How to plan a motorcycle trip- Part One

[buddydog1956]

Bill, you're alright man...I'd like to meet up w/ you sometime ~

[mynameforakingdom]

Well done video. Enjoyed watching it, but some of my best road trips had absolutely no pre-planning. Load the bike with cold and warm weather gear, stop at the end of the driveway and decide if you'll turn left or right. The first day is always interstate to get away from the same old local backroads. The morning of the second day, check the weather, look at the GPS for a curvy road and see where it leads. No plans. No reservations. No regrets. I highly recommend trying it sometime!

[simon44]

People should recognise the fact that this video really refers to touring in America as I can personally vouch that doing trips around Europe or Asia will differ. A realistic daily ride in america may be 400 miles, but we in Europe have a different road network and general country setup so 250-300 miles a day would be more realistic. I also found when I did my tour of Vietnam that doing 55-60 miles a day was more realistic because again of the conditions we faced.

[oWhiteboyxD]

hi what is the tent`s name what you used during you wer Camping

cheers Sam

[billmaa]

@oWhiteboyxD it's called the eureka solitaire

[MadSmokerBBQ]

I can't hear your words the music is interfering.

[PIDknighty]

Anyone know the song at the beginning of the video..? x

[rex4x4]

Nice bid bud :-)

[billyray3761]

Lucky for me, I'm a member of eharmeny and always had a place to say for free!!!

[billyray3761]

Dude, love your videos! In 2010 I covered 43 states in six months on my FJR 1300. I was alone and loved every minute of it! if you're on the road in my area, drop me a line and stay at my place!

[billmaa]

@billyray3761 Thanks man, I appriecate you saying that...43 states? Holy cow, I know you have some good stories to tell

[wildhog84]

Although this a trip through the US it's been a very useful 3 part video for me and my mates as we are doing a trip through France and Spain this year!

[micas96]

Can I give you a tip billmaa??? Instead of using maps or any other thing, you should use viamichelin, it automaticaly calculates the distance and many other things, realllllllllyyyyy useful! :)

[13RuffRyder]

@micas96 ya but maps are more full proof than anything else.

[micas96]

@13RuffRyder Yes, but viamichelin IS a map :) It just draws a line over the map saying where you have to go to reach your destination, but yes, maps are the most reliable things.

[designerdrugg]

Great videos. I love the sober approach to planning, and playful approach of delivery of the info. Lighting and scale of you in the shot in this one needs a little attention as well as not having background music with a singer. Other than, awesome stuff man. Keep it up!

[billmaa]

@designerdrugg I appreciate the feedback, I agree with you on all points, this was my first attempt at green screen and I realized that I've alot to learn..haha....Thanks..

[THEOZ2106]

I want to start vlogging,I just need some info on how to mount my camera(Kodak 10.3Mpg Coolpix,I really want to get some video and put it online.Any help would be awesome...BTW your a comedic guy which is cool,and i saw your son wearing a HJC helmet which I have the exact same one and love it,really nice helmet for 140 bucks...hope to have some vids up soon,just as I keep from getting another ticket,last one was in 2005 for 147 in a 45 and I still get followed by the cop that gave me the ticket.

[JefferyCav]

the music is really bad and very distracting

[gogosor]

Many thanks :)

[Fittons1989]

by the time i finally get a bike this will be very useful, 5 stars can't wait for part 2

[billmaa]

Thanks for the comment, I'll try to get it posted soon

[proptied]

This is great! We're taking a trip from Wisconsin up through Canada and down/around the east coast and back to WI in July. I hope to see the next video soon! We just started planning the route so any tips would be awesome.

[billmaa]

I'll get it out as soon as I can, I knee surgery a few days ago so I'm a bit slow on the video making Lol..

[HazeGreyAndUnderway]

this is pretty useful, thanks for the upload! A friend and I are going on a trip to the Indy GP in August. 3 days of racing fun :D

[zx6roy]

question, what is your opinion of the can-am spyder and the new spyder rt?

