Just rented an Harley-Davidson FLHXI Street Glide

[TT]

Today is an amazingly sunny day and what better than having a nice bike to have fun with?

Here it is, a stunning matte blue Street Glide, with only 500 km on the odometer, 96 ci (1600 cc) and 350+ kg.
http://img140.imagevenue.com/loc343/th_08682_hdflhxi01_122_343lo.jpg (http://img140.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=08682_hdflhxi01_122_343lo.jpg)http://img185.imagevenue.com/loc233/th_08687_hdflhxi02_122_233lo.jpg (http://img185.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=08687_hdflhxi02_122_233lo.jpg)http://img187.imagevenue.com/loc133/th_08693_hdflhxi03_122_133lo.jpg (http://img187.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=08693_hdflhxi03_122_133lo.jpg)http://img180.imagevenue.com/loc586/th_08699_hdflhxi04_122_586lo.jpg (http://img180.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=08699_hdflhxi04_122_586lo.jpg)

I've already had a Dyna Glide in my time, another big Harley (1340 cc only) but this is on another scale. Bigger, wider, heavier and more powerfull.
Maneuvring at low speed is not that easy, especially for a guy like me (barely 170 cm). You sit low, but still, I can't full put both feet on the ground, and if I have to pull back the back, it's not easy at all. I'd like to have a reverse gear :)

That said, once you start moving, :shock: it's just impressive how like and how prone to cornering this Street Glide is. The riding position is spot on and weight transfer is easily done in a glimpse.
The engine pulls very well and those 130 Nm really does it. Second and third gears allows you to shake every car from your tail in a moment, and if a corner approach, you'll know you'll be able to take a good angle despite the size!

Have to eat something and I'll hit the road again!

[Svensson]

That sounds like such a cool idea TT! Have a lot of fun and drive safe :P

[stmoritzer]

yep, the sun finallycame out in Switzerland and summer starts ... time for a bike ride :D

[sameerrao]

Need a picture of you on the bike to compare the old shot of you and your younger bro/sis on a Harley (If I remember correctly!)

[ARMAN]

Need a picture of you on the bike to compare the old shot of you and your younger bro/sis on a Harley (If I remember correctly!)

yep thats what I was thinking :)

[blinkmeat]

Very cool !

Have you ridden the v-rod? I'd like to take a spin in one :mrgreen:

[pitfield]

Harley's are for blue oyster bar lovers. What's the point. Get a Gixxer.

[gangajas]

Harley's are for blue oyster bar lovers. What's the point. Get a Gixxer.

I like the looks and the sound of Harleys a lot.

[TT]

Need a picture of you on the bike to compare the old shot of you and your younger bro/sis on a Harley (If I remember correctly!)

yep thats what I was thinking :)

HAHA, thought the same. They grew up a lot in the meanwhile :D

Very cool !

Have you ridden the v-rod? I'd like to take a spin in one :mrgreen:

Nope, but I think I'm gonna try one asap. On the V-Rod IMO, the key point is the handle-bar. I saw very crappy ones that looked ankward, and others perfectly spot on. A nice full black V-Rod could be quite a bike, but I still like those big air cooled engines :love:

Harley's are for blue oyster bar lovers. What's the point. Get a Gixxer.

I've ridden sport bikes and they are too extreme for me. a relaxing cruiser like this is lot funnier because you don't feel like your tiptoeing all the time.

Today I rode some 300 km, included some mountain roads, and I must say, although scary, the Street Glide can handle ultra tight hairpin with limited sweat from the rider ;) but my legs hurt. every time you need to move the car at parking speeds, it's a big effort!

[pitfield]

If a sports bike feels like that you should change the set up.

With a harley you mas aswell have a convertible car.

Probably even cost less.

[666fast]

Harley's are for blue oyster bar lovers. What's the point. Get a Gixxer.

I like the looks and the sound of Harleys a lot.

You'd be disappointed with the sound of the Street Glide, they are very quiet. Dude I work with just bought a black one.

A nice full black V-Rod could be quite a bike, but I still like those big air cooled engines

Night Special VRod. I'd drive one.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/HarleyDavidson/2007/vrscdx_night_rod_special.jpg[/code]

[TT]

Yup 666fast, there are a couple of those sepcial series around here and I always drool. Only the mufflers have to go because I really don't like the look, and I am sure there are some full black ones somewhere to be found!

If a sports bike feels like that you should change the set up.

With a harley you mas aswell have a convertible car.

Probably even cost less.

I don't pretend changing your opinion and I won't change mine anyway ;) if at 75 years old you can still ride on sport bikes with no problem, congrats ;)
I know you can always modify the handle bar set up to make it more confortable, but for somebody like me just riding his bike every now and then, it will never be that comfortable. Also, the sportier the bike, the more dangerous if you don't drive it on a daily basis IMO.

[dutchmasterflex]

The new Harley's with Porsche built engines are the way to go. But what a great very to enjoy a nice day! Awesome TT!

[TT]

400 km covered over two days, and that's quite an achievement when you're not used to it anymore. my legs hurt a lot, due to some maneuvring necessary at times, as well as my back, but it was such a blast!

[sentra_dude]

Those big Harley-Davidsons aren't my thing, but kudos to you for having tons of fun on one! I guess it wouldn't be that bad of a way to travel around. I had no idea they even let Harleys into Europe, haha... :shock: :P

[MartijnGizmo]

I'm sorry, but imagening a 1.70-guy on a Harley made me grin. :lol:

[TT]

:fuck: I am not 130! 170 is quite normal around here!

[ARMAN]

Now where is the pic of you on the bike? :( I want to compare it to old pic... I think I can still find it somewere :)

[MartijnGizmo]

:fuck: I am not 130! 170 is quite normal around here!

I just found out that I can fit on a 02 CBR900 with my 1.97m, so there's another reason to get my license.

Oh, btw: my g/f is 1.72m :lol:

[silentm]

my dad owns a Harley too, though i have no idea what model it is :lol: he has taken it out for a spin this weekend, it's quite cool to ride on it, even though you are the passenger.

i don't know why he bought it, he hardly used it or uses it anymore...

[TT]

[quote=TT]...

Oh, btw: my g/f is 1.72m :lol:

Are you fucking proposing now?!? LOL

[sameerrao]

Get a room you two. :D

[pitfield]

Harley's suck, get a hellcat or one of those V8 bikes if you want that sort of thing.

[TT]

Yes dani, I should buy one in the next couple of weeks I think.

Monday I'm gonna testdrive a nice second hand Ducati Monster 900cc for sale near my office and I fear I might end up taking it home :) anyway it will be something "easier" and not a big Harley in the end :D

[TT]

Yep, an easy bike that can be fun when you need it.

I'm gonna test one which is for sale near my office and see if it's ok. The price for sure is...