Great video! I used to do long distance trips a lot then got "busy" being an adult and with other consuming hobbies. Last summer I took my first motorcycle trip longer than 4 days in over 20 years. In my case it was on a 1999 VFR800 which is bit more touring oriented but not much. 11 states, 5400 miles (725 miles where google lost me), only about 1800 interstate and those were just because I wanted to get to the twisty bits as quickly as possible and stay in them until I had to head home. Couple of things I would add: In a lot of the AZ/NM areas I rode, the fuel infastructure out in the back roads can become and issue. On the VFR with 200 mile range I just carried a 1.5L mergency flask. MT, WY, SD and a ton of others it is not uncommon to go 80-90 miles between 24-available fuel. There are networks out there specifically for motorcyclist to find a safe place to sleep (camping or in a spare bedroom/camper), get break down help, or just get riding advice. I met some of the best people on this trip through the biggest of these networks. I started doing it to save a bit of money but now I do it for the people. There are large swaths of the US with no or inconsistent cell coverage so plan to be self-sufficient in case of minor breakdown. Like you said, some roads you won't see single person or car and I did a stretch of 62 miles where I had cell coverage for 3 miles total and saw 4 houses, one other vehicle and lots of wildlife.
Thanks for sharing your story - it's definitely important to fill up when you can in certain spots. I need to look more into those networks, I know some forums have sections to chat with other members and I'll see if I can harness those in a future trip.
@@axel-moto The primary one is Bunk-a-Biker but they have splinter groups for roadside rescue. Motorcyclists helping other moto travelers because we really are one big community.
Really well done. I appreciate how you focused on not being distracted with technology, but spending time being present in your own thoughts while on the road. So many others focus on packing in so much, but the reality is that you miss so much more by being too busy. Thanks for doing this.
@@axel-moto I do alot of long distance trips & from time to time I get lost but I always seem to come across something that makes getting lost well worth it - most of my trips have been on an ST-1300 or 2 different FJR's but now because of my age & small stature (75 yoa @ 5' 7" & 145) I have downsized to a 2022 Honda NC 750X (DCT) which is 150 lbs lighter than the FJR was & plus it has a very low COG - years ago I had a NC700X & took it from Florida out to California on a trip that was 28 days long & just a hair under 9,000 miles - & it was one of the BEST trips I have ever taken - I did less daily mileage than I would have on the bigger bikes & stayed on back roads & seemed to see & talk to "Mom & Pop America" so much more - there's nothing wrong with taking a smaller bike - I loved your video & it somewhat reminds of a song I thought about on my trip that I mentioned - "Time don't matter to me - cause I'm a thousand miles from nowhere & there's no place I rather be" - keep doin what ur doin - congrats on your video & your trip.
Respect to your perspective on motorcycling. Does not always have to be about the fastest/latest/greatest. Just you and the motorcycle exploring at your own pace.
@@axel-moto hey rider !!! Yes they are a great bike !!! I have a 2015 now ,and had a 2011 previously. I have a video I shot on my first multistrada, ir you want I can send you a link to it !!! I have put over 500,000 miles on my 4 Ducatis since 1992 😁😁😁🏍🏍🏍
Last year we took our first moto trip wtih my dad to Romania. Now he has new bike and I have mine the Duke 125. Done 9000 km in the last 6 months. Planning to go to Romania once again and some Italy maybe Elbe or Giovo.
Your video is proof that any bike can be a touring bike, as well as an adventure bike. Sounds like you made some memories, that will last a lifetime. P S , I'm sure you don't miss riding on the BQE. Safe travels and Happy Adventures!
One of the most challenging things about bike touring is being alone with yourself. I have got to the point where I don’t listen to music anymore. Just my thoughts and the sound of my bike. It’s my happy place 😅 Great video👍
AMEN to being alone in your happy place - I do alot of trips & I prefer to do them by myself & I'm 75 (yoa) - reminds me of a song - "Time don't matter to me - I'm a thousand miles from nowhere & there's no place I'd rather be" - stay safe :-)
I really enjoyed this. I appreciated that fact that this trip was something new to you and you did it without an adventure bike like so many folks would think is needed.
