I recently completed a road trip with 5 of my fellow instructors from OPRT. Traveling through WA, ID, MT, and OR we covered roughly 1600 miles in three days. We had a few mechanical issues, and there was a pretty significant disparity in speeds between the fastest and slowest bikes, but we managed to have a great time and see some awesome roads!

The bikes involved: 2013 ZX14R, 2010 GSXR 600, 2010 FZ1, 2013 GS1200, 2005 GS1200, 2007 F800S

Day 1:
From Arlington, we left via SR530 and travelled through rain and snow on SR20 to the top of Washington Pass. From there it was SR20-SR395-Flowery Trail Road-SR20-Sandpoint, ID. We had our first mechanical, with a severely worn rear on the FZ1 requiring a layover at Coeur d’Alene for new tires and a hotel stay.

Coffee and breakfast!

The first sunshine was at the top of WA Pass:



After trying to hang with Mjolnir through the twisties, the FZ1 tire gave up, and we parked it at a dealership in Coeur d’Alene for some new tires and much needed Mexican fare!

Day 2:
From Coeur d’Alene we hammered east to Missoula via I-90 and the always fun Lookout Pass. Easily the best type of freeway riding you’ll ever do, with relatively fast sweepers and elevation changes. We picked up some blades from the fine gents at Zombietools, then had our second mishap. The GSXR battery was dead, requiring a side trip to a dealership for a replacement. Once ready, we headed SE on Highway 12 through the infamous Lolo Pass, for over 100 miles of the most rhythmic sweepers and scenery you can imagine. On our way through Lewiston, we got popped by the local PD for 10 over. Thought we were going to jail when the next 5 cops arrived and started talking about all the calls they received about us, but luckily we escaped with a mild speeding ticket. From there it was a long, slow commute to Walla Walla, where half the crew slept in a hotel while the real men moto-camped.

Lolo Pass

Day 3:
Running short on time, we started the day with yet another mechanical. This time MY battery was dead, due to a charger being left plugged in. A few panels removed, and the trusty GS rider Mike produced a jump kit from his depthless saddlebags to get us on the road. We headed to Pendleton, OR, then followed SR395 to SR74 for some tight twisties. 74 led us onto 206, where things got a bit cleaner, but no less technical. It was a blast railing the 14R through apex after gravelly apex. Our Sena S20s were great for calling out obstacles and conditions. We had a brief meeting with the management at Oregon Raceway Park, followed by a ride-around and viewing of the INCREDIBLE Palatov D2. From the track, it was SR97 -I90-I5, and home to our families!

* Last updated by: TRAILBOSS on 5/4/2015 @ 8:28 PM *

Awesome! Looks like a great ride. I see you hit a couples bugs

They don't expect a 550lb, 150mph enema!

Wow your bike looks really awesome with the white panniers and top bag.... the weather and the roads looks awesome for a perfect ride day.

Btw Which exhaust are those?

That is the toughest lookin pack of hooligans I have seen in awhile!

The exhaust is a Brock's Titanium CT Meg.

Seabass, none of them wanted (or could) cruise at a consistent 120+. All the bikes started leaking oil, losing tires or simply running out of... I dunno... balls?

I was missing Priscilla and her rider's abilities as wingman.

Seabass, none of them wanted (or could) cruise at a consistent 120+. All the bikes started leaking oil, losing tires or simply running out of... I dunno... balls?

King of the Road ... what can ya say.

Awesome! Can't wait for our road trip through Texas hill country this fall.

Thanks for sharing the story and pics. Your white zx looks great and functional with the givi bags.

Awesome write up. So, people were complaining about you guys doing 10 over??? You sure you weren't doing 100 over?
I really have to plan a trip up that way. Soon, I hope.

Mad

The cop got us on radar at 10 over. The citizen complaints were of a more egregious nature.

Nice write up, love riding the PNW!

