=============== Harley-Davidson & L.A.Riders FAQ & Guide ===============
========= Version 1.00 - 4 July 1998 =========
=== by TSN ===
Based on Rolander's
Harley Davidson and Los Angeles Riders preliminary-FAQ
Version 0.91 dated 6 May 1998.
* A very special thanks go to Bill Meador *
(see the credits section for more)
<-- Must be viewed/printed with monospaced font. 72 characters/line -->
=== Contents
1. Introduction
2. Bike difference
- General
- Bike attributes
- Recommendations
- Background Information of Bikes
3. Screen Display
4. Basic Riding
- Automatic or Manual Transmission
- Controls
- Basics
- Turning
- Speed and distance
5. Advanced Riding
- General
- Turning and braking
- Freeway to freeway
6. Scoring
- Machine settings
- What is a good score
- Distance, speed and bonus items
- Checkpoints
7. Bonus Tokens
- General
- Token types
- Easy to get tokens
- Harder to get tokens
- The hardest to get tokens
- Useless tokens
- Summary
8. Checkpoint guide
- Los Angeles map
- Santa Monica
- Beverly Hills
- Hollywood
- Downtown
- Airport
- The four freeways
- Anticipating stages
- Example course
- The best course in the game
- Things bored veterans can do
9. Miscellaneous
- Using the bike's horn & The Code
- Music pieces
- Rider and bike falling in the (end) credits screen
- Rumors
- Bugs and weird things
10. Credits and other such information
- Contact information
- Thanks to
- Copyright information
- In the next version
=== 1. Introduction
Harley-Davidson and Los Angeles Riders is a bike racing game against
the clock or other players for points with a significant twist or two
from Sega TM.
For starters, there's no conventional racecourse. The racing occurs
along the roads and freeways of a virtual Los Angeles, plus the
occasional curb shortcuts, teeming with "conventional" traffic, i.e.
with ordinary cars and buses. Compared to you they travel at slow speeds
so a significant challenge is to avoid crashing into them.
Also, there's no predetermined route. Instead, checkpoints are
indicated at various parts of the city. There's a total of three to five
checkpoints - depending on the machine's settings - to reach, and you
won't know which is the next checkpoint until you reach the current
checkpoint. Experience, quick thinking and knowledge of the land figure
help prominently here.
For the observant players, you will notice colored tokens similar to
the Harley crest along certain areas. Running into them will result in
extra points or additional time.
This FAQ doesn't cover multiplayer game (yet), because it is so much
different from one player game - you can't ignore the other players, and
you have to fight for the points with a whole new strategy.
=== 2. Bike difference
-- General
There are 5 models available for selection at the beginning of the
game, with an option for automatic or manual transmission. Nothing
seriously different from other racers. But what bike to choose? Here's
information about the bikes to help you decide.
The 5 models (with colors to help you to identify them if you're new)
and their riders to choose from are:
- FLSTF Fat Boy, Rick the man in black, silver color
- FL Panhead 1948, Scott the "cowboy", yellow color
- FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide, Dave the MC gang member(?), blue color
- XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport, Anne, red color
- FXRP police force, Suzy the policewoman, white color
-- Bike attributes
Bike Acc Spd Off Inr Wgt Pwr Hdl
Fat Boy 4/3/3 4 3 3 2 3 4
Panhead 3/3/2 2 2 3 4 2 3
Dyna Wide Glide 3/3/3 4 4 4 3 4 1
Sportster 5/5/2 3 2 2 1 1 5
FXRP 3/3/4 5 4 2 5 5 3
1 = worst...5 = best.
Acc = How quickly the bike accelerates at different speed ranges.
Spd = Top speed. Highest speed achievable on level roads.
Off = Off-road. Tolerance of lesser road surfaces; affects both
acceleration and top speed.
Inr = Inertia. Resistance to displacement caused by bumps with cars and
rival bikes.
Wgt = Weight. Affects jumping capabilities and braking/acceleration
(1 = lightest, 5 = heaviest).
Pwr = Power. Bikes ability to deal with uphills.
Hdl = Handling. Turning ability and maneuvering.
-- Recommendations
Best bike for beginners/novices - Sportster
The superb low/medium acceleration helps quick recovery from
crashes, which is what plagues the newer riders most.
Best bike for veterans/experts - FXRP or Sportster
FXRP has the best high-end performance and top speed suited for
scoreboard cracking, non-crashing (only very light crashes allowed)
experienced riders. Long distances become short with FXRP.
The Sportster is not as good for long stretches of straight road or
freeway, but it is well suiting for tight maneuvering because of
it's handling and acceleration through high point areas.
Turkey bike of the simulation, veterans/experts only - Panhead
The Panhead is a 1948 relic (but a valued piece of H.D. history)
that can't hope to compete with the modern bikes. Panhead is so
slow that you must not collide, not even once, to hunt the bonus
tokens and make it to the final checkpoint.
-- Background Information of Bikes
Fat Boy: Introduced as FLSTF Fat Boy in around 1990.
Panhead: Introduced in 1948 after World War II.
Dyna Wide Glide: FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide, revamped recently.
Sportster: XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport, a recent new member of
the XL Sportster family, introducing new technologies.
FXRP: Police Varient of the FXRT Sports Glide, of the FXR
series in around 1988, production discontinued.
=== 3. Screen display
After selecting your bike and transmission at the shop (you may have
to wait a while for other players), you'll be transported to the
starting point in front, with a couple of seconds to get your bearing.
You can start switching viewpoints between a total of 3 different
viewpoints now or anytime during the race, using the view button.
Default view is the 2nd person (behind the bike, close) view. The other
views are rider's view or 1st person view and the 3rd person view
(behind the bike, far).
A default piece of music is selected for each bike model. Changing
music pieces can only be done after the race starts, using the
appropriate button.
Clockwise, the important information on the screen is:
- Time remaining: Displayed by seconds in big digits at the top of the
screen. This denotes how much time you have left to reach your present
checkpoint.
- Present Score: Displayed in smaller digits at the top right corner.
- Speedometer: Display your speed via a circular meter and digits at the
bottom right corner, kph or mph. Note that different gears highlight
different areas of the meter, denoting the appropriate speed range for
that gear.
- Area Map (Navigation window): Of the area including your present
position by an arrow (other players by digit) and your destination
checkpoint via a Harley crest, in an upright rectangular area to the
bottom left corner. It also displays roads and freeways (red) within
that section (but not potential shortcuts). As you get closer, the map
zooms in to reveal more detail.
- Absolute Distance: To your checkpoint in meters or feet displayed in
small digits on the top left corner. This reflects absolute distance
i.e. distance measured in a straight line from you to the checkpoint.
It is not an accurate gauge of the actual distance that must be covered
on the ground via roads.
=== 4. Basic riding
-- Automatic or Manual Transmission - AT or MT
Automatic is definitely the correct choice for newbies having trouble
avoid crashes and/or staying on the road. They have enough to worry
about.
There isn't many riders who handle manual transmission well. In
general, unless you've been familiar with gear shifts via buttons on
your left handgrip, manual transmission is to be avoided. You'll be
facing enough menaces on the road; you don't need gear shifting to
occupy your mind. There is no good rev meter to look at, instead you
have constantly keep an eye on the speedometer - you won't be able to
hear the difference between gears well.
Unless you're the riding saint who NEVER crashes and cruise at top
speed everywhere. Then you can select manual, fiddle with the gear
controls as you pick up speed, and once you hit top gear, race like a
speed demon across Los Angeles.
-- Controls
The controls in this game are analog, like in any racing type of game.
Most of you already knew this, but not many use the analog properties
well.
- Steering bar
You don't have to manhandle it to make the bike turn, or constantly
wave it left or right on a long curvy road - you can keep it turned as
little or as much as you want. Turn it only as much as you have to, and
slowly turn it back straight. This way the path becomes slightly
shorter.
- Hand lever and foot pedal
When you have to break only a little to help you steer (drift turn)
or to avoid collision, use the hand lever (front break). Don't grip it
too hard or the bike will come to a halt very fast. The foot pedal is
the back break and you can stomp it all the way down - but only for a
very short period of time in most cases. This will lock the rear wheel
(straight braking is ineffective) and if you turn the steering wheel
you can make very sharp and fast turns because the back slides.
- Throttle
The most important control. Although you keep full throttle most of
the time, you should be aware of times when you mustn't do so. When
you start accelerating, the back wheel will lose grip and spin if you
use full throttle. Instead, to accelerate fast, use half throttle and
slowly increase it to the maximum. In some situations steering won't
help and if you keep up the full throttle, you might crash. As an
alternative to braking, you could cut down the throttle!
When you collide, immediately release the throttle! If you don't, the
back wheel will spin and you will have to accelerate all over again. If
you release the throttle and start accelerating slowly, you can recover
from the collision much faster.
-- Basics
The objective of the game is simple: to complete, go the quickest way
to the checkpoints as fast as you can manage, with as few crashes as
possible.
