Lauren_TK
Well-known member
I've never been a fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I do not like the way the look, I think they are too loud, and I think you pay for more than you get. I never understood the point of them.
Until this weekend.
The 2014 Harley-Davidson Electraglide Ultra transformed me into the Empress of Asphault. I was ensconsed on the 103 cubic-inch twin cam throne. My tarmac domain stretched out in front of me.
I had test ridden a Harley-Davidson before, and I was surprised by it. It was very well ballanced. Even at very low speed, keeping the bike perpendicular was as easy as strolling down the sidewalk. The first test ride was less than 10 minutes, so it wasn't a complete data point. That test ride was not enough to convince me there is a reason for the Harley-Davidson.
Last week, were were in the dealership exchanging Shel's boots (again), and the sales people started chatting me up about all the improvements on the 2014 model of the Electraglide. On Sunday, when the replacement boots came in, I let them talk me into a second test ride. By "talk me into," I really mean, "they offered to let me take the bike for a couple of hours."
Shel followed me as we went hither, thither, and yon. When we got onto I-90 Eastbound, I began to understand what the Harley is all about. When we got to the point where the speed limit was increased to 70, I knew what the Harley is about. The bike was in its element. I could have sat there for hours. Rolling down the Interstates is where the Harley belongs.
Unfortunately, to get to the Interstates you have to go through city streets. There, the Harley is far less impressive. When idling, I felt like I was on one of those message chairs where the top setting is too high, and the switch was stuck in that position. Shel remarked that the top-box shook massively at traffic lights.
Worse, the clutch is heavy. It is stiffer than a hard foam stress ball. After a few blocks, my hand was getting tired. By the end of our ride, my hand positively started to ache. The shifter also feels needlessly stiff. That may be because the bike only had 70 miles on it--just over 100 when were were finished--and it needs to be broken in.
I like twisites, and the Harley doesn't seem to like them nearly as well. I never thought I would ride a bike where the counter-steering felt heavy. Imagine pushing an oar through a silky-smooth, super-premium, extra-thick, milkshake. It felt like that. Yielding, but only just. It didn't feel tight or restricted, just heavy. This made the bike feel lazy in the corners.
Of course, the bike itself felt heavy. It should. Part of the reason the bike can coddle you along the interstate is because of its mass. However, I was still aware of the mass every moment I was on the bike--even at 70 miles an hour.
In short, I won't be buying a Harley-Davidson any time soon. However, I now know why they call Harley-Davidson the king of the road.
Until this weekend.
The 2014 Harley-Davidson Electraglide Ultra transformed me into the Empress of Asphault. I was ensconsed on the 103 cubic-inch twin cam throne. My tarmac domain stretched out in front of me.
I had test ridden a Harley-Davidson before, and I was surprised by it. It was very well ballanced. Even at very low speed, keeping the bike perpendicular was as easy as strolling down the sidewalk. The first test ride was less than 10 minutes, so it wasn't a complete data point. That test ride was not enough to convince me there is a reason for the Harley-Davidson.
Last week, were were in the dealership exchanging Shel's boots (again), and the sales people started chatting me up about all the improvements on the 2014 model of the Electraglide. On Sunday, when the replacement boots came in, I let them talk me into a second test ride. By "talk me into," I really mean, "they offered to let me take the bike for a couple of hours."
Shel followed me as we went hither, thither, and yon. When we got onto I-90 Eastbound, I began to understand what the Harley is all about. When we got to the point where the speed limit was increased to 70, I knew what the Harley is about. The bike was in its element. I could have sat there for hours. Rolling down the Interstates is where the Harley belongs.
Unfortunately, to get to the Interstates you have to go through city streets. There, the Harley is far less impressive. When idling, I felt like I was on one of those message chairs where the top setting is too high, and the switch was stuck in that position. Shel remarked that the top-box shook massively at traffic lights.
Worse, the clutch is heavy. It is stiffer than a hard foam stress ball. After a few blocks, my hand was getting tired. By the end of our ride, my hand positively started to ache. The shifter also feels needlessly stiff. That may be because the bike only had 70 miles on it--just over 100 when were were finished--and it needs to be broken in.
I like twisites, and the Harley doesn't seem to like them nearly as well. I never thought I would ride a bike where the counter-steering felt heavy. Imagine pushing an oar through a silky-smooth, super-premium, extra-thick, milkshake. It felt like that. Yielding, but only just. It didn't feel tight or restricted, just heavy. This made the bike feel lazy in the corners.
Of course, the bike itself felt heavy. It should. Part of the reason the bike can coddle you along the interstate is because of its mass. However, I was still aware of the mass every moment I was on the bike--even at 70 miles an hour.
In short, I won't be buying a Harley-Davidson any time soon. However, I now know why they call Harley-Davidson the king of the road.
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