Production "Choppers"...
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I believe that both Thunder Mountain and Iron Horse are defunct. And I read that Big Dog is up for sale.
I test rode a Big Dog K-9 a while back. looked way cool, tons of power from the 117" S&S motor, but was abusive on my back and difficult to turn. Definitely a bar hopper, not that I would want to climb on a bike with that much power after having any alcohol.
I test rode a Big Dog K-9 a while back. looked way cool, tons of power from the 117" S&S motor, but was abusive on my back and difficult to turn. Definitely a bar hopper, not that I would want to climb on a bike with that much power after having any alcohol.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Washington
I purchased a new 2002 Big Red Machine Chopper built by Panzer out of Canyon City, Colorado. It's a hard tail and I'm only good for a couple hundred miles at a time but I must say I love to ride it. It has a S&S 107" motor, 6 speed gear box and goes like a bat out of hell. The only issue I had with it was the oil bag started leaking when I first got it and it was repaired free of charge under warranty by the shop I bought it at. I paid $20,000 for it new and not that I'd get any where near that for it if I chose to sell, but it's not for sale. I didn't buy it as a investment, I bought it to ride when I feel like a change from my other bikes. We all ride for different reasons at different times and it's nice to have some variety if you can. I know there's some horror stories with some of the after market choppers but mines not one of them. Oh yea, as far as I know Panzers out of business now also, which I think is sad.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,181
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
I rode a friends Big Dog K-9. He had engine work done on it velocity stacks, etc... extremely uncomfortable for me, had to turn my right leg on its side to get it where I could get my foot on the foot peg. Fantastic power, but felt like a bus when I tried to turn it around. Not my cup of beer!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 480
Likes: 17
From: Northern Virginia
I have a 2006 Big Dog Mastiff, a pro street with a 250 mm rear tire, that I bought new in January 2007. I am averaging about 2500 miles a year on it. On my previous Harley, a 2005 FXDX, I was averaging about 5000 miles a year. I have never ridden the Big Dog more than 300 miles in a day but I never considered it uncomfortable.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: East of Cincinnati
My buddy has a big dog. I don't know the specifics of it. We were riding once and the computer that runs everthing went out. He said that was the second time it happend. I think it is an 02. He also had trouble with the headlight switch staying on high beam.
Mostly electrical problems. He wanted to put a sissy bar on it for his wife. She has a suction pillion for the back fender. The sissy bar is square stock chromed for $700.00+
Check out some parts and accessories for the model your looking at before you purchase it.
Good luck.
Mostly electrical problems. He wanted to put a sissy bar on it for his wife. She has a suction pillion for the back fender. The sissy bar is square stock chromed for $700.00+
Check out some parts and accessories for the model your looking at before you purchase it.
Good luck.
Last edited by Poisond 08 Fatbob; Feb 13, 2010 at 09:19 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 11
From: TN
How about a poll? The biggest oxymoron is:
mass produced custom
factory chopper
Had a "special construction", built it myself in 05 and sold it in 09 for $10000 less than I had in it. At $2500/yr it was one of my cheaper hobbies. You could call it a "custom", or you could call it a "chopper", but it sure wasn't a "cookiecutter".
Bwana
mass produced custom
factory chopper
Had a "special construction", built it myself in 05 and sold it in 09 for $10000 less than I had in it. At $2500/yr it was one of my cheaper hobbies. You could call it a "custom", or you could call it a "chopper", but it sure wasn't a "cookiecutter".
Bwana
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 29
From: Baytown Tx.
Those long bikes are NOT good handling bikes. Every bike OCC ever built handled better than the last one....LOL. Those "custom"?! bikes were overpriced and I believe they were targeted at a particular audience (RUB). Resale value is laughable on those bikes now. Most people have a hard time parting with the funds necessary to park a Harley in their garage. Most that did buy those bikes are more likely able to afford the hit they will likely absorb to unload it. Back in 2000 - 2002 or so... Big Dog had bikes that were more rideable than the long bikes they offer today. I wonder if they will ever bring them back or just continue to build bar hoppers. It's apparent they can produce bikes, why not produce user friendly (more) mainstream motorcyles? If you are looking for a used one cheap look on craigslist (PHX) lots of Scottsdale RUB's trying to sell or trade them. I think Ironhorse is defunct.
Tech23
Tech23
I've heard their quality and reliability has improved since then, but I know my buddy won't be buying another one.
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The 2003 and 2004 American Ironhorse Stalker were designed by Arlen Ness and bulit for AIH by Ness Enterprises. I have one that was built and customized by Arlen Ness. I have all the receipts that show there is over $60K in the bike. I was screwing around on EBAY a few years back and bid on the bike thinking I wouldn't hit the reserve. Well, I ended up $1 over the reserve of $19999 and ended up owning it. It is a softtail, not stretched or raked too much. It is very low to the ground though and doesn't corner for squat (drag the kickstand turning left and the rear brake pedal assembly turning right. The Corbin seat is hard as a rock, even though it is "gel filled". I can't ride it more than 60 to 70 miles without having to take a break. A cruiser it isn't but I really do enjoy tooling around town and going to bike shows with it. I ride my Harley for real riding. Yes, I AM A RUB and not ashamed of it
. Here are some pics if you're interested. http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/f...csonline/Ness/
. Here are some pics if you're interested. http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/f...csonline/Ness/
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
I know a chick who has a Big Dog. She's had a lot of mechanical issues with it. Her husband also has a Big Dog, but his is fine.
Most of the local chopper shops are moving over to custom baggers. You can get some good deals on custom choppers these days. I was in a custom shop not long ago. He had a nice, not too extreme, chopper I liked. When I mentioned that I liked it, he immediately told me I could ride it home for $8,000.
Most of the local chopper shops are moving over to custom baggers. You can get some good deals on custom choppers these days. I was in a custom shop not long ago. He had a nice, not too extreme, chopper I liked. When I mentioned that I liked it, he immediately told me I could ride it home for $8,000.