USA Harley Bike Trip
Discussion
I've booked a solo flight to Las Vegas in April and will be hiring a bike for a 10 day looping road trip. I have a choice of several Harley Davidsons and I'm just about settled on a 'Fat Boy'.
Any advice on whether this is suitable for such a trip as I know nothing about Harleys (I have a Monster 1200). I'll be doing no more than 200 miles per day with a couple of 2 day stops.
The bike has a luggage rack and saddle bags. I could do with some recommendations of waterproof bike storage suitable for attaching to a luggage rack.
I've visited the area a number of times but would welcome ideas if places to visit and bike friendly cheap accommodations.
Is bike theft as much of a thing in the US as here?
I could also do with some recommendations for travel insurance as I don't think the insurance from my bank covers this.
Any tips welcome.
Any advice on whether this is suitable for such a trip as I know nothing about Harleys (I have a Monster 1200). I'll be doing no more than 200 miles per day with a couple of 2 day stops.
The bike has a luggage rack and saddle bags. I could do with some recommendations of waterproof bike storage suitable for attaching to a luggage rack.
I've visited the area a number of times but would welcome ideas if places to visit and bike friendly cheap accommodations.
Is bike theft as much of a thing in the US as here?
I could also do with some recommendations for travel insurance as I don't think the insurance from my bank covers this.
Any tips welcome.
Edited by Rollin on Monday 7th January 19:22
The bike will be fine for a couple of hundred miles per day (assuming you are alone, no pillion)
Bike theft not worth worrying about in my experience of touring holidays out there, no-one went near our bikes when parked up.Harleys have immobiliser/alarm/keyless as standard.
Not sure what kind of panniers you will have fitted, I would ask the hire company what they recommend and just line them with waterproof bags.
I did a 15 day bike tour 2 years ago and "just" have my banks premium travel insurance, which did cover me. I would check your policy, you may even be able to upgrade it for a small fee if it does not cover motorcycling.
Dont know what time of year you are going, but Vegas can be unbearably hot, especially sat on a 1.8litre twin
When we were there, the ride in over a couple of days was over 40deg C, and it stayed like that for a couple more days until we made it into the mountains and onto LA. You will want a mesh jacket and maybe cooling vest (they sell these in the hire places for $30 ish, well worth it) Also dont underestimate the amount of water you want to be carrying & drinking.
Its a fantastic experience riding over there....have fun
Bike theft not worth worrying about in my experience of touring holidays out there, no-one went near our bikes when parked up.Harleys have immobiliser/alarm/keyless as standard.
Not sure what kind of panniers you will have fitted, I would ask the hire company what they recommend and just line them with waterproof bags.
I did a 15 day bike tour 2 years ago and "just" have my banks premium travel insurance, which did cover me. I would check your policy, you may even be able to upgrade it for a small fee if it does not cover motorcycling.
Dont know what time of year you are going, but Vegas can be unbearably hot, especially sat on a 1.8litre twin
When we were there, the ride in over a couple of days was over 40deg C, and it stayed like that for a couple more days until we made it into the mountains and onto LA. You will want a mesh jacket and maybe cooling vest (they sell these in the hire places for $30 ish, well worth it) Also dont underestimate the amount of water you want to be carrying & drinking.Its a fantastic experience riding over there....have fun
If you're doing a loop from Vegas then as you say, your daily mileage will be moderate so I'd have thought any of the Harleys would be fine for it.
I guess how much luggage you have will depend on where you're staying; I'm assuming motel but obviously you'll have more gear if you're camping.
It could be a bit chilly and even snow at the higher altitude places you might plan on visiting such as Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and definitely into Colorado. The roads will be open and fine, but it might just be chilly that's all, and I'd certainly pack for something a bit cooler than an English summer.
I've passed through that region a few times and my personal recommendations would be Bryce Canyon, Route 12, Monument Valley, Death Valley (esp up to Dantes View), Zion, Mesa Verde and if it is chilly then south to Salida and into New Mexico. But anywhere you go in that region has some great riding. I wouldn't plan too much. Just see which way you fancy going when you get there. You'll have a great trip.
I guess how much luggage you have will depend on where you're staying; I'm assuming motel but obviously you'll have more gear if you're camping.
It could be a bit chilly and even snow at the higher altitude places you might plan on visiting such as Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and definitely into Colorado. The roads will be open and fine, but it might just be chilly that's all, and I'd certainly pack for something a bit cooler than an English summer.
I've passed through that region a few times and my personal recommendations would be Bryce Canyon, Route 12, Monument Valley, Death Valley (esp up to Dantes View), Zion, Mesa Verde and if it is chilly then south to Salida and into New Mexico. But anywhere you go in that region has some great riding. I wouldn't plan too much. Just see which way you fancy going when you get there. You'll have a great trip.
I'll probably go East as far as Page and then back to Death Valley. I've been to the area before but not on a bike.
Motels and possibly camping, but not sure NP sites are open in April. I think I'm missing US holidays so should be able to book places on the go. An Electra Glide is available but didn't really want something so big.
Motels and possibly camping, but not sure NP sites are open in April. I think I'm missing US holidays so should be able to book places on the go. An Electra Glide is available but didn't really want something so big.
jumpingloci said:
I've passed through that region a few times and my personal recommendations would be Bryce Canyon, Route 12, Monument Valley, Death Valley (esp up to Dantes View), Zion, Mesa Verde and if it is chilly then south to Salida and into New Mexico. But anywhere you go in that region has some great riding. I wouldn't plan too much. Just see which way you fancy going when you get there. You'll have a great trip.
