Which Harley

[Ulysses]

There are also just a few (actually most) people out there that think BWM are for boring, slow, fugley old f*rts with more money than sense. However most of these people have never ridden the bikes that they are so quick to criticize. Who cares what some road tester who normally rides a race rep thinks of a "cruiser" or visa versa. I'd like a Harley FXDXI to complement the GS. (but then the Buell XB12S is also rather enticing, if rather impractical for what I what...)
Do like the man sez.... book long back to back test rides so you can compare. The big twins are surprising capable long distance machines.

 

[fatone]

Well now...
How`s that for a totally unbiased,non-blinkered,unprejudiced and open minded assessment ?

You're not wrong. I speak from experience after a year as owner of a VROD; after a year of trying to get problems sorted, after a year of bumping into other Harley riders and after a year reading a deluge HOG puff, and then growing a beard.
Naturally, I'm a born again biker now.

 

[Davel]

I think I'm cured!

Looked at the V-Rod and loved the style but, as better people have said, it serves no real purpose.

Really can't say that any of the others really drew me to them, although with the wife and kids in toe, there wasn't the chance to try any of them today.

I said that I wouldn't buy BMW again, after their crap attitude to customer service but, at the moment, I simply can't see anything that I'd rather ride yet.

Thanks all!

 

[MMC]

Had a Road King over Christmas. Very nice. Pulled like a train, handled OK, panniers were reasonably practical. Well made, and a truly gorgeous engine.

BUT...

You need stage 1 pipes for it to sound decent.

It's a lot better with Harley's own version of a power commander.

A stage 2 conversion is even better...

On a Road King, with a couple of extras, you're now looking at the sharp end of £15k.

That's a hell of a lot for a bike, even a very smart one. It'd buy an awful lot of Touratech bling for an 1150...

 

[Deadskin]

Chap at work has a fat boy and i must admit it's in very good shape seeing as it's been used for commuting ,
reckons it's the bees knees though he has put some higher bars for comfort
and it's piggin loud,
i'm glad i don't live next door to him, 6am start

 

[Davel]

Oh god!

Decisions, decisions

 

[Gipsy]

I'd love to own a Harley and one day will have one in the garage. Probably the street bob as it's the cheapest big engined Harley. Methinks however it's time for a decision to be made over which bike YOU are going to get or else the spinters from the wooden fence you are sitting on are likely to go septic.

 

[Stumpy]

Although I don't mention it much in GS company I also run a 2003 dyna sport FXDX with a 1550 upgrade and 42 mm carb. It comes as standard with twin discs up front and adjustable suspension front and rear. Ok its never going to be a match for the GS on the twisties but "for a Harley" it handles well. I love it as an additional bike.

Stumpy

 

[fatone]

Final words on the VROD - minute fuel tank, fiddly to open (it's under the seat) - range c 100 miles, less if you hammer it. Uncomfortable seating position - right calf v close to exhaust pipe, wind up yer trouzers and lots of noise and wind in spite of Sports screen. 280 kg so no nipping down the shops and back. Can be steered round bends but you grind the bottom frame away and erase your boot heels. Fiendishly uncomfortable for pillions, fiendishly expensive luggage £1000+ for small panniers which aren't waterproof. And solid wheels make overtaking lorries on breezy days a challenge and are difficult to keep clean and unstained. Nice motor, but the overall package is a bit like sticking a Porsche egine into a Massey Ferguson.
Buy an HP2 instead. Same money, more fun.

 

[sjwb]

That's exactly what it is A Porsche engine.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Stuff the V-Rod get yourself a Rocket III

 

[moody]

I think I'm cured!

Looked at the V-Rod and loved the style but, as better people have said, it serves no real purpose.

Really can't say that any of the others really drew me to them, although with the wife and kids in toe, there wasn't the chance to try any of them today.

I said that I wouldn't buy BMW again, after their crap attitude to customer service but, at the moment, I simply can't see anything that I'd rather ride yet.

Thanks all!

What you need is one of these:

 

[Nick Marshall]

monster

luv the new monster! save a few grand, how about a motoguzzi griso, got a nice twin engine and shaft and fair priced at £7500..but dont ask the wife about pillion comfort. Got a dig in the ribs monday, turn back, take me home or i`m walking! must be bad! nick

 

[Christine]

Bugger I missed this thread. Am I too late?
Had my V Rod for over 3 years now and absolutely love it. But it's not the most practical bike for year round commuting.
I do about 10k miles per year - mostly to and from work in Manchester (about 50 miles round trip).

I have 20k of those miles on my V Rod (I've done another 6k in the US on rentals) but I've always had a second bike mainly for the salt-sprayed winter months...Drag Star, CG125, Honda Bros and now a 650GS

Ok I've hardly ridden the V Rod since I got the GS mostly because I wanted to get the first service in but also because the GS is probably the perfect bike for my main activity of filtering through miles of mad Mancunian motorists.

I was beginning to think I might love it more than the V Rod until we finally got a dry sunny day last week and I opted for the HD and I can't explain it but there is just something magical about riding that bike. Possibly because it's f*cking fast, but I DO definitely still love it.

It DOES have a ridiculously small tank, you need to be looking for petrol after 100 miles - though I have run out at 93. The stock seat is reportedly very uncomfortable (I have the shortarse seat which is great - extra padding to push me forward so I can reach the peddles).

If you're seriously considering a V Rod I can recommend V Rod Forums

And HAVE A TEST RIDE!!! Try the Street Rod too. Has the advantage of a much larger tank; the increase is achieved by modifying the frame so the seat is much higher. I couldn't reach the floor but it would suit taller riders. Plus it has mid controls and it's cheaper.

Personally I think I have the perfect 2-bike combination for my riding needs. Sure there are other bikes I'd like if money and garage space were limitless (anyone want to buy a Honda Bros with a seized engine?)

Anyway. good luck. Hope you get a bike you love, whatever that may be, as much as I love mine.