• HomeGo home
  • The Motorcycle BlogMotorcycle Repair & Service Articles
    • Regular Maintenance
    • Motor & Engine Repair
    • Chassis Service
    • Electrical
    • Musings & Commentary
  • ResourcesManuals & Diagrams
    • Motorcycle Wiring Diagrams
    • Honda Service Manuals
    • Kawasaki Service Manuals
    • Suzuki Service Manuals
    • Yamaha Service Manuals
    • BMW Service Manuals
    • KTM Service Manuals
  • MoreMoto Exploits
    • My Travel Blog
    • Curated Travel Photos
    • The Facebook Page
    • My Motorcycle Photos
    • Motorcycle Tours Guatemala
  • Ask EvanI’ll Do My Best
  • Reader’s BikesSubmit Your Ride
  • AboutShort Bio
  • ContactEmail Me
Home Come Back Any Time 2009 October New Bike – And Another Cross Country Adventure!

New Bike – And Another Cross Country Adventure!

I flew out to Denver last weekend and picked up an XR650R to try and squeeze in some late season riding in the rockies. Then 1500 miles offroad back to Los Angeles.

Took it out for a 100 mile shakedown immediately. Had some minor jetting issues and needs a little grease here and there, but a very solid bike. The previous owner let me keep the license plate so I don’t look too suspicious.

A day later I headed out on a 300 mile dirt route to Alamosa.

1 mile in, at 6am – flat tire.

New tube fitted and ready to rippppppppp!

The forest south west of Rampart all burned recently.

The riding is fast and scenic.

I was surprised to find Cripple Creek filled with casinos. Nice little downtown.

The Shelf road to Canon City is a fantastic ride. Very fast, but a little pucker if you come up on the corners too quickly – the road is sheer cliff on the east side.

Coming up on the range I was bummed to see snow. The locals told me Medano Pass to the Dunes was snowed in. Major disappointment. I had to go around.

As the sun went down, the temperatures dropped. The whole day was a bit chilly, but I was freezing making the last 80 miles to Alamosa in the dark. The rain didn’t help either. I tailgated an 18 wheeler to buffer the wind and rain as much as possible. It was absolutely miserable for a couple hours.

After 14 hours on the road….

Overnight snow rolled in…. and persisted….

I had to re-route my dirt tracks to mostly pavement.

Weather was low 40’s and I was shivering all day. I didn’t plan on it being so cold and I didn’t have my warmer gear with me.

The snow made for some wonderful photo-ops.

I was flagged down by a man in a truck while riding through these passes. When I pulled over he said – “I just had to get a photo of the crazy son-of-a-bitch out here on a motorcycle.” I obliged.

I was dying for some soup to warm up, but I had to settle for a sandwich and tea. Slim pickin’s in Charma.

Thankfully New Mexico is a few degrees warmer. Still chilly though.

Weather is supposed to be warmer tomorrow. Time to get a hotel and a hot shower.

More to come . . . . . .

Oct 22, 2009Evan Fell
1972 Honda C70 Super CubCrossing Navajo Reservations
You Might Also Like
 
Arriving in Playa del Carmen
 
The Baja Saga Continues

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Click to cancel reply
Evan Fell

Hey, I'm Evan and this is one of my motorcycle sites. You can find more about me on my homepage, or visit me on Google Plus: +Evan Fell

8 years ago My Travel Blogmotorcycle travel
Archives
Hey. Bike me!

I have owned nearly every make and model of vintage Japanese motorcycle as well Europeans and more modern bikes. I do everything from simple fixes to full restorations. I also travel by motorcycle and race off-road. This is a blog about my bikes.

Evan Fell
Recent Comments
  • BestIsaac: I see you don’t monetize your website, don’t waste your traffic,...
  • opublikowany tutaj: Thank you for another wonderful post. Where else could anyone get...
  • ShastaSmall: I have checked your blog and i have found some duplicate content,...
  • asad ali: thanks for sharing such a nice information.
  • JAMES LEEALINGCO: WE FIND TO CORBORETOR FOR XJ650
  • Bryan: Great article! I’m still a little fuzzy about wiring, but I have a 2002...
  • CPU: This way, when consumers need to find clothes to present as gifts or personal use,...
  • Shanes: No, your headlight will run dim at idle with out a capacitor from generator.
  • shukor: dear dave, do you still have 1992 kh100.If you have please forward picture to...
  • Talaferrio Tucker: thanks man super excited to get started on this rebuild and you came...
Blogroll
  • Motorcycle Tours in Guatemala
  • My Honda XR650R Site
  • My Travel Blog
Recent Posts
  • Rebuilding a BMW R80 Airhead Transmission
  • Suzuki Madura GV1200GLG Wiring Diagram
  • Suzuki TS125 Wiring Diagram
  • Suzuki TS250 Wiring Diagram
  • Triumph Bonneville T100 Thruxton Scrambler Wiring Diagram
Recent Comments
  • BestIsaac on Simple Motorcycle Wiring Diagram for Choppers and Cafe Racers
  • opublikowany tutaj on Race Inspired Yamaha XS1100 With a Past
  • ShastaSmall on Simple Motorcycle Wiring Diagram for Choppers and Cafe Racers
  • asad ali on 2002 Honda XR650R
  • JAMES LEEALINGCO on How to Clean a Motorcycle Carburetor, the RIGHT way.
Tags
motorcycle travelairheadbmwr80how-totransmission
Blogroll
  • Motorcycle Tours in Guatemala
  • My Honda XR650R Site
  • My Travel Blog
© 2015 Evan Fell Motorcycle Works
Thanks for reading!