My First Harley Experience

[RockBottom]

I just started riding last June and, until this weekend, all of my miles except the BRC had been on a BMW F800ST. I'm visiting my parents on the coast of South Carolina and decided to rent a Harley to see what all the hoopla was about. Got a Fat Bob for $69 a day. The weather today was wonderful--upper 70s and sunny--so I got in a bit over 200 miles. Bottom line: I'm not a Harley guy.

Loved the torque and, to my surprise, liked the sound. Hated the ergonomics and the ride. First on the ergonomics. I found the riding position downright painful. I had to get off and rest every twenty miles or so and it still hurt my butt and arms. I found it annoying that the display was so low that I had to physically lower my head to see rather than just glancing down. I nearly burned my leg twice on the pipe since it was right where I placed my foot. And the pegs weren't spring loaded, so on each side, I kept folding them up when lifting my foot, so then I had to shift, watch traffic, and feel for the peg with my foot and try to pull it back down. Can't figure out what the designers were thinking.

On the ride itself, since the Fat Bob is several hundred pounds more than my BWM, it did get buffeted less by trucks. But every bump in the road seemed to shoot right into my kidneys. The rear shocks are really bad. The vibration was terrible. All I could see in the mirrors were colored blobs. After more than 10 miles or so, vibration turns into fatigue.

And, as I expected, turning and low speed manuevers are much, much harder than in my BMW. It wasn't too bad here on the flat, straight coastal South Carolina roads, but I wouldn't want to ride the Bob on the twisty, mountain roads back home in Pennsylvania.

The Harley reminded me a lot of a 70s American muscle car. Nice to look at, nice lto listen to, and fun in a straight line acceleration. The big V twin had so much torque I think I could have just left it in second gear and ridden all day. I can't figure out why they put a six speed on it since I found myself going 70 in 4th. And with no faring and windscreen, I sure didn't want to go any faster than that. But like a muscle car, it beat me to death over the course of the ride and every turn was a wrestling match.

[follow]

Well you cannot compare one Harley to ALL Harleys they are all different and depending on what you change or put on it can also make a HUGE difference, I live in the Rockys and have a bagger it handles the twisties great not like my Honda ST but does what I want. I went on BMW rally on the HD and came in before alot of the beemers. As far as positioning, well like I said, depends on what you put on it, some people have to change their seats (reachseats), some handlebars, what ever floats your boat to make your ride more comfortable (make it your ride). As far as no windshield well I have only a 4", sometimes I wish I had more (on a windy day) but this is on the FLHX on my RK I have a windshield, will not go without except maybe down the street.

I have to agree with you love the torque, I have the 6 speed only need to use it on the open road, its great for those LDR.

You may want to wait until the spring when the dealers have a DEMO Day and you can try a bunch out for free. You will experience the difference in each model. This being only if you want to give it another try, at least you gave it one shot unlike others. (By the way I like Beemers too, like all bikes, just can't ride some..too short).

As far a your rental choice goes a Fat Bob is a soft tail frame of course its going to be hard on your A** and kidney it has only one shock which is hidden under the frame. it's suppose to appear old school, so in order to get this it's going to be more rigid. I'm sorry they gave you this bike for your first try, no wonder the great deal in the rental price.

For your long trip you may have been better of on a bagger/cruiser,
even a Road King. The classic would have pampered you.

In conclusion just because the make is HD does not mean all models are the same. You cant say all Fords and Chevy's are the same.

But if you don't like it, well you don't like it.

[HYPERR]

Very nicely written open minded subjective ride report.

$69 a day for a rental of a Harley? That sounds like a really good deal. Most of the ones I see are well over $100.

[Gummiente]

Bottom line: I'm not a Harley guy.

Well, at least you put your butt in the saddle of one for a ride, unlike the majority of people who bash Harleys. But, really, what did you expect coming off a BMW F800?

Apples and oranges. Take any other bike out for a ride and it's going to feel weird and wrong compared to the Beemer, which so far has been your only frame of reference.

[High_Side]

This is a well balanced write-up for a guy who isn't a Harley guy. I've ridden them before but plan on renting one as well at the end of January when I am in San Diego for business. I never get to ride the ones that should be the better performers and was hoping to rent a Dyna for the very reasons mentioned above, but it seems that the Softails or Baggers are all that they rent. After the past three weeks of extremely crappy weather here in Calgary a moped in San Diego in January would be fun. The Harley should be great!

[RockBottom]

As far a your rental choice goes a Fat Bob is a soft tail frame of course its going to be hard on your A** and kidney it has only one shock which is hidden under the frame. it's suppose to appear old school, so in order to get this it's going to be more rigid. I'm sorry they gave you this bike for your first try, no wonder the great deal in the rental price.

I guess I misunderstood the phrase "soft tail." I thought that meant it would be soft on *my* tail.

But I didn't mean my comments as a stab on Harleys. I can understand why people like them. But just as a 3 series BMW was my favorite car that I've owned, I think I'm a BMW guy at heart. I'm glad I tried the Harley though, and may rent a Honda when I'm down South next year to get that experience as well.

[RockBottom]

I'll say, this, though, it was purty

[HYPERR]

As far a your rental choice goes a Fat Bob is a soft tail frame

Actually Fat Bob is not a Softail. It is a Dyna. Rides and handles much better than a Softail. Of course it doesn't look as good but form follows function in this case.

[RockBottom]

Actually Fat Bob is not a Softail. It is a Dyna. Rides and handles much better than a Softail. Of course it doesn't look as good but form follows function in this case.

Yikes. Maybe the one I had just needed set up for a heavy guy. Is the rear shock adjustable?

The vibration also took some getting used to. Looking in the mirrors, all I could see were colored blobs that I assumed were cars. Sitting at stop lights, I suspect I looked like a 250 lb bobblehead.

[HYPERR]

Yikes. Maybe the one I had just needed set up for a heavy guy. Is the rear shock adjustable?

How much do you weight? From my experience most Harley rear shocks are pretty wimpy and bottom out very easily. Even after we set it on full stiff, my friend's VRod bottoms out on bumps and he's a middleweight.

Yes the preload is adjustable.