Think I want a Road King

[Davy F]

I actually took a Harley Fat Boy out for a demo a couple of weeks ago. The engine is really nice, clunky gearbox tho' (but I suppose if you've ridden the old 1100/1150 GS's, it's not so bad ).

A few things put me off it.

Ground clearance : Nearly binned it on my first right then left corners. It requires complete recalibration of riding style (ie slow).

Riding position : I had a sore back in about 15 minutes. I suppose you can customize it to suit like I and many others have done with their GS's and maybe they're not all as bad.

Brakes : The fecking thing didn't seem to have any ! If I didn't use front and rear together, that baby just wasn't for stopping and even both together wasn't fabulous. Again, recalibration needed (ie slow).

Oh, and price. No way would I spend 14 big ones on a Harley (or any other bike for that matter).

And Happy 40th. It's all downhill from here on in.

 

[Septimus]

Do it if you want to
I got my HD in June and I'm still grinning (or that could just be a vibe induced rictus )

Just my twopennorth

Cheers
Russ

 

[Big Si]

Only you can decide, Me, I'd keep the other two, and try to save for the HD as a third, It's not worth getting rid of the other two for it!

+1

 

[Timolgra]

Happy to do so as im a bit bored and feel like a change.

Any new bike will have a honeymoon period Trev, I'd guess the reason you're bored is because you need a good long trip somewhere different on the GS.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Trev all you talk about is how powerfull and fantstic your Busa is and that nothing else comes close, A fecking Harley, have you gone mad????

 

[BSD]

Genuine interest if you're selling the busa

 

[GS TRV]

Your half way there with the nice white shirt and pinstripe trousers .... the average Harley riders kit monday to friday.

True but then what's the diff between GSers and Harley riders?

I just feel i want something different as ive done the GS thing for 6 yrs now.

Think ill take another test ride 2moro with SWMBO and see what the pillion verdict is

 

[North]

If you want the Road King than just it.

Just don't buy any chaps.

 

[GS TRV]

looks a bit vibey

i blame Shinobi who took the foto - he's a secret Harley fan but is terrfied of telling the new wife so looks like he's stuck with his ADV until he's told otherwise

 

[t'other dave]

You like ? You buy. And after 6/12 months you realise it was the wrong desision you can sell it and get your money back and buy anther gs.
I know a few people who have bought Harleys and not lost a penny on resale after a short time.

 

[turnipbmw]

Liked the look of the Rocket 3 with those 'Harley' panniers on it

big bike though

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I bought one in 1996 had it for 3 years loved it .But ...............they disolve if neglected especially here in Brighton with the sea air,they need a lot of cleaning ,but not a lot of maintainance as the belt drive is easy.Its like riding around on a juke box ,great fun but bot as adaptable as what you have got.But if iy floats yer boat give it a go,you can always get another busa /gs

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Trev. if you want a HD buy DEVONS of this parish. far better buy and I'll bet its in better fettle than a new 'un

 

[oblertone]

I'll second that ...

Trev. if you want a HD buy DEVONS of this parish. far better buy and I'll bet its in better fettle than a new 'un

... 'cos Jaq and I took it out for a little bimble on Saturday; hard to believe it's a '96 bike

 

[GS TRV]

... 'cos Jaq and I took it out for a little bimble on Saturday; hard to believe it's a '96 bike

nice bike for sure

 

[Davel]

It's a heart over the head thing.

I went from a GS to a Night Rod Special, then back to a GS, then onto a Fatbob and back to a GS.

It may just be something that you have to get out of your system.

They are great bikes but the brakes are poor and there's an awful lot of cleaning each ride.

But if you want one, just buy it and enjoy!

I still hanker after another Harley but it would have to be a fair weather bike for me.

 

[davidgibson999]

Trev have to say I love the RK. I think it's a class looking bike...

 

[GS TRV]

Trev have to say I love the RK. I think it's a class looking bike...

Me too Dave and i just can't seem to get away from that

 

[Setzer]

Hi Trev,
I fell for a new(ex demo!) 100th anniversary in the silver/black finish,boy was that one good looking bike!!

Unfortunately after 3 years owning it the negative stuff really was too much and I had to sell it.

They handle beyond badly and every single time I went out with friends who didnt even ride quickly my nerves were shattered because it was so bad into bends because of the brakes and then through the bends because the bike just does not like anything but a straight road.

The real problem tho is the cleaning,they are NOT a bike that can be ridden in anything but dry days.If you insist in using it in the wet prepare yourself for at LEAST an hour just to get the thing half reasonable and if you want it back to pristine at least 2 hours and you absolutely cannot not clean it because you will devalue the bike a lot.

The paint on them is reasonable but the chrome all over my bike was appalling.The headlight shroud needed replaced because after 1 clean with chrome cleaner the chrome had worn off! and the chrome on the rest seemed very soft as it scratched very easily polishing it (and yes I do know the correct way to polish chrome to avoid swirls)

They are a bike that are built for a single purpose which is arrow straight dry American roads and are useless for our wet twisty roads.And dont let the thought of that big motor make you think you will have masses of grunt they are very very slow and not that grunty either.

As mentioned previously you need to adjust your whole riding style to get the best out of one and I know this sounds ridiculous but unless you are driving in a straight line I found the bikes sweet spot to be about 30mph which is perfect if you are a poseur but not so great if you actually like to ride a bike,and on the motorway 70-80 is about the highest you want to go on one.

I dont mean to put a dampener on your idea but I would NEVER own another one again and there is no doubt you will miss your GS pretty quickly as the Summer (ha ha) is now over and you will really not get much use out of it until next year.

On a positive side I bought mine ex demo with about 1k on it had it for 3 years and Provincewide sold it for me and I didnt lose a penny on it so if you do decide to sell it you will get your money back on it providing you spend a LOT of time cleaning it.

 

[Mutley]

Buy it

but don't sell the GS

That way you have the best of both worlds IMHO. I ride the Superglide far more than I ride the GS, it's just that I ride the GS much further.

Oh and all that about the handling is bollocks, they handle fine if you set them up for the corners properly