Contemplating my first Harley!
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Recenlty test rode the 09 Electra, 09 Street Glide, 09 Fat Bob, 08 RK, and 03 Wide Glide.
Bike I least liked was the Fat Bob. Very cramped feeling. Made more for riders with shorter legs. Can't believe you're 6'7" and are comfortable on it.
I'm 6'2" and it was just too small. If you like the Dyna line try and find anWide Glide. There may be good deals on any 08s lest around.
At 6'7" you need to find a bike that fits you. IMO a Road King is a better choice, hands down.
John
Bike I least liked was the Fat Bob. Very cramped feeling. Made more for riders with shorter legs. Can't believe you're 6'7" and are comfortable on it.
I'm 6'2" and it was just too small. If you like the Dyna line try and find anWide Glide. There may be good deals on any 08s lest around.
At 6'7" you need to find a bike that fits you. IMO a Road King is a better choice, hands down.
John
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Did you ride the Fat Bob with the forward controls or the standard controls?
It also depends on what you're used to. I currently ride a CBR600RR and I'm 6'2" and can easily take that on 400 mile rides. I've raced mountain bikes most of my life so I think being twisted like a pretzel is comfortable for me. If I'm too laid out, I feel stretched.
But yeah, 6'7" is very tall. I'd imagine, at that height, everything would feel cramped. But when a person spends most of their life being cramped, feeling that way is 'normal'. If I don't feel that way, I feel weird.
It also depends on what you're used to. I currently ride a CBR600RR and I'm 6'2" and can easily take that on 400 mile rides. I've raced mountain bikes most of my life so I think being twisted like a pretzel is comfortable for me. If I'm too laid out, I feel stretched.
But yeah, 6'7" is very tall. I'd imagine, at that height, everything would feel cramped. But when a person spends most of their life being cramped, feeling that way is 'normal'. If I don't feel that way, I feel weird.
Last edited by Thumper09; Oct 3, 2008 at 11:47 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
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From: Norfolk, VA
Why not get both?
Go for what is comfortable with you and your lady and consider what type of riding you will be doing....Are you going for long trips or lots of stop/go? Go with what will suit your needs but always remember you may decide to do that "long haul" with your woman.....Always look at the big picture and "be prepared" for that ride that will give you the best comfort for those long trips.
Go for what is comfortable with you and your lady and consider what type of riding you will be doing....Are you going for long trips or lots of stop/go? Go with what will suit your needs but always remember you may decide to do that "long haul" with your woman.....Always look at the big picture and "be prepared" for that ride that will give you the best comfort for those long trips.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Did you ride the Fat Bob with the forward controls or the standard controls?
It also depends on what you're used to. I currently ride a CBR600RR and I'm 6'2" and can easily take that on 400 mile rides. I've raced mountain bikes most of my life so I think being twisted like a pretzel is comfortable for me. If I'm too laid out, I feel stretched.
But yeah, 6'7" is very tall. I'd imagine, at that height, everything would feel cramped. But when a person spends most of their life being cramped, feeling that way is 'normal'. If I don't feel that way, I feel weird.
It also depends on what you're used to. I currently ride a CBR600RR and I'm 6'2" and can easily take that on 400 mile rides. I've raced mountain bikes most of my life so I think being twisted like a pretzel is comfortable for me. If I'm too laid out, I feel stretched.
But yeah, 6'7" is very tall. I'd imagine, at that height, everything would feel cramped. But when a person spends most of their life being cramped, feeling that way is 'normal'. If I don't feel that way, I feel weird.
I am really looking forward to trying RK out. I do like the look and the whole thing + looking forward to do some HOG rides, etc. I have no idea how and why Fat Bob feels easier on my body. It had forward setting, not standard, so maybe that's it. Standard just doesn't work for me. My knees are way upthere making Harley tank look like a toy between my legs. I am more in the bike on Fat Bob and I somehow both look and feel smaller on it.
Anyone had an opinion about new 2009 RK vs RKC? The wheelbase and the front wheel size changed between the two I think. RK now has longer wheelbase with larger front wheel as well while RKC remained the same. Wondering what will that do to comfort, riding, etc?
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
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Why not get both?
Go for what is comfortable with you and your lady and consider what type of riding you will be doing....Are you going for long trips or lots of stop/go? Go with what will suit your needs but always remember you may decide to do that "long haul" with your woman.....Always look at the big picture and "be prepared" for that ride that will give you the best comfort for those long trips.
Go for what is comfortable with you and your lady and consider what type of riding you will be doing....Are you going for long trips or lots of stop/go? Go with what will suit your needs but always remember you may decide to do that "long haul" with your woman.....Always look at the big picture and "be prepared" for that ride that will give you the best comfort for those long trips.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
Me and my wife have ridden 20,000 miles two up over the past 2 years on my Electra Glide Classic. We could not be happier with this bike and would not even consider another one. But with that being said, of the two bikes you are considering I would go with the Road King. Just more two-up capable compared to the Fat Bob. But I would strongly recommend a bagger.
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
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Me and my wife have ridden 20,000 miles two up over the past 2 years on my Electra Glide Classic. We could not be happier with this bike and would not even consider another one. But with that being said, of the two bikes you are considering I would go with the Road King. Just more two-up capable compared to the Fat Bob. But I would strongly recommend a bagger.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 521
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Just get an Ultra and you'll never look back.....
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Thanks Bluet,
I am leaning towards RK myself but haven't tested it yet. Local dealer does not have any in stock for the moment. Perhaps when I slide down to Miami in November, I'll just rent one. I am not sure if I should go Classic or RK with the hard bags. 2009 RKs hard-baggers have longer wheel base too.
I am leaning towards RK myself but haven't tested it yet. Local dealer does not have any in stock for the moment. Perhaps when I slide down to Miami in November, I'll just rent one. I am not sure if I should go Classic or RK with the hard bags. 2009 RKs hard-baggers have longer wheel base too.
I'm not sure what area of the country you are in, but check out the dates of the demo rides, there is a chance you might be able to ride the fat boy, RK, and RKC all back to back ....
http://www.harley-davidson.com/PR/MO...bmLocale=en_US
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: eastern NC
Thanks Mac57. It is tempting but I am affraid it will be too much of an adjustment to jump to a full bagger from the naked bike. Having said that, I will give it a test if one is available. I've heard way too many good things about EGC to ignore it, although against my culture at present. Cheers bro!
On thing that is different about a dyna and touring bike is the way the tripple tree is mounted on the bike.
On the dynas the tripple tree is ahead of the frame and on the tourers it is behind it.
This makes the touring bike flow easier into turns and the bike returns to straight ahead when coming out of turns, this make for a much more relaxed ride.
My bike is an 05 and I have looked at the new 09's but I wont be getting an 09 touring bike, im 5'9" and my bike is lowered an inch and the 09's sit way to high for me.
Now with that being said even as short as I am with the regular footboard position will get to feeling cramped after riding awhile, thats why I have the highway pegs on the engine guard, so I can throw my feet up there and stretch out!