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THrill of buying first new bike and planning trip

by TXBAZZMAN
(Kabul Afghanistan)

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan but I am stationed in San Angelo,TX. I thought I would like to kind of like to blog about my bike buying experience and my trip to Western NY.

The First thing is I knew I was going to buy a new bike because the bike I had been riding for a long while bite the dust (1982 Suzuki GS1100L). I wanted to buy my first brand new vehicle of any kind but I figured it would be a Metric cruiser because they are cheaper. When I was home for my 15 days of leave I went bike shopping and well nothing fit quite right or should I say I felt like it was not the bike just a bike that would work. Then I let my wife con me into going into the Harley dealer, which I insisted was not in our price range but through the military program in the desert it was more affordable. I told her the key thing was it needed to be big enough for us to go on trips with and because I am 6ft and 200lbs and she is 5'8" it needs to be a big bike. Well so we went into the HD dealer and I showed her the model I was most interested in if I were to get a harley which was a 2009 Road King Classic. Well when I sat on it felt like it was right but trying not to show it to her since the price on HD is high but then when we started it up she got my slight smile. Then she climbed on the back of the bike to test the backseat out which she liked. We then said thank you to the dealer and walked out. She looked at me in the car and said that was the bike wasn't it. I tried to shrug it off but I could not hide it from her but I told her we would run the numbers and well as soon as I got back in the middle east I contacted the HD program and ordered the bike.

While off and on I keep second guessing myself about the bike because of the cost but i really love the Road King Classic.

now for the Trip part. I have never had a bike I trusted to ride too far. But now I will so i get home mid may and early june I am riding to Western NY from West Texas. 3200miles round trip and going to Route it to go through 11 states and hit old ROUTE 66. I am trying to figure out what to pack and what sisybar bag to buy along with a new helmet and other accessories. Also looking online for tips and route planning. WOW so much out there.

PLEASE HELP with some suggestions if you got any!!!

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THrill of buying first new bike and planning trip

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Apr 01, 2009
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Touring on the RK
by: Ron

I would suggest the T-Bag roller for luggage on the RK. Don't forget you will need to purchase a backrest and luggage rack. Pick clothes you can wear a couple days in a row and try to get the wife to minimize her must haves on the trip. Women tend to carry a lot of stuff that just makes touring bulky. The RK has huge saddle bags so you will be able to get an amazing amount of stuff in them. I would also suggest highway pegs to stretch your legs now and then. Rain suits for both of you. You will have your first year of HOG free so that will take care of towing should you run into problems. A cell phone is also a must have for any number of reasons. A GPS is also nice in case of unexpected detours or trying to find a hotel or restaurant. The RK is a good touring platform so you shouldn't have many problems but after your first long trip it will become apparent what you need to make it just right for you.

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THrill of buying first new bike and planning trip

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THrill of buying first new bike and planning trip