Riding across America
 

My girlfriend and I are planning to ride across the states next year on Harley Davidsons, has anyone who has done this before got a tips to share?

We are thinking Miami to LA, stopping in Vegas and a few other iconic places along the way. We'd need to rent the bikes so if anyone has done this before any advice much appreciated. Who did you rent with? How much did it cost? etc etc?

Basically, any help would be much appreciated!

Many thanks!

Y???? The US is very boring compared to Europe (or the rest of the world). And on Harleys???? You'll need a backup vehicle to pick up the parts. :rofl:

Just kidding!

I (and others) might have tips to share if you specified some sort of budget, what time of year, how many days, weeks, months or years, and what your interests are. Without that sort of information.....what's the point?

Sorry to say that the one piece of your trip about which I know absolutely nothing is bike rentals. However, that seems to me the easiest to research via Google.

Good luck!

Mark

+1 The UK is less than 1/5 the size of the state Texas. If you can narrow it down a bit, especially time available and interest. That would give us (and you) a good starting point.

Will be happy to help... :wink3:


P.S: ...:welcome: to the HUBB!

The four corners area is a good place to sepend some time.
Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico.

:funmeteryes:

Four Corners Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, USA Vacation

In 1987 I spent 6 months riding 32 states on a 58 Pan head , or should I say I spent 3 months riding and 3 months in the garage fixing it..lol

But loved every minute.

It should have been a 12 month trip but I to stopped of in Vegas { Mistake }

If you love american bikes and the USA you will have a ball

sometime it's best to just set off and do your own thing and don't follow other people's routes.

I will add to that and say it's worth doing Sturgis in August.

Have a great trip

Dazzer

+1 concerning Sturgis. For one, it's a fantastic area for riding and secondly, its a hoot to just go and people watch, ...girl watch, ...bike watch. You'll get the idea :innocent:

http://trex63.smugmug.com/Travel/Ala...76_gLoPA-M.jpg

http://trex63.smugmug.com/Travel/Ala...76_gWwU6-M.jpg

http://trex63.smugmug.com/Motorcycle...90_SDgMg-M.jpg

The ultimate overlander bike...
http://trex63.smugmug.com/Motorcycle...55_wVBbx-M.jpg

We did a 7 week round trip of the states from la to la via nova scotia around 6 years ago. Can't help with the biking bit as i hired cars, but I can say that after california Arizona, Colorado, new Mexico etc, north is definitely the way to go. Maybe a round trip of the west (or the east if you start from NY) might suit better. the distances are huge, and you have to pick carefully your route in central states as we found ourselves driving hundreds and hundreds of miles not really seeing a huge amount. Great if you're looking for the acheivement of a mammoth ride but not so fun for sight seeing. Really depends how long you you plan to take!

Good luck and happy travels - from a european's perspective, USA and Canada are fantastic places to travel and a good starter into the world of long distance travelling/touring :)

Thanks for all the replies guys, sorry for being so vague with my original post! A bit more info:


I live in England. I've been riding for about 10 years, have been on several trips across Europe (France, Spain, Pyrenees, Alps etc) but have always wanted to ride across the states on a Harley (before I settle with kids etc!) My girlfriend wants to do it too but she's not got a licence yet!

We're planning to do it summer 2012 and will have 3 weeks, maybe 4 depending on work commitments but we are basing it on 3 at the moment.

On my euro tours I've usually covered fairly big distances for a day or two and then had a few days a bit more relaxed with time for sight seeing etc. So a couple of 5-600 miles days followed by a few of 150 - 200 mile days. My last euro trip was 4,200 miles in total in just over 2 weeks.

It looks like around about 3,000 miles across America (depending on exact route) so 1000 miles per week seems ok to me. We like the idea of starting in NY and finishing in LA. Would like a day or two in Vegas, to see the grand canyon and my girlfriend really wants to go to niagara falls (A bit of a de-tour!!)

I have no interest in a guided tour as I'd much rather make it up as we go along - much more fun that way!

Budget wise we think we're looking at about £4,000.

Any tips or advice much appreciated!!

Many thanks

I found the northern route a Had a bit more along the way but then that depends what you want t see.

You could go from NY through the state to the niagara falls, Through Canada to Detroit, chicago, then across south Dakota taking in the badlands national park, then rapid city and the black hills, Custer state park, mount rushmore etc.... Devils tower national monument... Then either west to Yellowstone NP or south to Denver.. Then head south heading for highway 50 (america's loneliest highway), cutting off south to monument valley, grand canyon, flagstaff, Hoover dam, and Vegas.

Personally I'd then head north North finish up at San fransisco, which is a great city or if you want to carry on south along highway 1 to LA that's also a great road! If you do go to SF you can take in yosemite NP, sequoia NP and death valley on the way. It's well worth the trip!

Anyway it's your trip and these are just my ideas (although it's a trip I'd sorely love to do again. I'm sure some of our American friends on here will have even more great suggestions. If you'd like more info please do get in touch!

Given the time available, I think you hit the highlights. Long hours in the saddle though... But, it beats the alternative of not doing it at all.

budget wise that was supposed to say £4,000 each!


I know we'd be packing a fair amount in to a short space of time but we just won't be able to stretch any more time off work.

Does anybody know of any decant places to rent the bikes from?? I'm struggling to find someone where you can return the bike to a different city from where you picked it up!!

Thanks

Probably the easiest, if you want a HD, is EagleRider. They've got quite a few outlets.

Advice:
Stay off the interstates unless you just want to eat up some miles. They are not indicative of the character of the area.
Try not to eat at ANY chain restaurants.
Take your time and speak to people, your accent will draw a lot of curious folks and most are salt of the Earth.
The US is huge, so if you want different scenery head south or north.

When you get an idea of your route and get it narrowed down post again. Lots of travel experience on here.