I have a chance to ride an Electraglide from coast to coast this summer, but having never ridden anything bigger than a BMW r75/5 (and that was 30 years ago) I'm not sure about my ability to handle such a big rig.
Just started riding again in the past year, but only on a Honda Rebel 250. In my trip, I would be primarily on back roads, a little Interstate and very little city travel.
I would rent a Harely for some practice but all the dealers want one year of recent heavy bike experience.
I'm 5-6, 150 lbs.
Am I foolish to contemplate this?

Most dealers have a day that folks can test ride different bikes... check with all the shops in your area and see if you can get in on one of those test-ride days and try a couple out...

For myself, it is easier to ride a softail than a Sporty... kind of like riding a pack-horse versus an Arabian....

But a Rebel doesn't come anywhere close to the Harley experience... so I sure wouldn't try it without some Harley riding under my belt...

Highway and back roads might not be a problem. But stop signs, lights and city riding might be. As long as you don't get it tipped to far to one side or the other you shouldn't have a problem.

I owned a Rebel... it was my first bike (17 yrs ago :rolleyes: ) A Rebel is not close to a sporty. But that really doesn't matter. What does matter is your experience and confidence. I'm sure it would be a great trip... but if you head out and you're totally unsure of yourself... in my opionion, you're looking for trouble.
If you can get some time on a bigger bike before you leave.... that would be helpful. Are you doing the trip with other riders who are more experienced?

Well that's a really tough call,the EG handles quite well really for a heavyweight bike but an inexperienced rider could certainly get into trouble on one if not paying attention and entering a corner too fast.
Low speeds they are suprisingly nimble but if you do start to tip one over you won't stop it. :doh
Most likely trouble you'd get into would be at or near stopped and let yourself get off balance a bit and drop the bike.
They are well balanced bikes but if you have a moment of inattention they will take you down.
Most times a drop will cause little if any damage with the engine guards and saddlebag guards catching the bike as long as it is just a tip over and not moving.
The EG is a great bike for a trip like you are planning and I wouldn't call you foolish for thinking about such a grand adventure as a cross country trip on an Electraglide that's for sure.
Might I suggest you try and buy and old beater goldwing and ride it for a while to get some practice on a heavy bike.
They're a dime a dozen and you could resell it if you need to get the money back.
Here's typical $1500 GW.... http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/8/7/83124087.htm

You probably will be fine! The fact that you last rode thirty years ago, would indicate you are a mature rider. And if you take it easy for the first couple of days all will go well. A large Harley has a surprisingly low centre of gravity. They feel quite light. At speed, and around town, they are an easy bike to ride.

I think it will be okay, just drive extra careful take it easy and have your riding buddies help you out. After a day or two you will be more confident and will get better & better.

I would suggest taking the MSF course. It is on small bikes but it should give you more confidence and skills that would translate to any bike. After graduating it would probably only take a couple hours to get used to something heavier. Good Luck.

Based on what you've said, and only that, I'd say you're not ready to tackle that ride. Since you're questioning you own ability, that is an underlying indication that even you're not sure. A cross-country ride ain't no roll down the parkway on a sunny afternoon.

But there are ways to improve your standing.

Get the MSF course done or don't go. Plain and simple. No debate as far as I'm concerned.

After those few hours of "real" training, sit back and evaluate how you think you did, then ask these same questions again.

Without the MSF course first, you're a headline waiting to happen... and not a happy headline either.

- - - Ride safe... With fists in the wind... :tour

Thanks all.
I took MSF about 4 months ago and have been riding steadily ever since. So I'm reasonably confident on that count. They really hammered us about making sure we were slow going into corners, and I take that as gospel. I am a conservative rider, but am doing this ride alone. I would pick up the bike in San Francisco, so the first bunch of miles would be in challenging circumtances, to say the least.
I'm heading to the HD dealer this weekend to see if they would make an exception about their riding experience requirements. At least I can sit on a EG and see if my feet even reach the ground and how well I can balance it.

Last year when I rented bike before I bought, my HD dealer didn't worry over how long I had been riding. I told him that, with the exception of using my buddie's sporty to take my endorsement test, I haven't been on a bike in almost 30 years. He checked me out in the parking lot and said I was good to go. But if you have doubts.....it will show in your riding in an enclosed lot. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I think you'll be allright...just ride the hell out of that rebel til the trip and you'll have your "bike legs" back...I'd recommend that once you pick up the Eglide, I'd spend say maybe an hour staying in residential areas and getting used to the bike before heading onto the big roads...it's almost a given you have to get on an interstate to get out of the area, so if possible I'd say to try to depart during a non-rush hour period, if there is such a thing there! At least on the interstate, everyone's going the same direction (hopefully :D ), stay in the right lane and don't be too aggressive, and you'll be away from the maddening crowds in an hour or so! It probably wouldn't be prudent to do any fancy lane-splitting, either! And like others have mentioned...within a few days that bike and you will be one! Good luck, have fun, and take a good digital camera with you!

I'm a little curious...is this bike going to be yours when you pick it up, or are you taking it somewhere for someone?

I'm a little curious...is this bike going to be yours when you pick it up, or are you taking it somewhere for someone?

It's a one-way bike rental - essentially delivering it back to its home base at a discounted price.

