Road trip on 2 wheels...BEST TIME TO GO??

**Torchwood** · 08-13-2007, 10:41 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm fixed on a road trip to the great US of A, now I’m at this point in my life I want to just go off and explore a bit.

I'm looking at either, September October onwards, for 3, 6, or 9 months. (Which ever is best?) And I want to do it on 2 wheels!!!... As I think this would be.....awesome, so visa, insurance, flights a side (although any advice gratefully received) on to the next bit.

I was planning on coming in around Orlando Florida, at least on the east side!! Not sure on pricing as Orlando FL being a popular destination? I am planning to buy a motorbike there, get myself sorted out and head off, towards California; I say that as this may be the warmest part, being further south. I know America is vast!!! And if too much can do another bit again later? My Question is WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO??

I have been trying to research the internet on climate, seasons, and national averages, as on a bike I would prefer the dryer days. Example.... one site mentioned that although May-August is hot!!! It is wet, thunder and stormy, and Florida in winter time is driest with average temps around 75 F. I had a pen pal from Kissimmee who once wrote saying they were outside in short sleeve enjoying their lunch break!! I know I will encounter some rain and weather, but want to avoid the worst time, and I know NY State gets quite cold as do most further north, but from when? I know by Dec-Jan its pretty cold, are there still good places to visit now till Dec, or through to say March?

If it is far better to arrange this trip in season from Mar-April onwards then I will have to wait. It is August now and I’m nearing my time I can get away, is this too late? I am not bothered about things like Xmas, etc. As that would be an experience too.

If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it... I have wanted so long to come over the pond and see for myself how we cockneys are received by you yanks. As one put it once on a note in 2001, To all you Yanks across the pond, from your good Cockney friends... Our best wishes.

A friend did a trip back in 2000, and was invited and able to stay with many different people with being sooo friendly, and especially to us English??? Is this still true today? This site has been a great help already, on advice on food diet, so any info on that and where to stay, I mean a cheap but good bed and a hot shower!! Fuel stops, I plan to have a monthly fund to buy food and fuel... and am looking at a few bikes with good reliability and mpg, in case gas stations are spread out some what, but most modern bikes have a range of about 120 to 150 miles!! If anyone has heard of places where they welcome you in, then please it is all of interest and value, but mostly when to go???

Many thanks

Torchwood

P.s If your location is state side and welcome a visit, I would be delighted to say hi over a beer.

**UKCraig** · 08-13-2007, 11:14 AM

Welcome, Torchwood. Your plans sound cool! Whilst I will leave the question of which is the best season to someone with more knowledge of the climate, I wonder what your 'must-see' stops are and what thought you have given to your final destination? Would a circular route work better for you?

Are you planning on shipping the bike back or selling it on? If you're shipping it back then it might be better to consider starting on the west coast and ending up at somewhere like New York where you can (reasonably) cheaply ship it back home. Alternatively that circular route might work well there?

Another thought - Daytona Bike Week is in March, Moto GP at Laguna Seca is in July,Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in August and Las Vegas Bike Fest is in September. Not sure how 'into' that sort of thing you are, but a couple of those events might be kinda cool if you could weave the into your plans? There are literally dozens more too!

Tell us what you want to see/do on this trip and we can hopefully help out a little more!

**AZBuck** · 08-13-2007, 12:01 PM

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Unfortunately, buying a motor vehicle in the United States is next to impossible for a non-citizen without a permanent address in the US. I suggest that you read through this thread and then get in touch with the Motor Vehicle Department of the state where you expect to be purchasing (and registering) your new bike before you proceed too much further along with these plans. Sorry for the downer, but better you find out now.

AZBuck

**Torchwood** · 08-13-2007, 12:02 PM

Hi UkCraig,

Thanks for the reply, I thought an east to west may be good as far as the sun on my back and not in my eyes, but in general thinking the south along route I 10 would be the warmest still if I go next month for the trip or have to leave it till spring, Mar-Apr. I was toying with the idea of bringing the bike back, depending on how good a deal i get and yes... cost!! Starting west to east instead is a good point as all along the east coast is closer, but I have seen a couple of companies who fly your bike over in either an open or closed pallet. And brag 'no' damage. Been looking at a SV1000s or similar V twin... anyway.

Back to the point in hand, a circular route is always an option, (suggestions welcome) from what I have seen here, most people are quoting weeks for their trips, I may be a bit longer, I know your passport will give you 3 months, is that long enough away??? I don't know?? Or get a visa for 6 9 or 12 months. How far can you travel in these times....?

