Flash forward 20 years, the girl is now my wife, we have 2.2 great kids, a mortgage, etc, and call it midlife crisis, or call it finally coming back to my senses, but God help me, I feel like I need to get back on a motorcycle again.

No longer the impulsive type, I pondered for several months, eyeing metric cruisers, but I just can't ever see myself riding with my feet out in front of me.  It's a great position for watching TV, but for me anyway it seems dangerously passive to ride a bike that way.  So I've decided on an FJR1300A.  (Stop laughing, I'm serious and yes I know that an FJR makes almost twice the horsepower than even my race bike did, but I'm older now and have much better urge control than I did back then).

Although I live in Atlanta now, my business takes me all over the country, and one evening I was in Dallas killing time at the local bike shop, bs'ing with the shop guys.  One of them said "You should buy the bike here and ride it back to Atlanta", to which I of course immediately replied "Dude, that's crazy".   You can guess the next part: I've been thinking about that - I don't think that's so crazy anymore.   A) it would give me a chance to shake the rust off fairly quickly, and B) it would be a great ride. 

So here's my (very tentative) plan:  I'll do it this June; pick a spot about 1,000 or so miles away from ATL, jump on a plane with nothing but my helmet, a small duffel bag, and a credit card, and ride the bike back, staying on backroads and highways the whole way. 

Sorry for the long intro, but finally here are just a few of the things that I'd love to hear people's opinions on:

• Where should I buy the bike?  I'm thinking Austin or Dallas (after all it was their idea), and going down to the Gulf Coast, through MS, LA, AL, and up to ATL, but maybe I should look at Key West, or somewhare up north like DC and come down the Blue Ridge Parkway?
• How many miles per day should I plan on?
• What should I bring?
• Any great roads you'd recommend?
• Should I get a GPS or a tank bag with a stack of Google map prints?
• What am I missing?
• And finally, am I crazy?  Is this folly?  Am I going to get 100 miles into this thing and have my back start hurting, my hands going numb, my head exploding?  Am I rustier than I think?  Isn't riding a bike kind of like riding a bike, you never forget?

Please be honest and put it right out there for me.  You won't hurt my feelings.  Thanks everyone.

You said it in your own words.  Don't do it.  You don't mention if you still have a motorcycle endorsement on your license.  If you don't have one, get one.  Take an MSF course.  Get some experience.  Buy a small used bike and get some road time.  Take a few day-long trips and get used to today's traffic.

Even then I'd be cautious about riding a brand new bike that long a distance.  What about break-in?  What do you do when an annoyoing little warranty problem crops up 200 miles from the nearest dealer?  New and returning riders have the greatest instance of crashes and "incidents."  Riding the superslab between 18 wheelers or doing twisties on strange mountain roads isn't a good way to develop good riding habits. 

Think of the children.  Do you want them to go through life pushing dad around in a wheelchair or worse.  Get some training and experience, pay up the life insurance, kiss the wife and kids goodbye, and then take the trip of a lifetime.

Stay safe.

Taking an MSF beginning rider's course sure would be enlightening and probably a good idea too.   After a few months consider the Experienced Rider Course as a follow up. 

On the ride back plan on your first maintenance at about 600 miles and arrange for it beforehand with an appointment.  I'd suggest about 300 miles/day to allow for reaquaintance with two wheels and that style of travel.  Your dirt bike experience will serve you well, but you probably need to update your riding skills, which by now are rusty to say the least.

Keep off the freeways as you're breaking in the new bike, vary the speeds and gear choice often and avoid long stretches at high speed.  Practice paranoia, the cage drivers really are out to get you! 

I'd say go for it.  Just take it easy, stick to the backroads and stop to smell the roses along the way.

Ray Nielsen, in Minneapolis.

I thought the armor and gear went without saying, but then again you don't know me so I guess I shoulda mentioned that I wouldn't ride without it.

Good point about the attention to the gps and map.  Kieth Code always said you've 10 dollars of attention; spend it wisely.  I'll remember your words.

Ride on.

Jim