Am I mad? (caution, H-D post!)
Discussion
After years of riding the likes of a Ducati Monster S4 and a Triumph Street Triple, I have decided the time has come to slow down before I lose my licence - or worse. The Striple in particular is a hooligan bike, impossible to ride slowly despite best intentions when setting off. Also, my other half has decided that, if I ride something a bit more sedate, she'll ride pillion so I won't always be riding off on my own.
Soooo, I have been investigating one of these http://www.harley-davidson.com/fr_FR/Motorcycles/b... Never really been a H-D fan (except for the noise), but I feel oddly drawn to this, and it looks even better in the metal, seems beautifully made. Doubts enter my mind though when I consider the weight. It's knocking on for twice the weight of what I'm used to and, whilst the weight is pretty low down and the riding position is low, what about man-handling it during or after parking, for example? I'm not a 7 stone weakling, but it's a heavy thing to be manoeuvring by hand, especially if there's a slope involved. How do H-D owners deal with this, just a question of advance planning before parking?
Any other comments from owners who have swapped from lightweight bikes to H-D would be welcome.
Soooo, I have been investigating one of these http://www.harley-davidson.com/fr_FR/Motorcycles/b... Never really been a H-D fan (except for the noise), but I feel oddly drawn to this, and it looks even better in the metal, seems beautifully made. Doubts enter my mind though when I consider the weight. It's knocking on for twice the weight of what I'm used to and, whilst the weight is pretty low down and the riding position is low, what about man-handling it during or after parking, for example? I'm not a 7 stone weakling, but it's a heavy thing to be manoeuvring by hand, especially if there's a slope involved. How do H-D owners deal with this, just a question of advance planning before parking?
Any other comments from owners who have swapped from lightweight bikes to H-D would be welcome.
I like that 
As to the weight, what's it weigh? I've got bikes upto 300kg & it's a rare occasion when the weight is an issue moving it. About the only thing I tend to do is reverse into spaces that slope downwards, means I can ride out not struggle with the bike. I do this with a light bike too, as I find it safer if the spaces are on the road.
As to the weight, what's it weigh? I've got bikes upto 300kg & it's a rare occasion when the weight is an issue moving it. About the only thing I tend to do is reverse into spaces that slope downwards, means I can ride out not struggle with the bike. I do this with a light bike too, as I find it safer if the spaces are on the road.
Ooh that's pretty, one of the few modern Harleys that I've seen and like the looks.
As for the weight, my other half owns a 1340 FXR custom that she loves and she's about 5'6" and about eight and a half stone. She has dropped it and with her (girlie) mate managed to pick it up okay - just a matter of getting used to it. I'm always careful where I park any bike, seen too many newbie Ducati/R1 etc. owners park nose down against a kerb/wall and come to grief tippy toeing backwards...
If you fancy one get out for a test ride they polarise opinion for a good reason, but get used to one and it won't necessarily slow you down that much, you'll just do things differently...
As for the weight, my other half owns a 1340 FXR custom that she loves and she's about 5'6" and about eight and a half stone. She has dropped it and with her (girlie) mate managed to pick it up okay - just a matter of getting used to it. I'm always careful where I park any bike, seen too many newbie Ducati/R1 etc. owners park nose down against a kerb/wall and come to grief tippy toeing backwards...
If you fancy one get out for a test ride they polarise opinion for a good reason, but get used to one and it won't necessarily slow you down that much, you'll just do things differently...
I rode sports bikes for several years (CBR600F, GSX-R 750, Fireblade, 748S etc), but then like you I decided I had pushed my luck for long enough and that the law of averages would eventually catch up with me. So I looked for something different – a Harley-Davidson was it.
Riding a Harley is a completely different proposition to a sports bike, I don’t feel challenged to ‘push on’ every time I throw my leg over the bike and you get used to the more relaxed character of the bike very quickly. They look good (in my eyes) and all of mine have been very reliable and the after sales and dealer relationships are nothing short of excellent. They also make a great noise…
I’ve now had several Harleys (and even a couple of customs), all of them are heavy in comparison with a sports bike, but not difficult to manage, the weight is low down and the bikes are incredibly well balanced. My wife also rides and she has had several Harleys as well and at 5’4” and 60Kg manages to get by with them. She could ride my Street Glide quite comfortably for instance.
Whilst Harleys might attract a certain distain amongst the hard core sports bike fraternity, I’d say go and ride one – you might just surprise yourself…
Riding a Harley is a completely different proposition to a sports bike, I don’t feel challenged to ‘push on’ every time I throw my leg over the bike and you get used to the more relaxed character of the bike very quickly. They look good (in my eyes) and all of mine have been very reliable and the after sales and dealer relationships are nothing short of excellent. They also make a great noise…
I’ve now had several Harleys (and even a couple of customs), all of them are heavy in comparison with a sports bike, but not difficult to manage, the weight is low down and the bikes are incredibly well balanced. My wife also rides and she has had several Harleys as well and at 5’4” and 60Kg manages to get by with them. She could ride my Street Glide quite comfortably for instance.
Whilst Harleys might attract a certain distain amongst the hard core sports bike fraternity, I’d say go and ride one – you might just surprise yourself…
For that money, if you want a great cruiser, they don't come better than this...
Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
I've got 2 HD Sportster bobbers and a new Daytona R. I love the Triumph but cruising with your mates on a Harley is so relaxed. The Breakout is the best looking HD straight out of the box since the Sportster 48 in my humble opinion.Don't forget though you have to buy some Vance and Hines pipes and have it stage 1 tuned as well which will add around £1k to the price.
