Rode a Harley today!

[MotorradMike]

The dealer in Kingston had a demo day. Somebody spent a lot of money on this. I got a cute package in the mail with an HD keyfob and lots of super glossy lit so I marked the calendar.

The good:
Very well organized event. Food, a show-n-shine(Some guy had a beautifully restored 1948 Pan head which was really cool), a band, and an awesome stunt show with a Buell and a 4 wheeler(and his hot girlfriend). Sorry, no pics, my camera is messed up.
If I had infinite cash I might get one of these to ride to Tims for coffee.
No sales pressure, they just wanted us to have fun!
Much more enjoyable than the BMW event but I did get to ride a GS that time and loved it!

The bad:
I don't want to trash Harley too much because I had fun but that Heritage Softail isn't much bike for $25,000. Poor brakes, not much go(1570CC??), odd seating position, does not inspire confidence at low speeds. Even with Jen on the back I can almost balance the RS stopped(almost).
I suppose a 20 minute ride isn't enough to get used to the ergonomics but...

The ugly:
I was pretty happy to get off the 2009 bike with 2,000KM on it and get back on the 1996 bike with 80,000KM!

Why we went:
Jen always looks longingly at the cushy back seats on Wings and Harleys so we went mostly to try a couchercycle. The big ones were all booked so we ended up on the next one down.

To each his own:
Now I understand the Harley T-shirt that sez "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand." :bikes

[Red100RT]

This weekend was the Hells Canyon Ralley here at Baker City, OR and for 3 days all you hear is the sound of thunder. I enjoyed looking at all the bikes and there was even a few (very few) beemers mostly GS. I think HD builds some great looking machines but I just can't see myself riding one. I mean, how would it look on a Road King with gortex jacket (blue) full face helmet (BMW) and not a stitch of leather? Anyway, there was a couple Harley dealers there and I am going to head over to Boise and give one a try since I have never ridden one. I am not about to trade my '04RT in on one because HD is just not me. I have always been afraid that I might over cook a corner on an HD because of my style of riding. I'm not a foot peg dragger but I do enjoy a bit of spirit on occasion and having ridden with a group of HD types I just don't think I am going to connect. Usually I bring up the rear and all that racket from those ancient 45 degree vee twins makes my head hurt. That and when we approach a curve marked 45 mph that by God is what we do, not fun.
That said they do build a terrific to look at machine but what else? And if it don't go chrome it should maybe be their slogan. But, we shall see.

[MotorradMike]

I mean, how would it look on a Road King with gortex jacket (blue) full face helmet (BMW) and not a stitch of leather?

Agree with all you said but want to point out:
The gear was pretty good. Some beanie helmets but a surprising number of full face. No T-shirts or shorts. The organizers did not check gear either so it was all voluntary.
I don't think you'd be doing much carving on the Harleys. Too many sparks.

[Layton]

We had a Harley Demo here,and a friend of mine was leading the demo rides.He talked me into coming down to the Harley shop and doing a demo ride. After I arrived there was not really a sales pitch but in order to ride the bike they had to have a copy of my drivers liscense. What they did do was run a credit check on me while i was riding the bikes...... I rode a softail deuce (think that was what it was called) and I think that the timing was adjusted because when put under a load that thing pinged and knocked something awful. I figure they did this to keep people from flogging their fleet of demo bikes. The only thing i will say about it was that it was a beautiful bike.It was the copper and black...I think they call em duracells like the batteries. Then i rode a 1200 sporster sport and it too rattled and pinged something awful. I think they were putting 87 octane fuel in it. After I returned i was told that i could purchase any of the demo bikes or anything in the entire Harley line.... Our local dealership has recently changed hands and this guy is pretty sharp.....he hired a bunch of young attractive women and sent them to school for all the makes and models that Harley sells. These young women can tell you specs,colors avaliable,this,that and the other. I would love to have one but dont want a payment and cant see that much money for a motorcycle. Think I'll just keep my little R80 and my K100 and keep on thrashing em......

[TexanRT]

I don't want to trash Harley too much because I had fun but that Heritage Softail isn't much bike for $25,000. Poor brakes, not much go(1570CC??), odd seating position, does not inspire confidence at low speeds. Even with Jen on the back I can almost balance the RS stopped(almost).
I suppose a 20 minute ride isn't enough to get used to the ergonomics but...

Jen always looks longingly at the cushy back seats on Wings and Harleys so we went mostly to try a couchercycle. The big ones were all booked so we ended up on the next one down.

My wife prefers the seat on the HD touring models to our Softail -- we rented a Road Glide awhile back and really enjoyed it -- she was much more comfortable. But she likes the RT just fine and has spent several thousand miles riding two-up on both bikes.

The Heritage seating position does feel awkward when switching back and forth between our BWM and HD. Slow speed handling just takes some practice -- it's not too bad to handle in tight spaces. But I doubt I'll go back to the heavy weight tourers again after riding the RT.

And you're right about the sparks....:)

[njnomad]

I love my Heritage Softail and I love my R1100RT. Oh...and my two Gixxers. :bikes

The Bagpiper

_________________

2002 Heritage Softail Classic
1999 R1100RT
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000
1995 Suzuki GSX-R 1100

:clap:bliss:lol:rofl:burnout

[rinty]

I've been bikeless for a couple of years now, and last year rented a new Low Rider for a 3 day ride of about 1500 km, to the Kootenays and back.

I quite enjoyed riding it; very different from BMW's, of course, but a very competent machine.

[tvtommy]

I have one of each, for the simple reason that I have not found one bike that does everything I want.

Well...counting the Genuine Buddy 125...I have 2 1/2. :wave

[MLS2GO]

Is to remember every bike is perfect for someone!
Every bike is different, and isn't it great that we have so many choices?
Bike speak to people in different ways, some even in a foreign language.
Don't expect a HD to be a BMW.
Don't expect a touring BMW to be a dirt bike or a sportbike.
Just enjoy life on two wheels and be happy that others do too.
The more of us there are the better for everyone.

Stepping off soapbox now.

[osbornk]

Is to remember every bike is perfect for someone!
Every bike is different, and isn't it great that we have so many choices?
Bike speak to people in different ways, some even in a foreign language.
Don't expect a HD to be a BMW.
Don't expect a touring BMW to be a dirt bike or a sportbike.
Just enjoy life on two wheels and be happy that others do too.
The more of us there are the better for everyone.

Stepping off soapbox now.

I agree. Bikes that were perfect for me 30 years are totally wrong for me now. I loved to ride a sport bike years ago but I wouldn't last 15 minutes on it today. I wouldn't have been caught dead on my CLC 20 years ago but I like it now. My airhead is the only bike I have I would have been comfortable with over my riding lifetime. But it would not have been my main ride for a lot of the years.