New York to Los Angeles, May 2009.
Discussion
Ruttager said:
1 of each 
How many miles is that? Sounds like a great trip.
The route we are taking will be about 3,400 miles, i believe.How many miles is that? Sounds like a great trip.
I have crossed the USA by 'plane, train and car, but never fully across by bike, so it's going to be good, hopefully.
Admittedly, we are doing it the ,easy' way and have booked 16 nights in motels, rather than do anything crazy like camping!
For those that don't know, Glides are superb handling bikes for what they are. I'd choose the Harley every time. Character abounds, even with the more homoginized fuel injected twin cam era. Haven't ridden the big Honda, but no need to to recognise how wonderful they must be. But is it really a motorcycle or a superb way of touring on two wheels with the comfort of your lounge furniture at the tips of your fingers and a Shackelton for your backside.
Been using my Dad's 1800 'Wing over the past few days to get to work - I'll admit filtering isn't for the faintharted but the engine's so smooth and linear, it makes for a very relaxing ride. And the 1800 is nearly what you'd call quick, his old 1500 was a dog, slow and wobbly. On the new one I acually imagined myself travelling across America, long straight roads, radio on, taking it easy etc....
Rocket Pepper said:
For those that don't know, Glides are superb handling bikes for what they are. I'd choose the Harley every time. Character abounds, even with the more homoginized fuel injected twin cam era. Haven't ridden the big Honda, but no need to to recognise how wonderful they must be. But is it really a motorcycle or a superb way of touring on two wheels with the comfort of your lounge furniture at the tips of your fingers and a Shackelton for your backside.
These guys look to be having fun on Goldwings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo
Have been out in Chicago for 6 months and once it thawed out, rented a Harley a few times for some rides out.
Get the Harley...it's the only place they make sense. Everyone will talk to you (not that they won't on a Honda), and it'll feel 'right'.
Only peice of advice is - they don't lean that far before bits of thje foot plate grind away on the road (nice shower of sparks though)
Get the Harley...it's the only place they make sense. Everyone will talk to you (not that they won't on a Honda), and it'll feel 'right'.
Only peice of advice is - they don't lean that far before bits of thje foot plate grind away on the road (nice shower of sparks though)
uriel said:
That's been around for a couple of years now that video. It's not an 1800 Wing, but yeah he's having fun. The reality behind the video is more telling. He's an experienced 'Dragons Tail' rider and is well known for his prowess on the Dragon. Given the Dragon is one of the US's infamous biking roads, bikers travel there from everywhere just to ride it the odd time. The Wing bloke is known for showing off his Dragon skills in front of the Dragon inexperienced on their Superbikes. Rides it bloody well don't he!Rocket Pepper said:
uriel said:
That's been around for a couple of years now that video. It's not an 1800 Wing, but yeah he's having fun. The reality behind the video is more telling. He's an experienced 'Dragons Tail' rider and is well known for his prowess on the Dragon. Given the Dragon is one of the US's infamous biking roads, bikers travel there from everywhere just to ride it the odd time. The Wing bloke is known for showing off his Dragon skills in front of the Dragon inexperienced on their Superbikes. Rides it bloody well don't he!Wonderful road too-but you wouldn't want to overcook it on those bends --unless you fancied a bit of DIY Pine cladding on your bike from those trees!
As an example of what CAN go wrong I also watched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whVXD3ex9DA&fea...
"An average Harley rider at Deals Gap"-same road. Have to admit having a laugh at his expense. Pair of Prats !
Couldn't agree more ! Why have to make a decision about one when you can have both.
(just don't take a Harley on that Deals Gap road -see above) I'm pretty certain from the way you talk on here that you're a damn sight better rider than those 2.
(ever so slightly, VERY VERY jealous. Would love to do a big road trip but never seem to have time or opportunity/funds ?)
(just don't take a Harley on that Deals Gap road -see above) I'm pretty certain from the way you talk on here that you're a damn sight better rider than those 2.
(ever so slightly, VERY VERY jealous. Would love to do a big road trip but never seem to have time or opportunity/funds ?)
For what it's worth, I rode from Chicago to LA (Route 66) in September last year, and could not in all honesty consider anything other than a Harley for such a journey.
I found that fact that I rode a Harley meant that I got a lot of respect from all around , and people actually let you out from petrol (gas) stations etc.
The ElectraGlide is superb for such a journey. We hired 15 bikes from EagleRider, and while I had a Heritage Softail, it only had 4 miles on it when I picked it up. I also felt that there were lots of places along the route that stocked spare parts, should anything go wrong. Nothing went wrong, but it is nice to know that the support is there.
Whatever way you decide, you will enjoy it, and look back on it for years to come.
Life changing experience in my opinion.
I found that fact that I rode a Harley meant that I got a lot of respect from all around , and people actually let you out from petrol (gas) stations etc.
The ElectraGlide is superb for such a journey. We hired 15 bikes from EagleRider, and while I had a Heritage Softail, it only had 4 miles on it when I picked it up. I also felt that there were lots of places along the route that stocked spare parts, should anything go wrong. Nothing went wrong, but it is nice to know that the support is there.
Whatever way you decide, you will enjoy it, and look back on it for years to come.
Life changing experience in my opinion.
sprinter885 said:
(ever so slightly, VERY VERY jealous. Would love to do a big road trip but never seem to have time or opportunity/funds ?) [/small]
Not sure what you count as 'big' but it's not too expensive, or time-consuming, to go down to Cannes/Nice from the UK on a bike.If you use your own steed, it takes rental costs out of the equation.
I've been down to the Med about 12 times by bike over the years, it's easier than ever nowadays.
woodlands said:
For what it's worth, I rode from Chicago to LA (Route 66) in September last year, and could not in all honesty consider anything other than a Harley for such a journey.
I found that fact that I rode a Harley meant that I got a lot of respect from all around , and people actually let you out from petrol (gas) stations etc.
The ElectraGlide is superb for such a journey. We hired 15 bikes from EagleRider, and while I had a Heritage Softail, it only had 4 miles on it when I picked it up. I also felt that there were lots of places along the route that stocked spare parts, should anything go wrong. Nothing went wrong, but it is nice to know that the support is there.
Whatever way you decide, you will enjoy it, and look back on it for years to come.
Life changing experience in my opinion.
Cheers for that.I found that fact that I rode a Harley meant that I got a lot of respect from all around , and people actually let you out from petrol (gas) stations etc.
The ElectraGlide is superb for such a journey. We hired 15 bikes from EagleRider, and while I had a Heritage Softail, it only had 4 miles on it when I picked it up. I also felt that there were lots of places along the route that stocked spare parts, should anything go wrong. Nothing went wrong, but it is nice to know that the support is there.
Whatever way you decide, you will enjoy it, and look back on it for years to come.
Life changing experience in my opinion.
I drove from Santa Barbara to Tampa Bay in a Corvette, in just 5 days once, but it was all too quick to really enjoy it fully.
Beemer-5 said:
4 of us, (2 bikes), are doing coast-to-coast next spring, route all planned, just the bikes to choose.
We can get the use of Honda GL1800 Goldwings, or Harley Davidson Full Dressers.
Which of the 2 bikes would you choose and why?
Thanks.
Have you read Dave Gorman's unchained America ? Would be good if you could match his attempts to get across without using any of the mjor chains for fuel for or lodgings. However with bike tanks it would be much more of a challenge. . . .We can get the use of Honda GL1800 Goldwings, or Harley Davidson Full Dressers.
Which of the 2 bikes would you choose and why?
Thanks.
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