Author Topic: First Harley Ride (Read 2571 times)

Ace · « **on:** September 17, 2009, 04:30:56 AM »

Went for my first ride on a Harley Davidson today. It was a 2008 Rocket Custom, 1589cc, 6 speed fuel injected thing. Just as well my legs weren't any sorter otherwise I would have had real problems with the forward controls. Even still, when I wound it on my feet did leave the foot pegs. I found that I had to lean forward a bit and stretch the legs out. Uncomfortable thing to ride for me, even the seat was hard. I'd still rather be on a 750/4. Cornering was a bit interesting, scarping the bottom of the boot cause you can't lean it over as far the F2. Technology has come along way though even for harleys.

I did have a ride on a triumph tiger last year. That was interesting, gets a bit light in the front end in 1st 2nd and 3rd gear.

azuredesign · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:56:36 AM »

Can you point me at a photo? It doesn't sound too comfortable, but for some reason I want to see what it looks like.

tramp · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:05:33 AM »

i owned a superglide
it scraped bottom alot in turns
thats why i sold it
would go into a turn, bottom out and keep sliding out of the turn into oncoming traffic
not very safe

72 yellow · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2009, 08:04:28 AM »

I owned a 77 Superglide. Sold it after 1 year. I was tired of fixing the poor build quality. Don't know how they are now.

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2009, 10:33:39 AM »

Have only ridden a 2002 Sportster 883 (actually a 1200, I think) and THAT was enough.

No thank you, I'll just stick with what I know!

Later on, Bill

pee wee · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:01:56 PM »

my softail is an 1988 still runs fine even after all these years .iv'e had flhs too never had any problems with them either. they serves there job, i wouldn't be scraping pegs on any of them . i also have a big block dart and i can bet it handles like crap in the turns but its not built for it .different bikes for your style of riding . i'm almost done the honda and i'm anxious to ride it.
enjoy all of them

Damfino · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:10:14 PM »

I've never heard of a H-D Rocket Custom.

Is that an Aussie only model?

Ace · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2009, 11:04:59 PM »

Quote from: azuredesign on September 17, 2009, 04:56:36 AM

Can you point me at a photo? It doesn't sound too comfortable, but for some reason I want to see what it looks like.

I'll get a photo next week. It won't be of a midget riding either if that's what you're hoping for

Quote from: Schmthaus on September 17, 2009, 05:10:14 PM

I've never heard of a H-D Rocket Custom. Is that an Aussie only model?

Slight typing trouble, HD Rocker Custom.....R T R T RRRRRRR

bucky katt · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2009, 08:56:23 PM »

a "customized" softail with a cast/finned oil tank and a butt ugly seat.

DammitDan · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2009, 12:22:36 PM »

'Nother one of those "Crotch Flying At The World" kinda bikes, eh?

I'm with Jeff, it's got an absolutely horrible looking seat on it.

Certainly doesn't seem comfortable. Unless you got it set up like this guy...

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2009, 07:03:49 PM »

me likes that last picture, that looks fun.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2009, 09:16:55 AM »

Quote from: 72 yellow on September 17, 2009, 08:04:28 AM

I owned a 77 Superglide. Sold it after 1 year. I was tired of fixing the poor build quality. Don't know how they are now.

Very good build quality now. My 2003 Fat Boy has been flawless for 30,000+ miles. Your experience is one reason I bought my 750 in '75.

bucky katt · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2009, 10:47:17 AM »

i still want a 70-83 flh some day. i just love the shovelhead motor and if it's an aftermarket motor like an accurate or an s+s theyre pretty reliable too.

MJL · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:19:30 PM »

I took a test ride on a Buell XB1200SCG, it had tons of bottom end and pulled hard. The seating was very comfortable to me, pretty upright, and the bike felt small as hell. I'd love to own one sometime.

72 yellow · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2009, 06:20:37 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin on September 22, 2009, 09:16:55 AM

Quote from: 72 yellow on September 17, 2009, 08:04:28 AM
I owned a 77 Superglide. Sold it after 1 year. I was tired of fixing the poor build quality. Don't know how they are now.

