We were on the road early this morning, about 6:30 AM. Quick stop for lunch and gas and then got to the rental place in Orlando early, about 1:30 PM. The drive in from Dalton, GA was super easy. A little rain early in the morning going through ATL, but no big deal, especially in the Flex. Picked up the Road King…originally they were going to give me a Classic (FLHRC) but I asked them to switch it out for a regular FLHR so I could have the locking side bags. Then I said “and hopefully it isn’t white” and the guys behind the counter laughed. “We don’t have any white bikes here, that’s for sure,” said one. Two thumbs up!
I haven’t been on a motorcycle since mid-November, so it took me a little while to get my “legs” back, and also a few miles to get used to the Harley’s power. A lot more power than my Vulcan 900 for sure, but that’s to be expected given the difference in engine sizes. One thing I will say: the FLHR is smooth over 60 MPH or so, but it vibrates like a mother for anything less. The one I rented had almost 8000 miles on it, so it wasn’t a break-in issue. Also, the stock seat sucks and the the stock handlebars are not high enough for someone as tall as I am, so the riding position is not the most comfortable. But I can’t complain, it is a rental and I’m only going to be riding a couple of days so I’ll gut it out. But, if I was paying $20K, I’d be pretty cranky about it.
All in all, the ride in to Sebring from Orlando was easy…basically effortless sitting on that much power. My dad followed me in the Flex. We actually had some construction on US-27 South…they were filling in a couple of sinkholes. Too funny. Say what you will about MI, but at least we don’t build important stuff like roads and schools on quicksand.
Tomorrow I will help my dad get settled, and then around noon I’ll be heading for the east coast and Deerfield Beech to visit relatives. Distance today: 78 miles motorcycle, 531 miles car.
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