25,000 Mile, 8 Month Adventure

For those who may be interested, a young fellow (30 or so?) named Bill Dwyer from Phoenix has just (4 days ago) set out on what is estimated to be an 8 month, 25,000 mile road trip - on his Kawasaki KLR - through all of Latin America. Right now he's still in the States, heading to St. Louis, then Chicago, from where he will begin his southward headed journey.

He's video blogging the entire trip, with updates nearly every day. If you'd like to tune in, his website is www.atlasrider.com

I'm enjoying the vicarious adventure myself.

Sweet. I had a buddy who rode through all of Central and South America on his BMW. I think he put 125k miles in 3 years just riding through the area.

I haven't said much on this site but had mentioned some time ago that I would be riding from Central Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. Well it's getting closer. I have done the following to prepare: air cleaner, belt,battery and rear tire all new. Valves will be adjutsed soon. Anyone have video on that or I'll just take it to a shop? Also looking for a chrome extention for the front fender (i.e. mud flap) to deflect stones.
Travel gear is about the same as the Montana trips of the last few years. but I have added the camping basics: sleeping bag, mat, tent etc. Suggestions? This where you tell me to stay home or get my head examined. 04 sw 18000miles
Nomad

Nomad, considering I've put about 25k miles in 11 months on my 04 Swing, AND I'm a psychologist, I'd say your head is probably just fine. Just know that if you start listening to the radio stations and you eventually realize that you never brought any music with you, that's when it might be time to pull over and take a nap.

nomad wrote:

Well it's getting closer. I have done the following to prepare: air cleaner, belt,battery and rear tire all new.

Do you need any additions or modifications to the seat for prolonged use??

As I started riding I found I needed to relax my hand more so I bought the Wrist Rest ( http://www.hognutz.com/grips-throttle/188/ ). The Wrist Rest really helped, especially on long rides.

As I rode a little bit longer I found I needed more seat comfort so I purchased an Alaskan Sheepskin. The Alaskan Sheepskin really helped and I found I was cooler with less sweat by the sheepskin.

As I rode longer rides, I found I still needed a little more seat comfort, so I added an AirHawk air cushion under the Alaskan Sheepskin ... which totally resolved all seat issues together.

As I rode all day I found my back would feel it after a long day ride, so I added a Utopia Backrest ... with the seat modification and the backrest it is like riding in a big Laz-Boy. I can ride all day with no seat or back discomfort.

So it helps to test your length of rides and your comfort level.

nomad wrote:

Valves will be adjutsed soon. Anyone have video on that or I'll just take it to a shop?

I wish someone would take a video or pictorial of this ;-)

nomad wrote:

Also looking for a chrome extention for the front fender (i.e. mud flap) to deflect stones.

http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=833&str=0

You might want to call to get the measurements ... and it might be able to formed to the Silverwing.

Hammy wrote:

I'm a psychologist, I'd say your head is probably just fine. Just know that if you start listening to the radio stations and you eventually realize that you never brought any music with you, that's when it might be time to pull over and take a nap.

Hammy have you heard voices before

Nope, but my friend did on a long rally due to dehydration - we both work in the mental health field and he just found it fascinating to realize he was experiencing auditory hallucinations.

Closest I've come is feeling like those beautiful green rolling hills on Route 68 in West Virginia were flowing like a painting and that I was a part of the painting. Granted, I was operating on 3 hours of sleep and had been awake for 33 hours straight at the time.

Dehydration is definitely nothing to be trifled with, to be sure.

Thanks for your suggestions I wear ear plugs so if the voices get really loud I'll know what to do. If I start having conversations with myself I'll check in some where. Oh wait I do that already..... never mind.

As for the orginal seat it's been ok so far. I use a sheep skin that is a modified car seat cover it was a gift in the early 80's from New Zealand and is still very confortable.
I'll be leaving in a month and so far have stops in Bozeman, Portland OR, Ft Lewis WA and plans to visit Vancouver Is, maybe Jasper Alberta if I haven't exchanged the scoot for a bus ticket home by then. I'm 64 now and have no more hurry in me so it will take a while.

nomad wrote:

If I start having conversations with myself I'll check in some where.

If I start having conversations with yourself ... do you answer yourself??

If you do not answer then you should be checked out Asking yourself a question and knowing you are not going to answer

If you do answer yourself, then you are a two-way conversation

For very complex problems I find that I if ask myself the question out loud this to be very helpful it helps me a different thought process ... then I come up with a completely different alternative answer.

I'm not schizophrenic, and neither am I.