Harley ride first time

[rocketman1]

I have been riding a Harley in the states for a few weeks
This is my first decent ride on a Harley, so I decided to give them a fair go and find out what they are like to ride after a lifetime on Rice burners and German Marques.
A Black Streetglide 103 2015 was my steed, Initialy I thought the gearbox was clunky but once underway felt good: seat and seating position very comfortable: great indicators that click off by themselves, why don't all bikes have this idea.
Thought it was a bit heavy at standstill but once underway no problems, handling was no problem either, although I never really pushed it hard into corners. I did think the suspension was a bit average on bumpy roads, this could no doubt be upgraded
Good torque of the mark, runs out of puff a bit after 70mph. Very addictive dragging of at the lights though.
Finish of the bike was very good, love the exhaust note, but heard better on other bikes with modified cans.
Overall it was very economical, very ease to cruise on, and most of all after 7hrs of riding I was not in the least bit sore.
This is the first bike in my life that I can say that about.
I have not ridden other models yet, I like the "look" of the Dyna Superglide better so may ride one of those next.

Riding it in the states was great, got plenty of looks and waves, and other riders very friendly.
Overall I must say I was very impressed, for all those that knock Harleys I advise to ride one before you criticise them.

[5ive]

for all those that knock Harleys I advise to ride one before you criticise them.

I don't knock Harleys. They make enough knocking noise all by themselves

[OddDuck]

You've gotta find the bike that's right for you!

Interesting point about it being super comfy over the long haul. What was vibration and physical effort once riding like?

[BIG DOUG]

yea I have a 15 glide,rode it up to the drags at meremere watched them then rode hme same day not a problem,does give the old shoulders a work out though and don't know why your one ran out of puff at 70 mine stops at about (for the moment) 215k's.

[Banditbandit]

mine stops at about (for the moment) 215k's.

Exactly where my 650 Bandit stops ...

[ratast]

We ride my Roadking 15000 ks in the States and do 600 -700 ks a day through the flat pretty uninspiring scenery of the flat grasslands wanting to get else where more scenic where we often ride 300 k days. Our butts handle both easily, the airshocks are great .Dunlop touring tyres serve well and get plus 30000 on front tyre and 20.000 plus on the rear.

[george formby]

I like to bag the Hardley stereotype but the reality is I see far more HD's on the road in pishing rain, cold, gales etc than any other bike. Live to ride? Must be something in that. Good post.
Maybe one day.

[bogan]

I like to bag the Hardley stereotype but the reality is I see far more HD's on the road in pishing rain, cold, gales etc than any other bike. Live to ride? Must be something in that. Good post.
Maybe one day.

You'll probably find it was sunny when they set out

[george formby]

You'll probably find it was sunny when they set out

I've thought that more than once but na. Keen spirits some of these Hardley riders. I must admit they do know the best coffee stops.
A mate of mine is a balls out racer and twirls spanners for a living. His main business is Harleys, er, servicing and customising, he's a black belt. By his own admition he loves riding them despite being a speed freak and knee dragger.

[gjm]

There's a local guy - or maybe his pillion is local - that I've seen a couple of times. Couldn't tell you what model his Harley is (it has orange paint) as it's normally shifting along pretty smartly.

Never sounds like it's doing much more than tick over, but you'd have to be keen to keep up.

I've never owned one (unless you'd allow an Aermacchi 350cc; I had one of them) but maybe I will, one day. I used to say that Harleys were great bikes - buy a stock one, replace everything with parts from the S&S catalogue, and it's great. Perhaps not so fair these days.

I certainly quite like the look of some models, even the stock ones.

[Ulsterkiwi]

I enjoy the bagging, always allowing for the possibility I will receive back with interest, isn't that part of the fun?

Anyway, surely the post shows the old adage is true, horses for courses? The OP is is having a good time on big open US of A roads, what the Harley was built for. Should it be a surprise he is enjoying it and comfortable. I think a bigger surprise would be if the opposite were reported!

[JimO]

a mate of mine who had sprotbikes and a old ducati hated harleys until his wife got a job in the states, when he returned to NZ he was a confirmed harley man

[98tls]

a mate of mine who had sprotbikes and a old ducati hated harleys until his wife got a job in the states, when he returned to NZ he was a confirmed harley man

Women ehtheres nothing they wont do to fuck a blokes life up,only good thing i could see about being a faggot would be instead of arguing a simple smack in the mouth would sort out the domestics....that aside enjoy the Harley fella doing a similar thing is on the bucket list.

[rocketman1]

You've gotta find the bike that's right for you!

Interesting point about it being super comfy over the long haul. What was vibration and physical effort once riding like?

The seat was very comfortable, the handlebars and ergonomics were perfect for me I'm 6 foot
There was very little or almost no vibration once underway. There was a normal amount of vibration (for a Harley) at idle.
If you are used to a jap bike, it would seem like alot of vibration, but you do get used to it.

[rocketman1]

yea I have a 15 glide,rode it up to the drags at meremere watched them then rode hme same day not a problem,does give the old shoulders a work out though and don't know why your one ran out of puff at 70 mine stops at about (for the moment) 215k's.

I think it was a relative thing, relative to my bike which does not seem to slow down in acceleration. The Harley accelerated well to start with but like most bikes with high torque low horse power they run short of power at higher speeds. But the bike is not built for high speed. We should buy a sports bike if you want speed. Ie my 750cc sports bike just goes ballistic after 70mph it is scary the way it accelerates.