I will be riding in Texas soon - need advices

[Viethorse]

Hi there,
A friend of mine tell me to join this site for some riding advises in Texas.
Then, I am here, to learn more about motorcycle related things in Texas.
G'day to all
Viethorse.

[Gravel Guy]

Howdy from Thorndale!

[JMZ]

Welcome. You came to the right place

[Gilk51]

Look in the StoryTelling section for ride reports - that will give you some ideas.

[RedPill]

This is the right place to look. Also, go here to see some Texas roads: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/states/tx.html

[chaissos]

Vietnam? Cool! What's the story behind that? Immigration? Military PCS? Ambassador's son? Yeah, I know, there could be a hundred reasons. Help me out here.

to the site!

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Gravel Guy

Howdy from Thorndale!

Hallo from Ho Chi Minh City, across a bloody big pond!

Originally Posted by JMZ

Welcome. You came to the right place

Yeah, looking for a group ride with you guys soon.

Originally Posted by Gilk51

Look in the StoryTelling section for ride reports - that will give you some ideas.

Lurking...... So many things...

Originally Posted by RedPill

This is the right place to look. Also, go here to see some Texas roads: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/states/tx.html

Thanks. I heard from my friend that there are not many good roads for the one love to ride twisties like me.

Originally Posted by chaissos

Vietnam? Cool! What's the story behind that? Immigration? Military PCS? Ambassador's son? Yeah, I know, there could be a hundred reasons. Help me out here.

to the site!

Haha. Thank for the welcoming.
Just be simple on this. Being in US for a biz trip and take some weeks for wandering there. Heard a lot about Ozarks and Smokey mountain... Plan to experience Tail of Dragon this Oct. Thought those are quite info about a new comer, rite?

[Tourmeister]

Welcome to the site!

When will you be in Texas? Where will you be arriving? Dallas, Houston, Austin or somewhere else? I assume you will be wanting to rent a bike?

There is nothing in Texas like what you will find in North Carolina, Tennessee and other parts of the Smoky Mountains. However, Texas still has some good stuff. East Texas is Piney woods and wandering back roads. It can be really humid but is not too bad in the Fall. Central Texas is more arid, big Oak trees and smaller Mesquite trees. It is more hilly and the roads twistier. Keep going West and you get into the desert areas of Texas, especially Big Bend, Terlingua and the Davis Mountains. But Texas is a BIG place and riding non stop it would take around 10-12 hours to get from the Houston area to Big Bend depending on your route. I live about an hour North of Houston and it takes me about 12 hours to get there, just a bit longer than if I head North into Arkansas.

Northwestern Arkansas and Southeastern Missouri have some really excellent riding and roads. Many of the roads are very twisty and have lots of fast elevation changes. From Dallas to Eureka Springs (upper NW corner of Arkansas) is maybe seven hours. Figure about 12-13 hours from Houston. It's usually real pretty up in that area around late Sept, October and early Nov. Weather can be a bit hit or miss as that is also when the cold fronts start moving through, bringing cooler temps and often rain.

North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia are all great in October. Leaves will be changing on the trees. Kids will be back in school. And the roads will not be as crowded with tourists. Of course, wet leaves on the roads can be hazardous! The roads in that area are generally really well maintained. There are MANY roads in that area that are better than Deal's Gap, but everyone goes there. That's fine because it leaves the other roads uncrowded! In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, there is a place called GSMmotorent.com run by a member here that goes by the name "LtDan". He rents a lot of nice bikes and is very knowledgeable about the good riding in the area. He also rents bikes in the Big Bend area of Texas during the winter months (prime riding time in Big Bend!).

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Welcome to the site!

When will you be in Texas? Where will you be arriving? Dallas, Houston, Austin or somewhere else? I assume you will be wanting to rent a bike?

