US tour, got any tips?

[Macktheknife]

So I am off to the States this March for a bit of a ride, and I know many of you have done similar things, so hearing some of your experiences and advice could be really helpful.

The trip will begin and end in Seattle, a friend and I will be riding south to meet up with another mate in San Francisco, then on to Las Vegas and Death Valley then on to Texas and across the southern states to Miami, then up the coast to New York. From there I hope to carry on to the great lakes and down as far as Colorado and follow the Rockies up to Seattle and fly home again.

If any of you have any relevant points of interest or hints and tips then I would really welcome it.
I am especially interested in insurance info or specific routes to take (or avoid). I will try to post a map of the proposed route for interests sake later.
Cheers all,
Mack

[sunhuntin]

TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS!

and remember to ride on the other side of the road.

[Romeo]

Watch your mouth in the South - and if you're an atheist, don't mention it ;].

Sounds like fun, good luck with it!

[86GSXR]

Wow, what a great trip, you'll love it! It would pay to get comprehensive insurance for everything, especially for accident and injury. I did it by car a couple of years ago, and if your looking for cheap accomadation there's a few decent camping sites, and the rest stops on the interstates have vouchers for budget motels. And yep, keep the centreline on your left. Enjoy :niceone:

[Waylander]

Do NOT speed even a little when going through Arkansas and Louisiana. Cops there are more than happy to pull over vehicles with out of state plates any chance they get so don't give them a reason.

[Harry33]

Make sure you get medical insurance before you leave if you get injured (touch wood you don't) you'd be fucked if you don't. In Canada you can turn right on a red light not sure if it's the same in the states you might want to check that out. If people beep their horns I guess theres your answer.
Remember to tip when dinning in resturants otherwise you get the stink eye or worse.:2guns: Might want to take a size bigger pants cause they generally make big meals.:clap: Which should one day help us out because thanks to the fatties we will one day get bigger airplane seats. lol

[yungatart]

You can turn right on a red in US. Give way to pedestrians, they sue the arse off you over there.
Go to Fremont St in Vegas at night, way way better than losing your money in a casino. Beale St Memphis is a must!
Stay off the Interstate....boring!

[Badjelly]

Get a Harley, obviously. But don't ride it outside the States: like American Football, they don't transplant well.

[Stirts]

Watch out for these!!!!!

[Hitcher]

Buy a helmet cam. The Hitchers are planning a North American motorcycling jaunt in July/August, and a helmet cam is on my shopping list.

[jrandom]

Fookin neow, Mack! Mean!

:2thumbsup

I've had that in the back of my mind as something to do someday for years.

What will you be riding?

When I do it, it'll have to be on an FXDWG.

[Macktheknife]

Fookin neow, Mack! Mean!

:2thumbsup

I've had that in the back of my mind as something to do someday for years.

What will you be riding?

When I do it, it'll have to be on an FXDWG.

I always thought that stood for 'fixed wing' but I guess not, lol.

No in fact I will be riding a 2001 Kawasaki Concours that I just bought, it is currently hiding in a mates garage in Seattle.
See pics.
He is taking care of a couple of little additions for me before I get there.
I am so bloody excited about this trip, I feel like a kid at Christmas, filled up with candy and red soda, drunk on eggnog and stuffed with brandycake. I am just preparing some maps and stuff now to share/tease you lot with.

[Macktheknife]

Watch out for these!!!!!

Jeez woman, don't do that to me!
that is so scary my eyes didn't open again for 30 secs!
Not your sister is it? sorry.

this is what the first half of the ride looks like... with some adjustments still to make.

[Stirts]

Jeez woman, don't do that to me!
that is so scary my eyes didn't open again for 30 secs!
Not your sister is it? sorry.

Only if you feed her after mid-night :eek5:

feck...I didn't say that out loud did I?......*be afraid...be very afraid*


this is what the first half of the ride looks like... with some adjustments still to make.

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!! me lost for words *shhhhhhh me knows that's not hard* THAT MAKES ME SO BLOODY JEALOUS!!!!!!! Oh you are just gonna have an absolute blast.

I think we should make you do some sort of challenge for each stop.....hmmmmm........pranks on yanks?

[Macktheknife]

.hmmmmm........pranks on yanks?

Not in the South! they are not known for their sense of humour! You ever seen Deliverance?:shit::shit::innocent:

Seriously though, I am planning on getting thousands of photo's, some video, and doing a trip journal for posterity.
The second half of the tour is yet to be mapped, it takes me a while cause I'm not familiar with it.

[fireball]

if stopping in hawaii avoid the volcano roads near kona can get very bumpy and wear a helmet despite the laws i saw a nasty bin while over there....

oh and have fun!:woohoo:
(so jealous)

[Blue Velvet]

Buy a gun :2guns:

[Stirts]

Not in the South! they are not known for their sense of humour! You ever seen Deliverance?:shit::shit::innocent:.

just take ya banjo and you be fine :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esl2NNOtHQE



Seriously though, I am planning on getting thousands of photo's, some video, and doing a trip journal for posterity.
The second half of the tour is yet to be mapped, it takes me a while cause I'm not familiar with it.

Looking forward to the slide show and video sessions!!!!!

[007XX]

just take ya banjo and you be fine :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esl2NNOtHQE


I know for a fact he doesn't have enough fingers:crazy: And taking lessons in squeeling from a pig is just not an option...

Guess he won't be dismounting his beast til he's through that state then...:rofl:

[jafar]

I Guess he won't be dismounting his beast til he's through that state then...:rofl:

Is he taking his own sheep :confused::bleh:

[Laava]

Allow yourself a few days in Vegas. That is an awesome place to relax!

[007XX]

Is he taking his own sheep :confused::bleh:

nah, but a truckload of sows might do the trick...although I'm not sure the locals would be gender specific!

[jafar]

nah, but a truckload of sows might do the trick...although I'm not sure the locals would be gender specific!

6 fingered sows ??:eek:

Question NOT to ask:

If your mom & dad get divorced will they still be brother & sister ???:dodge:

[Kittyhawk]

Dont take shortcuts across desserts!!! How long are you going for?

[jrandom]

Dont take shortcuts across desserts!!!

<img src="http://pbfcomics.com/archive_b/PBF145-Nunez.jpg"/>

[oldrider]

Well Mac you have been invited to have a trip South as a practice run before heading off to the good ole US of A.

Warning!

Recent signage additions could suggest trouble ahead! :whistle:

A certain theme from an Eagles song is emanating through the house as I post this! :eek5:

We are only programmed to receive, you can checkout but you may never leave! dah de dahdy dah etc etc! :oi-grr:

You will of course, be welcome at the "Hotel California" Please bring your own toothbrush! :ride: You may be here a while! :eek: Cheers John.

[MadDuck]

just take ya banjo and you be fine :P


Mwhahahahah...yeah I can just see Mac playing duelling Banjos in the middle of the desert.....:laugh:

[Macktheknife]

if stopping in hawaii
oh and have fun!:woohoo:
(so jealous)

Not going to Hawaii sadly, costs too much extra in flights.


just take ya banjo and you be fine :P
Looking forward to the slide show and video sessions!!!!!

hmmmmm, deal with you later! No pressies for you.


Allow yourself a few days in Vegas. That is an awesome place to relax!

I have a couple of days in Vegas, cause I can! Really looking forward to it.


Mwhahahahah...yeah I can just see Mac playing duelling Banjos in the middle of the desert.....:laugh:
Duelling maybe, banjo's, not if they value their ears!



You will of course, be welcome at the "Hotel California" Please bring your own toothbrush! :ride: You may be here a while! :eek: Cheers John.

Cheers John, I will be dropping in on my warmup ride next month, toothbrush and all, but be warned, with my snoring you might want me to go sooner than later!

Kitty: don't know where your quote went but here's the answer.
I am planning on about 3 months riding time, which I am assured will be plenty if I don't hang about too much.


Deals Gap and the El Diablo run are looking good as drop in points too, most likely be a lot of other things of great interest on the way too. Including the Copper Canyon in Mexico, is a possibility also, kinda cool place.
So see if you can find anything else that might be fun and let me know; Rally's, festivals, biker bars, whatever.

[Ixion]

Vegas is a really fun place. Just a bit of a pity it's so cluttered up with all that gambling stuff.

We went there some years ago. Mrs Ixion insisted on trying one of the gambling machines, why I cannot imagine. Fortunately, she lost her 5 cents on the first try, so we didn't waste any more time on that nonsense, and just had fun for the rest of the week.

[sunhuntin]

check the helmet laws for each state if you plan on riding without one. north and south carolina have recently jumped on the helmet bandwagon, but things are iffy due to outcry from riders there.

[Bike-aholic]

So I am off to the States this March for a bit of a ride, and I know many of you have done similar things, so hearing some of your experiences and advice could be really helpful.

The trip will begin and end in Seattle, a friend and I will be riding south to meet up with another mate in San Francisco, then on to Las Vegas and Death Valley then on to Texas and across the southern states to Miami, then up the coast to New York. From there I hope to carry on to the great lakes and down as far as Colorado and follow the Rockies up to Seattle and fly home again.

If any of you have any relevant points of interest or hints and tips then I would really welcome it.
I am especially interested in insurance info or specific routes to take (or avoid). I will try to post a map of the proposed route for interests sake later.
Cheers all,
Mack

Keep an eye on the weather channel (runs 24/7 at all trucks stops) ice and snow still around until late april and early may in mostly the northern states.
One minute your in t-shirt and shorts in Memphis then full snow gear in Denver
When you see deer warning signs keep eyes wide open.
They have in alot of states electronic warning signals, if the beam is broken you will see flashing lights indicating wildlife on the side or crossing the highway i hit a fn black bear in a truck doin 70mph and shit did it do some damage, if it had on been on a bike he would have a nice lunch of fat arse:laugh:.

Yes the Interstates can be boring but the quickest, best maintained roads and best place to break down as you are never to far from the next major or little town.
Just watch out for trucks if they pass you it's like getting smacked in the face with a baseball bat and thats the beauty of interstates virtually no on coming traffic.

Points of interest,
Mt Rushmore pretty cool, in vegas go an see the grand canyon , cross over the hoover dam, gracelands,kennedy space center, keywest is an awesome drive,Colorado on the I 70 the Eisenhower Tunnel, im a tunnel lovin freak (not the anal kind either:eek:)

Great place to travel, not so friendly at night and route 66 isn't as great as you think but worth doing some parts of it.

Truck stops are a great place to eat ones to look out for are the Flying j, TA, Petro, and Pilots. If you see a sign for a Golden Corral or Ryans they are great all you can eat buffett:niceone:.

I have driven in just about every state in the US and all weather conditions anything you want to know just pm me. Did approx 200,000 miles in less than 18 months.

Fill your tyres with ride-on (it's better than slime) the stuff is great for sealing flats i have it in my Hayabusa and at ludicrous speed it is stable, if it is really cold takes about 10k's to warm up befor you can give the bike some stick. Also get a tyre pressure guage the ones at the gas stations are shit.

http://www.inovexindustries.com/prod_mot.asp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLEY-HONDA-VICTORY-RIDE-ON-Tire-Sealant_W0QQitemZ310016182159QQihZ021QQcategoryZ34 284QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Rand and Mcnally do good maps.

http://www.randmcnally.com


And get one of these my arse swears by it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Airhawk-Air-Hawk-Motorcycle-Universal-Seat-System-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35557QQihZ019QQitem Z290198166472QQtcZphoto

[Bren]

If ya gonna go thru Texas ya just Gotta do Austin, and one of the coolest places to drink there has Gotta be "The Pier" on L.Austin click here (http://www.pierlakeaustin.com/home.htm) (after looking at their website have since discovered they have relocated to L.Travis...bummer dude!)
Their Quesidillas Rock!

Another thing ya gotta do is go south the The Alamo....awesome place!

Those are my tips anyway...

[Chickadee]

Have an awesome time, you deserve it!

Woohoo, sounds like a fab trip - take lots of photo's and enjoy every minute.

Some good advice there (as well as the usual banter), health insurance I think would be a big YES I NEED SOME if going to the USA. Better to not need and have, than to need and be FOOKED.

Happy travels....

[Macktheknife]

Points of interest,
Mt Rushmore pretty cool, in vegas go an see the grand canyon , cross over the hoover dam, gracelands,kennedy space center, keywest is an awesome drive,Colorado on the I 70 the Eisenhower Tunnel, im a tunnel lovin freak (not the anal kind either:eek:)
Great place to travel, not so friendly at night and route 66 isn't as great as you think but worth doing some parts of it.
Truck stops are a great place to eat ones to look out for are the Flying j, TA, Petro, and Pilots. If you see a sign for a Golden Corral or Ryans they are great all you can eat buffett:niceone:.

