LA-NYC on a Triumph Daytona 675R

"DollaMoneyAve" (DollaMoneyAve)
12/13/2013 at 21:55 • Filed to: None

I'm using my bonus to fly to Los Angeles and purchase a new Daytona R, which I'm going to ride back home to New York. My route is more or less as follows: LA, Vegas, Dallas, North Carolina, D.C., NYC. I only have ten days to complete the trip, which will take place in April.

Basically I'm looking for suggestions plotting the route. Also, if anyone wants to link up for a portion of the ride, let me know so I can try to guilt trip you into letting me sleep on your couch for free.

DISCUSSION (17)

duckpuke > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:00

Gorgeous bike. Wish I had the money to endeavour on such a trip. Where in NC will you be going through?

DollaMoneyAve > duckpuke
12/13/2013 at 22:07

North Carolina has some of the most technical roads in the country, or so I've been told. I don't have a set destination, except maybe North Carolina 215 Between Rosman And Waynesville.

http://jalopnik.com/5888002/ten-gr…

duckpuke > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:13

Nice. I lived in NC for a total of about 7 years, but sadly, on the coast. Wish I lived nearer the mountains when I had my bike.

Destructive Tester > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:40

Gorgeous bike!
If I may make a suggestion for a cosmetic modification (because who doesn't?); if/when you replace the OEM front turn indicators, go with small flush mounts to cover the leftover holes in the fairing along with wiring the small running lamps to flash amber bulbs. It may sound weird but I've seen it and it looks really good On a Daytona!

doodon2whls > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:42

I've always wanted to make a coast to coast ride... Should be fun if you go prepared.

Here is a decent route that links up some of the best riding in CA, AZ, TN, NC, VA, and WV. Take a close look at the route... April can still be chilly on a northerly route, so it's best to take a southerly route.

http://goo.gl/maps/2mhml

Kinja'd!!!

Ortega Hwy, Mt. Palomar, Borrego Springs in CA

Prescott, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon in AZ

Unfortunately, NM, TX, OK, and AR are a bit boring.

Once you get east of Nashville, TN, it gets interesting again...

Head down the Tail of the Dragon, then east to Asheville, then North into Virginia to hit some more mountain roads in the George Washington National Forrest...

Then it's just a blast home on I-81 and I-78 ...

I've hit most of these spots on two wheels individually, but not on one trip... Could be epic.

That should keep you entertained.... ;-)

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:46

It can be really awesome trip on a bike. I did something similar once, only I added in Seattle and Key West, and about 80 more days... I do recommend a shot through Taos, and you will want to check weather as you cross the mountains. I did my trip in September-ish, and I hit snow trying to get to Devil's Tower. I had to run south through Denver, and it sucked. I also recommend a heated vest or jacket. They can be lifesavers. You dont realize how much impact cold hands and fingers can have on your reaction times until it's too late. Also, there are a bunch of roads around Morenci that were really fun. You might also try swinging through Georgia. There used to be a campground called 2 wheels only, and you couldn't through a rock without hitting a awesome road.

DollaMoneyAve > Destructive Tester
12/13/2013 at 22:49

Nope, doesn't sound weird! That's a sound suggestion for any bike that doesn't have the signals integrated into the mirrors. I had a similar set up on my CBR250r — flush mount amber LEDs.

Destructive Tester > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 22:56

The wiring the driving light (the small bulb in the corners of the headlights) as additional indicators is what really does it. I was hanging-out at a buddy's shop when he had the idea while making a Daytona German inspection compliant (the bike had flush mounts but apparently Germany requires the flashers be visible from the front, he was trying to figure-out how to do it and keep the FMs).

DollaMoneyAve > Destructive Tester
12/13/2013 at 23:00

Ah, I see. That's really cool

DollaMoneyAve > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
12/13/2013 at 23:06

Thanks man. You're right about the cold, it makes riding that much more difficult. Bespoke riding gear will be the only clothing I take on the trip. Also, From what I've been reading, GA and NC have an abundance of technical roads to enjoy. If only I had 90 days like you did!

Destructive Tester > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 23:09

It's different and I'm all for anything to make the bike a bit more eye-catching in traffic... Especially when it doesn't cost more than a few bucks.

DollaMoneyAve > Destructive Tester
12/13/2013 at 23:15

Same here. I turned my '02 GSX-R600 into a "streetfighter" for next to nothing. Took off all the plastics, mounted the stock headlight and digital dash using cable ties and tie wire, hid as much of the wires as possible, cut the levers to make home-made shorties, covered the tank and rear sub-frame in manufacturer stickers.

DollaMoneyAve > doodon2whls
12/13/2013 at 23:16

Thanks man, I appreciate that. Definitely going to keep all that in mind.

DollaMoneyAve > Destructive Tester
12/13/2013 at 23:24

Kinja'd!!!

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 23:29

I was really serious about the heated clothing. I can't stress it enough how important it is if you are planning on spending all day on the road.If the temps drop to 50-ish, the wind chill takes it below freezing if I recall. If you need to be on the bike for 8-10 hours your body will burn huge amounts of energy just keeping core temps up. It will wear you out very quickly, and you will start to have problems concentrating on your riding. With a vest or jacket that plugs into the bike, you can also wear less bulky gear, which is also easier to move in and easier to spend lots of time in. I had a VFR back in 90, and in 3 1/2 years I put about 70,000 miles on it. It was my only transportation, and I rode pretty much everywhere on it, rain snow or shine. Snow sucks, hail hurts more. Oh yeah, and about hail? I recommend the hard kevlar armored gloves, it REALLY hurts when loose change size ice starts hitting your fingers.

I got the heated vest about a year and half after I got the VFR, and it made a huge difference in both my comfort and my fatigue levels after a day in the saddle. So trust me on this one, it's not wimping out, it's being smart.

Oh, and the real fun starts when you and your buddies are out on a nice cold day for a ride. When you see them hunched in trying to hide behind the screen, just sit up tall as you pull alongside, wait for them to look, and click the switch on the cord on where they can see it. Priceless.

Destructive Tester > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 23:30

Nice!
I went the supermoto route for my current bike. I had 10 years of motocross experience so I decided what better way to make the transition than to ride a dirt bike on the street? The best way to describe riding a mortard is that it's like a two-wheeled Miata, it's not the fastest thing out there but its a hell of a lot of fun! After 5 years, I'm kind of thinking about going with a 1st gen Street Triple R. I know the newer ones are better bikes, but I just don't like the looks nearly as much as the older ones.

Destructive Tester > DollaMoneyAve
12/13/2013 at 23:30