Hiring a HD in the US of A
Discussion
Early planning for a trip in 2027 (I love planning ahead, then throwing it all out of the window when it starts)
I would like to hire a HD out of Denver for 4-5 days or so, I can probably just get in Devils Tower and a cruise through Yellowstone, at 1400 miles or so it's probably about 300-400 or so miles a day. I could just do either though for the first time!
Anyone hired from Eagle Rider and have any experience, thinking of getting a Heritage Softail classic?
Do I need to take out all the insurance?
Is it worth joining a tour? (I ride motorbikes to get away from people normally
)
I am a regular to the States (and Denver) and will be staying off the interstate unless running out of time.
I will be tagging it on to a work trip so flights will be covered, probably staying in IHG brand (or similar).
I would like to hire a HD out of Denver for 4-5 days or so, I can probably just get in Devils Tower and a cruise through Yellowstone, at 1400 miles or so it's probably about 300-400 or so miles a day. I could just do either though for the first time!
Anyone hired from Eagle Rider and have any experience, thinking of getting a Heritage Softail classic?
Do I need to take out all the insurance?
Is it worth joining a tour? (I ride motorbikes to get away from people normally
)I am a regular to the States (and Denver) and will be staying off the interstate unless running out of time.
I will be tagging it on to a work trip so flights will be covered, probably staying in IHG brand (or similar).
Always had a good experience with Eaglerider, yes it’s expensive but Denver- Montana & back picking up Yellowstone will be fantastic.
It’s easy to get carried away miles wise but the ride from Jackson, up thru Grand Teton NP then Yellowstone out the Beartooth Pass to Billings is an incredible route.
The Heritage is a great bike but is a gallon of fuel (50 miles) down on the Touring models, I had a Streetglide Ultra back in April and the built in satnav and tourpak were well worth it for a little bit more.
Just one tip with Eaglerider, collecting first thing in the morning can be slow if there’s a couple of large groups in the queue, better to pick up late afternoon ready for an early start the next morning, especially if you are still shaking off the jet lag.
It’s easy to get carried away miles wise but the ride from Jackson, up thru Grand Teton NP then Yellowstone out the Beartooth Pass to Billings is an incredible route.
The Heritage is a great bike but is a gallon of fuel (50 miles) down on the Touring models, I had a Streetglide Ultra back in April and the built in satnav and tourpak were well worth it for a little bit more.
Just one tip with Eaglerider, collecting first thing in the morning can be slow if there’s a couple of large groups in the queue, better to pick up late afternoon ready for an early start the next morning, especially if you are still shaking off the jet lag.
I booked the Coast 2 Coast with The Lost Adventure a few years back.
Basically landing in Florida and they give you an eagle rider Harley (I ended up with a Fat Boy) to use for 2 weeks, as long as you drop it off in time in LA.
I took out full insurance... rode myself for the most part.. had a great time and completed it doing 4007 miles.
I had no issues with the bike, some people did and Eagle Rider were very quick to sort it all out for them.
You should 100% do it..
Basically landing in Florida and they give you an eagle rider Harley (I ended up with a Fat Boy) to use for 2 weeks, as long as you drop it off in time in LA.
I took out full insurance... rode myself for the most part.. had a great time and completed it doing 4007 miles.
I had no issues with the bike, some people did and Eagle Rider were very quick to sort it all out for them.
You should 100% do it..
Edited by the cueball on Tuesday 5th August 16:55
I've hired in the USA both 2024 and 2025. Two up for the first trip and with a mate for the second.
Whilst my trips weren't as you're suggesting, might I offer some tips and advice?
Both trips started in LA with rentals from MotoQuest. Properly prepared bikes, great service, professional outfit. They run tours but that's not my style, we do our own planning. MotoQuest also have a depot in Portland which I might use to do a trip to Wyoming and Montana. One way rentals are possible between their locations.
Everyone asked if I was going to rent a Harley......I'd have rented a Goldwing if I could find one, but Motoquest do mostly BMWs. First trip was with a GS1250. We copied a lot of what they do on their guided trips but with bigger mileages - groups move slowly. On one occasion we came up behind a huge group of Harley riders on an organised tour. They were in convoy behind the lead van. Over took about 30 bikes in one go and were gone. If you ride alone in the UK then a big group of varied riders could do your head in. We had the most amazing trip California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. 3500 miles in just over two weeks. We went in May, was very hot (Death Valley) and very cold (way into Telluride), any earlier and some roads could be closed or potentially icy.
Second trip was this year, 9 days LA down to Baja, Mexico. Was January and again, very cold when at altitude in California (-7!) and warm further south. This time GS850s.
Is this of any use to you, I don't know. The main thing I'd say is don't necessarily go for a Harley, group rides prevent spontaneity and cost a lot more. America is easy to plan as you go though you have to be careful of the distances and fuel range depending on where you are.
I can't wait to go back.......just have to convince my other half to go back on a GS.....I loved it/ she hated it!
Whilst my trips weren't as you're suggesting, might I offer some tips and advice?
Both trips started in LA with rentals from MotoQuest. Properly prepared bikes, great service, professional outfit. They run tours but that's not my style, we do our own planning. MotoQuest also have a depot in Portland which I might use to do a trip to Wyoming and Montana. One way rentals are possible between their locations.
