5000 miles on 2010 FLTRX

[Gar]

Well, I've broken the 5k mark on my 2010 FLTRX. Got it back in Sept., and I'm behind on my monthly average milage goal (1k per month), but it's been an unusually harsh winter.

Impressions:

1. This is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned or ridden. Bar none. I changed the stock 2010 seat for a 2009 seat, which is softer. Not that I wanted a softer seat, but more because the 09 seat has a wider passenger base, making it far more comfy for my wife. At first the stock handlebars bothered my hands. I thought it was the position/angle of the turn back. I now believe it was just the difference between 7/8" and 1" diameter bar. Now that I'm used to it, I am no longer looking for a different bar or alteration. The only comfort problem I had with the bike was resolved with removal of the heel-shifter. Now I can get my foot in a comfy position.

2. The bags are the easiest to use I've ever dealt with. I've had Givi and Krauser and several soft bags. These are the best and easiest to use I have ever had. Only drawback is that I can't fit a full face helmet in one. I guess I have an excuse for a Tour Pak later (which I like better than other top cases, since it open sideways instead of front to back).

3. I've messed around with different windshield/windscreens and have settled back with the stock super short screen. I like it.

4. I actually listen to music on a bike now. The stereo is great. Before I never wanted music, and no way I was going to mess with earbuds etc. I hate that crap. But having the built in factory stereo is awesome. I'm actually gonna modify it now because while it is fine for 65 mph and below, I don't ride that slow. I've put in better speakers and have an amp to add on when I get the chance. It does have weather band, btw.

I think I love it. No, I know I love it. My favorite bike I've ridden for the street. (My KTM is still my favorite track bike).

[chornbe]

 

[Rampant]

Well, I've broken the 5k mark on my 2010 FLTRX. Got it back in Sept., and I'm behind on my monthly average milage goal (1k per month), but it's been an unusually harsh winter.

Impressions:

1. This is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned or ridden. Bar none. I changed the stock 2010 seat for a 2009 seat, which is softer. Not that I wanted a softer seat, but more because the 09 seat has a wider passenger base, making it far more comfy for my wife. At first the stock handlebars bothered my hands. I thought it was the position/angle of the turn back. I now believe it was just the difference between 7/8" and 1" diameter bar. Now that I'm used to it, I am no longer looking for a different bar or alteration. The only comfort problem I had with the bike was resolved with removal of the heel-shifter. Now I can get my foot in a comfy position.

2. The bags are the easiest to use I've ever dealt with. I've had Givi and Krauser and several soft bags. These are the best and easiest to use I have ever had. Only drawback is that I can't fit a full face helmet in one. I guess I have an excuse for a Tour Pak later (which I like better than other top cases, since it open sideways instead of front to back).

3. I've messed around with different windshield/windscreens and have settled back with the stock super short screen. I like it.

4. I actually listen to music on a bike now. The stereo is great. Before I never wanted music, and no way I was going to mess with earbuds etc. I hate that crap. But having the built in factory stereo is awesome. I'm actually gonna modify it now because while it is fine for 65 mph and below, I don't ride that slow. I've put in better speakers and have an amp to add on when I get the chance. It does have weather band, btw.

I think I love it. No, I know I love it. My favorite bike I've ridden for the street. (My KTM is still my favorite track bike).

I am curious about those audio systems.  How can you hear them over the wind with any level of quality?  Or does it just blast extra loud for more rapid hearing damage?

[st ryder]

Good to hear you like your HD bagger, and have the common sense to distinguish it from a sport/track bike in your comments, unlike so many others who can't seem to get their heads around that simple concept.  

[chornbe]

I wish I were rich... I admit; I totally miss my bagger.  

[Guy]

I am curious about those audio systems.  How can you hear them over the wind with any level of quality?  Or does it just blast extra loud for more rapid hearing damage?

I've noticed that I can hear music from baggers like that while riding, and I am behind them with earplugs in. Maybe a touch loud?

BTW, glad you like the bike Gar.

[Gar]

My bike has a very small system, being a head unit (am/fm/CD/Aux/weather) with a built in amp (part of the head unit) of a mere 17 watts rms and 2 5.25" speakers. I upgraded my speakers 6.5" speakers for better clarity. I can hear the stereo at 60mph pretty good, but it's not loud. At 70 it's hardly audible, above that even less so. I have a 150 watt (75 watts per channel amp) waiting to be installed. That should make Corrosion of Conformity's "Clean my Wounds" sound right.    I will note that I do ride with a full face Suomy Vandal helmet (excellent hat, btw). Oh, I don't generally wear earplugs. I have them, but I'm an old stubborn fart and don't like them much. Of course, my hearing ain't too great now either.

A note about the audio system: Before this bike, I never wanted to listen to music on a bike. I used to work on Music Row in Nashville and my undergrad degree is in Music Business, so that says a lot. Now, I have bar mounted controls that do all I could want of the stereo, it sounds great at the lower speeds, and it even turns itself down when I stop or slow down significantly. I love it. My only gripe is that with the low watt output of the stock head unit, using the iPod is useless right now. That is because the iPod has such a low gain or at least a gain loss. When I use an iPod though a normal car stereo, I have to turn it up much louder than the radio or CD functions, so it's the same on this unit and not a Harley flaw. I found myself making CDs to listen to on the road. I've never really done that before. Now we just need more volume. Nigel would say, turn it to 11. Gene Simmons said it best though, Loud, a little bit louder, straight between the eyes.