I have driven in just about every state in the US and all weather conditions anything you want to know just pm me. Did approx 200,000 miles in less than 18 months.
Fill your tyres with ride-on (it's better than slime) the stuff is great for sealing flats i have it in my Hayabusa and at ludicrous speed it is stable, if it is really cold takes about 10k's to warm up befor you can give the bike some stick. Also get a tyre pressure guage the ones at the gas stations are shit.

http://www.inovexindustries.com/prod_mot.asp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLEY-HONDA-VICTORY-RIDE-ON-Tire-Sealant_W0QQitemZ310016182159QQihZ021QQcategoryZ34 284QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Rand and Mcnally do good maps.

http://www.randmcnally.com


And get one of these my arse swears by it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Airhawk-Air-Hawk-Motorcycle-Universal-Seat-System-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35557QQihZ019QQitem Z290198166472QQtcZphoto

Awesome tips, thanks heaps. Great links too, cheers.
I have heard about the aircushion things, but not the ride on stuff, looks good. Have you used any other seat cushions to compare them too?

[Bike-aholic]

Awesome tips, thanks heaps. Great links too, cheers.
I have heard about the aircushion things, but not the ride on stuff, looks good. Have you used any other seat cushions to compare them too?

That ride-on stuff is good stuff have heard slime corrodes your rims.

I was going to get a buttbuster gel cushion but after reading alot of reviews all indicators kept coming back to the airhawke.

While i was driving in the US i took with me a foam magnetic seat cushion while at first it was better than nothing the ole butt and from the knees back get sore and numb ended up gettting a massage seat to put underneath and worked ok wasn't till towards the end of my stay i found out that they made one for truck seats.

Butt (excuse the pun:rolleyes:) can honestly say it is worth the bucks. I used to make it to Taupo befor the burn starts. Did a run from Aucks to Whakatane and back and was feeling the burn on the way back around the bombays so almost doubble the k's.


But getting back to your US ride there is so much to see and do even the desert looks spectacular, you are going to have a ball. Try never to ride at night road conditions change so quickly and the size of their roadkill will knock you off you bike and gators which is their term for blown truck tyres all over the highways and man when they let go it's eatin rubber time we had 16 blow outs in 2 weeks.
As for cops they are just revenue hunters if you get pulled over you are gettin a ticket and they are everywhere and can cross the interstates at will and the buggers can get you from the air. I got pulled over and got a ticket in california where trucks can only do 55 and cars 70 and he told me i got pinged buy the radar plane:pinch:.

[howdamnhard]

Have a great trip and get travel insurance.:Punk:

[Bikernereid]

Don't ask old people in the Bible belt where you can buy booze they will think you are the sporn of Satan. They don't seem to like booze, bikes/bikers or tattoos so I was royally fucked!

I am not religious but they have the most amazing church in Pittsburg that is awesome and not religious at all. Stain glass windows etc dedicated to people who have contributed to our existence e.g. literary figures etc.

If you are a geek, the Library of Congress is worth it for the books and its architecture. And D.C. is just cool as anyhoo.

As for Philly, be very careful if you go there as there are some areas white people on bikes should not venture into, believe me!! If you do find yourself in this situation KEEP RIDING!!

If you have time go up unto Canada, people tend to be friendlier, the Okanagan is beautiful and the ride up is to die for!

Watch Top Gear for how not to die in Alabama- seriously!!


So I am off to the States this March for a bit of a ride, and I know many of you have done similar things, so hearing some of your experiences and advice could be really helpful.

The trip will begin and end in Seattle, a friend and I will be riding south to meet up with another mate in San Francisco, then on to Las Vegas and Death Valley then on to Texas and across the southern states to Miami, then up the coast to New York. From there I hope to carry on to the great lakes and down as far as Colorado and follow the Rockies up to Seattle and fly home again.

If any of you have any relevant points of interest or hints and tips then I would really welcome it.
I am especially interested in insurance info or specific routes to take (or avoid). I will try to post a map of the proposed route for interests sake later.
Cheers all,
Mack

[Dino]

That is some serious miles you will be clocking up, I have done a trip starting in California over to New York through the lower states and then back along the Northern States and into Canada, that was in a van but still had a ball.

Hope you have a great time, and as previous guys have stated - make sure you have vehicle insurance (never underestimate what you can be sued for) and health insurance, for obvious reasons.

Any thoughts about keeping us updated on your travels with an odd picture on KB?
.

[Hitcher]

Don't ask old people in the Bible belt where you can buy booze they will think you are the sporn of Satan.

Mwuahahahaha! Spawn. Tee hee hee hee hee...

[Macktheknife]

Watch Top Gear for how not to die in Alabama- seriously!!
Seen that one, bloody funny!


T make sure you have vehicle insurance (never underestimate what you can be sued for) and health insurance, for obvious reasons.
Any thoughts about keeping us updated on your travels with an odd picture on KB?
.
Insurance, got it. updates, not to sure yet as to how often I will get online or how, but I will sort something out.


Have a great trip and get travel insurance.:Punk:
insurance, yeah got it, lots.

I am really loving the feedback and idea's guys, keep it coming.

[quackquack]

Have to say visit up in the midwest Chicgo, Detroit have some awsome stuff to see (Henry Ford Musuem with things like Edisons lab where he invented Lightbulb and heaps of cool cars and bikes) and then through Cleveland for the Rock n roll hall of Fame. Then Washington DC if you want to hit the Midwest you won't regret it and some better roads in My Opinion.

[sunhuntin]

wheels through time at maggie valley. i pmed you a link to another forum which has info for wheels through time and other essentials. btw, if you are considering crossing the border north, the rules have just got tougher so might pay to check it out.

from what i understand, wheels through time is like a bigger version of southwards, and i think the bikes on display can actually be posed on for photos.

[jafar]

I was royally fucked!

Details :whistle:

[kinger]

Worth having a look at MTS (motorcycle towing services)
A membership throughout the states who'll help if you're in need of it in their area.
http://www.mtstowing.com/

[kerfufflez]

I've never been to the States, but always thought this place in Alabama would be cool to check out:

http://www.barbermuseum.org/

[Bikernereid]

Thought it looked a bit odd but hey ho.


Mwuahahahaha! Spawn. Tee hee hee hee hee...

[Bikernereid]

I am taking the 5th!!


Details :whistle:

[Snails pace]

Have just spent 3 months in the states. Unfortunately I didn't get over to the east coast and now down in Mexico slowly heading south. My advice would be add a gps to your bike, a great addition in the states. I have a zumo and city navigator for the US and when coming into a town at night, just do a search for motels and up they come. Motels range from $30 US plus. Generally in an area of a town with the likes of Best Western, Howard Johnson etc there will be cheap motels for a 3rd of the price. No best Western etc and the motels are 20 bucks more. Get a gas can as in the mid west it can be a long way between gas stations. Ran out of gas myself, but a friendly rancher gave me a couple of litres to get to a town. Not all towns have gas, it could be up to 180km between stations. The mid west is boring to ride, long straight roads. You see a wheat field and 200 mile down the road it is the same wheat field. Riding through Washington state, Oregon and California great riding. Beautiful scenery. Learn to be patient as many roads can be no passing for many miles and if you get behind a RV you can be there forever. Enjoy the ride and legal speeds up to 80mph. Generally stay within 5mph of the speed limit on the open and you are fine. If a school bus is stopped letting off kids, all traffic must stop. Enjoy the ride it is nice to open up and go and go.

[alley cat]

I did a coast to coast trip couple of years bak, mostly rental cars tho.
The route north from denver thru to boulder and onto estes park is great! lots of nice rides round vail etc, off the big freeways.
Texas is flat as a turd and make sure you fill up at the start of alligator alley on your way to miami. She is hicksville thru there!
Im so jealous. Have fun.:woohoo:

[Waylander]

Texas is flat as a turd
Only in most parts. Apparently south-west Texas has some very nice hill country with good cruising roads.

[Macktheknife]

Only in most parts. Apparently south-west Texas has some very nice hill country with good cruising roads.

Yes they do, and I will be heading through most of it apparently.
I can't wait to get over there and get started!
Thanks SP, I am looking at what unit to go for at present, cheers for the tips.

[vfxdog]

Just a suggestion for the first part of your trip- head directly south very, very early on a Sunday morning from San Francisco, down through Big Sur on the amazing twisties, through Santa Barbara, then turn left as soon as you see the sign for Mulholland Highway. Follow that road for 20 miles or so until you come to a roadside shack called the Rock Store, where you will encounter one of the most amazing gatherings of 2-wheeled finery you'll ever see in your life. Have brunch, then find your way to the LA Crest Highway (about 30 miles east) and on through the Los Angeles National Forest to Death Valley.

In general all the folk you're likely to come across will be very friendly (though not by NZ standards) but as much as I hate to say it they're probably better drivers and are more likely to display their machismo with a large slow-moving gas-guzzling ute than a large-piped misfiring Subaru on the wrong side of the road.

Have a great trip- it won't be hard.

[Snails pace]

Mack just a quick add on before I get kicked off the computer. Yes I'm still over in the Americas. At the mo in Mexico but about to head into Belize and beyond.
A couple more points for the States. Oil changes. I don't know what interval your bike is but mine at 6k came round pretty quick. I found that many of the bike shops are out of town a few mile and in many cases not overly helpful. I generally would find a small country garage and would buy oil from him and use his oil pan and change the oil myself. That way he got something out of the deal. I always carried a change of oil so it was no problem if he did not have the oil.
Watch out for tar snakes. I was surprised what poor conditions many of the roads are in. Tar snakes being where they have repaired a crack and left a dip. in many cases the crack (up to 75mm wide) was often still there. wonderful if dropping into a corner and the front tire dropped into one. Just keep aware.
Roadkill. Depending where you are there are lots of raccoons, skunks and deer on the sides of the road. Sometimes still in the middle, but generally removed to the side. Skunks are not that, big to cause any problem, if you run over one, other than you smell them 100m away. Raccoon being a tad bigger than a possum could add a bit of fun. Deer well that could cause a headache. I generally stopped riding about 4 and began looking for a hotel as the deer are usually morning and evening. They do have signs warning of deer etc but riding through Colorado Wyoming and other more country areas there were a lot on the road side.
Your most probably a better rider than I but i just about got caught out at one stage. Was on the interstate doing about 140 150kph following a couple of big rigs. One pulled out to pass another and I followed him, well when he got just ahead of the first one the wind off his rig was hitting the second and me being alongside him I was getting a real pelting. My bike started weaving and bucking, but fortunately it ended well. So the short of it is let the truck pass and pull back in before you pass.
Enjoy the trip. It is great just watching the road snake out before you and you know that you will be following it for some time.

[SpeedyGirl]

So I am off to the States this March for a bit of a ride, and I know many of you have done similar things, so hearing some of your experiences and advice could be really helpful.

The trip will begin and end in Seattle, a friend and I will be riding south to meet up with another mate in San Francisco, then on to Las Vegas and Death Valley then on to Texas and across the southern states to Miami, then up the coast to New York. From there I hope to carry on to the great lakes and down as far as Colorado and follow the Rockies up to Seattle and fly home again.

If any of you have any relevant points of interest or hints and tips then I would really welcome it.
I am especially interested in insurance info or specific routes to take (or avoid). I will try to post a map of the proposed route for interests sake later.
Cheers all,
Mack

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!! that is all the thoughts i have for your trip..... jealous as hell!!! Have a blast babe

[Macktheknife]

This should be the map of the rest of the tour, from New York to Seattle. About 4,500 miles.

All subject to change and emergencies of course.
:chase::girlfight:

[ManDownUnder]

Only in most parts. Apparently south-west Texas has some very nice hill country with good cruising roads.

Oh hell yes it does... I can testify to that personally (the "hill country" - although I only saw it from a car).

Lots of nice places to go, things to do and see. Just watch your "accent" Mack - it makes you exotic is the locals in the South love it... don't say I didn't warn you (being hit on by a cheer leader... 25??? ... in an Austin piano bar is VERY good for the ego. For some reason I don't recall telling my wife about that...)

[Blackbird]

Cornishman Keith Hooper, who was over in NZ last year has done a your of the USA and his blogs are here:

http://keithoops2.blogspot.com/

http://keithoops3.blogspot.com/


Some excellent material for anyone thinking of going.

