Topic: Riding in the U.S. Legally

[Old Moe Toe]

I am pretty keen to visit the U.S buy myself a motorcycle, ride it around a good deal to check things out and hopefully bring the bike back home to Australia.
What I would like to know is, what do you need to have over there in the way of registration and insurance to be able to do it legally?.
As an aside...
For some reason it is way less hassle at this end if you bring back a bike that is manufactured  pre- 1988. So if anyone knows of a ripper sohc750 set up for touring that is in good condition and is for sale, don't hesitate to let me know. Also consider other pre 1988 tourer set up bikes like Guzzi, Harley etc.

[GV1390]

Sounds awesome! What areas do you plan on touring? Ride safe!

[Old Moe Toe]

Not too sure yet GV1390. Guess it will depend partly on where the bike is I buy. In the mid 90's I saw bits of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico and was mighty impressed with the natural landscapes. I guess if you are on a bike somewhere with hills is going to be more fun than endless plains.
It seems lots of people do route 66 for kicks, perhaps that is an option. I don't know,perhaps it is too touristy?
Would really like to hear some suggestions of good rides over there.
Took a year off after finishing my apprenticeship in 85 and spent the whole time riding around Australia (about the same size as US) on the super cheap method. Did not stay in paid accommodation the whole time and had a complete ball.
Too old for that method now however keen for another big ride while above the daisies.

[GV1390]

Summer of 2015 I took a cross country trip on a bike. I left Niagara Falls, NY and completed ~4700 miles in less than two weeks. We rode through more than 11 states I believe it was and honestly the best was Colorado, Utah and the PCH in California. We stayed at a motel over night on the old route 66 and although it was similar to a ghost town, the accommodations were definitely tailored to tourists.

I'd recommend visiting the following that we visited (time permitting):
Pacific Coast Highway
Telluride, CO
Pikes Peak, CO
Lake Dillon, CO
Zion, UT
Grand Canyon
Moon House Ruins (Utah)
Horseshoe Bend, AZ

A spot we didn't make it to but wish we did was Havasu Falls in Arizona. But, from my understanding you have to hike into this place which you have to call months in advance to reserve a camp site as it's an all day affair.  You'll also go through a small little village called Supai which gets mail delivered by mule - kinda neat.

[Mantree]

Some states have a helmet law others have a requirement for eye protection, just so you don't come without your gear.  If yu find a sohc cb750 I have a windjammer that has seen better days but could be fixed up easily and it has the bracket for a cb750 with it

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[Lostboy Steve]

You need a Driver's License valid in your home "state or country", you need license plates on the bike (you can get temporary tags generally as part of a Sale, and depending upon the State you drive in here, you'll either need insurance coverage, or you can pay an "Uninsured Motorist Fee" and operate the bike.

The Uninsured Motorist puts the onus on the victim to settle their own expenses if you cause an accident. That does not absolve you of legal liability, but it moves it to Civil, not Criminal affairs. Also, some States here are "No Fault" driving zones so each driver/operator is on their own regardless of fault. Again, doesn't preclude Civil liability, but should give you time enough to board a flight and get home safely if you are responsible. 

Thats a 10,000' view.

How does that work if you're passing through a state that requires insurance? Like for instance, NJ, where cops are just looking for a reason to tow whatever they can?


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Just have insurance.  And then you  won't have a problem.     

Seriously, why would you want to ride without it?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

If you decide to ride Colorado and/or Utah I'd be glad to help with ride planning. You could easily do 2 weeks to do it right or 1 week and miss a lot. I have ridden all of the western States and the 3 western Canadian provinces plus the southern States. ~50,000 miles worth.

You are 'supposed' to have liability insurance everywhere basically to cover damage to others. The 2 times you definitely need it are if you get pulled over because they will  ask for proof ("license, registration and insurance sir") or if you have an accident which affects others or it's a single vehicle accident and the police are on the scene. With that said there are MANY drivers that have NO insurance. Check with your current insurance for coverage in the US. 

[Duanob]

Just have insurance.  And then you  won't have a problem.     

Seriously, why would you want to ride without it?

Exactly! The chances are if you do happen to get into an accident, you will be the one to suffer the most being on two wheels. I know in my state, hit and runs are an epidemic. You get hit and no way to pay the hospital bill, it's just not worth it. Also you might invest in a decent vid cam, like a go pro, not only for accidents but for posting vids as well.

[madmtnmotors]

I know in my state, hit and runs are an epidemic.

Same here. 

Also you might invest in a decent vid cam, like a go pro, not only for accidents but for posting vids as well.

I'm close to doing this as well, although I might have to start riding more "legally" if I do...   

[Old Moe Toe]

I know in my state, hit and runs are an epidemic.

Same here. 


You guys talking about Hit and runs on pedestrians or motorcyclists, or both?.

[madmtnmotors]

I know in my state, hit and runs are an epidemic.

Same here. 

You guys talking about Hit and runs on pedestrians or motorcyclists, or both?.

Around here the dirtbags have a tendency to run from all motor vehicle collisions regardless of what they managed to run into. 

[Lostboy Steve]

Just have insurance.  And then you  won't have a problem.     

Seriously, why would you want to ride without it?

I COMPLETELY agree, but a lot of rickety crickets down in Florida do it. I was just wondering how it worked.


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[Lostboy Steve]

I have an auscom dashcam in my truck and it was cheap and works wonderfully. Not weather proof though.


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[Don R]

 Let's not rain on his parade with a sucky insurance thread.
  It sounds like a blast, I live near the top end of route 66 so I think it's pretty average. I'd see the west and southwest unless it looks too much like home, then maybe the pacific northwest. I hear Rt. 1 is awesome down the northern west coast.
  I'm in need of an adventure myself, I love the 750's but my distance runner is a gl1000 with a windjammer and lowers. I have a rack with a backrest that slides forward and I tie a soft bag to that so I can lean back to rest my old tired back.

[Mantree]

Just have insurance.  And then you  won't have a problem.     

Seriously, why would you want to ride without it?

Exactly! The chances are if you do happen to get into an accident, you will be the one to suffer the most being on two wheels. I know in my state, hit and runs are an epidemic. You get hit and no way to pay the hospital bill, it's just not worth it. Also you might invest in a decent vid cam, like a go pro, not only for accidents but for posting vids as well.

I have been involved in a few hit and runs.  Lucky for me most of them were in my truck

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[bluezboy]

Fly here to Atlanta, which has the word's busiest airport and buy your bike here.I'll take you up to the beginning of the Blues Ridge Parkway in Waynesboro Virginia and we'll ride the entire length of it through gorgeous views, camping a long the way until we reach Cherokee, North Carolina. Then we'll head over to ride the Dragon in Telco Plains and yeah, why not, we'll also ride the Cherahola Parkway to the end, then we can spend the night at my friends place in Slyva, North Carolina, wake up for another day of riding in the hills and we'll head West again, okay if your insist,we'll do the Cherahola again because the views are different going West, then we'll head to Nashville, hang our there a bit before jump on the Natchez Park and  ride that all the way to New Orleans, You tired yet? Then we'll cut North a bit,passing through Arkansas, before I hand you off to another forum member to continue your journey. I'm ready when you are!

[Gene]

Pacific Coast Hwy, California, through Big Sur. Insurance and a helmet - everything else is anarchy. If you buy the bike in CA you have 10 days ok to ride (IIRC) with just the Bill of Sale so long as it has current CA plate and tags. That said, so long as everything's up to date plate/reg-wise, no reason you couldn't stretch that time period so long as you don't break any laws - i.e. it won't stick out.