Bought a Harley - why, why, why!!!

[tri650]

Friend asks, "So you bought a Harley".
I reply, "Yes I did".
Friend says, "So how do you like it?".
I reply, "Well, the suspension sucks, brakes are bad, low on power and it's really uncomfortable. And one more thing, It's leaking oil. But, other than that I love it".
Friend says, "Awesome" - thinks to himself, "What a dumbass"

For some inexplicable reason I went from sport touring bikes, sport bikes, adventure bikes to a Harley. Found an 02 Road King in great shape and low miles and felt the need to do something different. I started with Harley's back in the early 90's and then graduated to real bikes. Way too many posers and the whole cult thing was too wacky for me so I had no problem leaving the Motor Company behind in the 90's. More about dressing up pretty than riding.

Did a 500 mile road trip over the weekend through some of the finer roads in Missouri - 19, 8, etc., with lots of twisties. Lugging this pig around a turn is a major ordeal - heavy, slow to respond, bouncing and wallowing all over the place. I was worn out by the end of the day. Way too much work. These things go in a straight line - period.

After 3 weeks of ownership wanting to get rid of this thing and back on a sport touring bike. Will probably take a hit but really don't care at this point. Need to find a nice Sprint GT or another VFR.

If you are seriously looking at a Road King disregard everything I just said above and buy mine. Great deal - and I'll even throw in a quart of oil for when you need to replenish on the road.

[rotten]

Nothing converts Gasoline to noise with out the benefit of horsepower like Harley Davidson.

[RottVet]

This bike sounds like the average American- overweight, dull, and drinks too much!. Should be easy to resale! Good luck!. ( BTW , I am looking at an RK now, wanting to buy an 09 or newer.)

[MotoManiac]

Originally Posted by RottVet

This bike sounds like the average American- overweight, dull, and drinks too much!

[Zippydapanhead]

Originally Posted by RottVet

This bike sounds like the average American- overweight, dull, and drinks too much!

If it wasn't for ADVRider, I'd have nothing. Hey, lunch time!

[uraberg]

Trade plus cash?

I've got an 07 sprint ST ABS. Eats up the miles like nobodies business. Straights, turns, whatever you throw at it. Comfortable, flickable, good on gas. Full luggage, does two up camping for a weekend just fine. Everything always works, nothing has ever broken, certainly does not leak.

I figure its worth about $5K, so how about your road king plus $5K of your cash?



J/K man. I love this sprint. I know of no bike that could replace it.

[Steve G.]

These machines have legitimate uses in todays vehicle traffic atmosphere. If your priorities do not include stopping in quick confidence, high level of acceleration, any level of cornering ability, they are very good machines. If you plan on doing alot of freeway touring, they definitely should be on your short list. If you want to wear your American pride literally between your legs, this is your one and only option, nothing else need be considered.

Steve

[EetsOK]

Originally Posted by Steve G.

These machines have legitimate uses in todays vehicle traffic atmosphere. If your priorities do not include stopping in quick confidence, high level of acceleration, any level of cornering ability, they are very good machines. If you plan on doing alot of freeway touring, they definitely should be on your short list. If you want to wear your American pride literally between your legs, this is your one and only option, nothing else need be considered.

Steve

Victory?

[ragtoplvr]

Originally Posted by Steve G.

These machines have legitimate uses in todays vehicle traffic atmosphere. If your priorities do not include stopping in quick confidence, high level of acceleration, any level of cornering ability, they are very good machines. If you plan on doing alot of freeway touring, they definitely should be on your short list. If you want to wear your American pride literally between your legs, this is your one and only option, nothing else need be considered.

Steve

Indian?

[ikonoklass]

Originally Posted by ragtoplvr

Indian?

By which you mean Victory.

[Anorak]

What year? Does it say AMF on the tank? Otherwise, bullshit.

[jmlmjmjm]

Originally Posted by ragtoplvr

Indian?

Originally Posted by ikonoklass

By which you mean Victory.

While they are both owned by Polaris, Polaris has made it pretty clear they will not be cross pollinated.

[wannabe1]

I just made the same move from bikes you did, but ended up with an 06 FLHT std.
I am having a whole different experience with mine though. I do miss wheelies, going through medians, over curbs etc., but I am almost 50 yrs old so I thought it was time.

What is the air pressure in your rear shocks? My 06 has adjustable air shocks on the rear, I assume your RK does. Maybe you are set up for 2-up touring instead of solo riding. I am digging my plush ride and that is coming off a long travel DR650 suspension.

Oh well you tasted the kool-aid and didn't like it. If you have any T-shirts to get rid of send them my way, no assless chaps though

One more thing, did a pre buy test ride not reveal all of the bike's shortcomings you referenced?

[manfromthestix]

Originally Posted by wannabe1

I just made the same move from bikes you did, but ended up with an 06 FLHT std.
I am having a whole different experience with mine though. I do miss wheelies, going through medians, over curbs etc., but I am almost 50 yrs old so I thought it was time.

Dude, what are you thinking? Don't give up yet! I'll be 55 next time around, have been riding since I was 5, and was recently down at the local dealership comparing the Yamaha WR450F to the other 450 offerings from Honda, KTM, etc. on the floor. I can't get enough of that WHOOP-ASS! I recently read an article that stated Purgatory Mountain ski area outside Durango, Colorado is going to stop selling reduced-cost season passes to people 62 and older because that age group has gotten so much healthier and stayed so much more active that they were losing a LOT of ticket sales. Now I believe the cut-off for "old age" passes has been moved up to 70-something! I have a 66 year old friend who bicycles 150 to 300 miles per week (depending on weather and time constraints) and I simply cannot keep up with him. You are under-selling yourself, man!

Reading this thread I was also reminded of a joke I saw in an Aerostitch catalog a while back. I saved it and found it recently. Sorry for the skewed scan...



I'm in the process of a full pre-season tune-up and service on my 1150GS and was reminded just Wednesday how true that first frame is. That said, it's been one of the finest bikes I've ever owned (44 and counting) and I plan to keep riding it until the last ride to Valhalla. And talk about WHOOP-ASS, I'd love to get a new Ducati of some kind if I can only win the $550,000,000.00 Lotto jackpot tonight. Can you believe that shit? Over half a billion dollars...

Wish me luck!

Ride, ride, ride until you CAN"T.

Doug

[2tallnwide]

Originally Posted by manfromthestix

Wish me luck!

Ride, ride, ride until you CAN"T.

Doug

Good luck! and +1 on the riding...I'll be 52 in June, just bought an '05 Tiger, and selling my cruiser when I get home from work this time...those 450's are a tad narrow for me, I'd love to have an old IT490 to scare the chit outta myself with out here in the sticks though...