Rented a Harley for 24hrs-Now I WANT one

[skater69]

Road King classic with the 103" engine.  Put a couple hundred miles on it.  I freakin' loved it.  Handled really well.....no mushiness at all and lots of ground clearance for a cruiser, comfort was great, and power was unexpectedly good....I was not wishing for more.  It soaked up bumps marvelously and it sounded sooooo good....just great character.  Love the 6 speed too with great over drive for freeway speeds.

I had a freaking blast.  Now I want an HD tourer.  I'm renting the Road Glide Ultra next...as I want lockable bags, and non-spoke wheels.

But I hate to say it.  I really enjoyed this Harley. It felt good.  Now I gotta see where I put that $20K I had lying around.

[BobW]

The HRG (harley Riders group ) is full of people I routinely meet that have reached the same conclusion. Great motorcycle when enjoyed for what it is and I can never figure why people take it so badly when they compare it to something it is not nor tries to be.

Good luck with the test rides!

Cheers

[black hills]

I have always loved HD's for the first 100 miles  

[mugwump58]

LIfe is short, be happy.

[kendenton]

I don't think it could be my only bike, but there are times when it's a very attractive ride.  I've enjoyed my 2 rental Road Kings quite a lot.

[rajflyboy]

You're Crazy    

[Frankienuckles]

A few years back ('07  ) I rented a Road King for a weekend. Me and the Gf used to cruise around the White Mountains. Put about 500 or 600 miles on it. While it was a fun experience it was just not for me. To each their own. If you end up getting one, ride the crap outa it and enjoy!

[kevin_stevens]

Is that the tow rope you're holding?  

KeS

[bomber]

Is that the tow rope you're holding?  

KeS

I believe it's a leash ;-}

I agree, though, if a Big Twin comes close to addressing the kind of riding you do, they are great scoots.

[atadaskew]

 It soaked up bumps marvelously and it sounded sooooo good....just great character.  Love the 6 speed too with great over drive for freeway speeds.

I had a freaking blast.  Now I want an HD tourer.  I'm renting the Road Glide Ultra next...as I want lockable bags, and non-spoke wheels.

1/ All Eglides APART from the slammed Street Glide (lowered suspension sucks) absorbed bumps better than my Wing 1800 at legal speeds.
2/ The regular Road King comes with cast wheels and lockable hard bags.  Cheaper than the Classic version too.
3/ The chassis on these touring bikes was dramatically changed in 2009 for the better.  You just cannot compare the previous bikes to them, the new ones are so much better.

[mjrfd99]

Great bikes- rented quite a few the last 4 yrs or so. Probibly add one to the fleet this year. But I have a bad case of MBS.

[skater69]

1/ All Eglides APART from the slammed Street Glide (lowered suspension sucks) absorbed bumps better than my Wing 1800 at legal speeds.
2/ The regular Road King comes with cast wheels and lockable hard bags.  Cheaper than the Classic version too.
3/ The chassis on these touring bikes was dramatically changed in 2009 for the better.  You just cannot compare the previous bikes to them, the new ones are so much better.

-The Road Glide Custom is also slammed with lower suspension (no thanks) like the SG.
-The regular Road King also does not have the 103 engine (power pack option) from the the factory....wish it did.  The RK classic has it standard....as does the Road Glide Ultra and Ultra Classic Limited....it's an ptional upgrade on SG and RGC.  I'm thinking the 2012 that engine will be available in all tourers hopefully.
-Yes the newer frame kicks ass.....

[zenwhipper]

Harley Haters take a hike.  

I rented a Street Glide while I was in LA a couple summers ago. I was pondering buying one and thought I should at least rent one to see if it fit my bill. Bottom line - it was a great bike. I like the rumble, the style, the speed (yes they pull in a straight line like a freight train), the cruise control, the radio. But in the end - it did not hit all my criteria and I went with a 2008 FJR.

I'm sure this thread will get its share of HD bashers. Kind a' silly really.

Scott

[sfalexi]

Check out a victory vision.  I did and bought one.  Also a great tourer, some great options, and decent price.

Alexi

When you're thinking of throwing 20 g's at a motorcycle, it doesn't hurt to test a few of the options just to make sure you got the right one.

