[burbansk]

My wife has never been " Out West ". So next year ( End of June 2023 ) We will be going from Northern Lower Michigan through the lower U.P. to Menominee MI. Then to the Menominee Indian Reservation for a brief stop as we continue west to Mount Rushmore. Next will be Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, back up to Deadwood and then return home. We are looking at 5,000 miles on the XCT. This will be a long and expensive trip but you only live once and we are not getting any younger. Estimating being gone 3 weeks or more. Has anyone done this or have suggestions? My 2013 XCT has less than 11,000 miles with new tires, brakes etc. Should be no worries for my Victory.

 

[wvrider1]

Don't know your physical condition but I would want to be in the best shape possible. That's a lot of days in the sun. Fresh oil and make sure the rear is in good shape. Bikes ready.

 

[wvrider1]

First aid kit, Halo jump box/tire inflator. Tire plug kit.

 

[burbansk]

First aid kit, Halo jump box/tire inflator. Tire plug kit.

wvrider1, I do have 3 out of the 4. Don't have a Halo but I do have a different brand inflator.What relay do you guys always have. Is it the starter relay? What about a micro jump - battery charger? Thanks, Bruce

 

[burbansk]

Don't know your physical condition but I would want to be in the best shape possible. That's a lot of days in the sun. Fresh oil and make sure the rear is in good shape. Bikes ready.

I would say I am in good shape for 65. Not buff or built but also not overweight. 6 foot 2 inches 205 pounds. Been riding motorcycles since I was 9 years old. You are right about the sun....... Don't want to burn the little bald spot. LOL

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

I wouldn't think you'd need a battery jump start but your do have a ton of room on a XC so I wouldn't say it's bad to have. I have several but none on the bikes.

With the bike only having 11k on it when you get home it still won't be broken in. Lol! That happens about 20K.

I would watch your tires closely. Making sure they have the live to do 5k. If they don't I'd get fresh ones before leaving.

 

[Army Tanker]

A few years ago when I was stationed in southeast Michigan, I was a member of what was then known as the Great Lakes Road Riders. We took two separate trips from southeast Michigan, first to Mount Rushmore, and later to Colorado.

Mount Rushmore and routes like Needles Highway were really fun. We traveled there the week after the big Sturgis Bike Rally was over. So the t-shirts were really cheap, and we didn't have to contend with a lot of traffic congestion nor wild revelry while out that way. On the way back to Michigan, though, we encountered a lot of rain, and we even had to divert a bit southwards to avoid a bad rain cell that we later learned also had a bad tornado.

Our Colorado Ride was also a lot of fun. We tried to ride up Pikes Peak, the the line of traffic that was waiting to drive up Pikes Peak was ridiculous. Instead, we rode up Mount Evans, which was actually taller and more scenic than Pikes Peak. It was hot at the base of Mount Evans, but it was incredibly cold and very windy atop Mount Evans. We also rode out to a scenic place called The Garden of Stones out in Colorado. Both riding to and returning from Colorado, crossing the high mountain desert was incredibly hot. Very hot. I don't know what the temperature will be like for you in June 2023 while crossing that high mountain desert. I just remember taking a lot of cooling and water stops when we crossed that high mountain desert.

Have fun on your trip out west next summer.

 

[IM12STPN]

My wife has never been " Out West ". So next year ( End of June 2023 ) We will be going from Northern Lower Michigan through the lower U.P. to Menominee MI. Then to the Menominee Indian Reservation for a brief stop as we continue west to Mount Rushmore. Next will be Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, back up to Deadwood and then return home. We are looking at 5,000 miles on the XCT. This will be a long and expensive trip but you only live once and we are not getting any younger. Estimating being gone 3 weeks or more. Has anyone done this or have suggestions? My 2013 XCT has less than 11,000 miles with new tires, brakes etc. Should be no worries for my Victory.

@burbansk ...we've done twice...first time went from Houghton lake, MI up to UP and took route 2 across to Washington, then down along ocean till Northern CA. Turned east and hit all those you listed. (3 weeks, 6700 miles)
2 years later, at wife's request, we did again. But, went south to Natchez Trace, till end, and thru La, TX, AR, NM and back to a few, again on your list. And back home. (30 days, 8400 miles).
3 TIPS:
1. Save more $$ if have to, take the 1 hour helicopter ride around Grand Canyon. You'll see all and it's beautiful. We did both times there.
2. In Colorado check out the Million Dollar HWY. There's a loop that starts at north end we took, parts scary, about 4 inches shoulder, no guard rail, and WAY down. I think only time in 39 years of my wife riding with me she was scared. Views are beautiful.
3. On way home, both times, we went to Manitowoc, WI, and took ferry across to Ludington, MI. Both times got a stateroom, nice to relax...(NOTE: only added a few waves to trip 😁)

PM me if want more tips

 

[rdeerx]

A few years ago, a friend and I went from Florida to Yellowstone and all around that area. Make sure your tires are good, even better if new. . A lot of chip sealed type roads, and they seem to grind down tires quickly. Took me 700 miles to find a tire that I could fit on the rear of a 2001 Nomad. My buddy cut a rear tire on his 2010 XC and ended up putting on an undersized sport bike radial tire to continue. Not even Honda dealers stocking tires for Goldwings(same size as XC) So it can be tough to find a new tire.

 

[topcat]

My wife andi rode from NY STATE to Utah and back this year. We covered 6,320 miles total. She has a 2013 Boardwalk and I have a 2011 Kingpin. I am 77 years old, if we can make a trip like that you can too. Just have fun.

 

[Smokier104]

My wife and I rode from NY STATE to Utah and back this year. We covered 6,320 miles total. She has a 2013 Boardwalk and I have a 2011 Kingpin. I am 77 years old, if we can make a trip like that you can too. Just have fun.

@topcat ,you sir, and your wife, are my heroes and have all my respect. That is awesome. May I be as fortunate...

Ride safe,
Smokier

 

[blackvic13]

That's about 240 miles per day. Nice pace. Time to enjoy the sights. Sounds great to me. Enjoy!

 

[1stVictory]

You are right about the sun....... Don't want to burn the little bald spot. LOL

Wear helmets. Saves on sunburn and your brain underneath in the event of a crash. Buy a SENA helmet communicator so that you and the missus can chat now and again and listen to music together.

Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Communication Systems | Sena

Sena's Bluetooth motorcycle communication systems are among the most advanced on the market. Find the right communications device for your needs here.

www.sena.com

 

[burbansk]

Thank you all for the great info and suggestions. Army Tanker thank you for the cool video's, can not wait to see these things again and to show my wife all of them.

 

[IM12STPN]

@burbansk ...here's MILLION DOLLAR HWY route we took...did half and got motel...finished next day

We started in Ridgeway and went down east side to Cortez...then back up west side. I know ill do again when we go out west, for 3rd time, with friends 2023 or 2024. BUT will start at beginning...

Million Dollar Highway is the most beautiful road of America (dangerousroads.org)

San Juan Skyway traveling through the San Juan Mountains (dangerousroads.org)