Americade Demo ride question

[Dan-bury]

For those that have done the Demo rides at Americade, any advice ??

Although I have been going to Americade for some 20 years I have never done a Demo ride.  I plan to this year and wonder what I need to know before I get there.

I plan to only be there one day (probably Thursday June 1st). I hope to roll in to Lake George around 10am.  I know I need to go to the Holiday Inn for a wrist band, bring a Helmet, Jacket & wear Boots and that the Demos are at Fort William Henry but that's all I know.

..........

[GaryC]

That's about all you need. Just pick the bike you want, get in line and they will check you in by reviewing you drivers license, sign a waiver and provide an email address. You will get some follow up e-mails, not a big deal.

Depending on the bike you want to ride and which manufacturer will determine how likely you are to get the ride you want.  Honda generally has a long waitlist, goldwings fill up fast and may have to book hours in advance.  But you can walk on some other models. Indian was pretty much walk up and get on.
Most are lead by a guide and followed by a tail gunner. Harley you just followed a posted route no guides.
BMW gets a pretty good spirited ride. You are surrounded by plenty of people of varying abilities. Let me know if you have other questions, I have demoed almost every manufacturer.

[Dan-bury]

Thanks Gary,  I plan to check out the Pursuit and Roadmaster.  Not ready to give up the Wing just yet but am always curious.

[GaryC]

I'd like to ride the pursuit.  I really liked my Roadmaster but Deb could not get comfortable on the back. I'm also not ready to move on from the wing, but a smaller lighter bike may be on the horizon.

[Tony C.]

The Pursuit is water cooled and will be much more comfortable to ride in the summer than the Roadmaster. Also, better engine performance specs for the Pursuit.

Both bikes are heavier and cost more than the new Wing. But they have the American Cruiser  style that many desire.

[holmes]

Hey Dan, what place do you recommend for a good lunch in the Danbury / Brewster area?  I've got someone in the area in the next few weeks and was looking to find a feeding spot.  Trust your judgement

[Oss]

IMHO 10 is probably too late

You may have to get a wristband even to get into the demo ride area at the registration hotel

A few years ago I was there when they opened and still could not get a ride on a new wing
Honda only brought 2  WTF ?  Saw crazymiles and his wife and a few others while there
good times  Anyway I rode a couple of Indians and a big bmw

This year I believe they will have 5 or 6 wings  I would love to ride one of those

Bonnie and I will roll up around 930am on friday to get her a new helmet and sena and a new screen for my helmet  We will ride back that afternoon.

It looks like we will be taking the car to inzane as I just cant figure the parasitic draw on my Interstate

I know it is not the radio/clock because I pulled that fuse   Maybe its a relay ?

Anyway have fun in americade  Dan

[Dan-bury]

Hey Dan, what place do you recommend for a good lunch in the Danbury / Brewster area?  I've got someone in the area in the next few weeks and was looking to find a feeding spot.  Trust your judgement

 Mill Plain Rd has many good spots but Rosy Tomorrow's Restaurant is one of my favorites and is close to the Danbury/Brewster line just off Exit 2 Mill Plain RD.

[Dan-bury]

IMHO 10 is probably too late
You may have to get a wristband even to get into the demo ride area at the registration hotel
A few years ago I was there when they opened and still could not get a ride on a new wing
Honda only brought 2  WTF ?  Saw crazymiles and his wife and a few others while there
good times  Anyway I rode a couple of Indians and a big bmw
This year I believe they will have 5 or 6 wings  I would love to ride one of those
Bonnie and I will roll up around 930am on friday to get her a new helmet and sena and a new screen for my helmet  We will ride back that afternoon.
It looks like we will be taking the car to inzane as I just cant figure the parasitic draw on my Interstate
I know it is not the radio/clock because I pulled that fuse   Maybe its a relay ?
Anyway have fun in americade  Dan

Thanks OSS,  If I was alone I would be there early but leaving even as late as  7am is pushing some of these old guys I ride with LOL...

[Dan-bury]

The Pursuit is water cooled and will be much more comfortable to ride in the summer than the Roadmaster. Also, better engine performance specs for the Pursuit.
Both bikes are heavier and cost more than the new Wing. But they have the American Cruiser  style that many desire.

Tony,, I was interested in the Pursuit but the more I look into it the less I like all the added tech.  I like it in my car but do like a more simple Motorcycle like the Roadmaster or Roadglide Limited.
Either way my Wing should be good for another year or so before I need to make a choice.

[Tony C.]

Tony,, I was interested in the Pursuit but the more I look into it the less I like all the added tech.  I like it in my car but do like a more simple Motorcycle like the Roadmaster or Roadglide Limited.
Either way my Wing should be good for another year or so before I need to make a choice.

At $30K +/-, all the big luxury touring models from HD, Indian, Honda and BMW are loaded with electronic tech, including the models mentioned in your post. The Indian and HD models even have a touch screen. The Wing does not. A good choice for a non-electronic tech tourer would be a Road King.

The big air cooled Indians are well known for excessive heat. Gary had that issue with his Indian. Also Rider magazine road tests have had the same comment.

We've both been riding water cooled flat 6 engines for over 20 years. In my very biased opinion, it's the best engine ever put in a mass-produced motorcycle. Smooth roll-on, turbine-like power, with no meaningful heat issues. And the low Center of Gravity, even more-so with the new Wing, can't be beat. I read posts on a Gold Wing board about guys switching to the new Wing from various BMW K1600s because they're top heavy and difficult to maneuver at slow speeds.

Bottom line, you're currently riding an icon, one of the best motorcycles ever made. Enjoy it while you decide what's next. For me it will probably have three wheels.

[holmes]

Hey Dan, what place do you recommend for a good lunch in the Danbury / Brewster area?  I've got someone in the area in the next few weeks and was looking to find a feeding spot.  Trust your judgement

 Mill Plain Rd has many good spots but Rosy Tomorrow's Restaurant is one of my favorites and is close to the Danbury/Brewster line just off Exit 2 Mill Plain RD.

Excellent, thanks!