I've had my springer custom harley for just over a year now and can honestly say I love it. I recently had the urge for another sports bike, so bought an MV Agusta F4.i just didn't gel with it and it didn't feel special riding it, where as the Harley does. I sold it the same month.
There's something really nice about not having to wear a full face helmet and race leathers.....
Go for a test ride and try not to judge it against your previous bikes. Think of it as more of a cruiser or bike to go to the pub on.
There's something really nice about not having to wear a full face helmet and race leathers.....
Go for a test ride and try not to judge it against your previous bikes. Think of it as more of a cruiser or bike to go to the pub on.
phatgixer said:
For that money, if you want a great cruiser, they don't come better than this...
Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
The last time you posted about onw of these bikes, I lost an entire afternoon at work reading up on them. I never knew they did something like that, I'd have to get over my preconceptions of Jap cruisers before spunking the best part of £20k on one. Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
Agree on some of the finish on HDs- even the bikes in the HD showroom had rust on them and pitted chrome!
I really want a Night-Rod, but I can't bring myself to have one as an only bike. I have many old people to annoy, wheelies to pull and corners to carve up before I give into the craving.
VidalBaboon said:
I really want a Night-Rod, but I can't bring myself to have one as an only bike. I have many old people to annoy, wheelies to pull and corners to carve up before I give into the craving.
I have three bikes. NRS is the newest of them, but the others are v different (BMW and Triumph)Another ex sports bike owner here, used to have Ducati's, 996,748,749 and a few Monsters. After having a break of a few years i missed a bike and bought a MV Augusta Brutale. I hated it just don't get on with multi cylinder and getting older decided to try a Harley Streetbob, loved it,bought it, just seemed relaxing to ride, now have a Fat bob and its a great bike. I think the Breakout will be my next bike.
You don't notice the extra weight, i think because its so low. I wouldn't go back.
Mick
You don't notice the extra weight, i think because its so low. I wouldn't go back.
Mick
Obvious thing to do is to book a test ride and see how you feel about it afterwards. You might love it or you might just hate it after that.
I don't really notice the weight of my Electra Glide (powerfully built, Goatee beard etc)unless you stop paying attention and put your foot down in a dip or something. Then it becomes like going to a gym, putting all the weights on a bar and doing a one-legged squat
I don't really notice the weight of my Electra Glide (powerfully built, Goatee beard etc)unless you stop paying attention and put your foot down in a dip or something. Then it becomes like going to a gym, putting all the weights on a bar and doing a one-legged squat
VidalBaboon said:
phatgixer said:
For that money, if you want a great cruiser, they don't come better than this...
Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
The last time you posted about onw of these bikes, I lost an entire afternoon at work reading up on them. I never knew they did something like that, I'd have to get over my preconceptions of Jap cruisers before spunking the best part of £20k on one. Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
Agree on some of the finish on HDs- even the bikes in the HD showroom had rust on them and pitted chrome!
I really want a Night-Rod, but I can't bring myself to have one as an only bike. I have many old people to annoy, wheelies to pull and corners to carve up before I give into the craving.
Not a Virago or Intruder type Jap cruiser. This is made in the good ole US of A!
I have the predecessor - the F6C Valkyrie. I, like you, could not give up the sportsbike for just this, though.
phatgixer said:
For that money, if you want a great cruiser, they don't come better than this...
Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
OMFG! What the hell is that? I love it! A cross between a Goldwing and something out of Tron, so a TronWing Rare to see one for sale
The mighty Honda Rune, in blue. Proper thing.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/s...
My wife loves Harleys, but I really dislike them as the engineering is so rough and the riding experience is spoilt by bad brakes, steering, suspension and bad comfort. Apart from that they are great and some do look quite cool.
I presume that's the 1800 flat six out of the Wing?? I quite like that!I cannot believe I just said that
Some very interesting viewpoints here, thanks. Firstly, I'd like to ditch the Honda thing - to me, it's just ugly, but I'm not the type to criticise someone who likes it. Same goes for the Victory, to a lesser degree. Each to their own etc....
As for the price, yeh, it's a lot, but you only live once! And, yeh, you could have 3 or 4 other bikes for the money, but I wouldn't want any of them. As I said in the original post, there's a reason for leaving fast bikes behind me and looking at something like the Breakout. I like the Bonnie, but it's not got the same presence.
I'm pleased with the feedback from H-D owners, and I would definitely try one - if I could. Whilst my local dealer has a couple in the showroom, they will not be released until September, which is when the first test rides will be available. I'm over in the south of France, so if I can persuade myself to put an order in without a test ride, it'll be delivered whilst there's still a month or two of great riding weather. I'm trying to test a Softail Blackline, which is the nearest I can see to the Breakout, so at least I'll get a feel of what a Harley is about.
The Breakout weighs about 320kg ready to go, which is a lot when you're used to a Street Triple! But I'm encouraged by what owners have to say about how the bikes carry their weight.
As for the price, yeh, it's a lot, but you only live once! And, yeh, you could have 3 or 4 other bikes for the money, but I wouldn't want any of them. As I said in the original post, there's a reason for leaving fast bikes behind me and looking at something like the Breakout. I like the Bonnie, but it's not got the same presence.
I'm pleased with the feedback from H-D owners, and I would definitely try one - if I could. Whilst my local dealer has a couple in the showroom, they will not be released until September, which is when the first test rides will be available. I'm over in the south of France, so if I can persuade myself to put an order in without a test ride, it'll be delivered whilst there's still a month or two of great riding weather. I'm trying to test a Softail Blackline, which is the nearest I can see to the Breakout, so at least I'll get a feel of what a Harley is about.
The Breakout weighs about 320kg ready to go, which is a lot when you're used to a Street Triple! But I'm encouraged by what owners have to say about how the bikes carry their weight.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff