Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Thanks so much to this customer for their kind words!
Click here to read this review and many more on Insider Pages!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Channing Tatum to Star in, Produce Evel Knievel Pic for Sony (Exclusive)
"Fifty Shades of Grey" duo Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti are also on board to produce.
Channing Tatum is set to pull off his biggest stunt yet.
The red-hot Magic Mike actor is in negotiations to star in and produce a film about '70s daredevil Evel Knievel for Columbia Pictures. Tatum will produce with his Iron Horse Entertainment partner Reid Carolin, who also will write the screenplay.
Also on board to produce is one of the town's hottest producing teams in Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti, who just landed the hotly contested Fifty Shades of Grey producing gig for Universal Pictures and Focus Features.
Born Robert Craig Knievel, the stuntman became a household name in the 1970s for his nationally televised motorcycle jumps. Ever the showman, Knievel became recognizable for his use of a Stars-and-Stripes getup and known for his 433 broken bones. At the height of his celebrity, he gained endorsements from Harley-Davidson and a toy line by the Ideal Toy Co. Knievel died in 2007 at 69.
Tatum isn't the first actor to portray the famed thrill-seeker. George Hamilton starred in the 1971 film titled Evel Knievel, while Knievel himself toplined the 1977 film Viva Knievel!
The Tatum vehicle is based on Stuart Barker's 2008 book Life of Evel.
Thanks to a string of hits including the semi-autobiographical ode to the male stripper Magic Mike, Tatum has enjoyed his pick of plum projects. He next will shoot Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher, based on another true-life character, Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz.
Tatum and Carolin are repped by UTA and Management 360.
Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Footie stars are bike in action
GENEROUS Shaun Wright-Phillips gets on his bike ahead of his charity trek across California.
The QPR winger enlisted his footie pals Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou to join him on his two-wheeled adventure.
Wayne Rooney was also due to saddle-up, but he called in sick with a hangover before the gang set off.
The bike ride was sponsored by EagleRider Motorcycles Tours, and a rep for the company revealed the Man Utd ace had to cancel after a heavy night on the sauce.
Wayne is currently holidaying in Los Angeles with his wife Coleen following England’s bitterly disappointing performance at Euro 2012.
However, Shaun and his friends looked in fine shape as they donned crash helmets before cruising through LA.
Wheely generous ... Shaun Wright-Phillips and blonde passenger
ALLSTAR/SPORTSPHOTOThe charity trip raised funds for Arms Around The Child – a non-profit organisation that helps African orphans affected by AIDS and HIV.
Shaun has hosted four similar events in his native Britain, raising around £100,000 for good causes.
Doing their bit for charity ... Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole
INFPhoto.comThe speedy footie star rode his own bike, taking a leg-flashing blonde for a spin, while Ashley opted to travel shotgun.
The motorbike posse journeyed through the LA South Bay areas of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes and ended up in San Pedro, where they ate a BBQ lunch and kicked a ball around with local kids.
Tummy of steel ... Salomon Kalou
ALLSTAR/SPORTSPHOTO Although Ashley didn’t appear up for much action as he sat down at the side of the road, striker Didier had a ball playing football.
Rest stop ... Ashley Cole
ALLSTAR/SPORTSPHOTO The Ivory Coast star has recently left Chelsea for Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua.
He’s reportedly signed a two-and-a-half year deal earning him £200,000 a week.
Thank you for the rave reviews, Garrett and Dawn!
- Garrett
- Dawn
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
EagleRider Los Angeles - Bike Night!
