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Message started by Beatduck on 06/25/09 at 09:39:57

Title: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/25/09 at 09:39:57

Hey everyone! Sorry it took me so long, but, I put my road trip blog in consecutive order here:
http://beatduck.blogspot.com/

As some people asked, I didn't have any major mechanical issues besides wearing tires. I changed the oil twice during the trip, and had a turn bulb go out. The bike was only two years old (2005) with 4000 miles on it.

It now has 28,000. plus.

Enjoy!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by serowbot on 06/25/09 at 10:21:32

Wow!.... Fantastic pics, and what a great trip!....
...and you didn't miss the big ball of twine!...
Must have been an amazing experience, thanks for sharing.

What an adventure! 8-)
Keep the shiny side up....

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by 23Skidoo on 06/25/09 at 11:05:51

Amazing.. We really enjoyed reading about your adventures, so much so we're looking at it again.. Those sunsets are beautiful...

A great blog, thanks so much for sharing your trip..

AJ

p.s. what camera did you take with you, those pics are really good...

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/25/09 at 12:41:11

Thanks.
The camera was a Cannon A560. Great camera. Not too crazy but adjustable enough to get some good shots. Pretty cheap too. All the cameras in that series are pretty good "bang for your buck" types.
Not to mention substantial enough to actually hang on to the thing.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Savage_Amusement on 06/25/09 at 15:12:16

I'm totally jealous!!! I would love to do that!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Jay on 06/25/09 at 22:46:26

Mna! What a trip. Loevd the blog. I'm totally stinkin jealous of you. You've taken the trip I've always wanted to; and proved that the Savage really is the little bike that can!
Talk about minimalist camping though. Two tarps, two blankets? Only for a young man. I could still camp it; but I would have to have the leaning tower of luggage.
Thanks so much for putting up the blog. I know I will revisit it many times. It's not only a great travel log, but a pretty good road guide and how to as well. Well done, Sir!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Stimpy on 06/25/09 at 22:56:09

Epic.

...so...much...envy (the good kind) ;)

Rock on!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/26/09 at 00:36:39

How long were you gone?

Beautiful Pics!!

I really enjoyed reading and seeing the pics!
Very inspiring!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Stimpy on 06/26/09 at 03:00:09

How long were you gone?

I read it ALL! (about 3 hours, detailed + web searches) ;)

74 days
11,935 miles
200 gal. of gas
8 qts of oil
2 filters
3 tires
1 turn signal bulb

One AWESOME bike ride!

...dude, about how much $ you spent total?
and how many camp nights Vs. crashing w/friends-motel nights?

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/26/09 at 07:45:34

Thanks for reading!

I was gone a total of two months, but with hanging out with friends and family, and the Burning man detour, I was really "On the road" about a month.
I wish I had kept a better record of the day to day schedule but if I have a moment soon I could probably figure it out on my map that I kept of the actual roads that I took. It typically went like this: Ride for 3-4 days, rest for 1-2 days. Except the Canadian run which was 7 days total.
I would ride ride from sunup to sundown. Stopping OFTEN!! Maybe every 70 miles or so. I would start looking for a campsite near but before sunset.
That was probably the smartest thing. I wasn't rushed for time or speed, and not trying to kill myself.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN!!!
Sweating is one thing. That's just a matter of drinking more water.
Sunburn is another! That hurts long after you get off the bike!
I had a full helmet with a dark visor (Clear one for night too) and a few long sleeve shirts and light gloves. SAVED MY %#@ in the desert.

The whole thing cost me about $1800!!!
You could spend more than that on a 5 day cruise. So, that was a really amazing part of the whole thing.
Camping was more of a necessity than anything, but I'm glad I did.
I REALLY had to conserve the funds that I didn't have :D.
So I couldn't make as much tourist or diner stops as I would have liked, but hey, whatever!
But you really don't have to eat much while your on the road. Some granola or oatmeal and a can of soup. Actually, not a bad weight loss program if you ask me.
Lots of water. I kept a quart canteen with me.

Camping was surprisingly easy. I took only small highways, so I came across a lot of state parks and camping areas.
I only had to get a motel once! in Wawa Canada. I got really drenched!

I'm probably going to be riding from the UP MI down to Florida this summer, so, more miles to come on the little bike.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/26/09 at 08:07:19

Oh one more thing. I'm doing a few edits to the blog because some of the wording doesn't make sense and a lot of it is "at the moment" type of writing.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by rigidchop on 06/26/09 at 08:37:03

probably the 4th time i have read your blog all the way through. much respect!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Ramsforever on 06/26/09 at 08:43:16

Did you do the tire changing yourself?

