After a rebrand, securing a weekend trip with EagleRider stays easy and enjoyable.
I need to confess something I'd rather not. Despite being the boss, Mountaintravel I don’t have a motorcycle right now. Yes, yes, I’m aware this might be considered blasphemous. Just last week, Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor gave me some grief about it, but oddly enough, I kind of enjoyed their teasing.
However, I am presently without a motorcycle, and the leading candidates for my next one include The new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 , some sort of electric dirt bike , or a Ducati Hypermotard . That's a wide swatch of genres, but even if I had one in my garage, none of them would've worked for a trip I'd been planning for the better part of six months.
Of course, I'm referring to my quintessential American journey to construct my own path. Christensen Arms rifle .
For that story, I required some genuine American steel. What I wanted was something crafted right here within our great United States. In this case, I had two options: go with an Indian or opt for a Harley. Thankfully, EagleRider offered up a resolution when they sent me an email inviting me to borrow a bike for a few days. Eagerly accepting their offer gave me the chance to assess how well the business has been faring. since its rebrand , check out how the rental process operates, then hit the open road with one of Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide models as you journey southward.
It was pleasant, straightforward, and enjoyable overall, except for an incident where someone opened their car door and slightly dented the Street Glide’s side bags. However, dealing with this issue turned out to be quite manageable since I had enrolled in Eagle Rider's insurance plan. Let's first discuss the journey and experience leading up to that point.
Collaborating with EagleRider for motorcycle choice is straightforward since they provide an array of bikes listed on their site for each location. Simply select your preferred location, choose your rental period, and view the options available during those times. Initially, I asked for a Road Glide; however, when my schedule shifted, this model was not accessible anymore. Consequently, the EagleRider staff contacted me and informed me about the availability of a Street Glide, so I opted for that instead.
The pickup process was quite standard: handing over your driver’s license, arranging insurance, signing numerous documents, examining the car for damages, and receiving a brief orientation on operating the vehicle. Normally, I avoid purchasing additional coverage since my personal insurance typically suffices. However, when borrowing another person's motorcycle in an environment where debris frequently flies about—resulting in me replacing three windshields in just two years—I opted for added security at a cost of $207 for my three-day journey.
I'm pleased that I did...
My journey south didn’t start until the day following my pickup of the Harley. On that particular day, strong winds blew, temperatures dropped, and ominous storm clouds followed me throughout. Nonetheless, during the initial part of my ride in the morning, the sky remained clear as I navigated through Utah’s mountainous terrain towards Christensen Arms located in Gunnison. The undulating hillsides and verdant farmlands, rejuvenated by heavy winter snows and an early spring warmth, added charm to the scenic route with the Harley purring under me.
The cockpit offers exceptional comfort, with a plush seat, hand grips tailored precisely for my substantial palms, and a fairing that acts as an effective barrier against the wind pushing me from side to side, making the handlebars feel akin to catching sails. It was exhilarating to have the freedom to start and halt at will without adhering to any strict timetable—pausing whenever needed to refuel, snap photos, and munch on some Sour Patch Kids.
As such, during one of my stops, someone who appeared rather primitive chose an unfortunate spot to park without paying attention to the proximity of my bicycle. They swung open their car door and struck the right-side pannier, damaging the lock cover. This event was relatively insignificant as it did not impact my journey or prevent the pannier from closing properly. However, it remained bothersome despite being fully covered under the EagleRide insurance policy I had acquired beforehand. Upon returning the bike, the staff at the rental desk showed little concern about this issue since I had opted for additional coverage.
The remainder of the journey allowed me to live out this absurd fantasy on the Harley, carrying a rifle secured at my back as I navigated the canyons, hills, and peaks of Utah. It felt bizarre, reckless, yet overwhelmingly delightful. There’s one particular instance near my hometown that remains etched in my memory forever.
My small town has just two exits, both leading through winding gorges. The path I selected follows a course similar to the Grand Canyon, with its dramatic ravine carved deeply into the mountains over millennia by water erosion and shifting plates. Sparkling cascades adorn the cliffsides, and despite being well into spring, substantial patches of snow remain within the precipitous channels feeding meltwater into the Provo River below.
The rain had started to sprinkle gently, marking tiny spots on my helmet. As the drops landed on the motorcycle’s warm exhaust, I could sense the heat rising from them.
Usually, a rider and rain aren’t friends. However, at that instant, amidst such breathtaking surroundings, astride the motorcycle I had assembled myself, cruising on this rumbling, raucous Harley-Davidson as we sped through the West, all my usual irritation over the rain dissolved into the backdrop of an utterly untamed day. How many individuals will ever have this experience? How many would dare try? And how many can savor the vistas I’m beholding right now?
It was fantastic; I wish I could relive it.
Clearly, you aren’t obligated to utilize EagleRider for implementing wild concepts such as mine; however, you’re welcome to do so if you wish, and I appreciate that this choice exists for individuals like myself who find themselves without a motorcycle, or prefer exploring a new area from the seat of a bike rather than settling for a mundane rented car. You may reserve a motorcycle ahead of time or simply visit any of their numerous sites on the same day and easily secure a ride. Furthermore, should Harleys not be your preference, the company has expanded beyond just those models. Yamaha, Ducati And others should prompt you to explore them since their rebranding. They still continue with UTV rentals now , too.
I certainly require a new motorcycle, yet EagleRider made it straightforward to keep riding despite not having one available in my garage right now. Would I repeat this experience? Absolutely without hesitation. It’s not about building another rifle; it would simply be worth it for that incredible moment in the canyon once more.
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