[assquatch20]

So I'd like to take on the Transamerica Trail this summer. Has anyone been through it on a TW200? The site for the TAT recommends a 400 or larger, but I think we can all agree that we'd like to see a 200 do it.

 

[elime]

I looked at the You Tube videos and I didn't see anything a TW couldn't handle with ease.

 

[WINGNUT200]

Hey I would like some more info on the TAT. I started reading about the cannonball run thing a very long time ago in Car Craft Magazine. I think the newly available Clarke Tank could be an option for this run?? Besides I will be 40 in may and might just take the tour at about 40-45 mph on my 1990 TW.

 

[elime]

I'll be 64 later this year and I too am interested in it. Maybe across Nevada and Oregon?????



http://www.transamtrail.com/



http://www.trailscout.com/index.htm

 

[WINGNUT200]

Thanks for the links on the TAT!! I have to read up on the trail, I ride in MN so I will have to get up to date on the permits and such. I am in college so the earliest I would be ready is about the beginning of June. I will have to throw the bike in the back of my truck and meet in Nevada. Oh yeah my name is Erik. Please keep me up to date on what your thinking about tackling this trail.

 

[darnold87]

It would be great to hear of a TW taking on the TAT!

 

[rm_hm]

On adv I had seen that a stock tw's fuel range will be a problem. Especially if you are taking it slow or hit a dead end or missing bridge and have to backtrack. LINK LINK2 Link 3

You would need to either install a bigger tank or take along a couple of spare cans. Maybe both to be safe. A front cyclerack on the tw makes a fine spot to tie a tow rope

Gas is plentiful in the eastern sections of the Trans-Am Trail with nothing over 100-miles between available fuel stations, with an average of every 60-miles in-between stations. One day in Nevada is 180-miles for gas between available fuel stations. It's important that you review your TAT-Maps each night, locate the fuel stops on the TAT-Maps and plan your fuel stops for the following days ride. Be aware, if you get a late start and are riding at night, some fuel stations may not be open. When in doubt, be sure to fill up your tank when it reaches a half tank. Many areas of the trail are remote - do not wait until your tank is almost empty before thinking to refuel

 

[carmwes]

Great Topic! I actually did 1000 Miles of the TAT, OK.N.M. & CO. on a fairly stock TW last summer. Yes, had the Clarke tank, 2 Sigg Bottles of extra fuel, that I never needed. Farthest between gas for this trip for me was 128 miles. 47T rear sprocket, OEM rear rack, and carried all my camping gear. Stock jet's and all. Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass were fun! (I broke this bike in on Pikes Peak the summer before) Was great seeing all on a slow bike. No problems. Did ride some slab back to OK. a bit Buzzy of course at 60mph. (CO.Hwy.160)

So Eric, have you bought the Sections of Maps from Sam that you want to ride? I had a GPS, never used it. had the roll charts, checked them against the maps and took those with me. Would like to do more of it this Summer. Oh yea, I'm 56 and Retired, so no time constraints.

Need any info on camping gear or whatever, Ask. You can do any of the TAT and then do any of it you don't, side trips, etc. Just have fun.

 

[darnold87]

So TW's have gone on the TAT! Sweet!

 

[assquatch20]

Well now that I'm thinking there's no trouble spots a TW couldn't handle, the plan is for the full ride. East to West. Once I get to the end I'll take backroads down to Arcata, California to see a friend. It seemed like a perfect excuse for a great ride, seeing a friend, and getting the TW across the country without having to overthink what route to take so that I don't end up on some freeway.



That's the primary concern, though. I'll probably keep stock gearing for a lot of the rough stuff and the bike will be packed down a bit, so I don't want to end up on any road that's posted over 55 if I can help it. I'm hoping the TAT will steer me clear of that, but it's not mentioned on the site anywhere.



As for gas I may get the clarke tank, but I'll definitely have one or two MSR bottles and another gallon in a rotopax or kolpin. I think with this and the right planning I should be fine.



I'm also hoping to find what free camping spots may be available along the way. I don't really intend to stay indoors for the trip.

 

[sinophilia]

You make me dream just by looking at the maps. But I'm stuck here with other 500 people per sq mi

 

[WINGNUT200]

Great Topic! I actually did 1000 Miles of the TAT, OK.N.M. & CO. on a fairly stock TW last summer. Yes, had the Clarke tank, 2 Sigg Bottles of extra fuel, that I never needed. Farthest between gas for this trip for me was 128 miles. 47T rear sprocket, OEM rear rack, and carried all my camping gear. Stock jet's and all. Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass were fun! (I broke this bike in on Pikes Peak the summer before) Was great seeing all on a slow bike. No problems. Did ride some slab back to OK. a bit Buzzy of course at 60mph. (CO.Hwy.160)

So Eric, have you bought the Sections of Maps from Sam that you want to ride? I had a GPS, never used it. had the roll charts, checked them against the maps and took those with me. Would like to do more of it this Summer. Oh yea, I'm 56 and Retired, so no time constraints.

Need any info on camping gear or whatever, Ask. You can do any of the TAT and then do any of it you don't, side trips, etc. Just have fun.

Kind of wondering about maintaining my chain along the way I have tried the super greasy and the clear coat. I dunno?

 

[admiral]

Assquatch20,



I think this would be a wonderful trip. As you already know, there are many sites, and riders who have done this trip, all with great information. Above Rich made mention of one link with 'Questor" I think. Good read.



Though they don't use TW200's, another good read from Advrider Forum is the Mobius Trip by Dr. Rock and his wife. They started the Mobius Trip on the TAT in 2008. Every year they ride for about 2 weeks in May, and then another 2 weeks in Aug/Sep. They have a ton of great info from planning; maintenance; camera/electronics; places to stay etc. Wonderful photo's as well. As their trips progressed, they include now alot of video. Much of it I skip, but it's still pretty cool stuff.



I originally started reading their thread because the first part of their trip was the TAT and I had know idea what that meant. I have been hooked on their Mobius Trip ever since. Here is the Mobius Trip link.





Mobius link



Good luck on your trip and I can't wait to see the ride report(s).



P.S. I was also interested in just finding out what "Mobius" meant.

 

[sswhite]

Hey, Tony, I'm planning the west portion of lthe TAT, starting late Aug of '11, on my tw200. I'll B 69 years then, but quite brave! Steve, (Clinton, Wa.)

 

[TW2007]

If you are thinking about doing the TAT here is an excellent resource:

This site talks about the TAT, there are ride reports, TAT resources and much more.



TAT Website



The biggest problem that is developing on the TAT is-- with growing popularity of the TAT and the fact that sections of the TAT travel through private lands-some land owners now do not like this traffic. Many of the complaints come from trespass, littering, the building of fires during no burn time periods, damage to property, harassment of livestock, etc. I had a talk with Nevada and Oregon BLM employees last summer in Sumpter, Oregon (who are avid off-road riders-they were riding the OBDR). They shared this information with me and stated that complaints from farmers and ranchers are on the rise.





Mike



PS-Just saw Tony posted the link several threads above-OOPs

 

[[email protected]]

reading all the posts about the tat now ya got me wanting to go do the arkansas/oklahoma section

 

[elime]

Nothing to do with the TAT but it is an adventure series on YouTube of some Brits that ride from London to Capetown, South Africa on BMWs.



I know, a little off topic but it is interesting.



Chapter 1-1:

http://www.youtube.c...y+down+1-1&aq=0