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New Rider, need advice on getting a bike to ride from west coast to east coast

Ironbutt said:
You're in your mid 20's? Do it on a Ninja 250, because you can.. :laughing
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While the folks trying to dissuade you have a point, don't let someone ever talk you out of an adventure. You'll be happier when you're older with what you did do, than what you didn't. :thumbup

In the late 80's I met a nice young lady who did the opposite trip you're planning. She bought a Rebel 400, (450?) and rode if from New Yawk to California. As I recall, she didn't have much riding experience before she started either. Just tossed a sleeping bag and some clothes on the back, and left. :hail

My current roomie also did something similar when he was younger. Rode an XT500 from somewhere in The South, out to his station at Beale AFB. Threw a chain along the way, and met some nice guys at a custom chopper shop who fixed him up.



Plan for wet weather, plan for hot weather, and expect to go through a set of tires somewhere along the way. Lube your chain every one to two tanks of gas. And remember to take your time and stay off the interstates. There isn't anything worth seeing on the interstates. :thumbup
 
I talked to a kid that was on an older Kawasaki two stroke 175 enduro with a milk crate tied to the rear rack...He had just ridden from the east coast, wanted to see the west coast (ocean). Who can say what is possible and safe?

Some bikers manage to kill themselves in the Bay area, and had never left the Bay area.

Some people can manage to think rationally, and judge safe space and speeds of both the other vehicles and themselves, and their paths.
Others can't.

Some riders can pay attention to their tire condition, and air pressure, and bike fluids.
Others Can't.

Only You, can have a clue, about you.
 
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:laughing

OP, learn to ride first, then ride across the country.
 
first gen SV650, some used side bags and some cheap bilt gear.
You're gonna get hot, cold, wet and monkey butt.
You will learn maintenance and repair, you will run out of gas or at least almost out.
figure that before you start the bike will need a major service and new tires, budget for that.
 
Cincinnatus said:
^^This. In spades.

I've been riding since '78, and I can't even imagine thinking that a cross-country trip by a complete novice on a sub-$2000 bike, without personally-owned & tested gear, would be a good idea.

Save your money, fly round-trip, talk to us when you get back. And read the moto-books (Twist of the Wrist, etc.) while you're thinking of what KIND of bike to get. Do you want a cruiser, a sprotbile, tourer, sport-tourer, adventure, sumo? Each one is different as night & day.
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I agree with you.


But........ I did my 1st cross country ride with less than 3,000 miles street experience on a $1,500 motorcycle and less than $500 in the bank.
 
Do it! Listen to the advice that sounds good to you and then just do it. I am 68 and am about to ride to Texas and back for my 50th reunion. Yeah my Wee-Strom is a bit more of a bike but then I am a bit more beat up than you are. If I can manage a round trip to Texas (of all places) at my age you can ride from here to NY at your age. :thumbup
 
Absolutely, but I think the folks on the board are missing the mark on which bike would be best. I'm thinking Schwinn.
 
Aluisious said:
Because 3000 miles riding in circles is a lot safer than 3000 miles in a straight line.

Z3n said:
You post really stupid things.
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He may post stupid stuff (I have no idea because I don't paid attention to what he has posted in the past) but I don't think this is an example.

The OP can ride around Santa monica 50 miles a day for 2 months to get 3000 miles of riding experience. Or you can ride across the country in 2 weeks to get 3000 miles. The only difference is how hard it is to deal with a mechanical problem or crash. I know it was easier for me to get home to Walnut Creek when I crashed on the penninsula than it was to get home when I broke down south of Death Valley.
 
tgrrdr said:
He may post stupid stuff (I have no idea because I don't paid attention to what he has posted in the past) but I don't think this is an example.

The OP can ride around Santa monica 50 miles a day for 2 months to get 3000 miles of riding experience. Or you can ride across the country in 2 weeks to get 3000 miles. The only difference is how hard it is to deal with a mechanical problem or crash. I know it was easier for me to get home to Walnut Creek when I crashed on the penninsula than it was to get home when I broke down south of Death Valley.
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A 50 mile day doesn't contend with many things a cross country ride does.

Unexpected weather, odd riding hours, animals, fatigue.
 
Do it! Get a reliable bike......early 90 VFR's can be had for less than 3K. Get as much riding on the street as possible before the trip. Then go. Life is short and this ride can make life shorter but chances are you'll be ok as long as you have a good head on your shoulder.
 
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Why don't you look for a bike in NY, fly out there, buy it and ride back? That way when you get back you'll have a bike and not have to sell it, or at least not in a hurry.
 
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