I have been on 395, 74, and 206 (among others in OR) several times in the last month,and it is hard to beat those roads outside of a racetrack. I could do without the gravel, but that is just an added challenge

I don't know how well you know the roads in that area, but if you head down again - I could make some suggestions of some you missed.

G

I have vague memories of that white stuff in the background in the first few pics .....

What is it called?

The cop got us on radar at 10 over. The citizen complaints were of a more egregious nature.

I've heard that PNW cops, especially Wash state, are more hard ass than most. I've personally have seen one Wash. state cop pull over 4 cars in-a-row, at one time, during one stop. Seen it myself...

I came to understand why most Wash state motorist tend to hold speed closer to the posted limits, than other state drivers.

The cops up here can be pretty aggressive, especially the State Patrol. Those boys do some pretty brazen shit in the name of hanging paper.

With the widespread use of cellphones it has become pretty hard to rail public streets for any length of time without getting reported and eventually caught.

With the widespread use of cellphones it has become pretty hard to rail public streets for any length of time without getting reported and eventually caught.

This is news to me. John Q Public is forwarding info to hwy patrol, to catch you?

This is first time I've read of report of this (new to me) idea. But, I bet it's not isolatd to PNW.

You probably just don't ride like enough of an asshole to get calls!

They called you in because you were strafing backroads - were you putting anyone in danger?

Each day I hate people a little more. I'd love to catch one who called that in. Oh the fun I'd have...

Oh, we deserved the talking-to, and the ticket we received was a slap on the wrist given what we had been doing.

I don't like whiney car commuters, but I fully understand their predicament when 6 bikes go ripping by them to hit the next apex.

120+??? Man I wish I had been there with ya buddy! Scott from the track with the zx6rr and I caught a short ride the other day, he had that thing pinned wot at 140 when I scorched off. :))) Priscilla needs brake pads, and suspension freshened up. I am probably gonna knock out the brakes and fresh fluids tomorrow. Looks like you had a wicked fun ride despite the misfortunes of the popo.

We gotta catch a ride on your day off bud! Lemme know whats crackin! I think its my turn to buy lunch.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 5/5/2015 @ 11:25 PM *

I don't like whiney car commuters, but I fully understand their predicament when 6 bikes go ripping by them to hit the next apex.

I might understand this, too. Please be patient with me here a moment.

I think I understand you guys were linked up with bluetooth comms, and giving "forward observations" to the crew coming up from behind, for clearance to proceed. Yes?

I'm also guessing that the crew was doing this while on some pavement marked as "no passing". Yes?

Maybe strafing around blind corners, while passing cages? Maybe?

The questions are rhetorical, you dont need to answer. *But* if you did answer yes to two or more, then I'm putting this out there: This is a *bad* idea. Put yourself in the car: Your life is being threatened by crazy bikers, and you have no way of knowing that they have a forward observer giving them the "all clear". All you know is, you may have to make an insane escape manouver because of them. Thats all you know, and you *hate* them for it.

I'm respectfully requesting that you please refrain from spreading that hate to our sport. Please, no more of this.

I'm with you. We never pass on blind corners or hills. We certainly pass on double yellows, however, as those are designated with the capabilities of the average commuter car in mind. We maintain a safety margin when we ride.

That being said, there will always be an inherent dislike from cage commuters and non-motorsports enthusiasts. Unless you are traveling at the same speed as the surrounding traffic, you will eventually find someone butthurt about your behavior. They will call you in regardless of the legality or speed gradient of your pass. I've had calls about my exhaust while commuting on I-5.

I have found that mitigating my contact with the public and keeping their risk exposure to a minimum has saved me from a lot of unwanted attention. Unfortunately, when you travel 140 miles on the same highway, you're bound to find a few tight-asses. I don't hate people for complaining about their commutes being disrupted. Do I think they're whiney pussies? Sure. But they're entitled to a peaceful drive, and we do our best to disrupt them as little as possible.