US Biking

[kabulcalling]

9 days into my 10 week US stint, and I'm 100% fed up with the metro commute. Been looking at different bikes to buy as a short term ride, with a mate in DC who has offered to sell it on for me after I leave.
I have looked at H-D, you have to in the states eh? about 30% cheaper across the board than in the UK. Nearly put down a deposit on an XLLJLHVHNC Ultra mega super glide, with all the bells and whistles, including leather cup holders - yes, really! Fortunately common sense returned when I broke the gaze of the over polished chrome fest.
I have viewed a few dealers. Gosh, how I miss the Brit bike shops. The staff over here are rude and abrupt. sitting on high raised desks, looking out over the floor. Talking with them is a bit like addressing a judge or teacher. Very intimidating and the staff are quite dismissive. Look as long as you like, but to talk with the staff - uggh.....
I have even viewed a few from Craig's List - something between Exchange and Mart, Loot and the local newspaper classified. Met one lad last night with a 2000 Bandit 6, listed as clean and tidy at $3,400. It has been dropped on both sides, the chain was knackered, rear pads worn and the rear wheel smothered in brake dust, a dent in the tank and looked like it had never been washed. The guy was visibly shocked and stunned when I told him that $2,500 was the max I would go to. It did only have 6,000 on the clock, and that looked genuine. We will see what happens.
I even looked at rentals - $750 per week for a decent sized H-D - Expensive when you consider that a 1200 Sportster - roadster is only $7,500 new.
I'll let you know what I end up with.
RMJ

[CD]

How about the Honda Valkyrie? (Goldwing without all the boxes and fairings). I think probably the coolest cruisers ever made if you can afford the fuel bill.

[Doom]

When in Rome ..... etc.

You know you just have to do the Harley thing. But is something like that actually practical for commuting?

Good luck.

Ed

[Deleted]

Had a totally different experience of HD in the States. Staff all happy to chat (for hours had difficulty getting away). Offered countless test rides despite me assuring them I wouldn't buy one as I was only working there short term. "Try it anyway, it's an experience" was the usual response. Who was I to argue.

Ended up buying several HD T-Shirts.

This was in Georgia though Washington is no doubt a different proposition.

Or Maybe it's just that I'm Scottish and half of America thinks they're Scottish/Irish and want to talk about it.

Good luck with the Bike hunt, not sure I'd want to be biking around rush hour Washington.

[Doom]

Here is the scene:

It is February 2005 and Ed returns rented Harley to Las Vegas Harley Davidson

Harley Guy: How did you like it then?

Ed: Well, it's not a Yamaha!

Harley Guy (Face contorts with rage, sadness, surprise - in fact just about every negative emotion you can name - in the space of half a second): Sniiiiiiiffffff! I hope not!!

Ed leaves rapidly on back of mate's own Harley.

[adbru]

Good luck with the search

The big thing that would put me off would the law

As far as I can tell the only place in the states or canada that you can "Legally" filter (or lane spliting as they call it) is in California.

All other places the bike is classed as a "motor ve-hi-kil" and two "ve-hi-kils" cant share a lane.

Obviously people do it but you run the risk of getting pulled .....

Hence lots of cruisers and sports bikes but very little else.

Adbru

[Deleted]

I thought trail bikes were popular over there. They are cheap and the mutts for filtering. If the law get upset plead ignorance, always works for me, grey beard might help, and practise a jock accent ;D

[kabulcalling]

The H-D shop a friend took me to was very diferent to the Jap bike shop. The guy wanted to talk for hours, only had top quality second hand and top quality prices, but still 30% cheaper than UK. If I have a job at the end of this 10 week stint, I might go for a big H-D ship home as personal export and sell in a year. or maybe do the same for a Goldwing 35% cheaper or a BMW K1200LT (light truck), or, or.....
Imagine the screen going all blearly and the music to "Dream, dream, dream" laying in the background.
Just taken the plunge with the 2000 Bandit 600s - the guy got back to me after recovering from the shock of my offer. We haggled a little and settled not too much above my initial offer. It should be OK for a run around and to get to a few sights. Looking forward to the skyline highway in Western Virginia. It should cope with the longer distances (just) and fun when I get to the mountains. Now I just have to learn how the US road system works, get a decent road atless and also, now the fun starts...
Registration as a non US national, without a local driving lisence.
Insurance as a non US national. Just tried getting a quote from one of the biggest brokers in the US - Allstate. If you are not an existing insurance policy holder we can not write a motor insurance policy for you. Good oh!!!
RMJ

[Deleted]

Good luck with the insurance, I've heard it is difficult for non US nationals to get decent insurance, if any.

Gordy is right, the innocent Jock abroad has got me off a couple of speeding offences.

Dunc

[gpam2]

RMJ,
How much is a new FJR1300 listed at in US?
Cheers.
Gerard.

[Deleted]

Ahh the memories of the H-D riders in Vancouver Roll up to the traffic lights and light up a fag ;D I'm on a 750 Suzuki and give them all a nod, they look at me like I'm Elton John.