[billmaa]

I'm a big fan off all things motorized, Go carts, snowmobiles, waverunners..if it burns gas and hauls butt, I like it =).I'm sure can-ams are fun as heck, my only issue would be the dumbasses that call it a motorcycle, or themselves motorcyclists,just like goldwing trikes...it's a gocart that built from a motorcycle,but it's not a motorcycle...I'm a purist like that =) but i had all the money in the world, I would own a can am.

[billmaa]

No worries Cip, thanks for the comment =)

[billmaa]

That's awesome Austin, it's a pretty good haul..lemme know if you need any help..

[BirmzWeedhead]

@Pamellalauritoe

LOL

[Tvinky]

Thanks bill!!! I'm planing to make moto-trip all around Latvia next session (: Will try to capture it on video and upload in YT )

[billmaa]

You're welcome Tvinky, I can't wait to see your part of the world

[fastride852000]

Freaking sweet...cant wait to see part 2

[billmaa]

Hey dude, I've not heard from ya in forever! hope things are well

[RC62]

Good stuff Bill!

[billmaa]

Thanks Rob

[MicheleMidnight]

one day i am going to do a cross country...when i can get another bike. i will save this for when the time comes!

[billmaa]

Thanks Michele, Thats awesome..I didn't know you rode =)

[MicheleMidnight]

i did until a drunk crushed my bike with his car. sighhhh

[woodenchairs]

Fee fi foo fum, i smell a parody of dis one. ;P

[billmaa]

Hahah, I can't wait, glad I could help put woodenchairs Inc back in business =)

[M3anMachin3]

Thanks, B.! Very cool and simple but essential tips for long journeys. I Plan on doing a trip to the UK (~2000mi) by way of 250cc 2-stroke 1974 Suzuki, this year, when it's restored. You don't happen to know where to find an inflatable mechanic,.. do you?

[billmaa]

Lol, I used to have fold up mechanic, but he wasn't worth a damn....Man, you are brave man on that bike, but it'll make for one hellava story =)

[M3anMachin3]

LOL, thanks! I'm really committed to do it, and vlog it, of course! I have a couple of friends that have Triumph's (a '03 T100 and a '09 Thruxton) that probably will accompany me on my trip! Should be epic!

[belladellahotdog]

hey bill, on your long trips (400 miles a day) is their anything you do to help with wrist cramps and from going numb. even more so with tracy and his busa cause it has lower bars then the VRF. thanks

[billmaa]

With the VFR I don't have any issues because of the more upright seating position. Trace has whats called a throttlemeister on his bike..it's basically a simple cruise control..but it allows him to take his hands off the bars and stretch out a bit, which helps alot...

[motochron]

You are The Duke of Videos man, "A" number one. :)

Keep em coming.

[billmaa]

Thanks Chris, I was trying to think of clever one liner movie comeback..but I'm at a loss...I need my coffee

[cjhurrell]

Thanks for that Bill, I have a road trip planned for late June round Scotland and I really like the different coloured highlighter tip.

I also plan to do some vlogging and have bought a creative vado hd but it wont fit into my Arai (there is not enough room for the camera and my nose) any tips for the camera mounting?

Cheers, ride safe!

CJ.

[billmaa]

CJ,

I have a vado too, I mounted into my HJC instead of my Arai, because it involved cutting into the chin padding and I couldn't bring myself to put a knife to my flagship helmet. Check out Dumbduck44s page, he has a good mounting video..good luck on your trip

[danmoto73]

this is such a great 'how to' video billy, simple things like the two highlighter pen thing is really helpful, i hope to do a decent long distance trip in the future and will definately be favouriting these videos so that I can refer back to them

looking forward to part two :)

[billmaa]

Thanks Dan,

I can't wait to see what you come up with =)

[SeeMeDanny]

First of all: great intro I love how your music is always in harmony with the pictures.

I really appreciate this series - I'm planning on a 1000 mile trip myself: crossing france, swiss and the alps on my way to italy! Not quite worthy of BWOM but I reckon it's a start after all!

I'm not sure to what extent this applies to the USA, but if you're traveling in europe it's quite important to be aware of the different laws in each country - else you end up with a speeding ticket in no time.

