Considering quick Key Largo getaway - thoughts?

[kendenton]

Oh no!!!

Pure Triumph in Fort Lauderdale has just started renting Bonnevilles.

http://www.pure-triumph.com/catalog/22

It will still be a fun trip. Have a great time.  

Part of the reason for the trip is to rent a Harley.  While I can't see myself as a Harley owner, I'm thinking it will be fun to indulge in it for a few days.  Seems like a good area to do it in as well - I don't think I'd like to rent one in VA near the BRP for example.

[baldheadeddork]

Part of the reason for the trip is to rent a Harley.  While I can't see myself as a Harley owner, I'm thinking it will be fun to indulge in it for a few days.  Seems like a good area to do it in as well - I don't think I'd like to rent one in VA near the BRP for example.

Oh, okay. Your first post sounded like you were renting a HD because you didn't have any other choice.

[Eric308]

It's a great ride. Take your time, though. There are so many cool places to stop along the way. Check out the Lorelei in Islamorada and Mangrove Mama's at MM20 (MM is mile marker). All places are designated that way. Make sure you go to sunset at Mallory in Key West. Everyone gathers there and it's a party every night. Buy a conch fritter from a street vendor, have a mojito and have fun!

[919rider]

haven't really seen my 6-year old at all in a week.

Are you bringing the 6 year old?

I can't imagine mine on a bike now, but I know they'd love it!

Kevin

[Snowbird]

Please take lots of pics and let me know were the best bars are  Thumbsup

Check out the Hurricane just before you leave Marathon heading south... IIRC, MM49.5. Good bands evenings... but better places to listen in KW. For some reason, the Hurricane makes bands turn the volume down.  

In KW, get away from the strip for better bars, IMHO.

[kendenton]

Are you bringing the 6 year old?

I can't imagine mine on a bike now, but I know they'd love it!

Kevin

Not bringing my son (can't quite reach the pegs yet).  Fortunately I have gotten to spend a lot of time with him now that the work crisis is over.

[Hardware]

Ok, here's a dumb question. The little islands are called "keys" right? So how come we talk about the "Hawaiian islands, the Falkland islands, the Orkney islands,........" but we call those things at the bottom of Florida the "islands West, islands Largo....."

Why the heck isn't it "Largo Key"?

key2/ki/–noun, plural keys. a reef or low island; cay.  

[Snowbird]

Ok, here's a dumb question. The little islands are called "keys" right? So how come we talk about the "Hawaiian islands, the Falkland islands, the Orkney islands,........" but we call those things at the bottom of Florida the "islands West, islands Largo....."

Why the heck isn't it "Largo Key"?

I dunno... but it's Lake Erie, Lake Michigan... and Chautauqua Lake.  

[Eric308]

Check out the Hurricane just before you leave Marathon heading south... IIRC, MM49.5. Good bands evenings... but better places to listen in KW. For some reason, the Hurricane makes bands turn the volume down.  

In KW, get away from the strip for better bars, IMHO.

Snowbird is right about bars off the strip. Check out the Green Parrot, Olde Bottle Cap, and Capt. Tony's....all off the strip. I lived there in the '70's and the Bull and Whistle on Duval was the only bar downtown or on the strip (Duval) that I ever went to.

[torags v2]

Part of the reason for the trip is to rent a Harley.  While I can't see myself as a Harley owner, I'm thinking it will be fun to indulge in it for a few days.  Seems like a good area to do it in as well - I don't think I'd like to rent one in VA near the BRP for example.

Same reason I rented a Harley out of Orlando for bike week last year. My first time Harley ride in 40 yrs of riding. I test drove a couple at a local SF dealer and couldn't stand all but one. The Vrod Streetrod. The pegs are under butt (they also had after market pegs on forward roll bars. Its a low seat and legs can cramp (good news - you can stand if cramped).

I liked the bike for solo riding (not owning), it had a slight dragster quality and the engine was smooth & torqy. I traveled at 80-90 on the freeway, no prob (except for half helmet wind on a naked bike), I don't think it would have much above a hundred. Very bad for pillon (6" wide seat) Not all Harley owners like 'em and I don't think thats a bad thing.

[jschmidt]

Veer off Route one and take the small road that goes to North Key Largo. Stop off at Alabama Jacks (just before the bridge) for lunch. It's the perfect swamp shack.

[Mudcat]

Been thinking about this myself and wondering what the daily rental cost would be.
One bit of advice...Book your motel early in the day, as not many there and they fill up fast.
I rode down to Key West back in 87.  We got there early, planning to leave mid afternoon for the ride back.  Lost track of time and waited too late, so decided to spend the night.  We got the very last motel room in Key West, at a place called the "Blue Lagoon".  I'll never forget it.  The room was filthy and not much bigger than your bathroom at home.  Cost $120.00 and not worth $20.00!!!

[kendenton]

Been thinking about this myself and wondering what the daily rental cost would be.
One bit of advice...Book your motel early in the day, as not many there and they fill up fast.

Already booked rooms there and along the way.  I was looking for a cheaper place to stay, maybe on Marathon Key, and my wife surprised me by getting me a nice inn on Key West right off Duval street  

[Eric308]

Veer off Route one and take the small road that goes to North Key Largo. Stop off at Alabama Jacks (just before the bridge) for lunch. It's the perfect swamp shack.

+1  :thumbsup:Cool place and great idea!

[DosEquis00]

Looking forward to your trip report when you return as I may be down there in March.

[andmoon]

Have fun Ken.

Thought of taking the multi down?

[kendenton]

Have fun Ken.

Thought of taking the multi down?

Not really. Don't have a trailer.  Don't really want to slab 1100 miles in February.  The Keys seem like a real Harley kinda place. Now Nova Scotia, that's a Multi kinda place.

[shil]

Last summer I rented a huge giant Heritage Softail from eagle Rider in Knoxville.  A painless procedure, they were great to deal with.  The Harley less so, but that wasn’t its fault.  A Softail is the wrong tool for the Dragon.  Still, we had a fine time.

[farleywilbur]

Make sure to have a few beers at the Green Parrot bar in Key West.  It was my favourite locals hangout I found when staying there for a week two years ago.

[fhaze]

f you like live music, check the Hurricane bar on Marathon. They post a monthly engagement calendar on their web site, but it usually isn't updated until the last possible moment. Some bars in KW get good bands, but mostly they have least common denominator lounge music.

I used to be in a Blues Band from Mass. We would hit the keys 2x a year..play our way up and down the coast. The Hurricane was GREAT.. free food and drink , and our own house for 7 DAYS.
The staff and locals loved us. ..we would hit the Brass Monkey after our gig.

If I could only remember everything!  ...mmm  for some reason I always hooked up with redheads down there!