I did the TAT starting in CO and rode to OR, basically the best parts.
I'm sure you've read all about this, but the TAT on the East Coast is getting a bit odd. The "Real" TAT starts in TN ... and is kind of boring until you get to CO. So guys have worked out 2 different starting points by the Atlantic ocean so you can really go ocean-to-ocean. And they have added some pretty cool East Coast stuff in now.
Let's see, tips:
- totally agree on your hotel vs. camp plan. Leave all that bulky camping crap in the garage! Lighter bike, better rest, shower each night, best option!
- the KTM 500 is way overkill ... a Suzuki DR650 is a perfect bike for this ride ... even a KTM 690 is way overkill. But only bad thing with your 500 is you are racking up a ton of miles on your bike and you will need to do a bit more maint along the way (more frequent oil changes).
- the TAT route is very dirt road like, mostly easy ... so the "cross country adventure" is kind of cool, but the actually riding is a bit dull. A more fun riding adventure might be put the KTM 500 on a hitch carrier and SUV it out ... spend ~2 weeks in Idaho and ~2 weeks in Colorado and you could ride some awesome amazing trails.
- work in an off day here and there, do maintenance, fix stuff, rest/relax
- have a back up GPS. We did this trip with 3 guys and actually needed all 3 systems to help us sort things out. But you probably have all this sorted from your other trips.
- Going in July/August there will probably be several Colorado passes still snowed in. Seems Sept is a safer month to go through CO.
- Don't plan on finding stuff you want for your moto along the way. Like a rear tire, or the oil you like, etc. We needed a rear tire, stopped in a town that supposedly had a good moto shop, they had 1 18" rear tire that was a sand knobby and kind of skinny (bike was an XR650R). Best bet is if you have any friends/relatives along the route ... ship stuff there so you get tire refreshes you want, extra parts, etc.
- ADV Rider is full of wonderful TAT stories ... stopping in at dealers or repair places and they bend over backwards for you ... not our experience. One place we stopped at ~4pm on a Sat ... was told they couldn't look at our problem, but they could on Tuesday morning. Another welding situation, guy did a basic welding job, $175. Ouchie mama! Where are those ADV stories about the small repair shop guy that used to ride BSA's around the desert so he fixed your bike for nothing and then fixed you dinner!