Post trip summery.
The COVID19 thing wasn't a big deal. The only detour I had to make was I couldn't cut across from the South Rim of Grand Canyon to 89. The mask thing was handled different in different states. Calif, Az and Nevada everybody wearing masks. Utah a lot less masks. Locals and gas stations and such more often than not weren't wearing masks in Utah.
As for the V-Strom, maintenance and reliability. Total trip was 2846 miles. I used a bit of chain lube.
The Alaska Leather sheepskin butt pad made a big difference. I was really glad I had it. I didn't have it last summer on Canada trip. Noticeably happier butt this time.
The nights were cold, first thing I did after arriving home was order a new sleeping bag. My 20+ year old Coleman Peak 1 rated for 30 degrees (???) but probably a lot less after 20 years of abuse just wasn't cutting it. I ordered a Nemo Forte 20. Not cheap bit I'm sicka being cold at night.
Cheapest gas was in Az I paid $2.09 but think I saw 2.05 in one area.
My first time using Shinko 705's. No issues. Not sure I'd be using them on a bigger/heavier bike but I'm guna stick to them on the VStrom.
????$$$$???? I think the week long trip cost me a bit under $800. This included my annual NP pass ($80) and 3 nights in hotels.
Capital One CC. I tried to put everything on 1 CC just to track spending and in case of fraud. I kinda ran into issues with the Capital One card at gas stations. Online it said no travel notice required. But if I hit the same gas brand station twice in a day it wouldn't allow me to pay at the pump the second time. Meaning I had to mask up and go inside. I'll call and try to turn this feature off next time.
Traveling this area in October. The riding weather was great. I was in mesh 3 of the 7 days. Couldn't ask for better riding weather in this area. Nights got cold. You kinda gota be prepared for any weather in this area this time of year. Coldest temp I saw on the bike was 37 at 0930 in mountains above Bishop. 16 miles later I was changing into mesh jacket in Bishop. I never saw 100 other than for about 10 minutes in Death Valley. Majority of the trip was mid 70's-low 80's. Crossing Nevada was cold with the first 200 miles or so in the 40's.
I was really glad I brought 2 jackets. My warm winter jacket and my mesh. I would say I was about 50/50 on which one I wore. Sometimes heavy in the morning and mesh in the afternoon. I used my warm winter gloves and grip heaters in Bishop and crossing Nevada. It never got cold enough to install my HippoHands though I brought them.
My Canada trip if anybodies interested.
https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538160