Author Topic: Rode a Harley  (Read 3082 times)

Offline Nitro

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Rode a Harley
« on: June 27, 2007, 09:20:45 PM »
A friend at work rode his Road King to work today. We swapped and rode a few miles after work. I sort of like the Harley. It feels like you're sitting in a comfy chair, and the ride is much smoother than my B12. Performance was not awe-inspiring like my Bandit, but if my wife would let me have two bikes, I would consider a Harley. I had never ridden one before, and have never really been impressed with them.
97 Bandit 1200S

Offline Banditguy

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2007, 11:53:21 PM »
I think maybe you have worked too hard today and possibly not thinking clearly. Get some rest. :lol:

Offline B6mick

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2007, 05:53:28 AM »
Or twenty years of ownership will definitely cure those thoughts, drain the bank accounts, and have the good woman packing. :duh:
Foot loose and fancy free.
Looking for adventure and what ever comes our way.

Offline Barbarian

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2007, 11:31:15 AM »
Smoother? A road king pulled up beside me in a line of traffic last week. Rider was bouncing up and down as if he had a pogo stick welded to his backside.
2006 650 Bandit S w/ABS

Offline Vlad

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Different, but not necessarily worse
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2007, 01:00:01 PM »
I had a pleasure of riding the Electra Glide Classic for about 500Km with my wife as a pillion. It does shake a lot on idle, but those are wobbly shakes, not jerky ones if you know what I mean. Here is my seat of the pants impression:

- Seating position, seat itself and the controls are much more comfortable than I expected. Nothing felt awkward and nothing got sore.

- As someone said before: "most fun you can have below the speed limit". You don't need to ride fast to get pleasure from it, although it's quite capable of cruising two-up at about 140-150.

- Handles well in sweepers. No wobbles or steering vagueness. Cornering clearance is limited, but enough.

- Pulls like a bull. Plenty of passing power, although chasing cages is not what it is about.

- Shifting is clunky, but positive. I just hit the shifter and ignored the sound.

- Technically and aesthetically speaking the whole thing looks like someone added a lot of quasi-modern bling and gadgets on an old tractor. Almost everything looks like a poorly executed afterthought - from that ugly ignition key/switch, to stupid side case covers!

- Surprisingly, none of the above have adverse effect on the ride feel. I could pretty much ignore the bike and enjoy the ride/scenery.

- The heel/toe shifter would be a great idea if it will allow you to move your foot back and forth more. The vibrating heel part scuffed my boot!

- It's friggin' heavy! Don't drop it where there are no other people to help you pick it up. Surprisingly, all that bulk pretty much disapears at speed.

- Suspension does not have enough travel to suck up rough pavement, so I had to aim a little.

- The engine guards are doing a great job protecting it in a tip-over :>.

Vlad on Electra Glide
Vlad lives in Toronto, Canada and rides http://bandit.xxc.cc

Offline Nitro

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2007, 07:58:32 PM »
Vlad hit it right on the money. The only time you feel any vibration is right off idle while starting out. While sitting there, the engine does vibrate around quite a bit on the rubber mounts.

I didn't say I was going to trade my Bandit for one. It's just a different experience.
97 Bandit 1200S

Offline 12sdrag

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2007, 12:11:17 AM »
I own both a 02 HD Night Train and a 02 Bandit. I have had the Bandit for like 4 years and the HD for 3 months. I like my HD its fun to ride. I wouldn`t trade  my bandit for it but am not sorry I bought it. Both my bikes run great and both surve a purpose. I could complain about both bikes as they both have there short comings but I perfer to ride them and have a good time. Maybe I`ll buy a Buell next  :shock:
It is what it is and thats all it is till it is no more

Offline SteelD

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2007, 03:03:02 AM »
Quote from: "12sdrag"

Both my bikes run great and both surve a purpose. I could complain about both bikes as they both have there short comings but I perfer to ride them and have a good time.

Exactly, it's not what you ride that matters but the fact that you do ride and enjoy doing it. We all have out personal likes/dislikes/preferences and it would be a boring world if we didn't, or didn't have the freedom to choose a motorcycle from a range of different makers.
David
Bandit 1250SAK7 Graphite Metallic Blue (YLE)


Offline mademiriam

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2007, 01:19:07 PM »
Quote from: "SteelD"

Exactly, it's not what you ride that matters but the fact that you do ride and enjoy doing it. We all have out personal likes/dislikes/preferences and it would be a boring world if we didn't, or didn't have the freedom to choose a motorcycle from a range of different makers.

++1 :clap:
'05 Bandit 1200, Full Muzzy, Dyno jet stage 1, 5 degree ignition advancer, Galfer SS Lines, EBC rotors, busa shock, busa forks
'03 R6 trackbike

Offline leedogg

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Rode a Harley
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2007, 07:20:36 PM »
I've never rode a harley- ut I did ride a Yamaha Warrior-  nice bikes- just not my style right now.  I love the V-rod/ Victory Vegas type bikes...which the warrior fits in- but it doen't have the unspoken something that the the others have.  If I don't go the super-sport touring route next- it'l be prolly a Victory next for me.

Anyhow- good to hear you guys first hand reports on the HD's.
1996 Trans Am- Stock as a rock - NOT.  408rwhp/397rwtq.
2004 GMC Yukon XL - The family/Trans Am hauler
1992 Silverado - Future tow vehicle.
2007 Bandit 1250S - first ever bike- I love it!