Remember that new rider from a few months ago? Yea... I have an update

[Stormy]

Hey guys!

Boy do I have an update for you.

First an foremost, I'd like to thank every single one of you who posted on my thread back in March (seen here - http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453332). Whether it was positive or negative it was truly enlightening to understand the complexity and severity of an adventure such as. So to you - thanks again. You have opened my eyes and mind to see clearer that I... once and for all should do the trip.

Do you really think I was going to update you on some bologna? Please let your eyes have an euphoric experience with this one photo:

2007 V-Strom 650cc w/ABS
43,000 miles on it

It's a crazy story how I found it and the events that followed. I hope to go through every step with you guys and would love any and every recommendation, suggestion, thoughts, and criticism. Please don't hold back!

The picture above is in Joshua Tree couple days ago. I rode around 150 miles each way and this was my first official adventure ride with her. I've had the bike for about 3 weeks now and ride it every day. My focus is on saddle time and placing myself in awkward situations on the road to see how I am going to alleviate the problem. Practice is the name of the game.

I can't get into too much more now and I do apologize. I promise to have a full update soon. On that note, I want to start a blog ASAP and am researching the best way to go about it. What's your take? Wordpress? Tumblr? Would you guys like me to have a continuous thread going of my updates? Let me know how you'd like to read my story and I will make it happen.


Talk to you soon!

 

[m0t0_ryder]

My focus is on saddle time and placing myself in awkward situations on the road to see how I am going to alleviate the problem. Practice is the name of the game.

Danger Will Robinson!

[youtube]OWwOJlOI1nU[/youtube]

You have this all wrong.

You need to do everything within your limited experience to AVOID "awkward situations".
Seeking to get into "awkward situations" in order to learn something can end very very badly.
Please rethink your strategy.

Oh, and congrats on returning safely from your first "adventure".

 

[matt1216]

Awesome That is the perfect bike for you. I know people that have been riding for years and never gone out of the Bay Area.

Joshua Tree is cool, kinda other worldly. I went there in January a few years ago and it was a really cold, but unforgettable ride.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Definitely post your adventures here. Congratulations on going for it and putting up with our ragging on you, our intent was to have you be as safe as possible in this unsafe sport.

 

[ThumperX]

Looks like a winner!

 

[louemc]

Fantastic

Best wishes to the journey...And the more to follow...
And how ever they get reported here, to inspire others.

 

[blrmaker]

Fantastic

Best wishes to the journey...And the more to follow...
And how ever they get reported here, to inspire others.

Pretty much this!

 

[Jacare]

You're my hero

 

[sanjuro]

My focus is on saddle time and placing myself in awkward situations on the road to see how I am going to alleviate the problem. Practice is the name of the game.

Yeah I would avoid these circumstances, and what I would do is to recognize these situations before they happen.

For example, when I enter a highway, particularly on a hairpin on-ramp, I will typically open a large gap with a vehicle, much larger than if I was driving, by not accelerating.

While there is a tiny chance I could be rear-ended (although I am moving at a decent clip), I don't want to open my throttle and then have the vehicle in front of me slam on their brakes because of something unforeseen on the highway.

I don't force the issue by tailgating and seeing how good is my emergency braking.

 

[Z3n]

Good luck, try and find some proper training in different conditions before you go, maybe some flat track, supermoto, or small dirt bike schools. Good choice on the ABS, get comfortable with what happens with the ABS when it engages and getting close to that limit in a parking lot.

I'd also recommend the proper springs and fork oil for your weight if it hasn't already been done - it will transform the handling of the bike.

Ride safe, and remember - superior riders use superior judgment to avoid situations that require superior skill. If you need to use good riding skills to get out of a situation, you're doing it all wrong - you should be planning, predicting, and anticipating all the actions of those around you.

 

[ThumperX]

Good luck, try and find some proper training in different conditions before you go, maybe some flat track, supermoto, or small dirt bike schools. Good choice on the ABS, get comfortable with what happens with the ABS when it engages and getting close to that limit in a parking lot.

I'd also recommend the proper springs and fork oil for your weight if it hasn't already been done - it will transform the handling of the bike.

