What bike to do some touring in the US?

Thinking about going to visit some friends I served with in the states. Looking to start in California and head towards Tennessee, and maybe head south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Now, I'm obviously not a fan of Hardly Interesting. Although I understand that this most probably the easiest thing to hire etc. If you had a choice what would it be? My previous touring has been on a big trailie doing the on/off-road back roads thing. Though loathe to do that kind of thing in banjo country...

A SUPERDUKE of course. Not that you could find one to rent in the US, I rarely see one on the road.

Assuming ease of availability, a BMW R1200GS might be the way to go. Comfy enough to do the long miles, but still has some good off road capabilities. Another bike that might be easy to find is a r1200rt. Not much for off road (may be a flat fire road) but miles and miles of comfort.

If I had the choice it would be a Desmosedici but no chance of hiring one.

In practical terms I would imagine the 1200 Multistrada would be the perfect bike for the trip. Tuned 1198 engine for the road bits and pretty good off road capability. Still be hard to find someone hiring one out though.

I think most rental places will only have Harley heaps or those silly little BMW F650 / 800 things. You may find a bike dealer more useful than a hire company. Best of luck it will be a great trip whatever you end up riding.

I did a brief 'tour' of the US a couple of years back and (foolishly) hired a Harley... Dreadful machine I'm sorry to say but pretty sure the company I went through, Eaglerider, also did bmw's and hondas - can't recall what models tho...

S

Rent a "Vett"

well after buying an ex cop bike RT1200RT-p, I would recommend one of those... telepathic steering... decent handler and insanely comfy... however it is only my commuter as the SD and hypermotard have become dedicated fun machines and am sick of putting commuter kms on them

I think your only choice is They have the largest selection and the most pick-up and drop-off locations, so you can ride coast to coast and not have to return.

Kuerbis

How about a Vespa?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCjrQFNMqa8

Have to say my FJR is the perfect sport tourer for me

Thanks for the replies. In reality I'd have to go more road-biased if I was going to do a short trip. I'd obviously love to take my SD - but I suspect it'd cost more than $2K to ge it to the US and back - let alone the cost of fuel....

Had a look a eaglerider - chromed bikes cheaper to hire than the deutsch/jap bikes???

There are a lot of big empty spaces between California and Tennessee. I've met a lot of euro tourists that have been shocked at how long it takes to get from point A to point B. Get something touring orientated like a BMW RT, Goldwing or Honda ST.
In the middle states you will understand why H-Ds are so popular, when you have to spend several hours crossing flat sections with arrow straight roads.
The Duke would be great fun down in the Smoky Mountains, but your tyres would be worn flat in the middle before you got there.

Echoing all above posts, getting to Tennessee you're gonna want as much comfort as possible.

However, once you're there you'll want as much sport as possible. The roads there are simply unmatched. Be sure you hit the Tail of the Dragon.

I did it on a K1200LT BMW, and a Gold Wing 1800. Neither are anything remotely close to sporty, but the Beemer was hands-down better in almost every way. Superbly comfy, as well.

Have a blast!

I'vee done some overland touring in Oz, so not too bothered about covering distance. And yes, the tail of the dragon is certainly on the menu, in addition to some fine bourbon "tasting". Thanks again for the heads up. I might fly in closer to banjo country then. Just starting to get some ideas together.

http://www.dubbelju.com/

Never had to rent a bike but....and I'm not sure why you are riding where, but the riding in California is off the hook...