South African wanting to buy a bike for US tour
 

Hi guys

Super new here and to motorcycle forums in general. Currently I'm riding a bicycle across Africa, however I want to tour the US next year on a motorcycle. I need some help with the following:

1. Choice of bike: I'd like to keep under US$2000, in fact $1000 or so would be better. Engine size around a 250cc. Any suggestions?

2. I'd like to buy the bike when I arrive, and sell when I leave. How hard is it to do this as a foreigner?

My main aim is visit several skydiving events across the US summer and sight seeing along the way. From that perspective I'd like to start East Coast and finish on the West Coast. Though at this stage nothing is cast in stone and I'm open to suggestions.

Look forward to the replies

Have a happy day

Ria

Hey Ria,

Welcome to the site. There are many choices for bikes that would fit your price range.

A good place to start looking is on craigslist, searching by cities in which you might arrive. Bikes are more popular in warmer climates so you'll be overwhelmed by choices in Florida and California.

One age range that has some great value are bikes from the 1980s. Any of the Japanese brands, i.e Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha have basic street bikes that are pretty bullet proof. I'd look at sizes up to 400cc, which are still light but have more power to ride at decent speeds.

Buying a bike is a straightforward in most states, you just need a temporary address in the states to provide them. You can buy insurance online through progressive, takes about 15 minutes.

Happy searching.

Nice plan
 

Welcome Ria,

I have been researching to buy a bike in the USA to travel the Americas the last few months and have some tips for you.

It is possible to buy as a foreigner but it divers from state to state. I have noticed that having a address to register the bike is very usefull.

California is a good place to start, like mountainman said, because there are many good bikes for sale and it is quite easy to register over there. There are other states where it is even easier.

A good place to look for bikes are also: www.bikefinds.com and our friends on www.advrider.com

Greetings and respect for riding your bicycle through Africa.

East Coast States registration
 

Hi guys

Thanks for the replies. Really encouraging replies that have me more amped about this trip!

Are any states on the East Coast easier?

Many thanks
Ria

Vermont is easy to register a bike.

As far as where to buy check eBay, Craigslist, AdvRider, etc.

You can get a KLR650 for under $2,000

Traveling in the US you will need a bigger bike than a 250, you could do it on a 250 but I think you would be happier on a 650 of bigger bike... plus some areas are so boring you probably will want to get to your destination quicker LOL

Good luck

Vermont and florida
 

Ria,

Vermont is easy because you don't have to live there to register. Florida seems to be easy to. Don't know the exact details about either states or other states down the East coast but perhaps other travellers can help you on your way.

Ofcourse a 250 is doable, people travel the world on even smaller bikes. I wanted to do the Americas on a 125 honda but people advised me to get a bigger bike. I'm going to take their advice and will be getting a bigger bike, suzuki DR650. It will give me the secure feeling that I won't be restricted/bound by anything.

In the end, you must do what suites you best and take the bike that gives you the best feeling for your trip.

You could do it with a 250 but a 650 would be much much more suitable.

Just a note on Washington State, easy to buy and you do not even need a local address, (but it would help so you can use mine). We do have a "sales tax" that will hit you for 8%. If it was me I would check out Oregon where they do not have a sales tax.

My two cents:scooter:

Hey... that sounds like an awesome ride... good luck with it.

Do you have an image for which states you would be riding through?

No disrespect to any of my neighbors, but some places in the US are more interesting for motorcycles than others.... and different bikes are better suited to different regions (west cost, mountains (rockies and apalachian), central plains, etc...).

A 250cc street bike would be a blast for New England, Southeastern US, or the West Coast (slower speed limits and twisty fun roads)... it would by MUCH less fun in the grain belt (higher speed limits (70 or 75 MPH) and straighter roads...

Also, Getting up and over the mountains in the east and the west will require a bit of power.

I've ridden a Vstrom 650 most of the way across the country 4 times, and it has been the perfect bike... fun in the twisties, not too uncomfotable doing 90 MPH through Nebraska (sorry to my Nebraskan friends, but I really neaded to get back to Detroit, so I sped though your homes).

Still, it's almost 500 lbs wet. If you want light, a KLR 650 is a good choice (as mentioned earlier), but can be a little bit twitchy at higher speeds.


As somone else said, get what will make you happy, and a 250 is doable, just maybe not the most comfortable for long days in the saddle (to give you some perspective, it's about 4,500 km from New York City to Los Angeles... by expressway).

Anyway, what ever you pick, if you're in Minnesotta, drop me a note, and I'll treat ya to a cool beverage to help you on the way bier

Safe riding!

I am in Nashville, TN. If you come around this way, I can probable help you. We can find something for $2K very quickly, just keep the Registration sign without a sale date, when you are coming back this way, I place an add in advance of your arrival and we sell it for as much as we can.
I done that just recently. Bought a Yamaha XT225 to teach my 17 years old son how to ride, he rode it for 4 month, and I just sold it for $300 less than what I paid for it...
That was a great rental deal :)
Take care

In my opinion the best bang-for-your-buck USA tourer is a pre-2008 ninja 250.
http://www.dronestudio.com/images/Ninja250Rb.jpg

You can get a low mileage example with a few scuffs for less than $1500 anywhere in the USA. It's got 35hp and will happily sing along at 75mph all day long. They're reliable, they've been around for 20 years and parts are cheap and plentiful. Huge tank and great gas mileage means you'll be over 250 miles per tank. You can get oil filters and spark plugs at most auto-parts chains.

In my mind there is no better value bike for a budget USA tour. Sure, you could stretch your budget and get a high-mileage, adventure/touring bike but I would choose the reliability and economy of a smaller low-mileage bike every time.