Harley Davidson - Softail Breakout 103
Discussion
Legacywr said:
What sort of riding do you do?
Mostly arsing about my local country lanes to be honest. I like my 48 (particularly since I got the stage 1) but I don't like going round bends on it, it's just dull and I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, I can't really define it, the uncertainty is just 'there' if that makes sense. I had a Hornet beforehand and I used to hoon that all over the place, loved it and was quite happy to flick it about without a care in the world. I liked the Breakout a lot but you can grind the pegs without even trying and that drove me nuts. The Doris occasionally sits on the back and whilst the 48 isn't designed for a pillion it (and her) cope quite well but you wouldn't want to do big distances on it, that's for sure. So last couple of weeks I've idly pondering another Harley or a completely different bike altogether like the Diavel, Triumph or a Beemer. I'm not a particularly avid rider, just enjoy it for what it is but it would be nice to get it right.
Legacywr said:
Agreed, but it is the engine that stops the Diavel being a cruiser.
I bought mine because I don't want to go fast anymore, and, because of a hip problem(that has gone away) I couldn't ride with forward controls.
Unfortunately, the Diavel engine isn't all that keen on going slow!
Im the other way around, since a hip replacement ...the reduced reach forward controls on VRSCF are just right for me ...the Diavel hip to knee angle was giving me pain after an hourI bought mine because I don't want to go fast anymore, and, because of a hip problem(that has gone away) I couldn't ride with forward controls.
Unfortunately, the Diavel engine isn't all that keen on going slow!
Ive since had an afternoon on a Diavel Strada with the touring seat and it was much better
...the weight of the Diavel is another aspect that is distinctly non cruiser like ...Ducati did a great job in creating their own niche with the Diavel
Drek said:
Mostly arsing about my local country lanes to be honest. I like my 48 (particularly since I got the stage 1) but I don't like going round bends on it, it's just dull and I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, I can't really define it, the uncertainty is just 'there' if that makes sense.
Original tyres? if so put some Avon Vemons on it, makes it feel like a different bike.Hooli said:
Drek said:
Mostly arsing about my local country lanes to be honest. I like my 48 (particularly since I got the stage 1) but I don't like going round bends on it, it's just dull and I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, I can't really define it, the uncertainty is just 'there' if that makes sense.
Original tyres? if so put some Avon Vemons on it, makes it feel like a different bike.Drek said:
Hooli said:
Drek said:
Mostly arsing about my local country lanes to be honest. I like my 48 (particularly since I got the stage 1) but I don't like going round bends on it, it's just dull and I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, I can't really define it, the uncertainty is just 'there' if that makes sense.
Original tyres? if so put some Avon Vemons on it, makes it feel like a different bike.
I dunno if the 48 has the same suspension as other Sportys? but if so 3-4" slugs in the front to up the preload & 20w fork oil make a big difference too.
Hooli said:
Mrs Hooli's 883 got Vemons fitted at 500miles, it was worth the money too as it's such an improvement. Plus there are idiots who'll buy original tyres on ebay to keep their HD riding as crap as it should do
I dunno if the 48 has the same suspension as other Sportys? but if so 3-4" slugs in the front to up the preload & 20w fork oil make a big difference too.
i've changed the rears to 12" progressives, made a MASSIVE difference but now the front end feels like a bag of nails. I daren't admit it but it surprising how,um, average Harleys are fresh out of the box. I know they're Marmite and some will scream 'I told you so!' but seriously Milwaukee, how much work do you have to do to get it to ride the way you want? Now I think about it, the next thing on the list were some decent brake hoses, has Mrs Hooli changed hers?I dunno if the 48 has the same suspension as other Sportys? but if so 3-4" slugs in the front to up the preload & 20w fork oil make a big difference too.
Legacywr said:
I found out this year that it's called 'Harley tax'!
yes..correct...why fit decent fasteners, suspension, controls etc when nearly every owner will change them all out anyway 
"stage 1" is always filter/remap/exhaust to release the engine and then start on shocks/forks if you actually ride it
Dunlops were OE (maybe still are) are terrible compared to aftermarket Avons or Metzeler. It was like a new bike when I changed to Metz
bogie said:
Legacywr said:
I found out this year that it's called 'Harley tax'!
yes..correct...why fit decent fasteners, suspension, controls etc when nearly every owner will change them all out anyway "stage 1" is always filter/remap/exhaust to release the engine and then start on shocks/forks if you actually ride it
Dunlops were OE (maybe still are) are terrible compared to aftermarket Avons or Metzeler. It was like a new bike when I changed to Metz
Legacywr said:
bogie said:
Legacywr said:
I found out this year that it's called 'Harley tax'!
yes..correct...why fit decent fasteners, suspension, controls etc when nearly every owner will change them all out anyway "stage 1" is always filter/remap/exhaust to release the engine and then start on shocks/forks if you actually ride it
Dunlops were OE (maybe still are) are terrible compared to aftermarket Avons or Metzeler. It was like a new bike when I changed to Metz
aeropilot said:
Drek said:
i've changed the rears to 12" progressives, made a MASSIVE difference but now the front end feels like a bag of nails.
Not really surprising, only done half the job.....you need to fit matching Progressive front fork springs as well.Edited by Drek on Friday 20th December 15:04
Drek said:
aeropilot said:
Drek said:
i've changed the rears to 12" progressives, made a MASSIVE difference but now the front end feels like a bag of nails.
Not really surprising, only done half the job.....you need to fit matching Progressive front fork springs as well.
t out of everything as soon as they drive it off the showroom floor, it's they way they are. Which is why HD don't spend the money on making anything better as it will just make the basic bike more expensive and be taken off and changed.The fact that the rest of the world doesn't do that, and wants the best out of the box solution, is why people 'here' don't get it.
In 30+ years I've hardly ever not modded a car or bike I've owned, so it doesn't bother me, and is actually one of the reasons I like HD's.
aeropilot said:
It's the american way, car/bike people don't drive/ride anything stock, the mod the st out of everything as soon as they drive it off the showroom floor, it's they way they are. Which is why HD don't spend the money on making anything better as it will just make the basic bike more expensive and be taken off and changed.
The fact that the rest of the world doesn't do that, and wants the best out of the box solution, is why people 'here' don't get it.
In 30+ years I've hardly ever not modded a car or bike I've owned, so it doesn't bother me, and is actually one of the reasons I like HD's.
Spot on t out of everything as soon as they drive it off the showroom floor, it's they way they are. Which is why HD don't spend the money on making anything better as it will just make the basic bike more expensive and be taken off and changed.The fact that the rest of the world doesn't do that, and wants the best out of the box solution, is why people 'here' don't get it.
In 30+ years I've hardly ever not modded a car or bike I've owned, so it doesn't bother me, and is actually one of the reasons I like HD's.
Drek said:
aeropilot said:
Drek said:
i've changed the rears to 12" progressives, made a MASSIVE difference but now the front end feels like a bag of nails.
Not really surprising, only done half the job.....you need to fit matching Progressive front fork springs as well.Edited by Drek on Friday 20th December 15:04
if you want to ride a stock bike that works out of the box, you buy something Japanese
...mind you even they are trying to get on the modding band wagon now...and the Germans with the "nine-T". Theyve figured out theres lots of profit to be had in "accessories"...sell the base bike for £14K and another £4-5k on top
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