http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2009_Motorcycles/2009_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US#/model/vrscaw
thoughts? opinions? i sat on one yesterday. being a shorter statured person, i thought the reach and riding position would suck. they really didn't. a few minor adjustments and it would have been better, but as it sat in the shop, it was doable. i know the bike looks insanely heavy, but it doesn't feel that way really. i'm guessing that's due to the design of the bike. the fuel tank is located under the seat instead of outside the frame. directly in front of the seat where the tank normally sits is the airbox if i remember correctly. kinda cool design IMO. the wife likes it. :icon_mrgreen:
If the wife likes it that's a big, big plus. For some reason I thought they were quite a bit more expensive. Very distinctive look and sound...I like 'em.
i think you're gonna have to grow a handlebar mustache and make sure your a$$ sticks out the back of your chaps if you're gonna ride it. :icon_rolleyes: :icon_rolleyes:
I rode the V-Rod muscle last year at a dealer test-ride even. To be honest, the engine performance is more like our bikes than the rest of the Harley line-up...except it has way, WAY more power. The torque doesn't catch you by suprize, or give you that lurching feeling the way the other HD's do.
That is where the similarities with our bike end. I loved the power and acceleration of the V-Rod. The bike was a really nice ride...in a straight line. The bike has no cornering clearance. For that matter, every bike I rode that day was scraping hard parts in 90 degree corners unless I hung off the bike or slowed considerably.
If you're wanting a nice, relaxing cruiser that is easy on the eyes and accelerates like crazy...this bike is for you. If you're looking forward to twisties with any sort of velocity...look elsewhere.
On a related note, that day I road a Screamin' Eagle Springer Soft-tail, a V-Rod Muscle, the new (then) Rocker, and the Screamin' Eagle Street Bob. I scraped hard parts on every bike I rode in any corner approaching 90 degrees with any kind of speed. My neighbor owns a street glide, and thought it was a fluke when I scraped on the first bike (the street bob--AWFUL BIKE), so I proceded to demonstrate for him on every bike I rode. I even have a bit of chrome I saved from the Springer that was dangling by the time I got back. The demo guys seemed less than concerned by my antics...the chase guy even commented on my cornering abilities.
Get what you want, but take the opportunity to ride it first if you have the chance...and ask yourself if you're ok with consistantly sacrificing that VERY expensive chrome. At least now I know first-hand why Harleys ride so slowly in the twisties...poor guys don't know what they're missing.
The new xr1200 though...now thats a different story.
(http://image.motorcyclecruiser.com/f/8772278/lg+harley_davidson_xr1200_sportster_prototype+right_rear.jpg)
+1000000000000000000000000 on the new XR1200 :bowdown:
I like that Harley says "Youll greet every straightaway with an egar grin"
:icon_lol: HAHAHA..
Cause it cant corner for $hit :icon_mrgreen:
A coworker let me test ride his v-rod a few weeks ago. The power delivery felt somewhat similar to my old SV1000, but with an extra 200 lbs or so. It was kinda fun, if you can get past riding a bike with you legs spread out so front of you as if you were giving birth :laugh:
Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 12, 2009, 08:39:43 AM
I like that Harley says "Youll greet every straightaway with an egar grin"
:icon_lol: HAHAHA..
Cause it cant corner for $hit :icon_mrgreen:
the 1200 custom i rode during a demo didn't have any problems in corners or turns. of course, i'm not trying to drag a knee either. different bikes for different purposes. :dunno_white:
Yea... I know my ACE doesnt corner like the GS... I just thought it was funny. I never hear anyone say, Lets go out and hit the straight roads :icon_twisted: Harley or not :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: jserio on May 12, 2009, 09:19:33 AM
Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 12, 2009, 08:39:43 AM
I like that Harley says "Youll greet every straightaway with an egar grin"
:icon_lol: HAHAHA..