| Come out and join us for Bike Night every 3rd Wednesday of each month at EagleRider Los Angeles and honor US Vets. |
| Our vets make huge sacrifices, yet hundreds are homeless on our streets. So, join us for food, music, free Harley rentals, free concert tickets and more – All proceeds will be donated to help US Vets. |
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The fun starts at 7pm and goes until 10pm. We look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday! We are located on La Cienega just South of Imperial Hwy. Click HERE for directions. |
| EagleRider Los Angeles Call us for more info @ 310-643-5254 |
Friday, June 15, 2012
Unusual Father's Day Idea
EagleRider is the largest motorcycle rental and tour franchise with more than 100 locations in approximately 17 countries worldwide. Four locations in Chicagoland are offering dads the opportunity to rent their dreams with the following deal:
Rent a bike if you ARE a Dad or FOR your Dad, rent 2 days at the regular rate and get 1 free from Friday, June 15-Friday, June 22. Participating locations are:
EagleRider Countryside 9950 Joliet Rd Countryside, IL 60525
Contact: Anyone at the venue phone number, 888-966-1500, ord@eaglerider.com
http://www.eaglerider.com
http://triblocal.com/st‐charles/calendar/2012/06/15/unusual‐fathers‐day‐idea/
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Real-Life ‘Tony Stark’ Builds Motorcycle From A Broken Car To Escape Desert
Courtesy of Design Taxi
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
No Motorcycle License? No Problem!
EagleRider Launches Pillion Rides & Day Tours Allowing
Non-Riders to Experience the Thrill of the Open Road
Pilot Program Will Roll-Out in Florida First
Los Angeles – May 8, 2012 – EagleRider, the world’s largest motorcycle rental and tour company, is once again revolutionizing the industry by unveiling its Pillion Rides & Day Tours program today for travelers and adventure enthusiasts who want to experience riding a motorcycle without the requirement of a license. With packages starting at $359 per person, riders will be teamed up with a certified EagleRider Tour Guide to roar down the open road to breathtaking destinations along the Florida Coast for an adventure of a lifetime.
“For 20 years, EagleRider has been dedicated to helping our customers live the dream, giving them the ultimate thrill of riding with the wind in their hair,” said Chris McIntyre, EagleRider co-founder and president. “This program is perfect for non-riders whether they be cruise travelers looking for a new excursion at port, island hoppers wanting to seek new roads or thrill seekers thirsting to burn a little rubber. We want motorcycle riding to be accessible for everyone.”
The Pillion (Passenger) Rides & Day Tours are offered in half-day or full-day escapes which include a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Motorcycle Driver, Motorcycle Driver’s EagleRider Serviced Rental Bike, Fuel and Oil, Rental Helmet and Jacket, Rider Orientation & Motorcycle Familiarization, Discounted Activities during Tour, Lunch, and an EagleRider Souvenir T-shirt and Photo. Riders may choose from Harley Davidson, BMW, Honda or Triumph models. All EagleRider bikes are meticulously inspected and serviced for the safety of all riders.
For more information, visit www.EagleRider.com, or call within the USA, +1 (888) 557-3541, or outside the USA, +1 (310) 321-3178, or email at tours@eaglerider.com.
ABOUT EAGLERIDER
In 1992, EagleRider pioneered the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle rental concept and the guided motorcycle tour business. Today, we are the world’s largest motorcycle travel and tourism company. EagleRider understands the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventure travelers; offering over 4,000 perfectly maintained Harley, Honda, BMW, Triumph and many other motorcycle models in more than 100 locations worldwide. Our vast network of EagleRider locations allows us the unique ability to offer One-Way Rentals, Guided Tours and Self-Drive Tours from the most desirable tourist destinations in the world. For more information, please visit www.EagleRider.com, like us on Facebook at EagleRider Motorcycle Tours and follow on Twitter @EagleRider.
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tsunami motorcycle owner located in Japan
Harley-Davidson hopes to restore bike discovered on remote West Coast beach
The Japanese owner of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was washed out to sea in the tsunami of March 2011 says its discovery on a remote beach on the West Coast of B.C. last week is a miracle.
The owner, Ikuo Yokoyama, a 29-year-old resident of the town of Yamamoto, in Miyagi Prefecture, was tracked down by a Harley-Davidson representative in Japan who saw the story, first reported by CBC News, in the media.
A company spokeperson told CBC News they are now hoping to pay for the return of the bike to Yokoyama and to see if they can restore it for him.
The bike is a little rusty but amazingly intact. (Submitted by Peter Mark)
Yokoyama told Japanese television station NHK that the discovery of the motorcycle was miraculous and he wished to thank the B.C. man who found it personally, but so far he has only been able to do so on TV.
