Friday morning arrived with warmth and sunshine to greet me as I rolled the FJR out of the garage. I sure like summers in Seattle because contrary to the perception that it constantly rains, we actually see the sun during the summer. But Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone or else more people will move to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and make our commutes even worse than they already are.
I was getting a late start because my destination didn’t open until 10am and also to avoid the afore mentioned horrible traffic. One hour after leaving home I arrived at the Harley dealership. Feeling like a spy sneaking into the lair of the enemy, I parked my FJR in the locked service area for a restless night among the clattering chrome tractors.
I received some strange looks from the Hardley Ableson faithful. I can’t figure out why. Maybe it was this T-shirt I was wearing? J
Some quick paperwork and a REQUIRED ride in the parking lot to demonstrate that I could handle that awesome V-Twin power and I was off on my “24 hours on a Harley” journey.
Riding a cruiser style bike always throws me for a loop. Who thought it was a good idea to have your feet out in front of you anyway? It takes some serious thought to ensure I don’t try to plant my feet below me!
Thanks to Niehart for a route suggestion down Ben Howard road between Monroe and Sultan. This is a nice twisty ribbon of asphalt through farmland. I immediately notice that it takes more effort to get that HOG leaned over in a turn. This came into play when I came around a corner to find a little squirrel sitting in the middle of my travel lane. I felt the slight thump as I rolled that Milwaukee Iron overtop of said poor critter. I looked for it on my return down the road, but it was gone. I figure that either an eagle had lunch or I only winged it and it drug itself off the road. Slightly disappointed that I couldn’t get a picture of the Harley’s first kill I continued down the road.
Forget making any feet up U turns on these narrow country roads. I suppose I could practice and get there eventually, but I only have the bike for a day. Power is okay, but there’s no warp drive at full throttle like on my beloved FJR. The windshield is better than the stock FJR shield, but not as good as my Cee Bailey +2 flip screen.
For some reason the bike wanted to stop at every bar I came across. And after riding for 40 miles I can understand why: my back was already experiencing discomfort from the awkward seating position that sent every bump jarring up my spine. I didn’t actually stop for beer like a real biker, but had to take the pictures as proof that I’m now a real barhopping biker.
Gotta watch out for critters while riding out here in the country. Especially really big critters like these.
I hear that hitting forest rats is to be avoided at all costs while riding motorcycles. Luckily someone else took care of this one before I got there.
Some more nice scenery I experienced on my ride include Mt Si near North Bend
And Mt Rainier in the background
The following morning the Hardley had to go back to the rental dealer. The wife rode pillion and was not impressed with the acceleration or suspension on the bike. She did like the radio and the fact that I seemed to be able to shift the big ‘ol HOG more smoothly than my FJR. Part of this was the backrest on the Hog, which minimizes her back and forth rock while shifting because she’s leaned back onto the rest and also the flywheel effect of the big twin keeps the rpm’s up during shifts.
Bottom line? It was an experience riding the Harley, but there ain’t no way I’m trading my Yamaha FJR for one!
I was getting a late start because my destination didn’t open until 10am and also to avoid the afore mentioned horrible traffic. One hour after leaving home I arrived at the Harley dealership. Feeling like a spy sneaking into the lair of the enemy, I parked my FJR in the locked service area for a restless night among the clattering chrome tractors.
I received some strange looks from the Hardley Ableson faithful. I can’t figure out why. Maybe it was this T-shirt I was wearing? J
Some quick paperwork and a REQUIRED ride in the parking lot to demonstrate that I could handle that awesome V-Twin power and I was off on my “24 hours on a Harley” journey.
Riding a cruiser style bike always throws me for a loop. Who thought it was a good idea to have your feet out in front of you anyway? It takes some serious thought to ensure I don’t try to plant my feet below me!
Thanks to Niehart for a route suggestion down Ben Howard road between Monroe and Sultan. This is a nice twisty ribbon of asphalt through farmland. I immediately notice that it takes more effort to get that HOG leaned over in a turn. This came into play when I came around a corner to find a little squirrel sitting in the middle of my travel lane. I felt the slight thump as I rolled that Milwaukee Iron overtop of said poor critter. I looked for it on my return down the road, but it was gone. I figure that either an eagle had lunch or I only winged it and it drug itself off the road. Slightly disappointed that I couldn’t get a picture of the Harley’s first kill I continued down the road.
Forget making any feet up U turns on these narrow country roads. I suppose I could practice and get there eventually, but I only have the bike for a day. Power is okay, but there’s no warp drive at full throttle like on my beloved FJR. The windshield is better than the stock FJR shield, but not as good as my Cee Bailey +2 flip screen.
For some reason the bike wanted to stop at every bar I came across. And after riding for 40 miles I can understand why: my back was already experiencing discomfort from the awkward seating position that sent every bump jarring up my spine. I didn’t actually stop for beer like a real biker, but had to take the pictures as proof that I’m now a real barhopping biker.
Gotta watch out for critters while riding out here in the country. Especially really big critters like these.
I hear that hitting forest rats is to be avoided at all costs while riding motorcycles. Luckily someone else took care of this one before I got there.
Some more nice scenery I experienced on my ride include Mt Si near North Bend
And Mt Rainier in the background
The following morning the Hardley had to go back to the rental dealer. The wife rode pillion and was not impressed with the acceleration or suspension on the bike. She did like the radio and the fact that I seemed to be able to shift the big ‘ol HOG more smoothly than my FJR. Part of this was the backrest on the Hog, which minimizes her back and forth rock while shifting because she’s leaned back onto the rest and also the flywheel effect of the big twin keeps the rpm’s up during shifts.
Bottom line? It was an experience riding the Harley, but there ain’t no way I’m trading my Yamaha FJR for one!
