Suggestions on LA to Santa Barabar trip

[Guest]

Hi,

Am looking for route, safety, preparation, packing and other suggestions, recommendations and advice for a possible up coming trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

A little background. I now have over 1.5k miles on my GS450GA since returning to motorcycles, almost all within LA. I now feel very comfortable with the bike at low and medium speeds. The GS450GA is ok up to 60 mph or so, but feels light and vague over that speed.

I think the bike is up for the trip since having dealt with a charging problem (bad RR), petcock problem (rebuilt but still badly bent internal plunger that does not allow PRIME), getting a new front tire and battery, and recently replacing the crankcase and shaft oil. Still have a whining noise from up front, which I believe is related to the speedometer, and will work on that before the trip.

Ideally, the trip would give me some highway experience; however, want to stay away from U.S. 101 except for the part that I cannot avoid. Will travel up mid-day on a Friday and return late Saturday. Parts of U.S. 1 is good, but looking for other back roads with light traffic and few traffic signs.

Thank you in advance.

[oldgsfan]

You don't say what part of LA you're in but if it were me I think I'd make my way over to the Pacific Coast Hwy and take it all the way up. There is a stretch that will put you on 101. For gear there are lots of threads on this forum about tool kits for trips you can search for. On a really long ride I pack a quart of my favorite oil and a tire patch kit. My favorite tools, including a spare clutch handle, are always on my bike. Have fun.

[pmong]

You don't say what part of LA you're in but if it were me I think I'd make my way over to the Pacific Coast Hwy and take it all the way up. There is a stretch that will put you on 101. For gear there are lots of threads on this forum about tool kits for trips you can search for. On a really long ride I pack a quart of my favorite oil and a tire patch kit. My favorite tools, including a spare clutch handle, are always on my bike. Have fun.

Hi,

Half way between the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. I think I will go down to Santa Monica to catch the PCH. Will be forced onto U.S. 101 in Oxnard.

Is there a good alternative to U.S. 101 when I get into Santa Barbara? Not my favorite stretch even in a car. Destination is UC Santa Barbara in Goleta, west of the city.

Thanks.

[7981GS]

Hi,

Half way between the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. I think I will go down to Santa Monica to catch the PCH. Will be forced onto U.S. 101 in Oxnard.

Is there a good alternative to U.S. 101 when I get into Santa Barbara? Not my favorite stretch even in a car. Destination is UC Santa Barbara in Goleta, west of the city.

Thanks.

Modoc Rd. to Holister Ave.
Holister parallels 101 through about half of it.

Eric

[pmong]

Modoc Rd. to Holister Ave.
Holister parallels 101 through about half of it.

Eric

Thanks! Just checked google map, and looks like a good alternative.