On the road to the Pocono's , will do the race this weekend... Wanna head into the city,,, would like to ride in.... Wife wants to hot so shopping on 5th, will do the Empire State Building, Statute of Liberty... And advise?

 

Find a good secure lot with attendant, tip him to look after your ride, and cab it.

 

The New York Rangers will be playing in the Stanley Cup Finals. If they are playing in town when you are there, that is something you will never forget.

 

I probably won't ever ride in my native city, but if I do I will park here:

http://www.risingwolfgarage.com/

I like driving a car in NYC, but feel like it is too dangerous to ride a bike when cars are moving around like pinballs. Please post how traffic was if you do ride in.

Here is the original thread about Rising Wolf. I spoke to the owner on the phone and he sounded really nice.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...yc-bikers.html

 

Rising Wolf looks really cool if I lived near it and wanted a long term parking solution. Not needed for day trips.

If you are willing to ride in (good for you) then take advantage of being on a motorcycle. Free parking will be available to your bike that cars just won't fit into. Look for the other bikes as a hint. Each end of the block also usually will give you some room for your ride. But don't crowd any parked cars, that will end your day poorly. Read the parking signs, thoroughly.

So since you can park pretty easily, you can use the bike to go to your destinations for the day. Driving advise, drive offensively! No one is going to be courteous or give you a break, it is just a fact. And taxis are not your friends, Yellow or Lime Green. They will hit you and just keep on going like nothing happened. Loud pipes are your friend in the city so at least that might notice you are there. Best bet is to try and stay in front of everyone, so at red lights do your best to sneak in front of everyone and get up to the light.

I know people are going to bash me for advising on this riding style, but this is the big time, s**t is going to happen fast. The next issue will be the potholes, many a maneuver to get around someone has been ruined by a crater in your path. Stay alert at all times, not the time to be looking around at the big buildings.

Things to see:

- Empire State is cool if you have never been
- Statue is a boat ride, good time but a time commitment
- 9/11 memorial and Freedom Tower, less time but get tickets on line, they are free but it will get you in and out faster
- go to Hogs and Heifers, but don't get carried away. parking out front, no cover if you ride in (cover on weekends for everyone else)
- the Highline is a new elevated park, southern entrance across from the Hog. Take a nice walk
- Central Park, lots of options
- Times Square, (just ride through and say we been there, Disneyland in NYC)

And every other place in the city. I tell out of towners, "we can see anything you want, but we can't see everything". If you were there a month, there would be more to see. Good luck and enjoy.

 

That right there is all the advice you need. I would only add that the lot should be the first one you get to. Once into the city buses, subway and cabs will get 'er done. Cheaper too, and you just might still have a bike and good health when you head out.

 

We rode into times square several years ago at night around 10pm, stayed at the Sheraton and were up and gone by 6am. Would never do it again the folks in cars would sooner run your *** over than give you a break. Park outside and take a cab in would be my advice.

 

That's a nice list. One thing I'd like to correct is the 9/11 memorial. The reflection pools are now open to the public 24/7, the 9/11 memorial Museum is something you should DEFINITELY go to! That will require tickets. The freedom tower is not, as of yet, open to the public.

 

I went to Times Square with a group (about 20) bikes on 9-11 several years ago.
I've been there before, and I may go again, but never again on a motorcycle!

All I can say is that IF you decide to go, try to get into the city before the traffic rush. Find secure parking for your bike and then walk, cab, or subway it to wherever you want to go.

Have fun and stay safe!

 

Having lived in New York for 40 years....park you bike in the train station ( Metra ) in any of the rich suburbs in Westchester county and take it in to Grand Central then cab it to any of the destinations already mentioned....since most of us in America are from other countries i would add Ellis Island....a surreal experience on the legal imigration to this country. Second would be the statues and the Empire building just to see the enormity of this global city. Have fun in NYCity.

A displaced New Yorker living in Chicago...... :-)