New York City? [Archive]

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Jfixit

03-13-2009, 08:04 AM

snoone

03-13-2009, 08:35 AM

PAULBACH

03-13-2009, 09:15 AM

snoone

03-13-2009, 09:22 AM

SNOONE is a man of few, well chosen words.

I'm sure he meant to practice driving around in Chicago during rush hour and then come on down to the Big Apple in the off hours which he gave. :laugh

For things to see and do in Gotham check out this vintage thread. (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14338)

Nope, I meant what I said.. Stay away.. This city is the most motorcycle unfriendly place there is... If you come you'll have the chance to be randomly picked on by NYC's finest, hassled, ticketed pretty much for no reason except they have checkpoints that specifically target bikes..

jeneralist

03-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Riding in the City is different than riding anywhere else: Manhattan is a special kind of crazy.

I once caused a whole bunch of cages to get tangled up in a traffic jam...
I was heading into Greenwich Village to meet up with some friends. One street was blocked off for a street fair. Streets headed to the fair were also blocked off -- no point in heading down a street and running into passers-by at the fair, right?

So I was coming up to one of the sawhorses that had one of these side streets blocked off. I could see an empty parking place, just big enough for a bike, on the sidestreet. So of course I rode around the sawhorse and parked.

I was just peeling my helmet off when I looked up to see that the car behind me had followed my lead -- but of course, there wasn't a parking place for him. And the car behind him had made the same turn, so now two cars had to back up a one-way street in heavy traffic to get back on the main road.

Oh, and a spot for your photo shoot? I'd recommend the arch at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Iconic, and still small enough to fit in the frame with your bike.

snoone

03-13-2009, 09:34 AM

Ok, I admit it. I'm bitter from my commuting experience... I bet Tessler can give an unbiased NYC biking experience.

tessler

03-13-2009, 09:57 AM

You're only bitter because you have to slave away 2 blocks from Pizza Suprema and you simply can't eat lunch there every day. :ha

NYC Motorcycling is a rare and curious experience. Part balancing act, part adventure ride. But if you hit our streets at the times Snoone suggests and it also happens to be one of those glorious, sunny, cool days, you'll find that you can park just about anywhere and get from points A to B at will.

Just be extremely aware of riding amidst roving selfish packs of cars, pedestrians, trucks, bike messengers, SUVs, semis and the omnipresent yellow taxis. Give yourself plenty of riding space to anticipate, locate and avoid common street hazards (like human-swallowing potholes and steel plates) and bring your sense of humor. And your appetite. :eat

It's worth it. If you want to carve and ride, certainly there are places to do that outside of NYC. But if you want to experience a singular urban destination in all its terrific, scary, wonderful glory this is the place.

snoone

03-13-2009, 10:01 AM

Wow, well said! As if you were the poet laureate of Riverside Park!!

BubbaZanetti

03-13-2009, 10:14 AM

as a MSF instructor in the Bronx and dubbed by Tessler "Mr. New York City" (lol) i'll say this:

if you like aggressive, quick responses, non stop concentration and the idea of combat mentality appeals to you, by all means, ride all around the five boroughs.

if not, i'd avoid it.

personally, some days i like getting on the bike and just battling my way around, part bike messenger, part rider, hell, even part pedestrian when it warrants it.

i think everyone should try it once!

BklynPete

03-13-2009, 10:14 AM

Planning a ride that will take me do RI in late July and have had a desire to ride in N.Y. City. Is there a time mid-week that I should plan on entering or not entering the city? I was also wondering about good photo shots that I can place the bike in the city. Riding goals have to be documented you know.

