Washington DC

[Ansink66]

I’m due for a holiday in October and I’m considering spending a couple of weeks in Washington DC. This will be my first trip to the USA, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to rent a motorcycle when I’m down there. Renting a car is no option because I don’t have a driver’s license for driving a car.
Does anyone have any information about renting a motorcycle in Washington?


Emile
The Hague, The Netherlands

[iowabeakster]

I've got no info about renting bikes in DC...but I might be messenger of bad news anyway.

Renting a car is no option because I don’t have a driver’s license for driving a car.

Hmmm...our licensing system seems to be different. Over here, you need a driver's license to operate any motor vehicle on public roads. Basically, it is assumed that a person will be a car driver first and foremost. Once you have a basic driver's license, then to get the addtional motorcycle endorsement requires an extra written and riding skills test (plus extra money of course).

Do you have some kind of license for motorcycles only?

[Buckster]

D.C. is not a place I would want to be on a bike!! I would Google it and see if you find something near by.

[rockstercliff]

No way would I ride a bike in that place, trying to drive a car down there can be suicidal on some days, and once the sun goes down, you dont want to get caught anywhere downtown in the city itself. My wifes brother lives in D.C., and works for the CIA, so we have gone a few times, we park outside of town and take the metro in, gave up on trying to drive in the city some years ago.

[Ansink66]

Thank you all for the responses!

The Dutch driver’s license can be used in the USA, but mine is only valid for motorcycles. I’ve never bothered learning to drive a car.

Guess I will be using public transportation. I didn’t know that the traffic in DC was so terrible. Although I can’t imagine it would be worse than riding my little blue R1150R through a city like Paris (France) or Naples (Italy).

Good to know that DC also has a metro system. I tried the one in Moscow and “the Tube” in London and it is a great way to get around the city.


Emile

[R4R&R]

Good to know that DC also has a metro system. I tried the one in Moscow and “the Tube” in London and it is a great way to get around the city.

Don't expect the DC metro system to be that good. It's unreliable, expensive, and people DIE on it!! Recently two trains hit each other at a good speed/people died! The doors are having issues randomly opening when the cars are moving, etc. Nothing to be proud of. Last week some trains had no air conditioning, so everyone got to work SWEATY!

[GypsyRR]

First trip to the USA? Two weeks? Can rent a bike when you get here?

Consider some place other than DC. We have a beautiful country, and if you have access to a bike and two weeks for travel - you could really enjoy some of America's best motorcycle roads, beautiful scenery, and some great weather depending on where you go.

[MikeCam]

Check out these guys...

WELCOME TO EAGLERIDER RENTALS & TOURS
In 1992, EagleRider pioneered the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle rental concept and the guided motorcycle tour business. Today, we are the world's largest motorcycle tourism company specializing in rentals of Motorcycles, ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Scooters, Snowmobile, and Watercraft. EagleRider understands the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventure travelers; we offer a huge selection of perfectly maintained Harley, Honda and BMW motorcycles and allow one-way rentals or guided tours between franchise rental facilities located in the most desirable tourist destinations in the world.

http://www.eaglerider.com/Home.aspx

Locations in Washington DC, Richmond, VA and many others. If you do this, contact R4R&R, or any of the other DC area Beaksters for good local road suggestions. I'd say in two weeks you can start (early on a weekday only) on Skyline Drive (Front Royal, VA) and dispense with the 35 mph speed limit first. Then Blue Ridge Parkway (2-4 days one way for a leisurely 469 mile tour) to Cherokee, NC followed by the Cherohala Skyway into Tennessee. Return by US highways either upstate East Tennessee and Kentucky, through WV (US 19 and 119) or downstate via Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia (US 29 and 221). There are more and varied options, but this is a flavorful way to spend two weeks riding the Eastern Mountains.

[R4R&R]

Check out these guys...

WELCOME TO EAGLERIDER RENTALS & TOURS
In 1992, EagleRider pioneered the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle rental concept and the guided motorcycle tour business. Today, we are the world's largest motorcycle tourism company specializing in rentals of Motorcycles, ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Scooters, Snowmobile, and Watercraft. EagleRider understands the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventure travelers; we offer a huge selection of perfectly maintained Harley, Honda and BMW motorcycles and allow one-way rentals or guided tours between franchise rental facilities located in the most desirable tourist destinations in the world.

http://www.eaglerider.com/Home.aspx

Locations in Washington DC, Richmond, VA and many others. If you do this, contact R4R&R, or any of the other DC area Beaksters for good local road suggestions. I'd say in two weeks you can start (early on a weekday only) on Skyline Drive (Front Royal, VA) and dispense with the 35 mph speed limit first. Then Blue Ridge Parkway (2-4 days one way for a leisurely 469 mile tour) to Cherokee, NC followed by the Cherohala Skyway into Tennessee. Return by US highways either upstate East Tennessee and Kentucky, through WV (US 19 and 119) or downstate via Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia (US 29 and 221). There are more and varied options, but this is a flavorful way to spend two weeks riding the Eastern Mountains.

I was trying to find a motorcycle rental place in the Washington area and was recommended the Eagle Rider too. I'm not sure how much you have to spend on the rental, but they aren't cheap. It looks like Richmond has a special right now, and that's about two hours south of DC. You may want to ook inot a monthly rate, as it may be a lot less expensive.

Have you checked with the State department about licensing, and how your motorcycle license would transfer over for a car rental here? Like Gypsy said, the DC area isn't known for it's motorcycle roads (or driver curtesy). I can get you in the right direction for some good roads, but to get the most out of a motorcycle, you'll need a few days away from this area.

Let me know and I'll see if I can help out in any way.

[Biff's R]

Ret the bike, and ride west and then south. West Virginia, western VA, etc. have excellent roads for riding motorcycles.

Maybe one of the BMW dealers would rent out a demo bike.

[bucky katt]

you couldnt pay me to ride in the dc area, my self-preservation instinct is way too strong lol.