There is nothing in Texas like what you will find in North Carolina, Tennessee and other parts of the Smoky Mountains. However, Texas still has some good stuff. East Texas is Piney woods and wandering back roads. It can be really humid but is not too bad in the Fall. Central Texas is more arid, big Oak trees and smaller Mesquite trees. It is more hilly and the roads twistier. Keep going West and you get into the desert areas of Texas, especially Big Bend, Terlingua and the Davis Mountains. But Texas is a BIG place and riding non stop it would take around 10-12 hours to get from the Houston area to Big Bend depending on your route. I live about an hour North of Houston and it takes me about 12 hours to get there, just a bit longer than if I head North into Arkansas.

Northwestern Arkansas and Southeastern Missouri have some really excellent riding and roads. Many of the roads are very twisty and have lots of fast elevation changes. From Dallas to Eureka Springs (upper NW corner of Arkansas) is maybe seven hours. Figure about 12-13 hours from Houston. It's usually real pretty up in that area around late Sept, October and early Nov. Weather can be a bit hit or miss as that is also when the cold fronts start moving through, bringing cooler temps and often rain.

North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia are all great in October. Leaves will be changing on the trees. Kids will be back in school. And the roads will not be as crowded with tourists. Of course, wet leaves on the roads can be hazardous! The roads in that area are generally really well maintained. There are MANY roads in that area that are better than Deal's Gap, but everyone goes there. That's fine because it leaves the other roads uncrowded! In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, there is a place called GSMmotorent.com run by a member here that goes by the name "LtDan". He rents a lot of nice bikes and is very knowledgeable about the good riding in the area. He also rents bikes in the Big Bend area of Texas during the winter months (prime riding time in Big Bend!).

Hi,
First, appreciate your time to write up the reply. That 's really good to me.
Second, here is my plan:
I will be arriving Houston end of September.
I will stick with business meetings for couple of days, until end of 10 Oct.
After that, I will take around 10 days more to experience riding in US. I have discussed with some of my US friends in Atlanta that we will ride around the Smoky Mountain.

Basically, for the time in Houston, I still can have some free windows for exploring Houston or even more. (30 Sept and 5-6-7 Oct: Free).

I plan to depart from Houston to Atlanta on 11Oct. Ride to Atlanta if I could buy a bike in Houston, or fly to Atlanta if I could not buy.

It is around <900miles from Houston to Atlanta, so do you think it's possible for me to ride there (one way) within 2days (+ 1 night rest)? I am a spor/sport-torung tbike rider, I can ride 600km in Vietnam a day, and can ride 800km/day in Thailand.

I was thinking of bike rental, but for around 10 days, it may cost me around $1,500 in total, that seems much higher than the optiopn if I can buy a bike then sell it back after I done my trip.
You guys may have better idea or better adives. I really appreciate that.

[chaissos]

1000 miles a day is quite doable for an LD rider. That would be almost all highway, though. Which isn't bad, but riding the slab is boring compared to getting off it and into the twisties. I travel from San Antonio to South-Central FL (and back) in one shot on a regular basis (it's about 1155 miles). It's all slab riding, but it gets me to my destination. So a 2 day 900 mile ride will be easy enough, if you can stand the seat. Never been to Vietnam, but if the shows I see on restaurants, travel and other stuff are any indication, getting around here should be easier than in your country.

Sounds like a lot of fun, in any event. Enjoy your ride.

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by chaissos

1000 miles a day is quite doable for an LD rider. That would be almost all highway, though. Which isn't bad, but riding the slab is boring compared to getting off it and into the twisties. I travel from San Antonio to South-Central FL (and back) in one shot on a regular basis (it's about 1155 miles). It's all slab riding, but it gets me to my destination. So a 2 day 900 mile ride will be easy enough, if you can stand the seat. Never been to Vietnam, but if the shows I see on restaurants, travel and other stuff are any indication, getting around here should be easier than in your country.

Sounds like a lot of fun, in any event. Enjoy your ride.

Thanks for your feedback. Chaissos.
I also believe that it's doable route.
However, some other friends make me a bit worry about too long distance and boring roads.
Someone please help to post some photos of the slab which Chaissos mentioned above (from Houston to Atlanta), so I can somehow imagine how boring it is.
Furthermore, is there any recommendation routes from Houston to Atlanta?
What are max-speeds on those roads?

