Bagger Comparison Article in Cycle World...
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 500
From: Northern WV
Bagger Comparison Article in Cycle World...
This issue (August) of CW had a nicely done comparison test between the Street Glide, Victory Cross Country, and Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe. The SG came out on top! It had the least power, but the power was adequate enough. The article is a good read, here are just a few snips...
#3 "The Stratoliner had the most power and great brakes but feels cheap. The bag lids are so flimsy they leak water and dust."
#2 Victory. "Did it have to be so large, so long, so top heavy?" "It's a very nice motorcycle but it's enormity, clunky gearbox, and sub-par brakes relegated it to 2nd place."
#1 "The Street Glide is the winner. Even though weight-wise, its in the ballpark as the others, you'd never guess as much when cruising it down the road. Its the size it is because that's the size it needs to be, no more, no less. Everything works smoothly, easily, and efficiently, because they are pieces that have evolved and been proven, some of them for decades. The Street Glide is just the dominate bagger here."
#3 "The Stratoliner had the most power and great brakes but feels cheap. The bag lids are so flimsy they leak water and dust."
#2 Victory. "Did it have to be so large, so long, so top heavy?" "It's a very nice motorcycle but it's enormity, clunky gearbox, and sub-par brakes relegated it to 2nd place."
#1 "The Street Glide is the winner. Even though weight-wise, its in the ballpark as the others, you'd never guess as much when cruising it down the road. Its the size it is because that's the size it needs to be, no more, no less. Everything works smoothly, easily, and efficiently, because they are pieces that have evolved and been proven, some of them for decades. The Street Glide is just the dominate bagger here."
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Those other bikes are just cheap imitations of a Harley. The V twin is an antiquated design but it works and sounds great. A Harley wouldn't be a Harley without it. If I were trying to design a new touring bike for the 21st century it wouldn't be a V twin, it would be a fresh modern design. They should build their own bikes and not try to cut into Harley's market with imitations. I hate those bikes and they have no validity, to me at least, because they are trying to ride on Harley's coattails and steal marketshare.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Those other bikes are just cheap imitations of a Harley. The V twin is an antiquated design but it works and sounds great. A Harley wouldn't be a Harley without it. If I were trying to design a new touring bike for the 21st century it wouldn't be a V twin, it would be a fresh modern design. They should build their own bikes and not try to cut into Harley's market with imitations. I hate those bikes and they have no validity, to me at least, because they are trying to ride on Harley's coattails and steal marketshare.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 500
From: Northern WV
The 2012 "Power Glide" with its liquid cooled, push rod V-4 may be just what we need then!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Hmmm
Have not read the article, but one Item you mentioned from is way off the mark.
The Crossroads does not feel top-heavy. VERY far from it. Test rode one a few weeks back and while it does feel very LONG, top-heavy it aint. It felt VERY well balanced to me.
Sometimes when I read these reviews, I wonder what bikes the writers were actually riding, because some of their conclusions are SOOO far off what I have experienced, its not even funny. Case in point, Ive read the victory bikes described as smooth.
in a pigs eye! Every one I have test road, which includes the Kingpin, Vision, and Cross Country, is a HUGE buzz bomb under any kind of acceleration. If your just cruising, they settle down and are Ok, but roll on the power and your feet, ***, and hands are gonna feel like you just got tasered.
Have not read the article, but one Item you mentioned from is way off the mark.
The Crossroads does not feel top-heavy. VERY far from it. Test rode one a few weeks back and while it does feel very LONG, top-heavy it aint. It felt VERY well balanced to me.
Sometimes when I read these reviews, I wonder what bikes the writers were actually riding, because some of their conclusions are SOOO far off what I have experienced, its not even funny. Case in point, Ive read the victory bikes described as smooth.
in a pigs eye! Every one I have test road, which includes the Kingpin, Vision, and Cross Country, is a HUGE buzz bomb under any kind of acceleration. If your just cruising, they settle down and are Ok, but roll on the power and your feet, ***, and hands are gonna feel like you just got tasered.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 500
From: Northern WV
I'm just postin what they felt when riding all three and switching back and forth between them. All were stock w/o any kind of tail trunk. They did note the HD with it's rubber mounted engine was the smoothest. It can be read here. http://youkioske.com/motos/cycle-world-august-2010/
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I finally saw Kawasaki's new tour bike over in Sioux Falls, next to J&L Harley. With my arthritic knees, I miss the full protection my old style Venture fairing had, which Kawasaki's new tour bike has. I find the cold air coming between the fairing and the lowers on our Ultra hits me square in the knees.
But the Kawasaki bike has a feel of cheap to it, compared to the Ultra, expecially in the bags and top case. It was priced at $17,999, and they were "taking offers," so it apparently isn't exactly in high demand.
But the Kawasaki bike has a feel of cheap to it, compared to the Ultra, expecially in the bags and top case. It was priced at $17,999, and they were "taking offers," so it apparently isn't exactly in high demand.
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 930
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
Interesting comments, not like Cycle World to praise the HD products. HD doesnt do much advertising with them, they are generally favorable to the metrics. Nice to see a good review from a source that does more than just cover American motorcycles.
