Steve Wilkes is giving Central Oregon visitors another way to explore the region: from atop two high-powered wheels.

Wilkes and his wife, Laurie, opened the Northwest’s first EagleRider motorcycle rental franchise in Redmond in April, offering a selection of 10 Harley Davidsons for visitors and locals alike.

”There’s a strong local group of riders and Harley aficionados in the area,” he said. ”Combine this with the number of people who want to explore the Northwest and you have a sizable portion of my business.”

Ideal customers will include local riders or their visiting friends who want to try a Harley or take a trip without using their personal bike. In addition, Wilkes counts on Central Oregon’s growing destination resort population, which will continue to feed exploration of the region and its scenic highways.

”People who’ve come to the area for golfing may want to take a day or two on a bike,” he said. ”They may also want to take longer trips to the coast or visit the Cascade Lakes.”

The store also hopes to capitalize on the many affluent Harley riders who are professionals.

You rarely think of doctors, lawyers and business people when you think of Harley riders, Wilkes said. But, thats exactly the new world of people that want to ride.

Theres also a growing motorcycle tourism sector comprised of European travelers, who are more likely to have their motorcycle licenses and take longer vacations than their American counterparts.

They think nothing of renting a cycle and if they tour the United States, theyll want to rent a Harley, he said.

According to the Central Oregon Visitors Association, international travelers amount to less than 10 percent of the annual visitors to Central Oregon each year.

Theyre not a significant slice, but theres great potential, said Alana Audette, director of COVA. We see international travelers as a growing market for the region.

Because EagleRider already has a substantial marketing network within Europe, Wilkes expects significant growth the next two years when international travel magazines with EagleRider listings include the Redmond location as a Harley rental site.

To get the new store located on U.S. Highway 97 south of Redmonds downtown, next to the Dollar Tree up and running, Wilkes brought fellow Harley experts Jeff Maurizio, the fleet commander, and Doug Kirkland, the operations commander, on board. They decked out the former pet store with a Harley showroom, service center and vintage Harley gear.

Wilkes said he will replace his fleet of Harleys with new equipment each year. He also carries ATVs and they, too, will be updated annually.

Most important for Harley owners, he sells a lot of custom chrome. Harley sells their bike as a one-size-fits-all, he said. But, a lot of users like to personalize their rides.

Just as the riders have changed, so have the rides. According to Maurizio, the bikes have become easier to navigate for the new clientele that rides them.

These bikes are easy, he said. Its just turn the key and go.

Each Harley comes equipped with a CD player and radio, two-person seat and a tour pack for up to 25 pounds of luggage.

People like the look, feel, sound and how it handles, Wilkes said. They also like that its American-made.

As part of its business, EagleRider offers self-guided and guided tour packages of the region such as the eight-day, seven-night self-guided tour from Redmond to the coast and back with various stops and upscale lodging reserved along the way.

More elaborate guided tours also will be available with a guide and a van carrying an extra motorcycle and luggage for convenience.

EagleRider also offers Harley maintenance for local customers.

The service side will carry us through winters lean times, Wilkes said.

EagleRider will celebrate its grand opening Saturday. Call (541) 504-3183 for more information.

Jeff McDonald can be reached at 383-0323 or at jmc

donald@bendbulletin.com.