I also have an 04 mean streak that I love to death! It is my second bike, so I don't have much to compare to, but I did about four months of research before I got it. Last weekend I went to a HD dealership. I got to test ride both the V-Rod and the Buell Lightning. I did not like the V-Rod. I did not hate it, but I was just not confortable. I am about 5'11" and 200lbs. First impression was the foot peg location...way too forward for my comfort. I was able to reach them just fine, but made me arch my lower back more. Second, the motor was kind of quiet. It did not have the traditional HD sound, or at least what I think is the traditional sound. It almost felt like an inline twin, rather than a v-twin. I did not feel the same torque that I feel on my meanie. When I can to the first stop light, I place both feet down. I had to streach out my right foot way out so that the side of my calf would not touch the exhaust pipe. Even then I just placed my toes on the ground. You have plenty of room on the left side to confortably place your left foot down, but the exhaust is right up against the side of your right claf. What's up with that! Are all the HD design guys over 7 feet tall? The hydraulic clutch is way too hard. I don't think I would be able to ride this bike for more than an hour before my left hand would fall off. And I thought the mean streak had a hard clutch. Anyway, once you are cruising on the road, it's not bad of a ride. It is smaller than my meanie, but handles about the same. However, at slow speeds and at corners, it does want to lay down, due to its rake. I am sure it is probably something an owner would get used to. The brakes are not as good as the meanie. Even if I had all the money in the world, I would not get a V-Rod over the mean streak.
I had one of the best rides on my meanie going back home after the test rides. Happy about the choice I have made buying the meanie, and totaly enjoying the ride and comfort of the bike. My perma-grin has not faded since.
I think the real challenger to the meanie would be the Moto Guzzi Griso, scheduled to come out soon. If you have not heard or seen one, do a quick search. Sure the Griso is more of a muscle bike than a traditional cruiser, but it will be interesting to see how it compares when it comes out on the market.
I had one of the best rides on my meanie going back home after the test rides. Happy about the choice I have made buying the meanie, and totaly enjoying the ride and comfort of the bike. My perma-grin has not faded since.
I think the real challenger to the meanie would be the Moto Guzzi Griso, scheduled to come out soon. If you have not heard or seen one, do a quick search. Sure the Griso is more of a muscle bike than a traditional cruiser, but it will be interesting to see how it compares when it comes out on the market.
