Some Days are just Plain Good

[Bones]

Some days are just plain good.
After a gray and cold winter, the weather broke the other day and it rained enough to get salt off the roads. So yesterday morning I took the GS off the charger and got it back to my house.

A buddy called, we made plans to do a little riding. He met me at the place where my kids and wife study and train in TaeKwonDo and watch my son test for his next level belt. He did a great job and I was thrilled for him.

We take off for a nice ride on a chilly but sunny day. The ride reminded me why I love my GS so much. The heated hand grips reminded me why I love heated hand grips so much, too.

My buddy who said he would NEVER EVER EVER own a Harley wants to ride to the Harley dealer about 30 miles away. Sure. Who can say no to visiting a MC shop? I like Harleys anyway for all the reasons most of you hate them.

We arrive, my friend inquires about a few models and the next thing I know, we are test riding Harleys. I haven't been on any modern ones, just 80's versions in the past. Between the bikes at this shop and the riders who were coming and going all afternoon, there were probably about 150 bikes to look at.

Test rode the Dyna Low Rider and the Softail Standard. I can offer a brief ride report if anyone wants one, later.

After a nice time there, we rode on home. My buddy, by the way, has a heavily modified 70's goldwing that looks nothing like any wing I have ever seen. I rode that for a while, too. Then another friend swings by. He purchased my R850R from me when he got back into riding. I suggest we go out and he try my GS. So I got to ride the 850 again.

Belt test a success, sunny day, got to ride 5 different bikes and was home in time to go out with the kids for pizza at our local favorite pizza place while my wife headed out to a meeting.

Not a bad day!

Jeff

[Rchop]

:041: Lets have a ride report for all of them!!

[Bones]

Rchop,
Don't know if anyone else will want my take on the Harley's and old Wing, but here goes. I will skip the GS and 850R rides.

1970's Goldwing: Interesting for sure. The riding position was bizarre, because I felt very low to the ground riding, but the seat height is actually pretty tall, or so it felt. The bike is stretched in feel, but doesn't look it. The bike was set up as a naked bike and the baffles were out of the exhaust, so it sounded like an old Chris Craft. It revs up OK, but makes neither torque nor top end hp, so there was no satisfaction there. The brakes of course are 1970's brakes. Planning ahead is the order of the day.

The bike leans over really easily, but doesn't actually turn much when leaned over, which was.....errr....interesting the first time I learned of that.

But, overall, it was fun to ride in its own way. It was quite smooth, which is no surprize.

Harley Dyna Low Rider:
Sitting still it felt like it fit me like a glove. Once underway, I was amazed at how I actually felt a bit cramped.:104: I am only 5'7", so I never feel cramped on a bike, so that was a surprize. It turned a lot better than I would have expected. Nice torque. Stock exhaust, so no sound to enjoy and it would pull even harder with a Stage I and aftermarket exhaust. It felt good, overall, though. Nice rumble and it felt like you were on a motorcycle. No wow factor, though. The '06 Dynas all have 6 gears, but I prefer the 5 gear set up....more on that below.

Softail Standard:
Didn't think I would like anything about this bike. It has forward controls, and I thought it would feel like it wouldn't turn. I couldn't believe it. I loved riding this thing. It has a 200 back tire, and a skinny front tire, which I thought I would hate, but the combo works pretty well for what it is. The ergos were actually a blast. Quite comfortable, once I remembered that my feet had to go forward to find the pegs. I also had to remember where to put my feet when stopping. Surprizingly, the reach to foot pegs and handle bars was really nice. Not too much or too little.

This bike (which has the same engine as the Dyna) seemed to pull a lot harder; I liked the gearing better. The tranny was very solid but engaged very nicely both up and down the gears. The bike is nice and stable, but I found that it turned just fine. Not sport bike like, of course, but not a lumbering mule that I was expecting from the specs. The '06 clutch pull mechanics have been eased up a lot, so using the clutch with 2 fingers worked just fine. Very smooth clutch engagement and the pull off the start was very satisfying.

You can actually feel the width of the rear tire and how it changes lean in characteristics, but it wasn't a bad thing.

The lack of any windshield and fairing made for some very clean and quiet air.

I think one of the things I liked better about this bike is the fact that the engine is mounted to the frame. So it transmits vibration to the rider in a very different way than the rubber mounted Dyna. In some ways the Dyna is "smoother" but I liked the hard mount better.

As you all know, the speed at which you ride these things is a little different. I actually understand it now. On my GS (which I now consider to be more like a supermotard on steroids...in a good way) I just always want to go a little faster, and CAN. On the Harley, it actually would get up and go like hell at least up to 75 (beyond which I made no attempts...it was a test ride and the bike was new), but you know, 60 felt just fine. It didn't feel like I was pushing it at 60, it just felt "right." In fact, with the clean air stream, it definately did not feel fast. It is a total harmonic thing, I guess.

