touring around on a motor (Seattle, Vancouver: home, to buy, colleges)

[klompertje]

Hello!

i might move over from holland to the tri-city's.
to do technical support for dutch company in pasco

my age is in the mid 20's and i like to tour around on motorcycle's
and sometimes play online game's n stuf

are there any friendly/open motorcycle clubs?
are the roads in good condition?
how strict is Washington state with motorcyclists?
where is a good place to hang around and go out on a friday/saturday ?

also i read alot about wind and water activity's
is windsurfing/kitesurfing/hoby cat any good over there?

[StealthRabbit]

You will be traveling some distance to enjoy the social meccas of PNW (not available in Tri-cities).

Motorcycle is fine for ~ 50 % of commute, but you will need raingear / car for west-side trips (Portland / Seattle). Both have good public transit, and you can take train from Tri Cities to Vancouver, WA (Portland). Very pretty AM trip down the Columbia Gorge). Walla Walla has 2 colleges (social life) and is nearby, very nice city. It is fun to explore the backroads / Columbia River basin on a Motorcycle. (I would use a dual sport). Many nice rural roads in SE WA as well as along Columbia River and over into Blue Mtns of OR and Salmon River area of ID. Clearwater / ID mtns are quite nice and near too. You can ride over to Missoula, MT and enjoy a weekend there.

WA will require a Motorcycle endorsement and mandatory safety class (written and riding skill test). It is not difficult. I keep a lot of vintage motorcycles, they are CHEAP to buy (<$1000). I use Yamaha XS 650's and XT500's (Thumpers). Both are quite popular in Holland, so you can import a cheap motorcycle back home (that won't be cheap! / import duty). I use Diesel VW for CHEAP transportation. (free fuel using cooking oil or Bio_D and I get the cars for $30 - $500). Yes you can buy a running car that gets 50 mpg in USA for under $100., I have found some cars for free (in Brier patch) You can brew your own BD for $1/ gal (if you get free veggie oil). Make a BD processor for under $100. Appleseed Processor Kit - Utah Biodiesel Supply. Motorcycles have very little use and are cheap to buy in winter on West side of Cascades. (Portland / Seattle).

Sailing / windsurfing / Kayak will be a very nice hobby in TriCities. It is about 3 hrs down river to the Windsurf capital of Hood River. There are many Wind/ kite surf inventors and Manufacturers near Hood River. (Get a PT job testing / designing equipment, and become their Dutch representative when you return). (I have done 5 foriegn assignments for my engineering company, just returned from a Yr in Thailand). Each destination had special perks I utilize 30 yrs later

Be prepared for Micro Brews and Wine. Do include the special events here!
EVENTS* |* Columbia Gorge Wine Country

Of course you are welcome to stay, since our home is an international guest home (for last 25 yrs). Great way to travel and enjoy local people.
Hospitality exchange - Wikitravel