Riding in Florida in January?

[sleazy rider]

Heh, us northern folks would take straight and slow riding come January.  Any type of riding in the middle of winter is a joy for us.

[Dan K]

I understand that you enjoy being an internet tough guy; however I think you'd understand if you'd use your brain a bit.  If he's going to decide whether or not to rent a motorcycle vs car, he wants to book a few weeks out.  He won't know weather at that time.  Also, you can ride in a straight line, but most people prefer curves.  The same people who like riding in straight lines are the kinds of people who care about horsepower above handling.

It's not hard to understand, but maybe you were just trying to look cool.

Hey, I prefer curves and still like horsepower in a straight line...can I be both?  And I'll be renting a bike on Dec. 28-29 in Bradenton....can't wait.  Even for straight roads.  I put the Sprint up for the winter a couple days ago...

[jasonc32amg]

I understand that you enjoy being an internet tough guy; however I think you'd understand if you'd use your brain a bit.  If he's going to decide whether or not to rent a motorcycle vs car, he wants to book a few weeks out.  He won't know weather at that time.  Also, you can ride in a straight line, but most people prefer curves.  The same people who like riding in straight lines are the kinds of people who care about horsepower above handling.

It's not hard to understand, but maybe you were just trying to look cool.

Wow, what a douche.  

[saddletramp]

Thanks for all the advice & trip suggestions.  At this point renting the bike seems like the most adventerous option.  It's been in the low 20's, icey roads, & foggy here in Central WA state so a little motorcycle time sounds spectacular!

We'll have three days to kill with no real agenda other than seeing the Everglades & nature.  My wife recently took a real interest in my SLR digital camera so we'll be doing lots of stopping & shooting.  Afterall, she suggested a motorcycle.  We plan to take our own helmets since they have bluetooth so we can visit.  It should be great!

Speaking of shooting....Saturday after the motorcycle ride & convention her uncle is letting me borrow his .45-70 lever action & taking me hog hunting!  I've never shot a hop so that should wrap up the trip in a great fashion.

You know, when we kicked the last kid out a month or so ago we're realizing how great it is to have our lives back again!  My ten year younger than me wife of just two years is as adventure seeking as I am.  Life is good!  Even though I worked a 12 hour day today - it's all worth it.  

I'll keep you all updated.

[CMS_Sprint]

Saddletramp,

Don't let the ney sayers ruin a little two wheeled fun. Weather can be a little tough to predict that time of year, but you will be able to ride everyday, just have a range of gear with you. Get out of Orlando as fast as humanly possible. Between the traffic jams and tourists from everywhere who don't know where they are going ( and maybe have never driven on this side of the road before) it's nutty.

My choice for a tour? Head north up into lake country for a day, look at Mount Dora as a center point and roll through that area, up surgarloaf mountain (highest peak on the FL peninsula at 36x feet ooooh!), spend the night a the lakeside inn. Day 2 head over to the Crystal river area north of tampa, see the springs, and then head out to St Pete's beach for a sunset on the beach.  Yeah I know it's not N. Georgia or the NC mountains, but it is sunny, and there's no snow for miles.

Enjoy the trip!

[AzItLies]

Lived in Panama City Beach for about 4 years and can tell you, as have others, the weather is pretty unpredictable. One winter day we woke to a complete frozen winter wonderland... think it got to about 50 later that day.

Also... when it rains, it really rains. think flooding.

But, can't agree with the nay sayers about the roads. What I mean is, in the Pan Handle, take route 98 and ride by the Gulf Of Mexico... (or any roads by the Ocean), you'll have a hard time concentrating on road traffic, it's that beautiful riding by that massive view of the water on a bike!

enjoy!