He said he lost his home and three family members in the tsunami and is now living in temporary accommodation. The motorcycle was being kept at his house in the back section of a cube van that he was using as a storage shed when the tsunami struck.
He said he bought the bike five years ago and some of his fondest memories were of his tours around Japan on it.
When asked if he wanted to say anything to his bike, Yokoyama laughed and and said, "Thanks for coming back buddy," in Japanese.
Drifted 5,000 km to Haida Gwaii
After it was washed out to sea in the tsunami in the makeshift storage container, the motorcycle apparently floated 5,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean
It was discovered by Peter Mark, a resident of B.C.'s Haida Gwaii, while he was exploring a remote beach on Graham Island.
The bike was rusty, particularly on the wheels and handlebars, but the logo on the fuel tank was unmistakable.
The motorcycle's licence plate showed it was registered in Miyagi Prefecture, and writing on the container matched photos of a commonly used Japanese moving van. Mark also found a few golf clubs, tools and camping equipment in the container.
Miyagi Prefecture, on Japan's east coast was the worst hit part of the country in the tsunami, with more than 11,000 people dead and missing.
Experts estimate more than 1.5 million tonnes of tsunami debris was swept out to sea and is now drifting across the Pacific Ocean toward Canada's West Coast.
The Kuroshio ocean current runs in an almost direct path from Japan's east coast over to North America, passing right by the islands of Haida Gwaii.
Until now only bottles, buoys and other small items have washed ashore, but one unmanned fishing boat was sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard before it reached the West Coast of Alaska last month.
Courtesy of CBC News - British Columbia
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Harley-Davidson Generates Buzz Around the Voices of Women Riders
Inspirational Stories From Women Who Ride ... And Those Who Want to Learn Featured on a New Interactive Site
MILWAUKEE, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- "Freedom to be." "It's Harley or Nothing." "It's in my blood." "2 Wheels Move the Soul." These are just a few of the things women - who either already ride a motorcycle or want to learn how - are saying on a new interactive website created by Harley-Davidson called the Buzz Wall.
Housed at www.harley-davidson.com/voices , the Buzz Wall is an extension of the Motor Company's 'No Doubts. No Cages.' campaign and features real stories submitted by women from around the world about why they ride or why they want to learn to ride. Women can share their stories by tweeting with the Twitter hashtag #harleywomen, or they can upload them to the Women Riding Stories section on Harley-Davidson's website.
"Women who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles - and those who are passionate about learning - have amazing stories of empowerment to share," said Amanda Lee, Manager of Public Relations Outreach for Harley-Davidson. "The Buzz Wall showcases these stories and amplifies their voices in the hopes of inspiring others to take life by the handlebars."
The Buzz Wall, which will be showcased through June 15, 2012, also features inspirational content, including videos from the popular Harley-Davidson 'My Time to Ride' series, tips to help those interested in learning to ride get started and details about upcoming women riders events, including Women Riders Month this May that kicks off on International Female Ride Day on May 4.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com .
SOURCE Harley-Davidson Motor Company via PR Newswire
Monday, April 23, 2012
EagleRider Gives Away Three-day Motorcycle Tour and Daily Prizes to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
The sweepstakes, which runs from now until June 1st, 2012, features daily giveaways on Facebook and has a grand prize that includes a three-day motorcycle tour of Los Angeles. The all-expenses-paid trip for two features three days of riding through California's mountain ranges and along the stunning Pacific Coastline–world-renowned tourist destinations. The grand prize winner will also receive two tickets to attend the exclusive 20th anniversary party to be held on July 21st, 2012, at EagleRider’s flagship store in Los Angeles. In addition to the grand prize, T-shirts, gift cards, and day-long motorcycle rentals at EagleRider’s stores in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando will be given out every day on Facebook at Facebook.com/EagleRiderSales.