Definitely not doing that on 200 miles a day riding but all those locations are stunning and I'd also recommend looking them up. I'm sure RemaL will be along soon but in the meantime this makes good reading
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
NP campsites should be open all year round, it just depends on their elevation and if the road's been washed out. There was a big storm a few weeks ago in Death Valley so worth checking if the bits you want to see are accessible.
It might depend whether the wildflowers make an appearance this year, but you shouldn't need to book - and you can always rock up last minute at Stovepipe Wells and find a spot in the dunes at the bottom worst case.
P.S. Definitely loop back to Vegas through Zion if you can. It's stunning.
It might depend whether the wildflowers make an appearance this year, but you shouldn't need to book - and you can always rock up last minute at Stovepipe Wells and find a spot in the dunes at the bottom worst case.
P.S. Definitely loop back to Vegas through Zion if you can. It's stunning.
I did something similar around June time a few years ago.
We did about 1000 miles over the 3 days. Hoover Dam and some Route 66 on first day. Grand Canyon on second day. Death valley on 3rd day. And a few national parks too.
I opted for the Road King which was big, but once moving it felt great. I'm only 5'6" but didn't have any issues with it. My friend who went for the Fat Boy was really suffering without a fairing to keep the wind off him though. We were out all day each day, and it did get quite cold into the evening and when we went up to Grand Canyon too. Also even on our trip to Death Valley, the weather was pretty crappy, so he wasn't protected from the chill.
But then I got sunburned on the first day as we had to wait around to collect the bikes at Eagle Rider for about 3 hours as it was so busy!
My tip: take waterproofs and thermals, as it can randomly get cold at times.
You'll probably want to ride a bit more than 200miles each day, the roads are so nice and the scenery is amazing.
You can buy cheap waterproof hiking backpack covers, which might be fine for attaching to the saddlebags they offer you. Otherwise lots of bin liners will be fine to put everything in before putting in the bag.
Have fun though!
We did about 1000 miles over the 3 days. Hoover Dam and some Route 66 on first day. Grand Canyon on second day. Death valley on 3rd day. And a few national parks too.
I opted for the Road King which was big, but once moving it felt great. I'm only 5'6" but didn't have any issues with it. My friend who went for the Fat Boy was really suffering without a fairing to keep the wind off him though. We were out all day each day, and it did get quite cold into the evening and when we went up to Grand Canyon too. Also even on our trip to Death Valley, the weather was pretty crappy, so he wasn't protected from the chill.
But then I got sunburned on the first day as we had to wait around to collect the bikes at Eagle Rider for about 3 hours as it was so busy!
My tip: take waterproofs and thermals, as it can randomly get cold at times.
You'll probably want to ride a bit more than 200miles each day, the roads are so nice and the scenery is amazing.
You can buy cheap waterproof hiking backpack covers, which might be fine for attaching to the saddlebags they offer you. Otherwise lots of bin liners will be fine to put everything in before putting in the bag.
Have fun though!
From my Harley trip in the US last Oct
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
May give you a few tips
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
May give you a few tips
This is the route I took. I've been in a lot of the areas before but not on a bike. Not been to Bryce or Escalante before.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I had the bike 10 days in total but had a couple of nights in some places as I did some days hiking.
All in price for bike was £1000, but that was with a $2500 excess. You can pay more to avoid this.
Did 420 miles in one day to get from Sedona to Death Valley. I think the most I've ridden in a day in the UK is 30 miles
Met some great people, especially in Beatty.
To top it off I arrived in Vegas and got a free upgrade to a 2000sqft Lago Suite at the Palazzo with early check in to enjoy it all. Having paid £120 for the room I was rather pleased with that!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I had the bike 10 days in total but had a couple of nights in some places as I did some days hiking.
All in price for bike was £1000, but that was with a $2500 excess. You can pay more to avoid this.
Did 420 miles in one day to get from Sedona to Death Valley. I think the most I've ridden in a day in the UK is 30 miles
Met some great people, especially in Beatty.
To top it off I arrived in Vegas and got a free upgrade to a 2000sqft Lago Suite at the Palazzo with early check in to enjoy it all. Having paid £120 for the room I was rather pleased with that!
RemaL said:
I'm hoping to do the coast to coast tour next year with Eagle riders. Maybe on our own. unsure yet. Start LA or vegas then over to Daytona via Texas, New orleans etc..
looks like you had great fun. DId you do it on your own?
I was on my own with no really planned itinerary. I wanted to do it that way. The only reason I went to Seligman first was because I took a wrong turn in Las Vegas looks like you had great fun. DId you do it on your own?
My flight was about £1500. BUT...I managed to get BA First Class out and Business Class back for that.
A normal flight to Las Vegas return can probably be had for £500.
Bike was £1000
I intended to camp but ended up in nice motels each night. Probably averaged about £70 per night. I could probably have got much cheaper places. Camping would have been about £20 per night.
I can't see that I spent more than £150 on petrol.
Maybe £500 on food and booze.
A normal flight to Las Vegas return can probably be had for £500.
Bike was £1000
I intended to camp but ended up in nice motels each night. Probably averaged about £70 per night. I could probably have got much cheaper places. Camping would have been about £20 per night.
I can't see that I spent more than £150 on petrol.
Maybe £500 on food and booze.
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