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advice for accomodation and bike dealers FLORIDA advice for accomodation and bike dealers FLORIDA
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  #1  
Old 12 May 2008
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advice for accomodation and bike dealers FLORIDA
hi all, i am arriving by plane at the beginning of july in miami, florida, and will be setting up to do the trans american trail. i will buy equipment (eg leathers) a bike, register and insure it and maybe make some changes such as tires. please can people give me advice as far as accomodation is concerned, for the week that it'll take to set up, before i set off. are there very cheap youth hostels i can stay in? i hope that in a couple of days i'll meet someone who can put me up for a bit of money.

i have tools with me, so could either bring them on the plane (the extra weight will cost though) but do people recommend buying tools when i arrive? i heard tools in the US are really cheap. i'll have to carry some with me on the ride of course.

ideally if someone would be willing to meet up with me for some advice when i arrive, or just a chat on the phone would be great. i'll need to find a good insurance company and honda dealer, among other things. thanks for any help, paris
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Old 12 May 2008
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You won't want 'leathers' for the TAT or any other mostly-dirt ride.
Relatively speaking, tools can be bought cheaply.
I suggest ordering all the junk you'll want before you arrive and having it sent to 'x' location.
Figure a day to outfit the bike with any aftermarket parts - OK, 2 days.

The only inexpensive motels you'll find in Florida will be in the northern part of the state, away from where tourists empty their wallets. Unless you're there for watersports, herding spoiled and snotty-nosed kids thru Disney Dollars, or visiting your grandmother, Florida basically bites the wad.

I also suggest buying your moto before you arrive, or at least arranging for the purchase beforehand. Communicating via email to the sales managers at several dealerships you find online should work OK and save you some money. They can also help you regarding insurance, or point your towards a few possibilities.

Make a list of everything you need. Camping gear can also be found easily and cheaply. Wal*Marts abound here. Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum is a good US-based moto site with many members and you will get lots of help there.

If your budget and time allows, I'd say fly from Cuba/MIA to Knoxville, TN and get set from there.
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Old 12 May 2008
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[quote=Lone Rider;189046If your budget and time allows, I'd say fly from Cuba/MIA to Knoxville, TN and get set from there.[/quote]


Is TN one of the "cheap" States for purchases? (sales tax etc) I haven't noticed that one mentioned before, but Oregon has been, I believe.

(Yep, Disney World etc certainly empties the wallet, but there is always another generation of folk who have to find that experience!)
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Old 12 May 2008
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Is TN one of the "cheap" States for purchases? (sales tax etc) I haven't noticed that one mentioned before, but Oregon has been, I believe.

(Yep, Disney World etc certainly empties the wallet, but there is always another generation of folk who have to find that experience!)

Knoxville is a large city, home to University of TN, fairly close to his start of the TAT, by the Appalachian foothills, convenient to most everything, less expensive than MIA, but not 'dirt cheap'.
I lived in SE TN for a couple of years, but don't remember the tax rates.

Reducing the hassles for him executing this trip is the goal.....? I can see him getting jerked around and spending a couple of weeks (and that money) before he's off and riding, why he came here.
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Old 12 May 2008
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do like I did and get hold of an american to help you buy and register the bike before you arrive.

adventure rider is the right site for this as the users are mainly from the state and because there are so many.

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