Solo Ride Coast To Coast- California To South Carolina (and back)

[Boat]

I guess I should start a thread about my upcoming trip I have been planning for a few months now. I plan to leave May 25th from the Bay Area, California and ride all the way to Charleston, South Carolina. I'll take my time on Route 66 and then whichever route I so choose after that. I'm optimistically thinking I'll do 400-500 miles a day and either stay in a motel or set up a tent somewhere decent. I have 3 weeks off from work so it's no rush.

My previous motorcycle was a 2018 MT-09, which I absolutely loved. But it was not suited for this trip. I sold it and did some research on a good long-haul motorcycle. The Super Tenere kept popping us as a recommended ride, so I decided to get one. I've had pretty much every make of motorcycle over the years, but I've always been a Yamaha fanboy.

The bike is a 2012 model and only had 16,000 miles on it. I purchased it from the original owner who did some really nice upgrades. So far I've put about 500 miles on it. Coming from my MT09, this bike felt very heavy and tall when I first got it. I've since then lowered the seat and have become very comfortable with it. All the fluids are changed and a new air filter is installed. I also just installed a set of Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires and it now feels very planted and agile in the turns. I hope they last me all the way there and back...We'll see.

I'll try to post pics and updates while on my journey. I've made a few changes since I got it. Here is a current pic of the bike and a list of modifications.











2012 Yamaha Super Tenere
Penske 8983 rear shock
Traxxion Dynamics Axxion AK20 fork cartridges
SW Motech Crash Guard
Delkevic X-Oval Titanium Carbon Slip On Exhaust
Puig Touring Windscreen/MRA Vario Windscreen
Madstad Adjustable Windscreen Bracket
Yamaha OEM Side Panniers
Seat Concepts seats
Grunt Sports 42L Top Case
Altrider Rack
Yamaha Bash Plate
Yamaha Wind Wings
Oxford Heated Grips
Tech Spec Tank grips
Pro Taper (Banshee) handle bars
Garmin Zumo XT GPS
2Wheel Dynoworks ECU Flash
Super Bright LED headlights
Yamaha Super Tenere Tank Bag
Ogio Tail bag
Dunlop Trailmax Mission Tires
LED Light bar
Custom Decals

 

[Sierra1]

Wow, that's gonna be a hell of a trip. Love the flag decals. Safe travels.

 

[SilverBullet]

Have a good trip. I would check if your CCT has been updated and if not replace it upon your return or before. OEM Gen 1 CCT's have failed in the 40-50K mile range. If it does fail usually requires major engine work.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

 

[Boris]

Bike looks good, trip sounds great! I’m sure you’ll have a good time.

And, I do, often!

 

[Cycledude]

Unless a tire suffers some sort of road hazard your Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires should make that trip very easily !
I currently have a set on my Tenere with 19,000 miles on them, been to Prudehoe bay Alaska and back and there appears to be at least another 3,000 miles left. I’m planning to remove them by the end of May and install another new set of TrailMax Missions.

 

[Sparko]

Sounds like a fun trip.
Make sure the bike doesn't have any open recalls.

Gen 1 new recall

OldRider posted the recall report above but I could not get it to scroll down. Here is a link to the report: NHTSA Recall No. : 18V-695 --> link This is a new recall, the tentative schedule is in the NHTSA recall report 18V-695. It probably takes some time to get the VINs identified and into...

yamahasupertenere.com

 

[Madhatter]

400 to 500 miles day are doable but taxing , its ok to do a 200 mile rest day if needed . fatigue is the enemy of safety . good riding and good pictures .
the weather has been a bit "spring storms that will up root your life" , be alert .

 

[thughes317]

400 to 500 miles day are doable but taxing , its ok to do a 200 mile rest day if needed . fatigue is the enemy of safety . good riding and good pictures .
the weather has been a bit "spring storms that will up root your life" , be alert .

Agreed. With several cross country trips under my belt, I finally settled on a comfortable (and sustainable) pace of 250-300 miles per day. Off the slab that translates to @ 6 hours, meaning I can sleep past the ass crack of dawn, take my time getting on the road, stop and see some sights along the way, and get my miles in by late afternoon /early dinner time.

Obviously, sprinkling in some slab time can eat distance when there's nothing to see or you want to just crank the miles. The first couple of days are always the toughest on me until my ass hardens up and saddle time becomes enjoyable.

Have a great trip!

 

[Boat]

Sounds like a fun trip.
Make sure the bike doesn't have any open recalls.

Gen 1 new recall

OldRider posted the recall report above but I could not get it to scroll down. Here is a link to the report: NHTSA Recall No. : 18V-695 --> link This is a new recall, the tentative schedule is in the NHTSA recall report 18V-695. It probably takes some time to get the VINs identified and into...

yamahasupertenere.com

Thanks, the recalls were completed by the previous owner. I wasn't even aware of it and he was kind enough to mention it to me.

 

[ncpkwyrider747]

That sounds like a great coast to coast trip. I also plan to do one on my 23 Super T.....hopefully next year. I would be interested in knowing what route you take since I haven't begun planning mine yet. Safe travels.

 

[Boat]

I got my order from Eastern Beaver today. I would have had it sooner, but he shipped it signature required and I work long hours. I got the Aux connector and the Y-splitter. Now I can install my Garmin Zumo XT and my LED light bar...

I'm still deciding on which items to pack and what gear I'm going to wear. I can't decide between my Aerostich Roadcrafter one piece or my Aerostich Darien 2 piece suit. Both have their advantages/disadvantages. I leave in exactly one week and the anticipation is building!

It's gonna be hard to focus at work this week...

 

[cyclemike4]

I got my order from Eastern Beaver today. I would have had it sooner, but he shipped it signature required and I work long hours. I got the Aux connector and the Y-splitter. Now I can install my Garmin Zumo XT and my LED light bar...

I'm still deciding on which items to pack and what gear I'm going to wear. I can't decide between my Aerostich Roadcrafter one piece or my Aerostich Darien 2 piece suit. Both have their advantages/disadvantages. I leave in exactly one week and the anticipation is building!

It's gonna be hard to focus at work this week...

Anticipation! I understand that. I had to use all my vacation time last year for home repairs and family matters. I have no trips planned yet this year but I do hope to get out and explore new places. I am sure it won't be coast to coast. Enjoy the trip and stay safe! the Super T is a great bike for crossing the country.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Sounds like a grand time - Enjoy it to remember later.

If you have trouble just remember that we have members all over the country.

 

[Madhatter]

I love my old yellow and road stained Darian jacket , to me it just works better than any jacket I've had including the fancy KLIM jacket in the closet .

I'm still deciding on which items to pack and what gear I'm going to wear. I can't decide between my Aerostich Roadcrafter one piece or my Aerostich Darien 2 piece suit. Both have their advantages/disadvantages.