An other question need you local to advise: I also would like to experience riding on a race track around Houston. So which track should I come? What do I have to do to get into a race track? How much is for an entry (may be with bike rental or track fee or insurance, etc... I don't know...)

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

Furthermore, is there any recommendation routes from Houston to Atlanta?
What are max-speeds on those roads?

For tourist purposes, I'd suggest taking I-10 east to Mobile, Alabama, and then north on I-65 to Atlanta. That way you get to see New Orleans (if you so choose), the Gulf Coast, and it's still a reasonably fast ride to Atlanta.

Interstate speed limits vary from 55 mph to 75 mph just depending upon the population density of the area you are in. Texas does have 80 and 85 mph limits but those would be to the west of Houston and not along your path.

Personally, I would fly to Atlanta, rent a bike there and ride the Smokies and other great areas in that region. I would not want to deal with trying to find a good bike, getting it registered, and then trying to sell it before I left.

[Tourmeister]

I've ridden to North Carolina twice. I now trailer when I go The ride really is incredibly boring. Louisiana and Mississippi just don't have much to offer if you are just passing through. Even in Alabama it is not great until you reach the far side of Birmingham.

If you don't mind flying, then that would be the way to go. Should take only one day. Given the cost of gas/food/lodging for a two day ride there, flying is likely to be cheaper, or at least close the same cost. However, you gain an extra day over there if you fly. There really isn't much to see in way of scenery as it is almost all the same between here and Eastern Alabama where the mountains start. I would want to get to Atlanta as fast as possible.

I would not buy a NEW bike. You will get killed on the depreciation when you go to sell it, even though it would still be very new and not have many miles on it. If you decide you HAVE to buy a bike, see if your friends can't find a good used bike. That way you can probably sell it for close to what you pay for it. Either way, you are adding hassle in terms of conducting the transaction, getting the bike registered and insured, etc,... By the time you factor in all that, renting might not be such a bad option after all. The other nice thing about renting is the bikes usually come already setup for the kind of riding you might do, so you don't have to outfit the bike with accessories. Also, you can rent more than one kind of bike: touring, sport, dualsport, etc,...

Have you thought about riding gear? Helmet, gloves, rain suit, etc,...?

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Texas T

For tourist purposes, I'd suggest taking I-10 east to Mobile, Alabama, and then north on I-65 to Atlanta. That way you get to see New Orleans (if you so choose), the Gulf Coast, and it's still a reasonably fast ride to Atlanta.

Interstate speed limits vary from 55 mph to 75 mph just depending upon the population density of the area you are in. Texas does have 80 and 85 mph limits but those would be to the west of Houston and not along your path.

Personally, I would fly to Atlanta, rent a bike there and ride the Smokies and other great areas in that region. I would not want to deal with trying to find a good bike, getting it registered, and then trying to sell it before I left.

Thanks TT.
Is it the route you suggested from Houston to Atlanta?
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ho...mra=ls&t=m&z=6

Above route is for car. If switching to bicycling (i don't know if that the same as motorcycle) it turns to the other way round.

I don't know how strictly the speed limit rule enforced, but if taking 900miles for 65mph average, I gotta ride at least 13-18hrs continuously. Divide into 2 days, should be riding 7-9 hours each day.

Flying to Atlanta is also one of my option. My friends there also willing to pick me up at the airport and also get the rental bike for me.
However, I am still considering if the buying option could save me some significant cost.
If I buy a bike, I may left the bike at my friend's place, ask him to sell it for me and I don't need to wait there until the bike sold.

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I've ridden to North Carolina twice. I now trailer when I go ;-) The ride really is incredibly boring. Louisiana and Mississippi just don't have much to offer if you are just passing through. Even in Alabama it is not great until you reach the far side of Birmingham.

Well, those words made me to think a lot... haizzz... If so boring, why should I try... How can I enjoy the INCREDIBLE boring roads....
I will rent a car just only for my biz time in Houston, but not with the trailer then.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

If you don't mind flying, then that would be the way to go. Should take only one day. Given the cost of gas/food/lodging for a two day ride there, flying is likely to be cheaper, or at least close the same cost. However, you gain an extra day over there if you fly. There really isn't much to see in way of scenery as it is almost all the same between here and Eastern Alabama where the mountains start. I would want to get to Atlanta as fast as possible.

