Our First Cross Country Fly In, Ride Out
Robert was our first customer to take full advantage of our Fly In, Ride Out program. We were surprised to hear he was coming to buy his first bike ever and drive it all the way home to Oregon.
Our team helped Robert get all set up on his new Indian Motorcycle® Vintage. We put him up in the Hilton Oceanfront Resort for two nights where he was in the heart of Ocean Walk Village. On the Ocean Walk there's plenty of restaurants to choose from - Robert and his friend Matt (who's riding his Yamaha by Roberts side) couldn't turn down Bubba Gumps.
After visiting with us for two days and seeing Daytona, it was time to load up and hit the road and start the long journey ahead. Robert was riding his first bike across country all the way back to Oregon.
Robert alotted two weeks for his trip back and it took him roughly 9 days. In those days he was defintily able to break in his new bike, with putting 3,601 miles on it. We asked him to keep in touch with us and send us photos and stories of his trip while he was on the road. We're thankful he did! It's like we've been riding with him each and every mile! What an experience the two of them have had. Thank you for sharing, Robert!
"Pensacola or bust!!!"
Day 1: June 5th
"This trip started out hot and muggy, 90 degrees and 90% humidity. This Alaskan man was melting, my molasses blood wasn't moving fast enough. Not only are summers in Florida terribly hot, but it rains everyday here. Luckily for Robert and Matt, "a highway patrol car pulled up next to us and the officer said "You boys better find shelter quick, it's going to be nasty!!" We pushed through some of the nastiest, wettest and rain soaked ride ever."
"This Indian Motorcycle® rode smooth and plush, what a way to break in the bike for its first 548 miles."
Next destination: New Orleans, Louisiana
"We loaded up day two headed from Pensacola, Florida on our way to New Orleans. Had to stop in at the Indian Motorcycle® Dealership first and get my 500 mile service.. I love this bike!"
After passing through Alabama and staying the night in New Orleans, they cruised the Louisiana coastline before crossing the state line into Texas. Since they were visiting with a friend, site seeing was kept to the road. They enjoyed a home cooked southern meal and took a night to get some much needed rest.
"After I ate probably the largest meal of my life we decided to head over to a farm in Kansas to visit a family friend... Did I mention this is my first bike and driving on sand is no easy task, my friend! The driveway was half a mile long of creeping."
Their next stop - Sturgis, South Dakota.
"We are here, finally!! One of the top ten motorcycle runs in the U.S. - Black Hills, South Dakota. We made it into a small town after a huge run through the Midwest states. 36 hours straight of riding almost. I have to admit, my Indian Motorcycle® runs like a top. The suspension is plush, tons of passing low end torque if I need it and just a pleasure to sit on after a few thousand miles of seat time. I can't wait until I awaken just so I can ride all day long again. Is that a sickness?"
Update: "Ok I love this thing...seriously crazy fun on all the curves. I may have been going 15 mph over the speed limit just so I could enjoy those corners!! The cop was friendly and gave me great tips on places to visit. This state is very motorcycle friendly. The two things we had to on the list - Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments. Talk about awe inspired scenery, completely breathtaking."
The Final Push
"My trip is coming to an end. I've crossed 12 states so far and have 2 more to go making it a total of 14!!! I will have put roughly 3800 miles on my Vintage in just 8 days. I'm sitting in Idaho enjoying my last breakfast on the road. I loved this trip and its wonders, I'm glad to have this bad$!& Indian Motorcycle® with me to carry me the whole way through 100 degree temperatures. She never complained once!"
Home Sweet Home
"The trip was amazing, the cruiser did an amazing job and didn't have any issues at all. At the end of the trip my buddy was definitely admiring my bike for its ability to handle all the conditions we encountered from 100 degree weather to nasty coastal thunderstorms.
This is my first bike and my first ride...having said that, I found the bike was easy to use for a first timer and as my skill progressed, I found out the bike would let me do more.
My buddy split off at Missoula, Montana and I traveled down the Lolo pass that Louis and Clark followed - One of the best rides of the trip, following the river and over the pass.
I landed in Joseph, Oregon at around noon Friday, June 12th. The odmeter read 3,601 miles - And no I didn't go around the block a few times to break the 3600 mark. That's from your dealership to my door.
I stripped down the bikes of leather bags, windshield and rear seat for town cruising. I totalled up the gas receipts and it cost me around $280 - $300 in gas. Coast to coast is roughly 2500+ miles, I did 3601 miles in roughly 9 days.
Everywhere I went, people wanted to know if I restored it - That got old. I swear I threw so much business your way, I should be sponsored. I'll even do another coast to coast trip! Thanks again for the great experience and I hope to see you guys again someday."