Guided motorcycle tour USA

[RemaL]

I have been asked by a old friends (almost family) if I would like to go on a tour of the USA ( he want's to do something that includes Las Vegas, Death valley and the grand canyon areas). This will be for the Autumn 18. So thinking Sept/Oct time.

I'm happy to fly over, hire a bike and do what we want but he wants to go with a Guided tour so that's fine by me.

So a few hopefully simple questions.

1) I don't want a borrowed lid. What do I need to do for taking mine over for flights. And is it worth buying a open face, flip front instead of my Arai RX7-GP. If I can buy over there that may help a little.

2) Any companys people would recommend using.

3) What bike would be best. I don't really want a Harley. I know they have more choices. Was thinking Gold wing? I know they are heavy just wanted something I can cruise along and be comfy and enjoy the ride.

So what's our suggestions.

[RemaL]

strange u mention them as I was just looking at them and looks pretty good

[RemaL]

Krikkit said:

This is going to sound like a daft question, but surely doing a bike tour in the US is about doing it on a big Harley?

Why? I know people who live and ride in the US. Do Iron Butt rallies in the US (11k in 10d ays etc..) about 15% may ride Harleys.

I may change by mind but it's not the first bike I would want for a tour personally

[RemaL]

HD Adam said:

RemaL said:

Krikkit said:

This is going to sound like a daft question, but surely doing a bike tour in the US is about doing it on a big Harley?

Why? I know people who live and ride in the US. Do Iron Butt rallies in the US (11k in 10d ays etc..) about 15% may ride Harleys.

I may change by mind but it's not the first bike I would want for a tour personally

Big fairing, stereo, giant bags, cruise control etc. Get yourself all 'Muricaned up for the experience.

So a Gold wing then

[RemaL]

Crossflow Kid said:

We did Vegas, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Death Valley, Yosemite, Tioga Pass, San Francisco, the PCH to LA then back to Vegas over two weeks in 2014.
Think long and hard about going on a guided tour.
We didn't and it literally halved the cost and made it all much more of an experience as we were totally on our own. Maybe that doesn't appeal but for us, there's nothing worse than a bossy tour guide and a bunch of new found "friends"
Hotels and motels are dead easy to book online, navigation is so easy a child could do it and as well as saving loads you get to choose where you go, where you stop and how fast you go between the two.
Planning a route is simple enough - just look at Eagle Rider's itinerary and the hotels they're using. It's not rocket science to figure out where the best routes are.
You don't need a shiny support van for all your luggage. If you're taking that much stuff you're on the wrong kind of holiday.
We hired an Electra Glide Classic and although not the most refined piece of machinery ever built, it was perfect for the job, plus being able to tell the grand children "I rode Route 66 on a Honda" just doesn't work.
PM me if you want more details.

I've toured Europe on bikes and cars. I book the ferry and then go where the weather is nice and never had a issue with booking hotels and B&B's.
I would be happy with Guided or not.

and thanks for the feedback so far it's been great.

As for I rode a Route 66. I never go further than that. As I said i'm no Anti Harley just would rather not. I think the only thing that I would ride would tbe the Electra glide as posted.

Maybe I can get my son's of anarchy patch and assless chaps as well

[RemaL]

yea i've turned to the idea of a Harley for the tour of the US. Planning on going to the NEC show see other thread and seeing what guided tours can provide but i'm still more up for booking flights, bikes and doing my own thing but my friend i'm going with still wants to look at the guided tour.

I'm looking at flying to LAX, having a bike sorted beforehand and working out beforehand miles and approx places and miles to go and just go as the days go.

[RemaL]

Bob i'm doing my best to talk my mate out of it and when he sees how much it will cost I think he will as well.

I'm happy to arrange the trip. Would ensure I can get the bikes, book the flights, and arrange a reasonable distance for riding each day. some more some less.

[RemaL]

BobSaunders said:

RemaL said:

Bob i'm doing my best to talk my mate out of it and when he sees how much it will cost I think he will as well.

I'm happy to arrange the trip. Would ensure I can get the bikes, book the flights, and arrange a reasonable distance for riding each day. some more some less.

Is your friend just scared of the unknown? or being stuck with the same person?

Being British/English you instantly make friends in the USA (depending on your ethnicity lately.....).. or was when i was there.. mostly mid-20's females..

Good luck.

i love the US and have been many times as my friend has. I think it's the social aspect, meeting lots of other bikers and not doing anything like this before.

i've toured Europe a few times and book groups to le mans so will be happy to do this again. I think he;s not looked into how much it's going to cost. which from looking is going to be 4-6k for 2 weeks 1 person per bike.

I have told him i've seen return to LAX from Heathrow for just over a grand. hire bikes at $1200 for the 2 weeks. just food drink and hotels after that . plus buying a few extra clothes and a open faced lid i would take

[RemaL]

Alicatt1 said:

American friends of mine use this site to plan their routes https://www.wikiloc.com/ it has both on road and off road trails as well as 4x4, mountain biking and hiking routes

stunning and thanks for the link

matt

[RemaL]

Crossflow Kid said:

PS For the bike, I found a little indy rental place called Escape Eagles, two blocks off Las Vegas Blvd behind Treasure Island.
$900 for two weeks unlimited rental of the Harley which with the exchange rate at the time meant we paid around £45 a day. No mileage limit and no restrictions.
Beware places like the much-acclaimed Eagle Riders: they sometimes include a fee to go inter-State and some don't allow passage through Death Valley at all.
You might also be tied to a Saturday pick up and a Friday drop off which in turn might tie you into more expensive flights.

Just sent them a email off as I found them

coming up to needing to book this. Mates still unsure on the guided self guided no matter how much I talk to him.

I'm working out the numbers and prices and once he see's the different he will change his mind.

I'm posting this up as we went to the NEC show and talked to loads of people about touring including eagle riders who where helpful if not pushing for guided tours.

I want this booked up soon so hoping to make more headway

[RemaL]

Sorry if I have not posted but since I first posted this I never gave the hairy thing a real thought. now it's got to be a Harley. And what i've been pricing up

As someone said US road trip and Harley is a must. sort of. And now I agree. thinking big sofa type RoadGlide, Electra glide etc..

[RemaL]

Just a update 1 week today and i'm off to LA to start my Wild west biking tour with Eagle riders. We are going a few days early and staying a few days later in vegas to enjoy the trip and do some sightseeing at the time time.
Next Thurs going to Petersen Auto Museum which looks cool before the trip starts
https://www.petersen.org/

I will update when i can. And see how I get on on the HD Street Glide. As people said if your doing this then a HD is almost a must do. Which I agree on
Never been to the West coast before. US many times but Florida and new york areas

Can't wait

[RemaL]

dibblecorse said:

RemaL said:

Just a update 1 week today and i'm off to LA to start my Wild west biking tour with Eagle riders. We are going a few days early and staying a few days later in vegas to enjoy the trip and do some sightseeing at the time time.
Next Thurs going to Petersen Auto Museum which looks cool before the trip starts
https://www.petersen.org/

I will update when i can. And see how I get on on the HD Street Glide. As people said if your doing this then a HD is almost a must do. Which I agree on
Never been to the West coast before. US many times but Florida and new york areas

Can't wait

Packed your chaps ??? Have fun fella and be sure to write a report on your return ...

Assless check

And will do

[RemaL]

Cheers for the advice. I am taking my full face lid and have a carry bag for it. I've driven many many miles in the US. mainly florida but looking forward

And the Vault tour i will make sure I do.