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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
A friend sent me this today, I thought I'd share it.



Lightweight Motorcycle Travel:



Riding a bike long distances in a manner familiar to our dusty predecessors.

Meaning relatively simple equipment and just enough horsepower to get the job done.

It means crossing state lines on far less than a 500cc worth of propulsion.

It means riding for the sake of riding---almost anything--without worrying about 'keeping up appearances' or having the latest and greatest.

It means going places they haven't. It means having a certain amount of grit, ingenuity, and self-reliance.

It means doing things that some folks sneer at. It means going places they haven't.

It means refining a personal system of travel based on hard experience. It means having a twinkle in your eye. It means being the Gasoline Stranger.

All the 'in front of the bar' posing in the world on a chrome-encrusted-what-have-you, is a sad substitute for surveying a vista you've never seen, or even fixing a decrepit bike in a rainy ditch with a strange creek nearby. Or having to wait overnight for the only gas station to open because it closed at five 5PM.

Lightweight unsupported motorcycle travel means riding a 13 horsepower, 280 pound motorcycle, on a multi-day road trip, without a supply vehicle following behind.

Motorcycles like this encourage a routing bias toward Dirt roads, and two-lane secondary roads when neccessary. In addition to matching their speed capability better, back roads provide a more interesting mile by mile riding environment.
 

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Makes perfect sense to me, and sounds like fun! The only change I would make is a routing bias for dirt roads, 2 lane secondary roads when necessary.



That's a good reminder of what it's all about. Thanks for posting up!
 

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That pretty well sums it up and I couldn't agree more.I just may have that made into a sticker and put it on my bike.

My brother-in -law(T-Bob) and I will be heading out on a 4000/5000 km adventure this coming August clockwise from home to Labrador/NFLD and home again on the mighty T-Dubs keeping to as many back roads as possible.I know he can hardly wait and neither can I.



The only thing I could add to the above description is:



Why??...because I want to and I can.
 

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As that pretty much sums it up for a lot of us, and a lot of us have or will like to travel on our beloved TW's, might I suggest to those who use any type of GPS on their journeys to follow the 'bicycle route'. When travelling overland, there is no better option. It will take you over the mountain rather than around it to save 50yds. And it will never put you on a freeway. TIM
 

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
Hey r80rt, where you at in Arkansas? I've considered doing the TAT this summer some time. Are you going to SLAP or on the Arkansas 500 ride?
I live near Hardy. I won't be able to make the SLAP or 500, It's all I can do to get things together for the TAT. Where are you located?
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Tons of good riding here, nothing like north west Arkansas though. I usually ride about 100 miles to the Blanchard springs area and camp for a few days,and run the roads and trails in that area. My two TW riding buddy's and I will ride down to Scotland and pick up the TAT there, we'll be camping in the White Rock mountain area for a couple of days so we can explore around there too.
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Makes perfect sense to me, and sounds like fun! The only change I would make is a routing bias for dirt roads, 2 lane secondary roads when necessary.



That's a good reminder of what it's all about. Thanks for posting up!
You are so right!, I made that change with apologies to the original author
 

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2nd that. Out of three bikes the TW is the only one ive taken on a trip without trailering it. Did almost 1600 miles in 5/6 days. I would rather take the country roads anyday over the highways and interstates. So much more to see and you get to meet some interesting people
 

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Nice bike or motorcycle routing site.



http://ridewithgps.com/


thanks goldenhtr!...just joined this site...great info and routes...i usually just go out and ride till i get lost then i ride some more till i find a road i know and go home...i have a good internal compass but not so good when it comes to remembering driving directions...good thing there is ocean on 2 sides of my state so i can't wander too far
 
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