Need helps with motorcycle traveling

[Triumph]

thanks for some really great advice! I have been very busy doing some serious reading on advrider forum!

this one is a fascinating read...cross country with a honda cub 70 doing max 35mph!
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716516

if this guy can do it, i am thinking about getting a moped for the trip.

I dont plan to ride more than 300 miles per day.

ADV is a great resource, although if the Honda is what catches your interest, then I don't have much advice to give you!

 

[DaWhim]

ADV is a great resource, although if the Honda is what catches your interest, then I don't have much advice to give you!

that cub? hell no. i would do it in a vespa if on a moped.

Im leaning toward to a KLR650 for a bike.

ninja 250 seems pretty good choice too, but that bike can't seem to hold anything much in the back

 

[Triumph]

that cub? hell no. i would do it in a vespa if on a moped.

Im leaning toward to a KLR650 for a bike.

ninja 250 seems pretty good choice too, but that bike can't seem to hold anything much in the back

I have/had both of those bikes. The newer Ninja 250, redesigned in maybe 2009 or so, I haven't ridden, but the original I found to be a good beginner bike, but it maxed out at about 70 mph on the highway. The KLR is also maxed out around there, but you can do so much more on that bike in terms of terrain, and it feels a lot faster than the 250 due to the torquey nature of the engine. The 250 you really have to wring out to get some power. So I do recommend the 250 as a starter bike, but if you're going to take either of those across country, I think the KLR is a better choice. There is a big aftermarket for it, lots of people take it lots of strange places, and as far as dual sports go it is more highway oriented than most except the uber expensive BMW GS.

I don't know where you're located but the CL ad I posted earlier would be perfect for you:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/2932189286.html

 

[SandEagle]

wrong forum? I didn't know there is a traveling forum here!

its ok, don't worry nothing is going to happen to you. apparently i am the only one that gets infractions for mistakenly creating threads in wrong forums

:\

 

[olds]

I would suggest that you take a motorcycle safety course and get some experience before taking off cross country. Make sure you know what counter-steering is and have some tools to fix a flat on the road and replace headlight bulb.

I need to get a trunk for my bike. I have a soft trunk and a tank bag.

 

[CZroe]

I have/had both of those bikes. The newer Ninja 250, redesigned in maybe 2009 or so, I haven't ridden, but the original I found to be a good beginner bike, but it maxed out at about 70 mph on the highway. The KLR is also maxed out around there, but you can do so much more on that bike in terms of terrain, and it feels a lot faster than the 250 due to the torquey nature of the engine. The 250 you really have to wring out to get some power. So I do recommend the 250 as a starter bike, but if you're going to take either of those across country, I think the KLR is a better choice. There is a big aftermarket for it, lots of people take it lots of strange places, and as far as dual sports go it is more highway oriented than most except the uber expensive BMW GS.

I don't know where you're located but the CL ad I posted earlier would be perfect for you:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/2932189286.html

If your 250 "maxed out" at 70, something was badly wrong with it. General top speed is 105MPH indicated (~95 actual), and I routinely saw 100 indicated in my daily commute for three-plus years.

 

[Triumph]

If your 250 "maxed out" at 70, something was badly wrong with it. General top speed is 105MPH indicated (~95 actual), and I routinely saw 100 indicated in my daily commute for three-plus years.

er, whatever. i may be off in my memory but the engine is spinning pretty good at highway speeds and i'm sure the speedo is off. i'd still rather take the klr across country.

 

[DaWhim]

I have/had both of those bikes. The newer Ninja 250, redesigned in maybe 2009 or so, I haven't ridden, but the original I found to be a good beginner bike, but it maxed out at about 70 mph on the highway. The KLR is also maxed out around there, but you can do so much more on that bike in terms of terrain, and it feels a lot faster than the 250 due to the torquey nature of the engine. The 250 you really have to wring out to get some power. So I do recommend the 250 as a starter bike, but if you're going to take either of those across country, I think the KLR is a better choice. There is a big aftermarket for it, lots of people take it lots of strange places, and as far as dual sports go it is more highway oriented than most except the uber expensive BMW GS.

I don't know where you're located but the CL ad I posted earlier would be perfect for you:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/2932189286.html

my plan is to avoid interstate at all cost, so topping out at 70mph is more than I need.

I like the mpg on that ninja 250! the klr650 is perfect except i am not ready to make the purchase yet. i need a motorcycle endorsement first.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

my plan is to avoid interstate at all cost, so topping out at 70mph is more than I need.

I like the mpg on that ninja 250! the klr650 is perfect except i am not ready to make the purchase yet. i need a motorcycle endorsement first.

I had the '08 250 and IMO the stock seat gets pretty uncomfortable after an hour or so. On the forums I read some of the long distance rides buy an aftermarket seat thats' more comfortable. Something like this:
http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kn250r8f.shtml

Or I think I remember reading about guy just put a some furry rug type thing on his seat if you want to go cheap. Something like a seat cushion.
http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com/servlet/the-template/Buttpads/Page