Before you do that pay attention to what your feet are doing at over 35MPH a lot us find out the real problem is us kinking the vents closed.

 

A farmer sent his son off to college to become an engineer. After several years the son returns and the famer father asked the son what he had learned after all those years and money spent. The son replied, “pi r squared” The farmer father said, “they didn’t tech you much, pie are round, cornbread are square.”

 

You are in pursuit of perfection. Hate to burst your bubble but, you won't find it. There is no such thing as a perfect motorcycle. Anything mechanical can have a problem, it's your attitude in how you approach these problems. You sound like someone with little patience. I predict you won't have this bike very long.

 

Take it out to a ball game, and maybe dinner and a movie. Get in some quite time where the two of you can sit and talk, Harley's are good listeners and they feel for you. Just relax and let it happen. If sparks don't fly, trade the b*tch in for another.

And stop your whining.

 

Sell it

 

None of the above! You shoulda bought the Road King!

I bonded with mine the second I layed eyes on it.

My R1200GS has been parked and lonely ever since...

 

Or, you could consider tightening the nuts that hold the "pod" vents in place. On second thought, you're probably too busy with your "bonding" so go ahead and stuff something in there until you can take it to your dealer, Mr. Engineer.

 

I did tighten the bolt & it's not my boot closing the vent - I'm not a rookie & not an engineer but I am an old guy who has been building world class custom guns & knives as well as building 2 trikes - street rods - and many custom motorcycles for 40 years - After this many years in business HD could have solved many of these little problems - They have choose not to - this will in time with the boomers dieing be a problem for them - The younger generation have very different taste then boomers - I have seen it in my engraving business - 90% of my engraving I do is for boomers - the young guys like black guns & military style knives - I have seen lots of talk about Harley trying to find a way to hide the radiator on future bikes - another mistake - If there was a effective way to hide the radiator don't you think Mr. Honda would have already done it -

 

sorry if this post sounds like i'm wining - i guess i'm just thinking out loud & a person shouldn't do that. At least I shouldn't do that.

I had a guy stop by my shop yesterday. We were talking about this. He said if he is going on a ride over a couple hundred miles he puts in a change of cloths & his tooth brush just in case???????????? I'm just not use to doing something like that on a short day ride of only a couple hundred miles!

So this is my last post for awhile - i will get the wining out of my system, I sure the hell don't want to turn into a Harley basher - I love all motorcycles, some here only like Harley's & thats OK, after all this is a Harley forum - If I sell the Ultra I would buy another Harley but just for shorter runs & not for my 2 & 3 thousand mile runs - I agree with you, I hate wining! But i do thank you guys for the suggestions & help.
Tom

 

If you've had other bikes before you already knew that each has its own good and bad. As for all of this bonding crap, IMHO, that's a bunch of cow pucks! You are either comfortable on the bike or not. It either meets your wants and needs or it doesn't. If you have romantisized this (or any) bike as being "an ultimate, soul stirring love of your life" you will end up being disappointed.

IT IS THE RIDE - NOT WHAT YOU RIDE ON that should stir the soul!The bike is only a machine that hopefully won't leave you stranded. Though I have some regrets over having traded in my Sporty, my Road King has proven itself to be much more of a bike than I could have hoped for. If you end up not liking what you are riding, get rid of it. NO BIGGIE! Lots of rides out there, Harley or not.

Ride every day like it's your last! One day you'll be right!!