Need Some Rental Advice...

[Gord]

I have been putting off booking my motorcycle rental for July 19 when I am planning on making a run from Orlando, Florida to meet in the flesh our most illustrious Frank Ganger, side-kick of Bonnie (and of course I would love to mee the Pit Tootsie!). I am leaning towards renting a bike from Eagle Rider and I have a choice from the following:

The H-D candidates:

Electra Glide
Street Glide
Road Glide
Road King
Softtail Classic
Fat Boy
Wide Glide
Low Rider
883 Sportster


The Honda candidates:

Gold Wing


I will likely go with a Harley given the wide choice, and my curiosity about their popularity. If I were to ever own a Harley, I would go with a V-Rod. Not on the list I am afraid. My next favourite is the Road King. But I like a stripped down, bare bones Road King. Hence I am leaning towards a Fat Boy.

So denizens of the Board, if you were fueling your H-D fantasy, which would you pick?

[JCsman]

Hmmmm......Florida = few curves. Florida in July = HOT. Hot = "Windshields need not apply".


I'd say Fat Boy too.

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But then I be one.:icon_redface::icon_redface::icon_redface:


Normally I'd say the Dyna series are better at curves if you can find a few in Florida, so I'd think about that option. Except the Wide Glide has taller handle bars and a longer raked front than most Dynas and the Softtail Classic (our oldest owns one) is far from a stripper - and even I drag parts on that bike.

[isiahstites]

Depending on how big of a person you are I would go with a Road King with no windshield since it is likely to be hot.

There are a few deciding factors before giving a good recommendation. First, what is your weight and height? Second, how long are you going to ride the bike in any given day? Third, how many total miles do you plan on putting on the bike??

Scott

[AZBMWRIDER]

ROAD KING (CLASSIC) :045:

http://cdn-3.psndealer.com/e2/dealersite/images/Harleybatonrouge/08_ROAD_KING_CLASSIC.jpg

[BobFV1]

I like the Electra-Glide - took one of Eagle Rider's EG's San Diego to DC 2 years ago - nice riding position, lots of storage room, radio blasting, no wind behind the fairing, and lots of Harley dudes who will want to be your bro!

[jamming]

Another vote for the Electra Glide since there's no V-Rod.

[Gord]

Depending on how big of a person you are I would go with a Road King with no windshield since it is likely to be hot.

There are a few deciding factors before giving a good recommendation. First, what is your weight and height? Second, how long are you going to ride the bike in any given day? Third, how many total miles do you plan on putting on the bike??

Scott


Scott - sounds stupid of me, but I haven't worked out the mileage. It won't be huge - Orland to Frank's (wherever that is!). Frank tells me he is an hour and half to two hours away from Orlando (I am assuming at 55 mph). There and back and some zipping around in between. Count on less than 400 miles in the day.

As for my physical attributes....ahem...well, the key ones. 5' 9" tall, 32" inseam, fluctuating around 175 pounds (yeah I should lose another 5-10 pounds I think).

[isiahstites]

Scott - sounds stupid of me, but I haven't worked out the mileage. It won't be huge - Orland to Frank's (wherever that is!). Frank tells me he is an hour and half to two hours away from Orlando (I am assuming at 55 mph). There and back and some zipping around in between. Count on less than 400 miles in the day.

As for my physical attributes....ahem...well, the key ones. 5' 9" tall, 32" inseam, fluctuating around 175 pounds (yeah I should lose another 5-10 pounds I think).


I would stick with the touring models (Electra Glide & Road King) if I were going on the same trip. While any of them would work for the amount of riding you will be doing, why not be as comfortable as possible while doing it??

Sounds like you will not have any problems with the seat height of the bigger bikes. The Electra Glide will definately keep any bugs or wind of you and is the most comfortable. You also can listen to tunes while riding. You will get air on the bike while riding just not directly in your chest and face. My daily rider is an Electra Glide and it is my favorite bike of all the bikes that I have owned. The Road King will offer the same ride as the EG, but with no tunes or fairing to take out all of the wind. Both are good comfortable rides with storage.

Good luck,
Scott

[Arby]

[QUOTE=JCsman;64284]Hmmmm......Florida = few curves. Florida in July = HOT. Hot = "Windshields need not apply".

+1 on the HOT.

I ride my FXDX w/out the windshield in the summer. (I live 'bout 125 mi south of Frank.) It will be hot and humid.

If I were you, I'd consider the Sportster. It's light weight and easy to handle, perfect for whipping in & out of parking lots, stopping to ask directions, making u turns on unfamiliar streets while trying to find your way, etc. It'll run with the traffic out on I 4 w/out any problems, as well.

Plus, if you're not a "Harley guy", it'll probably feel the most normal of the bunch.

I admit, I'm not a fan of big heavy bikes. My Rockster and the FXDX are about as heavy as I care to ride.

FWIW

RB