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I consider myself a new rider despite having grown up on dirt bikes. I am 24 and my ultimate goal is to take an extended bike and camping trip from Mexico on up the coast to Washington with someone on the back of a bike. I would like to do this in five or six months. My second goal is to learn to the mechanics of motorcycle maintenance and repair. I am lucky in that I have the opportunity to ride and work on these goals at least five days out of each week for three to four hours a day. I am very good at research and quite methodical in my learning practices.
Now that I have outlined my situation I would like to ask some questions:
1. What books should I start with to begin learning motorcycle mechanics, aside from a manual for whatever bike I am working on?
2. I have been riding an SV650 on and off for the past three years, although it is not my bike and it has not been at regular intervals or long distances. Should I spend more time on the SV650 or should I acquire the bike that I plan to ride up the coast? Or is there another option? I do feel comfortable in heavy traffic and on windy roads, but the SV650 seems to be a forgiving bike.
3. What bikes should I research and test ride if I plan to take a long distance trip with two people and scant luggage on the bike? How and when do you practice riding with someone behind you?
4. What gear would be best to pack for a multi-day ride?
5. Please alert me to anywhere I might be doing something poorly or not thinking something through.
Thanks!
I consider myself a new rider despite having grown up on dirt bikes. I am 24 and my ultimate goal is to take an extended bike and camping trip from Mexico on up the coast to Washington with someone on the back of a bike. I would like to do this in five or six months. My second goal is to learn to the mechanics of motorcycle maintenance and repair. I am lucky in that I have the opportunity to ride and work on these goals at least five days out of each week for three to four hours a day. I am very good at research and quite methodical in my learning practices.
Now that I have outlined my situation I would like to ask some questions:
1. What books should I start with to begin learning motorcycle mechanics, aside from a manual for whatever bike I am working on?
2. I have been riding an SV650 on and off for the past three years, although it is not my bike and it has not been at regular intervals or long distances. Should I spend more time on the SV650 or should I acquire the bike that I plan to ride up the coast? Or is there another option? I do feel comfortable in heavy traffic and on windy roads, but the SV650 seems to be a forgiving bike.
3. What bikes should I research and test ride if I plan to take a long distance trip with two people and scant luggage on the bike? How and when do you practice riding with someone behind you?
4. What gear would be best to pack for a multi-day ride?
5. Please alert me to anywhere I might be doing something poorly or not thinking something through.
Thanks!