[Macktheknife]

Cornishman Keith Hooper, who was over in NZ last year has done a your of the USA and his blogs are here:


Actually Keith and I will be riding together for at least some of the time, lovely guy.

6 weeks to go!

[SpeedyGirl]

6 weeks to go!

Oh shut up!!! :bash:

[lemure]

Before you go, you might visit these ...

http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/index.html#contents (http://www.visi.com/%7Edalebor/index.html#contents)

http://www.biker-crossroads.com/motorcycle_trip_planning_map.html

YMMV

Have a great time...

[Macktheknife]

Before you go, you might visit these ...

http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/index.html#contents (http://www.visi.com/%7Edalebor/index.html#contents)

http://www.biker-crossroads.com/motorcycle_trip_planning_map.html

YMMV

Have a great time...
Cool links, cheers mate.

[maxworldbiker]

I did a trip across the USA last summer on my LS650, started in Maine on the Eastern Seaboard and went right across the country, ended up in Los Angeles. Check out http://max-thestateimin.blogspot.com for details. Insurance details are on there close to the start (see the June posts, pre-trip) - FERNET insurance. They were bloody brilliant, especially regarding liability insurance, which you need more than any other type, and won't be able to get in NZ. It costs shitloads (I think I paid about $300US for two months) but you can't beat the peace of mind. Get normal travel insurance here before you leave to cover you in case you injure yourself, or lose anything, but read the fine print on the policy and make sure it covers you for motorcycling. Not all policies do.

Roads, try to take the Pacific Coast Highway if you can, San Fran down to LA, as you'll be on the correct side of the road to appreciate it best. Its one of the most scenic, beautiful roads in the world. Colorado is great, if you can get down there the roads are stunning. Nevada, Death Valley, make sure you always carry and drink PLENTY of water, as even in March those areas are hot, hot, hot. Maybe take a camel pack. I rode thru Oklahoma, New Mexico and the Mohave Desert wishing I had one!! Biggest problem in those areas is dehydration and because you create your own wind, you won't notice how much you might sweat, as it evaporates quickly, and you can dehydrate superfast!!! Warning signs are fatigue and white spots in your vision.

Gas up wherever you can, top off wherever you get the chance, even if you're a long way from empty. Join a USA motorcycle forum before you go if you want to make contacts to hook up with out there. Generally the USA biking people are absolutely great. I did my trip by myself, and I met some fantastic people, and I'm definitely going back, cos there's so much I didn't do last time.

Keep an eye on the forecasts, for thunderstorms rolling thru your route.

You can get a cheap mobile phone and a $25US sim card for travelling (and you get the full 25 bucks as credit), or borrow someone's phone for the trip, even if all you can get on it is access to emergency 911 services, just in case you need them. Make sure you don't hook in with a provider that can't guarantee coverage in the areas you want to go. AT&T/Cingular are a nightmare in most areas away from the big cities, and I wasn't even able to access 911 in many places, which really pissed me off. Always keep loose change for payphones in case your mobile won't work.

Most small independent motels will negotiate rates, especially if you rock up at a place that looks really quiet/empty. The chains sometimes have great rates if you book online in advance.

If I think of anything else that isn't covered on the blog already, I'll come back in here, or you're welcome to post or PM me for any other info.

Oh yeah, and if you're shipping a bike there or back, do yourself the biggest possible favour and DON'T use TNL.

[Macktheknife]

Cheesr Max, I will enjoy reading your blog, very cool!

[oldrider]

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!! that is all the thoughts i have for your trip..... jealous as hell!!! Have a blast babe

Stay here with me girl, I have just completed a course on "How to be a Sugar Daddy".

The course went well but I have run out of sugar, Damn! :argh: Cheers John.

[SpeedyGirl]

Stay here with me girl, I have just completed a course on "How to be a Sugar Daddy".

The course went well but I have run out of sugar, Damn! :argh: Cheers John.

You are a naughty boy! :spanking:

[007XX]

Stay here with me girl, I have just completed a course on "How to be a Sugar Daddy".

The course went well but I have run out of sugar, Damn! :argh: Cheers John.

Just as well some of us are on a low calorie habit then eh? :blip:

:rofl:


You are a naughty boy! :spanking:

Yep...and that's how we like him :yes:

[Mcycle]

The biggest problem I've heard of in the States is us Kiwi's not keeping to the RH side of the road. I personally know of one resulting death and many close shaves through this problem.

When I toured in 2006, I stuck a small reflective arrow (pointing right) on my speedo (white-board pen on a rear view mirror or your screen will also do the trick.) That way whenever I put my key into the ignition, my eye caught the arrow, and started me thinking about which way I was going to have to ride, which lane etc.... in my experience most such accidents happen when pulling out of lay-by's, carparks, gas stations etc switching from no lanes to the real road.

This method, just makes you think about your direction BEFORE pulling out (as the actress said to the Bishop) those first few moments are crucuial - and once you are underway in the RH lane, you get into the groove and the problem receeds. The idea worked a treat on our travels (6 weeks, 12,500 km over 11 Western states) and after few days I noticed all most of my riding companions adopted the same idea.

That's my cents worth...

[Mom]

Cheesr Max, I will enjoy reading your blog, very cool!

I have had an idea mate. You need to pack pint sized friends to take with you :yes:

We will miss you otherwise......LOL

[Macktheknife]

I have had an idea mate. You need to pack pint sized friends to take with you :yes:

We will miss you otherwise......LOL

Maybe I could borrow some of your 'action figurines' to put in my bags?
Or should I ask for volunteers?

[Mom]

Maybe I could borrow some of your 'action figurines' to put in my bags?
Or should I ask for volunteers?

They aren't mine, and probably not so good company, volunteers all the way :innocent:

shhhhh maybe Maha wont see this...:blip:

[Waylander]

Maybe I could borrow some of your 'action figurines' to put in my bags?
Or should I ask for volunteers?
I'll volunteer. You could even leave me there.

[oldrider]

I'll volunteer. You could even leave me there.

That's a bit risky Waylander!

Some (on KB) might want to contribute funds toward the cost of that! (lol) :Pokey: Cheers John.

[Keith the Pom]

Actually Keith and I will be riding together for at least some of the time, lovely guy.

6 weeks to go!

DAYUM! - I luuurve you too Mack! .. :yeah: .. AND it was great to catch-up with you again on the blower last weekend. Good constructive chat.

Just read all the posts on this thread .. Humph! Now ya didn't tell me about your snoring habit! .. :shit: .. Reckon I'll be needing my earplugs after all!

JUST 5 WEEKS to go now .. until those BIG silver birds carry us both off to America's left-hand coast. Shit! this is gonna be soooooo good. Keep in touch meanwhile.

I'll be seeing you soon. Cheers for now.

KEITH

PS - Geoff-the-Blackbird is dead right; this next trip's blog is already set-up [Still Lost in America ... (http://keithoops3.blogspot.com/)]. Now all I gotta do is add the pics and captions - reckon your Connie will be featuring in more than just a few of them, eh mate?! :msn-wink:

[Waylander]

That's a bit risky Waylander!

Some (on KB) might want to contribute funds toward the cost of that! (lol) :Pokey: Cheers John.
I wouldn't complain.

[jafar]

I wouldn't complain.

but you might come back :doh:

[Waylander]

but you might come back :doh:
Heh, Not fucking likely.
Work my ass off for a year for a whole 54 cent pay rise fuck that shit. Send me home where they actually appreciate hard workers.

[kiwifruit]

Heh, Not fucking likely.
Work my ass off for a year for a whole 54 cent pay rise fuck that shit. Send me home where they actually appreciate hard workers.

SEEYA :yawn:

[Macktheknife]

Really appreciate the tips and idea's guys'n'gals, keep them coming.

[Swoop]

Is there any particular "interest" that you have that will be worth a side trip or a dedicated destination along the way?
A particular museum? That sort of thing.

[ManDownUnder]

Really appreciate the tips and idea's guys'n'gals, keep them coming.

Avoid Disneyland. Waste of time and money.

If you're near Vegas DO go out of your way to see the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. I haven't seen either of them despite being right there a couple of times... and I have been roundly abused by everyone else telling me what an idiot I am.

[ManDownUnder]

Heh, Not fucking likely.
Work my ass off for a year for a whole 54 cent pay rise fuck that shit. Send me home where they actually appreciate hard workers.

LOL yeah - the whole of NZ is like that (NOT)

Change jobs dude... not country.

[Waylander]

Avoid Disneyland. Waste of time and money.

If you're near Vegas DO go out of your way to see the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. I haven't seen either of them despite being right there a couple of times... and I have been roundly abused by everyone else telling me what an idiot I am.
Definitely a must see.

[ratast]

Hi, In morning after consulting map and likely looking locals would put directions on mirror with marker pen for example, 15 S, 345 W, 25 S When I wanted to check route and turnoff points didn;t need to pullover,take off gloves and go looking for map. Also safer than trying to make sense out of a vibrating taped down map on your tank whilst steadily cruising at 120 watching out for deer and cops. Next morning supping a coffee in car park would put rag in tank and wipe off yesterdays ink pen. Thinking about it, could probaly have dipped rag in coffee.
When coming south from Seattle if you going down 101 a great ride is from Cloverdale on 22 to Salem and on out to Bend via Sisters. From Bend back to 101 via 97 and Crater Lake National Park. Amazing sight.Cheers Ratast

[PaintedLadyBiker]

So I am off to the States this March for a bit of a ride, and I know many of you have done similar things, so hearing some of your experiences and advice could be really helpful.

The trip will begin and end in Seattle, a friend and I will be riding south to meet up with another mate in San Francisco, then on to Las Vegas and Death Valley then on to Texas and across the southern states to Miami, then up the coast to New York. From there I hope to carry on to the great lakes and down as far as Colorado and follow the Rockies up to Seattle and fly home again.

If any of you have any relevant points of interest or hints and tips then I would really welcome it.
I am especially interested in insurance info or specific routes to take (or avoid). I will try to post a map of the proposed route for interests sake later.
Cheers all,
Mack

As you are going to be up in Seattle I would suggest adding Mount Shasta in California to your tour. I did a tour of California last July/August as well as popping by Las Vegas for the fourth time and had a fantastic trip. In Southern California I like the Lake Elsinore area and the drive from there over the Ortega Highway to Dana Point and Alissa (may be spelt Alyssa) beach. There is a fantastic skydive centre at Lake Elsinore, called Skydive Elsinore (http://www.skydiveelsinore.com) where I have done two tandems and my hubby jumps every year. I'm not a beach person but that beach is much nicer than Laguna. Sacramento is a nice town for a half-day trip. There are some cool roads between Arizona and the border with California and southern Nevada.

If you want details of specific roads please feel free to PM me and I'll look them up for you :sunny:

[Bikernereid]

Knew you would give awesome tips. Although Vegas should be carpet bombed!!


As you are going to be up in Seattle I would suggest adding Mount Shasta in California to your tour. I did a tour of California last July/August as well as popping by Las Vegas for the fourth time and had a fantastic trip. In Southern California I like the Lake Elsinore area and the drive from there over the Ortega Highway to Dana Point and Alissa (may be spelt Alyssa) beach. There is a fantastic skydive centre at Lake Elsinore, called Skydive Elsinore (http://www.skydiveelsinore.com) where I have done two tandems and my hubby jumps every year. I'm not a beach person but that beach is much nicer than Laguna. Sacramento is a nice town for a half-day trip. There are some cool roads between Arizona and the border with California and southern Nevada.

If you want details of specific roads please feel free to PM me and I'll look them up for you :sunny:

[Hitcher]

Apart from riding on the wrong side of the road, my biggest fear about travelling in the US is the quaint and arcane practice of tipping.

[Keith the Pom]

Yeah Right!

+15% minimum always; +20% if the service was actually good - which I have to say it invariably is, especially compared to UK/European AND Kiwi service standards.

Unlike in England where you generally only tip cab drivers, your barber, plus maybe a waiter/waitress for serving-up a good meal; in the States, no matter what the actual type of service - even goods - that you've received or acquired has been, the golden rule & bottom line always is: if in doubt - well, tip anyway!

[Bikernereid]

+1

I have even had friends who were chased by a disgruntled waitress for not tipping. They thought the service was crap so didn't bother. US bar staff/ waitresses' salaries are quite low so they make up the rest in tips so they are a little funny about non tippers.


Yeah Right!

+15% minimum always; +20% if the service was actually good - which I have to say it invariably is, especially compared to UK/European AND Kiwi service standards.

