My Gap Year. Thoughts?

Hi Folks,

On my gap year, what would you do?

I'm going to the states, that's non-negotiable. I will be leaving in May, and returning august/september. Not sure if I will apply for an extended visa yet.

The original plan was to head out there and buy a bike. That's a bit awkward because I'm not a citizen, but it's do able. The cons with this are cost I guess, the initial out lay. The pros would, obviously, be the freedom.

Been looking, and I don't think I could deal with Camp America, but the volunteer stuff looks pretty interesting. 8/10 week program, usually accommodation is provided and food on working days, they all seem to rotate you every couple of weeks through different national parks all over the show. It's all manual work in National Parks, small groups of 10-12 people, sounds pretty good.

I would be able to travel after as well, but obviously, no bike . . .

Thoughts?

What is a gap year?

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

What is a gap year?

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I thought the same thing and was a little surprised that it had a Wikipedia entry. :)

Gap year - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Taking a year off from studying.

That's the one, fairly common term over here, didn't think about it. Sorry folks.

When you say bike are your referring to a motorcycle or a bicycle ? What part of the USA are you going to be heading for ?

motorcycle. I would like to go up to the north west ideally, Washington and Oregon. Though I'm open to bits and pieces in the east and Arizona and Nevada, I'm pretty flexible. Primarily, I wanna be out in the middle of no where for a while.

This is one site I've been looking at that runs these Volunteer programs:

http://www.bunac.org/volunteer/usa/

I don't think you would regret it later. It would look good on a resume too I suppose. Oh, also, once your life and responsibilities start cranking up, you will regret it if you miss out on this.

Oh, there is no doubt I will be doing something, just not decided what yet. I know I would regret it if I didn't do something, and I don't regret taking a gap year, even though I've just been working.

I'm liking this volunteer thing though, it looks good.

Leaving one wet and cold place for another or is that just London? Sounds good motorcycle and the outdoors. Volunteering for free lodging and food isnt a bad deal either. Enjoy the ride.

Ahh it aint so bad here.

Lodging and food for 10 weeks, leaves me about a month to do my own thing and still be within the visa waiver thing. Would be very much in the out doors.

Would be a lot less hassle for me in terms of organisation as well. I could probably afford to rent something for a week or two if I did this volunteer thing, maybe longer.

the bigger question for me is what kind of bike are you getting? ha! kidding the volunteer work sounds like a cool experience and if you are in a situation to take that year then i don't see how you would regret it.

but seriously what kind of motorcycle?

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Originally Posted by chee16

the bigger question for me is what kind of bike are you getting? ha! kidding the volunteer work sounds like a cool experience and if you are in a situation to take that year then i don't see how you would regret it.

but seriously what kind of motorcycle?

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I'm already on that year mate.

Kind of bike? I've been debating. Maybe the classic cruiser, maybe something more muscle bikey I was thinking of a V-Max for a while but their range is about 12 feet. Another personal favorite is a cafe racer style, something like the thruxton. It depends what would be available really, for the right money.

It does sound like a cool experience, and it would keep costs down. 10 weeks of paid accommodation and food paid for just over half that would considerably reduce my costs. Plus working in a small team doing seriously out doorsy stuff appeals to me.

what size bike are you comfortable with? i am not the biggest suzuki fan (though i have owned 3 now at different times :)) but the SV650 and SV1000 are great bikes. not the flashiest ones out there (though getting a lower fairing kit makes them sexy) but they are comfortable enough to ride all day on but have the V-twin torque to fun, plus they handle really well considering. they were a very under-estimated couple of motorcycles and because of that you can get used ones for some decent prices.

call me a nut but if i was to buy any Triumph (*my opinion alert*) it would be the 675. i know it sounds a bit sportier then what you were thinking but i haven't read a review where the person doesn't basically say they want to buy the thing. looks pretty nice too. the cafe racer thing is pretty cool i must admit but when it comes down to performance you will lose a bit. an older V-max would be great but i can't stand shaft drive, especially with that much power, and they aren't as comfortable as some of the cruisers. if you want a Harley then this is the time to buy one used, the prices are plummeting from what i have seen. i like Harleys but for me to ride one i would have to do a lot to it as they aren't much stock.

if you have already made up your mind then simply disregard what i say, if not then take it for what it is. :)

sounds like you are having fun though, which is great!

Sorry, but I had a SV for about 6 weeks and I thought it was by far and away the worst bike I had ever had the displeasure to ride. It was absolutely awful and I was extremely happy to hand it back. They were cheap as chips and it shows!

The 675 is a great. I've ridden one and loved it, but even at my size it was cramped, I wouldn't want to do distance on it.

I believe the Thruxton puts out something like a meger 55hp, it would look the dogs danglies in the photos though ;)

The big issue with the V-Max is the tank range, I think it's about 90 miles. Complete death traps, but it would be a cool bike to do it on I reckon.

If I was going to go the sports bike route I would have a RSV ever day of the week and twice on sunday. Big enough to do distance on comfortably, and enough go to keep you entertained! Or even the Falco would do.