Hyper / California

[A501]

Hello.

This is Andy writing from good old Germany.

@first: please don`t be angry about my bad english; it`s been a long time since the last sessions in school.....

And now: my question.

My family and me planning a few weeks of holiday in california/US next year (september/oktober). The girls want to go swimming near San Francisco; me and myself (smile) looking for some motobike-adventure.

So my plan is to rent a motorcycle from L.A. to S.F. for a week, probably a Duc (and particularly a HyperM).

Can someone give me some further information about rent-dealers, routes and good hotels?

Or does my choice being a bad one and some BMW is the better opinion?

Thx for your responses

A.501

[Motard-Menace]

A501,

Not sure about renting an HM but I know there are some places that rent sportbikes. Here in the US its a bit harder to find import bikes but there are many Harley rental places available. You might want to look into BMW and see what they can provide. Best bet would be to go to the BMW website and find a California dealer. Here is a sportbike rental place that is in LA or SF but I didn't see an HM listed but they do have Ducati's. http://www.sportbikerental.com/

As for roads, I would suggest the PCH all the way up if you are in no hurry. Its a nice ride along the coast with some killer scenery. I'm sure some of the Cali guys will pipe in suggestions as I am over in AZ but have ridden portions of the PCH. Sorry I couldn't be more help but have fun.

p.s. Where in Germany? I spent a week there in 05 and loved it. Planning a return trip in 2010 to the Bavaria region.

[flying_hun]

Andy,

Here's a link to a rental agency in San Francisco. There are others as well, but I'm not aware of anyone who rents Hypermotards. http://www.dubbelju.com/

Regarding the girls who want to go swimming near San Francisco; do they know that the Pacific is rather cold?

There are many routes between LA & SF. Hwy 1 is iconic, but the best part of it is really between Cambria and Carmel. Even then, it will only keep you occupied for two days at most, even if you stop frequently.

September / October is probably an ideal time to ride Hwy 1, as summer holidays are over, and the weather is still good. Other roads in that area worth a look include Hwy 25 south of Hollister. Hwy 198, which intersects Hwy 25, and goes from Coalinga to Hwy 101. Hwy 229, which is only a few miles long, but is known locally as "Rossi's Driveway" for its excellent twists and turns. The list could go on and on. Between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara you will also want to try Tepusquet Road, and Foxen Canyon. A stop at the motorcycle museum in Solvang is also worthwhile.

As the west coast of the US wakes up, there will be others who are also familiar with the alternatives.

If you'd like, you can PM me for more details. Also you can check out a website called http://www.pashnit.com It has details of many of the best motorcycle roads in California, but it is a subscription site. However, I think the money would be well spent for planning your trip.

Cheers,

Kurt

PS: Your English is fine.

[GEE-BEE]

Anything north of the golden gate bridge to Eureka is the best Ive found.

Riding thru the Giant Redwoods is God's gift to all of us...

I did this trip last June , Eureka to GG Bridge was around 9 hours

My trip was Bend Euro Motor to my beach house in Orange County Cali.
1352 miles in two days...

I do this trip every other year since 99", always a new bike & same path

Gee-Bee

[tunefx]

Originally Posted by GEE-BEE

Riding thru the Giant Redwoods is God's gift to all of us...

+1

Back in the day I would have enjoyed riding a HM from Heidelberg ost along the Neckar, across and down to Stuttgart, further sud and then nord through the Naturpark Schwarzwald.

Schöne Ferien!

Auf Wiedersehen

Your English will always be better than my German!

[A501]

Hello and many thx for your answers.

I´ve been touched for the compliments.

Potentially my english should be a little bit better, in case my daughter has some lessons in school (and I even learn some more vocab again).

Anyway: the tips are very helpful for planing our holiday next year. In certain circumstances I`ll take your offer and send some p.m. for more details.

Just our distances are mildy straightforward....

Btw: we`re living in the harz-mountains near Hannover. It`s a low mountain range with some lovesome highways.

If anybody doing some "Autobahn-miles" in Germany and needing more information, just call back per p.m.



Auf Wiedersehen anywhere +

Andy

[dukepilot]

If you're going to be here in mid October, be sure to schedule your trip to include La Ducati Day in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the town of La Honda, just south of San Francisco. La Ducati Day is a gathering of Ducati owners. There are some nice bikes on display and some vendors too. Last year it was held on October 14. Check out the photo gallery at www.norcaldoc.com for pictures from last year.

[lelenb]

Keep us informed on your trip as I am sure there are more then a few of us that would like to ride with you on your way to San Francisco. I live by Monterey which is off HWY 1 and about 160 km south of San Francisco. Be sure to bring warm clothes as it gets cold at night near the Pacific Ocean. The ocean water is about 10-12 degrees C. and the currents are strong so be prepared.

[HypeTsu]

Hey Andy

Here's a good route for you from L.A to the bay area (San Francisco)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=2731759158481145375,34.0822 88,-118.224785%3B5282454029348012009,34.436210,-119.173510%3B5702353582234497119,34.912919,-119.512156%3B16078228740936677103,35.058340,-119.392700%3B5657506292925012310,35.462560,-120.384586%3B353159902922606954,35.534330,-120.523750%3B13838844593405916503,35.504320,-120.652360%3B16505365549802135800,35.555746,-120.757415%3B13723420268406963181,35.518840,-121.035740%3B17902831507894573437,36.543291,-121.908343&saddr=I-5+N+%4034.082288,+-118.224785&daddr=34.352223,-118.979874+to:Ojai+Santa+Paula+Rd+%4034.436210,+-119.173510+to:CA-33+%4034.912919,+-119.512156+to:CA-166%2FMaricopa+Hwy+%4035.058340,+-119.392700+to:CA-58+%4035.462560,+-120.384586+to:CA-41+%4035.534330,+-120.523750+to:CA-41+%4035.504320,+-120.652360+to:CA-46+%4035.555746,+-120.757415+to:CA-1+%4035.518840,+-121.035740+to:CA-1+%4036.543291,+-121.908343&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4 ,5,6,7,8,9&sll=34.325292,-118.944168&sspn=0.184863,0.210457&ie=UTF8&ll=35.79 1083,-120.140991&spn=2.905036,3.36731&z=8


This route will take through some of the best roads southern California has to offer Italian pure breeds

It has the canyons leading from Moorpark area to Ojai (tight, & technical... great scenery)

The 33 out of Ojai south to Maricopa (incridble road that is totaly empty - don't forget to fuel up in Ojai!)

The 58 from Maricopa which is virtually a race track (winding road in low hills) on the beginning and end of it.

And of course the 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) from Cambria to Carmel by the sea. (It's great for the Hyper, and the view is just....wow)

From Carmel I suggest you will ask the "NoCal" bunch for recommendations as these guys know the magical ways in which to transform a common commute from Carmel to San Francisco, into a celebration of rubber on asphalt

As far as Motorcycles... I only know of Sport bike Rentals which are already mentioned here.