New guy, advice needed
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
New guy, advice needed
Hey all, yet another new guy here. Back in early August of last year I bought a 2003 V-Rod from a buddy at work as a first bike, little pricey for a first bike but I figured it was a great deal on a great bike, and was of the smaller variety for a Harley. I have put about 3k miles on it since then, mostly just messing around in 50-150 mile trips. With the Sundowner seat on it that I put on immediately it is comfortable for my butt, but my short little T-Rex arms make it so my hands and arms are killing me after about 100ish miles.
I have been making double payments on the bike so am on the plus side as far as the loan goes, and figured I'd look into other bikes that might be more comfortable for real distance rides. I put in for a loan Friday, and should hear back on Monday. I'm looking at Road Kings and Street Glides. The only issue that I could forsee with the Road Kings is the taller seat height. I have a 29.5 inch inseam when not in boots, which according to the Harley website is exactly the same as the Road King has. Seeing that you aren't sitting on a string, I figure it would have to be lowered around 2-3 inches.
On the HD website there is something about a Fit Shop where they can make the bike fit whoever wants to ride it. How would they do something like that and how long would it take? The other question is after seeing a Road King with Ape Hangers on it, would that take long to install? I'm not a terribly mechanically inclined person so I would probably just have the HD dealership install the apes that are in their catalog, can't remember if they're 12" or 16" Apes. Would dealers be likely to be able to install those and do the Fit Shop modifications needed for me to fit on a Road King in a relatively short amount of time? What I'm hoping is that those changes can be made while I'm at the dealer on the day I buy the bike. Any ideas if it's possible?
I have been making double payments on the bike so am on the plus side as far as the loan goes, and figured I'd look into other bikes that might be more comfortable for real distance rides. I put in for a loan Friday, and should hear back on Monday. I'm looking at Road Kings and Street Glides. The only issue that I could forsee with the Road Kings is the taller seat height. I have a 29.5 inch inseam when not in boots, which according to the Harley website is exactly the same as the Road King has. Seeing that you aren't sitting on a string, I figure it would have to be lowered around 2-3 inches.
On the HD website there is something about a Fit Shop where they can make the bike fit whoever wants to ride it. How would they do something like that and how long would it take? The other question is after seeing a Road King with Ape Hangers on it, would that take long to install? I'm not a terribly mechanically inclined person so I would probably just have the HD dealership install the apes that are in their catalog, can't remember if they're 12" or 16" Apes. Would dealers be likely to be able to install those and do the Fit Shop modifications needed for me to fit on a Road King in a relatively short amount of time? What I'm hoping is that those changes can be made while I'm at the dealer on the day I buy the bike. Any ideas if it's possible?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
One side of me is saying be smart and stick with the V-Rod, just fly to vacation spots (back home 1300 miles.) The other side is saying to get a Touring bike and spend a couple days getting there instead of a couple hours on a big metal tube full of sick people.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,561
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From: Cary, NC
Welcome from Cary, NC.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Indianapolis
Owning both a SG and King, the Street Glide sits lower. Welcome to the Forum from Indy! It's a great place to spend time when not riding.
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