Riding in America

[haroman666]

So i'm going to the USA in the summer.

For a couple of days I intend to rent a bike.

Now by all means hit me round the face with your Anti-Cliche cricket bat but my intention is to rent a Harley and to ride it on a short section of Historic Route 66.

Don't ask me why. Don't suggest I shouldn't. Don't... Well just don't. Don't say it; whatever it is!!
INB4 Haroman has caught teh ghey.

I'm just after some general advice on what I should take into consideration with the bike rental, the riding on foreign roads etc etc.

So far my plan is to rent from https://www.eaglerider.com/ from their Las Vegas main depot. And i'm going for the cheapest bike as I need to keep cost down so it will be the Sportster 883.

Ride from Vegas to Flagstaff which will be 4-5 hour ride.
Maybe nip up towards the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff.
Stay the night in Flagstaff and then return to Vegas the following day.
(All with little exploratory excursions in between)

What do I need to take into account?
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[doggone]

Four way stops ?

[Monkeyjoe]

Looking forward to the replies for this, as I also plan to do it myself maybe next year.... I would never ride a Harley in the UK, especially Scotland, too wet, bike too heavy, but in the USA, sounds pretty cool, just for the experience of doing it.... good luck buddy, hope you enjoy it!

[spnorm]

I posted a ride report on UKGSer https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?305523-California-amp-South-West-USA

Route 66 wasn't worth the effort. I'd try to stretch it to two nights then you'd have time to explore the awesome Grand Canyon I'd consider the north rim and perhaps include Bryce Canyon too if you can.

Riding over there is a doddle once outside LV as there's f-all traffic and they speak English (but don't understand Yorkshire ) - it's easier than Europe. I can't wait to go back next year to see Yellowstone

[Pigeon]

[spnorm]

[spnorm]

Most of Route 66 we rode was tediously straight though, especially across the Mojave Desert and the famous Kingman to Seligman section - 35 mile straights in 45 degree C temperatures

[mentalboy]

[stinkwheel]

Protective gear is important... If you forget to apply sunscreen you WILL burn.

I'll recount the comedy conversation I had when I rented a Harley in the US:

"Now son, what sort of a bike do you ride back home?"

"I've got a 500 ninja (that's what the septics call a GPZ500) and I've got an MZ street moto which is a 660cc dirt bike with road wheels."

"Well you'd better be careful son, you're riding a powerful bike now. Just take it easy on the throttle."

*Poker face mode engaged. Bite lip. Grin and nod.*

On a serious note. Most of the roads are wide and easy.

You are allowed to overtake on either side on the freeway. Most states do NOT allow filtering (lane splitting) with the exception of California where it is legal but generally frowned upon. If people see you they may well "shut the door" on you, expect it.

They will put solid whites all over the place which you aren't allowed to overtake on. The default position is solids with broken only where even the most fuckwitted driver could safely overtake.

In many places, it is legal to turn right on a red light as long as the road is clear and there isn't a no right turn sign.

You are expected to come to a full and complete stop at any and all stop signs (stop, foot down, ride off again). They WILL bust you for blowing them.

The speed limit is low and low for a reason. People in America drive like total cocks. They are sat in big, lazy, enormous automatics set on cruise control and are much more interested in setting the air-con just right or tuning in the radio than looking where they are going.

If you ride like a cock and are stopped by the police. Stop and wait for them to come to you and keep your hands in clear view on the bars until told otherwise. Be super polite, call them sir and they'll write you up in a no-nonsense fashion.

If you ride like a cock in a school zone they will stomp on your head. Never overtake a school bus with its lights flashing, not even on the freeway.

Helmets are not mandatory in all states. If you're doing route 66 you need to wear a helmet in: California, Missouri and (if you're under 20) Texas. You need a medical waiver to ride without a helmet in some states. Many rental places will hve a restriction on taking their bikes out of state.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/heritage.jpg
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[mentalboy]

[instigator]

[Irn-Bru]

Stop signs sound retarded, it would do my head in having to come to a complete stop even when there is no traffic around.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[haroman666]

Cheers!

I'm aware that a huge percentage of Rt. 66 is just now straight interstate road not worth riding on.
So I may do as spnorm says and spend more time riding up around the Grand Canyon and that area where i'd imagine the roads are going to be far more interesting.

Eaglerider provide a Helmet with the base hire rate and i've factored in Jacket rental and damage insurance and personal insurance into my budget.

I'm currently in the mind-set that I wont ride like a cock, as I just want a classic American "cruise" ride. Which will probably bore me after a while and i'll end up wanting to crack open the noise-making actuator. But my intentions are currently innocent!!

I'm 22 (I'll be 23 about 3 days before I plan to do this) so no drama's concerning that.

In terms of fuel and frequency of "gas stations": Should I keep a sharp eye on fuel and fill up at every opportunity to be safe? I'm just thinking that the vastness of the US might mean the stations are further apart? Or less frequent on lesser busy roads?

Again; cheers for the info
____________________
The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[FergieinFranc...]

[James83]

[FergieinFranc...]

[James83]

[stinkwheel]

[barrkel]

Watch out for freeway off-ramps. They can have much tighter radii than you expect - and are regularly missed by drivers, judging by the marks left on the crash barriers.