I rented a Harley in FL

[servicerifle]

Well, when life gives you lemons, you do the best to make lemonade, right?  So, when my industry had a conference in Florida last week, I decided to at least have a little fun with it and take advantage of the southern US weather (thank goodness the weather was good that week!).  I decided that I'd rent an HD and see how I felt about the darn thing.  Unfortunately, I had some preconceptions, but nothing that was insurmountable.

I planned everything as usual, well, almost everything, and had a Road King set up for three days with pick up in Orlando.  The plan was to ride down to Miami, maybe the Keys, for three days and play on the Harley.  I'll just fast forward to that, since this isn't really a ride report and you don't want to hear about the rest of the vacation anyway.

The pick-up of the bike was really smooth, obviously Eaglerider has big a big business and they have this very streamlined.  The attendant did a good job of walking around the bike with me and telling me what did what.  I was surprised to learn that the HD has a dipstick for oil, the side bags were so small (they just look big), and that the ignition lock is separate from the fork lock.  I was also pleasantly surprised that the turn signals are similar to BMW signals, i.e. the right is on the right, and the left is on the left.  Nice.

The attendant really drove one message home, they were going to look for ANY scratch on the bike when it returned.  We went over the bike carefully and documented even the slightest boot smear on top of a side case.  He said "it doesn't take much to rack up a $1000 bill"  Ooof.  Well, my lovely bride and I were determined to do our best not to do that.  I cautioned her to be extra careful getting on the back, afraid some stone might be stuck to her boot and would cost us a wad of $$, and I made a mental note to be careful of the same with myself.  I guess the attendant also has a lot of new riders come in, he asked me to take a spin around the lot (he didn't watch) to "get used to the bike" before putting Zarina on.  I did indulge him, though it was unnecessary.  Zarina hopped on and we were off toward Miami.

My initial impressions went like this, somewhat chronological order after leaving the lot:  

WOW THIS THING IS HEAVY.  I could feel the 800+ pound weight that was under me.  I've ridden BMW LT's and they don't feel this heavy to me.  Though it was of course easy to move around in traffic, as HD's are famous for, I really felt like I was riding some iron.  Like I could ram a car and move it out of my way.  

Power is better than expected.  I guess I kinda expected KLR level power.  We got up to traffic speed adequately.

This windshield sucks.  Man my head (in a full face helmet) was bobbing around like mad behind that Road King shield.  This would be a long ride to Miami.

REAL CRUISE CONTROL ROCKS.  If you're going to do a lot of highway, this is NICE.  No throttle locks here.

Controls are made for a 6' guy.  Unfortunately I'm 5'7" or 8".  Therefore, my thumb doesn't reach the cruise adjustments while my hand is on the throttle at the same time.  As you might imagine, this means I roll off the throttle a little, set the speed (below what I want), then hit the "speed +" (also the set) button until speed comes back up to where I want it.  The cruise itself is great, but all the controls are spaced a little too far away for my comfort.  People with long fingers will be fine.

As we neared Miami, the temps started rising and once in Miami Beach, I was really starting to get uncomfortable on the bike.  This thing was HOT.  I don't think it got over 80 ambient, but the bike was roasting.  No temp gauge on the bike?  WTF.  Actually, nothing more than a speedometer?  Suck.

The next few days we rode around the Miami/Miami Beach area, out to the Everglades, and did some general sightseeing.  Rapper Flo-Rida pulled up across the street from my bike in his Bugatti Veyron, along with his producer in his Maybach, and some other guy in a Ferrari Enzo.  That was cool I guess and added a lot of wow factor to being in Miami...so much money all around, my $20k ass-jewelry was nothing here.  Might as well have been on a KLR at a BMW event.    Or maybe even a single speed bicycle.

Anyway, the ride back was somewhat uneventful, other than rain.  We expected some rain on the return day so I ran by the local Cycle Gear and got some Frog Toggs...I needed to replace my worn out ones anyway.  Unfortunately, and despite my best efforts, they still touched the exhaust chromy bit and burned through somewhere on the way back.  Luckily that wasn't something Eaglerider decided to charge me for (we had no damage, yay) but I was really stressing about that when I got off the bike at the rental place and found a 2"x3" section of black goo on that pipe.  I was also pissed about my brand new Frog-Toggs being ruined (on the pants.  Ehh, c'est la vie.  