At the start of the race, and whenever a new checkpoint is assigned,
glance at the area map to decide where to go. Sometimes you may have to
reverse along the road you're traveling because you're going AWAY from
the checkpoint. Some newbies completely ignore the map and blissfully
ride on, not realizing they're heading the wrong way...
As you ride towards the checkpoint, you will see bright yellow arrows
above certain road junctions. These arrows are meant to help guide
your way, pointing out *possible routes*. Should you see two sets of
arrows above a junction, it means that they're both considered viable.
It is up to you to decide which path to take. Sometimes it is best to
ignore the arrow - something that experts do. Also, if the arrow is
aligned with your bike, you can tell if you're going the right way
because the arrow appears mostly green. Wrong way, and it's red.
As the roads are not evacuated of normal traffic in the form of
civilian cars, trucks, buses and the odd police cruiser, you will have
to avoid them as you race through the city. Ramming is definitely out;
a bike will lose to a car twice its size and probably 4 times its weigh
at least. In fact, the conventional traffic are hardly affected by bumps
with you and they completely ignore you!
Try to ride with the traffic flow, not against it. It'll be a lot
easier to avoid crashing this way. However, there are times when it is
better to ride down the middle of the road to avoid cars turning onto
the road.
Immobile obstacles can be found along the way, primarily buildings,
metal posts and trees which litter the sides of most road. There are
people along the sidewalks, but they will always duck aside; you can't
run them down. There are also lesser obstacles that can be knocked over
such as park benches and fire hydrants.
While traveling along roads, it is easier and more efficient to avoid
the other vehicles by gently weaving round them using slight turnings on
the road. Sharp turns have their place in taking corners and last ditch
obstacle avoidance, but if you manhandle the steering bar for each
obstacle along the way, you'll be zigzagging along the breath of the
road. This is BAD, as you greatly increase the chances of bumping into
something.
-- Turning
Occasionally, at an intersection where you're about to turn off, it is
possible to cut across the curb. This is a most often a time saver
maneuver (unless you hit the odd tree or lamp post) as you effectively
cut down on the distance traveled on road and reduce the need for sharp
maneuvering/braking at the junction itself.
Skid turning (whereby you jam on the rear brakes as you execute a
turn) is an important move in LA Riders. This allows you to execute very
tight turns without excessive loss of speed (unless you bump into
something, of course) and aids greatly in tight corners and reversals. In
contrast, the front brakes are near useless in most situations, but they
do provide better braking power in special cases.
-- Speed and distance
As a rough estimate, if you are traveling in a fairly straight path at
high speed (160 - 180 kph or 100 - 115 mph) towards the checkpoint, you
need about 30 seconds for every 1000 m, assuming you ride well and only
get into one or two minor bumps along the way. Veterans can cut it
closer to 20 seconds for a straight path.
=== 5. Advanced riding
-- General
This is for those out there eager to ride like pros and possibly crack
the scoreboard. Less obvious things on riding and bonus pickings are
here. Experience counts a lot in LA Riders, because of the sheer scope
of the racing background. Examples are best paths, bonus rich areas and
potential shortcuts.
For every checkpoint you're assigned, you should sneak a quick peak at
the area map and make a split-second decision on exactly how are you
going to get there i.e. which paths and turnoffs you're going to take.
The yellow arrows only indicate *possible routes, not best* routes. You
will have to judge from your own experience from previous ridings. The
checkpoint guide will give some ideas as to what to do.
Some basic points to note:
- Select the path with the least no. of turns. All tight turns
invariably result in loss of precious speed and increases the
possibility of crashing.
- Freeways are potentially faster than normal roads. This is due to the
relative lack to tight corners along freeways. They're also much wider,
allowing greater room for maneuvering and errors. If the freeway option
is only marginally longer, take the freeway.
- There are some instances where you should make a right turn off the
road on to the freeway below. You will need to checkpoint the map to see
when it is appropriate.
Your personal biking skill will be the prime factor in this game, in
helping you to avoid crashes. Head-on collisions are to be avoided like
the plague, because often they rob you of most of your speed, which
means you need to waste time slowly building up your speed again.
Otherwise, ride straight along the road whenever feasible.
Sideswiping/bumping a car or a large obstacle is also not good, but
speed penalty is only a fraction of a direct collision. Naturally, it
is better to go for a sideswipe than risk a head on. The lessor of two
evils... Sometimes a car will bump into you from behind. This isn't so
bad, because it usually will increase your speed, ie. transfer momentum
to you from the collision - you can expect something like this to happen
just after a collision in heavy traffic, so get ready to avoid the cars
in front!
If you have been observant, you will have noticed your bike is best
along actual road surfaces i.e. they accelerate and maintain top speed
along actual roads and freeways. Other surfaces do not offer as good a
grip for your wheels, ranging from the darken portions along expressway
shoulders, concrete sidewalks and dividers, stone pavements, and lastly
grass/dirt and sand/beach. Unless there are significant advantages in
going off-road for awhile, such as in cutting a corner, or taking a
major shortcut (especially Beverly Hills, the Airport and Santa Monica
beach checkpoint), you should stick to roads as much as possible.
Occasionally, it's a good idea to go onto the sidewalk for a while
when faced with a gaggle of cars posing a hard-to-avoid obstruction.
This doesn't just mean the car pileup along an expressway turnoff into
Downtown. Anytime you see a load of cars hogging the roads, making you
suspect your crash avoiding capabilities, be safe and take the
relatively clear sidewalk.
Be wary whenever you encounter an intersection, even if you don't
intend to turn. Watch out for conventional traffic turning along that
junction and avoid accordingly.
A fine art is to attempt to stay on the inner part of a curve in the
road. This does help cut down marginally on the distance traveled, but
you must be able to hold the bike very smoothly though, as often the
margin for error is so minimal as to be nonexistent.
-- Turning and braking
Most of the turns in the game are meant to be taken without using any
brakes. To make fast turns, first you have to ride along traffic. Then
when you approach the corner, start turning towards the corner trying to
avoid any cars - since you'll be riding against traffic for a short
period. Aim to collect any tokens at the corner - this is why you can
find tokens at corners! After the corner turn head for the middle of
the street, to ride along traffic.
This turning method is similar to any car racing game. The only
exception is the element of risk - traffic. The risk is even higher
when you can't see the traffic on the street you are about to turn to.
Nevertheless you should take the risk, colliding is only bad luck.
Usually you won't collide with any cars that you can't see, so only
worry about those in front of you.
However, some streets are too narrow (Downtown) to make racing type of
turns. You have to change the technique a bit and make a sharp turn
(using the foot pedal) just *before* the corner. Of course, you must
have a high speed to do this.
Braking is to be avoided as much as possible, since it'll reduce your
speed a lot. Brake usage should be kept around 10 times/game - the less
the better. However, not using any brakes is bad because you will lose
time if you have to reduce throttle and make a wide turn. Brakes should
only be used to make 180 degree turns, sharp turns to narrow streets,
collect bonus tokens and avoid crashes (how did you get into such
situation anyway?).
180 degree turns are used to turn away from checkpoints. On freeways
you have to use both hand lever and foot pedal to make the turn, because
your speed will be high - otherwise use just the foot pedal. You can
start turning away from the checkpoint (if you anticipate the next
checkpoint) before you reach it. Note that different bike have different
braking distances (Sportster a very short, FXRP long).
-- Freeway to freeway
This is a high-risk maneuver, and only should be used if there is not
enough time to reach a (freeway) checkpoint. This saves a few seconds
when entering a new freeway from some other freeway. There's two ways
of getting to a new freeway: to follow the arrow and ride along traffic
or ride *against traffic* and take the exitway (from the freeway you
are about to enter to the freeway you are on) instead of the normal
entryway. The path becomes slightly shorter, and you save a couple of
seconds.
The risk is, of course, the traffic. Colliding is a no-no, and that is
why this is an expert trick. With slower bikes e.g. Panhead, this can be
very useful - and sometimes the only way to reach the checkpoint.
To avoid the cars coming at you, press the bike against the left side
of the exitway, turning the bar just enough to push into the left wall
without actually crashing into it. If done right, sparks should be seen
from the side of the bike rubbing against the exitway wall.
If you get good at this, go ahead and use it as often as you like -
what a daredevil player you are...
=== 6. Scoring
-- Machine settings
The score you get depends on the number of stages set to the machine.
It can be three, four or five. Another setting that affects the scoring
is the difficulty setting; -10, -5, +0, +5, +10, +15 or +20 seconds.
The time is added to (or subtracted from) the default time you have to
get to the first checkpoint and acts like a time token given to you
initially. Hence it adds to the leftover time, and a +20 setting works
like a 200,000 point token (if you make it to the final checkpoint)!
Machine set to +0 has 85 or 90 seconds to the Airport as 1st stage -
depending on the location of the checkpoint.