Love how the FZ6 holds its own in the long haul space of litre and ADV tourers. Ive rode my 04 to Daytona from Hamilton ON and have also done the long haul to Newfoundland and the Maritimes
Nice trip, Axel ! I had the same Fz6 Fazer until last year and it was perfect bike for travelling. My longest trip with this bike was 10 000km in Europe /from Sofia, Bulgaria to Nordkapp, Norway and back - 15 countries crossed/. I sold it after 60 000 happy kilometers for 3 years ! Trip across America is one of my dreams and you have my compliments ! Be blessed and ride safe !
No itinerary is best, or at least where overnight stops are concerned... you can always find a place, so just head off into the distance & stop when you want.
Thank you for taking the time to document and share your experience. It is reassuring to know you can do a trip like this without a big touring bike and months of planning!
Great video. "Middle of nowhere becomes the middle of somewhere" - true! I'm mostly travel across eastern Europe and South East Asia, but it is best advice I could give, too!
Very nice recap of your trip. I’m in New Mexico and ride out to Kansas once in awhile. To be honest, I love the backroads of Kansas. Good job with your video. Not boring at all
I have an FZ6 very much like yours I even have the shad seat. I paid 2600 with new tires and chain and sprockets. It had 10,000 miles on it when I bought it in may 2021 it has 25,000 miles now. Great all around bikes!
This was one of my first motorcycles, I rode it from Ohio, through Colorado, onto California. It was such a comfortable sitting position and bar height. Great video, brought back lots of great memories from the early 2000’s for me.
very good, I'm Brazilian and this feeling of loneliness with good music and an empty road is sensational, in 2022 I made 17 trips with my shadow 750 and this year my spine started to hurt so I bought a tenere 660 to continue traveling
Great to see this man. I had the opportunity to travel around Europe last summer and I had almost the same thoughts that you shared in your video. Travelling with a motorbike is absolutely incredible, it fills you with joy.
i've been to places in the world where locals ride the scrappiest bikes on the most challenging terrain you'll ever see like it's a walk in the park for them... you're spot on about not needing a fancy bike or equipment to go touring, just some balls and a good attitude.
best bike is the one you have! I see so many videos of far away places with people using basic scooters or 30 year old bikes to get around rough terrain and it's inspiring. Thanks for watching!
Great video with useful tips and reflections. Your trip reminds me my very first solo ride (Yamaha TDM850) from Liverpool (UK) to Bologna (Italy) with many similar experiences. Thank you for sharing!
That was awesome! Been on a few cross country adventures myself on my bike, solo. I don’t plan at all, just pick a direction, but ride a motorcycle I’m confident will get me home safely. Each adventure is a game changer. Ride safe…..subscribed!
+1 on the blue FZ6 (have one of these in my stable). Great adventure trip, I've ridden around the US many times over the years and you discovered many of the hidden reasons why these rides are so enjoyably addictive, regardless of the machine you're on. It's not about technology and staying connected. Quite the opposite for me. Smooth trails to you...
Great video thanks. It reminded me of a 10 week solo ride I did from Vancouver to Halifax, across the middle of the States, then Vegas, Death Valley to San Francisco and back to Vancouver where my bike was shipped home to New Zealand. I recognise a lot of your lessons. I now am planning a 2 month ride round Europe so you have helped me think along the right lines again. Thanks and well done!
Sounds like an incredible route. I regret not doing death valley but was scared of the weather mid-summer. I hope your Euro trip is unforgettable and that you make some great memories. Thanks for watching!
The tough butt is key. I have done a couple 1,000 + mile trips with a new Summer trip planned through the Selkirk Mountain Loop. I have never done cross country on a bike. It looks like a good trip.