Overall:
The bike was a pleasure putting around Miami when there was no traffic and we could keep a speed of 35-50 mph consistently.  At that speed the engine heat wasn't an issue and it was comfy to ride.  At higher speeds, the windshield and seating position made the ride less than good.  At low speeds and in traffic, the engine was terrible due to heat, and there's no way to escape it.  Far worse even than my old Triumph Sprint.

Location of the pipes and the hot primary cover is bullshit. Hello, I put my legs there to hold the bike up when I'm stopped.  Screaming Eagle pipes are obnoxious (why are these on the rental bikes?) and unnecessary.  

So I'm not a Harley person.  No big surprise.  I'd like to say that I went into it with an open mind but I know I didn't.  Sadly though, the things I didn't like are (I think) things I wouldn't like even if I wasn't prejudiced, or had experienced better.  

Am I glad I rented it?  Yes, I love riding and this fed my craving.  Would I rent a Harley again?  Doubtful.

Here's a few pics, otherwise the stuff I said didn't exist:

Me and my ass-jewelry:


Flo-Rida and HIS ass-jewelry:


Best part of the trip, Zarina and I sucking down some HUGE margaritas (for me) and daiquiris (for her):

[Rockin SV]

I rented a Wide Glide down there at the exact same place several years ago. The amount of vibration when stopped took alot of getting used to. I remember seeing three vertical stoplights when at idle

[ray6576]

I rented a Wide Glide down there at the exact same place several years ago. The amount of vibration when stopped took alot of getting used to. I remember seeing three vertical stoplights when at idle

I only see two. You must have been riding a very old model. lol

[servicerifle]

Funny you should say that. I didn't list the vibes, either because it didn't really bother me as much, or because the other things demanded more of my attention.

I'd live with the vibes if the heat wasn't so bad and pit pipes were moved.

[servicerifle]

Dang tapatalk and dinky phone keyboard...remove the word "pit". Weird.

[kyzrex]

I rented a street glide a couple of years ago, while down there, and memories are almost exactly the same.  Street glide has a front fairing and shorter windshield, I had no buffeting problems that I remember.  I'd rent another one, but would never spend money to buy one.  If I ever wanted a bike of that type ( doubtful ) I would look at one of the Japanense models.  Much cheaper and just as nice, or even better.  I did enjoy riding around for a day during the winter, while everyone back home was suffering PMS.  


PMS=Parked Motorcycle Syndrome

[tjhess74]

you went the wrong way and missed some truly great roads just a hair north of orlando.  sucks for you.

[servicerifle]

you went the wrong way and missed some truly great roads just a hair north of orlando.  sucks for you.

Not really.  I went right where I wanted to go on this trip.  

[JimWilliamson]

My impression of EagleRider...

Checkout... Lengthy, as the examiner documented every hair scratch and bee dent on the bike.

Return... It rolled up under its own power - check in done.

How cursory was your return inspection?

[SVTNate]

I rented a RK last year to ride with some HD-riding friends to Laughlin.  I remember picking it up at the rental place, leaving, and at the first stop sign thinking the motor was about to blow up or something until I remembered it's *supposed* to shake like that.

My overall impression was similar.

Cruise control is great on the highway.

Power is adequate but far from enough to be fun.  Both of my four-wheeled vehicles are faster.

Brakes suck.

Suspension sucks.

Cornering clearance sucks.

Paint, chrome, etc. feels well made.

Sounds pretty cool until you put obnoxious pipes on it.  Mine had stock pipes and I liked the sound.

I had no issues with the stock RK windshield at 5'10".  

Shoulder pain due to stock bars was REALLY irritating (no pun).  I'm not sure if I needed them higher, lower, reduced reach, but my right shoulder blade was in pain the whole weekend while I was on the bike.  Get off the bike, it went away immediately.  Come to think of it, I had a similar problem with my V Star 1300.

Engine heat is pretty nasty at low speeds, I agree.

I wouldn't buy one.  I think that my FJR is a far better touring bike, and if you need more than that, the 'Wing or a big BMW are better as well.  I think some of their bikes (Softail Deluxe especially) are very pretty, and if I was made of money I'd have one just for local riding but it's really not my style.

