So, a busy week on the motorcycle shopping front.
Over the past week I was able to ride a few models. Thursday was a super easy day to ride several in one visit during a bike night at my nearby dealership. Surprisingly, for the 2nd time I've experienced, the sales guy seemed more eager for me to go for a test ride than I did lol. While most of us would say "Duh...they want you to buy a bike", from my 10+ years in the Sportbike world, I've NEVER been able to test ride at any of the 'big' dealerships. Only Letko Cycles (before they moved to Martin City) was I offered to go for a ride. And even then, I arrived on my 600RR.
Thus far, the two HD dealerships I've visited in town, has been an exceptional experience. Though I'm not intimidated by dealerships having been around that block before, I would think that even a novice or first timer would feel comfortable.
Having said all that....on with my thoughts on some bikes.
I was able to ride a Street Bob, Wide Glide, Fat Boy, Night Train, and Seventy in that order.
Overall, the 'big' bikes were great. Fun to ride, and LOTs of torque. 6th gears were nice on the highway. Street Bob - did NOT like the mid mount controls. Though, very easily replaced to install forward controls. Did NOT like the Fat Boy. WHile the power and torque there was plenty, and it's weight and large front tire made for a nice ride on the highway, I didn't like how 'big' it felt in the city. I really liked the Dynas and they would be a great chocie......
But the winner is: HD Seventy Two. Wow. Ok, so we know I like the bobber look, and have a boner for the old school flake etc. I rode this bike last.
Of late, I had been considering going with a bigger bike for a 6th gear, and just overall practicality etc. Welp......**** that shit. I swung my leg ver the 72, and it felt tiny. I thought 'yep;.....a little small" before I started it up. Fired up, and off we went. That's where the fun begins. The bike is SO nimble. Flicks into turns with ease. And unlike a few times of scraping the pipes during some turns on the Dynas, the 72 seemed to easily lean in much further.
In the saddle, the 72 is skinny, skinny, skinnny. I think it's about 110lbs lighter than the other bikes, and the 1200cc puts you back into your seat. Or in this case, almost 'off' of your seat. The little bobber seat didn't hold my ass on during hard acceleration lol. But, I got used to it very quickly. I can tell, around town, this thing will get up and MOVE!
Onto the highway. This is where one of my biggest concerns were. Though I don't plan on taking large hauls for extended periods of time on the highway at speed, I was worried about 5th being too short. My V-Star 650 would be hummin' on the highway. Surprisingly, the 5th on the 1200 motor was not bad at ALL at 70; even 80. While the motor would run at 80+ all day long with zero problems, it would be a bit of work for long rides at that speed. Primarly because of the 72 being tiny, and light (comparatively speaking), skinny front wheel. But I could seriously do 45-60 minutes a pop in the saddle at 70-ish with not problem. Hell, after about an hour in the saddle on any bike I've owned, I'm ready for a break.
Obviously, the most impractical aspect of the 72 is the peanut tank. Probably expect about 100 miles per tank depending on how your throttle hand behaves. However, back to my general 'my ass is ready for a break' time of 45 minutes or so anyway, it wouldn't be a problem.
THe 10" apes on the particular bike I rode, had the bars basically following the rake of the front end. My arms would definitely benefit from rotating them slightly more forward. But these adjustments would be made to any bike for the riders tastes.
When I rolled back into the dealership, my brother had arrived at this point (he's also shopping). Knowing I was a fan of the 72's looks and apprehension of the 5th gear and overall size, he asked "So....how was it". I had a huge shit eating grin on my face and said "Man. this thing is FUN". Personally, for the riding I plan on doing, the 72 kicks ass. WAY more maneuverable at low speed / parking lot speed. It seemed like the bars would achieve steering lock further than the 'big' bikes. Not sure if it's a fact, but it felt like it. The bikes size, and weight, added to the maneuverability.
Overall - the 72 wins for me. And would encourage anyone who rides in the city, doesn't take long long road trips, and doesn't ride two up often, to check them out.
I'm headed out tomorrow morning to look at one again up north at Worth; and a Rawhide. Both have been hounding me so I could use that to my advantage. The sales guy at Rawhide made the mistake of casually mentioning to my brother and I long after the ride that "These are the hardest bikes to sell". and the sales guy at Worth said "We need to get these 2013s out of here. We get 2 bikes from HD for the next model year for each one they sell". Worth had probably 15 in stock in the 2013 year; and Rawhide only two. Benefit of Rawhide is they have the Blue that I like. Worth has the flaked colors. I LOVE the silver flake paint scheme, but it's only in the '14 line. The Green Flake looks sick, as well as the Gold/rusty looking color. Getting any of the candy flake paint jobs, would definitely be a 'look at me' scenario lol. I was riding a yellow one and get tons of looks. Almost a 'what the **** is that"? kind of look lol
MSRP on these is about 10.6k - 11k (depending on paint). Worth mentioned a smokin' deal on the '13's o get rid of them; something in the range of sub-10k. I'm betting they would let them go for 9k - 9.5k; at least that's what I"m shooting for, given the number of 2013s left and with winter approaching.
So....I could possibly be riding again tomorrow on my own ride
Stay tuned.