Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
Bike hire - Chicago to LA Bike hire - Chicago to LA
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NE England
Posts: 13
Bike hire - Chicago to LA
Hi, I'm thinking about a trip across America, retracing what's left of old Route 66. I've got 3 weeks to do it - well 18 days of riding, to be precise.

I'm looking to rent a bike (a Harley maybe?), the best quote I have right now is just over $3200 from Eagle Rider Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rentals & Motorcycle Tours This includes a charge of $550 for the one way rental!!

Can anyone recommend any other rental companies that might be a bit more competitive? This is a lot of money for 3 weeks! I'm not in the market to buy a bike out there and then sell at the end, but might consider taking my bike if I could get it shipped there and back for a significant saving (I'm in the UK).

Any thoughts welcome!!

Thanks.
__________________
Check out my progress with planning, and ultimately travelling on my Mid Life Crisis Road Trip - 2011.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Jan 2011
Knight of the Holy Graal's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mantova, Italy
Posts: 566
Hello, mate!

I'm sorry for not having more names to suggest, but I can tell you that I turned to Eagle Rider (in Scottsdale, Arizona) way back in 2007 to rent the Electra Glide for my trip across the Southwest and parts of the Historical Route 66, and I guarantee that I received a very professional treatment.

I know it's much money, you are right, but the service from Eagle Rider was really perfect.
This is only my esperience, anyway...
__________________
Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: West Midlands ,UK
Posts: 158
I reckon you could get your own bike shipped to and fro from the USA cheaper than that try these people for a quote Welcome to the H-C Travel Home Page - The World's Best Motorcycle Holidays ,
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NE England
Posts: 13
Thanks both for your replies.

Knight, I have used Eagle Rider once before, but just for a rental for a couple of days when I was in Las Vegas a few years ago. The service I got was spot on, as you suggest. I was just looking at getting the price down a bit

Bushman, the cost of shipping the bike has gone up considerably recently: when I was first looking at doing this trip a few years ago, shipping and 3 weeks rental were around the same price. Now it looks like you need to be going for 4 or more weeks before shipping your bike is cheaper than renting (not to mentiomn the hassle of crating the bike up, not having it for some time before and after the trip, etc.). It's a shame, as I'd really like to have my bike out there.
__________________
Check out my progress with planning, and ultimately travelling on my Mid Life Crisis Road Trip - 2011.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: West Midlands ,UK
Posts: 158
give it a try look on there shipping page Seafreight

We sail in April on a RO-RO ship so no crating involved .
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Mar 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NE England
Posts: 13
Having given this a deal of thought over the past few months I have decided to rent from EagleRider. So I pick the bike up in Chicago on 19th April (just 6 weeks time!) and return it in San Francisco on 7th May.

Whilst hagling about price, I discovered that they will give 10% discount for AAA members. Being British, that's not much help to me, but they were happy to give the same for AA membership (Automobile Association, not Alcoholics Anonymous). Might be useful info for anyone else thinking of renting.
__________________
Check out my progress with planning, and ultimately travelling on my Mid Life Crisis Road Trip - 2011.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Mar 2011
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cork Ireland
Posts: 181
San Francisco motorcycle outfitting/rental/accomadation - ADVrider
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 Apr 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bahrain til 2011
Posts: 12
Too late for you but.....
Hi FatBot

Just spotted your thread - I haven't been on here for yonks, sorry, but for any future readers.....

My wife and I are flying into West Virginia in July and picking up an ST1300, riding up to Chicago, joining Mates there, tracing Route 66, then picking out our own route back to West Virginia, and the cost of the bike is ZILCH.

How so?

Well, I responded to a posting from an American ST1300 Owner who wanted to tour NZ and was looking for a bike swap! Joe, an affable retired Engineer toured NZ on my ST for 6 weeks and I will use his Pan Euro in July. Win/win.

It was so easy its ridiculous - and I totally acknowledge its not for everyone and may not work for shorter trips but just wanted to "put it out there" for people to think about.....

Incidentally "Joe" has done the same in Europe and I will be having a chat to his Euro Buddy also!

All the best with your trip FatBot - see you on the road!

Regards


Shafty, NZ
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Chicago bike dealers nedlud North America 1 30 Aug 2010 09:26
Bike Hire USA Drackon North America 8 5 Feb 2009 07:46
Egypt Bike Hire? fatman North Africa 0 29 Mar 2008 13:01
Shipping Bike from Chicago, USA to the UK bmweerman Trip Transport 2 22 Aug 2007 13:44
Bike hire in UK jpdemelo Europe 4 8 Feb 2007 21:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:43.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top