Am I dreaming or could it really happen

[Hard Lickr]

I am thinking of buying a 1st gen on the other side of the country. Forgetting all the things that could go wrong with a new old bike, I am more concerned with all that could go wrong with the old old me. My question is: Is it reasonable to think that I could get on a bike there and enjoy the ride back. I'm a working stiff so I can enjoy the mountains but once on the plains and midwest I gotta keep at it. So am I dreaming or is that really possible?

 

We're talking 2500 miles. I ride a Vstrom now. Have riden one 1st gen for a short ride one time and thought that it was a very comfortable well controlled ride. Its sporty for a cruiser. I have owned other dual sports and a Yam Vstar. The Vstrom has the knees bent too much for too long and no good hwy peg option. I do enjoy flicking it through the N Ga Mtns but it wouldn't hurt to handicap myself with a little more weight (on the bike, not me) and a little less agressive seating posture; maybe something a little more comfy with a backrest option.

 

I envision that I would like to maybe swoop a little more ( at speed a lttle faster than criuse, rather than attack at something a little less than reckless) hence the 1st Gen for sportier cruising/touring.

 

If you have some first hand relevance to offer; I've got my hearing aids turned up.

[eusa1]

no reason the think that this wouldn't be a good choice for you, unless your long in the legs...i have a 38 inch inseam, and the upper fairing does not agree with my knees.

 

beond that concern, it's the best bang for the buck bike, that i ever owned.

 

mike.

[Sleeperhawk]

Well, don't see why you couldn't make the trip.

Wife and I left South Carolina, touched California, came back through Colorado, all in 2 weeks, about 6500 miles when all done and ridden.

[RandyR]

I vote, go for it. Just program in a liniment stop every 3 hours...

 

Truthfully, I'd want to know for certain the bike was mechanically sound, tuned up, and had fresh fluids and good tires before heading accross country.

 

Oh yeh. I play guitar with a bunch of friends at the 45 South Coffee House in Norcross on the 4th saturday afternoon of every month, stop by sometime and say howdy.

[loehring]

I made a California trip many years ago on an '84 Wing. I loved every mile and would do it again in a heart beat. The 1st Gen would be more than up to it. I would give you a word of caution though. If you do I would take someone with me on another bike. This isn't your bike so you don't really know the condition. It may seem fine but 2500 miles is a long ride if there is something you don't catch. I would also give myself A LOT of extra time just in case either the bike or I needed to take it slow.

 

Have a great ride. I will never forget mine.

[sarges46]

go for it!

 

But....take the time before leaving to down load the venture riders members list. Choose to stop along the way to say hi if you wish but have that list handy in case something happens and you need help.

 

I havent met anyone hear that isnt willing to go out of their way to lend a hand to a member in need...bank on that.

 

For the boring prairies...crank the tunes and take in the wonder of it all....even the prairies have its own type of beauty.

[az1103]

Do it!! And what's this "I an an old guy" thing???!!! Not too old to be buying it? then not too old to ride it right?? Go for it! You won't be any younger again - so there is no point waiting !!!!

[Dragonslayer]

I vote, go for it. Just program in a liniment stop every 3 hours...

 

Truthfully, I'd want to know for certain the bike was mechanically sound, tuned up, and had fresh fluids and good tires before heading accross country.

 

Oh yeh. I play guitar with a bunch of friends at the 45 South Coffee House in Norcross on the 4th saturday afternoon of every month, stop by sometime and say howdy.

Hey RandyR I didn't know that I blow blues harp Yall ever let folk sit in

[Dragonslayer]

I did last summer, the whole across country and back thing on a 87 100k mile first gen, 6500 miles and 20 states. I did the whole thing by myself and had a blast. Never a dull moment.

I would caution you if you planned on doing it on any other bike but a first gen (or maybe a Goldwing). But I had the advantages of a Back rest, Hwy pegs or Boards, Tunes in the headset, On-board Tequila dispenser, right side kick stand and a trailer carrying enough gear to stay on the road Indeffinately, made the trip more enjoyable.

When you get back look a fella up and tell me about the trip. I'm just down the road from you in Clarkston.

[KiteSquid]

DO IT!!!

 

Of course you should do a LOT of maintenance before starting.

 

Check the manufacture date of the tires and change them if the are more than a reasonable number of years old. Grease the splines if you have to take the rear tire off.

 

Change the oil and filter.

 

Check the color of the hydraulic fluids and change if necessary.

 

Change the coolant.

 

 

 

 

 

IF you break down on the way home, have the VR help phone number list printed out with you.

 

 

Have enough limit on your credit card and the money set aside ahead of time so you can rent the smallest U-Haul truck to get home, if the bike is beyond a reasonable time to repair. We rented a U-Haul to tow a pickup truck home that lost a rod bearing. It was less expensive to do it and replace the engine ourselves when we got home than to have it done away from home.....and the job was done to our standard.

[kenw]

Go for it!!!! It's a whole lt better than saying I should have in later years!

[barend]

Picked my bike up in oledo and rode it home (625 Miles). All I would suggest is to call the local Yamaha dealer and get a recommendation for a good mech shop (dealers don't work on ours - too old) and have this bike checked out (and fixed) top to bottom before you even leave home. That is if you are commited on buying it no matter what. Is what I should have done, as it is I rode home on a dryrot tire and essentially no brakes. (yeah, I do stupid things sometimes)

 

Other then that: go for it and enjoy your vacation!

[Condor]

Take a couple of days locally to find all the glitches. Like already suggested change all fluids and tires if needed. Also check to see that the stator is working. Most bikes sold seem to have a new battery in them to get them fired up to sell. It's not pleasant to find yourself in a motel in the AM, ready to head out, and the scoot won't start. If the bike doesn't have highway pegs, pack a good set of Kuryakyns with you and put them on when you get there. They'll make the trip much more enjoyable...

[utadventure]

Plan your route out with the VR member list and then come visit us on your way. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has a spare bed and an extra potato for the soup!! Plus if you do have a problem, we can lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on.

 

Love to visit with you in the SLC area if you come through here.

 

Dave

[Venturous Randy]

What year 1st gen is it? I ask because there are also mechanical things, such as greasing the driveshaft, that is more critical on one than the other.

If you are going to do it, we will help you make a list of some things that you may not think of, like Plexus for keeping you windshield clean and polished.

One problem with dealing with a private seller is he may want to sell it "as is" and not want to be bothered with having to get someone to go thru everything before someone flys in and picks it up, so a lot of preventative maintenance may not be an option. Also, ask if there has been any upgrades, such as a new fuse box, as loose fuses can cause havoc.

One thing to consider is it would be a great time to make some memories, but you want to make sure they are good ones. I think most people on here would love to have this opportunity. Keep us posted.

RandyA

Edited April 29, 2009 by Venturous Randy

[Monty]

Where is the bike located? Maybe a member here lives close enough that they can run over and check it out for you before you make the trip.

[bongobobny]

Wife and I spent 2 weeks straight last summer on my '84 with no problems, and plan on doing the same this summer, and the next, and the next...

 

Most comfortable bike I ever owned, no fatigue factor at all!