Everyone asked if I was going to rent a Harley......I'd have rented a Goldwing if I could find one, but Motoquest do mostly BMWs. First trip was with a GS1250. We copied a lot of what they do on their guided trips but with bigger mileages - groups move slowly. On one occasion we came up behind a huge group of Harley riders on an organised tour. They were in convoy behind the lead van. Over took about 30 bikes in one go and were gone. If you ride alone in the UK then a big group of varied riders could do your head in. We had the most amazing trip California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. 3500 miles in just over two weeks. We went in May, was very hot (Death Valley) and very cold (way into Telluride), any earlier and some roads could be closed or potentially icy.
Second trip was this year, 9 days LA down to Baja, Mexico. Was January and again, very cold when at altitude in California (-7!) and warm further south. This time GS850s.
Is this of any use to you, I don't know. The main thing I'd say is don't necessarily go for a Harley, group rides prevent spontaneity and cost a lot more. America is easy to plan as you go though you have to be careful of the distances and fuel range depending on where you are.
I can't wait to go back.......just have to convince my other half to go back on a GS.....I loved it/ she hated it!
Agree with the above, plan your gas stops and keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Our last day touring Ontario just two days ago went from 5C in the morning to 30C by early afternoon. I had five layers on when we set off and was still cold.
And some of our route was ~225km between gas stations, which is getting close to my bike's limit. And absolutely no mobile signal at all for the entire distance.
Our last day touring Ontario just two days ago went from 5C in the morning to 30C by early afternoon. I had five layers on when we set off and was still cold.
And some of our route was ~225km between gas stations, which is getting close to my bike's limit. And absolutely no mobile signal at all for the entire distance.
Also definitely get the full insurance - we did a bit of off road in Baja and my friend came off once or twice (maybe 10?) as we chose a route way too hard for us and our heavy bikes. He had full cover but lost his deposit.
Also always download offline maps as Amerca is big and you can be without signal.
Also always download offline maps as Amerca is big and you can be without signal.
All good useful stuff, thanks!
No stranger to Colorado weather we will be over for work mid May (we work closely with the folks that run the Durango and Silverton railroad and have been every May since 2019 except for 2020) so it’s likely to be the week before Memorial Day. I was going to hire in Durango but they stopped renting there.
Part of me wants to go into the mountains, but in that week have had everything from 22c at 9000ft to -4c and a blizzard. One year the weather in Denver when we took off from Heathrow was 28c, and forecast that for a week, following morning it was -1c and we stayed about an hour ahead of a Winter storm that dropped 12-18” of snow on Denver. And having driven to Durango and back each year it’s getting a bit repetitive, even using 3 different routes.
I see what you mean about the fuel tank size, that could make a difference, and in the grand scheme of things it’s probably only a few hundred dollars to go with max insurance too.
I will have a chat with some natives about routing and realistic miles per day. I don’t mind doing 4-5 hours a day spread out with breaks every 90 mins.
No stranger to Colorado weather we will be over for work mid May (we work closely with the folks that run the Durango and Silverton railroad and have been every May since 2019 except for 2020) so it’s likely to be the week before Memorial Day. I was going to hire in Durango but they stopped renting there.
Part of me wants to go into the mountains, but in that week have had everything from 22c at 9000ft to -4c and a blizzard. One year the weather in Denver when we took off from Heathrow was 28c, and forecast that for a week, following morning it was -1c and we stayed about an hour ahead of a Winter storm that dropped 12-18” of snow on Denver. And having driven to Durango and back each year it’s getting a bit repetitive, even using 3 different routes.
I see what you mean about the fuel tank size, that could make a difference, and in the grand scheme of things it’s probably only a few hundred dollars to go with max insurance too.
I will have a chat with some natives about routing and realistic miles per day. I don’t mind doing 4-5 hours a day spread out with breaks every 90 mins.
I've got a question, what do you do about luggage?
I think that my missus would be up for this but last time we did a route around Florida, took 3 suitcases and came back with 4
The only way I can think of us working it is to just tag it into a holiday. Leave our stuff somewhere, go out for a few days and come back to get it.
I think that my missus would be up for this but last time we did a route around Florida, took 3 suitcases and came back with 4
The only way I can think of us working it is to just tag it into a holiday. Leave our stuff somewhere, go out for a few days and come back to get it.
If it’s a round trip you can leave your bags with Eaglerider. One way and it’s strategic packing.
The cost is the most frustrating for us, you’re looking at £3-4k for a bike for a fortnight with ins, recovery and taxes, a convertible will be a fraction of that. Makes it stupidly expensive when you need two bikes.
Re the route, if you’ve already covered west to Durango there’s not an awful lot going east from Denver, lots of great pictures of long empty highways but not much more, south is Amarillo (there’s a new Buccees one junction up from the Big Texan Steakhouse which has 122 fuel pumps, the septics aren’t embracing the EV just yet) and Rt 66. Heading North from Denver you could pick up Deadwood, Sturgis and Mt Rushmore, the ride through 16A / Iron Mountain is spectacular and if you’ve never been that way the Full Throttle Saloon is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
The cost is the most frustrating for us, you’re looking at £3-4k for a bike for a fortnight with ins, recovery and taxes, a convertible will be a fraction of that. Makes it stupidly expensive when you need two bikes.
Re the route, if you’ve already covered west to Durango there’s not an awful lot going east from Denver, lots of great pictures of long empty highways but not much more, south is Amarillo (there’s a new Buccees one junction up from the Big Texan Steakhouse which has 122 fuel pumps, the septics aren’t embracing the EV just yet) and Rt 66. Heading North from Denver you could pick up Deadwood, Sturgis and Mt Rushmore, the ride through 16A / Iron Mountain is spectacular and if you’ve never been that way the Full Throttle Saloon is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
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