Ride your scoot cross country from the east coast to Sturgis, staying on the back roads. You'll see.
I have traveled the country on back roads from east to west and back several times. I traveled the Great River Road from north to south mostly on old hiways. I have traveled the National Hiway, the first federal hiway. I have traveled the Butterfield Trail, the route of the first overland mail contract. I have been in all states except Hawaii twice and most several times. I know America from being there.
The American essence is still there unlike the urban areas where it is no place to be, much less live.