The Trans America Trail

**GPS MAN** · 24th July 2010, 08:44

When I did it in 2003....think I spent around $4000 for the trip

The bike was a 2002 Honda XR650R with an IMS Ralley Tank, 7 gallons not liters

We camped for 2 nights, then one night in a motel to clean up mostly

You need some sort of GPS, don't get lost

Enduro route chart holder

Map holder, recommend Cyco Active..just clips on the bars

Gear for all types of weather, as noted in the vid

You will go through 2 sets of tires

My chain and sprockets made the whole trip

5000 miles of it

It will put the biggest smile

on your face you've ever had

Did me anyway

**bart** · 24th July 2010, 10:09

You'll have to have a rerun a decade after your first go. 2013 anyone? You can be tour guide.

The bike option is interesting. Would it be cheaper to send a bike over, or buy one there?

**marks** · 24th July 2010, 13:08

Originally Posted by bart

You'll have to have a rerun a decade after your first go. 2013 anyone? You can be tour guide.

The bike option is interesting. Would it be cheaper to send a bike over, or buy one there?

you could pencil me in for that

**GPS MAN** · 24th July 2010, 15:12

I'd do it again

I owe a trip to both my boys.....promises, promises

My experience of people coming over from other countries is:

It's best to buy a bike there and sell it when you complete the trip

Sam would even help us coordinate bike purchases..he has done this for many out of country riders...

So, when do we go

**marks** · 24th July 2010, 15:33

Originally Posted by GPS MAN

So, when do we go

well I'll have get our bathroom done up first or my wife will take a rusty knife and turn me into a bmw rider

**Box'a'bits** · 24th July 2010, 21:54

Originally Posted by marks

well I'll have get our bathroom done up first or my wife will take a rusty knife and turn me into a bmw rider

What............, add extra silicon?
I've already turned that mod down.........

**Box'a'bits** · 24th July 2010, 22:02

The beauty of taking your own is that then its a known quantity & you can prepare it for the trip. Otherwise you are reliant on what you can fnd in a small window of time available when you arrive.

Of course you can always arrange for someone to buy it for you. Selling before you leave is also an issue if you are time constrained, unless you have already arranged a purchaser.

**Padmei** · 24th July 2010, 22:28

Must be someone here that deals in shipping large amounts of stuff that could slip in a few bikes for a slab of beer?

**bart** · 24th July 2010, 22:37

My thoughts are....buy a second hand, fairly unmolested DR over there. Butcher mine for spares and send them over (including the tank????). Ride the tits off it and send back whatever's salvagable

Only problem is, I'll have to keep my DR650 for the next 3 years.

**Phreaky Phil** · 25th July 2010, 08:57

What do you reckon ? What bike would make or could be built into a 2 up TAT bike. Big and heavy will be really hard work in sand or slippery stuff. Smaller and lighter is much easier to handle, but it has to be big enough for 2 + gear for 2. Camping gear ? Big load !

**gav24** · 25th July 2010, 09:01

Hi a friend of mine just shipped a bike (old MX bike) back from the states to NZ it was suprisingly cheap. I think about $700 NZ door to door (or maybe to Tauranga port if he had to pick it up)
So thats less than $1400 if you deliver to and pick up from the US and NZ ports? He used a Firm that usually brings in american cars...
There are also stories I've heard of GP MXers taking whole bikes exluding tyres and plastics to GPs in far off places like Russia and South America, in Suitcases....

Maybe Bart is on to something by taking your own "extras"... (but then again they are usually much cheaper in the US)
If there is enough interest a bulk shipping quote would be cheaper maybe - sure that you could get 2 or 3 DR's in a bike crate designed for one electra-glide

Pencil me in for 2013 though - Thats the sort of notice I need to get saving/planning, would be good if theres a group as well, then I dont have to buy one of those new fangled GPS things - Its all bloody elastic-trickery to me

I think a roll chart is my level of technology

**Waihou Thumper** · 25th July 2010, 09:16

Originally Posted by gav24

I dont have to buy one of those new fangled GPS things - Its all bloody elastic-trickery to me

I think a roll chart is my level of technology

Within a couple of hours you would have it sussed! Read the manual over a coffee or three, play with the buttons and you are away! Spend the 14 hours on the plane getting used to it, track your flight..
Then again, I don't know your level of technology either.... You may be right...

**Phreaky Phil** · 25th July 2010, 09:27

Originally Posted by gav24

Hi a friend of mine just shipped a bike (old MX bike) back from the states to NZ it was suprisingly cheap. I think about $700 NZ door to door (or maybe to Tauranga port if he had to pick it up)
So thats less than $1400 if you deliver to and pick up from the US and NZ ports? He used a Firm that usually brings in american cars...
There are also stories I've heard of GP MXers taking whole bikes exluding tyres and plastics to GPs in far off places like Russia and South America, in Suitcases....

Maybe Bart is on to something by taking your own "extras"... (but then again they are usually much cheaper in the US)
If there is enough interest a bulk shipping quote would be cheaper maybe - sure that you could get 2 or 3 DR's in a bike crate designed for one electra-glide

Pencil me in for 2013 though - Thats the sort of notice I need to get saving/planning, would be good if theres a group as well, then I dont have to buy one of those new fangled GPS things - Its all bloody elastic-trickery to me

I think a roll chart is my level of technology

If he got it landed to his door for $700 then thats a bloody good deal. You can get a price quoted for shipping and that doesnt sound to bad but there a usually a lot of hidden cost and fees that aren't mentioned.

**bart** · 25th July 2010, 10:06

The depreciation of a bike riden by Bart over 5000 miles would probably be more than 2k.

Sending a bike over may be a viable option. At least you could set it up exactly how you want.

**gav24** · 25th July 2010, 20:44

We're off then!
2013 it is.. maybe... erm ....sort of....possibly...

I'll try and find out about shipping from my mate, and post back here.

But 2nd hand bikes are stoopidly cheap in the states - at the moment. One you get off the plane, what do you need to do to ride one legally in the states - Insurance? Registration? WOF?
What about riding an NZ registered bike in the US - If not much for that option then license plates and a Reg/WOF ticket would fit easily in hand luggage

... along with a few choice parts of my DR - would buy a big tank in the US though...

Questions questions?
Pretty bloody keen on 2013 - Dont tell the missus just yet though!