hi jfixit,

NYC is a great place to ride in, but I would do it on the weekend, sunday especially. the reason for sunday, is parking is easier and free in most parts of the city. i grew up in the city, so i don't have issues riding in it. there are so many great places to photograph, starting from the south end, the whole wall street area. you will see a large bull on lower broadway, great photo op. go down to battery park (south on broadway) great older buildings. head northeast to the fulton fish market area, there is a shopping mall, many restaurants, and a number of tall ships anchored there to explore. head further north, and you will hit chinatown, tribeca, greenwich village, and little italy. you could spend days just in those area's alone. then head up to times square, the theatre district, park avenue, the section around the old pan am building, part of it goes underground, i've done the ton (100 mph) down there :whistle . then it comes back up just before entering the pan am ( i still call it that, so sorry mr trump) building, and then it winds through the building in what i affectionately called the new york grand prix. i raced many a taxi cab through there in my day. you can then ride park, fifth and madison avenues, all will amaze you with shops, interesting buildings and people. of course you will want to go to central park. park the bike on the south end, and then walk to see the zoo, wollman memorial ice skating rink, and just people watch. uptown, has some of the best colleges and universities in the country. my son went to columbia, which is on the westside. i used to drop him off, then i would head up to 125th street in harlem and drive across, seeing the cotton club, and the appollo theatre ( i saw many top acts there in the 60's) on my way back to CT. i am now in NM, but i really miss the city and riding in it especially. if you keep an open mind and you have good riding skills, the city has alot ot offer. have fun when you get there :dance .

Jfixit

03-13-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the fast replies, if this was not going to be a solo trip I would stay away, certainly don't want to deal with the city if I'm concerned/distracted by another rider but as it is I'm going to add it to my route.
Thanks again.

rvb1019

03-13-2009, 07:29 PM

I agree with all of the above.

I can't stress with you enough to stay away from NYC riding if it can be avoided but especially on Fridays from Mid Mat to the end of August. It seems that everyone from the Big Island heads out to the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons.

Friday traffic in the Summer is awful!:banghead

Jfixit

03-14-2009, 03:23 AM

Thanks guys, amid all the warnings I am getting some very useful information. How about the ferry that leaves the north end of the island? What can you tell me about that?

r11rs94

03-14-2009, 06:33 AM

enfoman

03-14-2009, 07:40 AM

When I wanted to visit Manhattan with the family and kids, I always drove over the varrazno narrows bridge to Staten Island and caught the ferry to the Battery and we worked uor way to Time Square. There was always a place to park on the weekend anyways, ($6.00) at the time, the vehicle was quite secure and was no hassle.

tessler

03-14-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks guys, amid all the warnings I am getting some very useful information. How about the ferry that leaves the north end of the island? What can you tell me about that?Do you mean the North Fork of Long Island? There's a regular ferry service (http://www.longislandferry.com/) from Orient Point, NY (tip of the North Fork) to New London, CT that is well worth investigating if you're intent on passing through New York City.

The ride west along the north shore of L.I. can be pretty nice in spots; a little more suburban/urban, obviously as you get closer to the city.

Please note, don't discount riding into the city on a Summer's weekday or a weekend. Like rvb1019 correctly noted, Summer Friday traffic heading OUT of the city can be a bit crazy, but so is the traffic headed OUT of the city in any direction on that day (my wife and I usually bolt on Fridays for the Catskill mountains to the North and the crawl up to the George Washington Bridge can be frustrating unless we actually leave work early and get a jump on it).

I live here currently. I've lived here all my life. When the commuters are home in their towns far away from Broadway, I'm right down the block (literally). Like we've all intoned, it can get a bit nutty, but that's to be expected: it's a BIG, big place. But if you're on a bike, you can literally park ANYWHERE (and believe me, as for crime, thieves barely notice Beemers and no you don't need a giant chain and lock) and frankly its an exciting place to visit. With the exception of Bubba and Snoone, most of the people I know who ride and ride in the city don't frequent this forum, so if you want some more insight from a larger group of NYC 2-wheel enthusiasts check out the Regional forum on Advrider:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26

And if you think you might be here on a Tuesday night, definitely stop by the EAR Inn in the Soho district of Manhattan. There's a big Tuesday meet that happens there every week:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=223960

Best of luck! Hope to run into you this Summer.

KBasa

03-14-2009, 09:47 AM

If it was me, I'd park the bike out of the city somewhere and take mass transit in for a full day. You'll be able to avoid worrying about your bike all day, worrying about getting squashed on the way in and all the stuff that comes with riding. Instead, you'll be able to focus on enjoying one of the world's great cities, capped off by a decent dinner, a bottle of wine and a safe ride back to your hotel.

I'll ride in most of the US cities, but NYC isn't one of them I'd want to do again.

The perfect vehicle for transportation in NYC either travels in a tunnel or is yellow and has a number on the door.

