Wow, I guess I'm the first guy in the history of motorcycling that bought a bike and didn't like it. Glad to know I have that distinction. Do I get some type of award? Seriously, I test rode this bike before I bought it. Unfortunately I didn't have a 50 mile test ride as it would have exposed the areas I didn't get along with. I could live with some of the shortcomings but it just ain't comfortable for me. The upright riding position puts a strain on my back that didn't show up until I took it for a long ride. Now the ache starts after about 5 miles. At 57 I am too old and cranky to put up with it. I guess I was really predisposed to buying the bike before I looked at it because it looked so freakin cool. And, I owned Harley's in the past and the memories of Sturgis, Daytona, Laughlin, etc., in the early 90's were some of the best riding times of my life. I guess I thought I could recapture that from 20+ years ago. I did a triathlon 25 years ago. I trained incredibly hard and made it a part of my life. I tried to do it again 20 years later. The body was older, the motivation was gone, different priorities and it just wasn't the same. But I tried. And then I moved on to something else. Now I know better.
I loved my Harley. I owned a 2004 Sportster 883 Custom. It wasnt the fastest, but it was fun, I rode it in every weather, and temperatures down to -6. The bike has been in mud, water above the exhaust. (kinda cool, looks like a diesel submarine). fire roads, and pulled a camping trailer. The bike was tragically killed in September 2011 by a 17 yo in an 89 chevy truck. By some miracle I wasn't killed too. I had over 92,000 miles on that bike. All in all I would recommend a Harley to anyone that wants a rock solid, bulletproof motorcycle. Yes there are posers dressed in pretty new leather that thinks if the bike gets rained on its going to melt or rust, BUT there are also real bikers out there that ride Harleys, and are not afraid to ride them the way they were intended. One side note, women LOVE riding 600 pound vibrators. Now I have a 2006 Triumph Scrambler, I love it. Better in many ways to a sportster, but we will see if it holds up like the Sportster did.
Maybe. Or maybe you'll get the urge again. I went from KTM950 to RoadKing last summer. Liked the torque and comfort but not much else. Sold it last month, fortunately for bit more than II paid for it. Second Harley for me and I'm financially ahead on the transaction. I can't rule out another a few years from now for long trips. It'll be the new frame that doesn't feel like it bends in 80mph+ sweepers.
Kamloopsrider--I too have always ridden whatever I had in every way I desired. I currently have a K8 GSXR600 that sees duty as a commuter, regardless of the weather. I don't do a lot of off road stuff, nearly none at all, but I wouldn't hesitate should I desire to do so (although, I will never be a dirt riding kinda guy). I have modded it to suit me...an on-going process that seems to be self-generating. Heck, I drove an '89 Aerostar up steep mountain paths int he rockies, across lakes in TX, and anywhere else I chose. Treat the bike the same way. I figure the more I ride it the better I will be at riding it. I don't get a lot of miles, but I do get a lot of conditions and my confidence grows. I too am an old fart....seems strange, and I don't have the money for a stable. So, what ever bike I have at the moment must do everything I need it to. Sure, the bike does change from time to time, but each one is pressed into the same service. I would gladly take an XR1200. I would be the weirdo with the hard bags on it, riding it back and forth to work, letting the rain make it pretty; its the way I roll.
Maybe you missed the part where I said I owned an FJR for 30,000 miles. In fact, I used the Dynojet Dyno to set throttle body synch on that bike at cruising speed. I dialed 15% load, locked the throttle at 70 mph in 5th, and dialed them in. Made for a very nice and smooth riding bike. I also did a couple of dyno pulls with that bike. It made 127 rear wheel horsepower - oops, I mean RWHP . Other interesting bikes of note I played with on that Dyno included my '08 Gold Wing that made 105 RWHP (and was already making 89 Ft Lbs of torque at 1100 RPM :eek1 ), and a few of my track bikes I tuned. Again, the lack of absolute power, adjustable suspension, or racing brakes has never diminished the sheer joy I've gotten from loping along on a winding country road on a warm sunny day riding a Harley. The non adjustable suspension still absorbs bumps. The lackluster brakes are still capable of locking both wheels. And 99% of the time, the 70 hp engine is being significantly under-utilized with the few horsepower required to maintain cruise, or approximately 25 horsepower used to accelerate. In fact, the higher performing the bike, in general the more boring it is to ride on a public road. The track is a different story, but then again I've never taken a Harley to a track day. I once made it from lower central Missouri to my home in S.E. Ohio in a little over 7 hours on that FJR. Averaged almost 100 mph. It's probably a good thing I don't tour on that bike anymore. Probably wouldn't have a license for long.
