Riding Impressions...
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 893
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Riding Impressions...
Still looking for a used bike......nothing spectacular, not too much $$$$. I got this from a friend. Seems about right, according to my observations and riding experience on Harleys recently.
My question is this......Why do folks pay all that $$$ just to modify the engine, cams, Remap et al. Why bother ? Isn't the stock good enough ? And if you do modify it, why?
Power? Speed? I'm looking for an answer other than "its an american Icon, If I had to explain it to ya.....", etc.
I rode an HD back in the late 80's......but, still looking.
......of the '07 HD Softtail Deluxe.
Attended a toy run yesterday in Portsmouth,Va. Hosted by Blue Knight Chapter VA V,& held @ BAYSIDE HD.
Just for fun,& because BAYSIDE offered me a deal, I rented a Softail Deluxe.
Here are my impressions:
1. Fit & finish. Excellent,alto there was an annoying rattle coming from the area of the rear fender. Sad
2. I'm 6'4,36" inseam & 35" arm length. The motorcycle fit me well,handle bar position was comfortable,no shoulder strain & seating position was comfortable. Smile
3.Seat. Firm but comfortable. Laughing I only rode 70 miles, on a combination of hiways & city streets,but probably could have ridden several hundred miles in relative comfort.
4. Transmission. Smooth,quiet,solid. I did have to shift a lot,but it was effortless. Very Happy
5. Clutch. Smooth. No undue pressure. Very Happy
6. Lo speed handeling. Excellent. Very Happy
7. Hi way speed handeling. Solid & stable. The *BIKE* topped out @ 80 MPH. Sad
Comfortable @ 55-65. Above that it was straining.
** IMO in order for a 2 wheeled vehicle to be considered a MOTORCYCLE,it has to effortlessly cruise well above 70 MPH. If it can't,it's simply a BIKE. Confused
8. Noise level. With the stock exhaust it was pretty quiet. Certainly not loud. Very Happy
9. Power. SEVERLY LACKING. Had to drop 2 gears to pass @ hiway speed. Emabarrassingly SLOW!!
All in all it was a FUN BIKE to putt around on. Would i BUY 1? No, only because of the lack of power.
I know, I know, there are kits available to increase the power,but for $17K & change a rider shouldn't have to. There are too many other motorcycles on the mkt. that will outperform it for a lot less $$$.
Attended a toy run yesterday in Portsmouth,Va. Hosted by Blue Knight Chapter VA V,& held @ BAYSIDE HD.
Just for fun,& because BAYSIDE offered me a deal, I rented a Softail Deluxe.
Here are my impressions:
1. Fit & finish. Excellent,alto there was an annoying rattle coming from the area of the rear fender. Sad
2. I'm 6'4,36" inseam & 35" arm length. The motorcycle fit me well,handle bar position was comfortable,no shoulder strain & seating position was comfortable. Smile
3.Seat. Firm but comfortable. Laughing I only rode 70 miles, on a combination of hiways & city streets,but probably could have ridden several hundred miles in relative comfort.
4. Transmission. Smooth,quiet,solid. I did have to shift a lot,but it was effortless. Very Happy
5. Clutch. Smooth. No undue pressure. Very Happy
6. Lo speed handeling. Excellent. Very Happy
7. Hi way speed handeling. Solid & stable. The *BIKE* topped out @ 80 MPH. Sad
Comfortable @ 55-65. Above that it was straining.
** IMO in order for a 2 wheeled vehicle to be considered a MOTORCYCLE,it has to effortlessly cruise well above 70 MPH. If it can't,it's simply a BIKE. Confused
8. Noise level. With the stock exhaust it was pretty quiet. Certainly not loud. Very Happy
9. Power. SEVERLY LACKING. Had to drop 2 gears to pass @ hiway speed. Emabarrassingly SLOW!!
All in all it was a FUN BIKE to putt around on. Would i BUY 1? No, only because of the lack of power.
I know, I know, there are kits available to increase the power,but for $17K & change a rider shouldn't have to. There are too many other motorcycles on the mkt. that will outperform it for a lot less $$$.
My question is this......Why do folks pay all that $$$ just to modify the engine, cams, Remap et al. Why bother ? Isn't the stock good enough ? And if you do modify it, why?
Power? Speed? I'm looking for an answer other than "its an american Icon, If I had to explain it to ya.....", etc.
I rode an HD back in the late 80's......but, still looking.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Riding Impressions...
My question is this......Why do folks pay all that $$$ just to modify the engine, cams, Remap et al. Why bother ? Isn't the stock good enough ? And if you do modify it, why?
Power? Speed?
Power? Speed?
Because we can... Why do aftermarket auto and bike part suppliers make billions every year? Because people like to tinker with their toys.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 3
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RE: Riding Impressions...
Breed, I can't agree with all of the observations. Not that your friend is wrong, just that they don't jive with my experience. My motorcycle isn't that far from stock. Even stock, it would top out well over a hundred. I never wound it all the way up. Power and torque were more than adequate. The longest I have been able to cruise at a steady clip without having to slow down for traffic, etc. has been about two hours on the interstate. I locked the throttle at 85 and didn't have a problem. I don't have cruise control and the throttle lock pulled the hills fine. Not mountains, mind you, but the average hills on an interstate. The Streetglide is a heavy bike, and I am on the other side of 270, so it is a pretty good load to be hauling around.
