Visiting from the Dyna section with a question...
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Visiting from the Dyna section with a question...
Greetings, Touring People!
I'm in the preliminary stages of planning an unhurried trip from Los Angeles to Portland on a rented bike from Eaglerider, probably in April. A couple of years ago I rented a '13 Road King from them in Jackson Hole for a few days, which was a good experience. But other than that, I haven't ridden any of the current touring models, and don't really know the differences between them. Experience tells me that Eaglerider sometimes books up pretty far in advance, so I'm starting to plan things now...
Here are the models that currently show as available for my trip:
Road King
Road Glide
Street Glide
Indian Chieftan
Unfortunately, model years are not mentioned.
I don't believe that rider comfort will be an issue for me on any of these, as I'm perfectly comfortable on my Dyna during five-day trips.
I pack pretty light and will probably be solo, so I think luggage capacity is probably fine on all of them as well.
When I say "unhurried," I mean that I will stop anywhere that looks worth stopping at, but I don't mean that I will have an "unhurried" pace while riding. If there is nice road and little traffic, I like to ride as hard as the bike permits, within reason. My route will basically hug the coast most of the way and avoid Interstates. It looks like about 1250 miles total.
Any input on the bike selection?
Thanks!
I'm in the preliminary stages of planning an unhurried trip from Los Angeles to Portland on a rented bike from Eaglerider, probably in April. A couple of years ago I rented a '13 Road King from them in Jackson Hole for a few days, which was a good experience. But other than that, I haven't ridden any of the current touring models, and don't really know the differences between them. Experience tells me that Eaglerider sometimes books up pretty far in advance, so I'm starting to plan things now...
Here are the models that currently show as available for my trip:
Road King
Road Glide
Street Glide
Indian Chieftan
Unfortunately, model years are not mentioned.
I don't believe that rider comfort will be an issue for me on any of these, as I'm perfectly comfortable on my Dyna during five-day trips.
I pack pretty light and will probably be solo, so I think luggage capacity is probably fine on all of them as well.
When I say "unhurried," I mean that I will stop anywhere that looks worth stopping at, but I don't mean that I will have an "unhurried" pace while riding. If there is nice road and little traffic, I like to ride as hard as the bike permits, within reason. My route will basically hug the coast most of the way and avoid Interstates. It looks like about 1250 miles total.
Any input on the bike selection?
Thanks!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 250
From: NW Kentucky
Newer Road King would probably have better ride than the Street Glide or Road Glide since the rear suspension is taller. I have no experience with the Indian. The SG and RG may offer better wind protection. Coming from a 2012 Super Glide I prefer the Road King myself. I'm just not a fairing person.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
suggest you reverse your trip, riding N to S puts you on the side of the water and views- riding S to N has you looking across through other traffic....and you can;t just "pull over" anywhere you want- it'll always be a left turn across traffic.
the HD "X" models have 12" shocks and 1.75" suspension travel, the rest are 13" and 2.75". a fairinged model will have a radio which might be nice.
fairing lowers give some leg protection from the rain and wind.
a tourpak gives more storage
perhaps you could do a test ride of a few models at your local dealer to help with your choice
if you are a camper oregon state parks have yurts in many campgrounds- bring your own bedding. otherwise lodging is pretty easy to find along the coast.
I'm big on the oregon coast- which is especially generous with roadside pull outs- most of the land between the hwy 1 and the water is public land and open.
mike
the HD "X" models have 12" shocks and 1.75" suspension travel, the rest are 13" and 2.75". a fairinged model will have a radio which might be nice.
fairing lowers give some leg protection from the rain and wind.
a tourpak gives more storage
perhaps you could do a test ride of a few models at your local dealer to help with your choice
if you are a camper oregon state parks have yurts in many campgrounds- bring your own bedding. otherwise lodging is pretty easy to find along the coast.
I'm big on the oregon coast- which is especially generous with roadside pull outs- most of the land between the hwy 1 and the water is public land and open.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Nov 26, 2016 at 11:45 AM.
Most likely they will rent you a 2016 or 2017 model year Motorcycle, that bring said, why
not try a full Touring model. For myself I would want do a test ride on any Bike I planed
on riding Coast Highway 1 on. The Bike of choice for me is the Road Glide Ultra to test ride.
not try a full Touring model. For myself I would want do a test ride on any Bike I planed
on riding Coast Highway 1 on. The Bike of choice for me is the Road Glide Ultra to test ride.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Excellent suggestion. That makes perfect sense... Thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
BTW My Dad flew Canadair CF86 ( the faster one with the GE then later the Avro Orenda)...Later CF-104's
If you like aircraft, There is an air museum just South of Tillamook, I have not been- drove by after hours.
I'd add ABS to that list of wants, you may be in the wet for some of this trip and although April is early in the season, you may still have RV's pulling out in front or animals on the road- deer go down to the beaches in the late aft for salt- seeing deer on the sandy beach looks...odd.
Mike
If you like aircraft, There is an air museum just South of Tillamook, I have not been- drove by after hours.
I'd add ABS to that list of wants, you may be in the wet for some of this trip and although April is early in the season, you may still have RV's pulling out in front or animals on the road- deer go down to the beaches in the late aft for salt- seeing deer on the sandy beach looks...odd.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Nov 26, 2016 at 12:57 PM.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
Most likely they will rent you a 2016 or 2017 model year Motorcycle, that bring said, why
not try a full Touring model. For myself I would want do a test ride on any Bike I planed
on riding Coast Highway 1 on. The Bike of choice for me is the Road Glide Ultra to test ride.
not try a full Touring model. For myself I would want do a test ride on any Bike I planed
on riding Coast Highway 1 on. The Bike of choice for me is the Road Glide Ultra to test ride.
I have no experience with the Indian. But have owned and riding all of the others. My personal choice to ride is the RG. I prefer it to the others. By a lot.
Either one you get. Enjoy your ride. Be safe and have fun.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Very cool history about your dad!