Hitcher
26th June 2005, 14:40
Thanks to a phone call yesterday morning from Jim2, we both managed to spend some time in the saddles of the new Harley Davidson V-Rod and Street-Rod, courtesy of Wellington Motorcycles.
This was a first for me on a few fronts: First time ride on ANY Harley; first time ride on a big V-twin; first time with indicator switches on both grips.
After completing the requisite paperwork and deciding on a suitably tortuous and challenging route, Jim2 hopped on the Street-Rod and me on the V-Rod.
Fired it up. It sounded like a Harley. Levers, pegs and controls all pretty straightforward (apart from the ignition switch stuck under one's bum). Clicked into first, wait for a break in the Saturday morning traffic, and then off down Kent Terrace to the first set of lights.
First impression: The engine is gorgeous. It doesn't feel like a twin. And it likes to rev out.
Second impression: Nice horn.
Third impression: Now where's that ferkin left indicator switch?
After a brief discussion outside Regional Wines and Spirits, we meandered up and around Mt Victoria, around through Roseneath and back down to Evans Bay Marina. There are some nice, tight turns in here that are good for testing the low speed performance of bikes as well as the brakes. The V-Rod scored well on all counts. The noise coming out of the back of Jim2's Street-Rod was gorgeous!
Noting that the road through the Shelly Bay Air Force base was closed, we went to Plan B, and excurted through Miramar and over the hill to the Worser Bay Yacht Club prior to our first bike change at Seatoun.
My turn now on the Street Rod. Surprisingly comfortable. Fumble with the indicators and then off after Jim2.
First impression: Wow, these bars are wide.
Second impression: Where's the instrument panel?
Third impression: What a beautiful gearbox!
We continued around the South Coast and up the inappropriately named Happy Valley Road, stopping just before the Brooklyn shops for a tyre kick and a ride change. And then back to WMC.
Never again will I pour scorn at a Harley, certainly not those with the new generation Porsche engine and gearbox. They are a stunning unit. Not much vibration and happy both to lug and rev out. Nicely responsive to the throttle and with a delicious exhaust note. The Street-Rod we had had custom pipes and was more of a full-noise experience than was the V-Rod.
The Street-Rod was a real surprise. Surprisingly agile -- very happy to weave cats eyes at 70kmh -- and with a nice taut chassis. The Brembo brakes gave it heaps of smooth stopping power. At first flush the seat felt a bit hard on the nether regions, but after a few ks I would have felt comfortable riding it all day.
I was disappointed both with the choice of graphics and the location of the instrument panel on the Street-Rod. Whereas on the V-Rod these were just about perfectly located for a rider of my build.
Jim2 may have some thoughts about his riding experiences that he may like to add.
I realised afterwards that I really miss riding a naked bike...
This was a first for me on a few fronts: First time ride on ANY Harley; first time ride on a big V-twin; first time with indicator switches on both grips.
After completing the requisite paperwork and deciding on a suitably tortuous and challenging route, Jim2 hopped on the Street-Rod and me on the V-Rod.
Fired it up. It sounded like a Harley. Levers, pegs and controls all pretty straightforward (apart from the ignition switch stuck under one's bum). Clicked into first, wait for a break in the Saturday morning traffic, and then off down Kent Terrace to the first set of lights.
First impression: The engine is gorgeous. It doesn't feel like a twin. And it likes to rev out.
Second impression: Nice horn.
Third impression: Now where's that ferkin left indicator switch?
After a brief discussion outside Regional Wines and Spirits, we meandered up and around Mt Victoria, around through Roseneath and back down to Evans Bay Marina. There are some nice, tight turns in here that are good for testing the low speed performance of bikes as well as the brakes. The V-Rod scored well on all counts. The noise coming out of the back of Jim2's Street-Rod was gorgeous!
Noting that the road through the Shelly Bay Air Force base was closed, we went to Plan B, and excurted through Miramar and over the hill to the Worser Bay Yacht Club prior to our first bike change at Seatoun.
My turn now on the Street Rod. Surprisingly comfortable. Fumble with the indicators and then off after Jim2.
First impression: Wow, these bars are wide.
Second impression: Where's the instrument panel?
Third impression: What a beautiful gearbox!
We continued around the South Coast and up the inappropriately named Happy Valley Road, stopping just before the Brooklyn shops for a tyre kick and a ride change. And then back to WMC.
Never again will I pour scorn at a Harley, certainly not those with the new generation Porsche engine and gearbox. They are a stunning unit. Not much vibration and happy both to lug and rev out. Nicely responsive to the throttle and with a delicious exhaust note. The Street-Rod we had had custom pipes and was more of a full-noise experience than was the V-Rod.
The Street-Rod was a real surprise. Surprisingly agile -- very happy to weave cats eyes at 70kmh -- and with a nice taut chassis. The Brembo brakes gave it heaps of smooth stopping power. At first flush the seat felt a bit hard on the nether regions, but after a few ks I would have felt comfortable riding it all day.
I was disappointed both with the choice of graphics and the location of the instrument panel on the Street-Rod. Whereas on the V-Rod these were just about perfectly located for a rider of my build.
Jim2 may have some thoughts about his riding experiences that he may like to add.
I realised afterwards that I really miss riding a naked bike...