Dyna Wide Glide vs Road King FLHR

[Geeen]

Thanks for that. Your effort is much appreciated. Nice selection - the Bonnevilles and Rocket look nice, but it's the T-bird that's got me thinkin' especially after an article I read earlier comparing it to the HD WideGlide.

Go talk to Heath at Hamilton Motorcycles, he might be able to tee up a test ride for you. Todays a bit "uninspiring" but sitting on them should give you an idea of what fits. They usually have ZX14s and the odd BMW instore as well. Also, if you aren't hung up on a cruiser many ony here would wax lyrical on the VFR800.

[Moi]

A few thoughts:

* why a cruiser? you want to commute so why not a tourer with weather protection and safe/secure luggage capacity = wear your bike gear and have your work clothes dry and ready along with anything else you may need to have, e.g. laptop and work papers - why bikes like these are popular in the UK and Europe [just make sure you have somewhere to change...]

* if you want to 'lane split' than you might find anything so far suggested as being too big to do so easily - those who lane split on a regular basis ride "thin" bikes - panniers make a bike fat in the rear... I can hear some saying "No way, you can lane split with panniers"

* if you've been riding a 250 then, perhaps, a step up to the 600 to 900cc range might be a wiser move? bikes in this range are capable of maintaining position with traffic and over-taking with ease and for you to lose your licence as well! - do you really need 1200+cc?

* another suggestion: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-711108771.htm

[aum108]

Good comfy bikes those, Only issue for op might be the cruiser thing. Wouldn't stop me seriously looking at the FJR, Beemer or Trumpy though

A major issue for me is riding posture. I've been checking quite a few bikes on www.cycle-ergo.com. I'm on the tall side, with long legs, so prefer bikes that let me stretch out the knees a bit.

Has anyone here had a Suzuki VL800? It's absolutely not a hog, not even a hog's ass hair, but it looks like a good fit, and certainly a bit more grunt than my little XV250.

[AllanB]

The big tourers are plenty roomy enough and the aftermarket usually supplies different bars or peg re-locators for the popular models if you want to adjust. The BMW and the likes usually have adjustable seat heights.

One possible issue with a cruiser for long distance is the riding position tends to lock you into one place - by nature of the feet forward arms streatched out and seat design you have limited room to move about.

Best to sample a number of different bikes - to be fair they are all very good, it will come down to personal choice. There is a surprising amount of late model low km quality distance eaters available around the $15k mark.

[Geeen]

The big tourers are plenty roomy enough and the aftermarket usually supplies different bars or peg re-locators for the popular models if you want to adjust. The BMW and the likes usually have adjustable seat heights.

One possible issue with a cruiser for long distance is the riding position tends to lock you into one place - by nature of the feet forward arms streatched out and seat design you have limited room to move about.

Best to sample a number of different bikes - to be fair they are all very good, it will come down to personal choice. There is a surprising amount of late model low km quality distance eaters available around the $15k mark.

What he said, plus cruisers tend to put pressure on your lower back and some suffer a numb arse...... On the bikes Mr B above is talking about this isn't so much of a problem.

[BIG DOUG]

If you want disappointment ride a thunderbird

[Theantidote]

I commute the southern end of the m'way on an xv1100...apart from being air cooled she's been a great comfy ride...saddle bags don't present a problem when splitting...
be a bit cautious when splitting past the papakura on ramp...cagers seem to change lanes randomly without looking, indicating or with any care at all...past that point I tend to sit back and watch in horror the potential for a massive fuck up...
the vl800 is nice...picking 1 up this week so will be good to see how that goes on the commute...won't be lane splitting on her much as the bars are friggin wide as and seem perfect for taking off wing mirrors...
let us know what you got...I'll keep a beady eye open in the mornings....

[skippa1]

If you want disappointment ride a thunderbird

Not too good? I thought about one at one point, never rode one though.

[aum108]

be a bit cautious when splitting past the papakura on ramp...cagers seem to change lanes randomly without looking, indicating or with any care at all...past that point I tend to sit back and watch in horror the potential for a massive fuck up...

Thanks for the warning - much appreciated. I do usually tend to hold back on the splitting unless the cages have really slowed down.

On that note - do the coppers get overly stroppy with bikes making occasional use of the breakdown lane(s)?

the vl800 is nice...picking 1 up this week so will be good to see how that goes on the commute...won't be lane splitting on her much as the bars are friggin wide as and seem perfect for taking off wing mirrors...

She looks like a nice ride, for sure. I definitely had one in mind. Wishing you much enjoyment.

let us know what you got...I'll keep a beady eye open in the mornings....

As it happens, I got the vl800's cuzzy, a C50T Boulevard. Sweet ride, big deep baritone growl for a Jap bike. But the numbers have ruled - 70% of the Harley mojo at 40% of the cost.

I share your issue with the bars. Very tempted to get narrower ones, especially for splitting.

Will get to experience the commute hard out tommorow, leaving H'town at 6:30am.

[scumdog]

What he said, plus cruisers tend to put pressure on your lower back and some suffer a numb arse...... On the bikes Mr B above is talking about this isn't so much of a problem.

Rode my Harley Superglide T-Sport from Nelson to home in one sub ten hour day and could have carried on further if I'd had to.

It depends on the individual whether the bike suits or not.

[aum108]

Rode my Harley Superglide T-Sport from Nelson to home in one sub ten hour day and could have carried on further if I'd had to.

It depends on the individual whether the bike suits or not.

Guess I'm gonna find out tomorrow. I notice that in upright seating posture, road bumps do communicate up the spine in less than comfortable ways. But I'm finding that a slightly forward riding posture eliminates this effect, and also takes more advantage of the deflector screen.

[AllanB]

Rode my Harley Superglide T-Sport from Nelson to home in one sub ten hour day and could have carried on further if I'd had to.

It depends on the individual whether the bike suits or not.

That's because your arse was numb and beyond feeling!!!

[aum108]

That's because your arse was numb and beyond feeling!!!

Can anyone please recommend mile-friendly aftermarket seats for a boulevard?

[buggerit]

Can anyone please recommend mile-friendly aftermarket seats for a boulevard?

Go see Nikki at Boyds and get a Airhawk, bloody great!

[Grubber]

If you want disappointment ride a thunderbird

Would be interested to know why!
I've ridden a couple of my mates ones and they were good i thought and that's coming from someone who rides sports bikes mostly.