Trans American Trail TN & GA days 7-9 XR650L

These are my experiences on the TAT. Hope you like them!
Editing, riding, recording, uploading, camping, and still working when I get a chance. Lots to do!

[@jrdepew]

These are quality TAT videos and I’ve watched many over the past year. I rode the TAT Virginia To Oregon via Idaho this summer on a DR650SE and my buddy on a XR650L. He sent home more weight than I was carrying! He eventually got it right and he saved my ass near Moab. At 69 this was the best summer in recent memory. I left the DR in Washington and will ride back next spring. Subscribed and look forward to your full trip. . . PS, I’ll be in Ocala, Fl for the winter.

[@orangelion03]

69? At 63, you are now my spirit animal! Cant wait to retire and be able to ride like that on the regular. Pleasant journeys brother!

[@jaredalexander3403]

Did you leave the bike with family or? An were you able to get it this year it says your comment a year old, hope you made it!

[@K_Bendel]

If people would just watch these videos they would be hooked. Love your outlook on life Eric, being so positive makes for much stronger ever lasting memories! One day I hope to experience this. What a thrill just watching!!!

[@upaginit]

Great job, many don’t know the extra time it takes to get the footage you have, especially by yourself.

[@DaddyEric222]

Ya, definitely need to be committed to it!

[@jdbmoto]

Thumbs up for the UCF shirt. Fellow rider from central florida.

[@orangelion03]

My gawd that's some gorgeous countryside! And you captured it well! Thank you. XR650L and 1200GS in SoCal

[@pierreeversole265]

Hey Eric.... enjoyed this video. Hope you're enjoying this adventure as much as me. Looking forward to the next one. Safe travels ....

[@GoSutto]

I just found your channel. Love it! The TAT is the next thing I'm setting my sights on. Thanks for the awesome series.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

4 adverts in 11 minutes. Insane. Average is every 10 minutes. You can adjust them. Great video's and riding. 😍

[@chipm2544]

Hi Eric, excellent adventure. I’m thoroughly enjoying this thru your camera. Great videos! Will add this to the ‘to do’ list. Beautiful scenery. Well done. You have jumped in with both feet! I’m sure you are gaining & learning tremendously from this adventure.

[@DaddyEric222]

It was a very enlightening adventure in deed. Although it took a while for me to really unpack many of the core lessons. I look back and smile at every moment, even if in the moment I could find the joy to smile, it was still there. Step back & breath, reconnect, reevaluate, rest. Thanks for watching!

[@brianh8801]

Love the sound of the 650L...Never sounds strained...just lumbers along. That and the fact there’s next to nothing to go wrong with it is comforting. And...it’s a light weight compared to modern Adventure Bikes.

[@codystrom8708]

Absolutely the XR650L is the pretty much the only dual sport/adventure bike that actually is great off-road

[@artm.8254]

Thanks for all your video's! This is a massive undertaking. Riding, and documenting with a variety of camera footage while camping and back tracking lol.

[@tsav6952]

I've from Florida also and ridden to many cross country locations and it would be time consuming and a big job to video and edit plus carry all the required gear so I really appreciate your efforts. Very cool trip and enjoyable to watch. Thanks a lot!

[@_everydayelias]

This video are awesome, I bought my 2007 v Strom with the help from your other videos!

[@francescosalvioli8073]

Hi, compliments you had a very good time with your bike!!! you upload nice videos....i'd do the same you've done in the east US coast here in Italy from north to south and back..maybe next spring!! compliments again!! keep on riding your Honda it's gorgeous

[@gadgetbass9175]

Just found these videos. Nice job, great music choice. Gonna go ride mine around for a little while then come back and watch the rest.

[@luikenspellings2272]

Bro it is literally 3 am and i’m about to watch all of your videos 10-10 fuego content!

[@DaddyEric222]

Thanks so much! Sorry for the lack of sleep, but you're welcome for the content!

[@breegreen3203]

Eric I like your videos I live in Madisonville Tennessee I see a lot of the areas you're riding that I've been on I just went down to Florida last week and picked up the xr650r which is road legal got it cheap and it's already set up for Baja keep up the good videos love them

[@blooskyy7]

Awesome journey, great editing!

[@Palouseweaver]

What an awesome time lapse video! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kcfanatic08]

Great vids. Love your timelapse vids. What camera are you using for those.

[@familyprintz5119]

You look like a dentist - and I enjoyed the video.

[@lancegallant3647]

great video just bought a xr650l love it great bike !

[@MotoBolivia.adventure]

Que sorprendentes rutas muy completo tu video felicidades yo también hago off Road montaña .

[@OakeDoki]

Nice a fellow Floridian. I plan on getting this exact bike, it will be the first one I've ever owned.

[@DaddyEric222]

If you're buying new you might want to look at the crf300L, used the XRs can be a great deal! Either way, it'll be a blast!

[@OakeDoki]

@@DaddyEric222 Yeah I was originally gonna get the CRF300L but all the dealerships I looked at didn't have it so I got the XR650L. Yeah you aint kidding it is a blast haha.

