Johnny Hallyday on a motorcycle: his 2016 American road trip

Johnny Hallyday on a motorcycle is the image of an artist drawn to open roads, V-twins and trips shared with friends. In September 2016, he travelled from New Orleans to Los Angeles with a group of close companions, including Guillaume Canet and Yodelice. The American journey was filmed by François Goetghebeur and later became the basis of the documentary À nos promesses.

This was not a complete ride along the historic Route 66, which runs from Chicago to Santa Monica. It was an American Southwest road trip shaped by the same biker imagination: long riding days, motels, changing weather, red-desert landscapes and road friendship. For anyone planning a Route 66 motorcycle trip, the distinction matters: you can embrace the myth without claiming to follow every mile of the original route.

Johnny Hallyday on a motorcycle: New Orleans to Los Angeles

The journey began in Louisiana, with New Orleans as its first setting. The group then crossed Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah before reaching California. Contemporary reports mention San Antonio, Big Spring, Santa Fe, Durango and Monument Valley among the landmarks of the trip.

It was also a story of friendship. Yodelice, Guillaume Canet and several friends shared the adventure, with a support vehicle and logistics suited to long distances. That organisation did not reduce the pleasure of riding; it left more room for luggage, weather disruptions and the unplanned stops that give a road trip its value.

The key moments of the journey

The road before performance

The story is less about chasing a record than finding a travel rhythm. Long American sections demand steady pacing, planned stops and the ability to change a stage when the weather turns. It is a useful lesson for any motorcycle trip in the United States: the distance on a map says little about fatigue, wind or the time needed for stops.

Texas and weather that changes the plan

A hailstorm marked the itinerary. On a motorcycle road trip, that kind of event confirms one simple rule: you do not negotiate with a storm. Find shelter, protect your equipment, wait when needed and only ride on when conditions are clear again. Caution is part of the adventure, especially on major roads where crosswinds can add to the rain.

From New Mexico to Monument Valley

As the group moved west, the landscapes changed: altitude around Santa Fe, drier roads, mineral relief and wide horizons. The Monument Valley detour was made by 4x4, a reminder that a successful trip accepts a change of vehicle when terrain requires it. The motorcycle is not the only way to experience the American West; it is the thread that connects the journey.

What this road trip can teach riders

Johnny Hallyday's motorcycle road trip should not be copied exactly. It offers a method instead: choose a coherent route, leave time for disruptions and travel with people whose pace is compatible with yours. On an American itinerary, realistic stages are more valuable than trying to accumulate miles.

• Leave time for weather, detours and mechanical stops.
• Avoid riding at night outside towns: wildlife, fatigue and reduced visibility can change a stage quickly.
• Carry water, rain gear and a fuel margin suited to isolated sections.
• Check rental conditions, insurance, traffic restrictions and road status before departure.

Route 66 by motorcycle: the myth is still alive

A Route 66 motorcycle trip still has a special pull because it brings together road culture, music, cinema and popular history. Johnny Hallyday's 2016 trip belongs to that American imagination, combining the urge to escape with the pleasure of riding as a group. It is not a complete guide to the historic route, but it captures what riders often seek there: time, space and a story to share.

Frequently asked questions

When did Johnny Hallyday take this motorcycle road trip?

The journey between New Orleans and Los Angeles took place in September 2016. It later inspired the François Goetghebeur documentary À nos promesses.

Did Johnny Hallyday ride the entire Route 66?

No. His route connected New Orleans and Los Angeles through the American Southwest. It belongs to the Route 66 and Easy Rider imagination, but it was not the complete historic Chicago-to-Santa-Monica itinerary.

How much time should you allow for a Route 66 motorcycle trip?

To enjoy the stops and keep a margin for disruptions, plan a realistic pace rather than a succession of very long stages. The number of days depends on your route, the season and the time you want for detours.

What to check before leaving

Routes, rental conditions, insurance, park access and temporary closures can change. Before a motorcycle trip in the United States, check the rules that apply on your departure date and adapt your itinerary to current road conditions.