RockMoto

Hey, New York, wipe that wee bit of smug off of your lip, eh? A little lower…to the left a bit. Right there. Got it.

Of course, OK, sure, when it comes to a vibrant, 24/7, global mixing pot of art, politics, media and high-finance you’ve got it all going on. In so many ways, granted, you’re the happening place to be. 

As for music, well, you’ve had everything from CBGB to the Apollo Theater to Carnegie Hall. In between, you have dozens of hypercool clubs that, rightly, wouldn’t even let me inside. For any cover charge and no matter what or who I was wearing. Queens gave birth to the Ramones and for that one fact alone we all bow to you.  

Look out, though: San Francisco has its music cred, too. Rolling Stone magazine was founded in the City by the Bay. SF is home to historic rock venues like The Fillmore and The Cow Palace. Where did The Beatles last play for pay? Candlestick Park. Bands including Jefferson Airplane, CCR, the Dead, Santana, Train, The Tubes and even the likes of Metallica sprouted here. Legendary promoter Bill Graham staged his huge “Day on the Green” megaproductions at the Oakland Coliseum sports stadium right across the water. And Green Day arose on the east shore of the Bay. 

And, New York, just how do you rate next to San Francisco as a motorcycle destination? As we like to fully enunciate on the West Coast, forget about it. 

During a two-wheel approach to San Francisco, a rider will enjoy access to the diamond lane, also for carpoolers and buses. Should that be full and slow, you can switch to lane-sharing. That’s going between the cars and using the spaces they aren’t. It’s only legal in California and it makes sense, as long as you do it right. It reduces traffic and it means that the fuel you’re burning is actually getting you somewhere, not just operating your radio and air-conditioner as you park your car on the freeway lot. And if you’re crossing a bridge during commuter hours, there’s no charge for two-wheelers. The arm extending from the Golden Gate toll booth will wave you through and wait for the next car and another $5 bill to reel in. 

Parking once you get into the city? There are about 1,400 motorcycle spaces that the SF Municipal Transportation Agency has created for you, and the fee is 10 to 25 cents an hour, compared to up to $3 for 60 minutes with a car. The MTA also has opened up spaces between driveways, between car-parking slots and near parks. Downtown, midweek in San Francisco, you’ll see rows and rows of motorcycles and scooters, parked as if there’s a big race taking place somewhere nearby.

“I think we’ve been a motorcycle friendly town and it’s a trend I think will continue,” says Mr. Judson True of the SFMTA. Imagine, a city planner who sees how motorcycles can help unclog the pavement between the traffic lights. Bless you, sir. 

As for moto culture, well, there are some funky, cool dealerships here and there, and the great new Dainese boutique. For lunch, find Eddie Rickenbacker’s to fill your pie hole and get an eyeful of vintage motorcycles hanging everywhere this pub has an inch of room to spare. Watch your head and get a free classic bike show with your burger.

The city itself, with some crazy hillclimbs and descents, and that serpentine switchback Lombard Street, is actually a blast to ride with the right machine. I recommend a supermoto, as this is as close to roadocross as it gets. Bust out of town for the weekend and head south to wooded Skyline Boulevard, one of the greatest ridgeline roads you’ll ever find. In the middle, for a must-stop break, is the legendary Alice’s Restaurant, where you-can-get-any-thing-you-want. 

I spend about a month in Manhattan every year. I might have more friends there than anywhere. Many of them are real riders. They're among many more hard-core motorcyclists all over the Tri-State Region. I ♥ New York. But, it sure could do a lot more for two-wheeling, and, in doing so, do more for itself. 

A great big Please, Come In sign for motorcycle riders is practically posted outside the City of San Francisco. High on a hill, it calls to me. Ty