Harley Hire US

Going to the States in September & SO & I are hiring a couple of
Harleys for a couple of weeks, any here got any advice on the best
type / style to get? Would like a screen if possible as I won't have
a full face lid, but I also need to be able to pick it off its side
stand. We're going to visit a HD dealer in the UK to see what's
around - but though I'd ask the FOAK as well.

We're off to San Diego and there-abouts so any suggestions of places
to visit would be welcome Going to Las Vegas for a few days to
use as a base, but just want to chill out & ride around.

 

I had a Road King for a week a couple of years back from a place called
Route 66 in LA.
http://www.route66riders.com/

It came with a screen (removable) & hard panniers.
It was a bit agricultural, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/album_photo.html?c_photo=35332081
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/album_photo.html?c_photo=35332511

We did a loop from LA through Death Valley, Yosemite Park, SF and then
back down PCH1 to LA. It might be a bit far for you to go but Yosemite
was superb.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, BRC

I can *thoroughly* recommend Biggs Harley in San Marcos for the rental.
New bikes, well maintained and very helpful guys.

http://www.biggsh-d.com/

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in
Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Falling apart) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Looks good, were they prettyy easy to ride? Given that neither SO nor
I are particularly tall. We're planning on covering around 2500 miles
over the 2 weeks so want something comfy, but capable.

That sounds good actually, someone else recommended Death Valley too.
Cheers.

 

[of Harley Road King]

We did just over 1000 miles in the week, which was fine. I think the
longest we did on one day was only around 250 miles.
It wasn't too bad, once I'd got used to the whole 'raison d'etre' of a
Harley compared to a sportsbike. It was slow (maxed out at 102mph) and
heavy although getting used to the weight wasn't too much of a big
deal. I'm only about 5'7".

The gearbox took a bit of getting used to and stomping down on the rear
of the gear lever (they're pivoted in the middle) rather than snicking
up from the front made best of a bad thing. Don't expect many smooth
gear changes.

It had recently rained when we went through DV so we saw some lovely
flora which a lot of people don't get to see. Highly recommended if
you can get over that way.

 

Scotty's Castle didn't even have anywhere to get a snack when we were
there.

We stayed in Shoshone Inn Motel and yes, there was a gas station and
general store. The restaurant was shit though. This was in September
2005.

 

Umm, that should read "shut"!

 

Wicked Uncle Nigel wibbled:

ah - I read that as bigshed.com . . . . . .

 

Eagle Rider is your friend.
I suggest a Heritage Softail as it has a screen, is light compared to many
of the touring models and gives you panniers to start.
And a very pleasant ride on long journeys. Just watch the ground clearance
if you intend to GYKD!

--
Greybeard


FLHTCUI UK-07 Mk II
Garmin Zumo 550, To get me home!

ukrm@foxtails[dot]co[dot]uk

 

There are some great Harley hire Places in Vegas. There is also a huge
dealership there. Just get what you feel comfortable with.

 

I preferred the original.

 

If you use them, make sure the give you one that doesn't piss oil all
over the place.

 

Others have said it, but PCH is a fab road, and I've only done it in a
car.

 

As others have said, you'd be better off with a Dyna (but not the Low
Rider) or a touring model (probably a Road Glide). I would have
suggested the Dyna Sport, but they don't appear to do that any more
(shame as it was actually a very capable motorcycle by Harley
standards). Luggage space on all of them is poor unless you go for the
Classic or Ultra Classic Electra Barge

Probably the best bit of advice I can give is not to worry about how
fast they go or how well they turn; think of it as a tour in the
classical sense. Plan your days around a top speed of about 60; if you
are wanting to go fast and are comparing the bikes with what you
normally ride you will be massively disappointed. If you slow right down
and relax into it, you'll absolutely love it. A bit like a canal-boat
holiday.

If you can't do that, hire something else! You don't want to spend all
your holiday moaning about how shit the bikes are.

 

This is very good advice.

After about three days I'd got used to the foibles of the Road King and
knew what it could and couldn't do well.

I admit I had a hoot riding down from Yosemite National Park, through
some very nice twisties, and I didn't think that would happen when I
first got on the thing.

 

It's always best to ride a bike in the way that the designer intended;
ride a Gixxer or R1 slowly and you'll have a miserable time. Try and
ride a Harley like a sportsbike and you'll be equally miserable

 

Thats pretty much what we want to do - a totally differnt bike,
chilled out & laid back - not interested in screaming around the roads
tbh, want to take it easy, hence the Harleys. Cheers for the advice,
I think best we find somewhere that I can have a sit and see how comfy
they are. We're planning on no more than about 200 miles a day, and
the longest is the trip over to Las Vegas.

Ta

 

Doh! I meant to type Road King, not Road Glide.

 

Hehe, I've got long legs despite my short height so I'm not too
worried about that, just want to make sure its comfy really. Looking
forward to it now Only 4 months to go....