Our 20th anniversary is a major milestone in the history of EagleRider,” said General Manager Matt Morton. “We’re delighted to give motorcycle enthusiasts across the United States the opportunity to tour California's gorgeous coastline and celebrate our 20th anniversary with us. We have a vibrant community of Facebook fans, and we encourage everyone to participate in the sweepstakes –with daily prize giveaways, there are going to be lots of winners. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook for your chance to win.” As part of their 20th anniversary celebration, EagleRider will also be running promotions on used Harley-Davidson's®, Yamahas®, and Hondas®, and Facebook fans will be the first ones to find out when the sales begin.
Contest Details
To enter to win, participants must go to Facebook.com/EagleRiderSales, and “like” the page by June 1st, 2012. The grand prize includes one motorcycle rental, two nights accommodations, airfare (coach class from any of the lower 48 states to Los Angeles), transfers from airport to hotel, and two VIP passes to the 20th anniversary party on Saturday, July 21st, where the grand prize winner will be announced.
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ABOUT EAGLERIDER
In 1992, EagleRider pioneered the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle rental concept and the guided motorcycle tour business. Today, we are the world’s largest motorcycle travel and tourism company. EagleRider understands the needs of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventure travelers; offering over 4,000 perfectly maintained Harley, Honda, BMW, Triumph and many other motorcycle models in more than 100 locations worldwide. Our vast network of EagleRider corporate and franchise locations allows us the unique ability to offer One-Way Rentals, Guided Tours and Self-Drive Tours from the most desirable tourist destinations in the world.
Friday, April 20, 2012
EagleRider and Our Great Escape from Los Angeles
A couple of days ago, I tried to outsmart the crowds by getting out of town. Brian, my father-in-law, and I decided to rent a couple of motorcycles and decided to head up the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara. On the return, we took an extraordinary detour through the Santa Monica Mountains, crisscrossing some delightfully treacherous roads. We had discovered EagleRider, a motorcycle and off-road vehicle rental company, last summer during our National Park Tour and have been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to try out some of the other bikes they have on offer. For this ride I selected a BMW R1200RT, an impossibly sleek bike that has been engineered within an inch of absurdity. Brian chose a Honda Goldwing 1800, which has all the comforts of your favorite lazy boy and the performance of an innertube rushing down a waterslide. Sure, you’ll get to the bottom of the hill, but you won’t win many points for style. More on the bikes in a minute.
We wanted to get an early start (about 7am) in order to beat the Sunday traffic. As expected, we sailed up the coast without any delays and had the roads to ourselves for the better part of the morning. The air was brisk frigid, dipping below 50 degrees. As we sped up the PCH towards Santa Barbara, cool, salty ocean mists brought a chill to any exposed skin. April might be a bit early for an early morning ride. Elsewhere, pockets of warm(er) air drenched with the smell of eucalyptus filled our path. Despite wide sweeping curves and picture perfect ocean views, the 1200RT never really settled in to a comfortable rhythm. It seemed to fidget and squirm, like an athlete in botany class. I could almost hear it mutter, “C’mon! Let’s get to physics lab!” All in good time.
Along the Pacific Coast Highway, north of Los Angeles.
By the time we reached Santa Barbara, the air had warmed noticeably. Warm and sunny always feels inviting, so I felt a tinge of regret that we weren’t able to stay longer in Santa Barbara. The town seems to benefit from the same climatological blessings as Los Angeles, without all the crowds. Throw in a dash of history and smart zoning and you may have the perfect place to call home. Still, the gravitational pull of the Santa Monica Mountains grew stronger by the minute and today just wasn’t a day for dawdling. After a quick snack and rest stop, we were back on the road heading south.
State Street in Santa Barbara, the main drag.
About 12 miles south of Santa Barbara is the turnoff to Ojai and Lake Casitas. As soon as we made the turn, I knew we were about to have some fun. The presence of wildflowers bursting through the mountain valleys heightened the invigoration of the immediate and relentless winding mountain roads. Here, the 1200RT would be happy. Heading east on Highway 150, we found some of the prettiest and most enjoyable roads of the day. After turning south on Highway 33 (just before Ojai) and passing through Ventura/Oxnard, we hurried down a short stretch of the PCH until we reached the turn for Mulholland Highway. The timing seemed about right. The PCH was starting to feel like a parking lot and the mountain roads felt like a deserted race course. For the rest of the afternoon, we hardly left the mountains and we didn’t regret the decision for a moment.
