Hi,
First time to US for my wife and I, Would love some advise on where to go what to see? We have booked to fly in/out of LAX in April13 for about 6 weeks.

Was going to hire bike and or car for travel and maybe a couple of internal flights. Any must sees or itinery.?

Thanks in advance.

Death Valley, Las Vegas, Valley of fire, Grand Canyon just to name a few.
If you come thru Vegas there is lots of rider support and a few V-Stromers

If you ride north from LA go up the coast hiway through Oregon--its beautiful, kinda primitive the futher north you go. (Crater Lake) Then go to Everett WA, over the Cascades and do that entire region--again fantastic riding, sparse traffic, much great scenery.
Go east to the Bitterroot Mts and head south, do the mountains of Idaho, continue down the Rockies to page, UT, then on to the Grand Canyon.
After all that it may be a challenge just to do all that, and we haven't even scratched the surface of touring in the US. I've been working at it for most of my adult life (and I'm old) and I have not really seen all of the above.
The more I think of it, you could spend your entire vacation in the state of CA and you won't have time to see it all!
Maybe you'll have to take several tours of different areas of the US!
I spent two weeks in Perth area (2005)--wonderful place!

I just saw that you will be here in April--that makes me suggest staying further south than in my previous post. Do Yosemite of course, and the Grand Canyon, but as you go east from there you will see the Great Plains aren't all that great for motorcycling IMHO.
In April you can get snowed on sometimes in the north, so you may stay further south and the weather should be good.

Areas from the Rockies west will not disappoint you. Your problem will be having enough time to see all you want. Yosemite and all points north through Washington State are the best, IMHO. Then whip it over to Glacier NP. That should take you nearly a week if you take a little time to smell the roses.
If the Grand Canyon is on your must do list, continue east to the four corners area and sample what Colorado and the San Juans Mtns. have to offer. Western slope of the Colorado Rockies is comparable to the Alps for it's beauty. Work your way back through Utah and Zion NP., then go to Vegas just so you can say you went.
Where ever you go, it will be memorable to say the least. Good luck and have a blast.

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79 GS1000S
97 TL1000S
2002 Concours
2005 DRZ400
2005 KDX220R
2007 DLK
2009 KLR650

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Thanx heaps for your replies and great ideas......

I'm going to pour over the maps now and sort a few things out...

Any more 'must sees' , keep em coming.

Cheers.




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The entire region from Cortez, Colorado to Durango--that will occupy any touring rider for many days. There are many unexpected surprises you will encounter there, many national parks. Wolf Creek Pass is always cool. In April you could see snow because of the altitude--but its wild and beautiful.

My input would be Yellowstone, but April is probably too early.
Now in subscribed to this to monitor
Mike

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2007 Blue DL650 V-Strom - running out of farkle's to do so bought the VEE
2006 SILVER DL1000 - Riding on the Darkside!!!!!
2007 Suzuki M-50 (wifes)
Las Vegas, NV

If you are going to rent a bike in Los Angeles I suggest the following: Immediatly ride to Malibu, check your map and see all the canyon roads that cut between Malibu (Pacific Coast Highway) and the 101 freeway. Burn two tanks of gas (petrol) on these roads (ride them all!) using Mulholland drive to return to the start point after you run out of canyons, always mindful of the police who love to hand out tickets for riding "funlike". Visit the Rock Store (ask anybody on a bike) and enjoy a cold beverage while your shaking hands slowy calm down from all of the awesomeness you have just experienced. L.A. doesn't have to suck, you just need to know where to go. Ride safe! Eric

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2006 V-Strom 1000
Life is tough and unfair, always wear a helmet!

A lot of good ideas posted already. We just went to Zion Natl Park and did a few hikes - in a day. You can spend weeks in the park but a quick overview was nice.

If you go to the Grand Canyon, I'd work South to Sedona, Arizona, in any loop. Drive up Schnebly Hill Road through the red rock - or take a Pink Jeep Tour.

If you make it to San Diego, PM me and I'll play tour guide. If you find you don't like me, I'll put a bag over my head and just point at sites.