-- What is a good score
When the game is first installed to an arcade, it'll be great if
someone can reach the final checkpoint. On a 5-stage machine the scores
will soon become between 5 and 6 million, as people learn to play the
game. 6 million is considered as the top limit.
However, when a few experts emerge, the score boards start filling
with scores of over 6 million. Most scores are around 6.0 million to
6.3 million. This is an average score. Good scores start from 6.3
million. It'll become harder and harder to get you initials on even on
bike specific score boards.
Each bike can do well. The author's personal records are 6.7 million
with FXRP and DWG, with other bikes about 6.5 million (+0 difficulty
setting). Keep this in mind when you question the checkpoint guide's
advices ;)
-- Distance, speed and bonus items
It is not possible to guarantee a high score with every game, even if
you are an expert who can collect every bonus item. This is due to the
game being non-linear, i.e. there is no fixed path, and the nature of
the scoring system. Apart from the lump sum of points award for reaching
each checkpoint, most of the points awarded are based on actual distance
traveled by the bike.
Hence, a lot depend on the actual location of the checkpoints in
relation to one another. If your checkpoints are rather close to each
other, you should expect to get a relatively average or low completion
score. However, if you're forced to ride all over the city, because your
checkpoints are scattered to the four corners of the game, this will be
your chance to go for top scores. In fact, there is a way to get a long
course most of the time (see the miscellaneous section).
You get an average of 100 points for every meter traveled by the bike.
However, the greater the speed of the bike is compared to the bike's
average speed, the more points per meter you get. With slower bikes like
Panhead the bonus will be great if you can keep up the speed. With the
game's fastest bike FXRP it is extremely hard to keep up the speed to
get points by distance.
There is a lot of bonus items (tokens) scattered throughout the game.
Most of the score consists of checkpoint awards, then distance, but
bonus items are the 3rd factor of a good score, 4th one being the
leftover time. See Bonus tokens section.
-- Checkpoints
For each checkpoint you hit you gain points. In multi-player head-to-
head game, the checkpoint score is awarded only to the rider who reaches
it first. As such, it is extremely difficult to get a high score in
multi-player because most often, your opponent(s) will take at least one
checkpoint away from you. Unless of course they are relative newbies...
The awards for reaching a checkpoint are
300,000 for the 1st checkpoint
500,000 for the 2nd checkpoint
700,000 for the 3rd checkpoint (1,500,000 total for 3 stage)
1,000,000 for the 4th checkpoint (2,500,000 total for 4 stage)
1,500,000 for the 5th checkpoint (4,000,000 total for 5 stage)
The final checkpoint has an additional award from leftover time.
For each excess second you get 10,000 points. This is one element of
a high score; for veterans it is usually around 200,000, meaning 20
excess seconds. Total no. of checkpoints are dependent on individual
arcade settings.
=== 7. Bonus tokens
-- General
There are glittering tokens of various colors resembling the Harley-
Davidson crest located along certain areas of the city. Picking them up
by touching them with your bike nets extra points or extra time for the
large tokens.
For newbies who have yet to complete the game, you should be
concentrating on improving your riding skills before you can spare some
effort to go token hunting. Most of the points are gotten from the race
directly anyway. Token hunting should be reserved for good riders able
to make the time and effort required.
Most bonus tokens are of the small variety, and directly affect your
score. The points awarded are determined from the color of the tokens.
More lucrative tokens are more difficult to achieve or are situated at
obscure areas.
If you're new to token collecting, it might be wise to learn how to
get the bonus tokens from some easy place first. Make it a habit and
you can soon collect the tokens without any trouble. Then try collecting
tokens from some other place and so forth, learn the places and how to
get them. Try the difficult tokens last.
Some conventions. K is 1,000 points. That is, 10K token will mean
10,000 point token and a 100K token 100,000 point token. Also, the text
will contain references to map items. See the checkpoint guide maps for
specific locations of the bonus tokens. Also, not every easily available
token is covered in the text (Hollywood ramp, Airport...).
-- Token types
Color Points Extra Amount Notes, locations
Green 1,000 *1-3 3 freeways only
3,000 *1-5 1-5 junctions, street corners and such
Dk Blue 3,000 +100 6,11,31 Mansion, tunnels, alleyway
Lt Blue 10,000 none 1 special places, scattered around
30,000 none 1 Only one in the game, at the airport
50,000 none 1 special places, scattered around
100,000 none 1 usually in difficult locations
Time 5 or 10 seconds 1 Difficult locations, hard to find
Dk = dark, Lt = light.
Extra *1-.. = from the second successive tokens the value is multiplied,
e.g. three successive freeway tokens are worth 1000*1 + 1000*2 + 1000*3
= 6000, instead of 3000!
Extra +100 = from the second successive dark blue tokens the value
becomes greater. First one 3000, second one 3100, third one 3200, 4th
3300, 5th 3400 and so on.
Time tokens add to the (leftover) time.
-- Easy to get tokens
Green 1,000 point tokens are located along certain sections of the
freeway in rows of threes. Green 3,000 tokens are found along certain
corners of road junction mostly in rows of threes too. 1,000 point
tokens are easy to get as they lie in a fairly straight path; 3,000
point tokens are somewhat more difficult, because you have to match the
curvature exactly...
Individual green tokens are worth little by themselves. However,
picking them up in quick succession (ie. you net two or all three of a
row of green tokens in a single pass) will result in a multiplier to the
tokens after the first. For instance, if you managed to cut a junction
corner perfectly and took all three 3,000 point tokens by that curve in
one go: 1st = 3,000 points, 2nd token = 3,000 * 2 points = 6,000 points,
3rd token = 3,000 * 3 points = 9,000 points. Total = 18,000 points...
just because you took that corner perfectly!
Also keep in mind to collect those tokens. 6,000 points from freeway
tokens or 18,000 points from a corner may not seem much, after all, one
second is worth 10,000. But you collect an average of four freeway sets
and two corner sets, a total of 60,000. Now that's worth it!
There exists a row of five 3,000 points tokens by a gas station near
Hollywood (Hollywood map item 11) that will yield: 3,000 + 6,000 + 9,000
+ 12,000 + 15,000 = 45,000 points if you took all five in one quick
pass! A similar row is situated near the Beverly Hills mansion (Beverly
Hills map item 13).
-- Harder to get tokens
Dark blue, light blue and time tokens are mainly situated alone in
out of the way places, where considerable effort/sacrifice is needed to
gain access to them. The reward is proportionally high too, but you have
to decide whether it's worth the risk.
A general rule for getting tokens in tight places: the slower you do
it, the faster you get the tokens! This means you don't have to turn
around and get a missed token. Of course, it is good to keep up speed,
to optimize the outcome - skills matter.
- Santa Monica jetty:
One 5 second time token is found behind the building at the end of the
Santa Monica jetty checkpoint. Ride around the building clockwise for a
chance at the token and the 50,000 bonus point token nearby (Santa
Monica map item 2).
- Beverly Hills mansion:
The mansion has two balconies, and you may have seen some tokens there.
Each balcony has six dark blue 3,000 tokens. It's best to approach a
balcony from the fountain, ride through the balcony and make a turn to
the *checkpoint*. Then turn to the other balcony and collect the tokens.
Do it if the checkpoint is at the top gate (Beverly Hills map item 4).
You'll get a total of 39,000 points. Of course, if you're more skilled
go for the fountain's token!
- The four ramps of carpark filled with tokens
On your way from Beverly Hills golf course (you did remember to turn
around?) or Santa Monica to Hollywood area, you may have noticed ramps.
The ramps make up a big carpark (no parked cars) with slopes up and
down to underground parking space, tunnels as we call them. To enter
the first tunnel, you have to ride against traffic. Each tunnel has
11 tokens, worth 38,500.
Don't enter the tunnel too fast. You lose control of the bike when
it is jumping up and down, and you might enter the tunnel in a bad
angle, making the steering difficult. Also, if you have enough speed,
you can link the first two sets of tokens together, meaning you get
89,100 points, instead of 2*38,500 = 77,000. But, if you have too much
speed, a bad thing will happen: you'll hit your head to the wall and
come to a dead stop! So watch it!
Linking two first sets and collecting the remaining two sets
individually, you get 166,100 points. But that's not everything! One 5
second time token is hidden in the ground floor of a building at the end
of the 4 ramps/tunnels. Ram through the glass panels to reach it; you're
liable to crash in the process. You can reduce the chance of crashing if
you crash into the glass at an angle so that you are pointed towards the
road. Using the hand lever to slow down helps a lot. Note that it is
easier to steer left, back to the street you came from.
- Hollywood's domed area
You've probably seen light blue tokens in the FXRP demo which shows
Hollywood. It often is a good idea to collect four (out of five) 50K
tokens, and one 10 second time token between. The time token is hidden
among crates.
If you look at Hollywood map, the best way to collect the three 50K
tokens (and the time token) under the dome and one 50K in the dirt area,
is to make a quick 4-5-6-7-8 "sweep", it can be done using full throttle
- very fast. You may have to use the foot pedal to swing the bike in the
proper direction after getting the third 50K token, to get the time
token. Some steering is required to go through the dirt area.