Heading towards Lake Casitas in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Brian and I each rode stretches on both bikes. I have to admit, every time I got on the Goldwing, I counted the seconds before getting back on the 1200RT. Despite the sensitive throttle and the high level of torque, the bike seemed instantly familiar and easy to manage. It’s no small feat that a bike of this size can be made to feel as responsive as a Vespa, but somehow those clever Germans have done it. If nothing else, this was an excellent opportunity to ride a couple of bikes that I might not otherwise have a chance to experience. The combination of performance and comfort offered by the 1200RT will be difficult to match. And what of the Goldwing? Well, let’s just say that it’s exactly the kind of ride you’d expect from a 900 pound gorilla bike.
I managed to mount a camera to the front of the bike to capture some of the driving joy. A quick note on the footage: the video has been sped up to remove some of the shakiness and give a better sense of the driving experience. The first minute or so is the most shaky and it becomes smoother after that. Due to technical limitations, I was only able to capture a small fraction of the driving experience, and not even the most thrilling turns, at that. If you have even a miniscule amount of interest in riding this route, I recommend you get there post haste. You’ll thank yourself later.
The Santa Monica Mountains are a great escape from the crowds and chaos of the world’s third largest economic center. Tall and rugged, extending for miles, these mountains offer clean air, panoramic views, a bit of wildlife, and lots of recreational activities. Some of the roads feel almost deserted. The Mulholland Highway (not the Drive), is a particularly special piece of roadway. Once the destination of choice for Steve McQueen and his riding buddies, still visited by Jay Leno and the Governator, and visited by the Tour of California stage races (see pic #22), the Mulholland Highway is in a class of its own. It’s would be hard to find a bad road in the Santa Monica Mountains, but if you’re looking for suggestions, start with Mulholland and branch out to include some of the other roads mapped out below.
Santa Monica Mountains - Suggested driving route.
Need a bite to eat along the way? Neptune’s Net, along the PCH, can be nearly overrun by the weekend biker crowd, but that’s part of the fun. In the heart of the mountains, The Rock Store is a veritable pilgrimage site, especially since the passing of Ed Savko, its founder and longtime owner, a few weeks ago. The Rock Store is also a favorite spot for celebrity sightings. I can’t say how the food is at either location, we were having so much fun riding we never stopped to eat.
We traveled a large portion of the highlighted route (though in different directions) and loved every mile of it. I’m not a daredevil rider; I like to keep the bike neatly between the lines. Although there are some very tight turns and somewhat technical stretches, riding within your limits will make this ride a very memorable outing.
Somewhere in the Santa Monica Mountains.
I have to compliment EagleRider for their extraordinary service and the quality of the bikes they have available. We chose a BMW and a Honda for this trip and they were nothing short of fantastic! As soon as this ride ended, I was eyeing a Triumph Bonneville and a Harley Road King in the parking lot. I’m looking forward to many more road trips around the world. I’ve been thrilled to learn that EagleRider’s footprint is expanding globally and many of its locations are conveniently found close to some particularly interesting driving destinations. French Riviera? New Zealand? Here I come!
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, or even just a casual rider, I suggest you look into the EagleRider options. And remember, AAA members enjoy discounts on vehicle rentals. For example, the Texas AAA club offers the following discounts: 20% on motorcycle rentals, 15% on apparel and accessories, and $250 on pre-owned motorcycles.
Happy travels!
Courtesy of The Man of a Thousand Places
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Cuba's motorcycle culture roaring back to life
Varadero, Cuba (CNN) -- Decades navigating the roads in Cuba have left deep scars on Sergio Morales' jet black 1947 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The Harley's frame is a battlefield of craters and gashes. The frozen odometer stopped counting at 45,000 kilometers. In Cuba, where little is in abundance save shortages, Morales uses a car wheel for his motorcycle's back tire.
