Those Screaming Eagle exhausts sound so good-BMWs purr like a cat, Kawasakis howl like a banshee, but this sounds like a motorcycle used to sound ... Pavarotti clearing his throat. In built-up areas or passing through villages, the sound reverberates off the walls and rattles your diaphragm.
 |
Photo courtesty of Milwaukee Motorcycle Co. Tunbridge Wells |
It's also essential to ride in town because you can ride quite slowly for maximum pose value while admiring your reflection in shop windows.
This requires a particular technique - one eye on theshop window and one on the vehicle in front. Sad - who me?
The hire deal offers 250 miles in 24 hours. That's plenty of miles, but this is so comfy, I feel I could go on forever. It's a great way to spend a day and the sound of that famous V-twin engine was echoing in my ears for days afterwards.
Has it changed my views? The Road King wouldn't be such a practical commuter as my Suzuki, but I can definitely see the appeal. Bit out of my price range just yet - perhaps when the kids are out of university.
If your dream bike isn't a Harley-Davidson, many dealers now offer hire services on different bikes.
LICENCE
You will need to be aged between 25 and 69 and have a full motorcycle licence to use the Harley-Davidson hire scheme.
Many motorcycle dealers offer hire services and discounted weekly or weekend rates are available.
Harley-Davidson bikes are supplied with comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover, but you will need to leave a deposit of 1,000 pounds unprocessed on your credit card.
If you don't have kit, helmet and clothing can be hired.
If you've not ridden for years, Harley offers a course called Rider's Edge, which is a combination of training and open riding. That might be a better option if you haven't ridden for years.
Martin Rich, general manager of Riders of Bristol, reckons birthday presents account for quite a few of their daily hires and it's not just the blokes who are being treated - around 40 per cent of Riders' customers are women.
3 of 3
See Also:
London Fashion Show and Small Hamsters
