Yeah, at last... thing is, I bought my dollars two weeks ago when it was down to 1.76 grrrr... (couldn't bare to see it fall any lower!)

I was out in the western desert states last year on the XR - Nevada, California, Oregon, Arizona... this time I plan to revisit some of the best bits, plus head over to Utah (Moab) before the snow comes... then down to Baja for December (1000 race), then head through the southern states dodging the hurricanes to Daytona for Bike week in February, then back through Virginia perhaps (if the snow has gone) and pick up the TAT back west...

xxx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

Lucky woman! Have fun and take care! Greetz, Hans.

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XT rules! Make the world beautiful, get a tattoo. Nick Curran R.I.P. '77-'12

XT660Z Tenere '08 http://dallastx.smugmug.com

visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

Hi JMo,

I rode the TAT last year from Tennessee to Oregan - what a blast.

I still have the GPS tracks, and a waypointed route if you need them - I found the waypointed route a great back up to the official TAT roadbook.


Look forward to seeing some photos :-)

Hi Russ - I hoped there would be such a tome - where can I get a copy of the TAT roadbook and/or the waypoints?

I plan to buy Rand McNally maps of each state I'll pass through (usually good enough scale), but would like to mark the route onto them...

If you can help please PM me the details,

Many thanks,

Jen xx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

Well, the bike arrived on Monday (actually it was in the hold on the same flight as me on the Sunday!) and I picked it up Tuesday, reassembled it and rode it home! Insurance was no problem using Progessive.com - they will insure both foreign machines (on the VIN number) and licence holders - result!

Been busy doing a few admin jobs these past few days ready for the off next week, but got the chance to ride some desert trails this morning, and boy does that bike rock! The suspension is plush, stability great (I guess all that weight helps x) and even on the standard Tourance tyres grip was good on the dry desert dirt/sand/rocks... going to get a set of MT21's fitted next week though, just for added confidence in the dirt.

So just to p!ss you all off in rainy old England, a few pictures:

Built back up in about 20 minutes - started first time!


Heading for the Strip in downtown Las Vegas, baby!


The only Tenere in the USA (probably...)


xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

hi Jmo, enjoy! Curious, do you have a taller windshield? If so, how do you find it? Also, which airline that you flew with you bike? And if don't mind me asking, how much it costs? And how do you deal with the license plate registration? Happy travel.

Uh, those pics were pure evil, it's pitch black here at the moment and temp is below zero. Enjoy your trip! =)

Hi Josephau - the windshield is actually the standard one, it just looks tall in that wide-angle photo perhaps? I must say, I do get a bit of wind noise with the standard screen, although I'm not sure the taller one would help? I need to tape on a piece of cardboard and check before I order one...

The airline depends on the shipping agent, and the best price they can get at the time, depending on route etc. this time my bike went direct to Vegas on a Virgin flight, when I brought my XR back last year it went via Phoenix on a BA flight.

The agent I used in the UK was Air&Cargo based in Manchester (my nearest major airport that flies to the US), and the cost was a little more than last time - all taxes and customs clearance paid, it was $1800, so the best part of �1000... which sounds obscene (especially when I brought the XR back for around �700 last year, but that is due in no small part to exchange rates and fuel price increases unfortunately).

However, to put it in perspective - if you take the return ferry from UK-Bilbao and Tarifa-Tanger on a jaunt to Morocco it will cost you at least �500 before you factor in fuel, tyre wear and accommodation/food costs... so it's actually not bad for shipping your bike with the minimum of hassle half way round the world? And hey, this is America for goodness sake! - land of canyons and mountains and deserts and motels, and petrol at �1.50 a gallon!

Certainly if you are staying here for any length of time, renting a bike would be that per month, and you'd be limited on where you can ride it... and hey, it's kinda cool having the only Tenere in the States xx

As for paperwork, since it's come in as a 'tourist' vehicle, there is no need to register it - Progressive.com insure foreign vehicles (it is insured on the VIN, not registration number anyway) and non-us licence holders - in fact my insurance this time was less than my US registered XR650R last year! Then you can just hit the road!

xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

Million thanks JMo. So where did get you get your tourist registration for the bike? And did you get it before you left UK or on arrival in the US? Or progressive.com took care of everything for you? Also, what's TAT in your previous post? Sounds interesting. Sorryabout bombarding you with all these questions.

No problem - it's what forums are for!

To clarify, I bought the bike in the UK before I left, and it is registered to my home address there with British licence plates. You don't need to register a foreign machine in the USA if it is just coming in temporarily as a tourist vehicle, so I keep it on the UK licence plates and the insurance documents are based on the frame/VIN number like all US vehicles are.

Progressive will insure foreign driving licence holders and foreign vehicles, so you are covered for an accident here.

If you wanted to bring your own bike from Germany to the USA, the procedure would be the same. All you need is a postal address in the US for your insurance documents and for them to base the policy price on.

The TAT is the Trans-America Trail - it is a network of dirt-roads and trails that cross the heart of the United States for 3500 miles - most of which is off-tarmac! There is a website and roadbook/maps available from a guy who has spent years researching and refining the route for motorised vehicles.

http://www.transamtrail.com/about/

Hope that helps!

xxx

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com