Going to San Diego solo

F2second_wife · 09-20-2006, 12:30 AM

This is my first post on Fireblades so hello to all. Im from Wisconsin and in the Navy, soon to be traveling to San Diego for my duty station with my CBR F2. I consider myself to be quite a good driver, but that's just me...

I am extreemly excited about this trip, and have purchased some items to make it easier including rear saddle bags, tank bag, new helmet and riding pants. I was planning on strapping a medium size bag on the rear too.

I have a new tires, clutch, chain, air filter, front bearings and the oil has only 20 miles on it.

What advice would you give to a younger rider making a solo trek 2300 miles across the US.

If you'd like to look, i have a yahoo map ploted out with my travel plans.

i was planing on:
Tuesday Night: Kansas City with an old family friend
Wednesday Night: Colorado Springs with my cousin i havent seen in years
Thursday night: Not sure
Friday Night: Vegas with my ill grandparents
Saturday morning tour the hoover dam and then hook up with my friend in San Diego that night where i'd park the bike and recoop from an expected sore posterior and left shoulder. Good thing I bought a Throttlemiester bar ends kit. They work awesome after you meticulously fine tune the level of friction to be perfect.

LINK t map: Yahoo! Maps, Driving Directions, and Traffic

Also, any routes you'd recommend I take, or not let me know. Additionally, if you know of any of those roads where i'm gauranteed to not see the police on, i'd love to know. Im not planning on crazy fast, just a nice tip to know. I dont think my bike would appreciate continuous high speed driving, let alone triple digit. The drag strip is enough, as the shattered clutch plates explained to me last year(original 1991 clutch).

Thanks to all who respond!

Eric Drescher
USN, IC FA

If you myspace, i've got pics on there, feel free to add me:
www.myspace.com/23257257

ConqSoft · 09-20-2006, 12:34 AM

(And congrats on being the 12,000th member.)

BDA116 · 09-20-2006, 12:45 AM

Wow, taking the long way - but scenic - route through CO, AZ and UT, eh?
I'll be honest with you, that route is NOT something you really want to do at night. If you're looking for a place to stay Thursday, look at making it a shorter day and stay in Durango, or at the Four Corners area.
Head out early and do the leg to Vegas during the day.
Not really trying to scare you, but that stretch across northern AZ is completely desolate. If you were to run into any problems at night you could go a long time before finding any help.
The part leading into Page at the south end of Lake Powell on the border is very scenic, as is the drive from Page to Kanab through Zion Nat'l Park, St.George and the canyon leaving St.George back into AZ. The rest of the ride into Vegas you'll be fighting to stay awake.
Have fun.

navydevildoc · 09-20-2006, 1:38 AM

Cool bro! Welcome to the madness.

You will love it out here in San Diego. The JPJ isn't that bad of a ship by reputation, so you should have an OK time there.

As far as your route, any particular reason you don't want to go from Colorado thru Utah to Vegas?

Red Rider · 09-20-2006, 7:09 AM

Bring good, quality rain gear. When are you planning on leaving? In another month or so the weather could become a major factor.

F2second_wife · 09-20-2006, 7:22 AM

Im leaving next tuesday. I was going to print out some alternative routes incase the weather turns for the worse or snow is in the works out west. Not that i dont like adventure, but I dont like going off the mountain...

I have some rain gear, but I dont know how well it'll work. I got it from my friend.

FrenchieR6 · 09-20-2006, 7:31 AM

and have a safe ride

HondaGalToo · 09-20-2006, 7:33 AM

and thanks for your service!

Being on the east coast, I have no suggestions for routes. Take a toolkit, and a few things extra, like small jumper cables, zip ties, duct tape, wire, a small container for gas if you run out and have to hike to get some (not all gas stations sell gas cans anymore). Any other things you can think of that might help you keep going if anything comes loose. Also, one of those small tire patch kits, with the little canisters for filling a tire. Extra pair of gloves, rain gear as already mentioned. Extra bungee cords can't hurt. Make sure your luggage is securely strapped, and check it periodically. I've seen stuff come loose and get caught in the chain/tires. Not a pretty sight.
Make sure you have both a clear and tinted visor. (or sunglasses if you'll use only a clear visor). Maybe pack an extra bike key. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Have a great trip, that's an awesome adventure! Keep us posted on how things are going!

Mojave954 · 09-20-2006, 8:09 AM

To cali and the board. Join up our Miltary section, Motorpool.

Also, the board below has many people in SD. Stay away from the man in my avatar. He likes to "touch" Navy people and especially short Marines.