[robm425]

Excuse the ignorance but don't all countries post their speed limits? I have been in Canada, USA, Bermuda, Mexico and Denmark, and they all post their speed limits granted some areas might be in kmph and not mph but I have never had an issue

[SeeMeDanny]

Meh - taking everything into account this is more of a german thing. =)

If we drive on the motorway we're in theory allowed to drive as fast as we want as long as there is no speed limit.

All of our neighbouring states have different speed limits, though, especially when it comes to the motorway.

And sometimes when you hit the end of a speed limit in a foreign country you're tempted to drive as fast as you would in germany, where you have no limit, because you're not fully aware of the law! =)

[billmaa]

Thanks Danny, it's funny because if I check my youtube insight..I have slightly more European viewers than American one..so this tip makes me smile that I can put something in there for my faithful overseas..=) Your trip sounds amazing by the way..

[truered10]

fantastic series mate, really, really good tips man! Looking forward to the next one, be quick Billy! LOL

[billmaa]

Thanks TJ, I'll knock it out as soon as I can =)

[Sponge1310]

Some very usefull tips indeed :D Can't wait for the rest of the series!

[billmaa]

Thanks Sponge, I've gotten a ton of stuff from work (catch up from the holidays), but I'll get it finished as soon as I can =)

[Sponge1310]

Take your time ;) Work pays the bills, youtube video's don't (usually :P )

[ToastToGo]

Wow I was not expecting this awesome series. Definitely looking forward to the rest. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful knowledge! I didn't even think about the credit card thing...about how companies may flag it as stolen when being used in various cities/states.

[billmaa]

It's happened to me on a car road trip, but I figured the info would translate over =)

[rolpal619]

Nicely done, Bill

Very informative.

[billmaa]

Thanks man, I appreciate it

[SuperUnknownMC]

gives you hell, good song

[billmaa]

I think so Jim, thanks for the comment

[thesmellofnapalm22]

Awesome video! Love the greenscreen stuff :D

[billmaa]

Thanks man, I'm still working on it, but it's kinda fun

[brotherblonde]

Good tips Billy.

The 5 P's...Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

I'll wait 'till part 2 before making any other comments (good one's). :)

[billmaa]

That's a classic BB and but still rings true =)

[mv336]

Great info in this, Im looking foward to the second part. This will come in handy once spring shows up (if ever) when I want to start taking longer trips with my bike. Thanks again and by the way the intro for this video was really good.

[billmaa]

Thank you, I know what you mean about spring being a distant memory haha...The intro was kinda an introduction to my newer subs to what my channel is really about..I've been making some pretty offbeat vids lately..hahah, I appreciate the feedback..

[808yewtube]

I have key ingredient number one and four...

I wish going to Ewa Beach could count as a motorcycle trip! :(

[billmaa]

I don't know if you remember when the pedestrian bridge got hit in Aiea a couple of years ago...but I was on my Ducati and it took me 9 hours to get home...that was worse than any of my long trip days =)

[808yewtube]

I remember that day! 9 hours!!!!?? That day made me so glad I live on the east side. The duc needs to be air cooled, not stuck in a traffic jam!!!!! U poor thing to have been stuck in that disaster!!!

[billmaa]

The battery casing melted on it, my wrists hurt so bad that I couldn't type at work the next day..haha

[matth1138]

Good tips Billy, this series will help me plan out the Route 66 trip and the Deals Gap run this year, greatly appreciated. By the way, the Striple demands "co-starring" credit in any and all vids she makes an appearance in...

Just kidding.

[billmaa]

Tracy and I are still in our early planning stages with our trip, But with Sekh coming back from Iraq, Trace planning a wedding and my knee surgery, we don't wanna plan too far advance..but if we can meet up with ya on the west coast, we'll make sure we do our best to make it happen...Haha, the Striple..Thanks Matt

[bfmv580]

Very cool green screen action haha :-)

[billmaa]

I'm trying man, still can't get the lighting perfect, but I appreciate the comment..=)

[KeukaRyder]

Very instructive and useful.