Visian

03-14-2009, 11:11 AM

I
The perfect vehicle for transportation in NYC either travels in a tunnel or is yellow and has a number on the door.

the perfect transportation in nyc comes in a pair, with one for your left foot and the other for your right.

either that, or a GS... and the ability to ride on the sidewalk when necessary. :ha

ian

Jfixit

03-15-2009, 07:14 AM

Great information by all. Regional forums may work a little better than I thought they would. Tessler, thanks for the link to the ferry.

fabiox

03-16-2009, 01:31 AM

I ride everyday here in NYC.... everywhere Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan specially.
You need to be attentive at everything, car, cabs, pedestrians, bicycles, skateboard, and specially stupid humans here they like to walk in middle of the streets instead the side walk, NYC is not Europe people here like to hangout on the asphalt waiving for cabs or chilling and there is not that many motorcycles around so if you ride here you are different. You got to use you horn all the time don't worries about tickets, just put velcrom on your plates and take it with you whatever you go but be careful where you park because nyc drivers are bad dont park to close to cars, the best is near fire hydrants.
When you come NY give me a call I can show you around.
I ride all year long here in the city.
I love NYC and I love to ride.
Fabio
917 892-9192

CWaterous

03-16-2009, 10:12 AM

All good advice above. IMHO, NYC is not that bad. Used to be much worse. Thanks Rudy ;) Lived there for 12 years with a couple of cars and a bike. Both cars stolen. Once by a thief and once by the Sheriff.... parking tickets were silent killers in the early 90s. Im sure they still are but I traded the concrete cubby hole on the upper west side for some sky and quiet up north and commute in by rail mostly. Bikes are strangely unseen as far as loot.

Problem is that NYC a circus of distraction for every reason suggested in this thread and then some. Weekday driving for sight seeing and discovery not recommended unless you welcome multi tasking stress as an enjoyable challenge. Cabs, messengers, Limo drivers and Cops in NYC will make you feel like you are in another unfriendly country. Hence the tip on the traps they setup around Manhattan to slap you with BS traffic violations. I recently got snagged on 52nd street making an "illegal" right turn off of Madison during the hours of 2& 6PM for absolutely no good reason other than to bleed me of $120. Cages lined up like a McD's drive thru being served moving violations by red eyed remorseless tax collectors in intimidating NYPD uniforms. The insane thing was that my work office is in that vicinity so you'd think I'd known the fly paper was there :banghead Never run a yellow light. You can almost make out the sound of the camera shutter as you pass under the signal as it turns red. That summons comes like a utility bill complete with a close up of your Plate # :doh Take mass transit from a suburb.

Weekends, Sunday morning in particular, is a good time to cruise around on your bike while maintaining burnt orange to red on your cage and zombie threat alert level. The city isn't sleeping but its vacant of the Matrix like scurry and lack of personal space. All of those people are in my neck of the woods weekending in the Catskills... Hi Bubba? :nyah

May is great time to visit NYC. RiverSide park (cherry blossoms in bloom and Central Park) I highly recommend the West Side Highway - Henry Hudson Parkway(9A). The Hudson River is an excellent body to have on one side as you cruise the sights of the George Washington Bridge, the NJ Palisades and the midtown skyline as it rises up the further you go down. Not to mention the Goldman Sachs skyscraper on the right in Jersey City's booming expansion on the west bank of NY Harbor. It has been completely revitalized and is far more hospitable as a main route in or out. It will take you to the bottom of Manhattan (Ground Zero, Battery park, Wallstreet south street seaport area).. :eat . Then you can make your way north via avenue through China Town, Little Italy, SoHo and the west village. NYU, Washington Sq Park, etc etc. :eat John's Pizza on Bleeker is a NYC institution. One of the oldest, simplest and still original pizza joints in the apple. You can park in these areas and walk around. Just be mindful of the NASCAR style of speed and lane changing, which used to be far worse than it is today, and you'll have a good time. :usa

VanFrederick

03-16-2009, 11:26 AM

I did six days filming with my sidecar and dog in NYC for a beautiful video that YouTube deleted because I didn't own the rights to the soundtrack...bummer, but I knew it was gonna happen so I didn't hang myself. My input:

Enter through the Battery Street or Holland Tunnel and do it before 6 AM on weekdays.

http://www.bobaji.com/Forums/BoBatteryStreet.jpg

For every minute after 6 AM you enter, the number of minutes you will wait in traffic grows exponentially. You won't suffer too badly normal hours on weekends. Sundays are best but keep in mind you and every other tourist within 50 miles have the same plan. The good thing about the Holland is that it's passenger vehicles only, no busses or trucks.