It sounds like the FJR is a smart choice, I wished I would have better informed. In fact, it seems that hundreds of thousands of people must be less informed than you. All in all, I think what you have missed is the point.
Forgot one thing. Don't EVER question my riding experience. I have been riding longer than most people have been on this earth. I do more miles in a year than most do in a lifetime. I have owned over 50 different bikes over the last 25 years and have test ridden just about every bike made. I have raced bikes, built bikes, rebuilt bikes and restored classics. I know bikes. So, before you make a complete ass out of yourself and question my riding experience get the facts. Jeez. Why people feel the need to act fucking superior is beyond my comprehension.
\ If your riding thoes bikes with the prerequisities predominately on the track, good on you. If your riding them predominately on the street and you need 100 rwhp, adjustable suspensions, etc., your are either riding way above the legal limits (which makes you a perpetual lawbreaker) or if you ride within the limits you are as much or more of a poser than the typical HD rider since at least the HD riders are more closely riding their bikes according to the intended design.
Hundreds of thousands find McDonalds a good value for their money and find the quality of the food reasonable enough to justify the price, so what excactly is YOUR point? Are you suggesting that they don't have the ability to make cost vs. value judgements for food, or are you suggesting that since they actively choose McDonalds they are are some how inferior to those that choose other eating establishments.
No sense arguing with him. He thinks the FJR is the bomb. An FJR is the PIG of Sport Touring bikes and would be on the bottom of my Sport Touring list. Don't get me wrong. I think the FJR is a fine bike but I would much rather have the BMW 1300 or even an FZ1. Both are better Sport Touring bikes.
Any of you H-D experts run radial tires on a bike with lace wheels, like a Road King Classic, for example?
Why not ask the person I quoted as well then? Just because hundreds of thousands are sold doesn't mean the product is the best for everyone else, or that anyone else has to go along with the majority either, is my point. Fads, convenient, cheap, etc, does not necessarily equate to what's best period....at least that's the way I see it. YMMV.
The reason that some folks like Harleys along with other brands. After riding my 20 sumpin hp WR250R, the FLHP feels like a 300 whp Texas Mile Hayabusa.
There you go making assuptions about something you know very little of, my riding. I very rarely ride more than 10 mph over the posted limits. When I do it is because I'm passing some lasargic 2 wheeled barge going 10 mph under the posted limit in their pirate gear. I do what is called "pace riding" I pick a speed (usaually 5 to 10 mph above the posted limit) and try to maintain that speed, within reason, no matter how sharp the turn. I'm not one that guns it in the straights and cranks on the brakes going into the corner. I need the suspension to make public roads smooth as possible. I need the brakes to avoid the idiot in the cage that pulls out in front of me. I want the 87 octane requirement so I can get fuel anywhere. I want the HP to pass safely in a short distance. Beside, I can have all that, and a lot more, for less than the most basic hardley twin cam. If you want to ride your hardley within its realm, then stay on the straight roads at 10 mph under the posted limit. Leave the nice curvey stuff for those of us that choose to ride bikes that were made for it.
This is the rider not the bike. If you indeed ride the way you posted above I know several people that would be leaving you behind all withing the realm of their touring Harleys. Do you get out of the way and let them by?
its the internet my friend people will tell you your shit sucks when it doesnt, they will tell you, that they can outride you, when they cant, and they will give great advice on bikes they never had, or even rode. C'est la vie
And they will tell you: "I have been riding longer than most people have been on this earth. I do more miles in a year than most do in a lifetime..." Who the fuck cares if you are still too stupid to know that the HD bashing happens on Fridays?