- Downtown tower time token
One 10 second time token is hidden in an indestructible tower along
one of the roads in Downtown (Downtown map item 4). You get the time
token only by approaching the tower from the middle checkpoint (item 3),
and then maneuver into the gap between - slowly.
-- The hardest to get tokens
- Beverly Hills fountain
You must have seen it, and perhaps tried to get it. It is very
difficult, if not impossible, to get constantly so that you don't hit
the statue. All bikes can make the jump, even Panhead! However, the
fastest bike happens to be the heaviest. Making the jump with FXRP is
harder than with Sportster - a very light bike.
There are two ways of getting it. One is to go through the golf
course and then when you approach the mansion, ride against traffic,
turn right *without braking* and go through the mansion (collecting the
50K token along the way) and hope that you have enough speed. With FXRP
the speed is around 105 mph or 169 kph. The other way to do it is to do
it like Dave. In the DWG demo you can see him approach the mansion via
street and then turn and do the above (on deluxe cabinet version he
doesn't jump).
One common reason for failure is that you hit the chairs and tables
inside the mansion, causing your bike to bump in the air and lose speed.
Obviously, you should call off the jump in this case. If you didn't
crash, several things can happen. You can jump too high and miss the
token. Jump too (s)low and you hit the statue and maybe get the token.
If this happens, you fall down to the pool - and will have hard time
getting out of there. FXRP can get stuck to the pool's edge!
- Records store floating tokens
In Dyna Wide Glide demo you can see these tokens which are floating
high above the ground, above the records store roof near the first
junction to Beverly Hills from Santa Monica (Beverly Hills map item 9).
Right next to the store is the first carpark ramp. Close to the wall of
the building, behind the bushes, is a small hidden ramp. If you have the
right speed (FXRP around 95 mph or 153 kph), you can jump high above
the ground, over the store and collect 50K, 10 second time and 100K
tokens!
The ways to get it: Hollywood to Santa Monica, enter the last ramp
(not tunnel) and collect the four 10K tokens on the ramps. Steer a bit
left at the final (first) ramp and you'll hit the ramp. Alternatively,
you could go through the window and through the tunnels if you haven't
collected these tokens already (author has not tested this idea).
From Beverly Hills mansion to Santa Monica or Airport, take the street
on the right down (the one farther away from Santa Monica), turn right
at the end and go past the first ramp to the records store ramp and make
the jump. You might have too much speed and jump over the tokens...
(author has not tested this idea)
It takes a couple of tries to develop a feeling for the technique.
This isn't as easy as you might think. Risks are that you miss the ramp,
don't have enough speed and hit the wall or with FXRP get stuck to the
ramp! However, you can always ignore the the carpark ramps (which slow
you down a lot), and go directly to the hidden ramp - you may have to
slow down a bit not to jump too high (the author has not tested this
idea). With slow Panhead this is probably the only way to get the
floating tokens.
- Hollywood's 100,000 and 10 second tokens
100K and 10 second tokens are hidden in the street building closest
to/beside one of the Hollywood road entrances/exits; the depressed
section is entered by either of the two white staircases at each end,
visible from the road. If you're observant, you might have seen the time
token in FXRP demo (Hollywood map items 9 and 10).
The easiest way to get it is when you leave Hollywood and head left.
Use the hand lever to slow down as much as you need and slide down
(don't use throttle) the first slope and get the 100K token. Quickly
steer right and slowly start accelerating, slowly. Get the time token
and try to steer the bike to the middle of the street to avoid cars.
Being slow is important. Otherwise, it is almost too easy to collide
with the walls, possibly missing a token. The time token will make up
for the loss of time (about 5 seconds) and speed. It is somewhat more
difficult to get the tokens when approaching Hollywood from Downtown,
due to higher speed.
- Downtown's alleyway
There exist an alleyway in Downtown choke full of approximately 31
dark blue tokens and a perfect run-through will give 139,500 points!
It is somewhat more difficult to enter the alleyway from Harbor freeway
side of Downtown, than it is from the Hollywood side. Depending on which
side you enter, use hand lever or foot pedal respectively. With
different bikes the braking is different, it's something you have to
find out for yourself. The alleyway is also more difficult to exit if
you entered it from Harbor freeway side. It's best cleared in Hollywood-
Harbor frwy direction.
-- Useless tokens
- Airport
One 5 second time token is found behind the building adjacent to the
T-intersections outside LA One Airport (Airport map item 8). By taking
the red brick path to the back of the area. This is a very difficult
token to get while keeping any decent speed. However, it will give you
a chance to see what a time token look like. Should you crash and lose
speed right next to it, go and get it.
- The building near the records store
Near the first ramp you can see two 10K tokens at two separate
entrances if you ride along traffic. If you go and check out what lies
beyond, you'll get a few 10K tokens and a 10 second time token behind
the building (Beverly Hills map item 11). It is absolutely useless to
go and get the tokens, because there are the tunnel tokens, and you lose
all of your speed while getting the tokens...
- Hollywood dome's leftover 50,000 token
Yes, there's one more. It's not visible from the front. You'll have to
zig zag back and forth under the dome to get all the tokens. This means
you lose speed. Why bother lose speed, when you can collect every other
token using full throttle?
- Santa Monica beach
There's 100,000 token floating above the baywatch tower at the beach.
There is no fast way to get it on the slow beach. Good suggestions are
welcome.
-- Summary of the current (important) findings
Three 5 second time tokens (Santa Monica, Airport, Beverly Hills).
Five 10 second time tokens (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown).
Five 100,000 point tokens (Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood).
=== 8. Checkpoint guide
-- Los Angeles map
BH HD
++---------------+-+
/ | | \
SM+---+-+---------------+---+---+
| | | | DT
+ | | +---+
\| | |
+---+------SMF------------+
| | |
| SDF |
| | |
LAX+---+ HF
\ \ /
+---+----CF-----------+
BH - Beverly Hills
CF - Century freeway
DT - Downtown
HF - Harbor freeway
HD - Hollywood
LAX - Los Angeles Airport
SDF - San Diego freeway
SM - Santa Monica
SMF - Santa Monica freeway
This map is here only for reference, if you don't happen to remember
all the freeways. This map and the following maps *do not* have correct
proportions and such and do not carry all the details. Instead they have
the relative positions correct and help you to understand the checkpoint
guide. Also you need some previous gameplay experience to understand the
map orientations, streets etc.
There's a total of nine checkpoints to choose from, and the land
locations each have three different spots for the checkpoints, making
the total number of different locations to 19.
The difference between land checkpoints and freeway checkpoints is
that the land ones are small rings (it's possible to miss it!) with
banners, varying in location and freeway checkpoints are wide banners
that cannot be missed and stay fixed.
This is not the ultimate guide, and is meant to give ideas how to
achieve to score of a lifetime and well as introduce newbies to the
virtual LA. Should you see a (*) after some riding route suggestion,
it means that the author has not looked into the possibility well, and
it will be better judged in the next version.
-- Santa Monica
LAX
SMF/LAX : SMF
: | :
| | |
+----------+---------2
| || | |
| || | | b
BH ..--+----------+ | e
| || 7| | a
|8 3| | 6 | c
+----------+ | 4 5 h
|
1 :
?
Map key
-------
? - Ever wondered does the highway end here? If you're too curious
and decide to check it out, you'll arrive at the Twilight Parking
Zone, where the virtual car drivers realize in horror as they
turn back, that they can never escape from virtual LA!
BH - This street leads to various places, not just Beverly Hills. You
can go to Hollywood, Downtown or San Diego freeway. (Same as
Beverly Hills' SM)
SMF/ - Riding this way you can enter Santa Monica freeway or
LAX continue to Los Angeles airport. (Same as Airport's SM)
LAX - Connects with SMF/LAX, though turning back towards the freeway
entryway is not a good idea. Taking this street to the airport is
not recommended, since you must make a turn at the intersection
and you might hit a car. If you still insist upon taking this
street, be sure to collect all the 3K tokens along the way.
SMF - The best choice to enter Santa Monica freeway.
1 - Harley shop, this is the place where you start. The map is
oriented to match the view when you begin the race. 50K token
inside the shop.
2 - Jetty checkpoint, behind the building you can find 5 second and
50K token.
3 - Checkpoint at the walkway.
4 - Baywatch tower, 100K token.
5 - Checkpoint at the beach, right next to the baywatch tower.
6 - 10K token.
7 - Three 3K tokens on the red brick shortcut.
8 - Three 3K tokens.
General
-------
The streets in Santa Monica are widest in the game, since no parking
is allowed like in Downtown. Also, there are no buses here, only trucks.
You should be able to make turns without using brakes here, and walkways
have open areas, like at the BH-SMF/LAX intersection - use them.