Also, while I tease Harley pirates, I know some personally and I've met hundreds/thousands when I used to ride a Harley clone.  For the most part, very nice, very friendly people.

[servicerifle]

Well, more thorough than yours I think, but not nearly as thorough as the guy at check out had let on. It could have been that they were different guys, or the check out procedure could just be a scare tactic. It did keep me from finding the edge of the floorboards on entrance ramps, something I looked forward to doing...


Ya know, now that I think about it, when I rented a GS in Spain they (Iberian, not Eaglerider) didn't try to spook me and I railed the shit outta that bike.  Now you've got me wondering if their check-out is a scare tactic or not...


SVTNate, oh yeah, I forgot the brakes.  I think HD did too!  When's that lead sled gonna stop?!  If you are used to a GS with servos, you are used to a bike stopping RIGHT NOW.  That Road King will stop sometime NEXT WEEK.

[ANZAC]

Nice report  

That's what I would do to - rent a Harley and live with it for a few days before I bought one.

[J-Mac]

The pick-up of the bike was really smooth, obviously Eaglerider has big a big business and they have this very streamlined.  The attendant did a good job of walking around the bike with me and telling me what did what.  I was surprised to learn that the HD has a dipstick for oil, the side bags were so small (they just look big), and that the ignition lock is separate from the fork lock.  I was also pleasantly surprised that the turn signals are similar to BMW signals, i.e. the right is on the right, and the left is on the left.  Nice.

They usually have one for a Rider, as well.

[lolife]

REAL CRUISE CONTROL ROCKS.  If you're going to do a lot of highway, this is NICE.  No throttle locks here.

You got that absolutely right.  Audiovox is cheaper to install than buying a Harley.  

Controls are made for a 6' guy.  Unfortunately I'm 5'7" or 8".  

6' must be the magic number.  I'm 6'3" & I've ridden a Road King, Street Glide & Road Glide.  On all 3 bikes, my knees were up into the handle bars.  I could not turn the bars lock to lock on any of those bikes b/c my legs were in the way.  In my case, the floorboards felt way too high & the sitting position was more than uncomfortable for any length of time.  The guy with the Road Glide is 6'4" & he installed some apes on it but I haven't ridden it since he put those on.

[SVTNate]

SVTNate, oh yeah, I forgot the brakes.  I think HD did too!  When's that lead sled gonna stop?!  If you are used to a GS with servos, you are used to a bike stopping RIGHT NOW.  That Road King will stop sometime NEXT WEEK.

Coming into Laughlin from the west (Highway 95) you come down a mountain into the valley where Laughlin sits on the river.  The stoplight coming into town turned red when I was coming up to it, going downhill, and I wasn't able to get the big Road King to a halt.  A stop that would have been a two-finger deal on my FJR had me sliding past the line a good 10 feet, and the brakes on an FJR aren't that great (at least not at a sporting pace setting up an apex)

I was considering purchasing a Harley at the time.  I thought I'd sell the FJR, get something like a Speed Triple, and have a Harley for cruising the coast with my HD riding friends.  I spent a thousand bucks renting the HD for a week, which ended up being a lot cheaper than buying one and making a $20,000 mistake.  I no longer have a desire to own one.

[FJRmgm]

thanks for the report.  

A person either loves a Harley - or they don't..

[servicerifle]

I forgot to add something, and I can't believe I forgot this part!

On my first fill-up, I couldn't get the gas cap off.  It would unscrew, but wouldn't come off.  I even asked a few other people at the station, like the station mechanic, if they had any ideas and a few tried their hand at it.  Finally I called HD and I gotta say I was pretty steamed, already not liking the bike and there I was 160 miles away from them and couldn't get the gas cap off.  They all acted confused and finally put a tech on.  I wound up releasing the fuel line from the bottom of the tank (which didn't work) and eventually taking my belt off and wrapping that around the gas cap to use as a friction wrench (tech's idea).  Their gas caps aren't vented?!

[atadaskew]

I dunno man, with the lousy brakes and gas cap issue it sounds like the bike you rented was not representative of them as a whole.

I've rented a bunch of them, and bought one, and have never had those issues.