Would you please tell me some site which I could find a good price tickets? My Atlanta friends offer to pick me up at the airport then go direct to visit Motorcycle Museum in Atlanta. Dang, that also sweet.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I would not buy a NEW bike. You will get killed on the depreciation when you go to sell it, even though it would still be very new and not have many miles on it. If you decide you HAVE to buy a bike, see if your friends can't find a good used bike. That way you can probably sell it for close to what you pay for it. Either way, you are adding hassle in terms of conducting the transaction, getting the bike registered and insured, etc,... By the time you factor in all that, renting might not be such a bad option after all. The other nice thing about renting is the bikes usually come already setup for the kind of riding you might do, so you don't have to outfit the bike with accessories. Also, you can rent more than one kind of bike: touring, sport, dualsport, etc,...

Have you thought about riding gear? Helmet, gloves, rain suit, etc,...?

Yes, rental is good in many ways; bike options, bike reliability, insurance, registration, additional stuff... but just the cost is making me a bit unsure.
I was renting a bike when I was i Bangkok Thailand. And it was really great. Of course, it 's good price, just around $65/day only.
Searching around Atlanta, the best I could have for 600cc and above is more than $130/day. That 's quite a consideration.
Thanks for asking about the riding gears. I will bring with my own gloves as they fit me well. I will borrow the Helmet, leather suit and rain suit from my friend in Houston. I have bought Sidi boots and shipped to his house already.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

Is it the route you suggested from Houston to Atlanta?

Yes, but as Tourmeister stated, this will be a BORING ride.

I don't know how strictly the speed limit rule enforced, but if taking 900miles for 65mph average, I gotta ride at least 13-18hrs continuously. Divide into 2 days, should be riding 7-9 hours each day.

Limits are enforced at different levels depending upon whether you are dealing with a State, a County, or a City/Town law enforcement officer, as well as what the speed limit is, what the driving conditions are, and many other considerations. Most areas are safe to ride 5 mph over the limit but that is not universal.

900 miles in one day is not a big thing for some of us, but it's a huge concern for others. It depends upon the comfort of your bike and how used you are to riding long distances in a single day.

Flying to Atlanta is also one of my option. My friends there also willing to pick me up at the airport and also get the rental bike for me.
However, I am still considering if the buying option could save me some significant cost.
If I buy a bike, I may left the bike at my friend's place, ask him to sell it for me and I don't need to wait there until the bike sold.

Regardless of the cost, I think renting is still the better choice. What if you purchase a bike and have a breakdown somewhere along the route? Now you are delayed and facing either the cost of the repairs, not completing the trip with your friends, unable to sell the bike when you're done with it, or all of the above.

I use either Travelocity or Expedia to purchase my airline tickets unless I'm flying Southwest, in which case I purchase those tickets directly from the airline. Right now Southwest is $111 each way...
http://travel.southwest.com/specialo...Checkbox=false

[Tourmeister]

If you do plan to take a day or so to explore a bit of Texas near Houston, let me know. I can steer you to some of the better riding within a day of Houston. The weather has been darn near perfect the last week or so. A cool front came through and we are now in the low 90s and high 80s at the hottest part of the day and the humidity is unusually low. Also, if you ride here, we might be able to scrounge up a borrowed bike for you to ride. Most folks would only ask that you insure it for the time you ride it. Not sure how that might work for you if you are not a U.S. citizen However, I have borrowed bikes from friends and my insurance company lets me pay the prorated premium just for the few days I used it, totaling maybe $25-30 for the whole time. I usually do this even if the lender of the bike does not ask for it, just to cover me if something happens to the bike. It has paid off to because we did have an accident on a borrowed bike one time and our insurance covered everything and made my friend happy with the outcome.

