270 miles one way trip in a 200cc cruiser

Message

luis_alberto · Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:06 am

Hello Everybody,

I´m planning a little trip for Christmas and would like to hear/read recommendations from you. I want to travel from Tegucigalpa, Honduras to San Salvador, El Salvador (Central America) the distance is 435km (271 miles) one way. I don´t have a big motorcycle, as a matter of fact, I have a 200cc cruiser. If any of you knows, Central America roads are mainly two line twisted roads (a lot of fun for motorcycling actually).

Do you have any recommendations?. Have any of you tried something similar with such a small motorcycle?. How often should I stop to smell the flowers along the road so I can rest?. Should I take anything with me besides the adventure feeling? (like a motorcycle repair kit?).

This is the first time I´m going to attempt something like this, so any advice will be welcome. I have been riding the motorcycle I´ll use since early January and have a little more than 4,000 km (2,400 miles) traveled, mostly commuting.

Thanks for any advice.

Luis.

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:37 am

I think a repair kit is a good idea. So is a service manual.

Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:36 am

First aid kit, water, food, knife.

High_Side · #4 Unread post by **High_Side** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:33 pm

Camera, pencil, notepad. Take pictures, write down the details, and post it up here so the rest of us can live vicariously.

Sounds like it could be a great ride.

flw · #5 Unread post by **flw** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:29 pm

Very detailed maps of local and major roads along with phone numbers of any service/repair places along the way. Mark locations where you know you can get gas, food and if needed logging. You don't want to run out of gas ever!

Did anyone mention a medical and first aid kit along with riding gear/boots for dry and wet weather.

The Vulcan cannot be ridden saftely in the mud, tires have too little tread. So only ride when it to be mostly dry, if possible.

Gunslinger · Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:44 pm

Cocaine and/or cash to bribe the guards at the border.

A small 2 liter can of fuel strapped to the seat wouldn't hurt either.

sapaul · #7 Unread post by **sapaul** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:31 am

On longer stretches vary your speed, the smaller scoots don't like to sit at the same speed all the time.

Stop often and don't load on carbs you will fall asleep after the carb spike, stick to proteins and rehydrate plenty.

Take an ipod or book with, when your bum gets numb, stop for half an hour and relax. Amazing how it refreshes you..

leave at least half an hour earlier than you planned

Don't pee down you leg on the move, you only get that warm feeling for a short while, rather stop and make new friends.

luis_alberto · Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:55 am

Thanks to all for the input. I´m more worried about the motorcycle than myselft.

Sure will take pictures and video along the way. Making friends is easy for me, so for sure I´ll meet some new people.