[Gar]

I forgot to add 2 other impressions on the bike:

1. The stock horn is louder than most Jap bikes I've owned (OK, all of them). But, it is still not LOUD! I've got the Stebel air horn (ear cannon) from Aero waiting to go on. I'm wanting to mount it under the fairing, and eliminate the ugly horn mount and cover on the port side of the engine. Should do the trick. I just got to fab up a bracket and make it fit.

2. The bike does well when running over obsticles, particularly dogs and dead deer. I hit a large dog in a turn, bent the "crash bar" back almost to the brake pedal. Bike shuddered a little, but never lost it's track, and kept on going. Another time I was coming through some "S" turns about 10 over at night and came upon a dead deer. I swerved and changed lane mid turn and ran over just the ass of the deer. Bike just kept on going. Only bike I've ever had that took obsticles as well was my old 97 DR650(I used to hunt for railroads to cross at 80+ on that bike).

[chornbe]

I took out a ground hog on my Street Glide and barely felt the thump... it rolled down the road behind me, dead as dead can be. I won't say I aimed for it, but when it ran out and stopped and look at me, I didn't bother trying to swerve.

[wvrider]

glad to hear you are lovin the ride. I am pretty sure you can get setup to do a headset on that beast. I rarely use the speakers on my Ultra. The headset sound is great, very clear at all speeds without overdoing it. The tour pak is a great piece to have with you out traveling. You can fit a one piece stitch and your full face helmet in there plus incidentals!

[Gar]

I reached the 11,000 mark Monday. Tomorrow will be 11 months ownership.

[JGreb]

My father's 2008 FLHTR hit 30,000 miles on our last trip to Montana.

 His only problem has been a pinched fuel pump gasket from the factory that was making the engine hesitate and lose power at 4000 plus RPM.  He lived with this problem for thousands of miles till I rode it and convined him something was very wrong with his engine. He just assumed that it was normal because the mechanics at H-D said it was running fine.    

Once it was fixed he was very excited about his new found power but pissed that his Harley dealer didn't take the time to fix it when he reported the problem. They ran a diagnostic and said everything was fine, they didn't even test ride it and see what he was refering to. I hope there are plenty of real mechanics left that don't rely on the OBD.

Other than that easy fix it has been rock solid.  

[bomber]

I put a couple a hundred miles on the same scoot earlier this summer -- my impressions were very similar to yours.

best handling Big Twin I'd ever ridden -- the headshaking, bobbing and weaving at sprirted paces is gone -- this is good, as I like riding motorcycles, halfback,, not so much ;-}

Stereo -- it was weird having the tunes coming from somewhere outside of my helmet -- I'd have to be careful to avoid adding to the noise ollution with this setup.

Bags -- the only reason I can find for their size (or lack thereof) is tradition and styling -- easy to use, as you rightly point out, but pretty small for a touring bike.

Fit/Finish/Quality -- all first rate . . . it's a great scoot for gobbling mile on highways and secondary roads.

[Kraz]

 

FLTRX????   FLHTR????


I really hate this part of HD - I can never understand what people are talking about.

[Gar]

 

FLTRX????   FLHTR????


I really hate this part of HD - I can never understand what people are talking about.

yeah, I've had a DR650SE, an RL250, GSX1300R, F650, GV1200GLF, CB400Fsupersport, IT250, KZ400D, EX500, TR6R (with T-120 heads/carbs), 560SMR. It seems only the Hinckley Triumphs (and maybe Ducati?) let you know what they are by a name only. Actually H-D nomenclature is as easy to figure out as any other manufacturer, its just different and we all know everyone hates different. The Harley guys complain the same on Japanese stuff. None of it makes sense unless you know the way the naming works for that manufacturer.

[Kraz]

yeah, I've had a DR650SE, an RL250, GSX1300R, F650, GV1200GLF, CB400Fsupersport, IT250, KZ400D, EX500, TR6R (with T-120 heads/carbs), 560SMR. It seems only the Hinckley Triumphs (and maybe Ducati?) let you know what they are by a name only. Actually H-D nomenclature is as easy to figure out as any other manufacturer, its just different and we all know everyone hates different. The Harley guys complain the same on Japanese stuff. None of it makes sense unless you know the way the naming works for that manufacturer.

Point taken, but you have to admit that all your examples at least had an engine size.  The only numbers I ever heard in HD speak is from sportsters.

[Gar]

Point taken, but you have to admit that all your examples at least had an engine size.  The only numbers I ever heard in HD speak is from sportsters.

In general and traditionally there have only been 3 engine sizes in H-D land at a time, 883 and 1200 sporty, and then the big twin. Right now all big twins are 96 ci, but there is a 103 option and the 103 is std on the CVO bikes. It's not as hard to know displacement on the H-D as you make it out to be.

[JGreb]

In general and traditionally there have only been 3 engine sizes in H-D land at a time, 883 and 1200 sporty, and then the big twin. Right now all big twins are 96 ci, but there is a 103 option and the 103 is std on the CVO bikes. It's not as hard to know displacement on the H-D as you make it out to be.

110 ci is standard on CVO. The 103 is an option on certain non CVO models.