Not Long Now

Tomorrow I leave Australia to travel around the USA for 5 months. I'm flying from Sydney to Auckland then to Los Angeles then to Seattle. Once in Seattle, I will be staying with old friends of mine Josh and Wendy. The plan is a freestyle solo Motorcycle trip starting in Seattle and ending up in LA.

The first order of business in Seattle will to be to organise a phone SIM. I currently have an iPhone 4S, which has been awesome in Australia, but I believe the mobile reception and plans aren't as good in America. My 2 choices seem to be T-Mobile or AT&T, if I go T-Mobile I have to physically cut down a SIM card to get it to fit into the iPhone's Micro-SIM slot!

The second thing I have to think about is a bike. Right now I'm leaning towards the Kawasaki 1400GTR, as it:

• Will be powerful enough
• Seems to have enough luggage space
• Shaft driven so no chain maintenance
• ABS brakes
• Looks pretty comfortable

In the US they call this a "Concours 14" for some reason. I've seen one of these in the flesh, and it looks pretty good for a sports tourer.

The only bike I think that would be better than the 1400GTR would be the BMW R1200GS, mainly due to is ruggedness and reliability. This is the bike that they used on the Long Way Round and the Long Way Down. Unlike the 1400GTR, this bike should handle the unsealed and rougher roads better. Plus it isn't going to be the end of the world if it slips on gravel!

However, I'd imagine this bike would cost a fair bit more than the Kawasaki in Seattle.

The options are the Yamaha FJR1300, the Yamaha XT1200Z, a modified Hayabusa or maybe a touring cruiser like a Harley.