Sportster demo shows Santa Monica area.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
Planted vegetation areas with high edges, they can stop anything!
Areas with lower, almost nonexistent edges can bounce your bike high
above the ground, and since you lose control, you might crash into
fences, walls, cars... When going to the airport along SMF/LAX steet,
watch out for crazy (taxi) drivers who want to ram you at the
SMF/LAX-LAX intersection.
Starting point
--------------
You begin the game at point 1. There's a 50K token right behind you
inside the Harley shop, but there's really no point of getting it
though, since it'll take about 5 seconds away - you might need the time
to get something better. If the first checkpoint is
- Beverly Hills or San Diego freeway, collect the tokens from point 7
and continue to BH. If it's Hollywood (rare) or Downtown (extremely
rare), you can collect the tokens from the tunnels near Beverly Hills.
- Santa Monica freeway, jump down to the freeway along the beach, grab
the 10K token from point 7.
- Los Angeles airport, turn left and then right to SMF/LAX, collect
tokens from corner 8.
Santa Monica's checkpoints
--------------------------
Checkpoint at the jetty (2) - You can enter the jetty (using the
ramps) from the beach also, if you came through the tunnel ending the
Santa Monica freeway. Most players immediately turn around after
reaching this checkpoint, but it is not smart to do so, slow down
instead and steer clockwise around the building to get the 5 second and
50K tokens! The slower you do it, the better chances you have. Also,
don't use full throttle after you got the tokens, since you can hit the
fences on your way out.
Checkpoint at the walkway (3) - The walkway between the building has
two lanes. You enter the right lane from BH street using back break,
then wo/using too much throttle until you're sure you don't hit the
light poles. The checkpoint is in front of you. After passing through
the checkpoint, turn to the left lane if you can, because you have to
turn right again - making the turn from the right lane is tighter, and
you could hit a car that just passed in front of you.
Checkpoint at the beach (5) - You can get here straight from Santa
Monica freeway. From any other place, the BH street is the best choice:
you can get the (7) & (6) tokens. You could attempt to get the 100K
token near the checkpoint, if you know a good way of getting it. Don't
choose to go up the ramp right next to you, go up using the one closer
the jetty. The reason for this is that the next checkpoint could be a
freeway (beach entryway!), and this ramp leads directly to BH street.
Next checkpoints
----------------
Look also "Starting point".
Santa Monica freeway - If the checkpoint was at the beach, you're
practically already on the freeway. Otherwise, the SMF/LAX street
entryway is a good choice.
San Diego freeway - BH street, turn right at the entryway next to the
hill. Also accessible from Santa Monica freeway (the one above) if you
were at the beach.
Beverly Hills - BH street, over the golf course hill at the freeway
entryway. Collect the 30K token if you want.
Hollywood or Downtown (you wish!) - BH street, ride against traffic,
collect whatever tokens (above or below the ramps) are left. Don't
forget the time bonus! If you have already collected the tunnel tokens
and are going to Downtown, the freeway is a very good choice (fast),
especially from the beach (*).
Los Angeles airport - SMF/LAX street, turn right after going under the
bridge to cut it short and collect the 3K tokens.
-- Beverly Hills
___+-------+-------+
__--+ | 4 |
golf course / 13 | 8 5 8 |
h / | 6 |
i | +-- 7 --+
l 3 | | |
l | | |
2 | | : |
1 \ +-------+-------+
\ | |
+-__ | |
+---+---------------+---------.. HD
| |
| |
SM ..-+-----------+---------------+---------------+---------.. HD/DT
| \ 9 10 .. 12
: +--------------+--+----+-------+----------- HD/DT
SDF/SMF | |
: 11 :
Map key
-------
SM - The street to Santa Monica. (Same as Santa Monica's BH)
SDF/ - Entryway to San Diego freeway. You can go to Santa Monica freeway
SMF or to the airport from here.
HD - The way to Hollywood. (Same as Hollywood's BH)
HD/ - This way you can go to Hollywood (with a minor turn) or straight
DT to Downtown. Harbor freeway entryway is also along the way. (Same
as Hollywood's SM)
1 - Checkpoint up the hill, at the golf course, near the San Diego
freeway entryway.
2 - 10K token at the bottom of the mound.
3 - 30K token at the bottom of the mound, behind the trees.
4 - Top checkpoint at the Beverly Hills mansion.
5 - 50K token inside the mansion. Watch out for tables and chairs!
6 - Checkpoint at the fountain.
7 - The fountain and the statue with the 100K token.
8 - Two balconies, with six dark blue 3K tokens each.
9 - Records store, with 10 second, 50K and 100K tokens floating above
it.
10 - The first ramp / underground tunnel.
11 - 10 second time bonus behind the building.
12 - After the fourth ramp there's a 5 second token inside the
building.
13 - Row of five green 3K tokens.
General
-------
The Beverly Hills area is loaded with bonus tokens. There's a lot of
green 3K tokens available at street corners, a 100K token at the
mansion, the 4 ramps of carpark filled with goodies, and three time
tokens! Unfortunately, you can't get everything at a single pass, but if
you come back this way...
Dyna Wide Glide demo shows Beverly Hills area.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
If the checkpoint is located up the hill (1), it's always a good idea
to turn around towards the freeway, unless you know the next checkpoint
will be Hollywood, and don't want to collect the bonuses along HD/DT
street. This will save you a lot of time, if the next checkpoint happens
to be e.g. Santa Monica.
When going down the streets from the mansion, you can't see in front
of you for a brief moment, so watch out for any cars - changing the
viewpoint might also help. Also, if you happen to turn back to SM
street, don't use any brakes if you cut across the curb because the risk
of bouncing is high.
When collecting the ramp/tunnel bonus tokens, be sure to align your
bike properly, so you can get all the tokens and don't hit the walls.
Using too much throttle is bad - it's much more difficult to control
your bike when it's jumping up and down, and you might hit your head on
the wall when exiting a tunnel too fast, thus jumping too high...
Luckily it's not game over! Suzy is the only one who wears a helmet :)
If you're approaching the hill from SDF/SMF, look out for any cars to
your right that might ram you.
Beverly Hills' checkpoints
--------------------------
Checkpoint at the hill (1) - Very easy to reach from anywhere. Always
remember to turn around after the checkpoint, possibly collecting the
10K token (2). If you're approaching from Hollywood/Downtown, choose the
HD/DT street and collect the tokens floating above the ramps, and jump
over the records store to get 150K and 10 seconds!
Checkpoint at the top gate (4) - The best way to reach the mansion
checkpoints from Santa Monica or freeway is to go up the hill through
the golf course, ride towards the top gate and turn right wo/braking,
ride through the mansion and jump over the fountain, collecting the 100K
token. Sounds easy, but it isn't - always worth the try. If you're
approaching from Hollywood area along HD or HD/DT street, chances of
getting the 100K are very low (speed) and you'd have to ride around the
mansion to the top gate. Collect the 3K tokens from the balconies
instead, clearing the other balcony on your way out - if you don't want
to push your luck that is.
Checkpoint at the fountain (6) - Coming from Santa Monica or freeway,
look above. Otherwise, enter from any other gate, and should the next
checkpoint be Santa Monica or the freeway, ride through the mansion to
get the 50K token (5) and then down the hill, possibly collecting the
30K token (3), if you're not in a rush.
Next checkpoints
----------------
Hollywood or Downtown - From the mansion there's almost direct access
to Hollywood (later to Downtown) via HD street. If you have time to
spend, you could go down to HD/DT street to collect bonuses (10),
however, it is not easy to enter the tunnels, since your speed will be
high after the downhill. If the checkpoint was at the hill (1), then
there's no choice but to collect the bonuses! Going Downtown you have
more time, and with a fast bike like FXRP long distances become short.
Alternatively, a very fast route to Downtown is to take the freeway (*).
Santa Monica (freeway) or San Diego freeway - short distance, go down
the streets or the hill. From the hill it's a bit easier to enter the
freeway, but there's really no big difference. If the checkpoint was at
the mansion, you could go down the street farther away from Santa Monica
and turn right, head for the records store and jump to get the floating
tokens (*). This applies to the Airport as well (below).
Airport - entering the San Diego freeway is recommended, it's fast and
easy. If the airport checkpoint happens to be the one closest to Santa
Monica, going through Santa Monica is also a good idea.
-- Hollywood
###########***************
# * 5 *
# 2 1 * 4 6 *
# * *
# ## * 3 7 *
# ## * *
# ^^ #
# ## ^ 8 ^ #
# ^^^^ #
# ## #### #
# #
######|###|###############
| | 9 10
BH ..----------+---+-'-'----+---__
| | | +--__
__-----------+---+-------+|----------+-----.. DT
/ 11 ||
: ::
SM HF
Map key
-------
# - Walls.
* - Dome walls.
^ - Dirt area.
' - Staircase to the depressed section.
