Ride a Hard Tail? Step Inside Please
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 121
From: Mpls, MN
60's and 70's I had a couple, was the cool way to go and at my younger age, wasn't bad at all, you definitely kept an eye on road surfaces though.
Now at 65 and not so strong a back as I once had, no way.
Al
Now at 65 and not so strong a back as I once had, no way.
Al
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
Basically you are able to adjust the ride with comfort tricks like seat, springs for seat, alter riding position through changes with bars, control position, etc. I used to ride a hard tail across the state and never had any major concerns. I was a younger and lighter so that helped.
You will have to judge. Can you ride your bike for 3 hours without pain? The hard tail will be rougher if you are on worse roads or don't care to dodge the little potholes and road dips. If you are the type of rider that has a bunch of problems with newer bikes and stock seating/suspension/ride position, then you might not like it.
Finally, I would not recommend buying in another state. There is about a story a week on these boards about people getting pissed when they go to pick up a misrepresented bike, or the deal changes, or the test ride is a turn off.
You will have to judge. Can you ride your bike for 3 hours without pain? The hard tail will be rougher if you are on worse roads or don't care to dodge the little potholes and road dips. If you are the type of rider that has a bunch of problems with newer bikes and stock seating/suspension/ride position, then you might not like it.
Finally, I would not recommend buying in another state. There is about a story a week on these boards about people getting pissed when they go to pick up a misrepresented bike, or the deal changes, or the test ride is a turn off.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
Avoid it like the plague. They are unreliable at best, have no resale value, and aren't even
"trendy" anymore.
Unless the price is ridic. Like 3 grand for a full-on custom. You're gonna have a hard time with parts & repairs.
"trendy" anymore.
Unless the price is ridic. Like 3 grand for a full-on custom. You're gonna have a hard time with parts & repairs.
As others have said, the ride's not too bad if you have a springer seat. Especially if you're just using it as a bar hopper. I don't take mine much farther than the 20 mile ride to work, not that its not comfortable enough, but because its not reliable enough.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,499
Likes: 3,717
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Basically a bike that would only get you from home to the next bar. Doesn't have anything to do about short and long bar stops and getting $hitface drunk.
Todays bar hoppers seem to be coined around those with a lot of bling and fancy paint that is protected by using Pledge....can't take them anywhere because they might get dirty and would ruin the image.
One of my first bar hoppers. Built it in the early 1972. This is a pic I took just before I sold it around 1982. Was actually a comfortable ride, more comfortable than my 52 but gas range was limited to 110 miles so it mostly stayed in California.
Last edited by panz4ever; Mar 14, 2013 at 03:52 PM.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
Expect the rigid to feel like you're part of the road and not riding on it.
Yeah, there are potholes and junk like that- but you actually feel like you're riding a motorcycle and not some over cushioned throne. Rigids are raw and primeval and feel good to me. (I have a '53 also)
Riders rode rigid from 1903 to 1958 on worse roads than now and they loved it enough to keep the motor company going all those years..
Expect to ride it more than you think it can-longer trips are not impossible.
Indian Larry used a really cool air suspension seat for his rigids..
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/12/25/...e-motorcycles/
http://www.choppersurplus.com/np/sea...rigidaire.html
Yeah, there are potholes and junk like that- but you actually feel like you're riding a motorcycle and not some over cushioned throne. Rigids are raw and primeval and feel good to me. (I have a '53 also)
Riders rode rigid from 1903 to 1958 on worse roads than now and they loved it enough to keep the motor company going all those years..
Expect to ride it more than you think it can-longer trips are not impossible.
Indian Larry used a really cool air suspension seat for his rigids..
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/12/25/...e-motorcycles/
http://www.choppersurplus.com/np/sea...rigidaire.html
2 best responses on this thread.
I've owned some hardtails, and my favorite was the last one i owned. It was put together right, and handled great. 280 rear tire called for 40 psi and i usually ran it around 32-35 psi. No air suspension, nothing else. I loved that bike, and had no problem riding long distances on it. It's all in how the bike fits you as to how comfortable you will be. If the bike fits, you can ride it a long time, hardtail or soft.
With a hardtail you will be keeping your eyes on the road for those mega potholes...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
Do you really drink alcohol and then get on your bike?
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
I used to tell people I was afraid to ride sober.
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