Ride safe, and remember - superior riders use superior judgment to avoid situations that require superior skill. If you need to use good riding skills to get out of a situation, you're doing it all wrong - you should be planning, predicting, and anticipating all the actions of those around you.

 

[rodr]

2007 V-Strom 650cc w/ABS
43,000 miles on it

Nice choice!

I want to start a blog ASAP and am researching the best way to go about it. What's your take? Wordpress? Tumblr? Would you guys like me to have a continuous thread going of my updates? Let me know how you'd like to read my story and I will make it happen.

I usually only read moto adventures in a discussion forum such as barf or advrider. The discussions add a dimension that you just don't see in blogs, and it's annoying to deal with the peculiarities of a different web site for each different story.

 

[Tydive]

Good stuff Stormy. Check out stromtrooper.com and advrider.com for tons of great information and ride reports.

I also don't usually read rider blogs, I prefer the interaction on forums.

If you would like to ride together send me a PM. We can chat about long distance riding.

 

[clutchslip]

You need to do everything within your limited experience to AVOID "awkward situations".
Seeking to get into "awkward situations" in order to learn something can end very very badly.
Please rethink your strategy.

Well, there ya' go with what some people never get, even on barf.

Having fulfilled my ride-safe-barf-bargain. I will now proceed with the I LOVE JOSHUA TREE, and I love the trees. Just look at the one in the o.p. picture. They are all unique and like stoic Navajo braves, standing strong against all odds. Omg, the things I have done there on a motorcycle, including breaking down and sleeping with the trees, the rabbits, and the snakes overnight, in my t-shirt, jeans, gloves and helmet. arty

 

[Carlo]

Good for you!
Perfect choice.
That bike should be reliable enough that your most likely issue (breakdown in the middle of nowhere) probably won't come up.

My advice to you is to learn asap how to clean, lube and adjust your chain.
Have it replaced (tires too!) just before you start, and check the tension daily.

And if you just maintain a moderate pace (actually enter all turns at the yellow diamond advisory sign speeds) your crash risk will be reduced to as close to nil as it gets. Certainly far lower on the lightly travelled roads in Amerca's heartland than you'll ever experience riding in the SF Bay Area.
Just watch yourself passing through the big cities, or better yet, find interesting routes to bypass them entirely.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Awesome That is the perfect bike for you. I know people that have been riding for years and never gone out of the Bay Area.

Joshua Tree is cool, kinda other worldly. I went there in January a few years ago and it was a really cold, but unforgettable ride.

And since Joshua Tree is about 500 miles from the Bay Area, I'm thinking that the rider has been riding outside of the Bay Area the entire time.

As mentioned in the other thread, I wish you well on your adventure. I'm not one of the doom and gloom people. Have fun, write about it. I'm fine with you updating this very thread with your progress, if you like. But it probably belongs in the Adventure Riding sub-forum.

 

[flying_hun]

 

[DigDoug]

Hey guys!

Boy do I have an update for you...
Please let your eyes have an euphoric experience with this one photo:

Sweet ride! No doubt you will not be disappointed in it. I would imagine it being the perfect bike to make the trek. You should be able to log a lot of miles with a little over a month before your trip.

Good luck, try and find some proper training in different conditions before you go, maybe some flat track, supermoto, or small dirt bike schools. Good choice on the ABS, get comfortable with what happens with the ABS when it engages and getting close to that limit in a parking lot.

^^^Very sound advice. Logging miles is one thing, getting feedback from some good training is a whole different experience all together. Just keep in mind that as your confidence begins to increase with more seat time, it can be real easy to start relaxing a little too much, and build a false sense of security. Staying disciplined on long flat roads can be quite difficult. Stay focused and enjoy the ride! Looking forward to hearing about your journey.

 

[Go2Trackdays]

Definitely road trip worthy. I rode my Honda 600F2 to ~ Vail CO from San Jose, not as "touring" as that thing

You were talking about spending in the $2k range - about how much did you spend?

 

[CrazyGenius]

Looking forward to read more about your future adventures !!!