Awsome trip. Good to see the white bike, cuz I have one ::)

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/26/09 at 09:47:57

A Suzuki dealer in Ft. Collins Colorado changed the (stock) rear tire.
Then a shop changed them both when I got home. They were pretty much bald by then!
Oil changes I did myself. Utah, British Columbia, Vermont.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Stimpy on 06/26/09 at 14:16:49

Thanx for replying and for all the advice.
Great trip man, puts little hobbit quests to shame.

I personally have been traveling since 1997
almost non-stop, but sadly not always on my bike.

In 1997 I backpacked through europe one
winter and since then I got hooked and in
the last 10 years I have been everywhere
including 5 years in Germany, a few months
in Holland, 2 years in California, I've been
recently about 18 months in mexico city and
everywhere in between but it seems I will
leave back to germany soon for good.

And will have to sell my beloved "nasty" soon too :-/ :-/
...but as soon as I land I'll buy me another savage :D
(or maaaaaybe a BMW/F650GS ...decisions decisions)

...and sorry about your friend, sux.
Keep in touch.
Richard P.

http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009%5C05%5C28%5Cbikepics-1681547-full.jpg

http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009%5C05%5C28%5Cbikepics-1681549-full.jpg

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by False Illusion on 06/26/09 at 20:27:56

AWESOME, Beatduck!

Your blog is GREAT!!! I'm putting it in my favorites folder to show all my "Single Cylinder Critics" a thing or two! ;)

Keep on thumpin', my friend!

-FI

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Skid Mark on 06/26/09 at 21:31:13

Awesome trip; awesome blog!!!
;D

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 06/26/09 at 21:45:33

The single cylinder is great. Simplicity, torque, mileage, ....pretty much what I want a motorcycle for!! The trip was a breeze on the bike because I was staying between 55-60 mph. Fun on steep hills too!

I love Germany and Holland too! In Europe you have a lot more choices in the middle weight motorcycles!! I saw a bmw that looked really cool in
Gotenburg, Sweden. Is this what you're talking about?:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c150/beatduck/Bike%20pics/IMG_0723.jpg

If so, I can understand the trouble with making a decision...

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Stimpy on 06/26/09 at 23:17:50

yup, that's the one ... it's a thumper too! :D

That one in your photo is kinda newish (2007?) and they
change a bit esthetically between the different models:
- city
- dual-purpose
- dakar
- different year fairings
- chain or belt, etc

but yeah, that's the one :)

- single
- 650cc
- liquid cooled
- adjustable mono-shock & seat height starting from 31in (I'm 5,6"!) :D

I was thinking specifically of a used F650ST.
Prices start at 2,000 euros for a 97-99' model with about
15-20k miles, they are a bargain for the engineering
you get and not too expensive to maintain or insure!

http://www.motoscout24.de/Public/Detail.aspx?id=dkigkzoitg

my savage IS by far, flat out the BEST bike I have ever owned,
buuuut, you know ...decisions decisions

C'ya

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by High-Def on 06/27/09 at 09:46:59

:o GREEN with envy. Enjoy yourself, be safe.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by serenity3743 on 06/30/09 at 12:37:11

Great blog! Hey, for camping, I've got a little one- (or two-intimate-) person tent made by The North Face. It's called the Lightspeed and you can put it up in 5 minutes and it's small for packing and it feels more secure and cozy than 2 tarps and 2 blankets. I've used it for several overnighters, of course much shorter than your trip!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by yumi on 07/01/09 at 07:48:02

Wow your trip looks amazing. Love the white bike too.

Are you still thinking of riding to Florida this summer?

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by Beatduck on 07/01/09 at 08:27:20

Yes. I'm planning on going from The UP Michigan to Fl the first week in August. It's going to be a straight run down seeing as I'm on a schedule to get back quick so, I can't really make a lot of stops unfortunately.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by sockmonkeygirl on 07/01/09 at 09:55:44

Totally excellent. Most people would not consider the Savage a cross country ride..but this shows that anything is possible.

Thank you for chronicling and sharing.

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by yumi on 07/02/09 at 16:09:36

florida - "Depending on the area you are visiting, August temperatures are hot, hot, hot. The hurricane season began June 1, but this month begins to see more tropical activity. Keep a watchful eye on weather forecasts, but know that few storms actually make landfall." courtesy http://goflorida.about.com/od/allaboutflorida/a/august.htm.

it averages at a very sunny 90° and then rains sporadically throughout the day.. good luck and i'll be awaiting the photos!

Title: Re: THE BLOG! Complete!
Post by flcruzr on 07/02/09 at 18:28:09

WOW! This is all I can say after reading your blog. I applaud you for such a great trip and blog to share with all of us your adventure. Thank you for sharing this with us! ;D