route 66

[simplyshaker]

Hello everyone,

Next year, my wife and I are planning a trip from Chicago to santa Monica along with two or three other couples. I'm looking for any information on reliable companies to rent some Harley Davidsons for the route 66 trip. (if your going to do the route 66 then it has to be on a Harley). There are lots on the internet, but I am hoping to find someone that has had first hand experience with any company, bearing in mind I'll need a company that offers the 'oneway' service because I don't want to have to take them all the way back again !

Any other information from anyone who has done this trip would be more than welcome.

thanks Chris

[Lone Rider]

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental is a large rental co/franchise.

[Bill Ryder]

Sounds like a great trip. I used to watch the television show "Route 66" two guys in a chevy corvett traveling down rt 66. My only thought would be to hit Sturgis SD and then come down the eastern front range of the rocky mountains starting with yellowstone park. Sadly route 66 has been replaced by freeway in lot's of places.

[simplyshaker]

Thanks

Should be a great trip, I'm hoping to do all sorts of activities while I'm there. The grand canyon helicopter and the new platform thing they have built over the canyon. Spend money at the casinos in las vegas and all the other touristy things they have there !

Has anyone used the EAGLE RIDER company ? Their website and services seem quite good but it would be nice to see if anyone has had problems with them before, thanks again.

Chris

[DLbiten]

Try Harley-Davidson | Experience | Motorcycle Tours and Maps | Guided Tours | US Route 66 | * Thay got all you need there. As far as bikes to rent, maps, places to see, guided or self gided. There the source for the all "harly experience" (its a tab on there sight funny but true). There map making program alone is worht a bookmark on any one thinking about a trip anyplace in NA.

Im not big on HDs my self but if thats your dream to run the USA mother road on one then dont let any one talk you out of it. One thing depending when you go the last bit in AZ. can be a killer. 130F is nothing to over look, water and lots of it. Leathers look cool but there hell in that heat. Dont be a fool and ride with out covering your skin the sun and wind will dry you out faster than you body can replace the water even drinking 2gallens a day may not be enof. No coffine or alcahol on that bit of the trip.

I ran from 5,000+ feet and frost to 120f in death valey in a day so a big T bag and gear for the extreams may be needed.

66 it self isnt the best rode pot holed and gust gone seeming much of the way alwas made me sad riding it. The sand and rocks that seem to cross it hear and there show how little its used. Seeing the homes and gas stations and shops that are now gust standing unused reminde me of what once was.

Thow its off 66 Lake Havasu City in AZ is worth the stop and a dip in the lake on a hot day takes the miles off.

Have Fun and take your time at the old odd places along the way.

[hogal225]

~Hi,

Two years ago I hired from House of Harley in Milwaukee and their rep, Gino, made it a pleasure. As I went round the lakes I don't know if they do 1 way hire or not. The trip around the home of HOG is also possible.

cheers

Al

[yuma simon]

Just keep DLBiten's advice in mind, at least coming into Arzizona. The highway in New Mexico and into Arizona is high elevation and low temperatures, at least through the night. You also don't want to be on the highway at night through the more rural parts of New Mexico and Arizona due to the animals. I have seen a carcass of a dead elk on the side of Route 40 just outside of Flagstaff, after it was hit by a truck. Not as big as a moose, but about half the size. Again, not to scare you, but just keep in mind. Besides, a small mountain city such as Flagstaff is a nice place to take in for a few days. I used to live northeast of Flagstaff in the heart of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, which would make a very good ride through, and can be done in a day, or two, depending on what sights you wanted to visit. I am quite far from there now, so couldn't offer to meet up, but if you do find someone with experience through there, follow him or her. Once you head west, out of Flagstaff, you will lose elevation, and eventually wind up crossing the Colorado River just north of Havasu City. As DL stated, a nice place to visit, but very, very, hot starting in May and into September.

[simplyshaker]

The cold temperatures are quite a worry for me, because of the amount of equipment we will be taking. We are planning on travelling extremely light 'cause we will be staying at motels on the way. But taking cold or wet weather clothes will be difficult because of the volume. Jeans etc will be bought over there if needs be and the leathers will of course be worn wilst travelling. We are planning to go in either September or October, what is the weather like during these months ? And what would the riding conditions be like ?

thanks Chris

[yuma simon]

The weather starts cooling off a little bit through the California deserts, but are still on the warm side. Actually, I think I read that you are coming east to west, so you will start to see a change in weather across the US. The mid-states start to cool off, and as you ride into New Mexico and gain altitude, you will find the weather cool, but not necessarily wintery, yet; the same for Arizona, on into Flagstaff. However, the nights will be quite cool, but, as long as the rain stays away, you should be okay riding the daytime through the higher elevation, and stop for the night. But, you will want to have some "warm" clothing to go out--the elevation is about 7,200' (4000 meters?) so will be cool there.

[yuma simon]

Originally Posted by Bill Ryder

Sounds like a great trip. I used to watch the television show "Route 66" two guys in a chevy corvett traveling down rt 66. My only thought would be to hit Sturgis SD and then come down the eastern front range of the rocky mountains starting with yellowstone park. Sadly route 66 has been replaced by freeway in lot's of places.

This is true, but there is a lot of the old road left to travel on. But, no, you won't get the full effect, traveling on Route 40, as you would have riding on the proverbial Route 66.

Personally, I think a trip going your way would be much more scenic and rewarding, and I have never been through your state, but the weather could find them in a snowstorm this late in the year (Sept-Oct), no? I remember seeing snow through Colorado in August!

[nugentch]

Originally Posted by Bill Ryder

Sounds like a great trip. I used to watch the television show "Route 66" two guys in a chevy corvett traveling down rt 66. My only thought would be to hit Sturgis SD and then come down the eastern front range of the rocky mountains starting with yellowstone park. Sadly route 66 has been replaced by freeway in lot's of places.

Uh Dude, I believe the car was a Corvair. I'm old emough to remember, but also old enough to be wrong. But it definitely was not a 'vette.

[Lone Rider]

The Rte 66 thing has gone and passed.
IMO, most of that route blows massive whale spit.
The best part is between Kingman and Oatman in AZ.

If I were a visitor to the US and wanted an interesting moto trip, I'd choose many others before the 66 thing.

Look for Nat'l Parks and Forests and connect those dots.
There's a lot of beautiful stuff here, and it ain't on Rte 66.

[John Ferris]

Originally Posted by nugentch

Uh Dude, I believe the car was a Corvair. I'm old emough to remember, but also old enough to be wrong. But it definitely was not a 'vette.

Corvair ?
You kids are so funny.

[Martynbiker]

Lonerider wrote "IMO, most of that route blows massive whale spit."

I agree, the charm of 'What Once Was' will be gon, gone, gone.....

but YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.......mmmmmmmmm there is a place to ride a bike!

[nugentch]

Just looked at Route 66 TV Show / Route 66 : TVparty! and it was indeed a 'vette. I could of swore it was that rear engine job. It sucks getting so old you can't remember things from your youth. I really miss having teen agers around the house to remind me that I don't know anything!