Took a Trip on Goldwing in Florida

[donaldcc]

   Just finishing up a short trip to FL and rented a new Goldwing yesterday for a ride.  About 350 miles, out of Orlando and over to coast heading north.  Cut over to A1A at Daytona to ride along beach up to Flagler.  Then I headed NW up to Palatka and down through Ocala National forest and over to Oxford to see brother and family for an hour or two then back to mtg in Orlando.



 Nice ride about 350mi. Cool weather, high 40s at start and then up to mid 50s.  The Goldwing was fun.  Heated grips and seat, cruise control, adjustable windshield and reverse.  I had not ridden one and really liked the way it handled.  It seemed more nimble than the Valk, but not to many curves there and certainly no mtns.  The instrument panel was like being in a cockpit and I don't use music or radio so it seemed a little bit busy for my taste.  Used the reverse to back out of downhill space at hotel and it worked great.  Would like to have that option.

 Was careful for deer in Ocala National Forest and went by a dead forest rat with about 20 buzzards muntching away on the roadside.  Must have been road kill.  Tropic Traveler you must have been through that way a lot.  See many deer there?

 Coast was nice.



 Since it was chilly, no one could see my Valkyrie shirt under my jacket.

 

 Fun day, but I think I wil keep the Valkyrie.

[hairyteeth]

I wish I had known you were going for a ride. I'm in Orlando this week and looking for an excuse for some wind. Did you rent from Eaglerider by chance? I saw their add for Wings and Harleys...
HT

[donaldcc]

I wish I had known you were going for a ride. I'm in Orlando this week and looking for an excuse for some wind. Did you rent from Eaglerider by chance? I saw their add for Wings and Harleys...
HT

Yep, Eagle Rider was only about 5 miles away from where i was staying.  They were very professional and had quite a selection of bikes. I would use them again if I was out of town and wanted a bike, sites throughout US.

[BamaDrifter64]

Just curious as I've never rented a bike before...what do they charge?

Dave

[cookiedough]

Just curious as I've never rented a bike before...what do they charge?

Dave

You know, at least around me,  you can go into your local HD shop and ask for a rental for the day for free as long as you return it within 24 hours no charge.  I get them in the mail all the time for a free one day rental from local HD shops.  If they have a HD to loan out,  good to go for the day.  I've been meaning to finally test drive a HD some day, but haven't gotten around to it.  I'd park it in front of my house next to my HD fanatic neighbor and watch him gloat and drive it by his house a few dozen times revving the heck out of it and then return it the next day waiting for him to ask me where the HD was at.  Just waiting then to tell him it wasn't powerful or comfy enough like my 12 year old I/S is now made by Honda.   

[donaldcc]

Just curious as I've never rented a bike before...what do they charge?

Dave

  Check PM for how I worked it out.  1st motorcycle I have rented and it worked out very good. I had no contact with this group before, but would use them again.  Seemed like a quality operation.

http://www.eaglerider.com/

[Rams]

Just curious as I've never rented a bike before...what do they charge?

Dave

  Check PM for how I worked it out.  1st motorcycle I have rented and it worked out very good. I had no contact with this group before, but would use them again.  Seemed like a quality operation.

http://www.eaglerider.com/

Well heck, been checking back on this thread all day hoping to see the answer to that question.  Hmm    must have been one heck of a deal. 
Pics and a thread/advertising on VRCC maybe for a day's ride?

OK, just re-read that and I don't mean it like it may read.  Just curious.

[Pappy!]

Well? Did ya' have lunch at Shrimp R Us or 3 Bananas??
Gotta be more pictures as well.
Coming out of Astor and heading down 445, which is a forest road, I saw 16 deer in about a 5 mile stretch. Two ran across me......one directly in front and one just behind me. Had already slowed wayyy down because I sorta figured they were going to bolt. Of course that was right at dusk.

[donaldcc]

Well heck, been checking back on this thread all day hoping to see the answer to that question.  Hmm    must have been one heck of a deal.  
Pics and a thread/advertising on VRCC maybe for a day's ride?

OK, just re-read that and I don't mean it like it may read.  Just curious.

Not being mysterious.  it was $163 for 24 hours.  there was a AAA discount of about $20.

And Pappy I wrote down the place you suggested, but i had just headed out in general direction and headed over to beach a little to early to hit A1A so delayed me about an hour or so and didn't have time to stop.  thanks for suggestion though, maybe next time.  i know eustis very well, as a kid i played a lot of football and basketball against them, clermont and those surrounding places.  lots of changes since then.

  I went through ocala national forest about 2-3 pm so a little early for the deer but the one on the roadside made me slow down a little and really watch the roadside.

[Tropic traveler]

Yep Donald, you were in my riding territory!
Don't see too many deer except at night or very early morning. Glad you had a good time despite the crappy weather.