Also, depending on when you are here, I might actually be able to ride with you and serve as a guide as I am quite familiar with most of the good riding in Texas. If you enjoy riding dirt roads on suitable bikes, we might even be able to get you riding on some fun little backroads so you can see some of the country side up close.

[Tourmeister]

Here is a PERFECT bike for your trip! It is good on the road, especially in places like North Carolina and you can take it down almost any unpaved road out there! Read this ride report from that area,

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73942

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76890

We were out there at the end of May. One of your guys had his KLR 650 out there and loved it. I had the older version of the KLR (pre 2008) and would have ridden it out there had I not bought the KTM before getting a chance to do so.

The best thing about that bike is that your friends could turn around and sell it in a heart beat for almost exactly what you paid for it, or they could just keep it themselves

You would probably have little trouble finding gently used KLRs in the Atlanta area already nicely setup for a good trip!

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Texas T

....
900 miles in one day is not a big thing for some of us, but it's a huge concern for others. It depends upon the comfort of your bike and how used you are to riding long distances in a single day.

You 're talking about 900miles in one day - so with the Speed limit, you gotta start riding before sunrise and get the destination after sunset? Without rest and lunch.... Haizzz...

Originally Posted by Texas T

Regardless of the cost, I think renting is still the better choice. What if you purchase a bike and have a breakdown somewhere along the route? Now you are delayed and facing either the cost of the repairs, not completing the trip with your friends, unable to sell the bike when you're done with it, or all of the above.

I use either Travelocity or Expedia to purchase my airline tickets unless I'm flying Southwest, in which case I purchase those tickets directly from the airline. Right now Southwest is $111 each way...
http://travel.southwest.com/specialo...Checkbox=false

Nothing wrong with your justification of bike rental... I am about to...
Thanks for the link of Southwest.

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

...
You would probably have little trouble finding gently used KLRs in the Atlanta area already nicely setup for a good trip!

Thanks for that but I don't really much like the dual-sport bike for riding on Smoky roads. I prefer Sport or Sport-touring bike as I am used to ride it here in Vietnam. It makes me more confident while cornering.
I have tried Kiwi Versys (somehow similar to KLR) in Thailand for almost 200miles twisty road, and I found that I am not a big fan of dual-sport.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

If you do plan to take a day or so to explore a bit of Texas near Houston, let me know. I can steer you to some of the better riding within a day of Houston. The weather has been darn near perfect the last week or so. A cool front came through and we are now in the low 90s and high 80s at the hottest part of the day and the humidity is unusually low. Also, if you ride here, we might be able to scrounge up a borrowed bike for you to ride. Most folks would only ask that you insure it for the time you ride it. Not sure how that might work for you if you are not a U.S. citizen However, I have borrowed bikes from friends and my insurance company lets me pay the prorated premium just for the few days I used it, totaling maybe $25-30 for the whole time. I usually do this even if the lender of the bike does not ask for it, just to cover me if something happens to the bike. It has paid off to because we did have an accident on a borrowed bike one time and our insurance covered everything and made my friend happy with the outcome.

Also, depending on when you are here, I might actually be able to ride with you and serve as a guide as I am quite familiar with most of the good riding in Texas. If you enjoy riding dirt roads on suitable bikes, we might even be able to get you riding on some fun little backroads so you can see some of the country side up close.

It's my honor, Tourmeister. Appreciate your kindness.
Sure I 'd love to see and ride with you guys in Texas. I may ask my Houston friend to join as welll. He's got a CBR600 and a dirt-bike (XR400R I think...).
That would be very great pre-ride for me to familiar with riding culture in US before struggling with twisty Smoky Mountain.
Backroads seems really fun, but I have very little experience with dirtbike, and I also don't have suitable gears. I am afraid that I would make your game more bored then.

If the option of borrowing with insurance could work out, I would very much appreciate.

For the time in Houston, I will have a rental car with me. So it seems doesn't matter where to meet you and start riding around Houston.
However, below is my schedule:

I will be stay at 77002 from arrival until 06Oct. I will move to stay at 77380 from 06Oct until 11Oct.
As said from previous post, I have some days free: 30 Sept and 5-6-7 Oct.