[billmaa]

Thanks Keuka

[VituMV]

Heeey Mr.Caveman, looks like hiding inside your cave has made you a little lazy, (eeeew, that beard, nasty...) haha I'm just messing with you, it's been so cold around here that its been difficult to work, its sucking, but hey, whats up with the wheelie footage, i've never seen that one b4, but neways, happy new year and looking forward to the next vid, PEACE!

[billmaa]

Hey Vitu,

The ladies like the beard..lol..The wheelie footage is old stuff at the texas motor speedway circa 1995

[ScoobyPeeps87]

you always have great advice billy thanks!! can't wait to take my viffer for a long trip.

[billmaa]

You couldn't pick a better bike to do it on Scooby =) thanks for the comment..

Billy

[BusasaurusRex]

Off to a good start buddy! Now if I can just get you over the 400 mile per day threshold. =)

[billmaa]

I like to actually enjoy the ride and not be miserable like those ironbutt guys

[kryten]

This couldn't come at a better time. With all the cold weather and not being able to ride I've decided to start planning a By Way of Motorcycle-like ride for this spring or summer. I could definitely use some tips from the master! I could also use a good name for my series. If you have any rejects that were good let me know. :)

[billmaa]

Haha, I don't have any series rejects off the top of my head..but if I think of any, I'll let ya know..keep me updated on your plan..

Billy

[kryten]

How about By Way of Motorcycle - The Next Generation.

HAHA!

[Papa2two]

Excellent info! I favored this vid.

Looking forward to part II.

rsmf...

[billmaa]

Thanks Papa, I greatly appreciate that..I just now figured out what "rsmf" means...it only took me a month =)

[8cuttlefish8]

Awesome mate, im sure when the time comes for me to go on a big trip im gonna be well prepared from learning from ur vids.

[billmaa]

Thanks Jeremy, I don't know all there is to know..that's for sure...but I've learned alot from trial and error =)

P.S. T-shirt fits perfect..I think every vlogger should have a custom shirt! Lol

[apricotsnms516]

nice thanks for the vid!

[billmaa]

You are quite welcome, thanks for the comment

[Twiggie087]

Hey Great series, I plan on riding across country this summer :)

[billmaa]

Thank you ..You have to do a least once its a great adventure..

[Ana1Hai1]

good stuff buddy. have fun with winter now lol

[billmaa]

Haha, I'm just trying to survive it! =)

[conniption89]

definitely enjoying all the things you're incorporating with the green screen. gives it even more of a pro feel. can't wait for part 2

[billmaa]

Thanks Vanessa, I'm still playing with it a bit..I can't seem to get the lighting right ..I really appreciate the comment

[RedanWhiteRebel]

Great video Billy looking forward to part two for tips for my Pacific Coast Highway trip. Did I miss some of the remake of Slaggy's last ride or is there more to come ?.

[billmaa]

Thank you, I have many more episodes of the Slaggy series left to do..I just got a bit burned out on it and decided to take few weeks off and do something else...I'll have it finished up before winter end. Thanks for the comment

[xXCigarXx]

good tips although i think my longest trip on my bike was slightly under 500 miles total my planning was simaler

[billmaa]

I think the first trips that I took were about that

[bloodhay]

pro man pro, you should have a tv program like departures or sumthin.

[billmaa]

Thank you, I would love to this goofy stuff for a living

[maikeli7]

This is absolutely superb!! My god, you should be making DVD's and selling them online!! Wow!! Can't wait for the next episode!

[billmaa]

Thanks Mike I can't tell you how much I appreciate the feedback . I'm unable to ride so I'm just stuck my basement making videos haha =)

[hughes111]

Awesome video Billy, unfortunatly as the UK is smaller then most American states, i can take all this onboard but lower the standards massivily haha!

[billmaa]

Haha, yeah, cross that tunnel into France and a whole new world of awesome motorcycling opens up to you =)

[maikeli7]

. . . On the wrong side of the road!

=^D

[hughes111]

France you say? Where is that then? Not on any of my maps! Lmao!