Check the events schedule and call NYPD and make sure nothing is happening on or around Times Square. I was stuck on 56th between 7th and Broadway literally for an hour trying to go one block one day because of a steet fair on 8th. In that hour, all the light disappeared and the shoot was screwed. Totally wasted day. Another day I was screwed because of a human rights demonstration on Times Square.

Take 9th, 10th or 11th or 1st or 2nd to get up or downtown even if it's just for 15 or 20 blocks. You could die old age on 7th, 8th or Broadway, 6th or 5th trying to get anywhere. If you want to move, stay close to the rivers.

It's worth going to NYC just to go south on the FDR from Houston to Lower Manhattan. Then turn around and go back.

http://www.bobaji.com/Forums/BoFDR.jpg

The view of the city framed by the Brooklyn Bridge is unforgettable, see the video below to get an idea.

I didn't find NYPD to be mean or abusive and they didn't harrass me at all but that's probably because of the dog in the sidecar :-)

The best place to get a memorable shot is on Broadway and 55th in front of the Letterman studio billboard. It's huge and there's always a place to stop there because the cops keep it clear for VIPs. You can stop there for a few minutes for a great pic of you and Dave. I never had a problem finding a place to squeeze my bike in on that block. From there, south on Broadway will get you to 45th and another unforgettable shot:

http://www.bobaji.com/Blogspot/BoTimesSquare.jpg

South on Broadway will get you one with the Empire State in the backiground:

http://www.bobaji.com/Blogspot/BoOnBroadway.jpg

Also, don't forget Jersey City!!! From the west side of the Hudson you'll get a shot of Manhattan in the background that will make your camera seize up with joy.

And if you have an airhead on a hot day, think twice. I have a K75 and the fan was on most of the time and still the temperature was above marginal. You need a watercooled bike to do Manhattan on a hot, or any, day because you are going to stand in traffic wherever you go.

Here's a video with some of the NYC footage...some day I hope to legally release the deleted one as a short film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0vCOyxb3A&fmt=6

Riding in Manhattan was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. To those who advise against it on principle: You'll ride the Alaska Highway but you won't do Manhattan? The hell you say!

Van and Bo

rinty

03-16-2009, 02:52 PM

...just put velcrom on your plates and take it with you...Fabiox

Did you mean, velcro your license plate on, so you can take it with you?

tessler

03-16-2009, 04:35 PM

Did you mean, velcro your license plate on, so you can take it with you?Hey Rinty, I'm sure that's what Fabiox meant.

Some folks do this so that they can park in slightly illegal parking situations—like on a grassy divider or even a sidewalk—and walk away with their license so that NYPD won't ticket them. A number of NYC riders claim they do this to prevent their plate from being stolen too.

I've never done it. I don't really see the need and honestly there are plenty of curb-spots for a bike to park in. JMO.

FYI, just returned from a jaunt across town, over the Queensborough Bridge to Greenpoint, Brooklyn and back. Wavering taxis, delivery trucks, the ever-present Lincoln Town Car gypsy cabs and Moon-worthy crater sized potholes to dodge. The most exciting 13 miles you can do without leaving the five boroughs! Came back to the UWS just in time to meet Bubba Zanetti on his return trip from New England, who stopped by to chew the fat and show me the ABS repair on his S.

:thumb

BubbaZanetti

03-16-2009, 05:35 PM

who stopped by to chew the fat and show me the ABS repair on his S.

which reminds me, i have a little write-up to do on that in the oilheads section:thumb

dancogan

03-16-2009, 06:25 PM

Hey Van - that video was just fabulous! :thumb :thumb Had to share it with my wife and we both enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

VanFrederick

03-16-2009, 08:09 PM

Thanks! NYC is dog-friendlier than I'd imagined, we had a blast. So much to sniff!!!

V and B

VanFrederick

03-17-2009, 07:55 AM

FYI, just returned from a jaunt across town, over the Queensborough Bridge to Greenpoint, Brooklyn and back. Wavering taxis, delivery trucks, the ever-present Lincoln Town Car gypsy cabs and Moon-worthy crater sized potholes to dodge. The most exciting 13 miles you can do without leaving the five boroughs! Came back to the UWS just in time to meet Bubba Zanetti on his return trip from New England, who stopped by to chew the fat and show me the ABS repair on his S.