BH - Leads directly to Beverly Hills. (Same as Beverly Hills' HD)
SM - The way to Santa Monica - Beverly Hills area. The token loaded
ramps are along the way. (Same as Beverly Hills' HD/DT)
DT - To Downtown. (Same as Downtown's HD)
HF - Two entryways to Harbor (to Santa Monica-) freeway on separate
street portions.
1 - Hollywood's best checkpoint at the ramp. 100K token.
2 - Checkpoint at the corner.
3 - Checkpoint under the dome.
4 - 50K token.
5 - 50K token. Another 50K nearby; "hidden" behind one of the front
gray pillars.
6 - Another 50K token, time token nearby!
7 - 10 second time token hidden among crates.
8 - The "last" 50K token.
9 - 100K token down the staircase.
10 - 10 second time token down the stairs.
11 - The row of five green 3K tokens by the gas station.
General
-------
Hollywood doesn't have as many bonus token as the Beverly Hills area,
but you can get every token in Hollywood - if you're lucky. There's 450K
(or a quick 400K) and 20 seconds worth of tokens, so this place is
essential for making a good score! And, 45K by the gas station (five 3K)
near Hollywood. Wow!
Hollywood is probably the best place to start the game. If you're
lucky, the checkpoint is not under the dome and you can get the 100K by
the ramp - otherwise you just lost 100K...since it's not really worth it
to go and get it after you've reached the dome checkpoint. Be sure to
collect the tokens under the dome and the dirt area with a quick
4-5-6-7-8 pass; if you want the hidden 50K you have to zig zag back and
forth in the domed area and you'll lose a lot of speed. Hollywood has a
fast exit, only two gates, so you can't mess up by taking the wrong
route. Remember there's 100K and 10 sec just outside waiting to be
picked up.
FXRP demo shows Hollywood area.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
Cars. Later in the game cars can be really annoying (sudden turns)
when trying to enter/leave Hollywood, and basically you have to ride
through a traffic jam.
The SM-DT street portion can be a nightmare. Turning to Hollywood's
gates is very, very difficult without crashing. Sometimes it's best to
cut the corner by making a back break turn from the walkway, other times
it's best to turn as late as possible from the street. Try to look ahead
for any cars that might get into your way. When you're leaving Hollywood
and trying to enter the street after the downhill it's better to head
for the walkway (riding against traffic), then maneuver back to the
street.
If you're riding towards Downtown along SM-DT, it's not a bad idea to
use rider's view, since you can't see in front of you using other views
when you're close to the freeway entryway (uphill). Sometimes a car will
pop out of the freeway exit and ram you (it could be a bus if you're
unlucky!). So stay alert when approaching the entryway/exit.
If you're on your way from Downtown to Santa Monica or Beverly Hills
and decide to take SM-DT street, be careful. There's a lot of cars in
front of you and many cars are trying to enter the street from every
possible street corner. Zig zag back and forth the traffic lanes, using
any available openings and looking far ahead. You can feel damn proud if
you manage to ride through the street later in the game with FXRP at
about 200 kph (or 124 mph), without colliding!
Hollywood's checkpoints
-----------------------
Checkpoint at the corner area (2) - The second best checkpoint here,
because you can get the 100K token (1). Try to align the bike with the
ramp's left edge and just when you're about to reach the ramp the game
forces your bike towards the checkpoint at your left, counter this
strange force by manhandling the steering bar right for an instant and
you'll get it. It might take some practice if you're new to this, but
it is possible to get the token consistently.
The Ramp (1) - The best checkpoint. There's really nothing to it, just
reach the checkpoint and get an extra 100K bonus. If this is the last
stage, the final score doesn't show the 100K you just got. Don't worry,
when the map screen displays the course you had the score will be fixed.
Checkpoint under the domed area (3) - The worst place - bye bye 100K..
since it isn't efficient to get the token after collecting the 50K
tokens _near_the_exit_. On the other hand, you might want to try to get
the "hidden" 50K token under the dome by zig zagging instead of one
quick sweep; your speed isn't too high so you won't lose it much (not
recommended though)!
Next checkpoints
----------------
Downtown or Harbor/Santa Monica freeway - If the checkpoint wasn't
under the domed area, go and collect the 50K tokens - forgetting the
"hidden" one. If it was under the dome, you're all set. Always go and
get the 100K and 10 sec tokens, the slower you do it the less is the
risk of messing up. After that it's either straight forward or an easy
turn to the freeway. You can go to Downtown via freeway, but it is
more difficult to reach the checkpoints.
Beverly Hills mansion area - Don't go for the 100K and 10 sec - they
are in the wrong direction. The best thing to do is to take BH street,
because: a) you'll have time to ride around the mansion and go for the
fountain token b) the time limit for collecting the ramp tokens along SM
street even with the records store floating time bonus and then heading
uphill towards the mansion is extremely short. And the odds of crashing
are against you. And you probably don't have time to get the fountain
token. Of course, you could take the risk and blow up the score boards
(*).
Beverly Hill(s) or Santa Monica - It's up to you to decide whether to
go along SM street or along BH street. If you're a skilled veteran
choosing the SM street and collecting the ramps' & records store's
tokens is recommended. You don't have much time, so crashing is out of
the question. Remember that the floating time token compensates the loss
of speed you suffer when you collect the tokens. If you take the BH
street instead, just ride it to the end and then through the hill area.
-- Downtown
1
+------+------+------+
| 2| | |
| |4(/) |5....5|
| | | |
| | 3 | |
+------+------+------+
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
+------+-------------+
| | |
| 6 |
| | |
HD HF2 HF1
Map key
-------
(/) - Tower support leg orientation, helps to get the time token.
HD - To Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. (Same as Hollywood's
DT)
HF1 - The first entryway to Harbor (to Santa Monica-) freeway.
HF2 - The second entryway. Only exit downtown here, don't enter.
1 - Taxi station checkpoint.
2 - Checkpoint by the gas truck, opposite to the smaller gas station.
3 - Checkpoint at the wide spaced corner.
4 - 10 second time token between tower supports.
5 - The alleyway with 31 dark blue 3K tokens. Get 'em!
6 - A funny pile-up.
General
-------
Parking is allowed downtown, thus the streets are narrower than in
Santa Monica. The secret of riding in downtown area is to use sidewalks
very liberally, sure, there's a little loss of speed but the streets
are short and you're going to make a lot of turns.
A peculiar amount of buses occupy downtown, and even expert players
sometimes bump into them. It's best not to challenge two buses by trying
to cram between them, since they'll most likely spot you and turn...
talk about ping pong! Use the sidewalks! If you get really lucky a nice
bus driver might bump into the behind of your bike and give you a speed
boost!
Talking about crashes, there's one at (6). Everybody knows that you
must use sidewalks to get through, but if you have enough speed and are
trying to enter the freeway (HF2) you can use the truck's ramp to jump
over the cars. Unfortunately you don't get a bonus.
Fat Boy demo shows Downtown area.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
Traffic is the only real problem in Downtown. Also watch out for
hydrants, since often your speed is too low to knock them over and you
could crash if you hit them.
Downtown's checkpoints
----------------------
Taxi station (1) - a) Approaching from the freeway: always enter from
the first ramp HF1, not the second one HF2. This is because you can go
and get the alleyway tokens (5). Or, if you're really short on time you
can use the really big open space near the entry to help you reach the
checkpoint. You can approach the checkpoint with full speed and touch
only it's edges, then turn to HD street. b) Approaching from Hollywood
area: just ride as fast as you can down HD street, possibly using
sidewalks to avoid the increasing traffic. Make the turn and touch the
checkpoint banner's edges and slow down a bit - you must determine
whether to turn back to Hollywood area or enter the freeway, in which
case you can always get the alleyway tokens. However, even if you had
to turn back to Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, you could go and get the
tokens and then use the fast freeways, since it's a lot easier to get
the tokens in this direction (*).
Opposite to Gas station (2) - a) Get the alleyway tokens and then
steer towards the taxi station and then to HD street. b) Same procedure
as if the checkpoint was at the taxi station, but you'll have to slow
down even more. Alternatively you could turn earlier and get the time
token (look (3) b) - more risky (*).
Checkpoint at the corner area (3) - a) Getting the alleyway tokens is
a bit difficult, since you must either take a long route or many
difficult turns. The tokens are worth it though However, you could
forget them and go for the checkpoint, and after that get the tokens and
head for the freeway from the alleyway (*). Hollywood is accessible from
the freeway. b) Take the first turn from HD street and then turn left
and it's downhill to the checkpoint. But don't stop there or turn
around, get the time token - it's easy because you're almost aligned
properly along the supports with the token between them. After getting
the token you already know which way to go.
Next checkpoints
----------------
Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica - If you didn't enter
downtown from the freeway, it's up to you to decide whether to go for
the tokens or not. If you do, the alleyway is quite easy and fast to
enter and exit, and the freeway entryway is close - from freeway you can
get fast to anywhere (*). Otherwise get your bike on HD street and the
rest is simple, if you can avoid the traffic.
