Topic: Renting a Harley for vacation - which one?

[Tugboat]

Flying into Denver this summer with my girlfriend to do some riding and hiking. The place I'm renting from, well...

First, the only Hondas they have are a Shadow 750, which would be fine if I was by myself... And a fully-dressed Goldwing that is about $500 more for the week than any of the Harleys.

Second, The only Harley I've only ever ridden was a Heritage Softail, and that was one time three years ago. I've pretty much narrowed it down to that, or a Road King or a Road Glide. I'm about 5'10", 160 lbs, and I'll have my girlfriend on the back and our gear. What would you suggest? They all come with windshields and saddle bags and backrest for the Missus.. Road Glide has a fairing, but it's attached to the body and not just to the forks. I think they all have the same motor? The Softail is the lightest of them - lighter than the Road Glide by almost 50 lbs and lighter than the Road King by 15. So maybe that's the best bet? Help!

[hoodellyhoo]

I've ridden a road king a couple times and enjoyed it. That would be my pick, although the road glide might be slightly better for two-up.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I ride a Fat Boy mostly (99.5%) by myself. Same size as you. I'm comfortable enough with it after 40,000+ miles but a Road King or Glide might ride softer for 2 up. I do not ride other bikes because I tend to wish to buy bikes that I like    Ask them to let you try them out first!

[jamesb]

my 750 honda pulled me and my wife around i was 215 at the time she was about 130ish it did great.if you can both of you ought to go test drive one in your area and try it out and see if it can Handel what your needs.but if you go harley my pick would be the road king.

[terza96]

I don't now how much luggage you guys have,but I will take or Street Glide or Ultra classic .You can put a lot staff on these . Both ride awesome.
Have a nice trip

[MoMo]

Does the agency have BMW available?  Friend just went to NZ, he rented a Harley everyone else a BMW.....he regretted the Harley...Larry

[Terry in Australia]

I've owned a couple of BMW "K Series" bikes Larry and they're great, but unless Tugboat'se going around lots of tight corners, any of those Harleys will be fine. I went for a club ride a year ago on my Triumph Rocket III and swapped bikes for 100 miles with a friend's Toad King and it was great, one of the comfiest seats I've ever sat on, and much better than my Triumph's. If only it had another 100 horsepower, I'd buy one tomorrow! Cheers, Terry.

[faux fiddy]

Toad King

+1  Toad King is like a Caddilac of bikes.

[MoMo]

I've owned a couple of BMW "K Series" bikes Larry and they're great, but unless Tugboat'se going around lots of tight corners, any of those Harleys will be fine. I went for a club ride a year ago on my Triumph Rocket III and swapped bikes for 100 miles with a friend's Toad King and it was great, one of the comfiest seats I've ever sat on, and much better than my Triumph's. If only it had another 100 horsepower, I'd buy one tomorrow! Cheers, Terry.

Terry,  his problem was the cornering, my thought was if there are tight twisties where he is going he may want to check the Beemer.  I've never ridden a Harley, other than the little Harley Hummer I had...Larry

[754]

 terza96, what part of Canada are you in ?  welcome aboard...

[Terry in Australia]

I've owned a couple of BMW "K Series" bikes Larry and they're great, but unless Tugboat'se going around lots of tight corners, any of those Harleys will be fine. I went for a club ride a year ago on my Triumph Rocket III and swapped bikes for 100 miles with a friend's Toad King and it was great, one of the comfiest seats I've ever sat on, and much better than my Triumph's. If only it had another 100 horsepower, I'd buy one tomorrow! Cheers, Terry.

Terry,  his problem was the cornering, my thought was if there are tight twisties where he is going he may want to check the Beemer.  I've never ridden a Harley, other than the little Harley Hummer I had...Larry

Yep, no worries Larry, if there's lots of corners the Hardly's are less than ideal, but for comfy cruising at legal speeds on long straight roads, they're fantastic. Cheers, Terry.