Total mileage: 1510 (approximate)
The odometer on the FZ1 disagreed with Google Maps by about 90 miles. The Yamaha recorded a little over 1600 miles for the whole trip.
Overall this was a better trip than last year. We got home safely without any unplanned overnights and only one minor mechanical issue. A few of the lessons learned from last year still apply:
- Bring enough tools to replace a spark plug, jump a dead battery, and deal with other minor mechanical issues.
- Take care of any mechanical issues before embarking on a trip. Trips have a way of shaking out mechanical problems.
- Leave a rest day at the end of the trip for unpacking and maintenance.
- Do not expect everything to go perfectly. Murphy loves bike trips.
Additionally I found it is a good idea to be familiar with the local motorcycle shops in the area in which one is traveling. Having a tow card is only useful if there is someplace nearby to take a dead bike.
Also it's handy to have shorter backup routes planned in case there are delays for any reason, mechanical or otherwise. And remember to stop for photos! It can seem like a pain to stop all the time, especially when pressed for time. But the photos are really the only thing one has to remember the trip by.
I was left wondering if it is wise to go on longer road trips with bikes over 10 years old and/or with 10s of thousands of miles. Open question. One would think a well-maintained bike owned by a mechanically savvy person would be reliable under most circumstances, even with high miles. But it seems like there are always surprises.
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