RK...regarding the tentative trip in May...you only live once, you're not getting younger. I hope you do it. And yeah riding solo sux. If you could at least have a GF ride with is a difference maker but if you bring her with you'll be watching out for you and her. Most women seem obllivious to our predatory society and seem hell bent on placing themsleves in harms way, relying on...divine intervention,lol.

If you jam the ride to the east coast it can be done easily in 6 days or less. Thats 500+ mile days and I can tell you from experience thats harsh. Its basically 65-70MPH+ from 8am-4/5pm. Now 400-450 miles a day tends to be more enjoyable with time to smell the roses.

Camping versus hoteling...the hotels are so convenient. Off and on the highway in a blink. Instant hot showers and a soft bed with A/C. If you're lucky an in house restaurant/bar. And less the equipment you need to be responsible for. No set up or break down time. We paid off our CC for the trip and worried about the damage when we got home. Wasn't to bad. Most hotels came with a free full breakfast and that saved money. It avg'ed 75-85$ a nite. If you factored in not needing to purchase breakfast or lunch for 2 that saved me and Karen probably another 40-50$ on the day, making the hotel cost really llike 30-40$ in the food savings for 2.

Or RK, chill this year and travel with me and Karen to AK? We could neet in Helena,MT and go from there. Like you I would feel better having at least on other person along. I'm going either way, don't care. And I have all the logistics worked out. Will also be carrying 4 gallons extra gas. All you'll have to do is make sure your bike is tight and you have 1 year to get that done. Just a thought. I'm not sure on whether or not to carry camping equipment as a back up? Storage is gonna be at a premium. Rain suit x 2..mandatory. extra gas(4 gallons) mandatory. tire plugs and portable compressor..mandatory. tools..mandatory. Change of cloths to the bone(meaning bare minimum) x 2 ...mandatory. QTs of oil...mandatory. Emergency snax and H2O..mandatory.

And if you do take that trip in May (what a great time too. School is still in, hotel prices are down) and you come any where close to NH let me know...I'll get to you.

on that trip to AK. Why extra gas, there are stations, you are not going into the wilderness of yesterday, extra oil what do you have? I haven't added oil in 195,000 miles. Traveling alone I guess I am just a loner, I like it alone. Two people help when it is time for a motel, half price. With your daily mileage how long will the trip to AK. be?

Murphys law rules the land. My past experiences have lead me to believe that even in the lower 48 states gas stations are scarce in certain parts of the country never mind the ALCAN highway. The ALCAN highway by all reports is better then it use to be but not as good as it could/should be. And its better to have and not need then to need and not have.

The east coast and northeast in general is urban compact like a mother. Do not want for nothing. HD shops every 10 feet(joking but they do feel that available). You start pushing west and things change midwest on, especially in the southwest. Maybe even in the North midwest too? On my 2001 Ultra and it was cam'ed I wasn't getting quite the MPG I'd like 2 up and packed down and had more then a few close calls. This 2012 is special, it has a 6 gallon tank and better MPG (no cam) but not yet proven on a long trip. Maybe I don't need the extra gas but I'm taking it anyway.

Oil? I'm hard pressed to believe I won't need a pinch of oil here and there over the course of 9500-10,000 miles. Will be stopping in dealerships enroute for an oil change or 2 as I did when I went to San Diego. Hopefully I don't but I may meet someone who will and I'll have it to give.

Two riders and if they are compatible can make a trip fun and safer and not just a hotel discount opportunity for each other. I think the safety aspect speaks for itself.

The wrong combination of personalities can be a deal breaker too. On more then one occasion I have not reached my destination because either the other rider was not particularly pro active on his bike maintainance and his broke down, another time the other rider got arrested and the trip was over. Spent the time securing his bike and the next day bailing him out. So yeah in some cases given mismatched individuals, alone is better.

If you're a hard nosed, non compromising, demanding rider, unless you find someone who likes to be told what and how to do it, you're probably better off riding alone or finding someone who rides like you. If you're someone who is able to work well with others and compromise for the best interest of the group and the objective then you might enjoy riding with others.

Thanks for the info!!

I have it mapped out - 4 days of riding - 3 overnights at in-expensive motels, each day around 720 miles - I'm figuring 10+ hours of turning tires and the rest for gas fillups - belly fillups - and zonked out sleeping like a log...