:thumb

Run-up to Queensboro, there's a dip in the roadway so you see the whole city in Panoramavision...

http://www.bobaji.com/Forums/QueensboroRear1.jpg

Then you come off the bridge...

http://www.bobaji.com/Forums/QueensboroFront.jpg

and Boom! There you are in the Center Of It All.

http://www.bobaji.com/Forums/QueensboroRear2.jpg
Unbelievable. Can't wait to go back this Spring.

V and B

tessler

03-17-2009, 08:39 AM

Van, great shots! The upper roadway, west-bound, of the Queensborough Bridge is one of the best views of the city. You should try it at night sometime.

Then again there's another famous view, facing East, of the Bridge from a different angle :thumb
http://www.moviecritic.com.au/images/manhattan-bridge-scene-woody-allen1.jpg

75571

03-17-2009, 11:24 AM

Personally I preder walking in NYC. There's

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/169098366_uGgDY-M.jpg

over to...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/169098266_XY77k-M.jpg

And some great views...

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/169098388_UDFF4-M.jpg

dancogan

03-17-2009, 04:52 PM

fabiox

03-31-2009, 11:56 PM

Did you mean, velcro your license plate on, so you can take it with you?

yes that the way we roll here in NYC:dance

rdalland

04-01-2009, 10:25 AM

bricciphoto

04-03-2009, 02:45 PM

I don't know ANYTHING about riding in NYC, but I love this pic:
http://www.bobaji.com/Blogspot/BoTimesSquare.jpg

Great stuff!

If you haven't already, I think it'd be neat if you started a thread on your project--for the dog and bike lovers among us.

:wave

aaaaaa

04-03-2009, 03:13 PM

a desire to ride in N.Y. City. Riding goals have to be documented you know.

Why? If you must, the night view of the GW bridge along the West Side highway is quite nice. Anytime between 3-5am is actually good. But I still have to wonder...
Robert

jsoque

04-03-2009, 03:43 PM

I knew Paul B, and Tessler, and BrooklynPete would kick into this one.

If you ride in, know the bridges, and bring quarters for that 'exact change' that they always request. If you have an EZ-Pass in your state, then, they are transferrable on the Bridges and Tunnels.

Avenues go Up and Down, and Streets go Left and Right. Everything is a box, and don't forget to experience Central Park.

In after 10am is good, but, without reading all three pages, get out by 230 pm.

Love those pix 75571!

As for advice on the 'wider avenues', avoid the manhole covers under any circumstances. When there is just a little moisture in the air, those things are as slippery as riding on an ice rink, and your tires could Zingggggggg right out from underneath you. Parked cars on the left or right side will come out of no where, so BEWARE! Ride in the middle of the road, as much as possible, and try to avoid bus fumes by staying clear of those things.

Keep in touch with us, and give a shout when you plan to make ground.
Tessler's office is by Madison Sq. Garden, so is our favorite Pizza Joint, and
I'm only 50 mins from the city, and the West Side Highway from the Javits Center to the tip of Manhattan is a gorgeous run along the Hudson River.

Ride Safe!

tessler

04-03-2009, 04:36 PM

In after 10am is good, but, without reading all three pages, get out by 230 pm.Jim, you should read the posts by those of us who live and ride here (and skip the bashing ones, like the evil one from some dude from somewhere in la-la-land...). :laugh

Tessler's office is by Madison Sq. Garden.Huh? :scratch

fabiox

04-05-2009, 10:56 PM

I once received six tickets while parked on the sidewalk with the plate removed. Fortunately the judge dismissed them all for being "defective".

A large freight elevator helps when parking in your fourth floor living room.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/503383004_GBHud-L.jpg

http://reid-dalland.smugmug.com/photos/501130069_gtCVv-M.gif

Radalland You are the NYC Elite ....to have freight elevator in NYC you must to be rich.
Here is Fabiox from Brooklyn East Williamsburg Jewish ghetto!
I have been parking everywhere in NYC, soho, noho, east village, middletown, uptown, union square everyday! I ride all year long , every single dry day of the year and I only got one ticket in 3 years ! I love NY , I love Velcrom and I will love to have a freight elevator too like you.
Peace