[@yakirberesheet]

I had that great bike too. And that is a real known issue with the rear arm chain guard.. Must is to change it to on made of that hard plastic called “oculone” Because that zip tie gonna fly off soon...

[@BruceWalkerTexasRanger]

The stock chain slider is the best solution. They are cheap, plentiful, and reliable.

[@cmfw813]

Awesome videos! Planning to do the tat myself soon. What part of Florida are you from? I’m in Tampa.

[@AmirSaleemShah]

Really beautiful adventure.

[@azatecas]

Keep going adventure awaits!

[@RumorHazi]

I’m new to your channel so forgive me if this is available in another video but how are you mapping your way?

[@coryboyd7958]

What a really nice young man! You would be fun to travel with. Are you from Florida? If so, where? Ft Myers here. Really enjoy your videos.

[@DaddyEric222]

Orlando! And thank you.

[@coryboyd7958]

@@DaddyEric222 Great! When you get back let me know. Maybe we can meet half way and share some stories. Would be GREAT to shake your hand. Cory Boyd

[@OneManTrail]

At 2:09 on the left, that is the coolest old Texaco station on the TAT

[@searchingfor6thgear44]

I am enjoying your perspective on the TAT. What camera did you use for the time lapse? I've done them with my GoPro and my iPhone. Not confident that either one could do well capturing stars or the traffic on the road. You've probably already made the "call" on keeping the microphone, IMO sound quality is something that sets apart motorcycle vlogs. Keep up the good work!

[@DaddyEric222]

Searching for 6th Gear Nikon Z6 with a 20mm 1.8 for the timelaspse. And yes I eventually sent the mic home.

[@benp5528]

Great video man

[@danielcleaver9349]

I noticed you have that GoPro mount on your front headlight shroud. Do you use that often? What are the advantages of having something like that? in terms of filming with your GoPro what are the things you tended to use the most?

[@DaddyEric222]

Not at all, it vibrates too much and gives a jello video look. Nearly all the GoPro shots are from my helmet.

[@mistajef]

Cut back on things?? The important things are keeping your feet on the pegs.Good job man

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

I did not know a version of that trail came through here. And I am pretty confused about the route. 9:14 You crossed the interstate going north out of Ga about to stop at an intersection, then cut to a scene going south off Aetna Mnt, under a bridge to the exact same intersection. Ya get lost or did it route you into the gates on the top of the mountain? My house is on the other Mtn in your interstate drone shot at 10:20

[@DaddyEric222]

Sometimes I will place clips out of order if it goes better with music/timming. But only out of order by 2 hours max. Very cool place to live!

[@charliehernandez3260]

Saludos de la Baja México bienvenidos

[@PyrateRumRunner]

May I ask what camera gear you used?

[@Leonoscarr]

Hi, I'm planning on doing a short trip from Tellico Plains down to the area around Blue Ridge, Georgia I'd love to connect with you if I'm able and discuss any tips you may have. I'm also from Florida (Coral Springs, FL) south of UCF

[@socaladventuresdavidt2557]

Did you put any different sprockets? Like for higher top speeds? I put a 42tooth rear on my '17 XR650L for better top end because I ride the freeways a lot. And going 75mph seemed to be revving the motor a lot. Also is that the 5.8 tank or 4.7? I wanna do a similar trip soon!

[@BruceWalkerTexasRanger]

We rode them on stock gearing all the way from texas to Nicaragua. Zero problems.

[@socaladventuresdavidt2557]

@@BruceWalkerTexasRanger on the stock 2.8G tank. Wow.... seems impossible lol

[@BruceWalkerTexasRanger]

@@socaladventuresdavidt2557 We had 4.7 Clarks and got about 200 miles on a tank of gas,

[@socaladventuresdavidt2557]

@@BruceWalkerTexasRanger sorry read it wrong. Lol stock gearing. How fast did you guys usually cruise at? And about how much money did it cost about? Like can you Do it with 1k? 1.5k?

[@BruceWalkerTexasRanger]

@@socaladventuresdavidt2557 we cruised 70ish and they used a little oil. Everything south is cheap. We rode 17 days and estimated $100 a day each. Many days we spent way less and had money left over at the end of the trip. We stayed in the cheapest motels we could find and split the rooms. We had 11 guys 6 Xr650l and 5 klr650.

[@otienooduor9702]

Which drone are you using? Clear footages

[@DaddyEric222]

DJI mavic pro

[@jamesbramblett3346]

One of the best TAT videos I’ve ever seen. Great job and thank you

[@michaelmotley2507]

I'm interested in taking the same route on my xr650l. How did you map it out?

[@DaddyEric222]

Buy the maps from SAM with The trans American trail. Then I just loaded that into my phone on an app called Motion X GPS

[@dcijams]

soon, to be a 650 rider. just wondering how the 650 with a carb, works in higher elevations ( 10-14K) range. I'm from Vero Beach, Florida

[@BruceWalkerTexasRanger]

It will work fine. It won’t be fantastic, but sufficient. I did the tat on two xr660ls.

[@motohauler]

Vero beach native here, in Oregon with my xr650l. Can’t beat the Honda.

