First Harley Help
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, New Zealand
First Harley Help
Hi all (first post so be nice
)
I'm considering a significant change of bike from an '07 Kawasaki Versys to a '14 Low Rider. Always wanted a Harley, but never had the $$ (till now).
Thought about a 1200 Custom, but like the design of the Low Rider and the newer design of the 103 motor (EFI, wet sump, etc).
Given the significant differences between the bikes, I'm wondering what I should watch out for ? Is this too big a step up from the Versys ?
I use my bike for regular commuting (short distances though, only about 10 miles to work) and longer weekend rides out of town. Its pretty hilly here in Wellington (New Zealand) and I'm wondering about cornering clearance (not a problem on the Versys).
Any advice greatly appreciated. Came to this forum since the tone seems more supportive and collegial than confrontational (unlike some).
Cheers
)I'm considering a significant change of bike from an '07 Kawasaki Versys to a '14 Low Rider. Always wanted a Harley, but never had the $$ (till now).
Thought about a 1200 Custom, but like the design of the Low Rider and the newer design of the 103 motor (EFI, wet sump, etc).
Given the significant differences between the bikes, I'm wondering what I should watch out for ? Is this too big a step up from the Versys ?
I use my bike for regular commuting (short distances though, only about 10 miles to work) and longer weekend rides out of town. Its pretty hilly here in Wellington (New Zealand) and I'm wondering about cornering clearance (not a problem on the Versys).
Any advice greatly appreciated. Came to this forum since the tone seems more supportive and collegial than confrontational (unlike some).
Cheers
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Deatsville, AL
I don't think it's too big but there will be a huge difference in handling and I'd be willing to bet the 103 may seem a little less peppy than that 650. Just take it slow and get used to the bike before you start trying to push the limits of the bike. I think you're making the right decision but if you can afford it, keep your Kawi too. You may want to use it to tear up some twistys someday.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
I switched to an '04 Low Rider from an '05 955 Triumph Tiger which is kind of like a larger, heavier, faster version of the Versys (sorry, it's triple also had much more character than your Kawasaki.) But after 6 years I was tired of the tall seat, top heaviness, and realized I needed to stop riding a 500lb, 100hp dirt bike off road. I actually considered switching to a Versys to get something lighter but one day this Low Rider was winking at me in a used bike showroom. 
I sometimes miss the raw speed and insane handling capabilities of the Triumph but certainly enjoy the "character" of the Harley engine. On the Triumph I was riding a motorcycle with a great triple engine, on the Harley I feel like I'm riding a raw thumping motor down the road. It's a visceral experience and I have as much fun running the Harley at 55-65mph as when I ran the Tiger at 85-105mph on the exact same roads.
Cornering clearance of a Low Rider is easily fixed with 1" longer rear shocks but don't expect the handling traits and flickability that you're used to. You simply can't dive into a corner 30mph faster than you should be going and expect to scrub the speed off mid corner. You'll end up in the weeds because of the weight, brakes, and older chassis design. Before the Triumph I had a Sportster 1200R which I traded when I realized I was pushing its chassis beyond it's limits on our mountainous roads and experiencing head shake. I was more confident riding the Triumph at much, much higher speeds than I'll push a Harley. However, after 6 years of running the Triumph hard, I was ready to slow down a little.
Is there anyplace you can rent a Dyna (or even any model HD) for a weekend? That should give you a better feel of what to expect. Or, as mentioned above, buy the Low Rider but keep your Versys. If I had more room in the garage I'd like to add a new Husky.
I sometimes miss the raw speed and insane handling capabilities of the Triumph but certainly enjoy the "character" of the Harley engine. On the Triumph I was riding a motorcycle with a great triple engine, on the Harley I feel like I'm riding a raw thumping motor down the road. It's a visceral experience and I have as much fun running the Harley at 55-65mph as when I ran the Tiger at 85-105mph on the exact same roads.
Cornering clearance of a Low Rider is easily fixed with 1" longer rear shocks but don't expect the handling traits and flickability that you're used to. You simply can't dive into a corner 30mph faster than you should be going and expect to scrub the speed off mid corner. You'll end up in the weeds because of the weight, brakes, and older chassis design. Before the Triumph I had a Sportster 1200R which I traded when I realized I was pushing its chassis beyond it's limits on our mountainous roads and experiencing head shake. I was more confident riding the Triumph at much, much higher speeds than I'll push a Harley. However, after 6 years of running the Triumph hard, I was ready to slow down a little.