NOW - the reality check:
8 days on the road minimum.
My main reason for this trip is - one of my very close friends is very sick and in and out of the hospital. I'd like to stay for a little each day with him. Then - spend time with the other 20 people on my must see list - family and childhood friends. So a week back there would be my minimum - that means I'd be away from my house for at least 2 weeks or more - Plus I'd like to visit one of my besty's out in Cape Cod- that adds a few days - I'd like to meet up with eastern members of the forum while I'm in the "neighborhood" so to speak - so in total that would add at least one weekend. I would also like to stop and look around a little during the trip, and that takes time - add a couple days to the overall so...
Total days 17-21... round trip.
1) I have to find a dog sitter - 3 weeks -
2) I have to find a house sitter - My grass gets watered 2x a week- mail pickup- yard mowed... etc...
3) I have a business that needs my daily input - I can now do that with my new phone. One down.
I have no one that can take care of #1 or #2
I'm going to talk to my retired neighbor to see if I can get him to put the sprinkler out and get the mail. I'll mow the grass after I get back... but I'm in a pinch for the pooch at this time. He needs to be looked after - he's smart - and troublesome to say the least. My options are limited - and time is running out for my window of opportunity.

As for the bike - the tires should last and the oil I'll do before I leave and when I get back - the synthetic should be good for one trip.
I already have everything - gear wise - that I need.

I've looked into the Flights - I can do a 7 day trip - rent a car - and do what I need to see my old friend and lessen the impact of the dog/house sitting. At this time I'm leaning toward getting there in 7 hours and home in about the same. 2 days of traveling vs. 8 or more. BUT- Who knows - maybe my neighbor can take care of poochy too.
I'll know soon enough... Keep you all posted!!

You can buy am automatic watering setup for less than a $100. I got one from Lowes or home depot a couple of years back. We don't use it anymore... if I can find it I'll send it to you if you want it? I think it still works.

RK you say the tires should make it, I have found one round trip of this great country and my rear tire is bald, and I mean bald. I used Michelin commanders the last time and the rear still had a couple of thousand left till bald. What I am saying when you go on a cross country trip, new tires when you leave. In todays world you don't save money on a cross country trip by using a Harley, all you do is have a great time doing it if you love to ride. flying at discount rates is much cheaper. Just my opinion. DEERSLAYER

Thanks DS
I'm running the Michelin commanders now - i have about 4.5k on them and I'm hoping to get 12k out of them, leaves me little room for error - but if there is a problem with wear I'll switch them back east is my plan... MR. Murphy might have his say...
As for the cost/expense I'm not as concerned about it, as I am time away from responsibilities of home and work... I'm not retired yet - LOL
The cost is actually close tho for those also considering such a trip.
$500 rt - plane tickets
$250 one week rental car

Gas/Fuel $4.25 / gal - 6000 miles
Mileage depends on how many big rigs I can draft - safely
38 mpg - 158 gallons - $671
40 mpg - 150 gallons - $637
42 mpg - 141 gallons - $599
45 mpg - 133 gallons - $565
50 mpg - 120 gallons - $510

Depending on the price of premium fuel in different regions -
IF it is less than $4.25 than the cost goes down.

There's plenty of $40/night or less, rooms available
6 nights on the road - about $240

I didn't include meals - I'm one to stop at a grocery store and buy some provisions - package of baloney and a loaf of bread goes a long way.

So depending on some variables the trip is relatively priced almost the same as flying.
Right now - I have a one week stay covered -but the 3 weeks are becoming a dream - I guess I could do it in 2 weeks but that leaves little time with the ones I'm going to see. And of course - the longer I'm away the more chance of something needing my attention back home. AND if something goes bad on the bike the trip is f'd.

For now - I think - I'll have to take what I can, to get the trip done - 1 week - 2 days of travel time and minimize the impact of time away...
I kind of envy those of you that can take more time off... I'll take what I can get - I DO get to ride year round...



KS- Thank you for the generous offer!!

I wish it was as easy as that - I'd take you up on it in a heart beat.

It almost looks like since time is a factor that flying solves that problem? A coast to coast motorcycle ride will always be there.

A no brainer except I sense a part of you really wants to combine a motorcycle ride with your mission at hand.

On another note...it was high 60's low 70's Friday! Windy blustery but What the heck I was able to pull the bike out and check for any mice/critter damage and other then some mouse dropping stains here and there it looked okay.

The first ride always feels weird after 5 months. Spidey senses were still hybernating. I did a little back roads, a little in town traffic and a little interstate. Damn that wind was harsh. Nothing like tooling along at 70mph and have a wind gust blow you sideway..WTF!

RK, you could make it a "Ironbutt" ride and do the SS, BB, and 50CC all in one trip.

That would be a great bucket list road trip.