[@putrantoutomo5410]

Hi Eric.. what if you completed your vlog with the map of route that you’re passed.. 😍 your vlog.. cheers from Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@jimhackney4727]

Hi Eric. I'm enjoying your videos. I was on the TAT this year just a little ahead of you I assume. I did not make it though. I was nearing Mississippi when a deer jumped out only inches in front of my bike while I was on an asphalt, back country road. I broke my left wrist and the pinkie on my right hand. I also hit my head on the ground hard and I was unconscious for almost an hour. My trip was done. I credit my Klim gear, 3DO armor, and my helmet for keeping me safe. That and a little bit of luck. I plan to post videos from the 1200 miles I did finish though. I have a few questions for you regarding your XR650L please. I am seriously considering getting one for when I try to complete the TAT next year. How do you find the weight of the bike on the trails? Do you feel like you are fighting it and does it feel top heavy at all? What speed can you comfortably cruise at on the asphalt, and what size sprockets are you running? Also, may I ask what range you are getting with that 4.7 gal tank? Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to make the right decision on whether or not to try the XR650L. Thank you.

[@DaddyEric222]

short. Glad you’re okay! I just got into Oregon as of writing this. The XR has been very good. Other than running it out of oil and a rear wheel bearing going it has run perfectly. I have too much stuff easily 15lbs of Video gear. Plus all kinds of other stuff. So my pack it a bit too heavy. Stock sprockets and they’ve lasted 20k miles now. I get about 40-45mpg so that puts me in the 200 mile range pretty easily. Which has been plenty. The bike does not feel top heavy. 65mph is about as fast as I go. The bike likes it between 55-60 the most, but it’ll do 65-70 all day. I found I like riding kind of hard, so if I do this again I’d drop a lot of pack weight and if I had the money I’d do it on a crf450L (or ktm 350-500). Overall the XR has been great and since I probably won’t have the money to upgrade I would without a doubt take the XR650 again.

[@jimhackney4727]

Thank you for the quick reply

[@jamespolucha8790]

Are you going solo on this trip ?

[@DaddyEric222]

Yes, I did the whole thing solo. In fact I didn’t even meet anyone on the way lol

[@HydeMyJekyll]

What tires did you use for this ride?

[@DaddyEric222]

K270 kenda or I think the shinko 244. Cheap tire, but excellent results perfect for a 50/50

[@natashahancock9896]

I run metzler MT 21 up front and DUNLOP 606 rear. Very nice combination

[@EricHeinrich]

nice

[@fatchance4465]

You doing Nevada or the Idaho route?

[@DaddyEric222]

Fat Chance -Sam’s route. So Idaho

[@fatchance4465]

Will be following along. I like your choice of bike for the journey.

[@devil3r813]

love to find a NICE used XL...But you ruined that...dammit. I'll keep lookin, Great vids.

[@devil3r813]

might have to buy a new bike for the first time in my life....it will be worth it.

[@DaddyEric222]

Ya I definitely killed any resell value... Thanks for watching! Also just so you know the XR is still running!

[@shoechew]

Ants are extra protein.

[@chrisdiehl8452]

Your riding with the wrong tires.

[@jasonrees6012]

Most people want to get away from electronics when they go camping ,only Millennials bring their laptops camping and people who are addicted to the damn things

[@nutmagnet22]

UM,he's using it to edit videos so you can watch them on you're laptop.

[@WeRunBrushless]

Wow, what a bitter perspective. Enjoy the video this guy took the time to create and relax.

[@tuberider2077]

Great video music sucks !

[@jasonrees6012]

Ahhhh potable doesn't mean that you should drink it , it means it's for pots ,like cooking or washing .Drinking water is called drinking water. C'mon you didn't know that .Everybody should do a couple years in the army (well men should) ,you'd know what potable means .

[@UhYeahWhateverDude]

Uh...no. po·ta·ble /ˈpōdəb(ə)l/ adjective FORMAL safe to drink; drinkable. It literally means drinkable. I spent 23 years in the military, and never once did potable mean not drinkable.

[@jasonrees6012]

@@UhYeahWhateverDude YOU ARE CORRECT SIR . GOT MY WORDS MIXED UP . SO YEAH .WORK ON YOUR PASSIVE AGGRESSION AND YOU MIGHT PULL OFF BEING A RESPECTFUL INDIVIDUAL .SO YOU WORKED FOR STORES OR SOMETHING . 23 YEARS .SO YOU DID 3 YEARS AND THEN SIGNED ON FOR 20 .SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE A CORPORAL FOR LIFE . i'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD THAT TERM .I MEAN YOU FILLED THE WATER BUFFALO ,DIDN'T YOU ? YOU WANT TO HAVE A DECENT CONVERSATION ? THEN DON'T BE DISRESPECTFUL TO PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW . YOU CAN FIND ME ON THE VETERAN'S ADVOCACY WEB PAGE.

[@TheRealWillSolo]

Jason Rees you’re an as

[@TheRealWillSolo]

Excuse me... Ass

[@jasonrees6012]

@@TheRealWillSolo I apologized for that mistake many months ago ass. do some work before you decide you captain morality.