Going to Santa Barbara CA and I want to ride. Need Suggestions, Recommendations

[Dan Filetti]

Ninja 250 but she's leaning toward  boulevard, vstar 250. Doesn't really matter cause its just going to be a starter bike regardless.

Yes it does matter! !!  Insist that she go with the Ninja!    she knows better

Have fun, See you in a few months KOOKALOO!

I say, whatever get's her riding.  I'm speaking from a position of knowledge.  My Wife rides a Ninja 250, fun bike to be sure.  But she jumped on, and rode better, my buddies Shadow 750.  For her, it was lower and more comfortable.  She'll be keeping the 250, but I was surprised at her more immediate comfort level of the Shadow.

To a certain extent, Riding ANY bike is better than not riding IMO. 

Dan

[threejagsteve]

I'm assuming I can avoid most of this by traveling through those areas during non-rush hours?

The plan so far is to try and do a loop heading north on "The One"  east into the mountains and south back to Santa Barbara.

Best times for getting through weekday traffic are 10-11 am and 1:30-2:30 pm.

Yes, the red areas are pretty much solid suburban sprawl amd small-town downtowns (and it gets worse the farther south you go: the 101-405 interchange (don't worry; it's waaay far from any sane route you might take! ) is on lists of the worst and busiest in the country). 

Sounds like a good plan - I'll keep my fingers crossed for the weather to smile upon you! 

[axiom-r]

Hi all-  I am brand new here to the forum but I live in San Luis Obispo so thought I would chime in about ride suggestions.  Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo is a 1.5 hour ride on Hwy 101. You can take Hwy 154 through Cachuma Lake Pass as a nice connector route and save about 15 minutes while enjoying a better road. Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 are the same road for much of the trip north from SB towards SLO. You don't really want to be on "the 1" between Las Cruces and Arroyo Grande i would suggest using 101.  Hwy 1 becomes enjoyable north San Luis Obipso as you head to Cambria.  If you are going that way it will be 2.5 hours up the Big Sur coast to Carmel where you could cut over to Laguna Seca on Carmel Valley Rd. connecting to Laurels Grade- all superb roads.  That is the ride I take for the USGP.

If you are not ready to spend the night in Monterey I would look closer to Santa Barbara as there are great roads there too.  Someone suggested Hwy 150 into Ojai- from there fine Hwy 33 and you are in paradise.  33 climbs through some incredible alpine passes of the Los Padres National Forrest....  it is my new favorite day trip.

tim

[Klavdy]

If you two are going to be hanging back, putting along, checking out the scenery, why not get a Harley?
They are perfect for two up slow cruising, it's what they do.
HWY1, a Harley, it would be fun.

[Ned]

Only problem with a Harley for that sort of thing is that those big tassled panniers need to be filled with tools and spare parts to replace all the bits that drop off. There won't be any room for all the clothes, makeup, kitchen sinks etc that the other half usually wants to take along for the day...(insert dull thud sound as Mrs Ned's rolling pin hit back of Ned's head)

[racerman_27410]

Dont be so quick to judge the new goldwings capabilities.......

yes they are large

yes they are heavy

but they can dance........



deals gap on a goldwing/gl1800 by yellow wolf dragons tail


BTW the chase bike is Yellow Wolf (a Deal's Gap local).... also on a wing

[LA Mike]

Dont be so quick to judge the new goldwings capabilities.......

yes they are large

yes they are heavy

but they can dance........


After seeing that video it has changed my view of Goldwings.... not that I would buy one.

[zero26tb4u]

Dont be so quick to judge the new goldwings capabilities.......

yes they are large

yes they are heavy

but they can dance........



Dam, that was impressive. I actually ride with a couple of goldwings with the cruiser crowd and yes they can be quite nimble. But having no experience with throwing one around myself I doubt that I would enjoy my limited ride time in CA as much on a wing as I would with something a little closer to the FJ. While I would love to have the FJ out there it looks like the Kawi 1400GTR is going to be the rental ride.

