So, I have a wedding to go to, Lake Tahoe California end of October. Figured I could make a trip of it... I could fly out to US from start of October, buy a cheap bike, ride a bit, go to wedding and then ride some more, sell bike and fly home. Say for 3 months (although there'd be nothing necessarily - finances allowing - stopping me from continuing south, finding a boat and sailing to Oz, for example )

Any recommendations on where to start and/or finish? I could start and end anywhere so long as I get to the wedding - not mine - on time, and that the flights to/from UK are cheap (i had read it may be easier to buy a bike in california area - i'd be looking for cheap 2nd hand).

And any ideas for vague route? I don't want really cold or really wet weather, so I guess I'd be looking more to the south... I know this is a pretty open-ended question, but any suggestions welcome (was wondering about flying to NY, buy bike, ride west to Tahoe for wedding, then go south through California and east to say Florida and sell bike - but maybe starting in California would be better)

This would be my first motorbike tour (but I have toured by bike and travelled a lot for many years) - I'm not interested in covering large daily distances and would mainly be looking to camp/sleep out as need this to be a cheap trip (would rather spend my money on some !).

Thanks!

__________________
Helen's Take On...

There are lot's of places you could go to! I would definitely recommend to drive the entire hwy 1, which is directly at the california coast. Perhaps you could start in San Francisco (or even Seattle), check out Yosemite, and drive your way south. While you're at it, make your way to vegas, route66 and the canyons. Monument Valley is one of my favorite national parks in the US, which is not too far away from the grand canyon .

Have fun!

Do you want to See NYC, Boston, SF, LA, and Peoria, or do you want to see Yellowstone, Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Smoky Mountains? Can't help much on the cities, but it is hard to go wrong seeing some of the National parks.

I would say start on the West, but I'm biased. Save a long ride across those somewhat vague states to get to Tahoe which sounds like your one requirement. There are some good things to see on the East side. I'll focus on the West. You could probably do quite a bit in 3 months though.

Say, start in SF, head north up the coast, split off east to Yellowstone wherever you want to leave the coast, Then head south stopping as you go with the Grand Canyon being your objective. Then around to the south and west to Southern California on to (Or through if you are not far south) Death Valley, and then back to the coast and up HWY 1 as far as you want, cut back east to Yosemite and over Tioga pass to Mono Lake (Tioga pass (120 to Mono Lake) could be closed if there is snow and NPS park funding is low--and it will be cold up that high). North to Tahoe and then it will be time to check your watch.

The above is a good basic plan. With some refinement and adjustment it could be the BEST way to spend your 3 months. October is a great month to travel ... and having seen IT ALL ... I can assure you the WEST is the BEST!
If you go North from San Francisco ... you have a decent chance of having good weather but you could run into some rain. After seeing the Trinity Alps in Northern California (BEST riding in all of California). Continue North into Oregon to Crater Lake.

From there, I would cut East through Idaho (freekin' stunning state) and parts of Montana (SO VAST!). Yellowstone for sure. By then you probably would need to head SOUTH WEST back towards Tahoe to make the wedding by end of Oct. On your way, ride through Nevada and Area 51.

After the wedding, explore the Sierra Nevada mountain passes (over 10,000 ft),there are 5. Most should still be open in November unless we get an early Winter. Then go EAST to Death Valley, Vegas and out to Grand Canyon.

After that, weather permitting, head North to Utah. Some of the best riding in the USA. Several must see sights there and several Nat. Parks.

If weather closes in, head SOUTH into Baja, Mexico. Very easy to do and just a pleasure, very relaxing, laid back.

If you get onto some good guide books you can find all the best motorcycle roads. Don't listen to RV or Harley people ... talk to ADV riders to really find the best biking roads.

Totally agree!