But when Morales kick-starts the Harley, its engine roars to full-throated life.
Morales is a "harlista," what Cubans call the small band of men and women who have preserved the island's motorcycle culture.
That hasn't been an easy task in a country where a five-decades-old U.S. economic embargo makes getting new parts -- much less bikes -- near impossible.
"It's work. You have to have spirit, desire," Morales said. "There's nowhere to buy spare parts here so over the years we have had to find alternative fixes or invent our own."
And being a Harley fanatic courted controversy in the early years of the Cuban revolution when everything American, from jazz music to rock 'n' roll, was considered suspect. It also didn't help that Harleys were the motorcycle of choice for police during the Batista dictatorship.
But now the iconic American bikes are enjoying something of a comeback.
Over the weekend, Morales was one of about 50 harlistas to participate in Cuba's first ever nationwide Harley-Davidson rally in the beach resort town of Varadero.
"It's an opportunity for us to celebrate not just the Harley but the Cuban Harley," Morales said. "And in one of the prettiest places with the best beaches in the country."
The sight of the motley crew of black leather-sporting motorcyclists pulling into a seaside town seemed like a scene straight out of the classic Marlon Brando film "The Wild One," where a band of bikers terrorize a small community.
But in Varadero it was the bikers who were beset upon by admiring locals and tourists. One family of American tourists said they had changed their travel plans to come from Mexico to Cuba for a few days after learning about the event.
"We are here to give these guys a hand; it's lot of work to keep their bikes running," said event organizer Kristen MacQueen.
Cuban Harley aficionados are unique, MacQueen said, because their vintage bikes are not just for show.
"A lot of the people use them in their everyday life to get around," MacQueen said. "For some people here, it's their only form of transportation."
The bikes lined up at the Varadero rally were a mix of Harleys from the decades leading up to Cuba's 1959 revolution. Some Harleys were adorned with the face of revolutionary icon Che Guevara, others with American eagles.
In between demonstrating their agility in biking competitions, the harlistas checked out one another's rides and explained to tourists how they keep them running.
Even with foreigners bringing in replacement parts from the outside, keeping the Harleys running is no small feat. Many of the bikes used parts cannibalized from Asian and old Soviet bikes and cars. Some Harlistas are legendary in the community for hand-making the parts they need.
But however challenging, none of the Cuban Harley fanatics says they plan to abandon their passion any time soon.
"You get to a point where the Harley becomes part of your family," Cuban Harley owner Yuri Garcia said. "You become inseparable. If you sold it, you'd never find another bike like it."
Courtesy of CNN
Monday, March 26, 2012
Enter to win great prizes from EagleRider!
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Like us on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/yxRHfA) and enter to win a grand prize 3 day Los Angeles motorcycle tour including 2 VIP passes to our 20th anniversary party! Plus there will be daily winners selected to receive one of three prizes, a $20 EagleRider gift card, EagleRider t-shirt, or one day free motorcycle rental.
Thank you for the rave review, Josh!
I highly recommend Eagle Rider, and will steer any of my friends there in the future!" - Josh
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thank you for sharing your feedback, Bill and Gus!
"Rented a coulpe of Harley s on our last 2 visits to Florida, it s our must do now every time we vacation there. EagleRider is the bomb!" - Gus
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thank you, Rene, for sharing this experience!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Thank you for the great review, Thor!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Check out this article - Bike Week is in full swing!
Biker subculture ranges from horns to Bibles
Bikers glide down Main Street in Daytona Beach as Bikeweek 2012 enjoyed a full day of sun
Click HERE to read more.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Roaring Into Sun and Sea on 2 Wheels
From the Keys, we turned west through the Everglades on the Tamiami Trail (Route 41), then up the Gulf Coast and back east to Miami via Alligator Alley (Interstate 75). With side trips, it was around 600 miles in four days, not a big challenge for the true wind-in-your-face aficionado.
If you're flying into Florida to start your trip — as this frost-encrusted Mainer did — there's a good selection of motorcycle rental shops to choose from. I chose EagleRider Miami, which put me on a BMW 1200 GS, a gutsy streetworthy rig with adequate bags for carry-ons, including my wife Betty's always-abundant array of togs.
