CJ's Big Adventure

[cactusjack]

A couple of weeks ago, my buddy Tom asked if I'd do him a favor. He and his girlfriend wanted to get some professional portraits taken in a park with his motorcyle and he asked me to ride the bike to the park for them because they would be dressed up and didn't want to deal with helmet hair. I agreed. Well, today was the big day. I met them at their house and his gorgeous 2006 Road Glide was parked in the driveway. So I gave him the keys to my car and climbed on the RG. I hadn't ridden a Harley in maybe 15 years and it was my co-workers Sportster, so this was a little different.
Glide
First impressions - I noticed two things immediately. The Road Glide seemed light and small. When I stood it up to raise the side stand, I almost went over the other way! I'm used to a little more effort on my Nomad. By small, I mean it seemed much more compact. I fired it up and we went on our way, me following them. The tranny shifted like a bolt-action rifle. Just hit the lever and it was there. Real solid and smooth. The bike shook like a go-go dancer at idle, but it went away as soon as I twisted the throttle. The frame-mounted fairing was nice and it was odd to not hear the usual engine sounds I'm used to. The ride really was a smooth as butter. One thing that kinda messed me up is the left turn signal button is on the left grip and the right button is on the right grip. There were probably 6 buttons on each switch housing and I didn't mess with any of them other than the turn signals.

I had to ride it about 10 miles to a park near my office, where I got back in my car and went on my way. It was a lot of fun to ride another bike for a change. I even wore my HD t-shirt for the full effect.

I'm going to go ride my Nomad now - minus the HD shirt.

[blowndodge]

Yet another man caught cheating on his Nomad!!! "Nice in the sack, but I'm going home to my Nomad". SHAME ON YOU CJ!!!

[dogdoc]

+1, :-(

[cactusjack]

What do you guys want me to say? Should I lie and say the bike was a piece of junk and I spent every minute of that ride fearing for my life? It's a nice bike - honestly.

[rksaw]

I think that many of us would agree that HD makes a good product, it is just WAY over priced. I, for one, am more interested in the ride than the "image", but if money were not the issue, I think that I would look at the new Indians first, then HD.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by rksaw

I think that many of us would agree that HD makes a good product, it is just WAY over priced. I, for one, am more interested in the ride than the "image", but if money were not the issue, I think that I would look at the new Indians first, then HD.

Agreed. I would have considered a Harley (Road Glide in particular) if it didn't cost twice as much as a Nomad. I still think my Nomad is a better engineered and built bike, but Harleys aren't crap. Just can't stomach paying that much coin to buy an image.

[cactusjack]

Well, I lived the "image" for about 15-20 minutes today. I could see the respect in the cagers eyes as I rode down the street on the Harley. Cars pulled over in order to get out of my way, the drivers fearful that they may have delayed my arrival at my destination.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. It was a nice bike and maybe some of the extra cost is justified, but I'm happy on my VN1600D for now.

[dantama]

When I had one for a few months, I never got used to the signal switches on each side. I hated that, I mean really hated it.

That was back in 05-06, I don't remember anything else about what it was like. The turn signals left the lasting memory.

[audiogooroo]

Yeah, the turn signals on eash side do take a bit to get used to. I've had my Nomad so long that it feels like I'm going for the starter if I use my thumb on the right side. :)

[Idaho]

friend of mine had a Road King. he wanted to try my bike (at the time a Volusia) and I want to try the RK. That bike shook like there was no tomorrow when sitting at idle. Shook so hard that I could not find neutral. It was very light and a lot taller and narrower than I was used to. Like CJ I found that once the beast was rolling down the road it was very smoot. Did not have the torque of the Suzi and certainly not any where near that of the Nomad. I will stay with the Noamd.

[pirate]

That's interesting that there are separate turn signal switches for right and left. I've never ridden a Harley before, and I think that would definitely take some getting used to!

[ringadingh]

I took an Ultra Classic for a ride earlier this summer, and it also was a nice bike to ride once it was rolling. I didn't mind the turn signals, but the shaking at idle was more than I counted on.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I took an Ultra Classic for a ride earlier this summer, and it also was a nice bike to ride once it was rolling. I didn't mind the turn signals, but the shaking at idle was more than I counted on.

...and to think they are designed to shake like that on purpose!

[socwkbiker]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

What do you guys want me to say? Should I lie and say the bike was a piece of junk and I spent every minute of that ride fearing for my life? It's a nice bike - honestly.

Hell yes that's what we want you to say!