Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey all,

I am planning to take a long road trip from Edmonton AB to Naniamo BC this summer and am in need of advice.

I have been riding for about four months (mostly city) and want to spend this years vacation on the road. The trip is about 1200 kms and I am planning to do three days on the road to give myself plenty of time to reach my goal.

I am going to start getting my supplies together slowly as I get the funds and would appreciate any help in this regard. Also, is there any tips for taking your first long ride?
I am riding an 83 cb 550 SC Nighthawk at present if that makes a difference.

Tx for the help.

Waylander

Will you be camping? Will you have a passenger?

You can EASILY do 400 km per day on a CB550.

That said, I'd make certain you're on fresh oil, have your valves adjusted, tires are in good condition with correct air pressure and double-check all the usual things you'd check before any ride.

Concerning the ride itself, if you've done mostly city miles, you will LOVE the open road!!! Liberating yourself from traffic and congestion is one of the best things about motorcycling! However, although human hazards may be fewer, don't get lulled to sleep by the peace you'll find on the road. You'll still need to pay close attention to the road surface, twisties and wild life.

Otherwise, have fun! I'm sure you'll love it!!!

I have driven (not ridden) between Vancouver BC to Lacombe (read Butt Hole) AB in around 11 hours, so the your three day trip should be easy.

My advice, see if you can take some of the more interesting and less traveled routes and keep a weather eye out for, deers, bears, mountain goats, RV's, holiday cagers, heavy trucks and any other potentially lethal wild life that likes to snack on bikers.

Which route do you think you will go? Via Prince George? Via Calgary?

Don't take the Transcanada any further than Revelstoke. Stretch it out, hit the backroads. Ride every dead-end road that you can find on the island. Take a map but only use it in an emergency. Have fun.

Although 400km days are very do-able, if you've never ridden that much in one day, try it a couple of times before your trip.

TX for all the replies.
No, I will not have a passenger,
Yes, I will probably be camping (but a hot shower and a soft bed may still be an option.)

Not sure what route I am going to take but I would like to take some of the "less travelled" routes and enjoy the ride. Gonna scope out the map and plan a route long before I set off.

Hadn't thought about going a longer day trip first but that does seem to be the sane thing to do. (but then again nobody has ever accused me of being sane before)

And I am most defiantly going to loose the map once I am on the Island. My folks live out there and I can think of at least a dozen back roads that would be perfect for a relaxing ride and can't wait to find those special "hidden" gems.

Is there any websites that give a good list of camping/travel gear for bikers? I guess that would be the best place to start my list.

Tx Again
Waylander

Sorry Waylander, can't be any help on the camping. But I know a 69 year young fellow Canadian who could help. Here's a thread that chronicles his adventure on a 400cc scooter last summer. He calls it (s)camping.

http://www.maxi-scoots.com/postnuke/ind ... sc&start=0

And here is an excerpt from that thread:

Have been relaxing today and getting some facts and figures in place.

I'll begin with the figures first and start on the narrative with pictures at a later date.

Odometer starting the trip: 18843 kms (11305.8 miles)
Odometer at end of the trip: 36306 kms (21783.6 miles).

Total mileage of the entire trip. 10,477.8 miles. Wonder if this is a record on a maxi-scooter?

Total number of states travelled through: 23.

Longest distance travelled in one day: 579 miles. From Nephi, Utah to La Grande, Oregon.

Total amount of gas used: 223.1 US Gallons.

Total times filling up: 97 times.

Average price per gallon of gas: $4.24

Average miles per gallon for entire trip: 44 mpg. (Hate that Ethanol).

Average amount per fill up: 2.3 gallons.

Average distance between fill ups: 110 miles. (Gas stations are few and far between in rural West Texas, New Mexico and Utah).

Highest elevation on the trip: 8465 feet above sea level on Hwy 24 between Loa and Burrville, Utah.

Lowest elevation on the trip: 5 feet below sea level on Hwy 90, at Marrero, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Highest temperature encountered: 107F at Shiprock, New Mexico on Hwy 491/64.

Lowest temperature encountered: 28F at Washington Pass, Hwy 20, Cascade Loop, Washington.

Expenses:

Total amount spent on Gasoline: $ 946.24

Scoot Servicing in New Orleans: $ 198.40

1 Gallon of anti-freeze: $ 12.99

Total amount spent on tenting sites/accomms: $ 540.00

Total amount spent on food/snacks/sodas: $1035.63

Miscellaneous/Gifts/Ferries, etc: $ 252.24

Grand total amount spent on the entire trip: $2985.50

I had estimated the trip to cost me $3000, and took $4000 for any unforeseen expenses, so I was pretty well bang on with the expenses. Paid cash for everything.

Interesting figures. My longest 5 days days riding were all over 500 miles per day and all since leaving Houston Texas. I caught the tail end of Hurricane Dolly and was trying to out run the torrential rains that followed me through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and into Utah.
Or, maybe the side trip with my niece down to Caracas, Venezuela recharged my batteries.

More to follow.

Ride safe and enjoy the day.

_______________
Dick
2005 Yamaha Majesty 400. Her Nibs.

Looks all suggestions are good.
I have no idea for arranging your tour,
but I envy your good luck to have funny travels which would coming soon.

So enjoy it!


Jacky