Aside from the maniac scream of a 4 cylinder engine on the race track, it is clear that I am enamored with twin cylinder bikes. I really enjoyed the Softail, ALOT. The Dyna, I didn't care for, in the end.

Now here is the interesting part, and I am not making this up. On the ride home, I found the FEEL of the BMW flat twin 1200 engine feels amazingly similar to the Harley engine on the Softail. The same amount of vibration to the rider and almost the same characteristics to that vibration. Perhaps that is what I found enjoyable. The Harley feels like it pulls harder down low. The torque of the 1200 doesn't come on until 3K or more like 3.5K. Of course after riding the Lowrider and the Softail, you get on the GS and it feels like the Harley engine but you are sitting on top of a ladder. Plus the GS just makes you want to go fast.

Go ahead. Flame me for enjoying the ride. I can take it. BTW, I don't think I would find anything to interest me in the metric cruiser realm. But I did find some interesting things with this experience. Flame away.

One other thought. I am sure I was a site to see riding a Harley Softail with a full face Arai helmet, 3/4 length armored jacket, Alpinestars gloves, Vendramini armored boots and Vanson leather pants. At least it was all black!

Jeff

[Arby]

Bones

No flame throwers from me. Sounds like you're ready for a Harley.

But, couple of comments if I may.

The Softtails have the 88B engine, the Dynas do not. This is why the Softtail is mounted solid and the dyna has the rubber mounts. That is to say, the B engine is counter balanced, the original TC88 engine is not.

Also, regards the cramped riding position on the Dyna. Most owners of Dynas' with mid mounted foot controls, aka Superglide or Lowrider, either mount highway pegs for cruising or interstate riding, or just as an alternative. Or they mount the forward mounted controls that you liked from a Dyna Wideglide, which will bolt right on.

I had an 02 Softtail standard which I liked, and found to be about as you described, but have liked my Superglide Sport more.

I haven't ridden the 6 speed yet, but I imagine it'll come into it's own out on the open road. (Assuming the engine has enough power to pull that overdrive gear at high speeds.

Bob

[Bones]

Arby,
I knew about the counterbalanced engine, but forgot to mention that in my post. The Dyna I rode did have the forward highway pegs in addition to the mid controls. I kind of like the Softail Deluxe, but haven't ridden with floorboards, ever. Kind of like training wheels or outriggers?

I admit I am motorcycle obsessed. Glad there is no 12 step program or medication for this problem.

Jeff

[DarthRider]

"...I admit I am motorcycle obsessed. Glad there is no 12 step program or medication for this problem..."

Thank God!
One of my old bosses once told me I was "queer for motorcycles."
I said, "Thanks boss!"

Dave

[Rchop]

Thanks Bones, I appreciate the ride report. I am just like you regarding the motorcycle "affliction".
Hi, my name is Randy and I'm a motoholic:embarassed:
I'm glad there is no 12 step program for us!!
If you ever make it out here, I'll have to let you ride the Beemer cruiser. I think you would enjoy it. I have a couple of 45mm mikunis on order right now. I think they will bring out the real power in the beast. I will post a report after I have them set up.
Randy

[Bones]

Randy,
I will book my flights tomorrow!!!

Do I recall that you live near the San Diego area? I might actually be coming to a meeting in SD sometime in '06. If so, I will definately give you a holler.

I would love to see that cruiser you built in person, and meeting the builder himself would be a treat.

There is only one bike I have ridden in the past 4-5 years that I couldn't find something to get excited about, so I think the obsession for me is not overstated. At least I am in good company here!

Jeff

[Deans BMW]

Definitely should be on the rotating first page.


I admit I am motorcycle obsessed. Glad there is no 12 step program or medication for this problem

[JCsman]

Actually, WHEN the lottery comes through I plan on a 12-step motorcycle program.

You know:

Step one, visit the BMW dealer, purchase R1200RT

Step two, visit the Kawasaki dealer, purchase the KLR 650

Step three.... well you get the idea.
==================================
Of course then there is ther 12 step cap program, the twelve step truck program, the....

[Rchop]

Randy,
I will book my flights tomorrow!!!

Do I recall that you live near the San Diego area? I might actually be coming to a meeting in SD sometime in '06. If so, I will definately give you a holler.

I would love to see that cruiser you built in person, and meeting the builder himself would be a treat.

Jeff

Bones, you are welcome to come by any time you are in SoCal. I live in Oceanside which is in North San Diego County by Camp Pendelton Marine base. Only about 35 miles from downtown San Diego.