Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
renting or buying? renting or buying?
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 15 May 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: london
Posts: 66
renting or buying?
This is for the future.i hope!
I would like to tour some part of North America but with such a vast continent there is much to choose. So bearing in mind i would hope to have 3 weeks and a limited budget
a) would it be better to buy a bike or rent one?
If i buy would it be best with a large cc bikes of will smaller ones do?
b)seeing i tend to like photography and not a mile pounder what areas do you suggest?
I might add i don't mind camping but would be unsure if to use motels is better and easier than buying all the camping gear over there.....assuming i can have it all ready for when i arrive?
I do understand that this seems a bit vague....but im unsure which place to start.......so would value your opinions
Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 May 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: montana usa
Posts: 547
USA trip
Get to Montana and start with Yellowstone and Glacier and then head south thru Colorado. Look on craigslist.com to get an idea of bike costs. And search this site as this same question seems to get asked alot. Cheap gas, cheap dollars, friendly people here.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 May 2008
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
Northern Arizona and southern Utah offer some spectacular sites for photography, too. Two can't miss places are Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay") and Monument Valley on the Navajo Reservation. There will be others chiming in, too.

For 3 weeks, renting will be the best deal, just because you wouldn't have the registration/insurance/etc. hassles that go with buying, especially from out of country. However, don't go overboard with the whole hog (pun intended) of a full-dressed Harley, due to your budget. However, I am not sure about a good place to suggest.

Also, where are you planning to land? (this will help determine a place to rent and route to ride)

Motels can be found for reasonable cost, but some are quite expensive depending on location and quality, but camping would be the best as far as keeping costs down. But, it sounds like you are like me, and would rather have the convenience of a motel over saving money (disclaimer-my opinion, nothing against camping before you fellow members bombard me with how outrageous I sound, etc!)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 May 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: london
Posts: 66
I'm not against camping, but i am concerned ill waste time buying all the gear and untested before i set out,different if you lived there all the while.
As to where to land it would depend upon where i chose to explore.
at the moment im trying to gather ideas and then make a decision....hopefully for next year.
i woiuld be hoping in the late summer.and i did also consider new england....but im ready to be persuaded lol
thanks folks for replying
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 May 2008
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
Here is an example of a motorcycle rental place out of L.A. Don't know anything about them, and don't even know if they are reputable, but this is why I think it would be cheaper to rent than to buy:

Motorcycle Tours , Motorcycle Rentals & Motorcycle Vacations

They have a 750cc Honda Magna for about $600/week. Keep in mind there are always add-ons to the price (i.e. taxes, insurance, etc) but you can rent a bike for about $2k USD vs. purchasing one with an unknown reliability.

I think the east would be a nice place to visit, but haven't really been there touring, so don't know where to recommend if you wanted to ride that side of the country, and renting a bike, etc.

Just search for motorcycle rental places in a possible city you would want to land and start off in.
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
Buying/ renting bike in India travelHK West and South Asia 19 2 Mar 2016 06:46
Renting/Buying a Motorcycle in Peru worldride South America 2 19 Nov 2007 07:15
Renting/buying bike in Syria? Robbert Middle East 1 16 May 2006 15:01
Bike renting or buying in China Fury West and South Asia 2 30 Nov 2004 07:57
renting/buying car in chad alessia North Africa 2 29 Oct 2002 15:05

 
 

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 06:43.

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