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Average Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2008 5:08:30 AM
Posts: 548,
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I keep reading write ups from people that have flown to XYZ and joined a bike tour/trip. Such places include Utah, California, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, the Alps, etc.
My questions are:
If you were to take one of these trips, would you go outside of the country? If not, why?
And if you have or will do one of these trips which one and how did you choose?
Does anyone have first hand experience with a bike touring company based in Alaska?
I can see in the next couple of years having the ability to do this so I would appreciate any advice you can give. No matter where the tour is to be, I should start planning soon. That's why I am looking for destination input and trip advice.
Thanks for you input..
The "Z" MAN
BMW R1100R
Honda Shadow 1100 (4 sale)
The "Z" MAN - North Carolina
1995 BMW R1100R - MOA #115950
Olympia, Scorpion, Gerbings, & Alpinestars
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/1/2007 7:51:20 PM
Posts: 374,
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I've never done one of these but I certainly find myself dreaming about them in say February. And given that timing, I always
wish I had the time/coin to go to New Zealand. Since they are in the southern
hemisphere their summer is our winter, handy
that. An from what I've seen of the south island when I was there a few years back, it has to have some of the best motorcycle roads in the world. Alaska is great too
but from the folks I've talked to unless you like gravel, the options are more limited. Also, their summer is our summer and that time of year, there are already about 30 places I'd like to ride to if I had the time, I don't need to be spending mega-bucks to fly and rent. One other thing about New Zealand, since it's about the size of California (north and south islands) distances to just about anything are a few
under miles, not thousands. You can literally go from a tropical rain forest-type
setting to an Alps-type setting within a day.
When I hit the lottery I'll be living stateside from May-Oct. and then in Kiwi land
Nov-April. Bonus Round: I speak their language (well, pretty close anyway).
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Advanced Member
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 2:39:21 PM
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New Zealand is on my dream/wish list. I would like to spend a month on each island. A nice BMW GS to ride around would be perfect. Maybe the magazine would send me as a guest rider? Hint Hint. 
Torqueman
Battle Creek, MI
Goldwing 03
Torqueman
Battle Creek, MI
V-Strom 06
Goldwing 03
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Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 5:48:02 PM
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do the most rigorous ones now before you are too old and simple minded.
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/14/2005 6:45:52 AM
Posts: 274,
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I like ibafran's advice. I'm into my 50's and took the Elite tour of Moab Utah, and while I thought I was a fairly good dirt bike rider, I found that even Mike (Elite's owner and guide) who is a few years older than I am, wanted to ride much harder (faster) than I usually do (or at least do now).
My friend that went with me, a few years younger, didn't have any problems, but these guys wanted to see the entire state in a short time, but my old body liked checking the views. Slower.
Take the rough ones while the body can still take it. Catches up faster than you think.
Have you seen the one in SE Asia? That would have been one I would have taken a few years ago... Damn old age...
No bike needs more than 2 cylinders...
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2008 5:08:30 AM
Posts: 548,
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I agree with all of the points being made here. The way I got my BMW was from my Godfather who passed away. He and I were always gonna do "xyz" and thought we would always have time to as well. One day he called and said, "I was just told I have liver cancer," and had two months to live.
The point, I need to do it now. Not only before my body and mind are off the deep end, but before something comes along to change my life entirely. My godfather was only 55.
The "Z" MAN
BMW R1100R
Honda Shadow 1100 (4 sale)
The "Z" MAN - North Carolina
1995 BMW R1100R - MOA #115950
Olympia, Scorpion, Gerbings, & Alpinestars
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/1/2008 5:59:23 PM
Posts: 124,
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Alaska is on my "to do" list for 2007. I haven't yet decided whether to ride all the way there or fly out and rent/buy a dual sport; it'll be a joint decision between me and my touring partner.
As for the other countries, I'd love to do New Zealand and the Alps. My touring partner rode across NZ some years ago and said it's wonderful. I've got another good riding friend who was born & raised in Germany and goes back there frequently - he's got the use of a couple R1100RT's that his uncle owns.
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