Santa Monica or Harbor freeways - If you didn't collect the alleyway
tokens already, go and get them and use the first entryway HF1.
-- Los Angeles Airport, LAX
########
## #
##### || #
############### || #
# ######## || #
# |3 ######## |1 #
# || ######## || #
# || 2 || #
# ++------------++ #
# || || ##
# || #4####4# || ###
# || ## || ###
# || #4####4# || 6 _---- SM
# || ## |
# || ##5##### | /
__-7-||-----+------+---+
/ || |.....
/ || |. .
CF |....8
|
SDF
Map key
-------
# - Buildings, fences etc.
|| - Runway.
. - Red brick path.
CF - Century freeway.
SM - To Santa Monica. (Same as Santa Monica's SMF/LAX)
SDF - To San Diego freeway, Santa Monica freeway is also accessible.
1 - Runway checkpoint.
2 - Middle checkpoint.
3 - Landing strip checkpoint.
4 - 10K token under building.
5 - 30K token next to the small gray building.
6 - Three green 3K tokens.
7 - A small ramp to the landing strip. Three 3K tokens nearby.
8 - 5 second time token.
General
-------
The airport is easy to enter from anywhere, and it's even easier to
reach the checkpoints. There's no chance of crashing if you keep your
eyes open. You can collect an average of 50K in token here, not much.
The time token (8) is useless - unless you happen to crash right next to
it.
Panhead demo shows Airport area.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
The airport is probably the safest place in the game, but you still
have to watch out for a few things. Landing airplanes are a problem if
you're coming from Century freeway. Sometimes you just won't see the
plane and if your luck runs out it rams you with turbines - at least you
don't die!
Cargo transports are small in the plane's shadow and if you're not
alert you might hit one.
Airport's checkpoints
---------------------
Runway checkpoint (1) - If you're coming from Santa Monica, you can
collect at least two out of three green 3K tokens (6) and head for the
runway's checkpoint. Easy. When coming from San Diego freeway, there's
an entry to the runway close to your right. From Century freeway jump to
the landing strip from point (7) collecting greens.
Middle checkpoint (2) - From Santa Monica direction, collect (6) and
then the closest 10K token next to the checkpoint. Slow down a bit after
reaching the checkpoint, if the next checkpoint is not Santa Monica
collect the 10K tokens from the landing strip's side. Otherwise turn
around completely. From San Diego freeway collect (5) and the two 10K
tokens. From Century freeway same as (1).
Landing strip checkpoint (3) - From Santa Monica same as (2), but you
may not be able to go and get the rest of the 10K tokens. From San Diego
freeway same as (2). From Century freeway collect only (7).
Next checkpoints
----------------
Century freeway - Just jump down to the freeway from point (7). The
bouncing you experience is smaller when riding against traffic. Short
run.
San Diego or Santa Monica freeways - To the SDF! Don't bother
collecting the time token, it's so badly cornered. If you jump down to
the street after collecting the 30K token (5) next to the gray building,
try not to hit any cars. Skillful rider does an early back break turn to
avoid crashes and to get quickly to the freeway.
Santa Monica - Just go there.
Beverly Hills - You've got two choices. Either go there through Santa
Monica or use the freeways. If the checkpoint was at the runway (1),
the Santa Monica route is better. Otherwise the freeway is a much better
choice, because you'll have a great speed when going up the hill to
the golf course checkpoint or to the mansion (don't turn right at the
freeway exit).
-- The four freeways
(Look at LA map for the freeway locations)
General
-------
Freeways are wide and fast, easy to ride through. But they are barren
of tokens. The only tokens you are going to get are lousy 1,000 point
green tokens in threes. And sometimes a car is badly in front of you so
you won't be able to get them! There's no decent scenery either...
Panhead demo shows Century freeway.
Sportster demo shows Santa Monica freeway.
FXRP & Fat Boy demos show Harbor freeway.
Dyna Wide Glide demo shows San Diego freeway.
Things to watch out for
-----------------------
Even though it is easy ride along the freeway, don't start fooling
around, e.g. playing chicken by riding against traffic, change views
constantly or chat too long with a friend, you might collide with a
car.
Colliding with a car on a freeway is one of the worst things that can
happen in this game. This is because freeways are meant to be fast and
especially with the slower bikes like Panhead and Sportster it is vital
to keep up the speed to get a lot of points and make it to the next
checkpoint.
Next checkpoints
----------------
Here is a table consisting of the four freeways, with the possible
next checkpoints with a probability number (1 = most common, 3 = rare).
Santa Monica frwy San Diego frwy
Santa Monica 1 Airport 1
Beverly Hills 2 Santa Monica 2
San Diego frwy 1 Century freeway 2
Harbor frwy 2 Beverly Hills 3
Downtown 2 Santa Monica freeway 3
Hollywood 3
Airport 3
Century frwy Harbor frwy
Airport 1 Airport 2
Harbor frwy 1 Downtown 1
San Diego frwy 2 Century frwy 1
Beverly Hills 3 Hollywood 3
Downtown 3* Santa Monica frwy 3
* = only appears to happen if you use the code...
-- Anticipating Stages
Experience counts when anticipating the next checkpoint. The guide
has the possible next checkpoints listed, but it doesn't mean that you
can't get some unlisted checkpoint. However, that would be an extremely
rare checkpoint to checkpoint route, something that the author has not
seen. E.g. Hollywood or Downtown to Airport is considered "impossible".
The game seems to favor a checkpoint that has almost a straight
connection to the previous checkpoint. If there is one checkpoint
"between", the route isn't as probable. The rarest routes are ones that
have two checkpoint "between" (that you just pass by), e.g. Santa Monica
to Downtown.
A thumb rule is: what you leave behind won't come in front of you
(except Santa Monica). This means that you should know the possible
next checkpoints and eliminate the ones from the list where you have
been.
Anticipating the next stage is very important on freeways. You
have to decide whether to save a lot of time and continue to ride
forward, or hit the brakes and make an early 180 degree turn. The latter
can sometimes save the game, if you hadn't anticipated the turn you
might not have made it. This really applies only to Harbor freeway,
since if you get any other freeway you are probably going to get a crap
score... If you came from Century frwy, always continue forward. If you
came from Hollywood or Santa Monica freeway and you haven't been to
Downtown, turn around - the next checkpoint could be Downtown or Beverly
Hills. If you haven't been to Hollywood, turn around.
Airport can be a problem too. If the checkpoint was at the middle of
the airport, it's best to slow down if you haven't been to Santa Monica.
Because if the next checkpoint is Santa Monica, you'll lose a lot of
time if you go and get the 10K and 30K tokens! In Downtown anticipating
is also useful, if you haven't been to Hollywood, you'll probably be
going there next. Otherwise, it's freeway - but a rare thing is to get
Beverly Hills or Santa Monica as next checkpoint, watch it!
-- Example course
This is an example course to introduce newbies into using the
checkpoint guide and proper riding techniques. The exmaple course is:
Hollywood ramp - Harbor frwy - Downtown taxi station - Beverly Hills
mansion - Santa Monica beach (5-stage).
Note the (#s), they're the number of times brakes have been used.
First to Hollywood. From starting point ride straight forward a bit,
accelerating by first twisting the throttle halfway, then slowly to
maximum. Try to stay in the middle of the street. Closing in on the
tokens, turn left so that you can the three tokens. Then ride forward
again.
You reach the freeway junction, ride against traffic because cars will
come out the freeway and they don't care about you. You can either go
between cars and stay in the middle of the road or ride against traffic
and go as close as you can to the walkway to avoid cars. Don't follow
the arrow! Ride against traffic.
When you see the first carpark ramp, release throttle a couple of
seconds before reaching it and steer into the tunnel, still do not use
throttle. You collect all the tokens and link (!) the second set of the
tokens when you enter the second tunnel. Now you can use throttle.
After collecting all the tokens, use the hand lever (#1) to slow down a
bit and release throttle. After getting the time bonus and breaking the
windows, steer left. When you're sure you don't hit the wall, use full
throttle and steer to the correct lane as soon as you can. You reach
the gas station and should have about 50-60 seconds left (+0).
Collect the five green tokens at the gas station and approach the
infamous junction. If there's cars in the street you are about to turn
to, make the turn from the street. Otherwise make it from the corner
(walkway) - use the back break (#2). Then it's just forward because
you know how to avoid the cars in front. You reach the checkpoint in
good time and collect the 100K token - easy. Immeaditely upon hitting
the ground make a 180 degree back break turn (#3) to right.
Ah, it's Harbor frwy, cool! You now know the next checkpoint. Then
you of course steer left and go under the dome. Collecting the first
50K token, second (go as close as you can to the wall and then steer
right to collect the 3rd token - a better angle to get the time token),
3rd, a light back break turn (#4) towards the time token, hit token's
left edge to get it, onwards to the dirt area and another 50K. You did
remember to use full throttle?
