The Trans America Trail

[Eddieb]

Hi Eddie, no rush to return the DVD, rent it out to a few of your mates, get them keen to ride the TAT
I’m off to Darwin on Thursday 9th, going to join a group of 6 other riders and take 3 weeks to ride to Melbourne on rented DR650’s, heading over to the Western Australia boarder first and then down the Tanami Road, Alice Springs, Oodnadatta track, Coober Pedy, Flinders Rangers and the likes, intention is to see some of the tourist bits but via the more remote and less used roads.
Will cover something like 6,000 kms so I guess I’m to have a few sore bits at the end of the ride.

This is training for the TAT!!

Cheers
Al

Nice, I'm quite keen to do something like that. I'll be in Melbourne the 12th to 19th but I guess you'll only be half way there when I leave.

[3L4NS1R]

With all these goings on, is 2011 a reality for a TAT? If yes I would like to put my hat or helmet into the ring!

Who is the ringleader or is it the blind leading the blind?

Kev

Yeah - I'm out for 2011 - I'm traveling the other half of the world. 2012 is really the closest that I can go at the moment, unless I win lotto miraculously.

And I'd say it's blind leading the blind (I mean laissez faire) at the moment till we get a firmer idea of what we're actually doing/when we're doing it...

[bart]

Just finished reading 'Twisting Throttle America' by kiwi Mike Hyde. He rode the 50 states in 60 days (32000 km) on a v-strom. Very entertaining read.

The logistics of his ride would be very similar to what we're trying the achieve. The last 4 pages break down all his expenses. I won't type it up here, as I'm sure he'd rather you buy his book (and he may be lurking).

Have a look next time you're in a book shop.

[3L4NS1R]

Just finished reading 'Twisting Throttle America' by kiwi Mike Hyde. He rode the 50 states in 60 days (32000 km) on a v-strom. Very entertaining read.

The logistics of his ride would be very similar to what we're trying the achieve. The last 4 pages break down all his expenses. I won't type it up here, as I'm sure he'd rather you buy his book (and he may be lurking).

Have a look next time you're in a book shop.

Oh sweet it's out now... I read his Twisting Throttle Australia, still is the only travel book I've actually finished - I usually get sick and tired of humour attempts or constant complaining by travel writers but he strikes just the right balance.

Will have to pick it up next time I'm at the library!

[GPS MAN]

All I need to know is when do we leave?????

[tri boy]

Hmmm, TAT adv 2013 you say.
pow wow needed.
If Phil/Dawn, a dopey DT230 rider from Welly way and a few other loose units can commit by winter 2011, then my 1/2 mongrel I am sporting for this ride could well develop into a raging.........., you get the idea.
To buy there, or build n ship?
I would be leaning towards cutting a deal with a shop over there. Or a well sorted private purchace.

But the seed is planted

[DR650gary]

http://www.globebusters.com/expeditions/north-america

Now there's a plan

[Woodman]

surely there must be some good used DR/KLRs available for purchase over there that could be ridden then sold on ebay or appropriate brand specific anarak forum.
The loss would be way cheaper than shipping costs, and hell you may even make a profit

There are enough people here who could tell you what to look out for on these bikes etc.

[Phreaky Phil]

Hmmm, TAT adv 2013 you say.
pow wow needed.
If Phil/Dawn, a dopey DT230 rider from Welly way and a few other loose units can commit by winter 2011, then my 1/2 mongrel I am sporting for this ride could well develop into a raging.........., you get the idea.
To buy there, or build n ship?
I would be leaning towards cutting a deal with a shop over there. Or a well sorted private purchace.

But the seed is planted

I would just box your XLR up and take that. Its already perfect for the TAT

[tri boy]

Yup. That idea has crossed my mind.
It would mean I might have to farkle it a bit more, and freshen the motor/suspension up.
Negotiations have been started with kanny.

[marks]

Hmmm, TAT adv 2013 you say.
pow wow needed.
If Phil/Dawn, a dopey DT230 rider from Welly way and a few other loose units can commit by winter 2011, then my 1/2 mongrel I am sporting for this ride could well develop into a raging.........., you get the idea.
To buy there, or build n ship?
I would be leaning towards cutting a deal with a shop over there. Or a well sorted private purchace.

But the seed is planted

maybe I need to pootle up to Inglewood next weekend to discuss?

perhaps we could borrow GPS mans prep DVD and watch it?

[Phreaky Phil]

Pootle on up. Havent seen the prep video, could be worth watching. There's been some very good threads on ADV rider ive been watching. This guys doing it in reverse, from Oregon to Tennessee. Heaps of pics. I reckon Tennessee to Oregon still the best direction to do it.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614433

[tri boy]

Do that Mark. A pow wow will be needed.
I bet there are a fair few ghosts hiding in them thar TAT hills

[Sputnik]

Have done the TAT 1 and half times. GO FOR IT - Bloody good ride!
First trip I shipped the KLR to and from the states. Not costl at all. Second tirp I bought a KLR n Boulder Colorado and went 2 up with my wife. No way I would get away twice on my own!! Shipped that machine back to NZ.

As the GPS man says a couple of the Colorado pases would pose a challenge 2 up and note they are rarely open much before mid July.

Camp if you want however we flagged the camp gear and used motels. Cheap, good bed, showers and air-conditioned. Great after riding in 110degree F all day. The best part... you are not carrying less weight. Those passes are 12,000 feet plus.

Shipping: Contact KIWI SHIPPING based in Los Angeles. They have agents here in NZ and have there own containers. Current costs $350 handling cost NZ. US$700 for shipping plus AG and Customs charges at US end. Do the ride and drop the bike bike back to Kiwi Shipping depot in LA. No crate required as they strap it into a container, usually with a car or two. They handle a lot of bikes going to and from the USA. Wih Dept of Homeland Security getting invovled with imports there is a little more paperwork required. Fairly sraight forward. Have details if anyone wants them.

If you have time to spare allow some days to explore more of Colorado, and Moab trails.

GPS man. Chris and Spice in Boulder say we should get together sometime. Like to hear more on The Shadow of The Rockies route.

Great ride, nice people, amazing country, incredible amount of wildlife encountered. Take your cameras ..... and helmet cam! .... Camelback absolutely essential.

KLR,s now sold and New Tenere parked in the shed. Best bike for the route? .. doesn't matter! If its a trail or enduro or dual-sport it will make it. something with a reasonable fuel range helps.

If I can add to the GPS man info feel free to ask.

[tri boy]

Great info sputnik.
Welcome to the site. Be prepared to have your knowledge raped by dirty dualsporters.