Frequently Asked Questions

Daily itineraries are posted on the website a few weeks prior to the start of the Run. If you would like to purchase a printed Route Itinerary booklet, a limited supply of these will be available for a nominal fee at the merchandise trailers located at the host hotel.

Our complete fee structure is published on the Registration Page HERE.

The lion’s share of registration fees goes toward our insurance premium. Cost of lodging, meals and gas varies based on personal preference. If you camp, some sites offer free or reduced prices. Some hotels offer a discounted group rate. Gas is sometimes provided by supporters. Most meals during the run are provided free by local volunteers. Allow enough funds for maintenance and emergency repairs of your vehicle.

There are no reservations of riding spots in the pack. We ride two columns, side by side, as conditions allow. Positions in the pack will likely adjust after fuel stops. If you want to ride near someone, ride in front or behind them rather than to their side, as those positions will adjust if riders fall out of formation.

Local and state authorities aid our entrance onto the highways. The lead element slowly enters the highway and maintains a slow speed until the last vehicle reports he/she is on the highway. The Route Coordinator then slowly increases speed in small increments and communicates this to the Assistant Route Coordinator leading the 1st Platoon, who slowly brings the pack up to the assigned speed. The Platoon Leaders follow suit and are responsible for maintaining the proper distance. There is no reason to ride faster than the speed limit. Follow these guidelines and the platoons will bring you up to speed properly and reduce “rubber banding.”

Riding with the pack requires good riding skills, to ensure you’re a competent and safe rider. Courses such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Experienced (Advanced) Rider’s Course will help you sharpen your existing skills.

A general guideline is the pack will ride about 5 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and sometimes less.

No. All bikes are welcome as long as they’re safe, licensed and insured in accordance with your state’s laws. If you ride all the way, you’ll likely ride more than 5,800 miles depending on your starting point. Prepare your bike for a ride of this length and allow for maintenance during the trip, such as tire and oil changes as needed.

Our #1 priority is safety of the Run participants and the public.

While we certainly want to encourage folks to ride our Mission, we are first and foremost a motorcycle-centric organization. That said, we do allow 4-wheel vehicles to register and drive the route of their choice, with the proviso that you drive 15 minutes (give or take) ahead of the pack, and you not interfere with the parking or staging of the pack at any of the stops. (Alternatively, 4-wheel vehicles may drive behind the pack, behind the last man vehicle and any chase trucks/trailers, but we prefer that you drive out ahead….)

Four-wheel vehicle participants will still be able to take part in all the RFTW activities, but you must remain safely out of the way of the motorcycle pack. Please consider that some fuel stops and/or lunch stops are quite compressed and room to maneuver any 4-wheel vehicle around the 300-400 motorcycles staged in tight quarters could be challenging.

All 4-wheel vehicles MUST always follow Road Guard direction.

From Ron “Hammer” Young:

I have received several questions about shipping bikes to the Ontario, CA area, and I will respond to all here. This topic is a courtesy to those interested, and is not an “official” RFTW guide on the subject.

I ride my bike from near Columbus, Ohio to Ontario, but have researched the subject for some friends. I will not make recommendations, but will share with you what I have found.