That'd be a great activity after retirement! You could do that all summer, then head to Costa Rica in the winter for some good fishing! Hey, a guy can dream! :D

It sounds like a great opportunity for you! Take all the back roads you can and takes lots of pictures!

Yo Cswett...

If you've had the MSF and are doing a lot of riding, you should be okay but make sure you check your ability to handle the larger frame at low speeds. This is where it's going to be a major hassle in heavy traffic and with in-town riding.

Actually what you're doing is similar to what I've been thinking about. There are a number of HD dealships back in the north Georgia/Tennessee area that have used big twins cheaper than here on the Left Coast. Big turnover because of the lousy winter weather.

I've thought about tracking down a good EGlide or Road Sofa, then flying there and riding it back across country. The re-registration here in SoCAL would still make the price more attractive than trying to find a similar bike here.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

- - - Rider safe... With fists in the wind... :tour

J.W.

CSwett, where are you located?

Plenty of dealers also rent eglides.

And the Harley Factory Demo fleet (at big events) doesn't have any more of a requirement than you are licensed.

As for the R75, my experience with airheads is that they have a rather tall center of gravity. If you rode that extensively when you were younger you'd probably feel comfortable on the Eglide AFTER A DAY OR SO. Of course you're relatively small in stature (height/weight) so IF you get in a low traction situation on the glide (parking lot, stop sign etc, some gravel) it certainly could go over.

Then again the glides have front and rear crash bars, so a low speed drop should do much.

You might want to rent a bike for a day or weekend first and give it a try before deciding to take that kind of trip on such a different bike than you are used to.

But YES, I would guess you COULD definitely do it if you desire.

Kev

A bold adventure, to be sure, especially if you're doing it solo, with no other riders along. As others have advised, I would do everything I could to ride something bigger (Softail, Glide, even a Dyna or a Sporty) a bit before starting out. You should be able to find someone to rent you something. Remember, your Rebel weighs about 300 lbs., while an EGlide is around 800 lbs. Big difference, and takes some getting used to. Also, keep in mind that on the trip you have in mind, no matter what route you're taking, unless the motorcycle gods are really smiling down on you, you are going to hit high winds and rain at some point in the ride, still more challenges to your abilities. Have you ridden in the rain? In high gusty wind? Still more reasons to rent something heavier and get used to it.

In the end, I'm sure you'll make the right decision. If you decide to go for it, take all the right gear and prepare for the worst and, as an Army sergeant major said to me once in an exotic locale, far, far away: "Don't get too confident."

Otherwise, be careful out there and let us know how your adventure turns out.

I've talked to a llocal Harley dealer and they are gonna rent me a Dyna low. If I feel comfortable on that, do you think the EG is a reasonable leap?

I think a day or two on a Dyna Low Rider in traffic and on the open road will give you a much better feel for what you're getting into in terms of weight and power. The EG will still feel bigger when you first get on it, but not that much bigger. I believe it's a wise first step.

If you can get it off the kickstand I don't think you will have any problems. It really isn't that much different after a couple hours as long as you respect the ride and not try to push it too hard. Good luck, it should be a great trip.

Do yourself a favor and spend 40 bucks on "Ride Like a Pro IV".
He'll show you how to ride a big bike like the cops.
Your low speed control (confidence) is what will make the ride pleasurable, and not worrysome.
So sign up for the trip and practice your low speed drills, and then have the most fun anyone can have going coast to coast.
Any idiot can go straight, fast, just look at me ;)

thanks for the tip. Is Ride Like a Pro a book or DVD? I looked on Amazon and couldnt find anything on Amazon.
Thanks

thanks for the tip. Is Ride Like a Pro a book or DVD? I looked on Amazon and couldnt find anything on Amazon.
Thanks
Here is a link so you can check it out http://www.ridelikeapro.com/RLAP4.asp

Not having ridden a low rider, but having ridden my dad's ultra classic in town and on interstate, and comparing that with my 04 sporty, it is a different world. the eglide will feel alittle heavy at slow speads, but lightens up with speed. someon else said stops and starts are the hardest, i agree, and in that order. when you stop you'd better have that front wheel straight or it's goign over, and there's no stopping it. it get's even worse if you put a passanger on there. the one good thing about lossing it at a stop sign is that it is a lot easier to pick up, because of the guards it doesn't lay flat, and the tires stay pretty much on the ground.
after riding the low rider if you feel good, go for it. but do like some suggested spend a day in town first!
have fun

You don't say where you are located... are you from The City... if not, you need to do a lot of practise stopping and starting from the top of a very steep hill... and definitely do not start your ride during any of the commute hours... and if you head east to the Central Valley... make sure you don't wind up in that area during commute either... better to find a motel than spend three or four hours in stop & go traffic on a hot, big bike that you haven't been riding awhile...

The Learn to Ride Like a Pro tapes are great... I learned about light pressure to the back-wheel break during slow-speed turns from those tapes... along with other great tips and defensive driving tips too...

No, I'm not from SF. From Sacto, and I definitely would not go during rush hour, probably on a Saturday morning. Bike pick-up place is in the flat part of SF and it's a reasonably straight shot to the Bay Bridge, so steep hills wont be an issue.