Motorcycle parking in manhattan NY | GTAMotorcycle.com

Motorcycle parking in manhattan NY

LGdrama

LGdrama

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I'm doing a ride with 2 other bikes to manhattan this weekend and haven't been able to find a hotel that accommodates motorcycle parking - Since they use a racking system for their public parking ( storing one car on top of another)
Does anyone have any experience with parking in manhattan or know of any hotels that will accept motorcycle parking where our bikes will be "safe" ?
 
Unfortunately, I think your going to have a very difficult time finding what I would consider secure parking for your motorcycles in Manhattan. I would use as many theft deterrents as possible and try to park in a location in a highly visible area to try and minimize the risk. Try chaining up all your bikes together to make it as difficult as possible for any would-be thieves.

Just a question but I have to ask. Have you ever driven downtown Manhattan before? I did contract work for the NY DOT about a year ago and spent a lot of time working there surveying their roads. Just a word of warning, driving there is a completely different ball game. If you think traffic is bad in Toronto, just wait until you drive through the tunnel onto the island. You'll notice that a lot of the cars there have additional bumpers or pads attached to their cars because driving is a contact sport there. Have lots of toll money available. The bridge tolls can add up quickly.

I would advise to be off your bikes before the peak transit times come round. I have horrific memories of being suck on the Van Wyck Expressway, only covering 1 mile over an hour. I was driving a Ford F-450 though, but still, it's bad. Oh, expect terrible road conditions as well. There are HUGE pot-holes and patches everywhere so keep an eye out.

Stay safe out there and best of luck finding a good place to park.
 
If you are going to not ride the bike around Manhattan, then try parking it in Long Island City, just across the bridge. You can either walk into Manhattan or take the subway. iirc the walk was about 20 minutes.

I also agree with drummerboy, don't drive in Manhattan if you can avoid it. The drivers, particularly the taxi's are frickin insane.
 
You have to be an aggressive but safe driver/rider in Manhattan. As mentioned getting in and out can be a complete PIA or very easy depending on the time of day and where you cross. I have never been there on a motorcycle, but plenty of times by car. Lanes are optional.... ie if a cab stops to pick up a fair, traffic automatically shifts over to the other side without signaling. The best thing would be to find a parking garage that deals specifically with motorcycles, as opposed to a hotel parking garage. Some are very secure, but they can be super expensive.

Have you guys given thought to maybe finding a "storage" locker/garage where you can lock up your bikes for a few days and not worry about them? Just a thought.
 
I heard from a friend that lives down there that they have contracts with the tow company that cannot tow bikes. Most people park illegally and remove their plates, as he's done.
 
Have you any experience riding/driving in NYC? I'm sure you're aware that it is NOT a bike friendly city in the slightest, and it will test all your observational skills, regardless of the time of day. That said, your best bet is to park in high traffic, well lit areas with lots of deterrents (visual like chains, not alarms), Even then you're gambling because it's been demonstrated how pedestrian traffic does not notice or care about anything being stolen on city streets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7zb8YXrmIA
 
Thanks for all the info. I will have to look into the cost of a storage garage.

I have been down there before and have experienced their driving techniques. We are only riding the bikes down there and then taking public transit or cabs the rest of the time ( may do a 2am/3am run around the city @ night when traffic dies down a tad.
I have been looking into motorcycle lots & found this site - http://www.parkfast.com/content/motorcycle-parking-NYC.jsp

We will be locking all 3 bikes together to try and avoid theft.

I've talked to other riders who said towing companies LOVE bikes as NYC is not a motorcycle friendly place, has lots of parking rules and they WILL tow you with or without a plate!
 
We go to NY about 3 to 4 times a year. I always try to avoid driving to Manhattan and I drive an SUV. Can't imagine driving there on a motorcycle.
If you think TO drivers are bad, try Manhattan. Pedestrians are worst, I don't think they even obey the 'No Walk' stop light. I'll try to look for a mall/place outside the city and go there via train.
 
Four of us rode down to manhattan two years ago and had to park in a public parking lot.The attendant charged us $35 dollars each (the same as a car) and then jammed all four bikes into one parking spot. That cost us $140 for one parking spot for the afternoon. Insane!
 
Sorry don't have much to add information-wise, but the past few years that I've been to Manhattan I've been struck by how few motorcycles/scooters are on the road compared to T.O. I can't imagine parking is very accommodating, considering that it doesn't appear to be as popular as it is here.
 
I assume you are already gone... if not, take a look at some of the cities on the train lines. When we drove to NYC we often park in Tarrytown and take the train to Grand Central. The Tarrytown station shares a parking lot with the local police department. Unfortunately that parking is temporarily closed. Look at some of the other cities and I'm sure you'll find something safe. As others have mentioned, not sure I'd want to ride in NYC and the cost to park there will be wild.
 
I stayed in Manhattan a couple of years ago. The hotels don't have their own parking, even the parking lots underneath them are contracted out. I didn't know that when I got there and after the third try I found a parking lot 7 blocks from my hotel that let me park the bike and leave it there. If I remember correctly it cost me about $125 for 3 nights parking with no in and out privaleges. I was staying at the Sheraton Times Square for that weekend.
 
Acadian1974 said:
Have you any experience riding/driving in NYC? I'm sure you're aware that it is NOT a bike friendly city in the slightest, and it will test all your observational skills, regardless of the time of day. That said, your best bet is to park in high traffic, well lit areas with lots of deterrents (visual like chains, not alarms), Even then you're gambling because it's been demonstrated how pedestrian traffic does not notice or care about anything being stolen on city streets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7zb8YXrmIA
Click to expand...

it's not ALWAYS busy!! Sometimes it's open enough to do a few burnouts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0HQCLYgVmQ
 
Was just in Manhattan on the bike a few weeks ago. Riding there is fun if you're used to traffic and manic cabbies, especially if you're comfortable filtering. Cops didn't seem to mind if you filter up to a traffic light, saw many local riders do it right in front of cops so I followed suit. Much faster way to get around than in a car.

Street parking appeared to be free for bikes, same as Toronto. Didn't see any tickets given out to bikes, and I had my bike parked in front of the hotel (millennium hotel at times square) in a paid street area for a day and a half without issue.
 
Thanks for the posts!
Just got back from NYC and the experience of driving downtown was wicked - no rules!
Traffic was bad but for the most part other drivers were friendly with letting u in and looking out for you.
We decided not to risk it and park on the street ( heard too many things about parking by feel & witnessed it a couple times) - found an amazing place to park down there ( it's a bit of a secret) but it only cost us 120$ for 3 bikes for 2 nights.
If anyone needs parking in manhattan PM and I'll give u the info!
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