Cause it cant corner for $hit :icon_mrgreen:
ehh youd be surprised by the anti harley people here man btw the vrod also has the oil within the frame
the 1200 custom i rode during a demo didn't have any problems in corners or turns. of course, i'm not trying to drag a knee either. different bikes for different purposes. :dunno_white:
specs on it say it weighs between 600-700lbs. it really didn't feel like it when i pulled it up off the side-stand. i'm told that's due to the way the bike was designed. i've sat on road kings before that weigh roughly the same abount and they felt like freaking hogs. (no pun intended :icon_mrgreen: )
Quote from: jserio on May 13, 2009, 09:54:47 AM
specs on it say it weighs between 600-700lbs. it really didn't feel like it when i pulled it up off the side-stand. i'm told that's due to the way the bike was designed. i've sat on road kings before that weigh roughly the same abount and they felt like freaking hogs. (no pun intended :icon_mrgreen: )
my dyna weighs around 800 soaking wet, and I don't have any trouble handling it. Im only about 5'7 and 160 lbs. I will say though that the front end tends to flop around on the corners, almost like it has a massive rake on it. If you decide to go the harley route, be wary of the 21in front wheels, they completely change the handling dynamics. But like I say, I haven't found any trouble handling bike, I've dropped in the grass and picked it right back up without much strain. :dunno_white:
handle better or worse with the 21in wheels?
Quote from: jserio on May 13, 2009, 12:57:19 PM
handle better or worse with the 21in wheels?
probably worse.
my fat bob has 16 front and rear with a big fat front tire and it handles awesome
my brother just bought a street bob, it has a slightly narrower, 19incher, and i dont think it handles as well as mine.
but that could just be its goofy handlebars talking...
did not even open the link..its a hog...they all suck
Open and read before you hate Eh?, :thumb:
how many have YOU personally ridden frankie? or owned? hmmmm????? like hating spinach without ever trying it. :cookoo: i've only ridden 2, and neither of them felt like crappy bikes. ride was smooth. power was enough for me. bikes handled well enough. ridding position was comfortable. and here's the most important....all of this matters TO ME!!! i'm not buying a bike to please frankie. i personally think the gs500f isn't the right fit for me. but i'm not gonna bash your bike and say it's a piece of crap just because i don't think it's the bike for me. it's about the ride, not what you ride.
Harleys are very well designed bikes.
Dry sump oiling, seperate engine/trans/primary drive oils, awesome transmissions, good fuel injection, very low maintenance.
I cant say enough good things about them.
and a good rider on an 883 sporty will keep up with a GS500 any day of the week - and yes im talking about corners too.
i watched a show, "ultimate factories" and one episode was the v-rod factory. it was a really cool show. :thumb:
Quote from: jserio on May 22, 2009, 01:58:04 PM
i watched a show, "ultimate factories" and one episode was the v-rod factory. it was a really cool show. :thumb:
oh ya ive seen that one a few times
i love me some robo-welders
Quote from: jdanna on May 22, 2009, 01:18:11 PM
Harleys are very well designed bikes.
Dry sump oiling, seperate engine/trans/primary drive oils, awesome transmissions, good fuel injection, very low maintenance.
I cant say enough good things about them.
and a good rider on an 883 sporty will keep up with a GS500 any day of the week - and yes im talking about corners too.
Yes ... very much so. However they do have a pretty huge design flaw (single wrist pin and siamese connecting rods) as well as some serious design limitations (push rods).
They also suffer from other problems, like the heavy cranks and massive counter weights needed to make it that slow revving potato - potato sound eventually wears the cases into an egg shaped hole, the vibrations get all the body parts loose ... endless list ...
Harleys are basically a great process, great manufacturing technology and good looks wrapped around a huge list of problems that were introduced at the design stage. The best aspect is, harley has convinced their current customer (the lawyers, the doctors, the accountants) that the 1000 monthly repair bill is actually good, and that's how reliable the "best bikes" are. Besides, none of them ride.
The fewer big parts are hammering around inside your bike, the better it is for you. if you got great process etc etc etc, imagine how much better it will be without this design problem.
Cool.
Buddha.