We went on a Demo Ride today

[LordGT]

Debi and I were asked to go with some friends to a Harley Davidson Demo ride at one of the Dealers today. One friend wants to get an ElectraGlide so his wife will be more comfortable on rides. He'll keep his 1100 VStar for around town Solo rides. The other friend has a Harley Duce I think it's called.

Anyway, Debi has never ridden anything but her 900 LT. She works with these guys and was excited about going. So off we go.

She wanted to ride an 07 Heritage Soft Tail Classic. But they didn't have that particular bike and now she doesn't want to ride. I had to PUSH thru the Wining... and tell her to ride something similar like a Fat Boy. Same motor, same 6 speed tranny, same chassis I think. Then the wining about that she can't plant BOTH feet on the ground. I was about to give her some Cheese to go with that Wine..but she relented and decided to ride.

OH, NOW we have a WHOLE different attitude when we finished. Man she came off of that Fat Boy with a HUGE grin, loving that bike, the extra power, smooth tranny, she just had a BLAST riding it and she really wants to try out the Heritage Classic some day.

I went with her and tried the 07 Road King which I really had a strong desire to ride since I sat on it months ago. Well my desire is GONE, I've gotten it OUT of my system. That thing SHAKES like nothing I've ever ridden. Oh it's pretty smooth while you are moving, but anytime you pull that clutch in, or are stopped, it will shake you to DEATH!!! I don't get it, how anyone actually likes this.

Now it wasn't ALL bad. The 6 speed tranny was smooth and wonderful, the power was OK, not like the V2K, but with some pipes, intake etc..etc..it may run strong, but I wouldn't call it a slug in stock form. I loved the way it was geared. Running around in town at 50 mph was a 3rd or 4th gear ride. 5th and 6th aren't needed yet. Nicely geared for the hwy. The fit and finish, and all the controls are cool, floating floorboards kept some of the vibration at bay. It was comfortable, and I liked the Rear Brake feel much better than my V2K's rear Brake. It was my first Harley ride, and I was semi impressed. Next time I'll try the Fat Boy or one of the Soft Tails with counter balanced motors. I didn't feel like getting in line again today.

But Debi is in LOVE, we may lose her to Harley someday... But that day is NOT today...

It was a fun day nevertheless...friends, bikes, good weather...

[zphreaky1]

Nice report. I started riding harleys when I was a teen. I love 'em. There are a couple I want, however I am in no hurry.

[bikerdave]

Well DarkLordGT, you are getting seduced by the darkside.... No wait, you are already the dark side - so maybe you are trying to seduce us to the darkside??? (that being HD and their ridiculous pricing)
Man I watch too much StarWars

Anyways, sounds like that Roadking wasn't half bad if you dontmind the shakes. I personally like them, like a whole body massage at every stop light!. Before I found the Vulcans many years ago - the Roadking was always going to be the bike I owned. Was the windscreen height adjustable??

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by bikerdave

Well DarkLordGT, you are getting seduced by the darkside.... No wait, you are already the dark side - so maybe you are trying to seduce us to the darkside??? (that being HD and their ridiculous pricing)
Man I watch too much StarWars

Anyways, sounds like that Roadking wasn't half bad if you dontmind the shakes. I personally like them, like a whole body massage at every stop light!. Before I found the Vulcans many years ago - the Roadking was always going to be the bike I owned. Was the windscreen height adjustable??

This particular RK didn't have a windshield. It did have bags, but I don't know why they left the shield off.

This wasn't a mild shake, it was violent.. But it ran nice when you were on the throttle, so I assume it was normal.

It would run up to 45mph in 1st gear. That was nice, I can only hit 35 in 1st on the V2K. It was just geared nice. Very smooth tranny.

I was missing my V2K and it's stronger Motor though...

[mbigica]

Pretty cool that a HD dealer let you take a demo ride. I have not yet ridden a HD with the six speed. I know they had it in the 06 Dyna but the 07 now have the new twin cam 96 tied to it. I am sure if that engine was opened up some, it would hold it's own, but for some $$$$$$$$$.

I myself liked the 07 softail custom. But, I would never by the first year model of a new engine.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by mbigica

Pretty cool that a HD dealer let you take a demo ride. I have not yet ridden a HD with the six speed. I know they had it in the 06 Dyna but the 07 now have the new twin cam 96 tied to it. I am sure if that engine was opened up some, it would hold it's own, but for some $$$$$$$$$.

I myself liked the 07 softail custom. But, I would never by the first year model of a new engine.

That is one nice thing about HD and BMW, they will let you take a test ride.

[fastball]

So was it $10,000.00 better?

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by fastball

So was it $10,000.00 better?