Unlike in England where you generally only tip cab drivers, your barber, plus maybe a waiter/waitress for serving-up a good meal; in the States, no matter what the actual type of service - even goods - that you've received or acquired has been, the golden rule & bottom line always is: if in doubt - well, tip anyway!

[T.I.E]

im jealous, just been through the whole thread. sounds like a plan too me.
take care with that road kill, keep riight. but buggered if id know what ya do at intersections. give way to who?
have a safe one sir.

so how long to go now?

[Waylander]

+1

I have even had friends who were chased by a disgruntled waitress for not tipping. They thought the service was crap so didn't bother. US bar staff/ waitresses' salaries are quite low so they make up the rest in tips so they are a little funny about non tippers.
Watch a movie called Waiting.

[Macktheknife]

so how long to go now?

4 weeks and counting down fast!
Departure date is 14th of March, if the Americans decide to give me an entry visa!

[Hitcher]

if the Americans decide to give me an entry visa!

What sort of passport are you travelling on?

[oldrider]

Apart from riding on the wrong side of the road, my biggest fear about travelling in the US is the quaint and arcane practice of tipping.

Here in NZ service is leveled to the lowest common denominator. IE: The service provider gets paid top $ for crap service, customer has no redress.

In USA employer provides opportunity for service provider who has unwritten contract with customer to provide service.

The harder they work for their customer the better the reward and the more they earn. Customer satisfaction = size of tip!

If they give crap service they get poorly paid.

If they give good service and the customer refuses to tip them appropriately, they have been screwed.

How many tips would you give for service in NZ?

Most of the service providers here should pay their customers for putting up with them! :shifty: John.

[Macktheknife]

What sort of passport are you travelling on?

Kiwi of course!

[Keith the Pom]

Here in NZ service is leveled to the lowest common denominator. IE: The service provider gets paid top $ for crap service, customer has no redress ...

Most of the service providers here should pay their customers for putting up with them! :shifty: John.

That just about sums it all up John. You could substitute your 'NZ' with 'UK' or indeed any Euro-zone country's initials - because we've got the same problem up here.

In the USA (and Canada), however, general service standards are much, much higher. The customer truly is 'King' .. BUT on the unwritten proviso and mutual understanding that there will be a tip offered and received when the bill ('check' in US speak) is settled.

In Summary: As food - and other service-provided goods - is/are just soooooooo much cheaper in the States (but not necessarily in Canada though) compared to similar stuff in the UK/NZ/Eurozone, then no Brit/Kiwi/mainlandEuropean - can or should really complain about leaving a decent tip for service-provided goods. The combined net figure is still likely to be better value for money than what we're used to in our respective home countries.

[Hitcher]

Kiwi of course!

Then you don't need a visa.

[jafar]

Then you don't need a visa.

Pardon ? That doesn't sound right

[Hitcher]

Pardon ? That doesn't sound right

Do I need a visa?

The United States Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits visa free travel to the U.S. You do not need to apply for a visa if your travel plans meet the Visa Waiver Program requirements.

You may travel on the Visa Waiver Program if you meet all of the following requirements:


You must hold a valid machine readable passport.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 - no further requirements.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/26/06 - require a digital photgraph integrated into the data page or integrated chip containing containing information about the data page.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 - require an integrated chip with information from the data page.
Any traveler whose regular passport does not meet the biometric passport guidelines listed above must obtain a visa or VWP-compliant passport to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
You are a citizen of one of the countries mentioned below and hold a valid passport of that country. Please note that passports of certain countries need to be valid for at least six months prior to the date of departure from the U.S.
You are travelling for business, pleasure or transit only.
You will enter the U.S. by a land border or aboard an air or sea carrier that has agreed to participate in the program. This applies to most airlines and shipping companies (Private or official aircraft or vessels do not meet this requirement). You will need a visa if your carrier is not a participant.
Your intended stay in North America including the United States, Mexico and Canada does not exceed 90 days. This period will commence on entry from either Canada, Mexico, or the United States.
You must hold a valid round trip, non-transferable airline ticket on an authorized carrier. Onward tickets may not end in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.
Your tickets must show that the traveller will leave North America (the United States, Mexico, Canada) within ninety (90) days of arrival.
Travellers who enter on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may not extend their stay or change their status while in North America.


Visa Waiver Program Participating countries:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Cook Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

[ratast]

Hi Mack, On my trips to States I pass out chrome ferns with New Zealand printed in capitals below. They measure 45x 55. Excellent on semi flat surfaces like screens, panniers oil tank , fairing ect. I put a pair on my bike in 2005 and still looking good. Nearly every day I would get comments from the locals and was surprised by the number of New Zealanders living in States who noticed them.
Last year we were gassing up 50 miles south of Boise and were noticed by a chap who rang his Kiwi mates in Boise and told him Kiwi bikers were on their way.The Kiwis knocked off work and rode down to a intersection and waited for us to hit town. Good night had by all as the local Kiwis showed us around their favourite bars. I gave one the U.S kiwis a NZ Harley T Shirt. He was very pleased at having it, but did express an opinion that it was a pity it was from Wellington MotorCycles and not the Auckland Harley Shop
Anyway, said chrome ferns are $15.00 a pair PP.I can email you a photo ,but not able to work out how to put on Kiwi Biker. Cheers Ratast

[Keith the Pom]

Do I need a visa?

The United States Visa Waiver Program

Your intended stay in North America including the United States, Mexico and Canada does not exceed 90 days. This period will commence on entry from either Canada, Mexico, or the United States.


Mack knows all about the VWP; in fact, just lately he's become a leading authority on US immigration laws.

BUT he anticipates that his North American round tour will take longer then 90 days - hence the reason and need for him to apply for a 90+ days visa permit before his departure from NZ.

[Macktheknife]

Then you don't need a visa.


Mack knows all about the VWP; in fact, just lately he's become a leading authority on US immigration laws.

BUT he anticipates that his North American round tour will take longer then 90 days - hence the reason and need for him to apply for a 90+ days visa permit before his departure from NZ.


What he said.....
I originally thought the same thing though, but I was wrong!

[Hinny]

Some random thoughts / rambling.
A little rule I had for turninging at intersections. Loose left, tight right. Particularly helpful when faced with a choice of six lanes when turning.
Loved the shops at Sausalito under the bridge, North side, San Fransisco.
Need to ride Lombard Street. Just so you can say you did really. San Fransiscan women, and men for that matter...not that I was really looking, have the best looking arses. All that walking up and down hills.:love:
Hearst Castle on drive South is worth a look. Cannery row. Steinbeck revisited./seaquarium worth a look as well.
Deer are unafraid of humans and not road savvy at all. If you see one cross your path look for the rest of the head folowing - sometimes so strung out you need to stop.
Zabriskie Point (Seen the movie?) in Death Valley as sun comes up is cool. Campground just down the road.
Vegas has a lot of drivers from out town. They can be very confused about where they need to go. Good shopping. Margarita bar in Caesar's Palace is recommended. Fremont Street at night. Stay away from 'The little White Wedding Chapel' no matter how drunk you are. Being there today is an eye opener. 24 hr weddings. 3 hour wait to get wedding licence.
Cops are down on speedsters around Utah borders.
Two weeks around Utah/Arizona border. Gonna do some orr road riding or rockclimbing? National park visa card can be cost effective. Best time of year for photos in Arches NP> Snow on ground adds immensely to landscapes.
Yosemite is worth a visit but may be still closed in March due to snow.Grand Canyon is cool. For a change of ride take a mule ride to bottom. Make your arse ...well you know.
Natchez Trace is worth a ride. 55mph for 440m is a bit tedious tho' with active, enthusiastic revenue collectors.
I wanna come too..............
Enjoy.

[Swoop]

Visa Waiver Programme is for short term "holiday" visits and transiting through.
Anything longer, like Mack is doing, will require paperwork...
Unfortunately.:(

If it was open slather on going to the USA, NZ would see an exodus like that seen going to Oz.

[Macktheknife]

WOOHOO, I am now the proud owner of a 10 year multi entry Visa for the USA!!!
9 DAYS TO GO, 9 DAYS TO GO, 9 DAYS TO GO!
All I need to do now is get all my belongings packed and in storage and I am good to go!
Must remember to pack suitcase first, otherwise I will forget something and then not know which box it is in! lol.

[Macktheknife]

Some random thoughts / rambling.
A little rule I had for turninging at intersections. Loose left, tight right. Particularly helpful when faced with a choice of six lanes when turning.
Loved the shops at Sausalito under the bridge, North side, San Fransisco.
Need to ride Lombard Street. Just so you can say you did really. San Fransiscan women, and men for that matter...not that I was really looking, have the best looking arses. All that walking up and down hills.:love:
Hearst Castle on drive South is worth a look. Cannery row. Steinbeck revisited./seaquarium worth a look as well.
Deer are unafraid of humans and not road savvy at all. If you see one cross your path look for the rest of the head folowing - sometimes so strung out you need to stop.
Zabriskie Point (Seen the movie?) in Death Valley as sun comes up is cool. Campground just down the road.
Vegas has a lot of drivers from out town. They can be very confused about where they need to go. Good shopping. Margarita bar in Caesar's Palace is recommended. Fremont Street at night. Stay away from 'The little White Wedding Chapel' no matter how drunk you are. Being there today is an eye opener. 24 hr weddings. 3 hour wait to get wedding licence.
Cops are down on speedsters around Utah borders.
Two weeks around Utah/Arizona border. Gonna do some orr road riding or rockclimbing? National park visa card can be cost effective. Best time of year for photos in Arches NP> Snow on ground adds immensely to landscapes.
Yosemite is worth a visit but may be still closed in March due to snow.Grand Canyon is cool. For a change of ride take a mule ride to bottom. Make your arse ...well you know.
Natchez Trace is worth a ride. 55mph for 440m is a bit tedious tho' with active, enthusiastic revenue collectors.
I wanna come too..............
Enjoy.

thanks heaps for the tips, will be making good use of the national park pass, and a few others too.
Cheers
Mack

[Swoop]

WOOHOO, I am now the proud owner of a 10 year multi entry Visa for the USA!!!
Most excellent!
How does that work if the kiwi passport is only valid for five years? Do they automatically transfer across into the new passport?

[ratast]

Bit of bad news today, lovely couple have been forced by events beyond their reckoning and have pulled out of a 42 day tour to Canada and U.S taking in Bike Week at Sturgis. If I can find someone looking for some excitement and if they up to riding with a bunch of mainly Harleys across 12 States, 2 Provinces, a shitload of National and State parks ensuring the best scenery probaly seen in your life outside of NZ, this lovely couple will not loose any deposit paid.
Cost wise counting airfares,bike freight and 42 nights accomadation approx. $12000.00 for a couple and $10000.00 for a single.
Leave on the 12th July and return on the 26th August. Have a van that assists in carrying gear and a big chilly bin .(Gets hot). We ride about 13000 ks, and not riding every day. Need time to enjoy Americana and meet the locals so often spend 2 nights same place. If interested send me message, Cheers Ratast

[Macktheknife]

Most excellent!
How does that work if the kiwi passport is only valid for five years? Do they automatically transfer across into the new passport?

Just keep the old passport for visa entry rights.

[johnnyflash]

Just keep the old passport for visa entry rights.

Enjoy your trip Mack, will be looking for all the gen when you return... :-) safe trip..
Johnny

[takitimu]

If you go to Niagara Falls stay on the Canadian side, in NY state Orange County Choppers store is worth a look, Pittsburgh is a cool city to visit. NY/NJ/PA cruise 10mph over the limit & you'll be sweet, if you want to look around a TV station in NJ drop me a PM, the head of engineering at the one I work for rides a Harley.
Check out the AMA web side for Hill Climbs, not as many Harleys as a few years back, but I've been to one with 3-4k bikes in Pensylvannia.
If you're looking for hotels priceline.com rocks ( normal adress + NM for state works well ).
Going to the drags is worth a look, you might be able to catch a NHRA if you look at their web site.
GNCC Cross Country racing is on, but possibly not your thing :).
Google maps is your friend & worthwhile picking up a cheap Sat Nav system, if nothing else real handy for places to get food/gas & finding a net cafe is not always that easy.
Remember to keep 10-20 easily accessable for tolls ( small notes ), ATM's work with NZ debit/credit cards ( direct from cheque account, beware of fees though ).
I use phone cards from diaries with a local access number & ATT prepay cell ( GSM so work with unlocked vodafone cell ) for ringing home.
Last thing, in NJ it is illegal to pump your own gas.
Enjoy the trip :)

[Hinny]

Have a van that assists in carrying gear and a big chilly bin .
And pick up broken Harleys.

