So here's the scoop. My wife and I are about to fly across Canada, from Hamilton Ontario to Kelowna BC to pick up our new-to-us 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster that has only 12, 400 kilometres on the clock - around 7, 600 miles I believe. No, we are not giving up our 2007 R1200 RT; we're just giving her a big brother, and planning to drive back across the continent. Road trips rule! While on our trip, which will be a barn burner of 4.5 days due to work schedules, I am hoping to pick up some motor oil for both the bimmer and the beemer. Our trip will go south east from Kelowna, BC, through Spokane Washington, then east through Idaho, to Butte Montana, Fargo North Dakota, Duluth, Minnesota, and then north east into Ontario, Thunder Bay, across the top of lake Superior to Sault Ste. Marie (one of the great rides on our continent!), and then south to home.
Here, finally is the question section:
1. Are there any states that strictly enforce speed limits, or is there a moderate amount of wiggle room. Can you go 70 mph in a 60, 65, or should you just toe the line and drive another hour a day|?
2. I will be buying some motor oil for my RT, because I think there's a better variety in the states, and the prices should be close to ours. What are you folks using in your hex heads these days?
3. Based on my general route and time restrictions, is there anything I must absolutely see on my way back east (Note - I am hoping to come out the MOA Rally at Billings, so I'll be back)?
I think that's all my questions, but I'll add I'm pretty intrigued by the comparison of a road trip on the RT vs the Z4. I estimate that there's a similar amount of storage space if you compare the car's teeny trunk to the bike's top box and side cases, and that the difference will be the lack of protective gear required (meaning less labour and head scratching) and the diminished exposure to the elements (which is part of the pleasure on our bikes), and the actual operation of the car (hot engine, great handling) vs the bike (hotter engine and a world apart in feel and handling).
I'll give a full report when we get back, likely on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Here, finally is the question section:
1. Are there any states that strictly enforce speed limits, or is there a moderate amount of wiggle room. Can you go 70 mph in a 60, 65, or should you just toe the line and drive another hour a day|?
2. I will be buying some motor oil for my RT, because I think there's a better variety in the states, and the prices should be close to ours. What are you folks using in your hex heads these days?
3. Based on my general route and time restrictions, is there anything I must absolutely see on my way back east (Note - I am hoping to come out the MOA Rally at Billings, so I'll be back)?
I think that's all my questions, but I'll add I'm pretty intrigued by the comparison of a road trip on the RT vs the Z4. I estimate that there's a similar amount of storage space if you compare the car's teeny trunk to the bike's top box and side cases, and that the difference will be the lack of protective gear required (meaning less labour and head scratching) and the diminished exposure to the elements (which is part of the pleasure on our bikes), and the actual operation of the car (hot engine, great handling) vs the bike (hotter engine and a world apart in feel and handling).
I'll give a full report when we get back, likely on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