[skater69]

Check out a victory vision.  I did and bought one.  Also a great tourer, some great options, and decent price.

Alexi

When you're thinking of throwing 20 g's at a motorcycle, it doesn't hurt to test a few of the options just to make sure you got the right one.

Agreed.  And I'm sure the Vision's are great motorcycles.  I simply can't get past the styling of them at all.  Been that way since they come out.  Possible the Cross Country though.

Also looking at a Stratoliner but Yamaha dealer has a couple used and won't let me test ride so screw them.  Harleys are so easy to test ride since you can rent them.

[sfalexi]

Agreed.  And I'm sure the Vision's are great motorcycles.  I simply can't get past the styling of them at all.  Been that way since they come out.  Possible the Cross Country though.

Also looking at a Stratoliner but Yamaha dealer has a couple used and won't let me test ride so screw them.  Harleys are so easy to test ride since you can rent them.

The styling really is a make/break on this bike.  Mine was CLOSE to breaking, but I loved the position, riding, and overall comfort to say, "I'll grow into it."  And from the driver's seat I'm LOVING it.  Cross country really appealed to me.  LOVED the sidebags.  Just doesn't come with a topcase and that's what I use the most for my commuting.  And the other little extras (cruise control, heated seats, LOW SEAT HEIGHT, TIP OVER PROTECTION, etc. etc.) tipped the scales for me.

Stupid about the Yamaha dealer.  ESPECIALLY a used one!  Very very dumb.  Must be the only yamaha dealer in a big radius to be able to keep up business like that.

Alexi

[skater69]

The styling really is a make/break on this bike.  Mine was CLOSE to breaking, but I loved the position, riding, and overall comfort to say, "I'll grow into it."  And from the driver's seat I'm LOVING it.  Cross country really appealed to me.  LOVED the sidebags.  Just doesn't come with a topcase and that's what I use the most for my commuting.  And the other little extras (cruise control, heated seats, LOW SEAT HEIGHT, TIP OVER PROTECTION, etc. etc.) tipped the scales for me.

Stupid about the Yamaha dealer.  ESPECIALLY a used one!  Very very dumb.  Must be the only yamaha dealer in a big radius to be able to keep up business like that.

Alexi

Nope....there are lots of dealers that sell Yamaha around here....probably 4 within 25 miles..  Actually there's a good deal on a midnight strat about 1.5 hrs away...'07, 7600 miles...$7499....but I wanted to ride one nearby first.
This one dealer is worst than most with test rides.....I told them and you wonder why you have like 64 used bikes still for sale.  

I'll end up riding one eventually.  

[sfalexi]

Excellent!  with 4 other dealers nearby, buy a bike from them and ride it to the one that won't offer testrides.  Walk in and ask to see the manager, and say, "Yup.  Came here first, but you guys don't offer testrides.  The place I bought THAT at did.  You missed out on ____ dollars.  Might want to rethink your policy."  Then walk out.

Alexi

[black hills]

Excellent!  with 4 other dealers nearby, buy a bike from them and ride it to the one that won't offer testrides.  Walk in and ask to see the manager, and say, "Yup.  Came here first, but you guys don't offer testrides.  The place I bought THAT at did.  You missed out on ____ dollars.  Might want to rethink your policy."  Then walk out.

Alexi

It seems like a nice plan, but most likely the policy is dictated by thier insurance company so all you will do is piss them off, and charma is a bitch

[atadaskew]

Check out a victory vision.  I did and bought one.  Also a great tourer, some great options, and decent price.

Alexi

When you're thinking of throwing 20 g's at a motorcycle, it doesn't hurt to test a few of the options just to make sure you got the right one.

I've ridden a couple of Visions and really like them but:

1/ The Harley Eglide is much smoother.  The moment you start moving, all the vibes disappear.  Not so with the Victory.
2/ The Victory, for me, has a way too loud gear whine.  Almost drowns out the stock pipes.  The Harley's motor is much quieter so the can make the stock pipes louder.
3/ The Visions much longer tiller like handlebars make it harder to control and parking lot speeds.  The Harley is a doddle.

The Vision, though, has maybe the comfiest seat and roomiest riding position I've ever experienced.