Neighbor traded up to a new Harley because of my XS

[CatatonicBug]

My neighbor is one of those stereotypical biker guys. Tattoos, shaved head, turtle-shell helmet, all that stuff...

Anyway, he and his SWMBO both ride hardleys, and last spring, he bought her a sportster for her birthday. He's been riding a DynaGlide. He's been watching me put my MNS together for the last year, and has evidently been envious of the full-bagger setup I've put together (even though it's 30 years old). They trailered their bikes about a week ago and went camping. He came back today with one bike on the trailer (the Dyna) and he was riding a new, $22,500 Hardley Ultraglide!! Evidently, he traded in her Sportster and gave her the Dyna (she's trading up, I suppose).

The Ultraglide really is a nice bike though. Complete fly-by-wire, real cruise control, full bagger. He rode it up to his side yard to put it in the back yard for the night, and hit a bump of dirt, where he proptly laid it over on the crash bars... Thankfully, it didn't go over all the way, but it's one heck of a big bike. I still can't figure out why Hardley doesn't use the fixed fairing on their "top-of-the-line" bike. It's still fork mounted...

[red bandit]

That's what I like about where I live. I don't have to look at my neighbors crap!

[Wildkat]

That's what I like about where I live. I don't have to look at my neighbors crap!

No doubt!
You know you've made it when they actually bury it...
lol

[trbig]

I still can't figure out why Hardley doesn't use the fixed fairing on their "top-of-the-line" bike. It's still fork mounted...

It's a toss up. I have my fairing frame mounted which has a lot less affect on steering during windy days, but on some twisty roads at night, it would be nice to have a headlight pointing to where I was going like the fork mounted fairings do.


Tod

[DiverRay]

The DO use a fixed fairing, just give the model a different set of letters. I rented a 2008 RoadGlide (I think it's the proper name) in Hawaii. It had the fixed fairing, electronic everything, "big" engine, and ALL the bells and whistles!! It was also the first one I've ridden that I would consider buying WHEN I WIN THE LOTTERY! I don't have the $27K plus 9% sales tax plus 5% registration!

[Bigfoot]

It's a toss up. I have my fairing frame mounted which has a lot less affect on steering during windy days, but on some twisty roads at night, it would be nice to have a headlight pointing to where I was going like the fork mounted fairings do.


Tod

Unless you are going as slow as some of the harleys in the twisties, would that really help? Since you are leaning the bike and countersteering to go around the corner, wouldn't the headlight still be straight ahead, just like a frame mounted fairing?

[Ivan]

Unless you are going as slow as some of the harleys in the twisties, would that really help? Since you are leaning the bike and countersteering to go around the corner, wouldn't the headlight still be straight ahead, just like a frame mounted fairing?

I have trouble with it pointing at the ground when pushing hard around city street corners at night. Nothing like having 5 feet of light in front of you at 30 mph.

[DenyP]

I was killing time between appointments the other day. I hit the Yamaha / Honda / Kawasaki / Suzuki dealership Set on a bunch of bikes etc. Still had another hour to kill so I went into a Harley dealership. It's hard to believe but they list 54 mpg hiway on those big buggers. They gota be stretching it a bit.

Deny

[Geezer]

I have trouble with it pointing at the ground when pushing hard around city street corners at night. Nothing like having 5 feet of light in front of you at 30 mph.

Try a different brand of headlight. Years ago I bought an expensive Cibie headlight and when I leaned into a corner, all my light was on the ground like you describe. My bother bought a cheap Hella head light and on low beam his light threw a pattern that was like riding in a tube. You still had light when leaned over. I put that Cibie in my truck and put a Hella in my bike. This is one case where do don't get what you pay for...

Geezer

[Ivan]

Try a different brand of headlight. Years ago I bought an expensive Cibie headlight and when I leaned into a corner, all my light was on the ground like you describe. My bother bought a cheap Hella head light and on low beam his light threw a pattern that was like riding in a tube. You still had light when leaned over. I put that Cibie in my truck and put a Hella in my bike. This is one case where do don't get what you pay for...

Geezer

Well, I bought one of those high power Sullivan H4 bulbs that fits the stock lens.

Any suggestions? The previous bulb had the same problem.

[Geezer]

It's not the bulb, it's the lens and reflector. Since you have a special, you can swap in any 7" round headlight.

Geezer

[trbig]

It's hard to believe but they list 54 mpg hiway on those big buggers. They gota be stretching it a bit.

I have a buddy with a big full dresser Road King with a barcolounger on the back... and with him and his girlfriend, he consistently gets @ 52 mpg. I'm sure it would do a bit better with him by himself... but that bike doesn't move without her on the back! lol.


Tod

[oseaghdha]

Try a different brand of headlight. Years ago I bought an expensive Cibie headlight and when I leaned into a corner, all my light was on the ground like you describe. My bother bought a cheap Hella head light and on low beam his light threw a pattern that was like riding in a tube. You still had light when leaned over. I put that Cibie in my truck and put a Hella in my bike. This is one case where do don't get what you pay for...

Geezer

I don't know which one you got but the one I have is pretty awesome.
It throws some serious fire with a 70/55 watt bulb, no cornering problems that I have noticed.

[Crazcnuk]

"It's hard to believe but they list 54 mpg hiway on those big buggers"

I have two friends with Ultra-Classics, the 2008 one gets 50+ on our imp gallons, the 2009 gets in the low to mid 40s.
Not hard to beleive when you consider how little power they make with a 1500cc motor. That and they really slow down on hills in 6th gear...

[jetmechmarty]

I've been told the Harley is the best thing to tour on. The gas mileage doesn't hurt. If you break down on a trip, they have dealers all over the place and move you to the head of the line. A colleague was riding to Sturgis from Atlanta with a buddy whose engine grenaded along the way. He lost only one day and $2500 for an overhaul. There's something to be said for that, like Harleys or not.