Great story Axel. Sounds like some great memories. I resonate with your concept of being okay with being bored on long stretches of road. I remember that feeling very well on the longer days I’ve spent on my own FZ6. Thanks for putting your story out there 👍
Thanks for the video man! Im planning a trip to south texas this summer. I live in PA, its about 1700 miles. Watching videos to learn and prepare while its cold and im stuck inside not riding lol.
Appreciated your video man. I have been riding for 20 years and taken many decent sized road trips. Some good insight here, and the last B-roll bit pretty much sums it up! Be prepared!
I've not done it on a bike (yet) but I have in a car several times. Instead of feeling like I've been there/done that I spend more time enjoying the journey. Looking forward to trying it on a motorcycle for the 1st time soon.
Great video! I used to do long distance trips a lot then got "busy" being an adult and with other consuming hobbies. Last summer I took my first motorcycle trip longer than 4 days in over 20 years. In my case it was on a 1999 VFR800 which is bit more touring oriented but not much. 11 states, 5400 miles (725 miles where google lost me), only about 1800 interstate and those were just because I wanted to get to the twisty bits as quickly as possible and stay in them until I had to head home.
Couple of things I would add:
In a lot of the AZ/NM areas I rode, the fuel infastructure out in the back roads can become and issue. On the VFR with 200 mile range I just carried a 1.5L mergency flask. MT, WY, SD and a ton of others it is not uncommon to go 80-90 miles between 24-available fuel.
There are networks out there specifically for motorcyclist to find a safe place to sleep (camping or in a spare bedroom/camper), get break down help, or just get riding advice. I met some of the best people on this trip through the biggest of these networks. I started doing it to save a bit of money but now I do it for the people.
There are large swaths of the US with no or inconsistent cell coverage so plan to be self-sufficient in case of minor breakdown. Like you said, some roads you won't see single person or car and I did a stretch of 62 miles where I had cell coverage for 3 miles total and saw 4 houses, one other vehicle and lots of wildlife.
Thanks for sharing your story - it's definitely important to fill up when you can in certain spots. I need to look more into those networks, I know some forums have sections to chat with other members and I'll see if I can harness those in a future trip.
@@axel-moto The primary one is Bunk-a-Biker but they have splinter groups for roadside rescue. Motorcyclists helping other moto travelers because we really are one big community.
@@michaelkrenzer3296 thanks for sharing - I'll check it out and bookmark it for future trips!
Do you guys know of any apps or group chats for other bikers
My FZ6 is the best touring bike that I have owned, and in the last 50 years I have owned a lot of bikes.
Really well done. I appreciate how you focused on not being distracted with technology, but spending time being present in your own thoughts while on the road. So many others focus on packing in so much, but the reality is that you miss so much more by being too busy. Thanks for doing this.
Appreciate the kind words! I think that's one of the greatest things about riding, it forces you to be present and in the moment.
Key- the middle of nowhere becomes the middle of somewhere!! Each breath, mile is a gift for us to make a difference!! Well done rider!!
Thanks for watching - nothing like getting lost.
@@axel-moto I do alot of long distance trips & from time to time I get lost but I always seem to come across something that makes getting lost well worth it - most of my trips have been on an ST-1300 or 2 different FJR's but now because of my age & small stature (75 yoa @ 5' 7" & 145) I have downsized to a 2022 Honda NC 750X (DCT) which is 150 lbs lighter than the FJR was & plus it has a very low COG - years ago I had a NC700X & took it from Florida out to California on a trip that was 28 days long & just a hair under 9,000 miles - & it was one of the BEST trips I have ever taken - I did less daily mileage than I would have on the bigger bikes & stayed on back roads & seemed to see & talk to "Mom & Pop America" so much more - there's nothing wrong with taking a smaller bike - I loved your video & it somewhat reminds of a song I thought about on my trip that I mentioned - "Time don't matter to me - cause I'm a thousand miles from nowhere & there's no place I rather be" - keep doin what ur doin - congrats on your video & your trip.
