded my premonition, got a wild hair and bought this bike, the first one that popped up when I searched.
-Then I did a near 8,000 mile solo moto camping trip after learning how to ride one afternoon in a parking lot. (West coast, Western States, Northern Rockies/GNP to AK –not sharing those pics here, but there are plenty).
-Got hooked!
-This summer I toured south out of AK, cruised and camped, toured with my Dad out of Wenatchee for 3 weeks and 5,000 miles around the Southwest then continued solo.
-My BMW is still the only motorcycle I’ve ever ridden.
The bike:
2004 BMW R1150GSA (same as “Long Way ‘Round” bikes)
-$4950 with ~65K
-rubber: Continental TKC80’s f/b, then Heidenau K60 Scout f/b (Best by Far!), (I’ve also run Michelin Anakee Wild f/b)
This trip:
-No actual itinerary or plan per se. (That’s how I like it).
-65 days, camped over 50.
-cooked >80% of meals
-21 days and 5K touring and camping with my Dad (69, and a badass! Currently building a Land Speed Record bike for Bonneville next August. Turboed full custom frame Hayabusa).
-13,371 miles door to door.
-11 States, 2 Provinces.
To note: I got heat exhaustion around Vernal, UT. Almost crashed and pretty much almost died, couldn’t stand, or talk, and my hands curled up like claws. (No more mesh for me. From then on I ran my heavy coat zipped tight with soaked underclothes to make a swamp cooler essentially. Worked great!)
Dragged my panniers doing 80+mph around 35mph corners through Hell's Backbone! (Hwy 12, UT)
Terrifyingly thrilling!
I was crawling out of my skin at the end.
Ran over a nail cruising the beach in Crescent City on the 4th of July.
Patched my tire and kept cruising, patch held to Yosemite and back to Wenatchee.
Diagnosed the problem as an alternator belt, whaddya think of this spaghetti?
It got shredded after some very wet, and rough, red clay offroad camping mission the day before. Trapped here for 5 days waiting for a $7 belt…I repaired it and hauled ass for home. http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...y.jpg~original
The breakdown was the only issue I had to deal with besides tire and oil changes. But sitting around like that made me crazy, so I hit the road hard and didn’t stop to take pics, didn’t stop but to buy gas. Hyder to Whitehorse, then Whitehorse to Ancharagua, ~1500 miles in two days and 25 hours of riding…
Things I learned (there are more, I’m sure, but this is enough for now):
-Most people on BMW ADV bikes are rich turds.
-More beer helps a father and son get along.
-Long rides are long.
-Don’t get heat stroke and die.
-Speed is your friend.
-Having no plans makes every moment an adventure, but aggravates most people.
-It’s a damn beautiful world outside your door.
-Trust yourself and take chances in life, you only live twice.
Hope to see you there!
If you have any questions ask away.
Welcome back Deathvan! Always stoked to read your trip reports, you sir know how to live! I especially appreciate you hanging out with your dad. I am jealous!
11-27-2018, 07:34 PM
DeathVan
Thanks Teleee !
It was a lot of fun to be out on the road together, hauling ass and experiencing places neither of us had ever been.
11-27-2018, 07:43 PM
skibum193
Damn that looks like an awesome adventure! Been on a KLR for two years and looking to do CO to AK in the near future. My bike does NOT like highway riding though haha. That windscreen make a big difference? Been looking at going bigger on my bike
11-27-2018, 07:53 PM
DeathVan
Thank you man. It was more than I thought it would be.
I see a lot of KLR's doing the AlCan/Cassiar, (Cassiar hwy being much more scenic and fun to ride).
They don't go fast enough for me, as I do not like to be passed by any vehicle ever (safer imo). But they are completely capable and I've seen lots of cool setups, plus you don't get a hernia when picking it up alone in the woods...
The windscreen deflector made an enormous difference in how hard my head was getting buffeted by the wind, it doesn't take much to change the flow, and it allowed me to ride longer and more comfortably.
Go for it!
-if a Jong can do it, so can you.
11-28-2018, 10:48 AM
406
Awesome.
11-28-2018, 10:57 AM
t-the-east
That is badass. Well played sir. Well played.
11-28-2018, 11:33 AM
Tye 1on
Awesome trip! How cool to share it with your old man. Hope to see a TR of his speed run!
11-28-2018, 12:08 PM
Mofro261
thumbs up!
Part of me would like to do that with my old man, and the other part sez it may be more fun to wait and go with the son in ~5+yrs.
11-28-2018, 02:20 PM
iamTRuTH
Welcome back, I wonder what happened to you. Nice Stealie, even better TR.
11-29-2018, 07:44 PM
DeathVan
Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
Awesome.
Thanks 406!
Got any InSight photos?
I would love to the see the scale of that beast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by t-the-east
That is badass. Well played sir. Well played.
Thanks hippy !
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mofro261
thumbs up!
Part of me would like to do that with my old man, and the other part sez it may be more fun to wait and go with the son in ~5+yrs.
Why not do both my man?
-or all 3 of you together
Quote:
Originally Posted by iamTRuTH
Welcome back, I wonder what happened to you. Nice Stealie, even better TR.
Thanks TRuTH!
it is good to back
It is funny how all the Deadheads posted replies, haha
11-29-2018, 07:56 PM
happytimefunbox
Out fucking standing!
What is that cushy looking saddle?
11-29-2018, 07:57 PM
DeathVan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tye 1on
Awesome trip! How cool to share it with your old man. Hope to see a TR of his speed run!
Thank you Tye.
-he's a pretty young living "old man"' (I'm pretty sure he could kick my ass)
I have to work when he'll be there but he will definitely be documenting his experience.
Here are some pics of his race bikes and the LSR bike in progress
His 1000 GSX-R http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...y.jpg~original
-I should say that he crashed this bike last year straight into a wall going ~80, brakes failed...he fractured his back and neck, but drove home that same night.
It's a cut piece of an olde sheepskin car seat cober with a piece of 2" closed cell foam tucked inside.
Definitely a butt saver.
11-29-2018, 10:56 PM
shroom
that looks killer!
11-30-2018, 07:47 AM
willywhit
so inspired. getting a kawi concours 1000 in the spring.
11-30-2018, 10:07 AM
BFD
Glad to see you checking in. Great trip. Guess your out of kodiak. Currently on day two of waiting for parts in Alpine Texas. 5 days in Hyder could be an easier sentence.
11-30-2018, 12:58 PM
Marshall Tucker
Insperational.
11-30-2018, 03:14 PM
406
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeathVan
Thanks 406!
Got any InSight photos?
I would love to the see the scale of that beast.
InSight did not pick us to build their cameras, so I'm not involved. Ironically, there is a mars sunset image floating around social media attributed to InSight that we on MSL took several years ago.
12-01-2018, 05:50 AM
Bruce Springskiin
Great trip report man. I like your style, getting an older BMW, parts and oil changes maybe more expensive than a Japanese bike but they were likely dealer maintained by some meticulous rich old turd, likely also already have all the expensive accessories. Currently I am more happy on my dual sport, exploring gravel roads and trails than putting down days on the highway. But a big adventure bike is in my future, I have time, your dad is proof. My father and his best friend from high school are talking about doing a tour of Ireland on bikes, that I am pushing for them to do so I can hopefully join.
