Just not happy
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Tx
Just not happy
Now dont get me wrong. This is not buyers remorse, I love my bike and I am glad I bought a motorcycle, but, after 4 months and 3900 miles I am just not happy with the bike.
I bought my 2010 RK back in May and I have been riding a lot back and forth to work, long multi-day weekend rides and riding in a Parade Unit for the Shrine. So why am I unhappy?
One is the ride is horrible. I know its an air cooled V-Twin so I accept vibration when idling, but at highway speeds, most speeds really, it feels down right unstable. The dealer swears its me but if it were a car Id be returning it under lemon laws. Seriously, for a couple of years before I bought the bike I did a lot, and I mean a LOT, of research on motorcycles and HD said the new frame [in 09] was the most comfortable, easy, smooth ride for a bagger ever. All the reviewers agreed. But if this is a smooth comfortable ride I shudder to think of the horror of riding a pre-09 bagger!
Second is, the finish is weak. Yea, like all new vehicles she was a beaut coming off the show room floor but in just four months the finish is scuffed and marked from just riding! So I use rubbing compound and wax to get the scuffs and scratches out to no avail.
But I can live with the scuffs. I just wish it rode better. So since I cant return it, I cant sell it or trade it in, Ill drop $200 to put heavy fork oil in and as I can get more $$ together keep trying different things until the ride makes me happy and I stop wishing I had bought the BMW.
I bought my 2010 RK back in May and I have been riding a lot back and forth to work, long multi-day weekend rides and riding in a Parade Unit for the Shrine. So why am I unhappy?
One is the ride is horrible. I know its an air cooled V-Twin so I accept vibration when idling, but at highway speeds, most speeds really, it feels down right unstable. The dealer swears its me but if it were a car Id be returning it under lemon laws. Seriously, for a couple of years before I bought the bike I did a lot, and I mean a LOT, of research on motorcycles and HD said the new frame [in 09] was the most comfortable, easy, smooth ride for a bagger ever. All the reviewers agreed. But if this is a smooth comfortable ride I shudder to think of the horror of riding a pre-09 bagger!
Second is, the finish is weak. Yea, like all new vehicles she was a beaut coming off the show room floor but in just four months the finish is scuffed and marked from just riding! So I use rubbing compound and wax to get the scuffs and scratches out to no avail.
But I can live with the scuffs. I just wish it rode better. So since I cant return it, I cant sell it or trade it in, Ill drop $200 to put heavy fork oil in and as I can get more $$ together keep trying different things until the ride makes me happy and I stop wishing I had bought the BMW.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
From: Lowell, NC
Ya i'd be disappointed to if I were looking for the ride of a BMW but I bought a Harley. Or stupid one or the other......... just sayin. These are 2 completely differant bikes for 2 completely differant styles of riding.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Yeah, you shoulda' bought the beemer. Harleys suck and all that. Either they saw you coming and sold you a wreck or you are full of it. My '07 RK rides as smooth as glass and according to the internet riders the '09 and up put it to shame. I doubt that but there is definitely something wrong going on with your Harley or you. How can you love your bike and the ride is "horrible"? Good luck anyway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
I don't know what you expected the ride of a motorcycle to feel like. My 99 RK feels great going down the highway. Did you think riding a motorcycle in the open air dealing with wind was going to feel the same as riding in a climate controlled car? Are you new to riding? Maybe you should rent a Beemer and see how that compares to the Roadking. Maybe Motorcycling ain't your thing. I'm not trying to be a wise-***, I'm just sayin'.
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
No offense, but of all the BMW riders I've met, none of them would make good Harley riders...
Like has been said already, completely different bike and completely different ride. I love every single beat, vibration, tap, tick, click, and clack that my RK delivers. But of course, I've been through both wheels, brakes, stearing head, the engine, primary drive, and tranny myself. So, I know why they are what they are...
Handling? It may be a heavy beast, but once I learned to handle it I'll have no other...
Like has been said already, completely different bike and completely different ride. I love every single beat, vibration, tap, tick, click, and clack that my RK delivers. But of course, I've been through both wheels, brakes, stearing head, the engine, primary drive, and tranny myself. So, I know why they are what they are...
Handling? It may be a heavy beast, but once I learned to handle it I'll have no other...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