Check your motorcycle insurance coverage, and if it doesn't cover rentals, do consider buying the protection. It added less than $30 a day to the overall sum of $584 that covered three 24-hour periods spanning four calendar days.
On our first leg, we slogged our way through local traffic in Miami and the surrounding area to connect with U.S. 1 about 50 miles south of the city. A wiser choice would have been to spend the extra few bucks and cruise toward the islands on Florida's Turnpike. If you're renting a motorcycle, you don't even need to fumble for cash at the tolls; photos of the bike license plate will be sent to the rental company, which in my case added toll charges to the bill.
The feel of escaping the mainland and entering the Keys on U.S. 1 is no less than exhilarating. The roadway, also called the Overseas Highway, runs 127 miles, connecting the island chain with a series of bridges and expansive, seemingly endless views of the ocean on either side.
Our first stop was Key Largo. With the help of a chamber of commerce information center, we found a seaside one-bedroom apartment there. Informal but graceful, the palm-shaded compound opened to a spacious dock overlooking Florida Bay and was a short walk to a selection of Mexican, sushi and other restaurants, including one that will be remembered for its pitchers of margaritas. And if you're not a privacy freak, sharing four to a unit can save a lot of bucks. In this case, $140 split between two couples wasn't bad.
U.S. 1 slows down in the towns dotting the islands, but it's a good idea to keep alert for cross-traffic that doesn't seem to notice bikes. These areas are replete with shops, restaurants, and places offering side trips for diving, boating, sport fishing, parasailing and bicycling.
For the non-motorized biking crowd, bike paths are laned off along the Overseas Highway. There's also a sumptuous selection of state parks offering swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and camping. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, combined with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, covers 178 nautical square miles and offers divers breathtaking sights of coral formations and tropical marine life.
Closer to Key West is Big Pine Key, noted for its tiny, endangered Key deer. There are ample warnings and much of the stretch across the island is fenced off, but riders should take note.
We found the turnoff from Big Pine that took us literally off the beaten path to No Name Key, noted for a roadside pub by the same name. The food and beer are fine, but the walls and ceilings dressed in a lush coating of dollar bills left by legions of patrons who've paraded through are the real attraction.
As the green mile markers across U.S. 1 complete their countdown from 127 to 0, you're in Key West. A ride into town for a look-see circuit is fine, but it's a good idea to find a hotel, B&B or other lodging and leave the two-wheelers parked before the sightseeing and partying begin. We lucked out with perhaps the last room on the island, around $300. But, again, we bunked four to a room.
The streets fill up at nighttime and the drinks flow at Sloppy Joe's, Hog's Breath Saloon and the other noted haunts and honky tonks. (The bouncers are glad to make sure your beer is in a plastic cup instead of a bottle if you decide to take to the streets.)
Amid it all, Key West is full of restaurants to suit all tastes. At the pierside Alonzo's, a fine dinner and drinks came to about $100 on the nose.
The town's attractions are many, but Key West can hardly be uttered without mentioning its most famous denizen, Ernest Hemingway. His coral rock home and a museum can be visited for an admission. The ever-photographed monument marking the southernmost point in the continental states is open and free. Any visitor will quickly see the selection of shops featuring art, sandals, cigars and you-name-it lining the streets.
Fortunately for bikers, there's little room for extra baggage so we continued our tour virtually souvenir-free. It was on to the Everglades, a wholly different world and kind of beauty just a few hours ride away.
From U.S. 1, on the mainland, it's a sharp left (west) to U.S. 41, the Tamiami Trail, and a delightful straightaway into the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. This time, instead of riding over the sea we had the sense of riding over a sea of swamp grass, bounded at great lengths by canals off the edges of the highway
The starkness of the surroundings was refreshing after the heavy commercialization along the Keys. Miles go by before you see a store or gas station, so check your fuel gauge.
