Mutley goes 'Wild Hog'!

[Mutley]

What is the cost of hiring the hog for 2 weeks?

A big Twin will cost you $130 / day. They also do BMW 1200 GS's and Goldwings @ $150 / day. Obviously you get a better deal for longer rentals. Check out www.eaglerider.com for the deals.

Our package included all our hotels with some breakfasts but no evening meals or lunches and cost less than $3,700 dollars for us both (flights and transfers extra). If we did it again I would probably upgrade the hotels in some locations where we stayed for more than one night.

Good VFM in my opinion.

 

[Aidan1150]

A good report there Howard. Thanks for posting.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Good report

Howard, thanks for the report; I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I particularly enjoyed your review of the bike and your detailed analysis of the luggage ability of the HD. Why don't bike journos go into the same level of detail when reviewing touring bikes? I've read reviews of the HD, Goldwing, Beemers etc before and never have I seen this level of detail which for a potential buyer of such a bike is one of the most important criteria. I think any journos reading this should take note - review the bike for the purpose it was built for not whether it can beat a gsxcbrzzrxr blah blah blah around a track.

Finally, how the feck did you manage to remember the name and type of wine you drank every night? Jeez, I can't remember the make and origin of the bottle I drank on Sunday night let alone every bottle I drank on a 14 day holiday a few months ago Your weren't anal enough to write them all down were you

 

[Pathologic]

Thanks

Top report. excellent lunch time reading

 

[Norrie]

Thank's

Mutley

For sharing your holiday with us I enjoyed the write up and as has been said liked the analysis on the bike/luggage.
Should I be fortunate enough to get to the State's I'll know not to hire a HD
Ali that she is, couldn't survive without a dozen pair of shoes.

Schultz

 

[Mutley]

Finally, how the feck did you manage to remember the name and type of wine you drank every night? Jeez, I can't remember the make and origin of the bottle I drank on Sunday night let alone every bottle I drank on a 14 day holiday a few months ago Your weren't anal enough to write them all down were you

Years of professional drinking mate

Should I be fortunate enough to get to the State's I'll know not to hire a HD
Ali that she is, couldn't survive without a dozen pair of shoes.

Nooo! You should definitely hire an HD. As I said it really enhanced the holiday and I wouldn't want to do the trip on anything else. Just be aware that it's not as efficient a touring motorcycle as a GS.

It has it's short comings and they reckon they've had 150 years of development on that thing but I could do a better design job right now. Having said that I don't have to live with it on a long term basis so it was fun.

 

[Shrimpo]

Excellent report mate.

I'm looking to be in the U.S. March/April and have to make stops at Boston, Sacremento and Seattle. I'm keen to hire a bike in Frisco and maybe do the Sacremento to Seattle trip over a week and take in a few of the places you have mentioned so this was really useful info.

Cheers

 

[Steptoe]

Nice one Howard Thanks for taking us on your holiday

between you and Mike O, i now know every diner and restuarant in the US of A

 

[Trippy]

Nice one Mutters, glad it turned out to be as good as you were hoping.

 

[Aurelius]

Nice one Howard Thanks for taking us on your holiday

between you and Mike O, i now know every diner and restuarant in the US of A

I'm surprised you haven't gained weight just from reading their posts.

 

[Aurelius]

Nooo! You should definitely hire an HD. As I said it really enhanced the holiday and I wouldn't want to do the trip on anything else. Just be aware that it's not as efficient a touring motorcycle as a GS.

It has it's short comings and they reckon they've had 150 years of development on that thing but I could do a better design job right now. Having said that I don't have to live with it on a long term basis so it was fun.

It would be silly to think that all Harleys are the same. Some models have stellar brakes and handle very well in the turns (the 1200 Sportster and one of the Softails comes to mind). If I had my choice of bikes to tour the US on, I would without hesitation pick the Harley Road King. It has none of the bad handling quirks you complained about, way more character than any BMW, and you won't have to worry about replacing failed final drives along the way. A friend has one with 175,000+ miles on it, and the bike has never needed anything more than basic maintenance. It doesn't have the power/weight ratio or the quick handling I require, or I'd already have one.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Great ride report!

 

[Deleted Member I]

It has it's short comings and they reckon they've had 150 years of development on that thing but I could do a better design job right now. Having said that I don't have to live with it on a long term basis so it was fun.

Really! ... you wouldn't own a Harley long term

 

[Snowman]

Great report
Mind you that GS you rode musta bin in one hella'va an accident
neither cylider head was stickin out !!!

Snowman

 

[Northern jock]

Nice one, enjoyed reading that and I think your views on the bike are similar to mine - mixed but the trip had to be a HD for all the reasons listed

If you went back next year what would you hire? Jury is still out for me

 

[Mutley]

Really! ... you wouldn't own a Harley long term

Not an Electra Glide no. For me it isn't what HD do well. If I wanted a mega tourer I'd buy a Goldwing or an LT

If you went back next year what would you hire? Jury is still out for me

I'd love to do it on a Road King or a more stripped out Hog like my own Superglide.

Unfortunately that would preclude taking Mrs. M with me. She point blank refuses to learn to ride herself so the best bikes are out I'm afraid unless it's only a short trip