Approaching the gate, release the throttle and use hand lever (#5) to
make a nice U-turn into the depressed section. Sliding down you get the
100K, turning right... now use a little throttle, get time token, open
throttle and steer to the middle of the street. Then it is all too
simple to get to Harbor frwy.
Approaching the Harbor frwy checkpoint, make a U-turn back to
Hollywood direction using back break and hand lever (#6). Don't do it
too early (light bikes - do it late!), just so that you go beyond the
checkpoint line. Why the turn? Because you anticipated it. You haven't
been to Downtown, and going to Century frwy would have given a crap
score so you don't care if it's the wrong decision. Oh wow, it is
Downtown! Glad you made that turn!
Now you reach the first exitway to Downtown. Take it. Steer as right
as possible to avoid contact with the left wall (a lot of speed!).
Down to the street and head for the alleyway. When you approach it,
use the method you find best to enter the alleway, e.g. hand lever to
slow down a bit (#7). Then you go through the alleway as fast as you
can, hit the back break (#8) at the end and steer (right) to the
opposite walkway. Watch out for the hydrant, and a back break turn (#9)
to left and head for the taxi station where the checkpoint is located.
Hit the left edge of the checkpoint banner, using no throttle. Steer
to the street in front of you (left turn) and open throttle. Now you
know the next checkpoint: Beverly Hills mansion! Continue straight
forward, to Hollywood (or go to the busy street if you dare), towards
mansion. Make a back break turn (#10) to enter the uphill street on
right and head for the side gate (forget the fountain token, you don't
have enough time?). Reach the checkpoint (top gate), go out of the gate.
You know the next checkpoint: Santa Monica beach. You came out of the
top gate so continue forward towards the golf course. Go over the hill
and enter the street down below. Now it's just a few seconds to the
end. At the point where you got the green tokens at the beginning, use
the red brick shortcut and continue straight forward, only steering
a bit right to collect the 10K token. Jump down... and that's it!
With FXRP you just got about 6.7 million points (+0 setting)! Not
bad. However, there are a few things that might have been done other
way - like collecting the mansion's balcony tokens and going for the
floating tokens after that. This is only meant as an example, not THE
way to do it.
-- The best course in the game
A good course is long enough to encircle the whole map. Hollywood and
Downtown are required to make a good score. The remaining checkpoints
are a combination from Harbor frwy, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and
Airport. The best course the author has had was Hollywood (ramp), Harbor
frwy, Downtown, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica. Another good one is
Hollywood, Downtown, Harbor frwy, Airport, Santa Monica or Beverly
Hills. The best possible course in the game is probably
Hollywood (ramp) - Harbor frwy - Downtown (taxi station) - Beverly
Hills (golf course) - Airport (landing strip).
Feel free to tell the author how you got over 7 million with +0
difficulty setting!
-- Things bored veterans can do
We all get a bad course sometimes, some zig zagging in the Santa
Monica neighbourhood and freeways. So what do to, you know you're going
to reach the final checkpoint and get a bad score... If you know this
after you reached the 3rd checkpoint (or 4th), go exploring if there's
something interesting nearby (freeways aren't!) and there's more than
say 50 seconds - the more the better. Try to read building signs etc...
Did you know the gas company logo is a " =P " happy face? Go to the
beach, and see a swimmer! Too bad the waves push the bike back - can't
go after him. If you don't want to do this, watch the scenery. You can
pick up some amusing details if you're observant. Like "Eaters" movie
poster... =P
=== 9. Miscellaneous information - Extras and Easter eggs...
-- Using the bike's horn & The Code
During the gameplay, pressing the start button will activate the bike
horn. For the police bike FXRP, it's the siren. If you get a kick out
of it, hold it down as long as you dare - especially with the FXRP!
However, there is a real good use to it. This is the best code so far
found in the game. Let's all thank Bill Meador who found it - thanks
Bill! When you approach the first checkpoint, hold down the start button
for a few seconds (or way more than 300 meters - 984 feet) before and after
reaching the first checkpoint.
This excessive honking has a very useful effect - it often gives a
long course meaning a good score (over 6 million for veterans)! The
exact workings of the code is yet unknown, but it seems to change the
probability factors. Short courses not involving Hollywood or Downtown
are most probable, but the code chooses the complement and makes
improbable courses probable - and vice versa. Hence it is *not
guaranteed* you'll get a long route.
Experience with this code shows that long routes become common and
you'll get a lot less short routes - thing that veterans hate. This
code is mostly meant for veterans who are after for a good score.
-- Music pieces
The game has music pieces and sound effects to listen besides the
engine noise. You'll hear bids on the beach and the announcer's
engouragements. The music pieces available are (with the bikes you get
the piece as a default, note the remarks + and *):
Jingle Bells - Santa Claus? *
Beyond the horizon - Fat Boy +
Cowboys on the freeway - Panhead +
Boss the roadmaster - Dyna Wide Glide +
LA blue sky - Sportster
Head for the wild world - FXRP
Winning ball - no default bike
Shine over the top - no default bike
and plain sfx - when there's no song title
+ These are actually worth playing, if you like rock tunes.
* You need a code to get this tune. There are several ways of getting
it, but the best one is to hold down start button after you've selected
bike and transmission until the screen changes.
-- Rider and bike falling in the (end) credits screen
Occasionally, when a game is successfully completed and the credits
are shown against a picture of the bike and rider you chose, sometimes,
the rider will roll off the bike/the bike will topple.
To make this happen you must hit the Beverly Hills fountain's statue
so that it will topple. This happens a lot when you don't have enough
speed when attempting to get the 100K token. You won't get any extra
points for doing this though.
-- Rumors
- Over 7 million scores with Sportster and Panhead, on a 85-90 seconds
to Airport machine.
- Code: Riding as Santa Claus. It could be true, after all, there's
Jingle Bells tune. Although it could be that the rumor is made up
from the tune...
- Code: Putting different riders on different bikes, e.g. Suzy on Fat
Boy.
- Code: Selecting a tricycle instead of Harley-Davidson!
- Code: Other bike models. Well, there's two music pieces not
associated with any bike (Winning ball & Shine on the top).
- Speed bonus: Bike suddenly gaining a lot of speed (like some nitro
boost). Tends to result from coming off a curb at a wierd angle...
If you happen to know the codes or find out something new, email the
author please!
-- Bugs and weird things
It is possible to get caught inside a fenced or otherwise closed area
after the bike jumps in the air due to some bump/crash. Your best choice
is to ram the fence with high speed to magically go through it. One way
only!
Linked machines experience some network problems. After completing a
linked game and the machine is still showing the map, sometimes a game
started too early from some other machine will mess up the connection
to other machine(s), making them flash "Wait a moment, please" (etc)
the duration of the started game. The author lost one good score because
the next machine was reset and it resets all machines... Watch out!
Sometimes a machine can experience memory errors and freeze. Any
scores made on linked machines will not transfer to the frozen machine.
A multiplayer game can mess up the machines and the game won't give
the next checkpoint and stops the timer. Go and explore, you are lucky
if this happens to you! The network has to be reset to resume normal
gaming. Try to hide this from the arcade worker as long as possible!
A single linked machine can reset it's scoreboards wo/any apparent
reason. This could just a random glitch, but there is a setting called
"Tournament" mode, with beginning and ending dates and the duration
of the tournament. It could be that this mode automatically resets
the scores (tournament ends) - then again, maybe not. Who knows?
=== 10. Credits
-- Contact information
Any comments on the FAQ or additional information, please direct them
to Teemu.Nuutinen@helsinki.fi. I'll reply to inquiries etc, if you don't
get a reply I might be on vacation or something...
If you wish to contact the original author Rolander, email
Rolander@pacific.net.sg.
Sources will be credited for contribution of worthy materials, subject
to the discretion of the FAQ writer.
-- Thanks to
The author would like to thank Rolander, who let me pick up from where
he left, with his blessings.
Both authors would like to thank Bill Meador - Prime contributer
besides the authors. He provided a lot of feedback, codes, secret tokens
/paths and miscellaneous information. He could be considered as the
"third author", since his help has been great!
The original author, Rolander would like to thank Stephen Reid for
initial feedback prior to the FAQ's creation and Tan Hwee Ping for
encouragement on making the FAQ.
Other mentions go to Matthew who discovered the connection between
the fountain statue and the credits screen toppling. AM1 for
developing such a great game!
-- Copyright information
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, FLSTF Fat Boy, Panhead, FXDWG Dyna Wide
Glide, XL 1200S Sportster 1200 Sport and FXRP are trademarks of Harley-
Davidson Motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson & L.A.Riders is a trademark of Sega TM.
-- In the next version
What will the next version have? It depends on how much response I
get.. a lot and a lot of new stuff might appear. Some plans are to
review the bike comparison table (changes?) and write about overall
properties of each bike. More riding and checkpoint tips, or the
previous better explained.
This version isn't fully organized, same things are told twice in the
checkpoint guide and other sections - hopefully some adjustments will be
made...