1. Shippers: Most motorcycle magazines have advertisements for such services. Check with your brand’s riding club such as HOG, GWRRA or STAR touring, to name a few. Also, check the AMA magazines – there are normally a few shippers advertising each month.
2. Shipping Duration: Varies with origin and company. Most companies “roundup” bikes that are being transported to a specific part of the country, then fill up a truck/van to make the trip profitable. You can’t blame them for that, but it does add time and at least a few additional transfers. The last check I made for a trip from the Midwest to LA was estimated at four to six weeks.
3. Costs: Varies greatly, and is especially driven by your location. When you seek quotes from shippers ask about insurance coverage, and coordinate with your insurance agent, too; you may need a rider for your policy. After all, your bike is “out of sight” for up to six weeks and will be transloaded at least a few times, probably without you present. Consider airfare and ground transportation costs, too. These costs are partially offset by hotels, gas and meals not expensed if you were to ride west.
4. Discounts: If several riders from the same location are considering shipping, check on a group discount. Ask about rider club, AMA or other discounts.
5. Luggage: Most companies will not allow you to ship a bike with luggage on the bike or inside of an enclosed crate. This includes T-bags as well as saddle bags or tour packs.
6. Preparing the Bike for Shipment: Fuel must be drained from the tank. (Some shippers will “unofficially” allow you to leave a bit of gas in the tank if you have a fuel injected motor.) The crankcase and transmissions can remain “wet.” You may want to remove mirrors, for the obvious reasons. Take extensive pictures or videos of the bike and accessories from all angles – again for obvious reasons.
7. Shipping Skids: Harley dealerships used to give away the wooden shipping skids on which new bikes were mounted. Those are long gone since Harley started using metal skids that are reusable and closely accounted for. Some shippers require a full crate, or they will supply one for a fee. Others will simply use tie-downs and shipping pads. Check this closely with the shippers. Also, most shippers will need access to a fork truck or loading dock/ramp. Ask your local dealer to work with you.
8. Receivers: Most dealers will receive a bike for you, but they must agree prior to final shipping arrangements. Harley dealerships sometimes receive and store a bike short term for free. Others will perform these tasks if you have their shop perform basic service like an oil change. Verify with the dealer.
9. Documentation: Keep a log of who you talk with, date, time and accurate discussion notes. If possible, log a backup contact person for the shipper and receiver since employee turnover (or inaccessibility) is often high. In order to claim your bike, bring the shipping manifest, government issued photo ID (with all information matching the manifest), and bike registration papers. Understand – and be thankful – the receiver is unwilling to just turnover a bike without proper proof of ownership. Bring copies of your pre-shipping pictures. Finally, verify arrangements then verify again.

Tailor this checklist to your own personal needs.

• Motorcycle
• American & POW-MIA flags for bike
• T-bag and/or saddle bags
• Water bottle (“sport” bottle or “Camelback”)
• Bungee cords (lots of ’em)
• Duct tape
• Tool kit
• Wrenches (regular and Allen)
• Screwdrivers
• Spark plugs and wrench
• Wire ties and zip ties
• Shop rags
• WD-40
• Clamps
• Rope
• Jumper cables
• Funnel
• Can of Fix-A-Flat
• Tire repair kit
• Replacement light bulbs
• Fuses
• Super glue
• 6’ of 1/4″ plastic hose or turkey baster (to siphon gas)
• Motorcycle oil
• Helmet (DOT legal)
• Bandanna or “do-rag”
• Warm knit cap
• Heavy jacket
• Lightweight jacket
• Chaps
• Warm gloves
• Summer gloves
• Rain Gear (jacket, pants, galoshes)
• Padlock
• Trash bags for covering T-Bag in rain, laundry, etc.
• Ziplock bags to organize & keep stuff dry
• Extra pair of boots
• Jeans (2-3 pair)
• T-shirts (at least 6)
• Long-sleeved T-shirt (for the Mojave desert)
• Warm sweat shirt
• Underwear and socks (at least 6 pair)
• Thermal underwear
• Jammies (or shorts or sweat pants)
• Handkerchiefs
• Shower shoes
• Bath towel
• Wash cloth (in ziplock bag)
• Toilet kit
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Comb and/or brush
• Roll of TP in ziplock bag
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Personal first aid kit
• Medications in marked containers
• Prescription glasses
• Sunglasses or goggles (2 pair)
• Ear plugs
• Laundry detergent (in heavy zip-lock bag)
• Small sewing kit
• Money (small bills for paying cash at the pump)
• Credit cards/traveler’s checks
• Driver’s license with Motorcycle Endorsement
• Insurance card for vehicle you’re using (make sure it’s current through the end of the Run)
• Dog tags for emergency identification
• Emergency info (next of kin, home and work phone numbers, doctors’ phone numbers, list of prescription medications, glasses prescription, bank information)
• Cell phone and/or pager with chargers
• Road maps and Run schedule
• GPS with charger
• Business cards (to exchange with new friends)
• Note pad and pencil
• Camera and film
• Items you want to leave at The Wall
• List of names you want to locate on The Wall

Campers

• Tent with pegs
• Waterproof ground cloth/tarp
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat or cot
• Folding chair or camp stool
• Flashlight with extra batteries

Run for the Wall’s Official Policy on Polaris Slingshot’s is that these vehicles are the size of and essentially a “small car”. You are welcome to participate in Run for the Wall, however, you must ride/drive behind the Last Man Vehicle, or ahead of the Run for the Wall Pack. You CAN NOT ride/drive this vehicle in the Trike Platoon(s) or into Arlington National Cemetery with FNG’s.

NOTE: This policy does not pertain to motorcycles with sidecars. Motorcycles with sidecars ride with the Trike platoon(s).