We ride about 13000 ks, and not riding every day. Need time to enjoy Americana and meet the locals

And fix broken Harleys.

Cheers Ratast

But I am still very envious. Have a great time.
Some of the 'locals' I met were extremely kind, generous and considerate.
May you meet plenty of a similar ilk.

[stevo2001]

Hi,your gonna have a blast.I'm from Tauranga but have lived in Denver for the last 15 years.Waitresses get about $2 an hour,but after deductions usually get a negative pay check.March is our snowiest month in Denver,we just had 23 celcius last Sat and on Sunday got 4 inches of snow and the high was 2.So up north is gonna be iffy sometimes.If you make it to Denver give me a yell.I stay at my steel shop,nothing fancy but I get to park my bike in the bedroom.You are welcome to crash on the floor/or store bikes or use tools.I will take you out on the town(my mother thought I didn't drink until I came home sober one day).I will pm you my phone#.I found riding a bike on the wrong side of the road easier than a car,because the controls are the same.But the penalty points if you get it wrong are higher.

[Macktheknife]

Hi,your gonna have a blast.I'm from Tauranga but have lived in Denver for the last 15 years.Waitresses get about $2 an hour,but after deductions usually get a negative pay check.March is our snowiest month in Denver,we just had 23 celcius last Sat and on Sunday got 4 inches of snow and the high was 2.So up north is gonna be iffy sometimes.If you make it to Denver give me a yell.I stay at my steel shop,nothing fancy but I get to park my bike in the bedroom.You are welcome to crash on the floor/or store bikes or use tools.I will take you out on the town(my mother thought I didn't drink until I came home sober one day).I will pm you my phone#.I found riding a bike on the wrong side of the road easier than a car,because the controls are the same.But the penalty points if you get it wrong are higher.

Cheers Stevo, will be in touch as I am going to be in Denver during the later part of my trip.

[DEATH_INC.]

............................

[ManDownUnder]

Well I just saw the man off to the airport - he's on his way!!!

Here's to the trip of a lifetime.

[T.I.E]

americans dont do things by halves lol.
just got here meet up with mack the knife he looked beautiful since he had a cold.
warning dont mix alcohol with those cold tablets.... lol strange story about big hairy men, did it happen or not lol. (he is not sure?) lol.
star bucks got to love it, but his head is slowy making sense of things. as his cold is being a pain.
but he doping ok i left him as he headed off to get his connecting flight.
ill keep an eye on this thread.

[007XX]

Bloody excellent!

no doubt he will make sure to report on a regular basis...if he knows what's good for him anyway :devil2:

[EJK]

Be safe out there...

and like someone said, buy a gun and see some real road kills :devil2:
lol jks!

Have fun! :D

[Waylander]

americans dont do things by halves lol.
just got here meet up with mack the knife he looked beautiful since he had a cold.
warning dont mix alcohol with those cold tablets.... lol strange story about big hairy men, did it happen or not lol. (he is not sure?) lol.
star bucks got to love it, but his head is slowy making sense of things. as his cold is being a pain.
but he doping ok i left him as he headed off to get his connecting flight.
ill keep an eye on this thread.
lol yup L.A. is huge. You can drive roughly the distance from Auckland to Toupo without even leaving town.

Have fun over there Mack and by all means, feed the rednecks, else you'll be on the menu...

[Macktheknife]

The adventure begins!
Great to see you in LA Andrew, cheers for the coffee and reminding me which way was up! lol.
Now I'm in Seattle, a wee bit cooler up here and a bit wetter too!
Spending the next 2 days doing the bike prep and getting familiar with the Connie, then we are off into the 'wilds' of America.
I will update things as and when I can for all you jealous buggers!
Catchya!

[ManDownUnder]

Oh yeah - forgot to mention Seattle's famous for it's weather. Just keep believeing the sun really is out there!

onya mate - enjoy!

[Macktheknife]

Oh yeah - forgot to mention Seattle's famous for it's weather. Just keep believeing the sun really is out there!

onya mate - enjoy!

It is out there! I have been out riding in it today in fact.
Of course it has no heat in it, but it did at least make an appearance!

The Connie rides very well, it is quite different approaching corners from the opposite side to normal, but the bike is set up well and handling things just fine.

Tomorrow we are off to the Oregon Coast and some large trees with roads through them apparently!

May not get to a computer for a few days, so will update when I can.

More later, Mack.

[Colapop]

You go girl!! :2thumbsup

[Xile]

So happy for ya Mack,
sounds really great!
Put up some pics when you can ey!

The bike looksquite comfy, how is it handling corners?
xx

[Macktheknife]

Now in a place called San Simeon in California, after 1200 miles of some awesome roads through the Oregon Coast and California Coast, imagine 600 miles of Coro loop roads!!!!
Lots of photo's but cant load them from here.
Hope to get more access in a few days,
Hope everyone there is having as much fun as I am here!

Mack

[yungatart]

Now in a place called San Simeon in California, after 1200 miles of some awesome roads through the Oregon Coast and California Coast, imagine 600 miles of Coro loop roads!!!!
Lots of photo's but cant load them from here.
Hope to get more access in a few days,
Hope everyone there is having as much fun as I am here!

Mack

Nice to hear from you!
ENjoy !
And have a happy Easter....their chocolate is not as nice as ours though...

[tide]

Awesome to hear... :clap: how is the bike going... hope the weather has been holding for you... not like the other side of the states...:scooter:

[Macktheknife]

Had the most amazing day today, riding thru Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon. I have never seen anything like it in my life, such incredible rock formations and snow all around us. Wildlife of strange and different types coming and going all over the road, had an eagle if some kind take a rabbit from the roadside only a few meters in front of me.
I am hoping to get some more photo's to post but here is what I can post right now.

[Hinny]

Ypu are making me envious.
Your timing choice is spot on I reckon for the area you are in now. I think the snow makes the scenery come alive. Really accentuates the depth and contour of the country. Bit hard to see the tops in Zion and ride at the same time huh?
Arches NP looks fantastic at this time of year as well.
Those eagles seem to be as wide as the road aye?.
Watch out for the bloody deer...they're dangerous!
Enjoy.

[EJK]

Thats MACK for sure :yes:

Guess I don't have to say "take care" since thats the topic you taught me during the AWNR lol

[Hinny]

Four fabulous ST's and a lonely Kwacka. They must be men of good taste you are riding with there buddy. No I didn't mean only because they have chosen to ride with you.

[Mom]

Now in a place called San Simeon in California

Hirst castle!

Guess you are long gone from there. Hi Mack, just found this updating thread, which is now a favourite! Good to see you having a blast! Safe travels mate.

:love: Mom

[Colapop]

.
You don't bring me flowers.... anymore... :(

[jafar]

Pics look good mack, just not enough of them :spanking:

[Hinny]

Hearst Castle created by William Randolf Hearst, the Newspaper Tycoon - Grandfather of abducted heiress Patti. One of her abductors was recently released from gaol but was out only for a very short time before the cops appealed and she was banged up again.
Hearst Castle at San Simeon is a fabulous place. Architect (Julia Morgan) was able to realize the vision of a wealthy and indulgent client. Their partnership spanned 27 years and yet San Simeon was never finished .
In 1926, six years after construction began, in an act worthy of the Bush administration, Congress passed the Revenue Act slashing taxes on Corporations and the wealthy. (No doubt WR Hearst was rather pleased.) This is what fueled the intense stock market speculation which eventually resulted in the crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression.
The depression didn't slow his collecting of art and architectural elements. A corporation was formed to cope with the flood of purchases for San Simeon and his other cribs. Wyntoon, an even larger estate in Northern California, a triplex in Manhattan, a million acre ranch in Mexico, a fourteenth century castle in Wales, a 100 room 'beach house' in Santa Monica, and several houses in Beverly Hills.
During the 1930's newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst had an income of $50000 per day.
I find it impossible to conceive how busy he must have been. Just dealing with his real estate let alone his newspapers, mines and other business interests, movie production, art collecting and a social calendar whose guest list was a virtual roll call of influential twentieth century figures. A true mover and shaker.
I don't know that he was blessed enough to ride motorcycles tho' so on that point I guess I can say " I'm one up on you there long dead comrade'.

[Xile]

Hey Mack,
Love this smile on your face mate!
Sounds so great, so much wildlife and beautiful landscapes!! Waiting for some more pics now :P

[Aa7]

dude you look like your loving it :niceone: as everyone else has already said - we are ALL SOOO JEALOUS, have a great time :):)

have you had anyone notice or comment on the silver NZ on your panniers yet ;) nice!!!!!!!!!

[Bikernereid]

Glad you are having fun it looks awesome. So when do we get the next installment of pictures?

[Macktheknife]

Sorry all, no pics to load this time, getting online is proving hard to do, small towns list free internet access in the motels but they seldom work as advertised and usually are too slow to get any pictures loaded up.
Zion and bryce were amazing, Hearst Castle was sadly closed by the time we got there, but Arches National Park and Moab area was pretty stunning
But in the last couple of days I have been thru Glen Canyon, along with route 141, which was really good but has to be done at slightly over legal speeds to make it interesting! Canyonlands was pretty too, kept thinking of those old 'roadrunner' cartoons, the landscapes were mostly drawn from these areas.
Road kill for today was really stunning, 7 red deer, a strange furry paste which could have been a coyote, 4 live cows, and a few birds that were no longer recognisable. The most exciting was coming round a corner in between 4 cows just walking along the road with no obvious destination! Not long after that was a genuine wild turkey, strolling about looking to become a hood ornament!

I am now in Colorado for a day or so, heading to 4 corners and Mesa Verde if the weather is kind, then on to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon!

I will load some of the incredible photos when I get a connection that will mean I don't have to spend a day in front of the computer just to load them!

Hope you are all having as good a time as I am! lol.
Mack

[EJK]

LOL Road Kill Cows? We don't see them here lol

Man, you are really having fun!
I'm now jealouse :argh:

[Hinny]

Hope you are all having as good a time as I am!
Mack

Of course we are.
Living vicariously through the lives of others.
Take a trip and never leave the farm.
No worries about tyre life.:calm:

[T.I.E]

as im in the states too, this is the txt as i got it from the man.

"just outside the grand canyon tonight, bloody cold here! i am on the main street route 66 in the town of williams"

ill keep ya all updatyed as i get the txts from him. spoke to him the other day and he was in fine spritis. all though the kiwi accent isnt doing too well for him as yet.

he is loving it. but a few 20 - 30 miles straight roads aint alot of fun. wish i was on a bike here, but i know i would get into trouble.

and the police cars here have much better engines than the ones back home. who needs a police helicopter. dam they are quick lol. and local knowledge helps.

ill let ya know how he is it he cant KB it.

stuck in ridgecest and loving it.

[Macktheknife]

So here are a few piccies from the last few days, still too slow to load them all but it should give you an idea of the amazing landscapes I have seen lately. I am in Grand Canyon tonight and tomorrow, then heading down some of Route 66 and off to Las Vegas for a couple of days!!
That should be a riot!
Alice's Restaurant, made famous by Arlo Guthrie.
Arches Park entry, get a national pass, saves heaps of money!
Balancing rock, weighs about 2500 tons!
Another large arch, about 70 feet across.
Strange rock formations, like a different planet in places.

[Macktheknife]

A few more shots, can't remember the order...
Remember Forrest Gump when he decides to stop running?
This is the spot where that scene was shot, Monument Valley.
The 'open range' signs mean these guys can be found around any corner, not usually on the side either!
Bloody cold around here, better bring your warm gloves and longjohns.
Apparently altitude affects mileage.
Arches park is amazing, this one is about 18mtrs high, not the biggest by any means.

[Stirts]

Apparently altitude affects smileage.

NO SHIT!

:banana: You are OBVIOULSY having a fan-farken-tastic time!!!!!

[tide]

Awesome dude... looks like you are having a ripper of a time... :)

[Macktheknife]

A couple more...
Finally got a good connection to upload, the weather has been really exceptional, but I don't expect it will last too much longer.
There are floods and tornados not too far away, snow in California, and the overnight low tonight where I am staying in Grand Canyon is expected to be about -4! brrrrrr.

Will load more when I get the chance.

