So, sitting here thinking I really need to get out and see more of this continent. I am going to save up some vacation time, pack up a tent and what not, and head out for the open roads. Thinking of headed straight north to New York City, then up to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Detroit, Indy, Lexington, then back to DC.

For others that have taken trips of this size, what sort of problems did you run into that were not planned - if you could do it again would you do anything differently?

I'll be packing everything on a rack/backpack. Most likely stay with folks I know along the east coast, but it will be just me thru most of Canada into Chicago. I really don't want to get a hotel, I would much rather just pull off the road, throw up a tent, and go for broke.

Right now it is just in the planning stage, and the route is just written in pencil. Is Microsoft Streets and Trips pretty much the best program out there for planning? I don't need to take secondary roads, but would rather take them for safety - and the fact I can see alot more from there than I could from the interstates.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So, sitting here thinking I really need to get out and see more of this continent. I am going to save up some vacation time, pack up a tent and what not, and head out for the open roads. Thinking of headed straight north to New York City, then up to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Detroit, Indy, Lexington, then back to DC.

For others that have taken trips of this size, what sort of problems did you run into that were not planned - if you could do it again would you do anything differently?

I'll be packing everything on a rack/backpack. Most likely stay with folks I know along the east coast, but it will be just me thru most of Canada into Chicago. I really don't want to get a hotel, I would much rather just pull off the road, throw up a tent, and go for broke.

Right now it is just in the planning stage, and the route is just written in pencil. Is Microsoft Streets and Trips pretty much the best program out there for planning? I don't need to take secondary roads, but would rather take them for safety - and the fact I can see alot more from there than I could from the interstates. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You are taking the Vespa on a road trip? Hmmm.

 

1. budget how much you can/want to spend per day - and STICK TO IT. unless there is something that you can only get there, so basically set a budget for food/lodging/alcohol - and then know how much "fun money" you have for gifts and memoriabilias for the WHOLE trip

2. make a route, and stick to it. you can easily get side tracked and waste more money.

3. Make sure you have essentials, you do not want to forget something and have to go buy it, it is just annoying. so batteries for cameras, make sure you have access to charge wahtever is needed to be charged. 2 maps just in case, keep them seperate.

4. if you are meeting people, make sure they know when you will be there and so forth, so you do not get left out to dry.

I did a raod trip around the great lakes. it was incredible and fun, but the above were my issues. I spent way too much, got side tracked so easily. luckily ihad all the time in the world along with my friend, so a 1 week trip ended up taking 2 1/2 weeks LOL

 

Good advice. To be honest, I think I want to take this trip TO be sidetracked. Explore - go down the roads that aren't marked (while ensuring my map will get me back to the main street). I don't think the money will be a problem - I don't make much, but if you have ever seen my apt, I don't buy anything. Only memoriabilia I am going to take will most likely be pictures and a journal.

Ross- not the racing Vespa, but I bought a larger one (Indian P-series clone for anyone that cares) that should be better for touring. It's quite a bit bigger, and has a much better weight capacity. I am breaking it in locally now, then will probably upgear 4th, add a nice exhaust and filter, probably go to a 24mm carb, and upjet. It will hopefully give me a decent cruise speed will being as reliabile as one of these can be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good advice. To be honest, I think I want to take this trip TO be sidetracked. Explore - go down the roads that aren't marked (while ensuring my map will get me back to the main street). I don't think the money will be a problem - I don't make much, but if you have ever seen my apt, I don't buy anything. Only memoriabilia I am going to take will most likely be pictures and a journal.

Ross- not the racing Vespa, but I bought a larger one (Indian P-series clone for anyone that cares) that should be better for touring. It's quite a bit bigger, and has a much better weight capacity. I am breaking it in locally now, then will probably upgear 4th, add a nice exhaust and filter, probably go to a 24mm carb, and upjet. It will hopefully give me a decent cruise speed will being as reliabile as one of these can be. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, cool. I'd like to check it out sometime.

 

i do not think i could ever do that on a vespa - you will really have to be smart on what you bring with you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ross- not the racing Vespa, but I bought a larger one (Indian P-series clone for anyone that cares) that should be better for touring.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Pics please... I just can't imagine anything like this being a good idea.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You are taking the Vespa on a road trip? Hmmm.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Pics please... I just can't imagine anything like this being a good idea.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh, how easily do we forget.

 

You should be studied Ceas.

 

The hopped up one. While quite fast it only weighs 200 pounds wet and just dosen't have the capability to haul much.



The new one. Bigger, heavier, torquier, and has a much higher gvwr.

For those that think this is crazy - I was going to sign up for this, but was too late to register. http://www.scootercannonball.com/

Other scooter trips:

http://www.genuinescooters.com....html &lt;-- on the model I have.

http://www.genuinescooters.com/2ct/itinerary.html &lt;-- once again, same model, but a 93 day tour across Europe. This is what I would like to do someday in the future - take a minute and read about the trip. It sounds amazing.

