FreezyRider

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Hi Dave...long time no see! My advice is option 2. This past summer Donna and I and another couple did just what you are looking at doing, only we did it in 3 weeks. Left NE Indiana, went to the Badlands, Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument (puts Rushmore to shame), Bear Tooth Highway - don't miss this, it was the highlight of our trip - North to Glacier National Park and the Road to the Sun, west to the PC Highway, Redwoods, Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, up to Colorado and the Million Dollar Highway, Independence Pass, Mount Evans, Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods...then beat feet for home. Total of 7500 miles. Motels all the way. We did pull a loaded cargo trailer and most days we ate our lunch out of the the coolers which really worked out well. Tried to find motels that offered a full hot breakfast as well. So, normally (a few exceptions) our only expensive meal of the day was the evening meal. Worked out great! Our total cost for this extravaganza, including meals, gas, motels, tips, park fees, farkles for the wife, mementos for the grandkids, etc...was $5005.00. You will probably save some money going solo. Since this trip was the celebration of our 40th anniversary, we were prepared to spend the money. I'd do it all again, it was WONDERFUL. Out of the entire 3 weeks we had only about 2 hours of rain...none of that was a hard rain either. We did have several 100 degree plus days. For me, at my age, being able to "recharge" at the end of the day in an air-conditioned motel room was worth the expense. I don't think we would have been able to be out that long if we were camping. We saw campers in several places...100 degrees...they didn't look like they were having much fun. The next time I go that way, it will either be longer time-wise (unlikely) or just slower and shorter. I want to spend more time at several of those locations and thoroughly explore the area. Good luck, you're gonna love this! Joe Edit: Oh, one other thing...if you don't have one, get a Senior pass for the National parks. You can actually buy one at the first NP you enter. Got ours at the entrance to the Badlands. Costs $10, and is good for life at all National Parks. The other couple with us wasn't ancient enough to qualify...they spent about $150 on park fees as opposed to our $10!!! Sometimes aging has its benefits!!!

Pucster, you sir are an example of the best of VRo! I love your positive attitude, your encouragement of others, your openness and willingness to share your personal life if you think it might help someone else. Sending some "Bro love" your way! Continue to be a blessing to others! Joe

We recently returned from a 3-week, 7400 mile ride to the West coast, down through the Southwest, up into Colorado and then back home. I was impressed by how many HI-Viz coats/jackets I saw...even a couple on HD riders!!! Shocked! I do think the HV is growing steadily, and they sure make a difference. I agree that in the helmet area, particularly with half-helmets (or shorties) they are not going to sell all that well. It seems that shorties are very popular in states with helmet mandates. A lot of riders wear a shorty because it complies with the law, and without the law probably would not wear a helmet at all. Couldn't believe how many shorty helmets I saw that were the nazi helmet style. I don't think a lot of these people would buy a HV nazi helmet!

IF you are riding with a buddy who also has a Goldwing, do this: Swap batteries. Put his charged battery into your bike with the dead alternator, and put your battery into his working bike. Pull the fuse as above in your bike, start it, then jump his bike (you'll have to have jumper cables of course) to get it running. Now ride. His bike will charge your dead battery. You can ride for hours on his good battery. After a few hours swap batteries again and keep riding. You can do this for days on end - bit of a pain but it'll get you home. Read this on another forum, posted by someone who had done it. Joe

Agreed!!! I've had a yearning for a Miata. There are times that our weekend or vacation plans have suffered due to crappy weather...storms have a way of taking all the fun out of riding. I'm not talking just rain here, but storms with wind/lightning/hail ain't fun to ride in. Often wished I had a Miata or similar when we are heading out for a few days and storms are predicted. But I've been held back by the fact that a Miata would be sitting in my garage all winter due to the snow & ice here in Indiana. I don't want to have 2 vehicles that are basically warm-weather only (Wing & Miata), then have 2 more for our daily drivers. So, I found a solution. A few weeks ago I bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport which is in pretty much unmolested condition. Never lifted, only minor cosmetic accessories, has an auto trans, A/C, Cruise Control, hard top and soft top. I'll tell you, I'm thrilled with it (with the exception of fuel economy; they are heavy drinkers). This baby will eat up Indiana winters, and with the soft top installed we can head out even when storms are predicted. Takes only a few minutes to raise the top. Still have our Wing, still riding it on weekends and trips...but I can see the day coming when the Jeep may take precedence over the bike. Joe

Sure have to agree with you there, Barry. I am a member of gl1800riders.com, as are Eck, MidRsv, and some others around here. The only reason I joined was to be able to access all of the maintenance and troubleshooting information and to ask questions if necessary. There are some real snots on that site...as well as some really good people. After awhile you learn who is who, and go from there. There are some guys who really go the extra mile to help others, just as most here do. Their help has been invaluable to me. I stay away from the jerks. I actually let my membership here expire back in April, thinking that I'd just utilize the wing forum more. Well, that didn't last. Even though the wing forum is very informational, I missed the "characters" around here. Had to re-up and join back in, glad I did. I've done a lot of work on my wings over the years, and would certainly be willing to help if you ever need it. Congratulations on your new ride!!! Joe

Cowpuc is a bad influence??? Not sure about that, but I do know that he is ONE HECK OF A GOOD STORYTELLER!!! Love reading your stuff, Puc!!!

Hey, Pucster...I really enjoy reading all your posts. You have a great outlook on life and it's fun to follow your travels. Thanks for making and posting this video! Great job!!! Joe

Dennis, you've been retired so long that you've evidently forgotten that a bad day motorcycling is still better than a good day working! Joe:big-grin-emoticon:

Aw, heck...we agree on dang near everything. And if I was you I'd be worried about that! Joe

Me either. In fact, I wouldn't pull a 1000 pound anything with a motorcycle regardless of the type of hitch! Not worth the risk.

My trailer weighs 150 empty. I have carried 200 pounds in it. One thing to think about...when you are pulling, the hitch does not have the full load applied to it all the time. Once rolling there is minimal force on any component of the hitch. Starting, stopping, hard turns produce more force, but not as much as we probably imagine. In my uneducated opinion...it would take a lot more than 450 pounds of pressure to wear down the steel components. The top link for PTO usage undergoes much more pressure and stress in its everyday usage than we will ever put on it pulling a small cargo trailer that rolls on wheels. Joe

That's what I was thinking too, Brian. Those Cat 1 upper links last for decades, and they bear most of the weight when raising or lowering farm implements...that's a lot more stress than pulling a lil' 'ol mc trailer. And...if/when it wears out it costs about $22 to replace. Wait, that's not right...I still have the other end since I cut it in half. So it won't cost anything to replace the first time. Joe

Don't suppose you'd like to share some pictures? Joe