[MyGSXF]

:gob: WOW.. the scenery is breathtaking!!!!!!! :drool: looks like you're having WAAAYYY too much of a good time... :rolleyes:

keep it up!! :2thumbsup safe journey! :ride:

[ManDownUnder]

Awesome mate... truly awesome.

Wish I was there

[Macktheknife]

Awesome mate... truly awesome.

Wish I was there

The photo's don't really do true justice to the incredible places, but it is the best I can do.
Enjoy

[ManDownUnder]

The photo's don't really do true justice to the incredible places, but it is the best I can do.
Enjoy

I know... my friend... believe me... I know!

[Mom]

The photo's don't really do true justice to the incredible places, but it is the best I can do.
Enjoy

The grin says it all mate! Amazing place to be for sure and so hard to explain what it is like to anyone that has not seen it!

Texts are a treat, thanks mate!

Take care, ride safe.

:love: Anne

[EJK]

A few more shots, can't remember the order...
Remember Forrest Gump when he decides to stop running?
This is the spot where that scene was shot, Monument Valley.
The 'open range' signs mean these guys can be found around any corner, not usually on the side either!
Bloody cold around here, better bring your warm gloves and longjohns.
Apparently altitude affects mileage.
Arches park is amazing, this one is about 18mtrs high, not the biggest by any means.

Every photo of you has a big grin. Guess you are having a hellova good time :)

[Maha]

Geez Mack, looking at some of those pic one would almost not be suprised to see Butch and Sundance ride out between those rocks!
Massive photo's buddy, love the Disappointment Valley sign complete with bullet holes...:2guns:

[Waylander]

Hey mate, do you think you could stop by a 7-11 a few times while you're there and get a couple, super double big gulp cups for me?

Have not found any cups big enough down here yet. Get a pic while you're at it too. I'm sure these people will get a shock out of that lol.

[T.I.E]

just headed back from the movies here at ridgecrest and bugger me (which means something different in america drunk i think)
anyway i saw this blue concours? thought no way so gave this fella a call and yep it was another kiwi.
a kiwi with a huge smile on his face just after riding through a sand storm, so i have plans to catch up with him tonight too see what the stories he has to tell.
he is looking very well and very happy indeed. and i wont talk about chicken strips or square tyres although the front had three straight sides to it.
its tough with some straights over 20 miles in length. and with the dust and rubbish all over the road thsoe corners are not that inviting.
but a smile like that was priceless.
hope he can find a PC tonight to use. but ill update ya with gossip if he cant.

[DarkLord]

Wow. I'm so envious. I've always wanted to do something like that, I was over in California recently and thought how fantastic it would be to tour the country on a bike.

Please post heaps of pictures of your trip, I'm sure they'd be much appreciated by folk around here. Speed limits over there are a lot quicker - round about 130 kmph is the legal speed limit so you may need to adjust to that. Hope it's not too much trouble riding on the other side of the road.

Good luck!

[Swoop]

That was a bit of luck T.I.E!

Sounds like good fun over there. Love the southwest!

[Macktheknife]

Just had dinner with TIE, what a great thing it is to see a friendly face from home while so far away!
Today was interesting, riding thru a sandstorm, complete with flying stones (which chipped my helmet) and covered the road with flying sand, to the point where traffic had to stop for lack of vision. You just hope that everyone behind you can do the same, before they hit you!
Off to San Bernadino, California tomorrow, time for a new set of tyres on the Connie, cant wait to get some that have no corners! The roads here are wierd, you can ride all day in some places and not have a real corner, just a few bends that you take at maximum speed and barely notice. Other places you can hardly get out of second gear, and scrape the pegs on every other corner. Will try and post some photo's later tonight.

[EJK]

I'm waiting :yes:

P.S. When will you be back?

[Macktheknife]

What a crazy place Vegas is!
But the photo's will have to wait sorry, for some reason they won't resize small enough for loading here. Will try again tomorrow.

I think I will have to go back to Vegas some day, but I had better have a lot more money than I did this time!!! lol

More as soon as I can.
Mack

[Hitcher]

"Crate day" is Saturday 24 May. All mods now completed to bike. Only a boatload of forms to complete, and all will be in readiness!

[T.I.E]

the boys managed to find tyres in ridgecrest here where i am, lucky really, hope the avons are doing welll for him.
they have had a change of plans and are heading in a slightly different direction. today and i wish the all the best for the rest of the journey.
by the way duelling banjos (deliverence) th movie, yes well thats very true over here, but im thinking it is a slight underestamate in certain places.

[oldrider]

They are wearing our KB logo "where"....? :clap:

Arguably a photo of Mack's best profile! :whistle: Something must have frightened the natives here! :shit: John.

[Maha]

They are wearing our KB logo "where"....? :clap:

Arguably a photo of Mack's best profile! :whistle: Something must have frightened the natives here! :shit: John.


There are some great pics of our lads around for sure John, this one shows of T.I.E's awesome smile...Mack has his face covered by Te Strangers arm, they are very close ya' know....:rolleyes:

[scumdog]

What a crazy place Vegas is!
But the photo's will have to wait sorry, for some reason they won't resize small enough for loading here. Will try again tomorrow.

I think I will have to go back to Vegas some day, but I had better have a lot more money than I did this time!!! lol

More as soon as I can.
Mack

LOVE Las Vegas, hell CB and I got married there and we want to go back (on the return trip from Sturgis in 2011 we think).

Kee[ the write-up going you guys.

[T.I.E]

last i heard he was in San Diego, planning a day or so then onto Big Bend Texas, also taking in the San Diego Zoo. they are experiencing windy weather and avoiding storms were they have been lucky. and they are still enjoying the sunshine.
and maybe sea world too. good to see they are actually going to stop for a day.
they have been clocking up the miles the boys are doing well.
ill keep yall up to date with what i know.

[oldrider]

A little bird told me that Mack has caught the 3:10 and is now in Yuma! :shutup:

I stand to be corrected but expect (hope) he will be on here (KB)tonight. :shifty: John.

[T.I.E]

now they are off to tombstone today weather is doing them well. im off to the UK so ya wont hear anything from me for a bit. but ill be back with all the updates for yall.

[ManDownUnder]

YO MACK!

BE Ye in my 2nd home yet??? (a hi and a hug for Adrianne... I know she'll be reading this!)

NK aka MDU aka... me

[Mom]

YO MACK!

BE Ye in my 2nd home yet??? (a hi and a hug for Adrianne... I know she'll be reading this!)

NK aka MDU aka... me

He has been a bit quiet for a few days, have not had a text for a while, hope all is well with him.

[ManDownUnder]

He has been a bit quiet for a few days, have not had a text for a while, hope all is well with him.

oh I KNOW all is well with Mack - and it's about to get a lot better... he's about to hit my 2nd home and the good folk of Texas are taking that boy drinkin', DANCIN' and talking shite.

Mack - I demand photos... you know that don't you!

I've also discovered something... envy doesn't suit me really.

[Waylander]

oh I KNOW all is well with Mack - and it's about to get a lot better... he's about to hit my 2nd home and the good folk of Texas are taking that boy drinkin', DANCIN' and talking shite.

Mack - I demand photos... you know that don't you!

I've also discovered something... envy doesn't suit me really.
*perks ears up*

[Macktheknife]

EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas!
OMG this is a big state, and even the road kill is bigger! lol
The last couple of days I have seen some awesome things, and some scary ones, including a RV that was towing a SUV swerved across 2 lanes of Interstate and 20m of hard and soft shoulder crunched along a very unforgiving rock wall, then back across the interstate and 30m of centre median sideways before coming to rest about 5m from the oncoming traffic. The whole side of the RV was opened up like a can opener had been at it. These guys are were lucky to come out of it with no serious injuries.
Armadillos are interesting things when on the road, and they spread quite a long way when flat! Even large truck and trailer units can be taken out by hitting large animals at high speed, couldn't get any photo's of the carnage but it is a real education riding over here!

San Diego Zoo was pretty cool, seaworld was a bit too much for my budget, but I also got to tour a Russian Sub and an Aircraft Carrier!
Tombstone was a hell of a town, had a lot of fun there, got meet a genuine descendant of Doc Holliday, and several of the local folks who re-enact the famous OK Corral gunfight every day. They decided to not let a kiwi bloke leave the town without taking him out for a beer or six at gunpoint! By the time the local fire chief and the sheriff joined the party it was getting pretty early but a good time was had by all. You should have seen the place go off when 'Doc' decided to sing "Dixie" at 2am!

Will just get my camera charged up and see if I can get some up here for you guys to enjoy.
be right back

[Macktheknife]

Still having trouble loading photo's so have emailed them to a KBer to post for me. Hope you all enjoy them anyway.
Will keep in touch as I am able folks.

[jafar]

Still having trouble loading photo's so have emailed them to a KBer to post for me. Hope you all enjoy them anyway.
Will keep in touch as I am able folks.

& where the bloody hell have you been !! MOM has been worried sick cos you hadn't called :shit:









P/T

[klingon]

ooooh lucky, lucky Mack!

So let's see those photos then! :corn:

[Waylander]

Armadillos are interesting things when on the road, and they spread quite a long way when flat! Even large truck and trailer units can be taken out by hitting large animals at high speed, couldn't get any photo's of the carnage but it is a real education riding over here!

Try hitting one of them on a bike. That'll give you a good sized smear in your pants.

By the way, if you are camping one one wonders in to your site, they love boiled hot dogs.

[ManDownUnder]

Mack's staying with a good friend of mine... I'll let her tell the story...

===
...Mack Daddy is having a good ole time!!! ;-) So Mom came over early afternoon - She and Mack hit it off pretty well. She brought one of her Cajun CD's - we turned it on and then she and Mack got "giggy with it" - sp?

We will probably travel out to Austin [from Houston] this evening.... looks like Dianne [a friend of all] will be able to meet us tomorrow - she is ready to "dance, dance, dance!!" - did I say poor Mack or lucky Mack?... I don't think he has danced this much in years!!!! ....

===

[klingon]

===
...Mack Daddy is having a good ole time!!! ;-) So Mom came over early afternoon - She and Mack hit it off pretty well. She brought one of her Cajun CD's - we turned it on and then she and Mack got "giggy with it" - sp?

We will probably travel out to Austin [from Houston] this evening.... looks like Dianne [a friend of all] will be able to meet us tomorrow - she is ready to "dance, dance, dance!!" - did I say poor Mack or lucky Mack?... I don't think he has danced this much in years!!!! ....
[/LEFT]
===

oooh I remember last time I was in Texas... a tall, handsome Texan taught me the two-step *swoons* I just hope Mack's having as much fun dancing as I did! :2thumbsup

I heard a rumour that Mack's a pretty good dancer so he's probably sweeping all the ladies off their feet.

[ManDownUnder]

oooh I remember last time I was in Texas... a tall, handsome Texan taught me the two-step *swoons* I just hope Mack's having as much fun dancing as I did! :2thumbsup
Texan two-step LOL.... I love it (no damned good... but apparently Mack is...)



I heard a rumour that Mack's a pretty good dancer so he's probably sweeping all the ladies off their feet.

LOL... ok - something from another email... 22/4/08...

and I quote "Mack feigned ignorance on dancing but that lasted all of two minutes. He picked up the two step within a couple of steps and was dancing like a pro (which he is) before anytime at all and yes --- Mack can dance! He was a treat for all of us girls who love to dance so we kept him busy - and he had a ball. I suspect he hadn't had that much fun in a very long time. "

You've been there - you'll understand the fun they have dancing... Mack left a few of them tired... that boy won't be forgotten in those parts anytime soon...!

[007XX]

I heard a rumour that Mack's a pretty good dancer.

I can vouch for that...he's a heck of a good dancer. The two step would be very much a "walk in the stable only" practice for him :laugh:

Which reminds me: Mack, hurry back home will ya? I need you to teach Neil the Rumba :D (miss you buddy, hope you're doing well :hug:)

[Waylander]

Wish I still remembered how to two step...


Anyway Have fun Mack and don't let our women folk over there get too carried away with you.

[Macktheknife]

oooh I remember last time I was in Texas... a tall, handsome Texan taught me the two-step *swoons* I just hope Mack's having as much fun dancing as I did! :2thumbsup

I heard a rumour that Mack's a pretty good dancer so he's probably sweeping all the ladies off their feet.
I am indeed having a great time dancing! But no Tall, Handsome Texans guys for me, thanks. The ladies are pretty keen on dancing around these parts!


Texan two-step LOL.... I love it (no damned good... but apparently Mack is...)