 

Wow, I hope your only staying on backroad and twisties roads because I can't stand to ride my bikes for more than 4 hours in a straight line at high speeds, gets VERY uncomfortable and I can't see that thing being any more comfortable at all. They were designed for getting around crammed cities in europe, not for long cross country rides....wow....thats all i can say :shakes head:

 

How fast can your new scooter go?

The only scooter I'd travel on is this one:



Type 395cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-stroke single; 4 valve

Bore x Stroke 83mm x 73mm

Compression Ratio 10.6:1

Carburetion Fuel injection

Ignition Digital TCI

Transmission Centrifugal clutch

Final Drive Double-cog V-belt (automatic)


And that's only if I HAD to ride a scooter on a road trip.

 

I loved the story of the guy driving the scooter cross country, Some day, I would love to do the same, it's the best way to see the country in my opinion. 90 mpg, out in the open, taking the scenic backroads the whole while. It really soundsn like a lot of fun.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The only scooter I'd travel on is this one:</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't mind taking a Honda Silver Wing or Suzuki Burgman on a long trip. I'd probably prefer it to anything short of a Gold Wing.

 

I'd rather do it on your CB400 than a scooter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd rather do it on your CB400 than a scooter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My CB450? lol...Be careful what you wish for.

I'd take a Silver Wing/Burgman any day of the week, over the CB. The CB is a fun bike, but its old, loud, heavy, etc.

Scooters have very cool handling abilities - you don't lean over like you do on a big bike, but rather muscle them around like the cops muscle their big cruisers. It's almost impossible to dump them, and when you do it's not that bad. If it's a low-speed wreck, you can basically just get off. They are much safer.

Those big scooters are comfy as all hell, and super practical. They get great mileage, and they have a lot of storage space. Also, automatic trannies ftw on a long trip.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DusterDC5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow, I hope your only staying on backroad and twisties roads because I can't stand to ride my bikes for more than 4 hours in a straight line at high speeds, gets VERY uncomfortable and I can't see that thing being any more comfortable at all. They were designed for getting around crammed cities in europe, not for long cross country rides....wow....thats all i can say :shakes head:</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have no problem riding either of them on freeways (in fact, weeknights on 66 you will find me passing most cars with the orange one) but would want to do the backroads anyways. You can see more that way, and the furthest thing from my mind is the goal of making the best time. The Vespa was designed as a car-replacement. The first one came out in the late 40's - and if you remember back, the infrasturcture was not so well in Europe during those times. I have several historic articles of folks taking multi-week or month long tours since the first Vepsa hit the streets. One of my favorite pictures shows a family moving from Chicago to Florida on a Vespa. The rack is full of clothes and supplies, mom and dad are sitting on the bench seat, and the baby is sitting on the floorboards in a basket between dads feet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have no problem riding either of them on freeways (in fact, weeknights on 66 you will find me passing most cars with the orange one) </TD></TR></TABLE>

WTF is wrong with you man? That's sooo illegal.

 

Perhaps you misread me. Whats illegal about it? There is two lanes, and I only split lanes in the city.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

WTF is wrong with you man? That's sooo illegal.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i believe as long as it is over 50cc's or maybe it is 100 cc's on a bike - it is street legal

 

I think he means the scooter on a highway.

And I feel that you are certifiable, but you knew that

 

The orange one is registered as a vintage motorcycle - see the tags? It can go anywhere. The white one, is a different story. It isn't registered at all, as the DMV won't accept my paperwork. So, all I have is a MSO, bill of sale, and a expired temp tag. If it were registered, it would be as a motorcycle as well, so no limits on where it could roam either.

 

Yeah I've thought about using the CB-400 for a big road trip, but the scooter gets much better mileage, and just seems more fun.

 

2 weeks ago i went to Albequerque, Nm from Lincoln, Ne on my 05 GSXR.

Here's what i had.

Leather jacket
Net to hold down duffle bag.
wallet and money
throttle lock but didn't use it
towel for wiping bugs off your visor
extra visor get a tinted one.
extra pair of gloves in case it rains.
possible tire repair kit if you want one...didnt' take one.
If your going when it's hot and not going to wear a jacket, wear a long sleeved shirt.
Hard compound tire....I had brand new Diablo and wore it down to the cords! Pics upon request

I rode 14hrs 980 miles straight in one day, 2000 miles round trip. Slightly sore...but man you will have a blast! Make sure you have your gas stations marked on a map ..you don't want to run out of gas.

 

Sounds exciting, go for it! People in Japan trek it on their shitty *** city bicycles around the country. It's crazy. I know you'll be able to pull it off.