FEEL the VOID

I been feeling somewhat laggy lately. It's summertime, I'm getting married next year, I'm working my ass off, and I really want to get a bike and start riding. Life is good, but I still feel like something is missing. In one of Robert's comments he talks about filling a void that he once had with an experience of riding and touring. That's how his motorcycle journey began. Somehow I feel the same is true for me. I do feel a void in my life, that I have possibly created, but nevertheless is there. I unlike Robert had a little experience riding dirt bikes. That was quite some time ago, and I never had money to think about buying myself a motorcycle until about 4 years ago. I came really close to purchasing a CBR600 back then (which would've been a terrible idea). I studied the manual and was ready to take the test. Things happened between then and now, I can't really even pin point it, mostly life just happened. Life sometimes get's in the way. I had somewhat forgot about the entire idea of buying a bike, thinking that I would just wait until I had a little more disposable income to spend on a bike. A year or so went by and then Robert told me he just passed his driver's course and is going to circumnavigate Japan. I was immediately surprised but also turned back onto the idea of getting a bike. Robert being my best friend I couldn't imagine not being able to experience a journey like that with him, so I decided to start this blog and plan a trip. Everything else has somewhat fell into place, so I definitely feel like I am going in the right direction.

I realized that the title INTO THE VOID has a bigger meaning then just what's on the surface. I feel like both Robert and I filled a void in our lives with this hobby, so our first trip, along with hopefully the many trips after, will be journeys into our own voids with the goal being to fill them up with great experiences and friendships. I feel lucky to have a good friend like Robert to experience this with, and I'm counting down the days until we began.

-Ryan

Suzuki M50 for Robert

Thought this fit your taste, I don't know... I think it looks badass too! I know it's not a Honda, but I do like some of Suzuki's designs.

This is somewhat me

Suzuki SV650S

If you really don't want a beginner style motorcycle because you have some dirt bike experience, then look no farther than the Suzuki SV650. The great thing about this bike is the power delivery is very friendly for new riders, but still torquey enough to give the veterans their moneys worth. This means that there really is no telling if a rider on an SV650 is a experienced or not because it is very popular with both crowds. Also the larger SV1000 looks nearly identical to the 650, the only aesthetic difference being a small fairing below the engine.

beginner motorcycles that don't look like beginner motorcycles

Recomended 1st bike

I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT buy a 600cc sport/naked/sportster bike for your first bike. I recommend the above bike for you first bike. Brand new its only $3k. You should be able to find a great condition model for $1.5k. Suzkuki GZ250.
Its not me. trust me. MOST level headed bikers will give you the same advice.
check it: http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/why-600cc-motorcycle-not-good-beginner-bike-updated

and

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/top-5-reasons-start-250cc-motorcycle

Check out #1 on this list....
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/howtostartridin1/tp/Ten-Beginner-Bikes.htm

Really Good Bikers Vblog

This guy lives in Taiwan and has tons of vids on motorcycle. Some are just plain dumb, but most of the time he has some really interesting or funny stuff to say. He is the number 1 most subscribed motorcycle Vblogger in the world but is about our age. He does what I do in Japan except in Taiwan, teach Engrish. For the most part he is a level headed biker with good advice and often good stories and vids.
this is his channel.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLF3C42F94AC53D6E3
for example here is a vid about a Honda Briefcase Motorcycle. say what? yeah! just watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLxqkvfMsQQ&list=PLF3C42F94AC53D6E3

Good Motorcycle Review Website

http://www.bikez.com/

they don't have every year of every model, but you can get a genral idea of most makes and models.

SV650 choice

Southeast Motorcycle Roads

Here are some plotted roads that are recommended for riding on.


View Southeast Motorcycle Roads in a larger map

The bike I really want to buy....

Honda Fury 1312cc. msrp $13k
This is the best looking stock production model bike in the world IMO.
This is the bike I want more than any other bike. This would be a really stupid purchase at this time (or near future) in my life. Not to mention it is over 1000cc larger than my current bike!!!

...The bike I will probably buy

Honda Shadow 750. msrp $8k
This is a smarter choice than the Fury for my 2nd bike.
Will add sissy bar of course and maybe some new handle bars. Other than that, its a damn perfect cruiser.

What about flying? Huh? just read the post

So... The USA is damn big. So is Canada. AND Alaska is REALLY far away. Doing a round trip isn't always a viable option if you don't have months of vacation time. I did a little research and flying your bike from one place to another doesn't seem to be out of the question. A few people said they flew their bike all the way to Germany or England for about $700 and that was a H Goldwing. Here is what one commenter posted: "I sent a bike to Atlanta from San Francisco for $208, with a couple thousand $ of insurance." This was way back in 1999. Air travel has gone up some since then, but thats pocket change if you ask me. So for example we could ride our bikes all the way to Anchorage Alaska from Atlanta (or Huntsville or Birmingham), I think its about 5000 km (2 weeks no problem). (I am estimating. its about 5000 from coast to coast) We just hope on a plane with our bikes and go home. For the most part bike tours are CHEAP!!! Time is far more valuable than cash. We can always save up cash, but vacation time will always be limited. This way we can do a coast to coast trip with out having it be a round trip. Just something to keep in mind.

The Way back

View The Way Back in a larger map

Up the East Coast....

View Up the East Coast... in a larger map

Right Near the Beach!

View Right Near the Beach! in a larger map

Catching Up

I neglected to add an event that occurred quite some time ago. I entered a Harley Davidson contest for a chance to win a new Sportster or Nightster. The contest had you fill out your basic info and then they gave you a chance to write down why you think you deserve this bike. Well, I really wish I could remember what I wrote but it was a somewhat passionate paragraph on why I want to get into riding. I wasn't aware of this at the time but 100 runner ups received a free Rider's Edge course from Harley Davidson, worth up to $400, and turns out I was 1 of the 100.

Gear of Ride

My birthday was this past Friday June 10th. I asked for a helmet from Missy and I got it :) Then I bought myself a jacket and gloves, a little gift to myself. I also scheduled my Rider's Edge course today, for July 21-24.