daxim

I don't mean to curb your enthusiasm. If this is your first visit to the US, don't bother driving. There is lots of fun to be had without worrying about wheels. Having said that...

Don't know about motorcycles, but, I've driven cars from multiple rental agencies with an Indian driving license. They don't care as long as you can show them a license.

From what I have experienced, you need a week (at least) to get a hang of the place, to know which direction to drive and so on. GPS or not, you WILL get lost. One wrong/missed exit and you'll have to drive ahead until you get the next one. California is not like states like Texas where everything is fairly straight. I've driven extensively in the Bay area and for a first timer it is very easy to lose your sense of direction and place.

And those roads are not the kind where you can generally stop and ask someone.When the traffic moves, you better be moving too. As someone said above, you'll need to constantly monitor speed limits, lanes, traffic lights, etc. Lane driving is very seriously followed and it is very easy for us to disregard - especially in low traffic areas.

It is quite a culture shift when driving... for instance, when we ask someone for address/directions here, we are told, go to so-and-so road and you'll find it after so-and-so landmark. There, the direction is given as an intersection of 2 roads (e.g. SH 249 and Cypresswood drive) because each of those are 25 miles long.

Net-net, don't worry about driving; stick to taxis/public transport/friends. Go and have fun.

Enthusiast

1st week of travel will be hectic as you will be going though JETLAG.

Best way to get on a motorcycle without risk would be to sign up for MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM for as little as $150, motorcycle included.

California Motorcyclist Safety Program

All the very best, have fun.

cool_dude_sunn_y

As every other fellow xBhpian has suggested, i would re-iterate that since you are here for a week just stay away from motorcycles. I am not doubting your skills, i am sure you are very much capable and confident. Probably you will get the hang of opposite side driving but only problem you might face is the highways. Speeds are pretty high as compared to back in India and mostly car drivers cannot spot motorcyclists and with some experience only you can get used to riding here.

If you still want, take up a class or something. Here normally on the highways, god forbid but motorcyclists normally dont get a second chance :-|

__________________
Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE. The word itself says I M POSSIBLE