Last thing you want to see on a motorcycle road trip

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
03/16/2020 at 10:30 • Filed to: None

When I last left you I was in death valley. From there I headed up through Nevada and on to Reno. My whole goal was to avoid Mt. Shasta on I5 and make it into Klamath falls to see family.

Unfortunately for me, the Sierras were hit with a major winter storm and snow happened from Sequoia all the way up to Washington. Turned out every road I could possibly take to get back to Portland looked like this one, even if I went way out of my way and avoided Klamath.

So, I had to go for it. What other option did I have? Here’s a clue:

De-hance!

Enhance!

Ended up storing the bike in Reno and renting this. Magically (see what I did there? Because warlock? Ha ha), I didn’t drink a bunch of bud light, start wearing wife beaters, or hit my girlfriend. It was actually a bare bones rental spec, but it had 4wd and did just fine.

Side note, heated insoles are the best thing ever.

DISCUSSION (20)

TheRealBicycleBuck > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 10:39

Smart move. Stay safe.

Mercedes Streeter > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 10:44

Can confirm, riding in the snow is one of the most rectum clenching things you can do. Riding in ice is even worse! I almost crashed a bike into my own car doing that. lol

Wait, why didn't you load the bike into the truck?

WilliamsSW > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 10:47

Excellent choice! I expected to see the bike in back of the truck, but you can go b ack for that later.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Mercedes Streeter
03/16/2020 at 10:51

Wait, why didn’t you load the bike into the truck?

This is a crucial piece of information.

shop-teacher > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 11:02

Smart!

Heated insoles? I didn't know that was a thing.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Mercedes Streeter
03/16/2020 at 11:12

Well it would be kinda difficult to pick up the bike and put it in the bed. I dont imagine the rental company would be keen to help him in this endeavor either. Would need some ramps (buy wood from home depot) at least but I still dont think this would be a simple one-person task.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 11:13

“California doesnt have weather”

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 11:58

You come to realize how the Donner party happened when you get into a snow storm in the Sierra’s. It’s like hell, 1 foot per hour level snow fall.

Mercedes Streeter > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2020 at 12:44

It’s possible, but wouldn’t be easy . Took two burly blokes to lift my 600 pound Suzuki into the bed of a truck two weekends ago when it broke down an hour from home.

You also could (i n theory) do it yourself with a cheap set of ramps from HF, assuming one is nearby and open.

And when all else fails, find a rental with a tow package or tow ball, then hook up a U-Haul trailer.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Mercedes Streeter
03/16/2020 at 12:44

The only exception to this is riding on a prepared ice track with spike tires. With good ice and good spikes the grip is amazing. Hella fun

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Mercedes Streeter
03/16/2020 at 14:30

What wrong wheel drive said. Didn't want to chance messing something up. Rental car companies don't allow towing trailers. Uhaul allows towing their own trailers, which I looked into, but then I'd be driving a box truck with one wheel drive through nasty snow. Same story for just putting the bike into the box truck. Big pass on those options. And the option I chose is half the price of the uhaul/trailer option, and more fun!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/16/2020 at 14:30

Yup! Didn't want to chance it. I've didn't plenty of days experiencing mountain snowfall and it can be real bad real fast.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > shop-teacher
03/16/2020 at 14:31

Cycle gear sells them. They're magical.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2020 at 14:31

Just that monsoon on Thursday and one hell of a blizzard. But yeah, no weather!

Mercedes Streeter > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 16:55

Fair enough! lol I hate having a vehicle left somewhere so I would have figured something out even if it broke someone’s policy xD

I take it the U-Haul you looked into didn’t have pickups. Still have to pay mileage, but wouldn’t be a big chonky box truck.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 17:13

plus its an excuse for another trip now! And its not like you need the bike at home to make it to work. Might have a few other options lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/16/2020 at 17:14

Its monsooning again today. Its windy and downpouring. And I decided it would be a great idea to walk from one building to another. I am soaked for the rest of the day.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Mercedes Streeter
03/16/2020 at 17:52

They did have pick-ups, but not for long distance one way. That was my favorite option.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2020 at 17:53

Lol yeah just one or two options

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2020 at 17:54

Well hey at least you know you won't have wildfires for at least another week!