I am leading a group up through the NE and we don't want to skip NYC...
Where would you recommend I stay and how do motorcycles handle the NYC traffic?
Thank you

I could tell you everything you want to know, I am from NJ just over the GW bridge, lived there the first 26 years of my life. Been in ma for the past 41 years. Still go down to NYC for different reasons on the bike and in a car. when and how long and where you want to go. The city is very motorcycle friendly as most cities are. It just takes a good rider. The best way to talk about this would be on a phone, because I can ride but I am a lousey typer. If you want send me a PM with how to get in touch with you by phone. DEERSLAYER

I live in the far Northeast and ride to and thru NYC for the last 29 years and continue to. The best way to see NYC is to consider park and ride. Parking in the city is expensive. The roads are crowded and in poor condition. NYC is safer then say 30 years ago, which is great. As an outsider who is visiting its best to try to secure a hotel reservation ahead of time on one of those hotel saving things like "Priceline.com" or one of the other ones. It'll be the difference in saving hundreds of dollars. Hotels in and around NYC are $$$$$ and you can get a really nice one for cheap on one of those discount hotel www's.

The few people I know personally who rode their bike to NYC regret it and swore they will never do it again. I think NYC is an acquired taste. I have a friend on Staten island who recently retired from the bus station putts around fine but he was born and raised there. Basically its gridlock northbound from the GW bridge thru to West Haven,CT at all hours of the night and day, thats no sh*t.

Peruse the WWW and read and learn of others experience as that ride has more then a few red flags of concern that you need to arm yourself with. NYC is like any other metropolitan area....gangs,bad neighborhoods and other need to know intel. Fore warned is fore armed. Welcome to the jungle baby do you know where you are .

as usual we disagree, the city is an easy ride through just about any time except from 6am-10am and 3pm-6pm other than that it is a quick and easy ride and you always have choices, if not the cross Bronx you have the major deacon, if the GW is totally gone going into the city jump on 9w and take that, a real nice ride or jump on the palisade's parkway, then take the Tappan zee bridge. There is always an alternate route there. The good thing are people like you that are leery of the city it makes room for people like me who have done it daily for a couple of years in a tractor trailer. Bike parking is no problem in the city, went down for John Lennon's 70th birthday celebration and went all over the city and never had a problem parking, usually both bikes next to each other. Unless a person had a lot of money I would recommend staying in jersey and just run back and forth for the day or 2 a person would be there for. the city has changed since the sixties and seventies, it is so user friendly for tourists, You see groups of people following the tour guides. Oh by the way I love NYC, always have, in cars, tractor trailer, subways and motorcycle. Last time I went there was when Ground Zero opened up, went down with my wife and 2 grandchildren, on Columbus day. left MA. at 6 in the morning, parked the car and made it to Ground Zero for a 9:30 appointment to tour the site. walked down to Battery Park then took the Subway up to Central park, showed everyone the Dakota and Strawberry fields, and a few more sites in the park then back to the Battery to go to the Statue of Liberty toured that then ate got in the car and we were back by 8 at night, great day had by all. Also if you hate Jersey because it is a dump, that's great because I get to see the beauty the state has and great riding without as many people, it is our jewel.
DEERSLAYER said that

PS BI when will you be passing through Shrewsbury this weekend?

As you wrote earlier your were raised there. NYC is a bit much for most. I usually take I-84 out of Hartford to I-87 then I287 then the NJTPK about exit 10. I do on occasions run straight thru on I-95 over the GW bridge and then NJTPK there.

I'm a country boy and disdain big cities with a passion. Having to travel thru Worcester is a PITA for me but the quickest way to get down home. Luckily Golemo's on Kellys Square is exit 13 is easy off and easy on.

I don't know about Shrewsbury but I'll be riding thru Worcester Saturday morning sometimes. Hoping to get up and running by 8am. Takes me less then 2 1/2 hours to get to Worcester.

Well you picked about the worst intersection in Worcester, that being Kelly square. I thought we were going to touch base on your way through, or ride together or will you be in your car and afraid?
DEERSLAYER

The only thing I'm afraid of is you having a heart attack on me. If CPR is needed by me, your dead.

Kelly squares a little busy but not so bad. I go to that little Polish deli off one of those side streets on the left as you come off the exit.

I might be in my truck, not sure if I'm just stacking wood or cutting it or both. I might be bringing a clearing saw, chain saw and other yard equipment/gas/tools. I really cannot not bring those tools if I need to this trip just to prove some mute point to a WWW phantom poster.

We could meet in the parking lot of Golemo's either way. Its easy off and easy on. Or if a motorcycle is imperitive I'm down this way pretty regular thru out the year as I keep an eye on my mother down that way. The first couple trips I need to hit the brambles,etc before the greenery sets in or thats her request.

Looking forward to meeting you and putting a face to a name so if thats something you want to agree to PM your cell phone and I'll call you when I get 1/2 hour away from Golemo's. Like I mentioned...I intend to leave at 8am which should put me in the Worcester area around 12:15pm or so. Let me know.

in my world 2 1/2 hours added to 8AM would add up to 10:30am, I will pm you my cell phone number

I was factoring in the I might sleep in numbers. You PM cell phone and I will call you when I leave and when I get about 1/2 away.