srust58
XS650 Member
In 1982 I did a 6000 mile solo trip. Minneapolis to Sturgis to the bike rally where I bought a pair of cowboy boots
for the ride. From there on to Yellowstone. Met a guy here from South Africa touring the US and rode with him through Idaho and Nevada to Lake Tahoe where we went different directions and I stayed several days with a friend. Won some money at a casino here and put a new rear tire and drive chain on. Then on to Yosemite Park where I camped for a few days with two guys on Viragos, one guy with his arm in a cast. Then to San Fransisco for a ride across the Golden Gate. Somewhere along this stretch I remember finding a blackberry patch beside the road. Using my helmet as a bucket I filled it with berries and strapped it to the latch and munched on berries all day as I rode.
North up the coast highway to Crescent City where I stayed several days with a cousin. From there I went through a Redwood forest to Crater Lake and north through Oregon to the Columbia River. Hooked up with Highway 12 through the Bitter Root Mountains (very scenic) and on to Boulder Montana to stay with a friend. Did a lot of trout fishing here before making the two day run home (two 600 miles days back to back). It was on this stretch that my casual attitude caught up with me. Old timers may remember there was a recall on these bikes due to faulty petcocks. I didn't get my bike into the shop before the trip and somewhere in eastern MT the right side started leaking. It was a nerve wracking 100 mile ride to Lemmon SD to a Yamaha dealer that fixed it for me. The only real failure the bike ever gave me on all my trips.
Was gone for 1 month with 14 travel days, one day of rain. Camping or staying with friends each nite. Spent one night at a wayside rest and had dinner and breakfast with a Mexican family traveling in a pick up truck. No cell phone, no credit card, running out of money I sold some camping gear at a second hand store on the way home for gas money. Arrived home with $6 and a gallon in the tank.
My first trip was in 79 right after I first got the bike. 2500 mile to Yellowstone and back with 3 others on Norton Commandos.
Over the years I made frequent trips to Montana each summer usually around 2000-2500 miles sometimes with others often alone.
One solo circle tour of Lake Superior of about 1100 miles.
One 600 mile trip two up with camping gear to Bayfield WI.
Never had a breakdown that left me stranded.
various picks in no particular order
for the ride. From there on to Yellowstone. Met a guy here from South Africa touring the US and rode with him through Idaho and Nevada to Lake Tahoe where we went different directions and I stayed several days with a friend. Won some money at a casino here and put a new rear tire and drive chain on. Then on to Yosemite Park where I camped for a few days with two guys on Viragos, one guy with his arm in a cast. Then to San Fransisco for a ride across the Golden Gate. Somewhere along this stretch I remember finding a blackberry patch beside the road. Using my helmet as a bucket I filled it with berries and strapped it to the latch and munched on berries all day as I rode. North up the coast highway to Crescent City where I stayed several days with a cousin. From there I went through a Redwood forest to Crater Lake and north through Oregon to the Columbia River. Hooked up with Highway 12 through the Bitter Root Mountains (very scenic) and on to Boulder Montana to stay with a friend. Did a lot of trout fishing here before making the two day run home (two 600 miles days back to back). It was on this stretch that my casual attitude caught up with me. Old timers may remember there was a recall on these bikes due to faulty petcocks. I didn't get my bike into the shop before the trip and somewhere in eastern MT the right side started leaking. It was a nerve wracking 100 mile ride to Lemmon SD to a Yamaha dealer that fixed it for me. The only real failure the bike ever gave me on all my trips. Was gone for 1 month with 14 travel days, one day of rain. Camping or staying with friends each nite. Spent one night at a wayside rest and had dinner and breakfast with a Mexican family traveling in a pick up truck. No cell phone, no credit card, running out of money I sold some camping gear at a second hand store on the way home for gas money. Arrived home with $6 and a gallon in the tank.
My first trip was in 79 right after I first got the bike. 2500 mile to Yellowstone and back with 3 others on Norton Commandos.
Over the years I made frequent trips to Montana each summer usually around 2000-2500 miles sometimes with others often alone.
One solo circle tour of Lake Superior of about 1100 miles.
One 600 mile trip two up with camping gear to Bayfield WI.
Never had a breakdown that left me stranded.
various picks in no particular order
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