Transfer/Move Time

[BillyMac]

I'm up for transfer next summer, but I have to put my "dream sheet" together now, so I wanted to get a little input on good riding areas from some of the picks available on my list. Obviously this isn't going to be the main deciding factor(her input will be), but I wanted to hear what you all thought of the areas, and an idea of how many riding months I'll have out of the year. I like having my K as my daily rider, but with the picks I have it looks like I'll be using the car a decent amount of the year.

Portland, Maine - My favorite so far, but I assume only a few months out of the year I'll be able to ride. But there should be some beautiful areas to ride to(Looking forward to Montreal/Vermont. I've also never been to NY or Boston)
Greensboro, NC - I assume clear year round except for hurricane season?
Savannah, Georgia - Not too fond of the heat/humidity/hurricanes
Minneapolis, Minnesota - I assume I'd be even more limited on riding months here.
San Antonio, TX - I assume year round clear to ride


Only one place on the West Coast(where I'm born and raised), and that's San Diego, which I love, but we were thinking of experiencing something "different." Any opinions or feedback you all have about these places in general I'd love to hear it.

[CrashBar]

I ride (K11LT) April through November out of Boston.  You would see about the same out of Portland.    The heat output of a K bike (at least a fully faired one) is actually an advantage to extend the season. 

Just spend 10 days on the road with Mrs Crashbar, Boston to Bar Harbor to Moosehead Lake, then over to North Concay NH, then Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and Lake George and then back through Vermont to Boston. 1500 miles, camped most of the time.   Great riding the whole way.  Portland puts the Canadian maritimes up through Gaspe within reach.

[Opus]

This is a tough one.
I guess it would be between Greensboro & Savannah.

Greensboro NC puts you right up to the Smokies and the blueridge parkway. You have a jump off point to cover all most the whole east coast states. Dude! You get to run the Dragon almost anytime you want!
Down side is colder winters, maybe more snow & rain. Check the stats for the area. As for Hurricanes, you are far enough inland that you would only get rain and winds.

Savannah GA. You are only 643 miles from Key West! Longer riding season with milder winters than Greensboro. You are still in striking distance of the Smokies and the Parkway. Hurricanes may be a problem. Check History for info. Also check Flood & Hurricane Ins. rates!!!

Minneapolis? Too cold and too much snow for me. Other may say diffrent though.
Portland Ma? I have a Friend there. She loves the summer! Hate every other season. But again others may say diffrently.
San Antonio Tx? Well if you are a big Cowboys fan, then it's okay. Too far from any real mountains for me though. Lots of history there and some nice flat roads too.
San Deigo?  You should know about that area though.

Okay that is my 2 cents. If I have said anything to upset anyone. Sorry and please post your 2 cents!

Opus!

[BillyMac]

Cool, thank you for the input.  Just the few videos I've seen, I'm looking forward to the scenery of the North East.

Opus, I didn't even think about those points with Greensboro(it has moved up our list a ways). I do like it as a good jumping off point for some good touring rides. San Diego has always been the "safe bet" on our list because we're both from CA, but we kind of want to experience something new. Minneapolis' killer winters are starting to move it down a bit though(I lived in Kodiak AK for 5 years, and I think MN is pretty harsh for winters).

The big downside we're seeing with Maine is the total lack of housing options  :dunno2:

[sh00ter]

Cool, thank you for the input.  Just the few videos I've seen, I'm looking forward to the scenery of the North East.

Opus, I didn't even think about those points with Greensboro(it has moved up our list a ways). I do like it as a good jumping off point for some good touring rides. San Diego has always been the "safe bet" on our list because we're both from CA, but we kind of want to experience something new. Minneapolis' killer winters are starting to move it down a bit though(I lived in Kodiak AK for 5 years, and I think MN is pretty harsh for winters).

The big downside we're seeing with Maine is the total lack of housing options  :dunno2:

Minneapolis has more riding days than you'd expect, obviously there is full on snow at some point, so that limits it, but if you don't mind the cold (I rather enjoy a nice cold ride) you get quite a few good ones.   Lots of good riding areas north of here and in Wisconsin - can't compete with the mountains or coast, but definitely the best of the midwest imho.

[wvoutpost]

For me, the answer would be easy - Greensboro NC.

Good riding is directly north to NW and fairly close.  Also plenty to do and access to many things in that area of NC.  Can also get to many points of interest in the eastern part of country, which since you haven't lived on "this side", may be a benefit to you.