Sportbikeswest.com

booracer · 09-20-2006, 8:26 AM

have a safe trip and take pictures to post here

F2second_wife · 10-02-2006, 11:44 PM

So I made it out here okay, of course without any mechanical problems. It's a honda! Oil is still clean, not a problem I encountered and she handled quite well even with the moderate elevation changes (highest of around 8000ft i believe) and temerpatures. There was only once that I recall the bike felt sluggish and that was going west on I-8 during the last 100 mile stretch in the mountains. She didnt feel very strong in sixth gear in comparison to the fun riding I had around Flagstaff and southern colorado.

Im not gonna lie, the long hours on the bike and the fact that i drove around 2400 miles in five solid days of riding... that sucked. It was definitly an experience i'll never forget though. I did drop my wife's digital camera back in Iowa and lost my wallet in New Mexico too. I honestly think that creepy dude that was asking me for spare money before I even had my helmet off took my wallet. I stoped at some gas station, I think it was called "mustang" in Giant, NM and this guy was asking me for money, i was on the left side of the bike, open the tank bag, which was loaded to the max, and I had the wallet on the right side. I think that it fell out and he picked it up without me noticing. I kinda put that one together after the fact and I freaked out and started to have a nervous break down... Thank god for wesetern Union.

Well i'll write more later, gonna go

Eric

booracer · 10-03-2006, 12:05 AM

Sorry you had to run into an a$$hole of a thief, but glad you made it without much problems. Welcome to SoCal...

SomeStrangeGuy · 10-03-2006, 1:21 AM

Glad to hear you made it, that sounds like a helluva trip to take in 5 days

Oldschoolcbr · 10-03-2006, 3:06 AM

Congrats on the succesful adventure. What kind of tires were you running, and how did they hold up?

F2second_wife · 10-04-2006, 3:41 PM

As to tires, I have a Dunlop Sportmax on the rear, new as of July, which held up just fine. The front I replaced right before I left due to some minor dry rot in the tread patern with the newer generation of the sportmax's. I can't quite recall what the model name is.

Good times on the bike, now getting it on base is turning out to be a

and the rules are

so yeah. Arggg on that one. Anyone from the san diego bases if you have some info on how i can take the course let me know. No one at Coronado knows.

Gotta love the military, nobody knows.

navydevildoc · 10-04-2006, 4:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F2second_wife

As to tires, I have a Dunlop Sportmax on the rear, new as of July, which held up just fine. The front I replaced right before I left due to some minor dry rot in the tread patern with the newer generation of the sportmax's. I can't quite recall what the model name is.

Good times on the bike, now getting it on base is turning out to be a

and the rules are

so yeah. Arggg on that one. Anyone from the san diego bases if you have some info on how i can take the course let me know. No one at Coronado knows.

Gotta love the military, nobody knows.

You can either take the Navy-ran MSF course, which is usually taught down on Imperal Beach NOLF, or you can go to a civilian course. Either way you are going to get your little card, as well as a pink slip to take to the DMV to get your motorcycle license.

If you want the Navy course, you have to run a chit asking to attend. It's considered permissive no-cost TAD. Then, you have to go to CNRSW Motorcycle & Traffic Safety Classes and see what's available. You want the Basic Rider's course. Talk to your LPO or instructors about it, since I think you said you are in C school right now.

To get stickers, Base Police are going to want to see that you have a Motorcycle endorsement on your license, so if you don't have one will you need to get a new California license with the endorsement. After you have that, take your license, CAC card, MSF card, registration, and proof of insurance to pass and decal and you will be good to go.

Once you sign up for the class and get a sheet confirming it, you can usually get a 30 day temporary pass for the bike until you go to the safety training.

Hope this helps, If you run into any snags shoot me a PM.

N23 · 10-05-2006, 3:09 AM

Welcome! Take some pics!!!!

*ride2wheel4life* · 01-15-2007, 8:52 PM

so how do you like san diego? are you at coronado? or 32st?

F2second_wife · 01-15-2007, 11:34 PM

So far I love and hate San Diego. This cold spell sucks, but seems like the whole country is experiencing it. And you tell me Global Warming doesn't exist.

I broke my leg in October and had some problems with my attending my second C school because my start date was on my day of surgery. I am going to be in a C school soon and then report to the John Paul Jones - DDG 53. Other than that the bike is running awesome since my friend shane did a complete tuneup including cleaning and syncing the carbs and a bunch of other minor stuff. I haven't posted any pics so here they are.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...mexicotown.jpg
This was taken in a small town gas station south of Colorado Springs. 86 Octane or #2 Diesel. Choose your poison.<P>

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ikearrival.jpg
This was taken when I arrived in San Diego at my buddies place.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...onAirstrip.jpg
This is what it looks like now with the much better Two Brother pipe. Don't mess with me, we roll with bikes and helo's.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...frombalboa.jpg
Here's a shot from Balboa Park into downtown San Diego.