Riding in the USA

[Harvey]

I have been following Daves' USA trip thread as I am planning a similar trip. We (Sharon and I) are off to Chicago at the beginning of May and we are going to ride to Santa Monica on Route 66, coming back at the beginning of June. The purpose of this thread is to gain knowledge of riding in the States, how it differs from the UK, odd Laws etc. So please post up if you have any tips, warnings or general pearls of wisdom.

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by Harvey

I have been following Daves' USA trip thread as I am planning a similar trip. We (Sharon and I) are off to Chicago at the beginning of May and we are going to ride to Santa Monica on Route 66, coming back at the beginning of June. The purpose of this thread is to gain knowledge of riding in the States, how it differs from the UK, odd Laws etc. So please post up if you have any tips, warnings or general pearls of wisdom.

With all the info in Daves thread please take note your normal holiday medical cover will not cover you for a large cc bike so take notice of this I just used them for 30 days cover for £45.00 each. These people are a lot cheaper than Sue's link that give the club 10% off!

Originally Posted by Back in black

As posted in the touring section

We've also been looking for travel insurance for our upcoming trip out of Vegas and most insurance companies don't seem to cover medical costs whilst touring on motorcycles.
The best quote we have found with all the coverage is from Navigator Insurance, tel 0161 973 6435 Cheap Travel Insurance UK, Best Holiday Insurance Cover Online, Navigator Travel and after speaking to them on the phone, they knew exactly what we wanted and were very knowledgeable.

Most states do not allow you to filter through traffic if you do cagers get the arse and can open doors and police will nick you. BUT you can on a highway undertake lots of cagers will stay in the outside lane at 50mph as they class the road as a two lane road not a outside lane to being vigilant you can overtake either side of other vehicles this is ok in all states.

Don't go more than 10% of the posted speed limit and they change so often on a small stretch of road i.e. 65 to 55 then 35 in less than a mile so keep your eyes open.

If during school collection/delivery times if a Yellow bus stops to collect or drop off some kids you are NOT allowed to overtake it, a STOP sign will pop out of the side of the bus and it is mandatory that all vehicles stop, also the speed limit through school areas are greatly reduced when the yellow MPH [School sign] flashes.

Have more than one visa/credit card and prepay at the petrol station booth it makes life so much easier and most now want prepayment. If you used credit card then guess the amount you want credited to the pump you are using, if you don't use it all they will credit your card the unused amount. You will soon know how much you require at whatever mileage.

Prices have gone up and you can pay as much as $5 down to $3.65 depending where and what state you are in.

Some states don't require wearing a helmet but the insurance would be void if you had a spill and were not wearing one.

If you break down other bikers will recognise a cry for help if your helmets are behind the rear tyre or in their case tire.

Also drive on the right hand side of the road.

If I think of anything else I'll edit this post. have a great time, we are just back from 3 weeks and 6 states.

[sue_M]

Just back from driving along route 66.
Which part are you doing as every state is different. Check out the helmet laws for each state.
The roads are very straight and very monotonous at times on the route. It is important to keep yourself hydrated to maintain your awareness .

[Mac1]

At 4 way crossroads in urban areas it is not aways obvious who has the right of way, ie who goes first. It is dictated by who arrived at the junction first. However this politeness will go out of the window in cities where it becomes every man for himself.

[BaZa®]

In some towns/states at a set of traffic lights in the inside lane [right hand side of the road], when on RED you are allowed to yield/stop and turn right on red.......

_stop_and_turn_right.jpg


.......unless otherwise stated not to images.jpg it works well and it is also advisable not to be the first in line on said inside lane if you intend going forward as people behind you want to turn right.

Originally Posted by BaZa®

Some states don't require wearing a helmet but the insurance would be void if you had a spill and were not wearing one.

Originally Posted by sue_M

Just back from driving along route 66.
Which part are you doing as every state is different. Check out the helmet laws for each state.
The roads are very straight and very monotonous at times on the route. It is important to keep yourself hydrated to maintain your awareness .

DSC06667 (Large).JPG

[MORDUEMAN]

Remind Americans at all times, that whilst they drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side of the road, we invented cars, motorbikes, tarmac, traffic lights, everthing in the world really.

If you follow this advise, you will find all johnny foreigners jolly helpfull and friendly

We will be in Florida in May, so if you fancy a detour and a beer

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by MORDUEMAN

Remind Americans at all times, that whilst they drive on the right side of the road, we drive on the correct side of the road, we invented cars, motorbikes, tarmac, traffic lights, everthing in the world really.

If you follow this advise, you will find all johnny foreigners jolly helpfull and friendly

We will be in Florida in May, so if you fancy a detour and a beer

Gaz I hope you import your own beer mate! Nothing there much good unless you find a private mico brewery.

[MORDUEMAN]

Originally Posted by BaZa®

Gaz I hope you import your own beer mate! Nothing there much good unless you find a private mico brewery.

We have imported our beers accross there and have plans shortly to do so again.

We train quite a few American brewers and I am a big fan of American craft brewed beers. I went into a bar in Florida, called world beers and had 35 different beers on draught and hundreds of bottled ones, bloody great.

[Harvey]

Thanks for all the replies guys, the cross roads thing is mad and I think I'll take it easy until I get the hang of it. We are doing the whole mother road, taking a month to do it and having detours to monument valley and Vegas along the way. We are spending the last five days in Santa Monica to recover before we come home. The main reason for what we see as the trip of a lifetime is that Sharon and I have been together for twenty five years this year, have two children and two grand children but we never got married so we are heading for Vegas to put this right and celebrate.
I've heard that craft brewing is big at the moment over there so hopefully we can get a decent pint from time to time.
Once again thanks and keep them coming.

[HAPPYBIKER]

Have great trip, Steve & Sharon. What a fanatasic trip and romantic way to get married ...

Best wishes & ride safe!