The road passes the entrance to Shark Valley Visitor Center where tram tours into the Everglades are available. Traffic was light, but no fewer than a dozen airboats towed by pickups that passed by attested to the busy day vendors had taking people into the subtropical wilderness — essentially a giant, shallow moving river.
The ride got more interesting, if eerie, as the sun set and we made way for Naples on the Gulf Coast. Signs appeared warning drivers to slow down for panther crossings.
From Naples, the vistas give way to miles of strip malls and shopping areas that service growing Gulf Coast communities. The final leg began with a turn back east toward I-75, or Alligator Alley, across Big Cypress National Preserve, leading back to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The ride is, again, a motorcyclist's dream, but here there are no tourist amenities, just the necessities.
By GLENN ADAMS Associated Press
Courtesy of ABC News
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
EagleRider to sell motorcycle rental units to dealers
While business is up at EagleRider in Los Angeles, NuWire Investor reports the company is also selling some of its used motorcycles to dealers.
EagleRider president Chris McIntyre said the company has progressed from renting just four bike models in the early 1990s to 4,000 bike offerings in 110 locations across the U.S. and 14 corporate locations in Europe.
"What's happening in the rest of the world is happening in America. Gas is exploding in price," he said. "But our biggest growth and revenues are U.S.-based."
"We have tons of people coming that not only rent our bikes, but then ask to buy them because it's a great economical way to commute,” he says. ”[Consumers] still want to be in something cool, but they love the idea of getting 50 miles to the gallon and not being in a Toyota Prius," he said.
EagleRider has started to sell its bikes back to dealers to help fill demand for used motorcycles. While rentals account for 90 percent of EagleRider's revenue, sell-backs are helping. "We're in the very industry that was decimated [in 2008] by the economy," McIntyre said.
Courtesy of Dealernews.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
EagleRider Spolight. Road Style
Eagle Rider Orlando Motorcycle Sales & Rentals
Sales: 407-251-5335
Rentals: 407-438-4055
1233 West Sandlake Rd
Orlando, Fl 32809
Sales:
rock@eaglerider.com
hollywood@eaglerider.com
Rentals:
mco@eaglerider.com
Thank you to our happy customers for the rave reviews!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
We appreciate the kind words from our happy customers! Thank you all for the feedback.
Customer service was friendly and always informative. The bikes never missed a beat and were well maintained and safe.
I would recommend ER to anyone thinking of trying out a Harley. Will be back in 2012. See you then." - Dean
"Bikes look and run great. Plenty of available bikes for any riding style. What is not to like." - Kevin
"I am looking forward to purchasing my next bike from EagleRider. The last two were such great deals that I had my brother check out your Florida locations! He did, and purchased a great bike also. We are to have a good lasting relationship! Thank you, EagleRider!"
"This was an amazing buying experience for me. I bought my dream Harley from Ty in San Francisco. My bike rocks, and I got a pretty good deal on my 2007 Street Glide. Thanks to Eagle Riders for giving me the summer of my life! :)" - Tracy
Monday, February 13, 2012
We appreciate this great feedback from another one of our satisfied customers. Thank you David!
I bought the red 2007 Fat boy from you in September/October last year. Well it finally arrived to me today, after a long time at sea, and getting through Australian Customs etc. I just wanted to let you know how absolutely beautiful this bike is. It was everything you described and MORE. the condition is perfect, the color is striking and I am just blown away it. I couldn't be happier.
You and your company were a pleasure to deal with, you made the whole process simple and without any fuss. Eagle rider and yourself should be praised for your quality bikes and your service.
Thank you again very much.
David A., Australia
Sold from EagleRider Sales Los Angeles location
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
2008 Harley-Davidson FXDF Dyna Fat Bob
Detachable sissy bar, Screamin Eagle perofrmance exhaust.EVERY NOW AND THEN, SOMETHING WILL COME ALONG AND PUT EVERYTHING RIGHT WHERE IT BELONGS.
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Manufacturer Harley-Davidson
Model Year 2008
Model FXDF Dyna® Fat Bob™
Price *$12,495.00
Color Vivid Black
VIN # 320704
Stock Number: RSB FT-007
Miles 11142
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