Considering buying a hardtail. Thoughts?

[mrhammer2u]

It's bikes like this that give Harley owners a bad name....

You'll almost never see one like this in a tour group for the simple reason they're just not practical. For a 'look at me' bike or bar-hopper, sure, buy it. With the unsprung seat, the ride will be brutal on anything but real smooth roads. Run the rear tire soft (about 25 PSI), that's your suspension. It's got the 2 gallon peanut tank, so max range will be 100 miles or less; probably less, given the open pipes. The low seating position is hard on your back even with suspension.

Even at all that, that bike is still overpriced for what it is. Basically a lower-end Sportster with a custom frame, if I couldn't duplicate that bike for less than the asking price I'll turn in my tools....

Hardtail XS650's and are the rage right now. So I wouldn't just put HD owners in that bucket.

If you can make me that bike for $3k, you've got a sale! Cause I'm sure you wouldn't charge me labor

[Bikes]

They are fun to ride..a lot lighter and with no suspension, interesting to say the least.......I have a 'bad back', couple discs, like a lot of us but set up right they're not bad.....learn how to bend forward when a bridge joint comes up, stuff like that...I always wear a belt so, thats recommended....
I built this a few years ago...fat tires, sprung seat, a blast to ride....i had to learn to kick it with my left leg as my right knee is smoked......

[mrhammer2u]

Mark,
Now that's hitting all the cool factors! Tell me you still have it......

I imagine seat springs work different than swing arm shocks. The seat springs might launch you on a big unexpected bump...right?

[BA80]

They are fun to ride..a lot lighter and with no suspension, interesting to say the least.......I have a 'bad back', couple discs, like a lot of us but set up right they're not bad.....learn how to bend forward when a bridge joint comes up, stuff like that...I always wear a belt so, thats recommended....
I built this a few years ago...fat tires, sprung seat, a blast to ride....i had to learn to kick it with my left leg as my right knee is smoked......

All your answers in one post........

[Bikes]

Mark,
Now that's hitting all the cool factors! Tell me you still have it......

I imagine seat springs work different than swing arm shocks. The seat springs might launch you on a big unexpected bump...right?

No, Rob....she's gone.....probably the one I shoulda kept.....oh well.....
Seat springs are marginally effective.....but..something about a kick only, rigid frame, headlight/taillight, painfully fun to ride, bike....everyone should try it...

I will say my eleven is fast becoming a favorite bike to ride....the more I ride it the smoother it gets......sweet.......

[Prisoner6]

"Looking cool": $6,000



A pain-free back:



PRICELESS!

[rover]

hardtail

Prior to 1955, ALL the Harleys were hardtail, but with a big sprung seat. The hydraulic seat post on all of mine were worn out, so had to put up the passenger spring which made the seat very stiff and hard on the back. But, I was young and foolish back then. Now, I would not even consider a hardtail. To each his own.

[DiverRay]

As someone who tried a hardtail when young, I would say if the seat is NOT sprung, and the rear tire is NOT a large, high profile, DON'T! Without those two items, even with a belt you would be lucky to get 10 miles out, and then back home without a LOT of pain. I'm NOT saying don't get one, I am saying the one you are looking at was POORLY DESIGNED! Look around for a "donor bike" that runs well, like a cheap sportster or XS650, and talk with a local shop to have the hardtail build for you. I think you would be much happier, and it would not cost $6K!

[mrhammer2u]

It's not poorly designed, I'm sure it was purposely designed that way. Some people weld a steel pan to the frame....cause that's what they want. If function was the goal, they would not have stripped the half the bike down.

You've all talked me out of it. I had my doubts, but ya'll confirmed. I'm too old for this $h!t

[motoman]

It's not poorly designed, I'm sure it was purposely designed that way. Some people weld a steel pan to the frame....cause that's what they want. If function was the goal, they would not have stripped the half the bike down.

You've all talked me out of it. I had my doubts, but ya'll confirmed. I'm too old for this $h!t

With age comes better final decissions.

[Bikes]

With age comes better final decissions.

Well, yes but....BAD decisions make for good stories.....

[tomcos67]

Hard Tail...

Tough looking Bike!! It hurts just looking at it ....Good luck....

[hamjam]

http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/C...reak-115590588

or this
http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/C...stom-115456750

this will do you way better