The only mods done to mine are the SE air filter and the SE slip on mufflers. I had the map done because of those changes. I am going to do some performance upgrades when I get home, but solely for selfish purposes, not because they really NEED to be done. One of the things I like about Harley motors is that they are a good platform to play with and make mods to, without having to take it to a shop.
As much as I mess with you, you know I am only teasing. I know you are looking at Harleys and I hope you go out and test ride one to get your own opinions. I don't know if you have or not, but it would be worth it just to get some honest feedback from a metric rider that is familiar with all of the idiosyncracies of Harley. Good Luck.
The only mods done to mine are the SE air filter and the SE slip on mufflers. I had the map done because of those changes. I am going to do some performance upgrades when I get home, but solely for selfish purposes, not because they really NEED to be done. One of the things I like about Harley motors is that they are a good platform to play with and make mods to, without having to take it to a shop.
As much as I mess with you, you know I am only teasing. I know you are looking at Harleys and I hope you go out and test ride one to get your own opinions. I don't know if you have or not, but it would be worth it just to get some honest feedback from a metric rider that is familiar with all of the idiosyncracies of Harley. Good Luck.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,139
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RE: Riding Impressions...
Because not everyone is the same. If I were average, say, 5'10" and 170 lbs, and my wife too, say 5'6" and 105 lbs, then the stock 88" would be more than ample. We would only be adding 275 lbs to the overall weight of the scoot.
BUT.......I am not average, nor is my wife, I am 6'4" and 290 lbs and the OL is 5'7" and 135. So we add 425 lbs to the scoot with us both on it. If you do not think that 150 lbs makes a difference, I'll ask you to carry that around for a day. Trust me, it makes all the difference. Just like the difference between 60 hp and 70 ft lbs of torque really pales in comparison to 101 hp and 107 ft lbs of torque.
Understand...????
nogood o~`o
BUT.......I am not average, nor is my wife, I am 6'4" and 290 lbs and the OL is 5'7" and 135. So we add 425 lbs to the scoot with us both on it. If you do not think that 150 lbs makes a difference, I'll ask you to carry that around for a day. Trust me, it makes all the difference. Just like the difference between 60 hp and 70 ft lbs of torque really pales in comparison to 101 hp and 107 ft lbs of torque.
Understand...????
nogood o~`o
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,578
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RE: Riding Impressions...
The HD Motors remind me of the chevy 327(the best ever made IMHO) A great motor waitng to be beefed up and smoke some tires
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Club Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: Virginia
RE: Riding Impressions...
How much did your friend weigh? I weigh 240 and I've had my 883 up to 100. A Softail Deluxe has to have a top speed higher than 80, it just has to.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Dallas, TX
RE: Riding Impressions...
Unless there was about a 1/2 ton of people on that bike, topping out at 80 is a lie. Would have been close to believable at 105-110. The deluxe is heavier than my Dyna, but I have been past 95 on it, and I am north of 275lbs still.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
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From: South Carolina
RE: Riding Impressions...
ORIGINAL: The HalfBreed
......of the '07 HD Softtail Deluxe.
7. Hi way speed handeling. Solid & stable. The *BIKE* topped out @ 80 MPH. Sad
Comfortable @ 55-65. Above that it was straining.
** IMO in order for a 2 wheeled vehicle to be considered a MOTORCYCLE,it has to effortlessly cruise well above 70 MPH. If it can't,it's simply a BIKE. Confused
9. Power. SEVERLY LACKING. Had to drop 2 gears to pass @ hiway speed. Emabarrassingly SLOW!!
All in all it was a FUN BIKE to putt around on. Would i BUY 1? No, only because of the lack of power.
I know, I know, there are kits available to increase the power,but for $17K & change a rider shouldn't have to. There are too many other motorcycles on the mkt. that will outperform it for a lot less $$$.
7. Hi way speed handeling. Solid & stable. The *BIKE* topped out @ 80 MPH. Sad
Comfortable @ 55-65. Above that it was straining.
** IMO in order for a 2 wheeled vehicle to be considered a MOTORCYCLE,it has to effortlessly cruise well above 70 MPH. If it can't,it's simply a BIKE. Confused
9. Power. SEVERLY LACKING. Had to drop 2 gears to pass @ hiway speed. Emabarrassingly SLOW!!
All in all it was a FUN BIKE to putt around on. Would i BUY 1? No, only because of the lack of power.
I know, I know, there are kits available to increase the power,but for $17K & change a rider shouldn't have to. There are too many other motorcycles on the mkt. that will outperform it for a lot less $$$.
) and doesn't require a me to downshift to pass. Unless there was somthing wrong with the '07 your friend was riding...based on several '07's I've taken on test rides...the '07 should have even more power.As others have alrerady stated...don't rely on the opinions of others. Go test ride a few for yourself!
