south west trip advice please

[how much for a service!]

Hi
Am just starting to plan a trip to the states for next year with a few friends
We will have a max of three weeks, looking at starting at phoenix flagstaff bryce, grand canyon las vegas /mojave yosemite san francasco big sur san diago and back to phoenix
Some questions
1 three weeks enough?
2 has anyone stayed in yosemite looks great but $107 a night for a shed!
3 another suggested starting point is denver bigger circuit ending in vegas too far? and what would the ride from denver to yosimite be like?
and open to any other sugestions
Thanks
Oh and yes we will be hiring Harleys against my better judgement as it looks like great GS country

 

[half_empty1]

i went to the usa last year, we stayed in 'motel 6' in mammoth lakes which is not far from the east entrance to yosemite's tioga pass, fantastic road

then from there traveled through yosemite,awesome place, we and then headed out of the west entrance to merced to find another motel for the night

motel 6's are fantastic, myself and my travel partner used them for most of our 3month usa trip,

http://www.motel6.com/default.aspx

see some pics from yosemite on my trip blog

http://www.mytripjournal.com/GIW/We.../1/wo/teQWhwV3C8XN48yUIdMqtw/2.3.14.1.1.3.2.1

 

[boxer]

Pasted from a reply to another thread..........

In May this year I hired a Electra Glide for 15 days from Eaglerider in Las Vegas for approx £1300.

We started in LV and made a clockwise route to Death Valley, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, stayed in Moab and visited Canyonlands [hired a jeep and did the Shafer Trail - great!] and Arches National Parks. From Moab we used Durango in Colorado as a base to visit Silverton and Ouray. Then onto Chinle and Canyon de Chelly National Monument from there it was back to LV via Monument Valley, Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam.

I was expecting to loath Las Vagas but loved it instead. Totally safe and just awesome in scale. BTW, helicopter flight to west end of Grand canyon was £150/person and took 90min. Hooters had it's good points too!

Death Valley [California] was a slight let down after 30yrs of wanting to go there. It was an experience for sure, but I'm not sure it was worth the detour to visit.

It was all great but but standouts were, Bryce NP, Arches, Canyonlands [Shafer Canyon, Dead Horse Point] The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley are all places you should see if you can - mere words can't do them justice - at least none that I have.

It wasn't all good though, the Electra Glide was pretty grim. Poor luggage capacity thanks to the small strangely shaped panniers and a lack of brakes didn't help - don't count on the rear brake either as it's positioned by your right elbow. Too noisy by far as well. Stop for a few seconds and the rear cylinder will boil your already super heated scrotum.
To be honest I'm not that sure taking a bike on this route was the best choice. Desert ain't motorcycling country. The roads are very, very, very straight - slight bends separate 30 miles straights [straight as in NO deviation. None]. There's nothing to see except flat featureless desert as you drone along in the heat.
Air con in a car would be cheaper and prolly more enjoyable.

We stayed mostly in Best Western Hotels which were fine. I suggest you book your room ahead each day. The last thing you'll want after 250 miles of riding in the heat is another 100miles to the next possible room. The heat's hot and the distances great.

Photos of the trip are https://boxer.smugmug.com/gallery/3097367
*

 

[Gipsy]

No problems doing it on Harleys. Check with the hire company as some don't allow riding into death valley. Did Route 66 from Chicago to LA a couple of years back. Used low riders as the foot controls were more ar less where I expected. Once tried hitting the rear brake on a bike with forward controls and stamped on the floor.
For luggage travelling one up just strapped an Ortlieb on the rear seat and the ends were supported on the 2 smallish leather panniers supplied. Plenty of room!
Didn't find the poor brakes an issue as not too many bends! One thing you will appreciate on a Harley is the chance to speak to other bikers, and travellers in general. There is no doubt that other makes of bike are regarded with a little suspicion.

 

[how much for a service!]

South west

Thanks guys great pics!
Maybe hiring a GS would be more sensible (although I am not well known for that!)
Keep it coming as I say the route is not set in stone just three weeks, south west and some interesting roads and sites
cheers

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

I can't believe I'm saying this but use a car

I did a Southwest trip four years ago. Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Tombstone. Loads to see and do.

My only observation was that because the roads are pretty straight and smooth we didn’t fully appreciate the bikes. If I was to do it again I would use a car. It is bloody hot in the day and cold first thing in the morning.

As a Harley owner I smiled at the usual ‘poor brakes’ and ‘noisy’ comments. The Harley’s will be fine and reliable, often a talking point with strangers when you stop. Learn to use the back brake more than you would with a GS so you and any pillion will get a smoother ride. If it’s your first trip on a bike to the US, don’t filter in traffic and give large trucks plenty of room.

If you want some off-road we hired a couple of KTM 250’s and a guide in Vegas, ‘fantastic’.

Johnny

 

[Sgt Bilco]

How much

I`ve done a lot of California on a GS and it`s fantastic but would be not problem on a Harley. I`ll be renting one from Phoenix in October and going to San Fran via Monument Valley, Bryce, Yosemite in 10 days so 3 weks will be fine. Renting is dirt cheap at the moment with the $ being so weak. £550 for 10 days on bike sounds cheap to me and I`ll be launching the Heritage softtail in October.

I know a lot or routes in Yosemite and on toward San Fran and south to LA so pm me if you want details, pics etc.

I would stay outside Yosemite if I were you. If you come in from the East, you can stay in Mono Lake and it`s a great ride into the park. The entrance is at 9980ft so it`s spectacular!! Best route out of the park is to the south west to Kings Canyon because that has the best road anywhere in the world!!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

How much

Also got loads of maps etc which you can gladly borrow to plan etc if you want

 

[how much for a service!]

Thanks very much Bilco may take you up on that
Cheers

 

[Lamble]

SW USA

I moved to the US last year. You are right with your selection of locations to visit. I hit them all last year when I crossed the US, then went down to Death Valley and Yosemite, Tioga Pass and Mono Lake.
There's no reason to pay more than $50 per room as there are plenty of motels. Some are of dubious quality ($35 or below and the risk of crapola goes up exponentially)
Three weeks will give you time to appreciate just how vast the place is.
While the sites are worth seeing, make sure you enjoy the places in between.

I hated Harleys in the UK, but while I still don't want one, I can see why they make more sense over here. The tassles and bandanas still look gay though.

Have a great trip.

 

[LTGTR]

I too recommend Motel 6,nationwide(motel6.com)

Also,I'd give Denver a pass.

 

[Old guy]

Try the painted desert twixt Kayenta and Phoenix. While you are about it, cruise Monument Valley and stop at Goulding's to see where John Ford made his greatest films.

Average price for a Holiday Inn in the mid-west is $70 but Super8 and Motel6 are just as good.

Avoid Vegas if you have any sense.

I did 66 in April/May, there were a lot of dust storms this spring and riding was not so much fun.

Tim