Things to see, well without sounding like a complete petrol head.... all those things you listed would be awesome!! But even to get in a NASCAR evening would be great... Just missed the moto GP, although it looked perfect there watched it on TV this time. Just to see some well mentioned areas in the USA really... When I was there in 2001, Florida, it was just so cool and thought how good it would be to ride around for a bit, like I said if I saw a place and fell in love with it... or someone????? I would think about settling there... Have family in Canada so there’s a thought too???

I sometimes think the best time is to say hey where is that...? And just go there!! but needless to say it does revolve around 'in' season, 'out' season as to the weather conditions, most seem to travel in RV's and cars... but I am a bike nut and thought it would be an experience... I know some planning will be required, and this is all new to me... but riding in snow on ice, def no no, or even being rained on constantly would take the fun out of it. See I blame Road hogs, that film really gets you thinking…lol

**Torchwood** · 08-13-2007, 12:26 PM

Hey AZBuck,

I thought it was the insurance that was a bummer to sort out but not next to impossible... thanks for the heads up though... I figure its a different baal game if your just buying and bringing back....

I have found an insurance company called Fernet, and have an insurance program from Dairyland who specialise in temp cover for over seas motorbike riding in the us, it may be if your bring your bike over??? But will make some enquiries.... But if you need a permanent address to buy, surely we are going down the path of being or becoming a resident?????

Bit of a downer but will get on the phone...

Regards

Torchwood

**UKCraig** · 08-13-2007, 12:49 PM

I have heard of people doing exactly what you want but I do not know how they overcame the 'permanent address' deal. I wonder if it's possible to buy a bike over there and register it in the UK? Or maybe even Canada? Possibly not but there will be a way somehow. As has been suggested, make a few calls and find out. One good thing about bikers is that they are a real community and are always willing to help I've found. Someone will have an answer for you.

I reckon that you should draw up a 'short list' (or not so short?!) of places that appeal and come back here with that for suggestions. There are certain routes which attract bikers such as Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway but then you don't need to be predictable and can choose any route you like! There's some fantastic roads to ride in the US - driving through Monument Valley as the sun sets must be one of the most magical - so decide which places appeal to you then fit the route around that. You could start that list by checking out some of my own favourite places.

Petrol head? Nothing at all wrong with that as far as I can see... but then I would say that seeing everytime I come over I go racing :) Nascar is fantastic in person and, if you're into racing even ever so slightly, you need to take in a race or two. Daytona 500 in Febuary, you know!

And, yes, for some reason Americans do really seem to like us Brits! I have no idea why, but they do...

**lhuff** · 08-13-2007, 12:57 PM

And, yes, for some reason Americans do really seem to like us Brits! I have no idea why, but they do...

It's the accents. JMHO, but lots of American accents are horrible (raises own hand - redneck accent here). You say the same things we do, but it just sounds more intelligent. My accent can sound cute sometimes, but never intelligent. Plus there's the whole thing that you're like way cool and from a foreign country, but we speak the same language.

**Mark Sedenquist** · 08-13-2007, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by UKCraig

And, yes, for some reason Americans do really seem to like us Brits! I have no idea why, but they do...

That really is a mystery!

**Torchwood** · 08-14-2007, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Editor

That really is a mystery!

As with all mysteries... like why did my question get moved to a low input area...?

**Torchwood** · 08-14-2007, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by AZBuck

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Unfortunately, buying a motor vehicle in the United States is next to impossible for a non-citizen without a permanent address in the US. I suggest that you read through this thread and then get in touch with the Motor Vehicle Department of the state where you expect to be purchasing (and registering) your new bike before you proceed too much further along with these plans. Sorry for the downer, but better you find out now.

AZBuck

Well, AZBuck..

All i can try to do is contact the DMV in Georgia, where the bike is that i like!! And ask some questions, i have contacted the bike owner and tested the water to see how he/she feels about dealing with me being over seas, and maybe if they can shed some light??? I read a thread i think on getting a mail box over there for an address, but i think there will be the same problems there that you get here, in that PO box, mail box, box reserve etc, are not valid.... it seems the dream of riding a trip and bringing the memory back with me is fading like this pittiful summer of ours..

I have an uncle in Canada so im not sure if that will serve me in any way or form???

I guess it all revolves around national security, which is annoying, as my security status is top notch....as to my former occupation. Like UKcraig said, lots of people must of done it, i read a blog or thread where a bloke from Australia travels around america every year for three months and buys a car and does not have problems!!!