LOL... ok - something from another email... 22/4/08...

and I quote "Mack feigned ignorance on dancing but that lasted all of two minutes. He picked up the two step within a couple of steps and was dancing like a pro (which he is) before anytime at all and yes --- Mack can dance! He was a treat for all of us girls who love to dance so we kept him busy - and he had a ball. I suspect he hadn't had that much fun in a very long time. "

You've been there - you'll understand the fun they have dancing... Mack left a few of them tired... that boy won't be forgotten in those parts anytime soon...!
Neither will you mate! The stories I could tell!!!! lol. :rolleyes:
The Broken Spoke was awesome, and I had great fun there dancing with about 6 ladies all night, damn what a workout! Really could have used some backup on that one, they had no-one else to dance with so I got passed around like a dancing 'pass the parcel'!


I can vouch for that...he's a heck of a good dancer. The two step would be very much a "walk in the stable only" practice for him :laugh:
Which reminds me: Mack, hurry back home will ya? I need you to teach Neil the Rumba :D (miss you buddy, hope you're doing well :hug:)
Will try and make it home, but they don't want me to leave!


Wish I still remembered how to two step...

Anyway Have fun Mack and don't let our women folk over there get too carried away with you.

I bet you can remember real quick when one of these gals get a hold of you mate! As for getting carried away, too late! I just about had to be carried from the dancefloor I was so knackered! Bloody womenfolk wore me out!
I tell you, these Texas women should come with a warning label! lol.:chase:

I have had an amazing time here in Texas, one of the best highlights of my trip so far, incredible places, roads, people and the food is bloody fantastic!
The hill country around Austin is very pretty and somewhat similar to home in some ways, green rolling hills with great roads, more dancehalls than you can shake a stick at (!), and a really nice feel to the area. The downtown area really goes off at weekends, they close the streets to traffic and people just pack the venues to the rafters.

This week I am off to New Orleans, they have the annual Jazz Festival going on there at present and it should be a blast! Bourbon Street here I come!
Cajun and Creole cooking is incredible, the city is recovering from the Hurricanes and starting to get back to something like normal. I will take lots of photo's and send some back to someone who can post them.
More to follow, stay tuned.....
Mack

[Xile]

This week I am off to New Orleans, they have the annual Jazz Festival going on there at present and it should be a blast! Bourbon Street here I come!
Cajun and Creole cooking is incredible, the city is recovering from the Hurricanes and starting to get back to something like normal. I will take lots of photo's and send some back to someone who can post them.
More to follow, stay tuned.....
Mack

Hey Mack!
Waaa..still so amazing!
So jealous you going to New Orleans!!! Take pics for sure and if you can some videos too so a bit of live jazz from there!! :p
Glad to see everything is going so well! Can't wait to see you when you get back though ;)

[T.I.E]

not sure what ya all know but got a txt from MTK last night...
"in mobile alabama tonight (i think that is a town?). heading across florida tomorrow. looking forward to it, coast is meant to be pretty"
he also said he did 450miles and is looking forward to meeting jafar in a few days in new york i think.
but he is all good and having fun.
im not too keen to txt him as it costs him to recieve txts. so i keep it minimal, also i believe it costs him to recieve phone calls too. but any pther info i get ill pass it on.

[klingon]

not sure what ya all know but got a txt from MTK last night...
"in mobile alabama tonight (i think that is a town?). heading across florida tomorrow. looking forward to it, coast is meant to be pretty"
he also said he did 450miles and is looking forward to meeting jafar in a few days in new york i think.
but he is all good and having fun.
im not too keen to txt him as it costs him to recieve txts. so i keep it minimal, also i believe it costs him to recieve phone calls too. but any pther info i get ill pass it on.

Thanks for the update. I'm so jealous! The southern states are probably absolutely gorgeous at the moment. Spring weather won't be too hot & muggy. Where are those photos he keeps promising?!

It's a crazy system in the US where you have to pay to send and receive texts and phone calls. Madness! Also some phone companies only provide services in certain states and you either can't use your phone in the other states or it costs a LOT more - depending on which state you originally registered your phone in. So it's possible at some point he's going to lose coverage completely and have to resort to email.

[ManDownUnder]

Where are those photos he keeps promising?!

He tried to send them to me but something in the email system failed and I'm not sure where they went to from there. Hopefully not because I know he will have some pretty special memories...

[jafar]

He tried to send them to me but something in the email system failed and I'm not sure where they went to from there. Hopefully not because I know he will have some pretty special memories...

Hopefully he has just sent you the copies & hasn't emptied his cache. If he has then he is :buggerd:

[ManDownUnder]

Mr Man is in Florida - might be a few days before he's in front of a PC... but is doing really really well.

Sounds like quite a happy camper.

Mack - onya mate! :niceone:

[Maha]

Mr Man is in Florida - might be a few days before he's in front of a PC... but is doing really really well.

Sounds like quite a happy camper.

Mack - onya mate! :niceone:

Yeah lucky barstewards...saw marty (Jafar) on saturday and hes off this weekend to meet up with Mack in Florida, think hes buying a Triumph cruiser over there to play around on. I reckon they should buy a white rag top suzuki jeep and slide the beach's myself...:shifty:

[Macktheknife]

Down in the Florida Everglades now, DAMN it is hot here!
Having high 90's most days and humid with it, I am heading down a road known as Alligator Alley today, guess why?
I expect to be in Key West tomorrow and then heading back up the Florida penninsular to the Carolinas and the legendary 'Tail of the Dragon' in a few more days. Should meet up with Jafar somewhere around there.
I will continue to try and send photo's back but seem to be having some serious problems getting them through, not sure why but will work on it.
I had one of the most surreal experiences of my life the other night, in a bar chatting with a local. He started telling me his life story over a couple of beers, and one sentence just about had me running for the door...
"It's kinda like the first time you have sex with your sister..."
I didn't dare laugh at him because he was huge and still had most of his teeth, besides which he was serious!! and he made it clear by his explanation of the comment, in the interest of not making you guys vomit I will spare you the details, but he was serious.
The conversation went down hill rapidly after that, surprise surprise.
I got the hell out of there as soon as I could, but what a special bunch of people they were in there!
More to follow when I get to another computer,
Have fun.
Mack

[ManDownUnder]

No subtitles or additional info supplied...

[ManDownUnder]

and more...

[Swoop]

No subtitles or additional info supplied...
Good Whiskey, Tolerable Water!
:woohoo:

[jafar]

What a place :2thumbsup
Pics are of the outside of the M&M shop cnr w49th & Broadway ( i think )

[jafar]

I havn't really had time to get a lot done in the way of sightseeing as yet, between jetlag & bulging eyeballs I doubt I will see a tiny fraction of what NY.NY. has to offer. Don't get me wrong I have seen heaps, the place is absolutely mind boggling.

The first advise I got was "don't look like a tourist in NY" ,so no pic's of the first part of my tour of the big apple, New yorkers are not backward at coming forward thats for sure. Especially if you forget to give them a 'tip'. As today is "mothers day" giving the 'tip' of be good to your MOM didn't go down too well:wari:

They really do celebrate mothers day in a big way here , MOM is first for @ least one day, right down to special TV programs.:clap:
:Police: Presence in NY.NY is HUGE. Without exageration I saw 50 + patrol cars attend one incident off Broadway, even the locals stopped to watch :whistle:

Well so much for the crap on TV that we get, the tourist guff I got said to ' ask a new yorker' . So I did & without exception all have been pleasant & courteous.:gob:

[Maha]

What a place :2thumbsup
Pics are of the outside of the M&M shop cnr w49th & Broadway ( i think )


Wow! they have a Maha and Mom shop there?.....what are the soft toys like?..

[ManDownUnder]

As today is "mothers day" giving the 'tip' of be good to your MOM didn't go down too well:wari:

LMAO - you're a braver man than I!

[yungatart]

Wow! they have a Maha and Mom shop there?.....what are the soft toys like?..

I didn't think soft toys would be your thing, Maha...but you should see their battery operated ones:gob:

[Mom]

MOM is first for @ least one day, right down to special TV programs.:clap:


Thank goodness I am first at something...LOL

Safe travels mate, and dont forget to give Mack his little pressy from me.

[jafar]

Wow! they have a Maha and Mom shop there?.....what are the soft toys like?..

I have to say that the toys look better than you do mate. The shop is on 2 levels, there is a WALL OF M&M's from top to bottom would be 8-10 metres high & around 15 metres long , an impressive sight.

[Maha]

Are they are not called....sMarty's over there??

[Waylander]

I do wish they would take that damn sign down. We're not proud of that monkey in the whitehouse.

[moT]

Rack up as MANY fines as you can in some state you know you will never go to again in your life and leave that will piss the authorities off

[Waylander]

Rack up as MANY fines as you can in some state you know you will never go to again in your life and leave that will piss the authorities off
They will come get you.

[T.I.E]

not sure how long mack has to go with his journey, but i hope to be back in about 4 - 5 weeks.
so i will be glued to this thread to see how the old fella is doing. :2thumbsup
party on dude.

[Macktheknife]

I do wish they would take that damn sign down. We're not proud of that monkey in the whitehouse.
Apparently some of your countrymen do not agree with you....
but almost all the ones I met think he is an embarrassment.


not sure how long mack has to go with his journey, but i hope to be back in about 4 - 5 weeks.
so i will be glued to this thread to see how the old fella is doing. :2thumbsup
party on dude.

Less of the old you young whippersnapper!

I am now in the oldest town in USA, St Augustine, Florida.
Established in 1565 or there abouts, very pretty place.
I will try and get some more photo's off to Nigel for posting, (thanks for that mate)
The beaches here are pretty impressive, and often have interesting wildlife on them at strange hours of the day, not unusual to see snakes and other larger toothed things crawling around in the early or late hours.
Have been to Daytona Beach and raceway, and other notable spots in the area and hope to be heading up into Georgia tomorrow. Myrtle beach should be next, I might even get to a bike show there, not sure yet.
I have been assured that the Blue Ridge Parkway is an exceptional road to ride and if I can dodge the insane weather then it should be a great trip.
22 people died this last weekend in Tornado's in the area I am heading towards! Severe weather warning are in place for a couple of states and floods are washing out roads, so things could start to get interesting from here on in. But my weather luck might just hold out for a few more days at least, the report this morning says I will probably get a gap over the next 3 days before the next wave of storms comes in. Fingers crossed!
All for now, have fun and stay safe folks.
Looking forward to catching up with Marty.
Mack

[ManDownUnder]

A few days old now... sorry - I actually have a day job... who'd have guessed!

[jafar]

I see Mack is dragging his arse on keeping this thread up to date:devil2:


Pic 1: is a ship named 'windy' she sails from Navy Pier in Chicago.
Pic 2: Random Freeway shot in Texas
Pic 3: Fireworks @ navy Pier.

[Mom]

I see Mack is dragging his arse on keeping this thread up to date:devil2:

You can talk! How about some descriptions to go with those pics eh? eh?

[T.I.E]

well ill be back in the us flying out of here on the 7th of june.
had enough of this place time to leave new zealand for a bit and try to take up residence somewhere else.
so MTK ill be txting ya soon dude. i hope ya havnt got into too much trouble lol.

[Mom]

well ill be back in the us flying out of here on the 7th of june.
had enough of this place time to leave new zealand for a bit and try to take up residence somewhere else.
so MTK ill be txting ya soon dude. i hope ya havnt got into too much trouble lol.

Best you get your bum down this way before you leave! I have hugs to send and give.

[Macktheknife]

It is always exciting to be riding along at 75mph and suddeny there is a loud bang and a lot of smoke around you. You realise very quickly that the hot oil spraying around your ankles is not normal, and the strange squirming sensation coming from the rear wheel is about to get well out of order.
Apparently the Kawasaki Concours reputation for being a bulletproof engine is not entirely accurate....
Thanks to a little help from my friends it wasn't long before I had a tow truck to pick up the bike and myself and deliver us to a bike shop only 40 miles away, the towie was in a good mood for charging today and made a tidy sum for his services, but at least I am not on the side of the road anymore.
Marty did a fine job of keeping me company and sorting out the options.
Stand by for photo's of course, lots to share and tell of the last 13,500 miles of american roads. Give me a couple of days to sort stuff out and I will post a heap of info and hopefully photos. For a technologically advanced country, this place is really hard to get on a computer, but all should be available soon.
Stay tuned....

[Maha]

I can just see Marty standing there chew gum and laughing with that 'evil' snigger he has...:yes:

[Hinny]

Apparently the Kawasaki Concours reputation for being a bulletproof engine is not entirely accurate....


