Big Trip Planning

[eness76]

Originally Posted by AZRider

My long trips, 3,000+ miles, are taken on my Spyder and Valkyrie, but up to about 2,000 miles, my RX-3 is my first choice. I'm sure that you'll be very happy should you buy one. My advice is to put as many miles as you can on your RX-3 before you head out, so that the valves have a chance to settle down and you perform the basic maintenance tasks a few times to sharpen your skills.

That's great advice, thank you George. I figured I'd run it around the state to various off-road destinations to both break it in and acclimate myself to its off-road handling. I'd like to get a couple thousand miles on it to really shake it down before I take it very far from home.

[pyoungbl]

If you have not already done so, I'd recommend getting a copy of Joe Berk's book 5,000 miles at 8,000 RPM. It's an entertaining read that will give you some idea of the RX3 capabilities....and limitations. He has 2 other books that cover riding the bike in Columbia and China. The books are available in paperback from Amazon.

[eness76]

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

If you have not already done so, I'd recommend getting a copy of Joe Berk's book 5,000 miles at 8,000 RPM. It's an entertaining read that will give you some idea of the RX3 capabilities....and limitations. He has 2 other books that cover riding the bike in Columbia and China. The books are available in paperback from Amazon.

I'm about 1/3 of the way into 5000 miles. Entertaining read!

[culcune]

I used to live in northern AZ near-ish Monument Valley when I was working for a school district on the Navajo reservation; it would be a good ride to criss-cross on the RX3. I liked Canyon de Chelly a lot which is not too far from Monument Valley. I have been itching to get a 'vacation' bike, and the RX3 is at the top of my list. If I stay in AZ I might meet up with you up north; I have a friend who moved up there to work on another school district a few years back and have been trying to get excuses to ride up there and visit him.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by eness76

as long as I can stay at around 65-70 on the highway bits when I'm loaded for the trip I'm good. i plan to film the trip and shoot lots of stills and document the trip and the bikes performance ]

After your rx3 research, do you think this is doable? (65-70mph)

I don't own an rx3

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

After your rx3 research, do you think this is doable? (65-70mph)

I don't own an rx3

It is possible. On my commute I used the "fast" lane often, only occasionally being passed by cars blowing by far above the speed limit. I run 70-75 approximately.

Other posters here have shared their rides of >70mph including RJ's SS1000 for an Iron Butt event. As much time as you seem to spend on the RX3 thread I would have thought you knew the bike's capability by now, FFS.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

It is possible. On my commute I used the "fast" lane often, only occasionally being passed by cars blowing by far above the speed limit. I run 70-75 approximately.

Other posters here have shared their rides of >70mph including RJ's SS1000 for an Iron Butt event. As much time as you seem to spend on the RX3 thread I would have thought you knew the bike's capability by now, FFS.

Still have doubts for the hills, and heavyweights. But I don't have a qualified opinion, will let it be known.

On the other hand, the price CANNOT be argued with.

[eness76]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

After your rx3 research, do you think this is doable? (65-70mph)

I don't own an rx3

from what I have seen on here, it appears doable. One user "pyoungbl" mentioned fully loaded with camping gear his tops out at 74 on gps, which is pretty good. 65 wouldn't be killing it, and frankly every car I've ever had also had speedo error, so going a true 74 most cars around you are probably indicating near 80.

I'm going to use mostly non-highway routes if possible. For example, just doing a quick google maps route from say me to Denver comes in at 18hrs and change, and if I do that same route and use the "avoid highways" option, it's 23hrs and change. Spread that out over 3.5 days to get out there, an additional 1.5hr per day isn't a big thing. Besides what I discovered on my last trip is "it's the ride, not the destination" in many respects and I really enjoying riding, even on the street, or I wouldn't be into long trips.

As I'm doing more route research and all this preliminary fun stuff, I'm finding out lots about the Trans America Trail, and may try and mix some of that into the actual trip out. I'm in no hurry, literally and figuratively. I really enjoy the scenery and the whole experience of it all.

[Jay In Milpitas]

"It's the ride, not the destination."

Exactly right. Destination, for a motorcyclist, is just the reason/excuse for the ride. When my currant wife met me she was new to riding and didn't yet "get it", but as weeks passed and I would take her out for short rides after work "just because" she caught on. Finally one morning she asked me to take her to Clear Lake on the bike, a full 7+ hour round trip. I said "Sure, but why?" She quipped "It's not about the destination". Yeah, I'm a very lucky man.

[CSCDude]

Originally Posted by pyoungbl

If you have not already done so, I'd recommend getting a copy of Joe Berk's book 5,000 miles at 8,000 RPM. It's an entertaining read that will give you some idea of the RX3 capabilities....and limitations. He has 2 other books that cover riding the bike in Columbia and China. The books are available in paperback from Amazon.

Thanks. Glad you guys are enjoying the books. The next one, Moto Baja, is nearing completion and should be available in the next few weeks.