Back on two...

[shmike]

Welcome back, OSP!

GREAT write up. I am a BIG fan of the Ultra, it is definitely a machine that can help the non-believers "get it."

I'm glad to see you enjoyed the hog. My dad has the exact Ultra you have pictured. Once you learn to drag the rear brake, slow speed manuevers are a cinch.

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by shmike

Welcome back, OSP!

GREAT write up. I am a BIG fan of the Ultra, it is definitely a machine that can help the non-believers "get it."

I'm glad to see you enjoyed the hog. My dad has the exact Ultra you have pictured. Once you learn to drag the rear brake, slow speed manuevers are a cinch.

Honestly, the low speed stuff wasn't even that bad. I was draggin' the brake, just as I do on my TL. The problem was, I KNEW I had like 900lbs of bike and 260lbs of fat guy in the seat which made me think too much... Give me a couple hours in the parking lot on that thing and I think I would have been 100% better... well, and make ME the owner. It's one thing crashing your bike. It's another thing crashing someone else's bike.. especially one that cost that much.

[OneSickPsycho]

Oh, speaking of bikes that can change the opinion of HD... There's an article in one of the more recent issues of Motorcyclist where Jack Lewis admits to hating HD prior to riding a Road King, which he ends up loving. If I were to get an HD, it would probably be a Road King.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Oh, speaking of bikes that can change the opinion of HD... There's an article in one of the more recent issues of Motorcyclist where Jack Lewis admits to hating HD prior to riding a Road King, which he ends up loving. If I were to get an HD, it would probably be a Road King.

I love the Road King. Especially the Classic with the leather bags and white wall tires.

After spending 10 days aboard an Ultra touring the Western US it is nice to have the hard bags and the extra storage. When we ride my old man's bike, the wife loves the rear seat/arm rests/etc.

For me or local jaunts, I'd take the Road King. For two-up or touring I'd go Ultra every time.

[the chi]

Thats awesome man, glad to see you riding again. You going to go straight cruiser or keep the SB as well?

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by shmike

I love the Road King. Especially the Classic with the leather bags and white wall tires.

After spending 10 days aboard an Ultra touring the Western US it is nice to have the hard bags and the extra storage. When we ride my old man's bike, the wife loves the rear seat/arm rests/etc.

For me or local jaunts, I'd take the Road King. For two-up or touring I'd go Ultra every time.

Yeah, I could see how the Electra would be better for two-up touring, but recognize that you are talking to a guy who thinks riding a Buell across the country, then riding a 954 back is a good idea... and would do it again.

Originally Posted by The Chi

Thats awesome man, glad to see you riding again. You going to go straight cruiser or keep the SB as well?

I'm always going to be on a sportbike... maybe someday I will move to more of a sport-tourer, but for now I couldn't imagine JUST having a cruiser. Something of that sort would be a great 2nd bike. I'd probably be most likely to get a used Jap cruiser just because they are cheap... that is, if I was going to buy any sort of cruiser now, which I am not.

[marko138]

Nice to see you able to ride again. And wonderful write up. I really like the Ultra Classic. Gas Man's is gorgeous...especially with the trunk off. I absolutely considered buying one...but not now, with what HD did to my beloved Buell.

[No Worries]

Congrats on riding again. I'm always nervous riding someone else's bike, even a demo bike.

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Yeah, I could see how the Electra would be better for two-up touring, but recognize that you are talking to a guy who thinks riding a Buell across the country, then riding a 954 back is a good idea... and would do it again.

Next time you'll avoid Kansas, and will make it across the Rockies. West of Denver, you don't have several miles to make a pass around cars. So it's nice to have a powerful sport/tourer. But there is a shop nearby that tunes turboed Harleys on their dyno. That's what I'd want if I had a big Harley.