I have both an FZ1 and an FJR in my stable. For a long trip, the FJR wins, hands down. I have not ridden pillion on it, so I don't know how it stacks up, comfort wise, for a passenger. I think it would be way more comfortable than the GS would be.
I have heard that the 'Wing is the utmost...
Lets see..couple angles. Never stopped on the bike...yet. Several tickets in vehicles when I was delivering pizzas. Last two stops I ended up with an escort to my 20th HS reunion (so my hometown was about twice as big as it was when I left) on the first, and a stern warning for having two...
Kinda hard to think about riding with a foot of snow and freezing rain here in Eugene. Trees falling, powerlines down... Suffering from PMS*
*Parked Motorcycle Syndrome
I don't know how to do fancy route stuff. We took Hwy 126 E out of Springfield, took the Hwy 242 cut-off and went over McKenzie Pass into Sisters, then back to town on Hwy 20/22/126. There are a couple nice combo rides to do; one includes FR 19, The Aufderheide, from Oakridge to Blue River...
I ride as long as the roadway isn't icy or snowy. November-January can be dicey although we usually get some dry unfreezing time in those months. I have decent warm/waterproof gear that includes heated, battery-operated jacket and gloves.
Old School, if you pass up Colorado (why you would I can't imagine...) let me know. There are some fantastic roads in that Oregon area that you mapped out, including some mining country roads.
Two of my former co-workers and I broke free last Thursday for a ride over SR 242, Old McKenzie Highway. It is usually closed for winter sometime in October, so we were lucky to get this ride in.
Kris, Pammy and me. Combined, 75 years of service to the Lane County Sheriff's Office...
I am delighted with my '02 Gen 1. Love the large tank, roughly 200 miles per fill up. I would by another FZ1 in a heart beat...although the FJR does look pretty cool.
So I was perusing your route through N. Calif and noted that you are heading through some pretty flat country. If you aren't pressed for time, you could take Hwy 36 east from Red Bluff, connect up with Hwy 89 and head south, meeting up with Hwy 70 and see some really nice mountain areas...
I understand your need to make haste to the "starting point". That said, I would be utterly remiss if I didn't at least suggest a tasty Oregon road or two that you might could fit in (that said, I-5 from Eugene to Redding is not bad as far as freeways go). And I'd love to join you for part of...