how is it going from a honda shadow to a harley?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
I sold my 1100 Sabre to buy a Steet Glide. The SG is heavier, but they handled surprising similiar. It really didn't take me long at all to start throwing the bike around in the corners. I do notice that I tend to ride around in lower gears for some reason on the Harley. For whatever reason, the Honda seemed to pull itself out of too high a gear, too slow of speed better. Doesn't make sense, I know.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Mo
I came off a Honda Valkyrie Tourer to. Harley Triglide. At first I was a bit put off by the underwhelming power and how much shifting I had to do. After a bit of riding I learned that you have to run them harder to compensate for the extra weight. Same thing with the braking.
After a few weeks I noticed that it takes time for the riding habits to change and a trike is,well a trike.
The following year I really wanted to give a Harley 2 wheeler a shot so I picked out a new Road King. The power was good but the handling was a bit intimidating due to the higher seat height and weight.
I have learned that you adapt to all these factors and will do so in a short period of time. After the brakes wore in and the new was worn off the suspension etc. it felt fine. Not so stiff and more rideable.
One thing I've noticed is now when I hop on the Valkyrie or the old Goldwing I have is the clutch and brake controls I was used to feel chintzy compared to the controls of either Harley with a certain buzzy quality not noticed before.
People do comment on the Harley's more in general.
There is a character to the way they run as well that's completely different from other brands.
If you're a rider any bike will get you there pretty much but Harley's do have a certain character that you will love after you adapt to it.
Plus there are 10,000 dollars worth of accessories you just have to have in order to get the full experience.
But I think if you just take the bike and ride it for a while you'll find a lot of the stuff is not needed and the bike will go down the road just fine. But if you want to mod there is sure as hell someone making an exhaust kazoo or widget that will suit you.
After a few weeks I noticed that it takes time for the riding habits to change and a trike is,well a trike.
The following year I really wanted to give a Harley 2 wheeler a shot so I picked out a new Road King. The power was good but the handling was a bit intimidating due to the higher seat height and weight.
I have learned that you adapt to all these factors and will do so in a short period of time. After the brakes wore in and the new was worn off the suspension etc. it felt fine. Not so stiff and more rideable.
One thing I've noticed is now when I hop on the Valkyrie or the old Goldwing I have is the clutch and brake controls I was used to feel chintzy compared to the controls of either Harley with a certain buzzy quality not noticed before.
People do comment on the Harley's more in general.
There is a character to the way they run as well that's completely different from other brands.
If you're a rider any bike will get you there pretty much but Harley's do have a certain character that you will love after you adapt to it.
Plus there are 10,000 dollars worth of accessories you just have to have in order to get the full experience.
But I think if you just take the bike and ride it for a while you'll find a lot of the stuff is not needed and the bike will go down the road just fine. But if you want to mod there is sure as hell someone making an exhaust kazoo or widget that will suit you.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
I did exactly what you're about to do. I too had a Honda Shadow Spirit 750.
Here's the deal. Before you even ride one single mile on the Harley the little voice in your head will be saying "holy crap this Harley is nice". After you own the Harley for about a week you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.
Congrats in advance and welcome to the Harley family of owners.
Here's the deal. Before you even ride one single mile on the Harley the little voice in your head will be saying "holy crap this Harley is nice". After you own the Harley for about a week you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.
Congrats in advance and welcome to the Harley family of owners.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 9
From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
You will walk taller and feel more badass.
Also, you will be amazed at the high quality feel and great sound of the Harley. I had a Honda VTX 1800 before I got my Road King and the difference was significant. Sure, the 1800 had a little more power, but the Road King just feels like a much better high quality bike and the sound and feel can't be replicated on a Honda.
Also, you will be amazed at the high quality feel and great sound of the Harley. I had a Honda VTX 1800 before I got my Road King and the difference was significant. Sure, the 1800 had a little more power, but the Road King just feels like a much better high quality bike and the sound and feel can't be replicated on a Honda.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
I went from a Honda Shadow 750 to an 883 Sportster back in 93. I noticed the difference in those two right away. I always wanted a Harley but got the Shadow until I could afford one. I sold the Sporty back in 95 and went until this year to buy another bike. I started looking and always told myself back when I had the sporty that if I bought another Harley it would be a bigger one. I now have an 07 Softail Custom that I bought a little over a month ago and love every minute of it!
Last edited by ghoticov; Jul 22, 2012 at 04:19 PM.
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: tennessee
I changed from a 2004 Honda shadow aero 750 to a 1975 super glide. Wish I would have done it long ago, the Honda is cheap transportation where the Harley is a riding experience.
Novice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I have a Honda Nighthawk, it was me re-starter bike, I had been off bikes since the early 90's. My advice is don't sell it. You will miss it. I love my Fatboy, and prefer it to the Nighthawk for most things except one. It's a hell of a lot more nimble in turns and easier to maneuver, manually backing up or moving while you are cleaning or working on it. I tried to push the Harley like I did my Nighthawk and scraped the floor boards in a turn at about 50mph. That scared me, it reminded me I can't treat the Fatboy like a sport bike, which of course the Nighthawk is not, its similar to a Shadow in fact which is more of a street bike. The weight is not an issue as the extra 200lbs is, at least on the Nighthawk was centered much higher. this gives you the feeling that you are moving the same weight, left to right anyway. the only time you will feel it is like I mentioned before, in and out of the garage...
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