Completed 1900 mile trip from Denver to Seattle

I posted a couple months ago about getting ready for this trip, some folks gave me some helpful tips, now that it's done I can share some things from my experience.

To start, I bought a plane ticket to Denver, after getting a smokin deal on a white '14 Standard from Sun Powersports. Then I took 9 days riding the best motorcycle roads home to Tacoma, WA through Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington.

Bike gear setup: Factory panniers, Kriega 40 system, Cortech 12l magnetic tank bag for valuables and maps.

As far as bike performance, it was flawless! I installed a 12v charger and Ram cell mount so gps worked the entire way. I had but did not install bar risers, honestly for me my legs were a bigger issue than wrists, I have long legs (35" inseam) and I may want to lower pegs slightly. Now that I'm home I will install bar risers. For me the factory seat was fine, yes your ass gets a bit sore, but not too bad. I had both padded underwear and regular, (I ride road bikes so already owned them). Don't waste your money, they don't help on a motorcycle seat.

On open road, IMO 92 mph is a sweet spot if you feel you can get away with it lol, keeps it just under VTech, 6500rpm as I remember. Even in Wyoming with stout winds it was very stable. I was pleasantly surprised by fuel economy, I got about 36mpg at that speed, (this is loaded to the gills, new engine, at high altitude, it will get better where I live at sea level), also it would get nearly 50mpg if I kept it at 65-70mph. In the Twisties the Viffer shines, loaded to the gills I had no problem using all of the tire.

I attached a few pics, and have a ton more as well as road and camp info if anyone is interested. I stayed in National Forest campgrounds, state campgrounds, and once in National Forest land as they had closed the campground for the year the day before, and a couple cheap motels when weather looked real bad. I managed to stay on pavement the entire trip also, except inside the campground itself.

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Sounds and looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing!

 

Grat's TV, thanks for sharing!

 

Sounds like a most excellent trip.
May have to take that exact trip to go visit Jay, how many miles a day did you do and how many days did it take.
No mention of any pull overs from th popo which is a blessing.
Glad you made it home safely


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Too bad you did not get back earlier and submitted picture #2 for the 2019 calendar. I think is would be a winner. COme back next year for the 2020 calendar and submit that one. Thanks for the writeup and pix.

 

I took 9 days, averaging 211 per day. Honestly solo camping takes quit a bit of your day, but I enjoy outdoors more than a hotel until I see rain lol, so that makes it worth it for me, not to mention the cost savings, that is if you already own the gear. You could easily cover more ground, especially staying in hotels exclusively.

Good luck, and have fun!!

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Thanks Randy, I appreciate that, and I'll remember the calendar next year!

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Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

 

A most excellent adventure

and how's your arse ?

 

Sounds like you had a great trip. I would love to do a similar trip next year when I get some OEM panniers.