Disappointed, need advice...
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From:
Disappointed, need advice...
I sold my first bike, a 2007 Nighttrain last year at the end of the season with plans to purchase a Road King in the spring. With all my talking, my father decided he wanted to buy the one I ordered to come in, and I wanted to "think" a little more on my decission. Well, last night I spent over an hour riding his new bike around and trying to see whatI thought. Being 6'3", I was suprised a little on how comfortable it was, BUT the windshield is still a few inches short. I still get the buffeting of my helmet as I did on the softail. The ride and handling was spectacular. I felt very comfortable on any road.
Now for the bad. My softail was a balanced motor. This bike shakes all over. Cool at an idle, but I greatly dislike the shaking as you stop. It feels like an old car with warped brake rotors. Not a comfotable feeling at all. There were a few stops that I was totally consumed by the feeling that something must be wrong with the bike, but the more i rode it, it just seemed to be the engine... Not what I expected out of a touring bike.....
I also assumed that a taller guy would not have wind issues on this bike..... I was wrong....
I dont know what I seem before, but I think the rear tire needs some gearth. The width of the tires sucks, IMHO. It would look great with a 200 tire on the back.
I guess that the perfect bike I thought I was ordering, was well.... Not anything of what I dreamed it would be... I was kinda happyI did not spend the 20K....
Please comment on the above and how you guys feel on your touring bikes!
Also, being just over 30, I know I want a bike with a slightly wide rear tire, and one that is laid out on the longer side. Being tall, those bikes fit me... But I do not want a chopper.. I like the Harleys, but I need something a little more sproty, long, and very comfortable and stable. any ideas?
Now for the bad. My softail was a balanced motor. This bike shakes all over. Cool at an idle, but I greatly dislike the shaking as you stop. It feels like an old car with warped brake rotors. Not a comfotable feeling at all. There were a few stops that I was totally consumed by the feeling that something must be wrong with the bike, but the more i rode it, it just seemed to be the engine... Not what I expected out of a touring bike.....
I also assumed that a taller guy would not have wind issues on this bike..... I was wrong....
I dont know what I seem before, but I think the rear tire needs some gearth. The width of the tires sucks, IMHO. It would look great with a 200 tire on the back.
I guess that the perfect bike I thought I was ordering, was well.... Not anything of what I dreamed it would be... I was kinda happyI did not spend the 20K....
Please comment on the above and how you guys feel on your touring bikes!
Also, being just over 30, I know I want a bike with a slightly wide rear tire, and one that is laid out on the longer side. Being tall, those bikes fit me... But I do not want a chopper.. I like the Harleys, but I need something a little more sproty, long, and very comfortable and stable. any ideas?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
Opinions on bikes are pretty biased. You sound like you're very particular in what you want. Listening to what WE want is not going to help much. You need to ride other bikes. Eventually, you'll run across the bike you're looking for. Good luck with whatever you end up with.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
Being an "unbalanced engine, it shakes at idle and coming to a stop, nothing you can do about it, but at speed, it is silky smooth. You can get a windshield from HD that is 2" taller and that may be what you need to correct the buffeting, I put one on my 03 RKC when I still had the bike. If you want a wider tire, then you will have to make the mods yourself, it is what it is.
The FLH platform is a solid platform made for many miles of pleasure, you have to decide what you are really looking for.
The FLH platform is a solid platform made for many miles of pleasure, you have to decide what you are really looking for.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
I'm 6'3" also and had to trim 2" from my windshield to see just over the top of it. Yes, I feel more wind now but it was a compromise I'm happy with. This is the first Twin Cam HD that I've owned (a 2002 RKC) and I have never had any problem dealing with the motor shake...may be my inexperience speaking here, but it really isn't enough to be a problem for me.
I hope you find what you want...after owning and riding my RKC for 4 years now there are very few other bikes I'd be interested in at this point.
I hope you find what you want...after owning and riding my RKC for 4 years now there are very few other bikes I'd be interested in at this point.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 4
From: MONTGOMERY,AL.
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
All comments made are valid ones. It sounds like you just may not be a touring rider.Personally I wouldnt ride anything but an Ultra(SE ULTRA OF COURSE).You just may be a softail kind of guy.It is an acquried taste becoming a touring rider.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
From: Deming, New Mexico
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
I rode my 77 FLH shovelhead for 20 years before I got my Ultra. The shaking at idle on the Ultra doesn't bother me at all!
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
RE: Disappointed, need advice...
Which would you rather experience...shakes at idle or your whole frame vibrating from the counter balance shakes above 75 mph?
I would never own a softail....To each his own.
I would never own a softail....To each his own.