Respect to your perspective on motorcycling. Does not always have to be about the fastest/latest/greatest. Just you and the motorcycle exploring at your own pace.
This is how my wife and I roll on our multistrada!!! Never plan too far ahead!!! 😀😀😀🏍🏍🏍🍺🍺🍺
Multistrada is such a great bike. Thanks for watching!
@@axel-moto hey rider !!! Yes they are a great bike !!! I have a 2015 now ,and had a 2011 previously. I have a video I shot on my first multistrada, ir you want I can send you a link to it !!! I have put over 500,000 miles on my 4 Ducatis since 1992 😁😁😁🏍🏍🏍
@@artmchugh5644 man that is goals! Feel free to send the video my way would love to check it out. How was ownership for those 500,000 miles?
Great to see another rider wearing a Helite vest.
They offer so much protection for the $$ and they're decent in the summer. I like that they don't mess with airflow too much.
Last year we took our first moto trip wtih my dad to Romania. Now he has new bike and I have mine the Duke 125. Done 9000 km in the last 6 months. Planning to go to Romania once again and some Italy maybe Elbe or Giovo.
Your video is proof that any bike can be a touring bike, as well as an adventure bike. Sounds like you made some memories, that will last a lifetime.
P S , I'm sure you don't miss riding on the BQE.
Safe travels and Happy Adventures!
I do not miss it! Thank you and thanks for watching.
One of the most challenging things about bike touring is being alone with yourself. I have got to the point where I don’t listen to music anymore. Just my thoughts and the sound of my bike. It’s my happy place 😅 Great video👍
I didn't do music for most of it, that's why I have an exhaust lol much more zen
AMEN to being alone in your happy place - I do alot of trips & I prefer to do them by myself & I'm 75 (yoa) - reminds me of a song - "Time don't matter to me - I'm a thousand miles from nowhere & there's no place I'd rather be" - stay safe :-)
I really enjoyed this. I appreciated that fact that this trip was something new to you and you did it without an adventure bike like so many folks would think is needed.
Thanks for watching and commenting. ADV bike would have been nice to have but in the end I had the FZ6 and made it work!
What you did was a dream for me that never or has not materialized, yet.
I hope you can find the time to do this!
Love how the FZ6 holds its own in the long haul space of litre and ADV tourers. Ive rode my 04 to Daytona from Hamilton ON and have also done the long haul to Newfoundland and the Maritimes
Nice trip, Axel !
I had the same Fz6 Fazer until last year and it was perfect bike for travelling. My longest trip with this bike was 10 000km in Europe /from Sofia, Bulgaria to Nordkapp, Norway and back - 15 countries crossed/. I sold it after 60 000 happy kilometers for 3 years ! Trip across America is one of my dreams and you have my compliments !
Be blessed and ride safe !
Oh congrats on the great ride! I hope I can do a similar Euro trip one day. Thank you for watching!
No itinerary is best, or at least where overnight stops are concerned... you can always find a place, so just head off into the distance & stop when you want.
Thank you for taking the time to document and share your experience. It is reassuring to know you can do a trip like this without a big touring bike and months of planning!
Liked your thoughts. I never make advance reservations and always stay off the interstates. Great video!
Great video! My son recently bought a 2006 FZ6 as his first bike and he will also really enjoy watching this!. Ride safe!
I enjoyed my 2004 Yamaha Fz6. It was a thrill ride. Very quiet
I thought Milwaukee to Lexington was rough. You are a trooper.
Great video.
"Middle of nowhere becomes the middle of somewhere" - true!
I'm mostly travel across eastern Europe and South East Asia, but it is best advice I could give, too!
Very nice recap of your trip. I’m in New Mexico and ride out to Kansas once in awhile. To be honest, I love the backroads of Kansas. Good job with your video. Not boring at all
I like Kansas too. Dodge City has a interesting vibe.