Very good build quality now. My 2003 Fat Boy has been flawless for 30,000+ miles. Your experience is one reason I bought my 750 in '75.

The AMF years were not kind to H-D. After I sold the Superglide I bought a 78 CB750F. World of difference. A friend of mine has a 02 Sportster with 61k on it. Only major repair was a Kevlar final drive belt failed.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2009, 06:31:16 PM »

I always liked the look of the Buell Blast... darn shame they stopped making 'em.

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:10:27 PM »

I got to ride my friends 04 sportster 1200. It was a pretty nice bike. I was amazed at how stable it was. I could move all over the seat, and no matter what it would keep going straight. I guess that wouldn't help cornering but man would it make a nice highway bike.

I can understand now why he always gets on the big boring straight highways when we're riding together. I always go down the curvy backroads.

Hush · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:38:37 PM »

Work mate has one of those new long black low Harleys, can't remember the name of them for the moment but followed him home the other day and every decent corner that I would have leaned right into, he slowed to almost a stall and "drove" around.....that ain't a bike..it's a liability!

He's a very experienced rider too so it wasn't fear that stopped him cornering.

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:48:07 PM »

The sportster i rode was an R model. My friend was telling me that that is the highest riding sportster they make. It has decent ground clearance and he can hang it pretty good through the corners if he wants to.

He said a lot of people on the forums buy the R model for the other things that come with it, then slam it down to the ground. He seems to have more sense than that though, He used to be a SOHC rider.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2009, 06:51:42 PM »

I think it's interesting that women end up having to buy 'low' models so they can flatfoot their harleys, but ironically these often new riders have to worry about a bike that might bottom on corners.

If I were them I'd be #$%*ting building materials.

Ace · « **Reply #20 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:26:27 PM »

Well the photo won't be forthcoming as the guy who owns decided to leave it to his 17 y.o. son to ride around while he's away. I'm not that disapointed as I prefer the 750/4. I just have to sort out the wobble at 100 mph

tramp · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:42:11 AM »

i wobble at 100mph too
i found out it was my butt cheeks trying to get a firmer grip

cike · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2009, 10:51:37 AM »

I've had a 1974 sportster, 96 sportster, 01 superglide (lowered), and now have a 99 street king (road king-street glide combo -lowered) and a 2006 883 sportster (wifes ride -lowered) all were great riding bikes (not so much the 74) Never had big issues with draging in corners. only about 3-4 times on the street king in about 30k miles, but it's lowered front and back and has floorboards. I love all styles of bikes and have had many, still have yet to find a bike that beats the heavy solid feeling of riding a harley. Not the best bikes for balls-to-the-wall riding (not into that anyway) but great bikes for going out and putting on a couple hundred miles a day on.
But, not everyone has the same tastes, that's why their are so many different styles of bikes (and I want to ride them all) in the end you just have to find the one that fits you and your style best. After all, no matter what someone rides, we are all taking the same risks and enjoying the same freedoms when we ride.
(also had 4-Hondas, 3-Kaw's, 1-BSA, 2-suzuki's)(have 73 CB750 now)
I agree though, the seat on that bike is UUUUGGGGLLLLYYY!!!!

Mdub · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2009, 01:48:54 PM »

I rented this '08 dresser for a trip from New Jersey to Nova Scotia.
96 cu. in., 6 speed, cruise, loaded. 55mpg! Rumbling along along at 85mph and 1800-2000 rpm.
And FAST too (all the way to it's limited speed of 110 or so)
Able to lean well over before scraping. They have come a looong way
Nicest thing was the comfort. I was able to do ~700mi of low rpm fun a day and loved every minute of it!
Down side was the rear pipe routing under the seat. They fixed that for '09.
If the economy were any good for more than 5 years at a time, I'd buy one!

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Author Topic: First Harley Ride (Read 2571 times)