[zero26tb4u]

If you two are going to be hanging back, putting along, checking out the scenery, why not get a Harley?
They are perfect for two up slow cruising, it's what they do.
HWY1, a Harley, it would be fun.

Who said we were just going to be puttin around. MD knows how to hang on and yea there will be some slower site seeing but its really about the ride for me. When MD wants to see something slower she just hits me in the back of the head and I slow down. 

[racerman_27410]

.Who said we were just going to be puttin around. MD knows how to hang on and yea there will be some slower site seeing but its really about the ride for me. When MD wants to see something slower she just hits me in the back of the head and I slow down. 

LMAO i know thats right 

[zero26tb4u]

Hi all-  I am brand new here to the forum but I live in San Luis Obispo so thought I would chime in about ride suggestions.  Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo is a 1.5 hour ride on Hwy 101. You can take Hwy 154 through Cachuma Lake Pass as a nice connector route and save about 15 minutes while enjoying a better road. Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 are the same road for much of the trip north from SB towards SLO. You don't really want to be on "the 1" between Las Cruces and Arroyo Grande i would suggest using 101.  Hwy 1 becomes enjoyable north San Luis Obipso as you head to Cambria.  If you are going that way it will be 2.5 hours up the Big Sur coast to Carmel where you could cut over to Laguna Seca on Carmel Valley Rd. connecting to Laurels Grade- all superb roads.  That is the ride I take for the USGP.

If you are not ready to spend the night in Monterey I would look closer to Santa Barbara as there are great roads there too.  Someone suggested Hwy 150 into Ojai- from there fine Hwy 33 and you are in paradise.  33 climbs through some incredible alpine passes of the Los Padres National Forrest....  it is my new favorite day trip.

tim

Welcome, I don't really post that much, more of a lurker. But I don't usually miss an east coast rally since I bought my FJ three years ago. If you haven't been to a rally, definitely do so. I can't speak of the west coast rally goers but you'll never meet a more fun, obnoxious, depressed, happy go lucky, pain in the ass, talk to little, talk to much, crazy, conservative, fast, slow, intermediate (insert PC term "diverse") riders as you do at an east coast rally. Thanks for the route input. We're actually going to be leaving out of Santa Anna in the morning, shooting for 7a.m. departure. My initial idea was to take 101 into Morro Bay and find a spot for lunch (if you have a recommendation lets hear it) then one up to Big Sur. Then something farther inland for the return back to Santa Anna. Its the return thats up in the air at this time. Or would you think a better idea would be to take an inland route up and return via one and 101. Oh and if your up for a ride or part of it feel free to join us. Looking at riding on a weekday to avoid as much traffic and the law as possible. 

[Arnie]

[/quote]Who said we were just going to be puttin around. MD knows how to hang on and yea there will be some slower site seeing but its really about the ride for me. When MD wants to see something slower she just hits me in the back of the head and I slow down. 
[/quote]

Must be a universal language.  :-) Problem is it can have many situational interpretations.
Can mean "Slow Down, I want to look", can also mean "Did you see that Cop?", can also mean "Stop looking at *HER* and ride"

Cheers,
Arnie

[Klavdy]

If you rent a GTR1400 you will be underwhelmed by the FJ when you get back on it.
Go on, get a Harley, you know you want to.
Then, you can wave at all the other folks on real bikes, talk righteous smack to 'em in gas stations 'Bro then report back on your findings.
Plus, you get to wear a Do-Rag!
And scowl!.

[junkyardroad]

new goldwings capabilities

Thats right, they can really scoot with a good rider.  I chased one up and over Independence Pass CO. awhile back. Between tourons, gravel, water running across the road, granite on the right, trees on the left (or nothing at all), I kept up but didn't pass.

Thats when it became ok for me to have one.  Make sure your rental has an eagle painted on it and some flags and stuff or you will be gay.

[TRoy]

large heavy dance.......

I love that video, probably seen it 50 times.

...it kinda reminds me of following Dean with only half-a-load