I have an FZ6 very much like yours I even have the shad seat. I paid 2600 with new tires and chain and sprockets. It had 10,000 miles on it when I bought it in may 2021 it has 25,000 miles now. Great all around bikes!
Really great video! Just came from a 1600km trip in my 400cc naked bike and totally agree: any bike can go on a trip nowadays in any modern country.
This was one of my first motorcycles, I rode it from Ohio, through Colorado, onto California. It was such a comfortable sitting position and bar height. Great video, brought back lots of great memories from the early 2000’s for me.
That’s so inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
Well said and thank you for your experiences
very good, I'm Brazilian and this feeling of loneliness with good music and an empty road is sensational, in 2022 I made 17 trips with my shadow 750 and this year my spine started to hurt so I bought a tenere 660 to continue traveling
Love the video. I ride my FZ1 on lots of trips. Traveling on your bike with open rides and time to yourself is heaven to me.
Thank you for sharing your experience
great video!! inspiring
This was an excellent video. Thank you for sharing.
awesome vid man, great job!
Thank you for sharing your experience and special thanks for not adding music to your video!
Great video...thanks for the tips...
Great to see this man.
I had the opportunity to travel around Europe last summer and I had almost the same thoughts that you shared in your video.
Travelling with a motorbike is absolutely incredible, it fills you with joy.
Thank you for sharing.
I'm never bored with wide open spaces. To some of us those are blissful solitude.
Right on brother! Good to see ppl experiencing the country on a motorcycle. Stay safe!
Excellent video
Loved my trip from LA to Bangor Me.
5,000 miles in 3 weeks on a cb900f supersport. Trip of a lifetime ✨.
Very cool! Well explained too! Ride safe!
Nice video and footage…thanks for posting dude👍
Excellent video with some good, sound advice. Thank you.
Awesome video, keep up sharing your experience! Well done for Yamaha!
Top video, thank you...
Ah, the meditation of a flat straight road....enjoy it when I can.
Good short video, with a lot of useful information about the preparations and during the tour . 👍 Greetings from Germany Michael
Valuable information throughout the whole video. Thank for sharing.
Nice work enjoyed your work on this video
this looks like a really cool trip! wel done man!
I agree with your points, from my experience.
It's very well put and I would recommend this video to any new travellers.
Awesome video man! Very inspirational. Picked up an fz6 last summer absolutely love it! Wanna start doing some longer trips.
Great stuff man! I'm not a US resident but these are some good tips! Glad you enjoyed the trip! Such amazing sights to see.
Great advice for a motorcyclist wanting to cross the country. I’m sure you made memories that will last a lifetime. Ride safe!
Great Video, ty for sharing. I hope to one day get the time to do this.
An amazing journey, keep it up. Greetings from Spain!
Sounds like a great trip 👌
Excellent comments. Clean and simple view of how to enjoy the journey.
Brilliant video mate 👍 all the best from England ✌️
Great video and advice! Welcome to the west coast Axel!
I live over here in BK dude and you lived the dream I've had for a while. Big kudos!
i've been to places in the world where locals ride the scrappiest bikes on the most challenging terrain you'll ever see like it's a walk in the park for them... you're spot on about not needing a fancy bike or equipment to go touring, just some balls and a good attitude.
best bike is the one you have! I see so many videos of far away places with people using basic scooters or 30 year old bikes to get around rough terrain and it's inspiring. Thanks for watching!
Great trip, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Yo this guy did more of an adventure than half of the BMW owners out there, major respect brother.
thanks for sharing! and I love ur statement - "the middle of nowhere becomes the middle of somewhere".
Nicely narrated. I enjoyed watching it as I’ve given some thought to a cross country trip on 2-wheels myself.
Great video with useful tips and reflections. Your trip reminds me my very first solo ride (Yamaha TDM850) from Liverpool (UK) to Bologna (Italy) with many similar experiences. Thank you for sharing!
Great video and good timing. I’m going to be heading east to west in a few months.
