Seems a little quiet in here, so I though I'd throw something out there.
Just back from an awesome ride throughout Middle Tennessee. Great day. Saw many a rider out today. Most seemed to really be enjoying themselves. Well except, you know. The typical hard-ass grim faced bad-ass H-D guy. It'd suck to go through life with such a 'tude. Anyway, I had a grea time!
Happy New Year everyone and ride safe.
__________________ Mike '03 Ducati ST4s Nashville AMA-262640
Riding around on New Years Day sound like the perfect hangover remedy. Never mind the HD guys. For the most part its just the bad ass image they want to project. They usually are riding for different reasons than you and I. Just wave as you pass them and don't get upset if they don't wave back. Most of them will wave back as long as their bad ass friends arn't watching.
I did a Polar Bear Run of 110 miles New Year's Day here in Virginia. It was cold - high of 53F, but the bike ran great and it felt really good to be out riding. There were 20 of us total and we had a great time.
The electric vest came in handy but it just doesn't have enough output for this low a temperature. On the ST my arms are kind of out in the wind and they were getting cold. So I ordered an electric jacket liner, 100 watts, from Heat Troller. The Aerostich electric vest is only 45 watts, and again, no arms. It's fine for all but the really cold weather.
The leather jacket, pants, boots, and gloves blocked the wind, but the cold got through the arms after about an hour.
All in all it was a great way to start the year. The ST4R runs great and is always a blast to ride especially in a group. It seems to pull a little harder in the cold (or when it's been a while since the last ride). In this case, being out of the country (Italy) for the past 6 weeks on business this was the first ride since October. The ST felt really fast. I love this bike.
When the ride was over I added more Sta-Bil to the gas and filled it up right to the top. Rode home and hooked up the Battery Tender, and then closed and locked the garage door. It'll be a while before we see nice temps again.
But if we see another 50F day... I'll be out there for a few hours.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
HD guys do definitely ride for a different reason. Most of the time it's not an issue and just like mentioned above they are normal people doing what they want to do for fun. Usually they wave back.
But be careful. Did have a really ugly incident with a group of HD guys this past fall coming back from my vacation in the Rockies. I did a few runs through the Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Road and since it was late afternoon in mid-September there was hardly anyone around. After a late lunch I was coming up the highway to get to the Iron Mountain Rd and I did pass about eight bikes, a few of them two up on a steep grade with four lanes and some curves. No big deal. A couple of the gals were riding their own but really looked like novices. They were going very slow - well under the speed limit - and there was lots of room to pass.
Once I got on to Iron Mtn Rd I was moving along at a relatively quick but eminently smooth pace. I stopped on the side of the road to go walk on a trail I had seen. About 10-15 minutes later the whole group I had passed came along and pulled over to where my bike was so I wandered back over there just in case because there looked like there was a problem.
Couldn't believe it. Wound up getting hassled because they thought I was going too fast. Half a dozen guys and four women - all over 40 yrs old and all with Nebraska plates. No reasoning with them and of course they had big numbers on their side to make them more right and more aggressive.
__________________
2008 1098
2003 ST4S-ABS
Corbin seat w/br
+3" Zero Gravity
Ducati Designs headlight
New in 2005 are the following:
- Staintune stainless exhaust
- Spidi Ergo Jacket & pants
Good to get out. I think I'm on a four or five year streak of a nice New Year's Day ride. Will come across all kinds of H-D riders. I'm one myself. If they have an attitude or don't wave back.. their problem or issue. Most are fine and fun. During the winter here, everyone waves. It is a small and exclusive club .
From New Year's Day two years ago on the Peak-to-Peak Highway just south of Estes Park, Colorado...
I got out about 5 times over Christmas break, if the weathers is >40F I'll ride.
I used to own a HD, but one of my pet peeves was all the waving. I don't mean to be anti-social, but there are so many HDs on the road during the summer in this area you spend all day waving. And then there are the times you're out on the highway, 6 lanes of traffic and 100’ of grass between you and the other HD. and they're waving like you're a long lost brother. It's nice being on the Duc, I don't have to wave as much .
I learned that riding a HD you're riding a name and not a great bike. The shame of it is, that in my youth the HD riders were some of the most knowledgeable and experienced riders on bikes and now it’s the complete opposite. I know guys with HDs that have never ridin in the rain, never at night, nver in the cold; they scare the hell out of me. When I announced to a few HD acquaintances that I was buying a duc, I actually got the "a du-whati?”, "how do you spell it?". It was even funneir when I sold the RK to a hardcore HD nut, I got utter disdain for my choice of prefered motorcycles.
I learned that riding a HD you're riding a name and not a great bike.
Not there on this. It is a cruiser, and for this purpose... the looks, the fit/finish, the exhaust note, the in-the-bike ergos, H-D delivers unlike most competing cruisers. H-D understands the needs and interests of the cruising rider well and their product nails it.
Not there on this. It is a cruiser, and for this purpose... the looks, the fit/finish, the exhaust note, the in-the-bike ergos, H-D delivers unlike most competing cruisers. H-D understands the needs and interests of the cruising rider well and their product nails it.
