Planning an Adventure Motorcycle Trip
The digital age can’t compare to the fun of spreading out maps and organizing binders filled with trip routes to be looked over and touched for years to come. Yeah, I’m the type that likes to open up scrapbooks and family photo albums while sharing the memories with others sitting beside me. It’s just not the same when all of you are crouched around the computer screen with someone else’s trigger finger on the mouse.
Sure you can forward your ride reports to your family and friends, but what if your computer goes down like mine has twice this year. Do you want to risk losing your data and memories? Nothing compares to the fold-up maps that can be stuffed into your tank bag window.
Touchy, feely is important to me…in books and albums, in buying motorcycle apparel and in planning motorcycle adventures. I’m a tactile person that likes to feel quality with my fingertips. My touch doesn’t mislead me. Plus, half the fun of the trip is in the anticipation, planning, information gathering and touching before your butt even hits the seat.
I like to spread out my gear, go over the itemized checklist and feel every piece of equipment to make sure it’s all in working order before hitting the road. It’s imperative that you can rely on your equipment and gear in a pinch when those unforeseen obstacles arise in the middle of that adventure. It’s those obstacles that make the trip the adventure.
But, it’s being able to handle those obstacles without too much stress that makes it a fun adventure.
So, I’m sifting through old ride reports from Adventure Rider website and contacting some of the ADVers that have taken this route from LA to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and I am getting very excited about my coming adventure. I have my AAA maps laid out before me and I’m matching up the route with the suggested off trails. This next week I’ll be loading the GPS. Not so touchy feely, and sometimes not as reliable as old-fashioned maps. But, a balanced combination of old school and modern technology makes life a lot easier when you’re trying to be as self-sufficient as possible.
For a great, reliable, popular off road GPS try the Garmin 60 CSx and save 48% at the Rugged Rider store.
Even more fun than routing the trip, though, is gearing up with new mods for the bike. I’m already salivating over the Renazco seat that is being built by Chris Hickson of Renazco Racing for me the end of this month. My butt is going to be one happy camper once I upgrade from a Suzuki gel seat to a Renazco for my DRZ. Yeah, mileage with that gel seat was not synonymous with comfort, especially for a chick. That’s for sure!
Now to figure out what type of windshield I can jerry-rig to save my pencil neck from constantly fighting the buffeted helmet on those long tarmac distances. Sure wish I had the tools and equipment in my garage to make my own. Maybe I can enlist a fellow ADVer or Thumper Talker to cut and mold one after I design it.
That’s the beauty of this breed called the dualsporters or adventure riders. Many of them are backyard fabricators and can whip up a modification on their bike as quick as you can say, “What about this design.” Go check out the thread I started on Thumper Talk about showing pictures of the mods that the members jerry-rigged in their own garages…
Thumper talk jerry-rigging thread
The interest and support is apparent by how many views this thread received, 22,692. We applaud the ingenuity, affordability and creativity of the backyard fabricator, especially when you’re gearing up for a trip and need some affordable mods. Now, since I’m a backyard designer of aftermarket dual sport parts, it’d be great to start learning how to fabricate my own concepts. In the meantime, I have a great manufacturer in Burbank that can make my vision a reality.
Time to fold up the maps and design ideas and go dream about the trip. Countdown to departure, two weeks.
Hey darling, you are too funny! I am very proud of you! You did it. I saw your product, read your blog and could imagine U and your enthusiasm in all of it. If you haven’t you need to go to your manufactures and see how your product is being made. You will say…I can do that! Then once you have a shop and know you can build anything, your mind will race. Your products are simple, a tubing bender and templates designed by u, CNC (computer numerical controlled) machine and probably the most skilled a good welder. Maybe nowadays a robot, but in this economy humans are cheaper. Then send out to your powder coater. It wouldn’t take much space. I look at it as sweat equity, everything I did for myself, I profited from. Cut the middle men out!! Your doing great and an inspiration.
I’m going to say love you, because I do and am lucky to have shared a part of you that most would die for. U are too cool!
Sean`