Tips
Advice
These notes come from 1999: many details may have changed, but the spirit still helps. It has been over __ years since then.
Fuel
Take the highest octane you can find. In Italy it goes up to 98, in the USA around 92.
Speed
Follow the flow of traffic; do not try to keep up with trucks!
Route
Avoid big cities; they are expensive and less friendly. You don’t have time to visit them anyway.
Money
Credit cards are used almost everywhere except small restaurants or fast food chains. Better to have two circuits.
Food
A drama! Denny’s and Pizza Hut are fine (yes, you can eat a decent pizza), or Mexican restaurants. In Texas the meat is very good.
Phone calls
For international calls, Omnia or Columbus work well. For local calls use pre‑paid calling cards; they are convenient. You don’t need coins and it costs less than calling with credit card or cash. In hotels, in 90% of cases (100% of budget places), you won’t be charged. They are available everywhere: gas stations, liquor stores, supermarkets…
Parking
American cars leak oil a lot. In parking lots stay back or you will slip.
Motels
Don’t book! Go without fear. There are many low‑price chains, clean and reliable. We recommend Super8, Motel6 or DaysInn. If you join AMA, MTS or MGNOC, you get 10–15% discounts.
Cities
Stay away from cities and tourist centers (at least do not sleep there). They are expensive and less friendly, and you won’t have time to see them.
Clothes
Leather suit is not recommended (you’ll cook). Two pairs of jeans, many t‑shirts, a rain suit, a wool sweater (seriously!), and a denim jacket.
Vaccinations
None :)
Insurance
Italian “RC auto” is useless. You need a U.S. policy before departure. Get medical insurance (e.g., Europe Assistance) or a hospital visit could cost hundreds of dollars. Info: “Michael I. Mandell Inc - 410 Jerico Turnpike, Ste.105 Jerico NY 11753. Tel +1.516.822.1237”.
Extra services
With MTS, for $35, you have two months of coverage and towing to the nearest shop anywhere in the USA.
Costs
For two people, 23 days, bike shipping, flights, motels, food, insurance, customs… about 10 million lire.
Premium fuel
There isn’t any! If your bike needs premium (like ours), use an octane booster. U.S. unleaded is more prone to detonation; you risk knocking.
Route 66 Museum in Clinton
Worth a visit.
Best motel
A wooden motel in Mexican Hat (UT) with canyon view. Details: Burch's Trading Co, Hwy 163, Mexican Hat UT 84531. Tel.+1.435.683.2221
Notes & Safety
Passing
If traffic is jammed, DO NOT lane‑split. It is illegal and drivers will try to block you—open doors, cut you off. Watch out for truckers! I saw them move into the emergency lane to prevent a car from passing. If traffic is stopped, they might get out and punch you.
Car vs. motorcycle culture
In the U.S., the car is a status symbol. The motorcycle represents non‑conformity, being outside the system. Cases of riders pushed off the road by drivers are not rare. Moral: be careful and do not show off. Dress down, don’t wear flashy gear. You’ll get nicer attention if you’re humble; then the bike, your style and expression will speak.
Talking to people
Just talk to everyone you meet. You’ll get advice, phone numbers, addresses and help.
How Americans drive
They do the same dumb things we do—just more slowly. The real problem in U.S. traffic is you, in their eyes. Don’t trust their reflexes. If you cut in, they honk and then hit you without braking because “the lane is theirs.” In short: each driver owns their piece of lane and won’t avoid you if you’re there.