First long trip on motorcycle. Learn to be at peace with the world.

I have done the same thing...on my own after a 26 year marriage.....and it is true that you'll never see a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrists office.

There's nothing like having the wind in your face!I rode mine from Cali to Nova Scotia and back last year,wow did I have a blast!I cant wait to do it again!

Did you wear a helmet?

Only where I had to.

ahhhhh....One with the road...you see/hear/feel/smell/everything....you become a part of the experience...sold my bike 2 years ago when I moved..been rid'in since I was 15....that's over 40 years...Back and side roads are the best ride...Highways and main roads are a crap shoot and made even more uncomfortable by the bitch with a cell phone tailgating your ass like you are keeping her from something more important than your life.........or hers....when you see a bike ahead of you...pass him or stay back...even one little nudge from a car will take the biker out....get a bike...and feel the ride.....but remember..to stay alive all these years I always say one thing just before I go rid'in...."Somebody's going to try to kill me today...I'll be ready for them..."

What are the rules there about wearing them>?

I used to ride bikes...had myself an old CB900 heavy old bastard.
Now only have little road/trail bike for around the paddocks.
Still a lot of fun...and i especially like not wearing the helmet.
We need to wear them whenever on the road here in OZ.

Was your seat belt on?

Keep on rollin' :)

I bought a 1983. Honda CB750F Bol D'or. On the road again.

Yep. Full face only. By the amount of bugs on my visor it would be like a horror show to not wear one. That and I've seen the pictures of what happens to people who don't wear helmets. Yuck.

Did I mention the fat, juicy bugs that went splat all over my helmet? I had to stop 4 times to clean it so I could see. Would any sane person actually want to ride in that and be hit with all that blood, guts, and stingers?

I drove cross country from California to Ohio 15 years ago....it was the BEST experience of my life. The wonderful people I met and partied with, the beautiful scenery, the wildness of being only 24, with no ties, no time-limit and a pocket full of cash....was amazing!

Alas, it'll never happen for me again, not in the same manner with the same bright potential for fun as I had back then...but the memories definately keep me satisfied.

OP...you said it man, there is NOTHING like getting out on a bike and exploring the roads/small towns less travelled. I have 2 modern sportbikes and a dirt bike, the newest street bike I have is a 2003 1000cc sportbike, and I still can't believe these things are legal to own/sell to the public...as far as the insane speed and power to weight ratio.

Small bit of advice considering your bike is 25 years old...give it a good end to end "once over" such as lubing ALL the bearings (yes, head-set and swingarm pivot too), cables, check for loose bolts, new oil/fuel/air filters, new oil, new brake fluid, check the brake pads etc. Getting an official dealership shop manual is your best bet for idiot proof repairs and servicing. Adding some f.i. cleaner to the gas might help clean out the carbs a little/a lot, I'm sure you will notice a change in throttle "crispness" (synchronizing them would be a good idea too)...and new spark plugs (maybe even new tires if they have any sidewall cracks at all).

As far as the other helmet/helmetless comments go, I personally prefer my brain stay both intact and inside my skull, so I buy the absolute best I can find (my choice is only my personal opinion, there are plenty of great helmets brands/models out there) and wear it every single time. Arai RX-7 Corsair is my choice at the moment, and it wasn't inexpensive (and the AlpineStars GP Pro gloves were also not cheap) but I've seen the effects of many closed head injuries involving motorcyclists at a job I once held many moons ago, enough to last me a lifetime...there is no price too high for my safety. I highly recommend all motorcyclists choose a helmet they like and wear it on every single ride. I would also advise buying a new helmet every 5 years or so even if is still flawless, because the inner foams break down over time and don't compress/protect as much as they originally would have if needed in an accident. AND...never ever sit your helmet on your gas tank over the cap...gas fumes really destroy the inner foam layers quickly.

OP...Ride safe, and have fun...do yourself a favor and take a trip to "Deal's Gap" down there in N.C. if you like the twisty stuff, just take it nice and slow at first. I've been on motorcycles since about 5 years old, it's good to hear about a new rider out there. The #1 deadly/serious injury car -vs- motorcycle accidents occur in intersections where an on-coming car is waiting to make their left turn across your lanes, it's even harder to see you when the sun is behind you. I always "wiggle" my bike about 30-40 yards before an intersection if there is someone in that deadly on-coming turn lane, I even go so far as to raise my arm and point with my left index finger right at them so they definately see me...then I wave as I pass their car to be polite. Also stay to one side of the center of the lane...cars tend to spill fluids in the middle of the lanes and even more so while sitting at intersections...be careful.

Been hoping for a chance to drive from NH to Oregon and back. Been riding for about 40 years but have never taken a truly long journey. It's about time I did.

In NH we don't have to wear helmets. I hate them except in the rain. I guess we don't have as many bugs to pick from your teeth as our friends down south.

Curvy back roads on a warm summer night are the best.

First thing I did when I got my bike was check everything. Cleaned the carbs, the gas tank, repaired everything that was a little off, replaced all fluids, greased it, and put brand new tires on it. I keep my bike in tip top shape as much as I can. I hate the idea of being stranded.

And I do the same "wiggle" too. Intersections and left turners really get my attention. I like living too much to let some idiot not see me and get me killed.

I'm going to get a cycle and do this very thing.