For the Road King, NO!!!

As far as the Fat Boy or Heritage Classic Softtail, you have to remember it's now 96 cu inches or 1600cc's. So it should cost at least $3,400 more just for being a bigger bike, if we look at Kawasaki costs for the 1600 vs the 900.

So now your asking if it was worth $6,600 more.

I guess that's a matter of opinion and is just opening bag of worms...

But the Fat Boy is definately an upgrade to the 900. As long at it is dependable. The only real minus, is that it's still Air Cooled.

[G]

thanks for the review , i have riden the 07 fat boy . its a nicely finshed bike as one would expect from HD , power is not that strong {but not weak either} , handles o.k. , brakes o.k. overall a nice enough cruiser the 07 fat boy , but because of the price tag $33'000.00 AUD , i give it a big thumbs down ..

[Dreamer]

Originally Posted by LordGT

That thing SHAKES like nothing I've ever ridden. Oh it's pretty smooth while you are moving, but anytime you pull that clutch in, or are stopped, it will shake you to DEATH!!! I don't get it, how anyone actually likes this.

.

I know for a fact that some girls really like that shaking sensation between their legs..

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by MEAN 1

thanks for the review , i have riden the 07 fat boy . its a nicely finshed bike as one would expect from HD , power is not that strong {but not weak either} , handles o.k. , brakes o.k. overall a nice enough cruiser the 07 fat boy , but because of the price tag $33'000.00 AUD , i give it a big thumbs down ..

Yeah, price is ALWAYS a factor for those of us who have to WORK for a living...

[Pooker]

I too took a demo ride on Saturday at the local HD dealership.
I took out the XL1200 Nightster (flat army green).
This bike was fun however the Vibration was terrible! The suspension was terrible I could feel every stone on the road. The pegs are in the wrong place, it seemed my knee's were to bent (I'm only 5'7). This bike is not for me. $12,409 Cnd.
Then I tried the Softail Deluxe, Wow smooth, no vibration and the seat was very comfortable. Lots of torque and the suspension worked perfect, it was almost like the road had no bumps!
I didn't want to get this bike, it was GREAT. $22,569 Cnd.
I then tried the Dina Low Rider. Vibrated as soon as it started. Lots of power but lots of vibration too. Suspension was good, but not for me. $20,629 Cnd.
The Softail Deluxe is a great bike but at $26,00.00 with tax, I would have to win the lottery.

[p309]

I've owned a couple of Harleys, they are nice enough bikes. Funny this came up, cuz last night we were looking at the HD Website just for kicks. I've always liked the Dyna Wide Glide---flipped to that page with the specs and see SEVENTEEN THOUSAND MSRP ! What a joke, IMO...

[brother]

I ride with a friend with a 07 roadking often and every time I'm at a light next to him I'm amazed how the front end bounces off the ground. He loves it though.

[2WheelFun]

I wonder if Debi could test ride different Kawasaki's if she'd fine one she likes?

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by brother

I ride with a friend with a 07 roadking often and every time I'm at a light next to him I'm amazed how the front end bounces off the ground. He loves it though.

, yeah that is what I noticed, heck you can't help it. Man it really shakes. I guess some people like that kind of thing. I feel that if it shakes that much, then someday, something is going to shake loose, or break..etc..etc.. It has to wear on the bike over time.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by 2WheelFun

I wonder if Debi could test ride different Kawasaki's if she'd fine one she likes?

I'd like to get her on a Mean Streak and a 1600 Classic, and see what she thinks...

[stevebtx12]

Originally Posted by LordGT

I'd like to get her on a Mean Streak and a 1600 Classic, and see what she thinks...

There ya go, now that sounds like a plan...

[AZ rider]

Originally Posted by LordGT

, I feel that if it shakes that much, then someday, something is going to shake loose, or break..etc..etc.. It has to wear on the bike over time.

That is exactly what happens. Everyone I know who rides HDs has parts shake off and break from the vibration.

[BikerBeagle]

Funny ...I went to a HD Event this weekend too! I demo'd a Softtail Deluxe (but not the Heritage). My first impression was how small it seemed. I felt like I was practically sitting on the passenger seat and I'm only 5'9". Other than that, I was pretty impressed (keeping in mind I'm comparing it to a 900). There was just a little vibration coming through the seat which I suppose is part of the Harley ride. The power and torque was acceptable given the size of the bike. I was particularly impressed with the clutch and transmission.

Overall, I've come around to believe that Harley might make a nice ride, especially with their newer models, but like most, a walk through the showroom looking at prices brought me back to reality. I think the cheapest on the floor was $15k ...and it was a "previously loved".