The Original Usenet Posting

In early 1995, before the trip began, we posted this message to rec.motorcycles, alt.travel.road-trip, rec.travel.misc, and rec.travel.usa-canada. It was the message that started everything — and the responses we got shaped the entire trip.

rec.motorcycles, alt.travel.road-trip, rec.travel.misc, rec.travel.usa-canada What places to visit & what motorcycle to buy in the USA My brother and I are planning a half-year trip to the USA and have a "few" questions regarding what kind of motorcycle to buy and what places to visit. Motorcycle, USA-road-trip, Gold Wing?, What to see/visit? kauboy@daimi.aau.dk (Klaus Bucka-Lassen) ~February 1995 University of Aarhus, Denmark ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My brother and I are planning a half-year trip to the USA. Our questions can be divided into two categories: 1) What kind of motorcycle to buy: Since both my brother and I are the lucky owners of a drivers license for motorcykles, we'd like to travel on a motorbike. Motorbikes are VERY expensive in Denmark, so this is an opportunity to ride a somewhat bigger bike than what is possible in this tax-plagued scandinavian country. In the USA, what kind of bike would be appropriate for our purpose? A Honda Gold Wing? What does it cost (it doesn't have to be new)? Are there prices differences in the states (we don't care whether to start in california or e.g. florida)? Are there any kind of motorcykle-shops we should avoid? What kind of insurance is necessary/advisable and what does that cost? How expensive will maintenance be (we are rather unexperienced repairing bikes and would prefer a low-maintenance vehicle)? After let's say a half year and 13,000 miles, what can we expect to sell the bike for? How far north can one take with a motorbike before it becomes uncomfortable (too cold and rainy) in the months march - august. 2) What places to visit: Imagine an alien came up to you and said "Listen stranger, I have a beamer that has exactly four beams left. I need one to beam me back to Scotty, what should I use the others for?". What would you answer? What are, in your opinion, the three places in the USA, that would be disastrous to miss for a visitor? If you have an answer or comment to ANY of these questions, please reply (preferably by e-mail - a summary will gladly be given on request). Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance. Dirk & Klaus Bucka-Lassen O O/ ____ ___ ____/I\___ ____ _/I_ |\ __\/\__\ |\ __<_\___\ |\ __\ |\/_>\ | \O/| / / | | | | | | | | | | |I |/ / | | __ | | | | | | | | ||> / | | ||_| |O/ | | |_/ | | O/ O__| | \ O | | __ |I | | \__/ | <I o I | | |\ \ /I_ | | || | ||> | | | / > _/\_> / > \|__| \__\[]>\ \|__| \|__|[] \_\_______/ [] O,> / O ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Klaus Bucka-Lassen Sletterhagevej 59 1.th. student at the DK-8240 Risskov university of Aarhus Denmark kauboy@daimi.aau.dk Ph: +45-86179993 (privat), +45-89423218 (office) "Say, that's a nice bike" [Robert Patrick, T2]

The responses

The posting generated an overwhelming response. People not only answered our questions but offered places to stay, riding buddies, and lifelong friendships. Here is a summary of what the internet community voted as the most important places to visit.

Top voted National Parks

13Grand Canyon NP
9Yellowstone NP
5Glacier NP
5Yosemite NP
5Redwoods NP
5Rocky Mountains NP
3Death Valley NP
3Canyonlands NP
3Zion NP
2Bryce NP
2Smoky Mountains
2Blue Ridge Mountains
2Grand Tetons NP
1Badlands NP, Manatee Springs/FL, Arches NP, Monument Valley, The Navajo Reservations, Niagara Falls, San Juan Islands/WA, Adirondack Mts., Baseball Hall of Fame

Top voted States

4Colorado, California
3Arizona, New Mexico, Canada
2Alaska, Utah
1Nevada, Kansas, Montana

Top voted Cities

4Washington D.C.
3New York / Manhattan
2Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
1Las Vegas, New Orleans, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Chicago

Top voted Roads

7Pacific Coast Highway 101/1
2East Coast cruise (SC → Maine, NH, VT)
1Route 66, Cabot Trail, Beartooth Highway, Independence Pass, and more

Fan mail

After the site went live, we received emails from people who had found our pages while searching for touring information. Here's one from Kenneth Finnegan, who found us in April 1996:

"I loved reading of your motorcycle tour of the US. I've lived here all my life and have yet to take such a trip. Anyway, keep up the good work on the page."

And a special thank you to David Lee, our American host in Virginia, who not only put us up at his place and became our "American headquarters," but also proofread the entire site and sent back detailed corrections and additional information about the places we visited. Dave — if you ever read this — you're the best.