Another new (to me) bike!

[T99Ford]

After doing a little wrangline around, I finally ended up with a big road bike for the wife and I to do a little two up on. Bags, ride, and all the rest, I found a deal on this that I could not pass up:



I have to admit that I love it. Certainly not as sporty as the 11, or as fast, but it certainly rides in style. The mini apes are gone now, replaced with wide beach bars and stainless lines, with the wiring all routed internally. It is just low, wide, and long!

I'm gonna get flamed for it, but I can't help but kinda like it. Oh, and I even still wave at everybody, even those on metric bikes!

[my79is2bad]

I like it, even the paint. but needs a lil backrest for the "passenger"

[Elevener]

Oh how the mighty have fallen. And this from the guy who thought two bike was enough.

[T99Ford]

Ha ha! I don't think I will ever just have two bikes. But after riding this, I also don't think I will ever just own Harley. It is nice for its specific purpose, but I will always need something with great cornering and speed abilities! It takes half a mile to turn this around! I am now just adding specific "tools" to my riding repertoire!

So if the fairings ever come for the FZ, the wife has a sport bike, I have one, and then we have this for longer trips. She actually preferred to not have the sissy bar on the back unless we go on a really long trip. Fine with me, since I am not really a fan of the look. The one that was on it kind of went the way of the windshield--into the back closet!

[jetmechmarty]

I could do that, if I ever found one comfortable. I think most Harleys are made for short people. I like the idea of their huge dealer network when touring. Brent is nearing 200K nearly trouble free miles on his '02 Road King. I can't knock it.

The XS11 Special is a much more capable cruiser on a winding road. For me, it's more comfy as well.

[T99Ford]

I am not overly tall, but at 6' it fits me pretty well. The seat and that riding position are more comfortable for longer stuff than the 1100 seat was, but I think in that realm one is in the area of personal preference. For twisty riding, the 1100 would beat this thing hands down. It just does not have the ground clearance to maneuver.

[jwhughes3]

i really like it...

Couldn't spend that kind of cash on one (I do live here you know) but I like the full fender and whitewalls.. old skool


Congrats.

John

(harboring jealousy and resentment in silence)

[T99Ford]

The old skool look is what I really dug about this bike. I dropped the bars (to the tune of $500) to get a little better profile, and made the pillion quick attach, so show off all that rear fender. Looks long and low now, so I am happy. Still in sticker shock about it, though. Not like a $20 XS bar change...



With my boss's springer

[Rickrod3]

Congrats on the bike

You have to give to Harley there due. There cruiser style is unique and cool.

Although they have had there rough patches they have been around over 100yrs.

But man $500.00 for bars do they come with a motor? Just kidding.

Enjoy the bike its a beauty.

Rick

[T99Ford]

The bar change is brutal. That price was bars, cables, brake lines, grips, gaskets, transmission oil, and brake fluid. It was a radical enough change that it needed all new cable lengths. It looks way better, though, and now the wiring is all internal in the bar. Looks, and feels, way better--cough, cough!

[jwhughes3]

heck - you spend that kinda dough..

$500 is nothing...

And given all involved sounds justified - looks even better now... have I told you I harbor intense jealousy for you

Enjoy...

John

[Rickrod3]

The bar change is brutal. That price was bars, cables, brake lines, grips, gaskets, transmission oil, and brake fluid. It was a radical enough change that it needed all new cable lengths. It looks way better, though, and now the wiring is all internal in the bar. Looks, and feels, way better--cough, cough!

That's not so bad you got your monies worth.
Enjoy

Rick

[crazy steve]

The old skool look is what I really dug about this bike. I dropped the bars (to the tune of $500) to get a little better profile...

$500 to change bars! You need to get away from the stealer... seriously.

Being a long-term HD owner (10 years plus), I've found that shopping around can save a ton of money. I rarely buy parts from the dealer, and remember you now have a huge parts well to draw from, with lots of sellers competing for your buck. A lot of Harley's accessories are simply rebranded bits from other aftermarket sellers (with that all-important bar and shield put on) so don't limit yourself.

While not a fan of slopt... er, I mean softails, they are a pretty bike and do make good tourers. Enjoy!

Over on the Sportster list, this is known as 'going to the dark side...'

[ManitoulinLad]

Looks great

I think the bike looks awesome! Love the fishtail exhaust. Would like fishtails on my xs1100. Have the header & crossover from an xj just have to get the $$ to get the fishtails & nerve to get rid of the 4 into one that I really love & try to make it all fit. Great bike man! - Dan

[T99Ford]

Thanks bud! I really dig the retro looks and feel of the whole thing. For its specific purpose, it works really well. I could not, however, deal with the tractor style turn indicators anymore, so I have since chanaged to these:





Samson actually makes those fishtails out to 39 inches, mine are 28's. Gives a real lead sled look to the bike. I don't know if I am that extreme, but these sound really cool.