Was just watching that vid that Madness posted and it got me thinking (Yeah, dangerous I know)
Those who have been to the States....hoe hard did you find it getting used to riding on the right?
I guess it wouldn't be all that hard when you're out on the open ride but I'm thinking it might get a bit more confusing in the cities.
I have not ridden in the US (although I have driven a car there), but I have ridden in Europe, which is the same thing, as they are on the other side of the road to us as well. I was doing fine until I got to the first roundabout, with signs writtwen in a foreign language, IN PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC!!! FFS!! if ya think riding around a roundabout the wrong way in a busy city aint interesting, think again! Those roundabouts just feel so weird! But, I survived and thoroughly enjoyed it.In fact, after about 3 or 4 days I was so used to it, it just felt normal, so much so that when I got back home after 4 weeks of it, it took me a while to get used to the way I have done it for 30 odd years! Go for it I say, but keep your wits about you , if ya get complacent, thats when ya will slip up, and it may be all over red rover!
I don't think it's as hard as most folk think.
The thing that I found had the most potential for drama was the left hand turn, just gotta keep remembering to keep to the right.
In the City traffic, it is sometimes easier and quicker to just go to the next block and turn right, right, and right again to come back on line with the street that you wanted to turn left into.
You can turn right on a red light in most states, (sort of like our give way rules).
There doesn't seem to be the same level of Road Rage in the States as what's here and folk are more forgiving there.
Coupla tips, if you're intending to ride a rental, ask them for a machine with "out of state" plates, the locals notice and tend to give ya a bit more leeway.
And if you intend on taking pics, get yourself a camera that you can use one, and left handed. There may be pics you wanna take but can't pull over.
It's pretty easy to change over to driving / riding over there. I lived over that way for about 12 years before moving here in 02 and i actually found it harder to change back to driving over here than i did when i first went over there. I also did a 6 week / 20,000km run over there in 08 and had no problems.
I lived in North Carolina for a year and both rode and drove all the time I was over there. Believe it or not, it took me longer to get used to driving on the LHS when I came back here than it did to get used to driving on the RHS initially - maybe it's actually more 'natural' to drive on the right? Anyway, like others have said, open road's great (better than here - you can actually open it up and ride like you're meant to. The cops aren't arseholes either). City riding takes concentration - DON'T GET COMPLACENT - like here, the moment you think you're shit-hot, you've had it. Absolutely agree with previous comment about less road rage. American drivers (particularly on the open road) are generally pretty polite and there's a lot less tail-gaiting. As a matter of fact, when I first got there I tried driving like I was in Melbourne and cut in front of someone. Not only did the guy I cut in front of start abusing me but so did the guys in the other cars who saw me - difference is, you're EXPECTED to be polite. To sum up, just don't forget to concentrate and you'll find riding in the US a hell of a lot more enjoyable than here.
My rule of thumb was follow the guy in front. (as long as they're a local that is!!)
You guys make me laugh, there would not be much difference in driving here (USA) than way over there. I guess getting use to the kickstand being on the right side as versed to your being on the left side would take some getting use to. The USA is very active in preventing drinking and driving. You go immediately to jail for it, do not pass go! I disagree with the road rage comment as many here carry hand guns and we have a lot of morons who would use them for minor traffic infractions (depending on location). Each state has different attitudes towards there fellow human being. For instance in the middle of the country the people are far more courteous than say where I live (Fort Lauderdale, FL).
I believe you guys would feel right at home with your Mad Max vehicles except some use heavy assault rifles in place of bow and arrows here. And yes I am kidding with the exception of a few neighborhoods whereas it is a must to be armed if you go into them (no, I am not kidding). As in life, one should know where you are headed prior to going. If you go down an alley, you had better know how to back out beforehand.
The rule that I use EVERY time I come to a corner is "Long left, tight right". (It's true that the left hander is the one that gets you into trouble from cutting the corner).
It's actually pretty easy, but its gets more dangerous as you get used to it because then you start driving from habit again.
It's a lot easier though than you'd think so you won't have any problems...long left, tight right...
Hi there
Just found this topic and read it with great interest. I'd like to ask a question (dumb as it may sound) but I'm planning a trip to the US in August and have the option to ride either a late model Fatboy (have an '03 of my own) or a Heritage Softail Classic with a windshield. Now, I gotta be honest all the Harleys I have owned or ridden not one of them had a shield. Never ridden a bike with one. I wear glasses or prescription sunnies if that makes any difference.
The intinerary is LA -> Grand Canyon -> Monument Valley -> Las Vegas ->Yosemite National Park -> San Fransisco and then down the coast back to LA. It will be fairly warm to hot in some places and I am wondering if the Heritage might be a better riding option comfort wise with the windshield. I need to work it out in the next few days so I can "book" the bike. I'm still leaning towards a Fatboy though so any advice would very helpful.
Cheers
I live on the other side of the country (about 3,200 mi away) so I am of no use to you on that. I live in S. Fla. and when the need to see beutiful scenery overpoweres me, I ride to South Beach in Miami, than to the Keys. Lovely mountains if you know how to look for em'
Thanks for the info, much appreciated but now the date has changed from August 5th to September 9th to hopefully fit in with a buddy of mine who is seriously thinking of coming as well but can only make it in September. One question I needed answering though: was the vision issue through or over a windshield?? And yep you hit the nail on the head the tour is through Eagle Rider as you suggested. I actually spoke to them and Heritage was also their suggestion but said if I wanted a Fattie it would be no problem. A support vehicle is provided to carry any extra luggage and extra stuff you might have.
If you come here to the U.S.A., do your best to see the Grand canyon then up the Rocky Mountains to Yellowstone Park and surrounding country. I'm from here and have been around alot (flew the rockies for 18 years in a helicopter) and nowhere is nicer than the Rocky mountains in my opinion. Almost everything east of Colorado is flat until you get to Arkansas then things start to get decent again but what folks in the east call mountains are just bumps compared to the Rockies. There are places in Colorado where the altitude on the roads get to 12,000ft so bring a good jacket but I promise, you won't be disappointed. If anyone is coming you can contact me at madjaxauto@aol.com and I will help get you headed in whatever direction you wish to go. Do it during our summer May-August because you don't want to be in the mountains in winter on a bike, and probably not even in a car---cheers----jack
Thanks for the tips Jack, Couple of us may just get to meet up with you and have a yak. Will email you.
Riding from LA end of July and staying in Boulder for a week before heading on up to Sturgis for the Rally week.
Plan on heading back down to Denver via Yellowstone after Sturgis around the 18th August.
The USA is a great place for road trips. Florida is probably nice but way too far away from the best set of mountains & coastline in the civilized world. I put a windscreen on my bike for my trip across Australia, 3,800 each way & it would have been a bugger without it especially when I went through a few locust plagues. Don't worry there will be plenty of insects in the US, you should be able to look over your screen so your vision starts about 5 to 10 meters up the road so that when your screen gets filthy you can still see where you are going. If you get the chance you should go down or up the Owens Valley in California (a couple of valleys over from Death Valley). From the lowest point in the valley which is Owens Lake (salt) I think might be around or below sea level to the highest point in mainland USA is Mt Whitney which is about 14,950, even in the middle of summer there is snow on the peaks from about 12,000 & above. The valley regularly gets to 40 degrees Celsius, it is spectacular but the west coast of the USA is just that why do you think that Calif has about 40 million people & if it were a country it would be in the top ten richest nations?? You can only have a fantastic trip.
