The Power of a Test Ride. (HD Sales Manual)

[Tpoppa]

I got my first Harley this year and so far have put about 250 miles on it. Never have been a Harley lover or hater, I have just never had any interest in cruising or low, slow bikes. But, the wife has never been comfortable on the back of my ZX-10, ZX-11 or FJR-1300 and when I get it up to a speed that is "normal" for me, she usually won't speak to me for days. Change was in order.

Ripping up the twisties has always been fun and still is, problem is, in NE Ohio, there aren't many twisties to be had. When I ride through the metroparks, I usually see a ranger every 10 minutes so getting up to a reasonable pace for a sportbike is difficult. Everywhere else is pretty far away, and no matter how hard I try, that rear tire of mine always wears out in the middle first. What can ya do?

Owning a Harley was always on my bucket list and now was the time. I knew I didn't want the standard engine, so I went with the 110 inch (1800cc) screaming eagle motor on the CVO softtail convertible. I know, its Ohio, should have got the hardtop. I figured I would need the big engine because I just won't tolerate a slow bike. After the break in period is over, I will probably dyno it, put new cams in it, maybe do the stage 1 kit or maybe take the rope off its neck and put a less restrictive pipe on it. I don't care if it does 200MPH, but I do care how fast it goes from 0-80, so that will be something to figure out. The hardest part for me so far has been the relaxed riding position. Being on sportbikes and sport-tourers for so long, putting my feet out in front of me just ain't natural. But I'm getting used to it.

So far, I like the bike and I like the potential for modification. After I get rid of the FJR, I will probably be in the market for a sportbike to ride when I want to have some fun on my own. HD's biggest problem in my opinion is over reliance on T-shirt sales and the finance division for profits. The best rate available from HD finance was 9%. I went with a credit union for 5%.

I could care less about being a HOG member or huge group rides. I'm joining the Hell's Angels. Ok maybe not but I felt bad for some new HOG members I met that were begging me to join. I guess its quite a clicky group with seniority meaning something and they were having a hard time being the new guys. Sounds like high school all over again. No thanks. But I do like the bike, so far. If that changes you guys will be the first to know.

How much for the FJR?

[Zach]

only thing i cant stand about cruisers is the stance youre in when you sit on them (not talking about my bike, i mean full out cruisers)....i dont feel like im ready to react or ready to really control the bike in an emergency....legs out in front of me instead of down at my side doesnt feel safe IMO, neither does leaning back instead of being forward and ready to manuever.... with the drag bars on my bike, its the perfect middle between cruiser and sport, i have a very forward stance without laying on the tank

Not all HD's have forward controls and most can be converted to have mid controls if they don't come with them stock.

[Steve Butters]

Not all HD's have forward controls and most can be converted to have mid controls if they don't come with them stock.

didnt exclusively mean forward controls...any time my feet are positioned farther forward than my knees, i feel unsafe....my bike is mid control but it had highway pegs on it when i got it, i tried them out and felt very unsafe...removed them right away lol

[Bad324]

only thing i cant stand about cruisers is the stance youre in when you sit on them (not talking about my bike, i mean full out cruisers)....i dont feel like im ready to react or ready to really control the bike in an emergency....legs out in front of me instead of down at my side doesnt feel safe IMO, neither does leaning back instead of being forward and ready to manuever.... with the drag bars on my bike, its the perfect middle between cruiser and sport, i have a very forward stance without laying on the tank

this is exactly the same thought for me. I've taken my Dad's HD around the block and my buddies 82 Yamaha Maxim out for a few miles and was thinking the exact same thing on both of them. Can't say I won't end up on a cruiser one day though, who knows.

[Likwid]

Man this is great. Sending this to the folks I work with

[NinjaNick]

A person who doesn't know sport bikes can't tell one manufacturer from the next because for the bike to fit the category they need to look and serve the purpose which tends to make them resemble each other in that category.

Totally agree. My whole life everyone has always referred to a sportbike as a Ninja! No!...every bike that isn't a Harley isn't a gawddamn NINJA!!

Drives me crazy.

[Zach]

Totally agree. My whole life everyone has always referred to a sportbike as a Ninja! No!...every bike that isn't a Harley isn't a gawddamn NINJA!!

Drives me crazy.

yet you bought a ninja.

[Likwid]

It's branding man, that's why anyone with an MP3 player has an iPod.... my wife asked for an iPod... when I said she didn't need one because it's not worth the money she got mad...

then I figured out she just wanted an MP3 player.

Kleenex, Xerox, Kodak, Google... all examples of successfully (some too much) integrating your brand into the world.

[fusion]

yet you bought a ninja.

[NinjaNick]

yet you bought a ninja.

Because Kawasaki's are god sent.

[Meanie]

If you were looking at used harley's the same year as your mean streak, then that would mean that the harley held it's value at 4x because the cost of a new bike would not be 4x the cost.

If you look at kawasaki.com look at bikes that would compare to the road king, prices are not 4x. 2010 Nomad $15,100 2010 Road King $16,900

Ok, yeah. I was just throwing a number out there. Actually the harley I was looking at was between 10-12k and most used MS go for about 6k or so so it was more like 2x. Anyway, I figured I'd do the MS because I like them, and I could use the extra money for accessories.

I don't, by any means, disagree that HDs hold their value better. They do, well at least the bigger models.

[Rjettman]

How much for the FJR?

$6200, and I'll throw in the cover and shop manual. Factory cover.

[RSVDon]

Because Kawasaki's are god sent.

God may have sent Kawi for his servants. But this is still God's chariot...

[NinjaNick]

^^^^Where's the negative rep??

[garysol1]

I would so rock this bike....

[fusion]

God may have sent Kawi for his servants. But this is still God's chariot...

Only because I told him he can't ride my Honda. He keeps begging, it gets really annoying.

[RFM]

I would so rock this bike....

You would probably sway it a bit too, judging by the meaty mild steel swingarm. The bolt on stabilizer might calm the headshake, but it won't do a thing for the frame flex.....

[RFM]

Only because I told him he can't ride my Honda. He keeps begging, it gets really annoying.

Ah.... So poor Johnny Rea's Honda goes out in a puff of smoke, and Roger Hayden's Ninja is 2+ seconds off pace... Wait, what were we talking about?

[jagr]

I want a hardley after reading that manual.

Actually I've always liked the Vrod. Maybe one day.

[the_silverfox]

Still like the XR1200 after testing it in Texas. Only problem I found with it was that I couldn't feel my feet for about ten minutes after getting off of it. In terms of R&D, Harley needs to figure out where else to attach the footpegs...other than directly to the engine case.

[Uncle Punk]

This is a sharp Harley product.

[Zach]

Harley had nothing to do with that.

[RSVDon]

Never, and I mean NEVER associate such a wonderful marque such as the MV with Harley. Just because they own majority share does not mean it's a Hardly product.

[Uncle Punk]

How so? This is an updated model released under their ownership.

[warpspeed]

A nightster is the only harley I'd consider....

yamaha midnight warrior or nightster is on my want list.