Bad news Mack... I feel for you.

Maybe the Kawasaki's reputation for being 'Bullet proof' is a bit like the similar reputation of GunnyRob's BMW.

Shame I couldn't sell you on the Honda Pan choice before you bought the Kwacka Crappa eh?

Hope you get it sorted without too harsh a financial penalty. Good Luck.

[jafar]

Bad news Mack... I feel for you.

Maybe the Kawasaki's reputation for being 'Bullet proof' is a bit like the similar reputation of GunnyRob's BMW.

Shame I couldn't sell you on the Honda Pan choice before you bought the Kwacka Crappa eh?

Hope you get it sorted without too harsh a financial penalty. Good Luck.

So you tried to get the man on a honda aye, excellent choice imho :whistle:

[Macktheknife]

I have failed to find another motor for the Connie that I can afford, so now I am sitting by the pool drinking beer, life is tough in Texas! Lol.
Marty is continuing on his merry way to California, and spent yesterday in the Gila National Park, lucky bugger.
I will see you all when I get back to NZ, with LOTS of photo's to show off to anyone interested in them.
See y'all soonish!

[Devil]

Lucky bastard!

[T.I.E]

ouch give me a txt ya bugger if ya still in the states. and california is hot hitting 37 lately.
yeah i know but when left new zealand it was 7.
i had to get myself a pool to sit in and cool off. pictures soon to come....
and if i hear anything about a beached whale ............. lol

[Macktheknife]

A brief summary of stuff for anyone ambitious enough to think about coming over here to ride, which I highly recommend by the way.
The PCH, Pacific Coast Highway, running down from Washington to California is one of the most scenic routes I have traveled, in a 'familiar but not quite' kind of way. Tight twisty winding roads with stunning coastal views, great little towns and the added bonus of incredible giant forests in Oregon and around Big Sur in California.

If you come here, you MUST go through Utah and the Canyons, one of the most impressive places on earth in my humble opinion, from mountains to deserts, and the people are not all Mormons, they even have bars in many towns! Seriously though, an amazing state for visiting, really pretty for most of the year, and apparently great skiing in Winter too.

Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas, very impressive in a hot desert kind of way, lots to see and do but pick your time carefully, high summer is not a human friendly time to be outside here! Big Bend is pretty (Tx). San Antonio is very nice, go to the Riverwalk and visit the Alamo, pretty cool. Texas is pretty bloody amazing actually, and the people here seem friendlier than most. East Texas and into Louisiana, hope you like spicy food! Incredible foods, wonderful people, bloody hot in summer! Some really cool places to visit around the South. New Orleans is a must do, prepare yourself for one of the best party places on earth when you go here! The music is amazing, the food is even better, ignore the beggars, most of them make more than you do.

Alabama, well parts of it are really nice, just take some care in small towns where people tend to look a lot alike, they know you are not from around here if you have all your teeth! Florida, big cities can be fun, but smaller ones are better, apparently there is no one living in Florida who actually comes from Florida, everyone is an import! GO TO THE KEYS!!! It is like riding through a postcard, but try to not go in high summer, seriously hot and kind of expensive, lots of toll roads. Must eat Alligator while in the South, very nice actually.

Then we come to the Carolina's.....

[Macktheknife]

Georgia into South Carolina is a pretty cool area, I found Savannah to be a place not really worth stopping in, even the cops suggested I carry on to the next town! No really, they thought I would be safer in the next town and gave me directions to Beaufort, bloody good of them really, it was a nice place!

After a quick trip through Myrtle Beach, great scenery, head inland for the hills around here, great riding and very affordable in most areas. Base yourself around Asheville for a few days, and go out riding some of the best roads in this country! The snake has 489 corners in 12 miles, the dragon we all know about, the hellbender, and others.Also there are some bloody amazing rides all around this area, just chat to the locals who will give you some good tips, best not to be too quick around the well known ones as they are heavily policed, but they studiously ignore many of the others, maybe they are short of manpower?

Camping is great in most parts of the country just shake out your footwear before putting them on (snakes and scorpions), and best not to leave food anywhere, Tupperware is your friend (Coyote, Wolf, Bear and deer).
I prefer my own bed, shower and bathroom, and of course, air conditioning! Motels can be found from about US$35 and up, quite a long way up too. Prices go up on Friday and Saturday nights, just because they can, and I suggest looking at the rooms before parting with your money, some can be a bit nasty.

Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, slowly, the speed limit is 45mph! As much as you might like to be doing 75 (most corners can be done this way) finding the road full of deer or bear makes this a bad choice! And there are the cops.
Stay at the Motorcycle Resorts along the Parkway, seriously, don't miss this experience. No cages here, just bikes and bikers of all walks, very cool.
One in particular is worth mentioning, Stations Inn, tell them Mack sent you and check out the KB patch behind the bar (nice one Marty), the staff there are amazing.
http://stationsinn.com/ they couldn't be more helpful and if you get them in the bar in the evening many good things can come of it. Remember to compliment the Tiki bar staff, and sign it if you can.

Skyline drive is at the north end of the Parkway, also bloody stunning riding and even slower (35mph), then head off to the East again and check out the area around Washington DC, very cool. Then go up to New York or back to the west and into West Virginia, almost heaven is a true statement! So many good roads and great things to do! Rock climbing is popular, as is kayaking and rafting too, but the roads..... oh boy! Have a care though, the locals do think they own them.
Start off with US33 and local route 55 around the Seneca Rocks area, you will love this region for so many reasons. Pick any of the smaller roads in this area and go for it, bloody amazing and virtually unknown to others it seems, so many cool little spots to see and enjoy.
More to follow...

[tide]

Wow... looking forward to those pics :bleh:

[Hitcher]

22 sleeps to go.

[alanzs]

I'm leaving for Lost Angeles on the 8th, then up to Lake Tahoe for some jet skiing...
Gotta get a good pastrami sandwich and some real Mexican food while I'm there.

Have a fun trip. You'll have a blast! :laugh:

[oldrider]

:confused: I may have missed something here but what are you riding over there at the moment? :ride: Cheers John.

[Hinny]

I have failed to find another motor for the Connie that I can afford.

See y'all soonish!

What happened to the old motor?
What sort of money do they want for: another motor? ;repairing the old one?
What are the resale options: Broken? ;Fixed?



How much time do you have before leaving?

[Macktheknife]

:confused: I may have missed something here but what are you riding over there at the moment? :ride: Cheers John.
Not much mate, have a borrowed VFR800 for another day then heading off to catch planes. Home to see family and friends for a couple of days then off to Aussie.




What happened to the old motor?
What sort of money do they want for: another motor? ;repairing the old one?
What are the resale options: Broken? ;Fixed?

How much time do you have before leaving?

New motor is a small mortgage, and a used exchange one is over US$1200.
Options now exhausted mate, time has pretty much expired. Thinking about heading back to start again from where I left off but will need to make some more money before I do.

I have had an amazing time and seen things I never thought I would, enjoyed the country and the people far more than I expected to. All in all, it has been one of the best trips I have ever had. I highly recommend it to anyone, and I reckon I might just have to come back and see all the things I missed.

I have changed my flights and will be headed home shortly, so keep a coldie handy for me, a nice cold kiwi beer sounds pretty bloody good actually!
See y'all soon!
Mack :done:

[Colapop]

Excellent!! Will be looking forward to catching with all the news we haven't seen here...

[Swoop]

Bummer about the motor, Mack.
Totally agree with your comments on the places and people. America is a fantastic country but people seem to judge it by the politicians it elects.
Safe travels!

[stevo2001]

it's probably too late now,but if you can make it to Colorado we'll look after you.This offer expires for all kiwi's the moment he sets foot on the plane back.I may make exceptions for sheila's south of Bombay.depends on photo.I agree about the yanks I have been here for 16 years and when ever I come home I find myself defending them.They are a fun bunch.Saw a cool t-shirt,it had a photo of the two president Bushes and undernearth it said dumb and dumber.

[Hitcher]

21 sleeps to go.

[jafar]

it's probably too late now,but if you can make it to Colorado we'll look after you.This offer expires for all kiwi's the moment he sets foot on the plane back.I may make exceptions for sheila's south of Bombay.depends on photo.I agree about the yanks I have been here for 16 years and when ever I come home I find myself defending them.They are a fun bunch.Saw a cool t-shirt,it had a photo of the two president Bushes and undernearth it said dumb and dumber.

Now he tells me :bash::argh:

[jafar]

21 sleeps to go.

Ok I'll bite, where are you off to? :spanking:

[Mom]

Ok I'll bite, where are you off to? :spanking:

OMG what have you done!!!!!

Maha has a new bike!!!!

:blip: Looks a bit like one of yours to be fair.

[jafar]

OMG what have you done!!!!!

Maha has a new bike!!!!

:blip: Looks a bit like one of yours to be fair.

He said he was interested in getting a honda ..... does this mean i need to bring him back a pink shirt to go with it:banana:

[Mom]

He said he was interested in getting a honda ..... does this mean i need to bring him back a pink shirt to go with it:banana:


Hmmmmmmmmm, never personally seen him in pink, he will look drop dead yum though in pink...LOL

[jafar]

Hmmmmmmmmm, never personally seen him in pink, he will look drop dead yum though in pink...LOL

You go get it for him then :blip::yeah:

[stevo2001]

If anyone is coming thru Denver,give me a yell.I live at my workshop,so don't have an ideal guest room set up,but if your hardy and don't mind a camping mattress on the shop table you'll be fine.I've lived here for 16 years and have Denver sussed,in an extremely good way.

[jafar]

I'm sitting in Morro Bay California, it is too hot to go out on the bike for a look around, the Temperature here is way over 40 degrees C.. California is having a heat wave like they havn't seen for over 10 years.
:argh:

[Maha]

I'm sitting in Morro Bay California, it is too hot to go out on the bike for a look around, the Temperature here is way over 40 degrees C.. California is having a heat wave like they havn't seen for over 10 years.
:argh:

Seen this Marty?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=76296

[Hitcher]

I'm sitting in Morro Bay California, it is too hot to go out on the bike for a look around, the Temperature here is way over 40 degrees C.. California is having a heat wave like they havn't seen for over 10 years.

Thanks for the warning. We'll be in Morro Bay in just over three weeks.

[jafar]

Thanks for the warning. We'll be in Morro Bay in just over three weeks.

Good to hear, so if i leave anything behind you can get it for me :clap:

[Mom]

Good to hear, so if i leave anything behind you can get it for me :clap:

NO you silly man, you get to leave stuff for Hitcher to use while he visits :doh:

[jafar]

NO you silly man, you get to leave stuff for Hitcher to use while he visits :doh:

Well fuck me, you are quick off the mark, Hitcher should go to the bar @ the bottom of the hill & see the barmaid with the fake tits she is so funny :devil2:

[Mom]

Well fuck me, you are quick off the mark, Hitcher should go to the bar @ the bottom of the hill & see the barmaid with the fake tits she is so funny :devil2:


Fake tits eh? Hmmm, any ideas for what Mrs Hitcher might like to do while this is happening...:crazy:

LOL


When are you home anyway?

[jafar]

Fake tits eh? Hmmm, any ideas for what Mrs Hitcher might like to do while this is happening...:crazy:

LOL


When are you home anyway?

I'm sure mrs hitcher will enjoy the show just as i did, was there tonight with 2 american bikers, it was a blast.

I'm home on the 27th....... why ?? did you have plans for my body ?? :devil2:

[Mom]

I'm home on the 27th....... why ?? did you have plans for my body ?? :devil2:

In your dreams maybe :killingme

You could come on our ride on the 28th if you like, it will only be 400kms from yours...see you bout 9am at Botany Honda then, back in Aucland by 5:30pm....LOL
Jet lag, what jet lag...LOL

Travel safe mate!

[jafar]

In your dreams maybe :killingme

You could come on our ride on the 28th if you like, it will only be 400kms from yours...see you bout 9am at Botany Honda then, back in Aucland by 5:30pm....LOL
Jet lag, what jet lag...LOL

Travel safe mate!

Oh no, Sabs will kill me if i say yes to this, she is already planning to do seriously kinky things to me when i get back :argh:
Where are we going ??? just out of interest :mad:

Oh I'm so screwed :argh:

[Mom]

Oh no, Sabs will kill me if i say yes to this, she is already planning to do seriously kinky things to me when i get back :argh:
Where are we going ??? just out of interest :mad:

Oh I'm so screwed :argh:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=72686

If I was you I would stay home and take your punnishement like a good boy :devil2: