Alright Sup Forumsros. I'm sick of corporate life...

Alright Sup Forumsros. I'm sick of corporate life. I'm 24 working in IT for a decent small company who likes me but it's very unrewarding. I feel annoyed with life. I have a decent set of parents and a sister who I'm good friends with. I have friends, but not meaningful relationships and they all seem superficial. I decided this coming April I'm selling my cars, computers and random other possessions of worth, buying a motorcycle, tent/cot, camping supplies, and random other shit I may need and then driving 10k miles around the US for abou 6 months to a year because I've never seen it other than the east coast. Has anyone here done something like this? Any advise?

Inb4 you're throwing your life away

Pic related...bike I will buy.

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Today OP seemed a little less like a cuck.

My advise? Don't do it on a Sportster. I don't think I'd do it on a cruiser, period, but if that's your thing and you specifically want a Harley, I'd say go for the Dyna Switchback.

You'll want some wind protection just so interstate riding doesn't fatigue you as soon, the hard saddle bags will be a necessity (as well as a tour pack and other shit), plus the 103 won't feel like a dog when you're doing 60 mph like the 883 will. The 1200 Sportster might be okay, but the aforementioned things would still have me leaning Dyna Switchback.

Have you thought about something like a Versys 650 LT instead?

Honestly I've never even ridden a bike before. I'll be going to dealerships over the next couple months to try out different ones and styles. I'll try to purchase it a few months before the trip so I can get used to it and get what little experience I can in before the trip. I just want something that I can pick up for around $5-8k, reliable and easy to fix and get parts for should it break down. I'll have a small toolkit with me and I'm pretty mechanically inclined since I fix up cars now and sell them.

If you want something reliable don't buy a Harley. Their alot better than they used to be. But they still haven't earned the title of reliable.

Step 1: get a better job
You are already halfway there, keep working

Yup, I've done it

What you will find is that you can't run away from yourself...

You could buy a sports bike instead and start racing the things. No other hobby and no other sport will ever be enough after this though.

I wouldn't bother then with a Sportster. Lots of weight for not a lot of power. There's like three fluids it needs rather than one (engine, transmission, and wet clutch system are in most motorcycles), a belt is more time consuming to replace than a chain, and Harley's, though not particularly unreliable, neither have the best reputation nor are the cheap to fix when they do break.

Also, take it from someone who rode sport standards, wanted a sport-tourers, but bought a cruiser. The feet-forward riding position kinda sucks for lengthy rides.

1. Your knees aren't bent, sure, but they're pretty stationary. Being able to move your legs around helps a lot.

2. Because you're in a kind of recumbent position, all of the weight is on your ass and even tailbone. So you can direct some weight through your thighs (gripping the tank) and your feet, and when large bumps come, it's hard if not impossible to stand up on. So that shit goes right through your spine. Combine that with their small suspension travel, and it just sucks.

Here's a Versys 650 LT. Note the "standard" riding position; the feet are under your ass -- not behind like a sport bike or in front like a cruiser. This really is the optimal riding triangle to be in for long distances. Also, there's enough wind protection so your helmet isn't being blasted with fatiguing wind noise. The saddle bags are also quick-release removable and acts as luggage bags when going into hotel.

The 65hp 650 I2 has plenty of pep, especially for its weight (about 450 lbs), and it's generic enough that parts are fucking cheap should shit break down. Lowering kits are available for like $200-300 if you feel the seat height is too tall for you, as well.

forgot pic

What a good guy.

So comfy.

...

It's cool thought we all have at some point. Hell, my current situation isn't much different. But you're not going to go through with this op. Come next April you will probably have forgotten about this. And if you do go through with this you'll probably die or be severely injured from when you inevitably crash.

>11111

He speaketh thine truth. Prithee respond, OP.

Go for it user, also when you do report your journey here on Sup Forums as you go

>inevitably crash.
bollocks

Checked! Yikes. Better listen op.

Likely to run into challenging road situation given the length of the trip and the varying terrain and roadways. Combine that with all the dipshit drivers out there and op's total lack of experience and I'd say an accident isn't totally unlikely.

>challenging road situation
If someone can't deal with those things they shouldn't even own a car

Do it. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance it up Sup Forumsro. I should have, but now it's too late on account of wife/kid/old/sold the bike. Echo the other dude's thoughts on not a sportster. Practice riding until the bike is an extension of your body before you go, because you're going to have scares and really close fucking calls along the way and you don't want to approach riding with the slightest sense of trepidation or you will fucking wreck. No pussyfooting.

So I've done this, but I bought a van.

It's a great way to do it because you have the ability to bring more stuff, always have a place to sleep, more security for your stuff etc.

Use truck stop showers to get a shower once in a while. its a couple bucks but on the road that long sometimes a shower is the most amazing uplifting thing.

prepare to be alone for a long time, don't bother bringing along things to "entertain you" aside form maybe a book or two, about 2 weeks into my trip I started going up and making random conversation with people, and I'm usually a very introverted person.

make sure you have some sort of self defense, baseball bat, knife, gun, pepper spray, something. If only for intimidation to get them to leave you alone.

and if you have the chance, on a long and lonely stretch of road that you're driving on, if you get the urge, just fap. One of my favorite "lol" moments from the trip

Just got done having this anime rape my mind... are the movies as good/better than the show?

Buy a bike a few months before starting your trip, and use it to commute. Riding for hours is tiresome as fuck if you are not used to it.

Dear OP , you sound like you need to find what your purpose in life is.Ask yourself what do you really want out of life ?

Definitely worth the experience. A friend of mine, also in IT, is quitting his job and cancelling his apartment in October, then goes of to travel the world.
Do it. Do it now. You're certainly not gonna go when you're 40 or 50.
Anyone who's saying you're throwing your life away has no idea what life is.

This

good idea to get used to riding in general

If you are serious and you've never ridden a bike before, but one and ride it A LOT before doing the actual trip. Do several long trips with it. Become super familiar with it. Even if you're as mechanically inclined as you say, you will run into issues with the bike no matter how reliable it is. Do as much research on the bike as possible. Find out all of its quirks and know issues and trouble spots. Finding places to sleep and eat will be the easy part. Keeping it on the road when you are nowhere near a shop will be your biggest hurdle.

*buy one

As a lifelong biker, I can tell you you're fucked

You can't just hop on a motorcycle and tour the nation, it take's months to years to even go locally with the confidence you won't get yourself killed

Additionally, the 883 is balanced high, not a good touring bike; without experience and wind deflectors, you're going to get fatigued after the first hour

You're too young to have a midlife crisis

tinymicros.com/mediawiki/images/c/cd/Twist_Of_The_Wrist_I.pdf

Every rider should read atleast some of this even if they are just commuting it'l make people safer better riders.

OP, Want some advice? Bring a fucking bike repair kit. Wrenches, coolant fluid, spare screws. Also, pick most gas efficient cruiser

>coolant
>sportsters are air cooled

>I've never even ridden a bike before
jesus christ...

this

To be honest OP you'll probably drop it in a parking lot. Not being nasty I can just imagine a new rider on a heavy bike.

He's right

>thinks bike hazards = car hazards
this is what he means by total lack of experience

You missed my point entirely , I was talking about people being incompetent in general.

Sup Forums dont listen to these fucking pussy cunts you wanna ride a motorbike around america that sounds sick.
ausfag here and i visited america a while back and i fucking loved it. i want to do it again but hire a bike and cruise around.

For long distance bro i would highly recommend a cruise their seats are soo soft and comfy plus if you get a big one they are still tons of fun.

Although im not sure how big going off road and what not is in america i would only want to cruise around on a cruiser i wouldnt do off roading in america.
you might want a adventure touring bike.

Also highly recommend wind shield. nothing worse having wind constantly hitting you. also something to wear just in case it rains.

Agreed 100% bikes aren't that dangerous , there's just a lot of idiots that commute for years and think they're automatically experienced because they spent years commuting and because they're incompetent they think riding bikes is difficult.

But they don't realize that just because they had difficulty with it doesn't mean that maby other people won't have any trouble at all.

How are you planning to carry all of that shit on a bike?

My advice would be to get something like pic related. It's all well and good doing crazy shit like this, but you will RAPIDLY grow tired of having no place to store at least a few changes of clothes, extra canned food etc etc.

I was very unprepared on a camping trip and ended up buying a ton of shit in crappy stores in tiny towns, which rapidly became more than my tent, backback etc could handle.

Plan for living sanely, like a drifter, not like a hobo.

Godspeed.

another example

another one

Sounds good. Get a bigger and heavier bike. If it's your first time riding it'll be intimidating getting use to how heavy it is or how touchy the throttle may be but you will appreciate it quickly. Also get something a little more comfortable, leaning forward for 10,000 miles is going to kill your back.

If you're going to tour the country id get a concours 14 or an fjr. They're monsters on power and they're not beginners bikes, but they're the motorcyclists motorcycle. They have all the shit you need, big tanks, most will have luggage already, abs, big charging systems for heated gear, wind screens and fairings that you're going to want, etc.

Sportsters will get you hipster points though, but Harleys are trash.

I think that is a great idea and have been considering doing the same myself so rock on man!!!!

10.000 miles = 16.000 km

for 6 months, a year? Well that is about 55 miles a day, IF you average it out for 6 months...

Nice trip, 55 miles a day... You will barely get the engine heated up lol

Op here. A couple things I'll mention. Thanks for the suggestions on bikes. I'll check them or out or similar styles as I go through the buying process. I am putting a windscreen on whatever bike I get, getting a luggage rack and saddle bags. I though about doing it in a van or my older VW cabby or my comfy BMW but I don't want something easy. I want something hard that challenges me physically and mentally. For the quints post...yea it might be dangerous and I might crash and die...but I'm not sure where that attitude has gotten anyone besides a cozy desk job. I'm going to ride for a local nonprofit and give have of any donations I receive to them. I also will write a book along the way of my travels and hopefully someone will get something out of it. I know I can't run from myself, but sometimes I feel like you need to start a forest fire to allow for new growth. I can't do this later in life. You get too tied down. It's now or never.

Don't get a sporty there fine bikes but not for your purpose. Get any sort of touring jap bike or adventure bike. They are all damn near the same reliable and easy enough to work on also the parts for jap bike are common which is good for cross country. Ride your new bike for a few months and you'll be fine. Just pay attention to everything

Seriously, at least look at different types of trailers. They'll be easier to use and have more storage than saddle bags.

The exact thing i secretly want to do, with the exact motorcycle too.
As someone who rides almost everyday my only suggestions are that you practice a lot before hitting the road, when situations calls you will want to have it in your reflexes to know if you should hit the breaks or not.
Assume that every vehicle bigger than yours is out there to kill you, keep a safe distance from everything, even the most experienced biker can be killed by a distracted idiot.
Also, get a decent helmet, boots and proper riding gear, they are meamt to keep you alive when you fall, and trust me, if you ride a motorcycle, you will eventually fall, happens to us all, minimizing the damage is your best bet.

incompetence isn't the problem

jumping right on a bike, how many people know not to ride on the painted lines, for instance?

do you, as a car driver, know those are slick? Doubly when it's rained? Should you even care in a car?

it's not incompetence to not know that, it's inexperience and lack of training

experience and training are two things op is planning on flouting on his joyride around the nation

most bike fatalities occur within the first year of riding

I've done it twice. First one I had just graduated high school and went with friends. We did abou 11,000 miles total but in a car. Second one I was fed up with shit like you, but with the addition of a painkiller addiction. Both trips opened up my mind a little more. Tips:
Loosely plan your trip around weather and time of year. You don't want to be camping in the cold cause that requires more gear. Camp at state parks, some even have showers. National park backcountry(Carry your shit for a mile or two) is also super cheap, but the pull in sites are often 40$+ and full of the worst kinds of people during nice weather.

Pic related seems relevant to the thread.

If you consider commuting long distances dangerous your incompetent yourself.

>commuters in a nutshell
and yes I know about far more than wet lines lol

>will write a book along the way of my travels
definitely early mid-life crisis
let me guess, inspired by "motorcycle diaries" or some shit?
you wouldn't happen to be planning to sport a trendy haircut or some chukka's, would you?

Budding millennial hipster, are we?

Well, Op is clearly not a socialist, so...

I envy you.. good fuckin shit mane.

No, I consider commuting long distances with zero experience dangerous

How bad was your wds? paws?

you're still going to have the same problems, just in a different location.

>I want to quit corporate america, it's killing my soul maan
>I'll write a book just like che guevera
>mid-life crisis at 24
sounds like a hipster to me

Just do it, you're young and can afford to dick around a little bit. You don't want to be 40 someday and think "what if I had just went for it and had that big adventure in my 20's?"

It's called being capable and using common sense.

Eg the whole wet lines on a bike thing should be common sense , it's called joining the dots together.

My whole point was regaurdless of car or bike if someone doesn't have enough of a brain to think about these simple things they shouldn't be on the road at all.

Forget this guy OP, get a moped

Op here again. For everyone talking about inexperience. I understand your concerns and accept this risk. I am currently finishing up restoring an old VW which I will sell and the. Buy the bike before the end of this summer. Hopefully I can get a few months in of riding commuting and then a couple weekend trips to simulate what I will be doing. I know I will still never be able to fully prepare for what I want to do in the 9 months I have but I will do the best I can and be cautious and open minded about learning what I can.

If you've never ridden a motorcycle before then this is a bad idea. Buy a station wagon or a van, it will be much better.

Pic related tells me you know nothing about bikes. An iron 883 is not a touring bike. If you want to be on it for 6-12 months get something like a kawasaki voyageur, new harley's just arent reliable bikes. I've had two, one was a 2000 heritage softail with the same engine and it gave me nothing but issues. Dot buy a half assed bobber just for thr aesthetic, if you want a solid bobber, get an 85 honda vt750 and do the work yoyrself.

of course lack of common sense is bad under any circumstances

but thinking that everyone is cut out for a bike right out of the gate just because they think their head's screwed on straight is not all of it

If you seriously think an average person can go from zero experience to touring the country...

This is coming from someone who DID take to it, immediately

Why does it bother you, though? There's tons of media related to dropping shit and riding away.

>new harley's just arent reliable
Not Op, but why aren't they reliable, i rode a 125cc for years now and always wanted something bigger, was thinking of the Iron too, those are not as expesive in my country.

Make sure u get a sissy bar and stick a pack facing you for a bike rest. Buy a Haynes manual for your bike. Keep your cell phone, take some tools. Always carry a couple days food and water. Try not to ride at night and good luck op.

you are throwing your life away. Get a better motorcycle

hipsters are trying to fill a void with fake manliness, fake independence

They think this will be the thing that will fix their lives and make them men, just like the beards and plaid shirts

It's just fake, I really don't care that much...but that's the truth of it

Of course not everyone is cut out for a bike , but my point was that if they aren't cut out for it they shouldn't even do it at all.

I have toured on a sportster.

As others have said, there are many other better bikes. Everyone says that BMWs are awesome for touring, but I cannot attest to that.

OP, while you are young and have no real responsibilities, go tour the United States.

I am married with kids, but my wife encourages me to take off for 2 weeks every summer and go get my restless soul sated for another year.

I have ridden to Key West, to Nova Scotia, to West Texas, to South Dakota, throughout the Midwest, and want very badly t ride to Alaska.

go ride OP, go ride.

pic related, its my bike loaded up like a fucking pack mule when I rode out to West Texas

I would consider myself a hipster. Corporate america isn't crushing my soul. I'm just not ready to settle down having not seen the rest of the country. I'm writing the book cause I want to for myself and to document my journey. If it gets published then cool, if not that's fine too. This is personal for me...not about other people.

agreed

wouldnt*

>I would consider myself a hipster
why buy a bike when rope is cheaper

Let him figure that out. Not every outcome is the same. It's just a part of experiencing life.

He can't run you over with a rope.

If you want a harley by all means get a harley but just be ready for the straight up offensive bills when it comes to repairs, and there will be a bunch. In a span of a year and a half years i had the engine on the heritage softail taken apart twice for knocks, the exhaust switched, and the front fender replaced. If you want a more reliable bike for a cheap price, go yamaha star bolt, brand new $7-8k.

here's my bike in Mississippi, on the Natchez Trace, again, loaded down like a fucking pack mule. touring on a fucking sportster

As someone that used to be a trucker. Most truckers accrue more free showers than they can use from fueling. Most showers are fucking $10. If you walk into the drivers lounge at most truck stops and whip out a $5 most of the time someone will let you go take their card and swipe it for a shower.

That's awesome! Exactly what I want to do. I've planned out roughly where I want to go and will try to hit most of the major national parks

what the fuck is this, /o/? the amount of fedoras that came in to post about bike craft is hilarious.

personally i think traveling around in the elements on a bike is a bad idea, you're just gonna camp? lodging and weather will be weird, but if you're gonna do it the summer is definitely the best time.

Damn, that seems troublesome, i'd get a Yamaha, my 125 is one, but they don't sell the cruiser like options here.
How about Honda?

Thanks man, this is solid advice I can use

Oh shit. I see people touring on these all the time. Saw some guy with an Alaska license plate here in New Mexico. The only issue is that they don't look as hardcore. Try looking at Indian motorcycles. They've been around longer than Harley. Even look into getting a rice burner. The s1000 rr comes with cruise control, hand warmers, traction control and over 200 horse power.

get a honda goldwing instead, the pre 2001 gl1500 can be bought for less than you will pay in repairs for the sportster in a year.

This beast will never give you any trouble, will not vibrate your column out of alignment and will carry all your shit in style.

Bike-Camping on a fucking Harley...Get a BMW R 1200 GS for that kind of stuff...maybe an Africa twin

forgot pic

Good call. As a sportster owner I can hands down tell u 1000 times get a cruiser. Also, I got ran the fuck over on my first bike. Be aware of everything around u. Assume everyone will run that stop sign. Keep road rage to a min. As cars are cunts and will litteraly run u off the road. Also, carry a gun. Fuck paper spray and tazers. Carry a fucking sidearm on you at all times. I been in some sketchy ass truck stops and rest areas. Pick clean well lit ones and u should be good most of the time for shower and laundry. Also, please do check in here.

Don't try to write a book, even saying this will make you cringe later, if you aren't completely insufferable as a human being

Keep a journal, take pictures

You know, I've been giving you a lot of shit about this, but I love biking, I love the road

It's much more of a commitment than you think

Go through a training and decide if this is even something you enjoy; they'll loan you a bike, teach you the basics...I mean seriously decide

Then if you're really committed, buy the bike (not an 883) something balanced and comfortable, good for touring

Then spend at least a year with the goal that every day you will be a better biker than yesterday

Don't just be in love with the image, you'll still be that same person after this as you were before - unless you've burned your bridges after leaving your job, then you're fucked

1.Even if you only plan to commute go and learn the basics of how to corner at least seriously if everyone in cars did this it'd make things much safer.

2.Buy warm cloths that are waterproof.

3.Buy a Honda and tell every other brand to screw them self lol

Tip: get the bike on payments and stash the cash just in case you need it on the trip. Then pay it off if u must. But if u break down in bfe most bikers will stop and help. Also, tow trucks can haul it for a price

the national parks are where I focus my ride every year. I have visited all but Cuyahoga east of the Mississippi, and still have many to visit out west. It takes too fucking log to ride out west and back. a few years ago, I ended up spending a week just riding to Colorado and back, with only a week to visit Colorado.