Texas christmas

[Noreg]

I am excited and somewhat worried. Is there any unusual traditions?

Anything I should see or do? I'll be there for about three weeks (14th to 4th I think).

Can you ride in december in Houston?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Noreg, just look at the latitude compared to where you live. You’ve shown us some great snowy riding pics from Norway. Texas will be no challenge for you, I’m sure. Hope you have a great trip to the Lone Star State. I haven’t been there myself. Traditions vary. Best to check with your host or wherever you’ll be staying.

[GS1150Pilot]

As a state, it has some very cool spots (Austin, San Antonio, Galveston), some of the best barbecue on the planet, and some of the most interminable stretches of road on the planet. The people are friendly, but don't talk politics or religion.

Houston temps will most likely be in the high 50's or low 60's-maybe warmer given MMGW effects. To you, plain balmy.

[storm 64]

Also, Houston has the Johnson Space Center. It's worth checking out if you have the time. Yeah, the BBQ is awesome. Pick yourself up a cowboy hat so everyone knows you're a tourist! 🌞

[Noreg]

Noreg, just look at the latitude compared to where you live. You’ve shown us some great snowy riding pics from Norway. Texas will be no challenge for you, I’m sure. Hope you have a great trip to the Lone Star State. I haven’t been there myself. Traditions vary. Best to check with your host or wherever you’ll be staying.

I was partially worried about like, snow and ice, but also the practicality of obtaining a bike and stuff. I am somewhat confused about how insurance work in the US. Here I insure the car, and anyone that uses it is insured. Its all tied to the vehicle.

As a state, it has some very cool spots (Austin, San Antonio, Galveston), some of the best barbecue on the planet, and some of the most interminable stretches of road on the planet. The people are friendly, but don't talk politics or religion.

Houston temps will most likely be in the high 50's or low 60's-maybe warmer given MMGW effects. To you, plain balmy.

I've been to Austin and Galveston. Austin was cool. I would not recommend Galveston for the beaches though, they had sand and water but not the greatest. I want to check out the racetrack tho.

Never been in the US for christmas. I think first time I went I was in february or march in Dallas. God that was a long time ago.

Also, Houston has the Johnson Space Center. It's worth checking out if you have the time. Yeah, the BBQ is awesome. Pick yourself up a cowboy hat so everyone knows you're a tourist! 

I believe I have been there, that is the place with the big space ship inside?

I can't wait for the food. I hope the restaurants are still there.

[Grimly]

I can't wait for the food.

Don't you have double-dipped quadruple cheese whoppers in Norway?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Don't you have double-dipped quadruple cheese whoppers in Norway?[/COLOR]

You left out deep fried and smoked.

[GS1150Pilot]

Noreg, Matagorda and Stewart are nice beaches, period.

[bwringer]

I was partially worried about like, snow and ice, but also the practicality of obtaining a bike and stuff. I am somewhat confused about how insurance work in the US. Here I insure the car, and anyone that uses it is insured. Its all tied to the vehicle...

It's the same in the US (the vehicle owner pays for insurance which covers anyone who drives it), but I don't know anything about how driver's licenses and motorcycle endorsements work between Norway and the US. Assuming your license is valid, then if you borrow a bike the owner's insurance will be in effect.

That said, US motorcycle insurance does not include medical coverage for the rider, so you'll need to make sure you have medical insurance while in the US.


It's can be difficult to rent a motorcycle other than a Harley in much of the US. https://www.eaglerider.com/ is the most widespread.

However, there are a couple of websites that let you rent motorcycles from private owners, and there's a very nice mix of bikes out there.

https://www.riders-share.com/

https://www.twistedroad.com/

The rental services include some sort of insurance, with different upgrades available. (Most or all owner's insurance is not valid if the bike is being used by a renter. My policy covers me or anyone who is riding the bike with my permission, but it explicitly does not cover any usage for hire, such as for a rental or for deliveries.) They generally run a check of your driving record, so I'm not sure how or whether that would work with a non-US license.

Eagle Rider mentions that licenses and motorcycle endorsements from the EU are valid here, but does not mention Norway (Norway is not part of the EU.)

https://www.eaglerider.com/faqs/motorcycle-rentals

Not sure what the rules are for Norwegians, so you'll have to ask.

[GS1150Pilot]

Eagle Rider and its ilk are so damned expensive, with many added costs on top of the daily rate. My brother recently rented a Softail to go for a weekend ride with me, and the cost for two days was somewhere around $500. I'd definitely look at the riders-share site first.

That said, Eagle Rider does rent out MT-07s, XSR900s, etc, not just Harleys.

[Noreg]

My licence is valid, its the Vienna or Geneva convention on road traffic that regulates it I believe. If I move there, I expect I need to do something to get my other licences transefered, but normally for three months you can go whenever.

Matrogada and Stewart isn't where I went and Matrogada is not Galveston?

We don't even have bacon vodka or almond champagne in Norway! And beef jerkey costs more than spare bike parts here.

[650Skull]

Am i allowed to post a link to the Stromtrouper forum thread with some good info from a member who ride shares his bike??

[bwringer]

Am i allowed to post a link to the Stromtrouper forum thread with some good info from a member who ride shares his bike??

Yep. And I remember that thread... lots of harrumphing and pearl clutching in there, too, but some good info on real-world experiences.


Anyway, it sounds like Noreg may have a way to borrow a bike instead of renting one. But the rental markets had some info on international riders, licensing, insurance, etc.

[GS1150Pilot]

My licence is valid, its the Vienna or Geneva convention on road traffic that regulates it I believe. If I move there, I expect I need to do something to get my other licences transefered, but normally for three months you can go whenever.

Matrogada and Stewart isn't where I went and Matrogada is not Galveston?

We don't even have bacon vodka or almond champagne in Norway! And beef jerkey costs more than spare bike parts here.

Matagorda is maybe 90 minutes from Galveston, and about the same from Houston. I thought you were looking at riding around outside Houston?

[650Skull]

Yep. And I remember that thread... lots of harrumphing and pearl clutching in there, too, but some good info on real-world experiences.


Anyway, it sounds like Noreg may have a way to borrow a bike instead of renting one. But the rental markets had some info on international riders, licensing, insurance, etc.

Pearl Clutching...........Think that's a bit of a clutch pearls comment............looking at 2 different threads i think Bwringer. Here is the one i was referring to

https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads.../#post-5566866