Is there anyplace you can rent a Dyna (or even any model HD) for a weekend? That should give you a better feel of what to expect. Or, as mentioned above, buy the Low Rider but keep your Versys. If I had more room in the garage I'd like to add a new Husky.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 74
From: The 12th Rebel State
welcome to the forum.. I don't have any experience really in the style of bike that you're riding like say cheeto and racqueteer do.. Your current motorcycle the versys looks to me like one of those adventure ride style bikes.. I did own a GSXR 750 for a long time and know all about motorcycle speed.. I've also owned a myriad of other street bikes, dirt bikes and rode an enduro style bike for a bit..
but I have owned Harleys ever since.. but racqueteer pretty well nailed it bike wise.. but, HDs' are extremely modifiable depending on the depth of your pocket book.. want a great corner carver? the fxdx with some mods can do pretty well for the technology its based off of.. want an easy cruiser? lowrider is a great start.. want a touring bike? ? etc etc... HD has an answer of some sort.. more over... all of the ones I've owned have been very reliable as well.
If it were me I'd rent one as well, if that's possible and or at least test ride one to see if the 2 of you will "work" together.. owning an HD for me is different than owning any other bike.. its hard to put into words I guess.. but there is a transcendence that takes place.. where the bike through customization and modifications becomes exactly the bike I need it to be..
Good luck
but I have owned Harleys ever since.. but racqueteer pretty well nailed it bike wise.. but, HDs' are extremely modifiable depending on the depth of your pocket book.. want a great corner carver? the fxdx with some mods can do pretty well for the technology its based off of.. want an easy cruiser? lowrider is a great start.. want a touring bike? ? etc etc... HD has an answer of some sort.. more over... all of the ones I've owned have been very reliable as well.
If it were me I'd rent one as well, if that's possible and or at least test ride one to see if the 2 of you will "work" together.. owning an HD for me is different than owning any other bike.. its hard to put into words I guess.. but there is a transcendence that takes place.. where the bike through customization and modifications becomes exactly the bike I need it to be..
Good luck
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Thanks for the feedback guys, all much appreciated.
Keeping the Versys not really feasible as 2 lots of insurance and registration fees
, as well as the $$ (need the trade in)
Not so worried about the reduction in speed, I tend to be a fairly conservative rider (I'm a road safety engineer by trade so I now how bad our road signs and surfaces are
). That's another attraction of the LR though - ABS
Any thoughts on how the 103 motor would handle a fair amount of short running ?
Limited opportunities to rent a HD here, and no demo LR as yet at my dealer but should be able to get a ride on a couple of similar bikes to get a feeling for the raked out geometry. If I can get to ride a Wide Glide or a Super Glide Custom would that be a reasonable comparison ? I'm guessing the 1200C wouldn't be much of a comparison given the higher centre of gravity.
BTW - Having a good poke around the forum - great site
Keeping the Versys not really feasible as 2 lots of insurance and registration fees
, as well as the $$ (need the trade in)Not so worried about the reduction in speed, I tend to be a fairly conservative rider (I'm a road safety engineer by trade so I now how bad our road signs and surfaces are
). That's another attraction of the LR though - ABS Any thoughts on how the 103 motor would handle a fair amount of short running ?
Limited opportunities to rent a HD here, and no demo LR as yet at my dealer but should be able to get a ride on a couple of similar bikes to get a feeling for the raked out geometry. If I can get to ride a Wide Glide or a Super Glide Custom would that be a reasonable comparison ? I'm guessing the 1200C wouldn't be much of a comparison given the higher centre of gravity.
BTW - Having a good poke around the forum - great site
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
103 or any modern twin cam is a great engine for most situations. I have a stage one and with the right tune in it its flat out a joy to listen to and use! Short haul to and from work is what i do during the week and it makes me smile ear to ear! 
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
a 10 mile commute with the 103 will be all smiles. I went from jap inline 4's to english bikes to V twin japs and after purchasing my 96" FXD and upgrading the suspension I am enjoying the riding experience more than ever. I wouldnt trade my Dyna for anything, I might get something else to ad to the stable but the Dyna is staying
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
Limited opportunities to rent a HD here, and no demo LR as yet at my dealer but should be able to get a ride on a couple of similar bikes to get a feeling for the raked out geometry. If I can get to ride a Wide Glide or a Super Glide Custom would that be a reasonable comparison ? I'm guessing the 1200C wouldn't be much of a comparison given the higher centre of gravity.