Beautifully relayed. A how to with soul and insight. The new “Zen and...”. Best video blog I’ve seen.
Loved this video, I'm going to buy my first bike soon and once I'm comfortable enough I would love to take a trip like this.
Mann, can’t wait to do this myself. Loved your video, keep up with the content :)
That was awesome! Been on a few cross country adventures myself on my bike, solo. I don’t plan at all, just pick a direction, but ride a motorcycle I’m confident will get me home safely. Each adventure is a game changer. Ride safe…..subscribed!
What an adventure! Congrats man!
Thank you! And thanks for watching.
Loved the video
+1 on the blue FZ6 (have one of these in my stable). Great adventure trip, I've ridden around the US many times over the years and you discovered many of the hidden reasons why these rides are so enjoyably addictive, regardless of the machine you're on. It's not about technology and staying connected. Quite the opposite for me. Smooth trails to you...
well done bud. Great vid.
What a great story and the video put together well. This just shows you than any bike can be an adventure bike, a touring bike.
Thanks for watching!
Great video! I can confirm learned the same things been to 32 states on a fzr6.
Looks like an awesome trip man and you really nailed a lot of the points.
Thanks for watching!
Great trip report!
Thank you man! I hope I'm not confusing you with anyone but did you come to gymkhana meets in NYC? I think I know your bike.
Nice video! Thanks for posting. I’ve always wanted to try! I love ridding!
Thanks for watching!
I’m 290 6’3 and I bought one for 550 and it has been amazing. It has lots of power
Love the FZ6, my dad bought one brand new and is the bike that made me love them all.
Great video thanks. It reminded me of a 10 week solo ride I did from Vancouver to Halifax, across the middle of the States, then Vegas, Death Valley to San Francisco and back to Vancouver where my bike was shipped home to New Zealand. I recognise a lot of your lessons. I now am planning a 2 month ride round Europe so you have helped me think along the right lines again. Thanks and well done!
Sounds like an incredible route. I regret not doing death valley but was scared of the weather mid-summer. I hope your Euro trip is unforgettable and that you make some great memories. Thanks for watching!
The tough butt is key. I have done a couple 1,000 + mile trips with a new Summer trip planned through the Selkirk Mountain Loop. I have never done cross country on a bike. It looks like a good trip.
wow thats pretty impressing. good job! i have got the exact same bike, even the colour matches. greets from germany
Excellent USA safari. Well done.
If you get a chance. North and all the west side of AR is GREAT riding areas! So West Okla is great riding too!
Thanks for the recommendations! Hopefully will get out there on a future trip
Great story Axel. Sounds like some great memories. I resonate with your concept of being okay with being bored on long stretches of road. I remember that feeling very well on the longer days I’ve spent on my own FZ6. Thanks for putting your story out there 👍
Oh man, great to see you comment here! I'm pretty sure I used your videos when doing my forks and suspension. Thanks for watching!
Awesome trip! I have a Fz6 Naked 2004 . Best regards from Portugal.
love this
Good advice thanks for the video you're right on target I travel a lot
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video man! Im planning a trip to south texas this summer. I live in PA, its about 1700 miles. Watching videos to learn and prepare while its cold and im stuck inside not riding lol.
Appreciated your video man. I have been riding for 20 years and taken many decent sized road trips. Some good insight here, and the last B-roll bit pretty much sums it up! Be prepared!
I bet you have some great stories from all throse trips. Thanks for watching!
Well Done!😀
Boredom means you aren't paying attention, so use it as a warning sign. Knowledge is good, thanks for sharing.
That's a great little bike for the ride. It's fast enough to have fun on and gets pretty good mileage. And the Really Dependable.
I've not done it on a bike (yet) but I have in a car several times. Instead of feeling like I've been there/done that I spend more time enjoying the journey. Looking forward to trying it on a motorcycle for the 1st time soon.
Congratulations on a great trip. For a first timer, you did most things right. Hwy 50 in Nevada is pure gold. Welcome to the West.