Any reason not to buy this Harley? - Page 3

David · David's Garage

I don't know much about Harleys, but my brother just got one a couple year old model, not sure which one, but he really likes it. He said it handles much better than his Kawi Vulcan 1400 before it. He's been riding, road racing, and building engines for many years so I trust his opinion. He's been taking long road trips with his wife since he got it.

motion · 10-08-2005, 03:36 PM

I ended up getting that 05 Road King Custom... its a purdy bike, but, wow, what a piece of crap. Ergonomically and mechanically its a total disaster. Good for 45mph putts down PCH to Las Brisas, though

kumma · 10-08-2005, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
I ended up getting that 05 Road King Custom... its a purdy bike, but, wow, what a piece of crap. Ergonomically and mechanically its a total disaster. Good for 45mph putts down PCH to Las Brisas, though

Motion-
Just curious why did you buy a piece of crap? I have been thining of replacing my '97 Road King with a newer twin cam one. Whats wrong with yours that makes it a total disaster. I have never ridden a twin cam bike so id like to hear about the problems you've encountered. Not trying to pick a fight Im just interested in facts.

rob macdonald · 10-08-2005, 04:33 PM

The Custom is a great looking bike, however the lowered rear significantly reduces travel and your spine makes up the difference.

motion · 05:54 PM

The main problem is the ergos... beach bars with grips at a strange angle. And, as Rob says, the tail end is pretty hard. The strange angle at the grips twists your wrists, and that, coupled with hanging onto the thing at freeway speeds, torques your wrists.

Plus, I have to say that I'm use to a bit more HP and braking performance. This thing really doesn't move or stop too well. I know that's not what they're really for. Like I say, its a great bike for easy cruising, but all in all, it really doesn't do anything well. Just my 0.02. I'm not really a Harley guy, more of a sport bike guy.

And by the way, I'm not one of those guys that bought a new Harley and all the Harley apparel to go with it. I usually ride with shorts and sandals. My passenger is usually in a short skirt

BGCarrera32 · 10-08-2005, 06:57 PM

So not to hijack this thread, but the bike below caught my eye and I thought it was pretty decent looking. I haven't been in to look at one in person...a guy I work with has one similar with a 750.

Its a Honda VTX1300S. MSRP = $9,599

I have nothing against Harleys and I think some of the chopper stuff is cool. I don't own a motorcycle and have spent almost zero time on one. It would just be something to cruise on; the 911 has become too much of a track machine lately. Let me be clear I wouldn't buy this to try and immitate the Harley or anything like that...just like the look of this bike. Any comments? Heck the price ain't bad...

island911 · 10-08-2005, 07:03 PM

hmmm . .. any reason eh?

Have you seen the Wrong trousers thread ?

Jeff Higgins · 10-08-2005, 07:50 PM

Motion, I really hate to say this, but you bought about one of the worst bikes in the current line-up. Terry Roorda wrote this one up in "Thunder Press" when it first came out. He said exactly what you did - the ergos really suck.

His article was great. To paraphrase, he compared the Road King line to an immigrant family. The standard Road King, the first in the line, represents the hard-working, practical, no B.S. immigrant that gets off the boat with nothing. He works hard his whole life and winds up doing quite well. He remains a very frugal, practical man till his death.

His son then takes over the family business. He grew up pinching pennies and inheireted much of his old man's frugal ways. He enjoyed some luxury as pops succeeded, and is prone to splurge and live a bit more. He is represented by the Road King Classic. Less practical leather bags that give more of a nod to style than practicality than the original hard bags, but not too far off. Most of it is still the practical long distance tourer.

Now we have the third generation. Grew up in a big house and had everything money could buy. Never had to work too hard for anything. Party animal that grows up to squander the family fortune, with much of it just pissed away on nonsense. That is the Road Kind Custom. Totaly impractical in every way; style has won out over substance. A great, practical, hard working heritage squandered.

My '00 Road King now reads darn near 70,000 miles on the clock. I have lost track of the number of 500+ mile days I have logged, many with my wife on the back. Comfortable all day for days on end. Zero, none, nadda, zilch, mechanical difficulties the whole way.

Just for the hell of it, here is a shot from our last trip. Around the entire perimiter of Washington state in four days; over 1500 miles logged. This is at the top of the Spiral Highway, overlooking Lewiston / Clarkston on the Snake river.

Flatbutt1 · 10-08-2005, 10:41 PM

BobS
IMO you must first decide what kind of riding you're going to do. As others have stated each bike has it's own strengths and weaknesses, charms and quirks. If I were to buy another bike now, while keeping the R1100S, it would be the V-Rod. Tne new gen of beemers aren't well suited for toodling around town but do quite well for two up interstate. The UJMs have a lot to choose from for boulevard cruising but why go wannabee when you can buy an HD used and prolly sorted out? Just mt $.02