You've got part of it right - HD nailed the look and the exhaust note but beyond that they miss the mark on just about everything else. The Goldwing and BMW out class any of the touring HDs in every category, except perhaps exhaust note. Victory, Goldstar, Superstar, VTX all have better power plants, tranies, hp, faster, lighter, better braking, balance and maneuverability than any of the HD ST or Dyna class cruisers. We won’t go into the sportster (augh). I'd be hard pressed to name a cruiser that was heavier, slower, lower engine output than a HD. The soft tail is a miserable setup for rider and passenger and the Dyna isn't much better. To show how important looks are, the routing of the pipes is more important than the cornering capability of the bike. For example the Dyna routes a steel support for the passenger foot peg under the exhaust. It's a real determent to cornering, when you hit something solid like that you feel it.
Let's talk about braking; HD still has a number of models with single disks on the front. If there was ever a bike that needed ABS it's a HD. The rear locks up so easily in wet conditions. But again, that would take away from the HD mystique, wouldn't want safety in the equation. People that wear head-to-toe leather and no helmet will be quick to tell you that safety isn't cool.
The Road King is considered one of the most comfortable HD rides. But my RK used to kill my ass and back after just a couple of hours. You’re in such an upright position that all of the weight and stress is on the lower back. I'd need a crane to get off the RK after just 3 hours. I can ride all day on my ST3 with no back pain. I had the RK for two years and yeah it looked great, but after the brief honeymoon period all I could think is I spent $20K for this but wtf did I really get other than a name?
The weather has been warmer than usual here in the Hill Country of South Texas the first week of 2006, so I left the ST in her stall and took out the RC51 for a little trip to Waltonia...more a state of mind than an actual place...and those big side-mounted radiators warm the hands nicely...who needs heated grips?
Way to go Walt!
Been warm up here too (off and on). Did a little fishing on the 2nd, but been riding too. Heading out tomorrow. Still only have my ST4s. But am looking for a small fire-road bike. Like a KLR, or KL250, etc...
__________________ Mike '03 Ducati ST4s Nashville AMA-262640
You've got part of it right - HD nailed the look and the exhaust note but beyond that they miss the mark on just about everything else. The Goldwing and BMW out class any of the touring HDs in every category, except perhaps exhaust note. Victory, Goldstar, Superstar, VTX all have better power plants, tranies, hp, faster, lighter, better braking, balance and maneuverability than any of the HD ST or Dyna class cruisers.
What you note above is not critical for cruising.... better engines, trannies, lighter, faster, etc. Nice, but not critical. For many, the bike going 115mph is fast enough. The trannies are rock solid and dependable. Good enough. 99% of roads aren't twisty. Your list would be appropriate for more sporting/performance applications, but they aren't cruising rider must haves. Harley research knows this. They know what does matter. The marketplace is evidence.
Still, Motorcycle Consumer News, a lover of BMW's, Hondas, and other metrics noted this about the H-D Softails...
Unlike Harleys of the past, these Softails go, turn and stop well -- not just "for Harleys," but just plain well. At a time when Japanese sportbikes are upping the performance ante beyond our wildest dreams, it's a shame that its cruisers have been dumbed down almost beyond recognition. And it's nice to see a bike like the Deuce. It offers all the styling and resale value Milwaukee is famous for while putting its Japanese competition to shame in an arena they otherwise dominate. So pick up the ball Japan. If you thought that cruiser riders only cared about looks, Harley-Davidson is a step ahead of you... again."
Not sure what upgrades MCNews was referring to on the ST, but there hasn't been any significant change in setup on any of the HD lines for several years. Perhaps in their opinion the new big rear tire on the Duece gives better breaking, but the addition is more for show and it isn't going to help handling.
When I talk about maneuverability and braking on this class bike it's not about twisties, it's about that 30Mph cruise down Main Street and the shit hits the fan. Why does a 730lb bike get two disks up front and a 680lb bike only get one? Why if you try to swerve you ground something solid like a frame support? Why not introduce ABS to prevent rear wheel lock up? And it’s about time they finally got a 6 speed transmission on some of the stock bikes.
With HD it's not about what's right for the rider, it’s about what bling will bring in the sale. This is a single market demographic that doesn't comparison shop. As long this blind allegiance exists, HD will never have to pony up safety related options. IMO riding a HD is all about the name and being cool.
BTW, HD "research" is an oxymoron. The only great achievement in recent history was the V-ROD, but the engine and styling was designed by Porsche.
And it’s about time they finally got a 6 speed transmission on some of the stock bikes.
IMO riding a HD is all about the name and being cool.
The only great achievement in recent history was the V-ROD, but the engine and styling was designed by Porsche.
- The Dynas have 6 speed transmission stock this year. How many other cruiser makes have six speed trannies? Honda? Nope. Suz? Nope. Yam? Nope. Kaw? Nope.
- Many ride BMW, Ducati, Aprilia, You name it... for "the name and being cool".
- H-D had a consultative role on the liquid cooled, VR derived engine, and if you think they designed the V-Rod you are very mistaken.
Your anti H-D bias gets in the way of objective presentation.
Slow Group
runs great and is always a blast to ride especially in a group. It seems to pull a little harder in the cold (or when it's been a while since the last ride). In this case, being out of the country (Italy) for the past 6 weeks on business this was the first ride since October. The ST felt really fast. I love this bike. 
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