the 1200 Low is gone... what now?

[grbrown]

You mentioned your wife! If the two of you are going to be riding around on your new bike, make sure the poor lady is in this venture from day 1. It would be very easy to chose a model based on looks rather than her comfort! Lowered models are likely to be less comfortable for her than 'normal' height ones, because of reduced suspension travel. Just because you feel OK up front, don't assume she will be, sitting on top of the rear wheel. Chose wisely!

[pjvenda]

Originally Posted by grbrown

You mentioned your wife! If the two of you are going to be riding around on your new bike, make sure the poor lady is in this venture from day 1. It would be very easy to chose a model based on looks rather than her comfort! Lowered models are likely to be less comfortable for her than 'normal' height ones, because of reduced suspension travel. Just because you feel OK up front, don't assume she will be, sitting on top of the rear wheel. Chose wisely!

Thanks for the tips!

Yea, she will be a part of it. Incidentally, my virago gets much more comfortable 2up than 1up [hehehe] - I reckon the rear shocks' pre-load is too high. Nonetheless, I am aware of the reduced suspension travel and common low quality of rear seats (as mine is). Swapping the seat or buying with a nice(r) seat and improving the suspension (Hagons maybe?) is already something I am including in this expensive project.

So far I am mostly surveying. [and I have to admit I can't buy a sportster without trying a triumph speedmaster first...]

Cheers,
Pedro.

[Uggy]

Originally Posted by pjvenda

So far I am mostly surveying. [and I have to admit I can't buy a sportster without trying a triumph speedmaster first...]

Cheers,
Pedro.

I'm also deciding between a sportster and a speedmaster, let me know your thoughts if you try both.

[BlackEagleS]

Originally Posted by pjvenda

So far I am mostly surveying. [and I have to admit I can't buy a sportster without trying a triumph speedmaster first...]

Cheers,
Pedro.

i was at a bike show last weekend and got talking to a guy with a 2009 speedmaster. what a great bike, he started it up and it sounded lovely, not the harley thump thump of course, seat was really comfortable, the suspension was firm without being harsh, riding position was just right for me and with the onboard computer to play with i doubt i would get it out of the garage. it seems to me that everything, other than a more open type of silencer, is already part of the bike and you dont have to replace many bits like the seat, front and rear suspension etc to get a decent bike.
id swop my 1200c for one any day but i dont yet have the cash difference.
but remember that the triumphs dont hold their resale values like the harleys do!!

[OrlandoMad]

Sorry . . . but there's nothing quite like owning a Harley . . buy the Triumph if you think it's a better bike (which of course it probably is), but there's something magical about owning and riding a Harley that can't be quantified And if it needs explaining, then you're never going to be happy with the Harley

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by OrlandoMad

Sorry . . . but there's nothing quite like owning a Harley . . buy the Triumph if you think it's a better bike (which of course it probably is), but there's something magical about owning and riding a Harley that can't be quantified And if it needs explaining, then you're never going to be happy with the Harley

I liked both the same, infact when I move I'm looking at getting another speed triple, mind you it will sit next to my sportster.

I think theres something magical to owning a Harley, Ducati, Aprilia or Triumph, all are individual brands whose bikes havecharacter unlike Jap bikes.

[Squiz]

Originally Posted by Mantis

I liked both the same, infact when I move I'm looking at getting another speed triple, mind you it will sit next to my sportster.

I think theres something magical to owning a Harley, Ducati, Aprilia or Triumph, all are individual brands whose bikes havecharacter unlike Jap bikes.

I would agree with most of that. There is a little something extra about Harley's though and it came as a surprise to me when I went this way. maybe it's Charisma, but there is something more than just character. Lots of bikes (especially Brit Bikes) have character. Yep, I think it's a Charisma thing or somethig similar. No other bike feels like it nor rides like it, which also came as a surprisse to me. Ridden 100's of bikes, but the first Harley felt like something completely different and at that point I guess I was hooked. There is something rather unique about Harley's and I don't believe anyone knows exactly what it is. Riders, admirers, passers-by, it matters not. There is always a reaction, I don't now why, but there is nonetheless. The ulitimate X Factor???????

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Squiz

There is something rather unique about Harley's and I don't believe anyone knows exactly what it is. Riders, admirers, passers-by, it matters not. There is always a reaction, I don't now why, but there is nonetheless. The ulitimate X Factor???????

can't agree more, the attention mine gets and i have only had it just over a week now! My last bike i had a year and only covered 115 miles and 15 was to the MOT station? I have now passed that in two rides.

The X FACTOR you've hit the nail on the head with that Fraze Squiz!

My pockets would be burning if i didn't have as much self control as i have, I can't believe how many goodies there are to buy and personalize
the bikes?

If HOG flue is the bike coughing and spluttering then HOG AIDS is what you must get when you buy one cuz i don't think i will find a cure

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by Squiz

I would agree with most of that. There is a little something extra about Harley's though and it came as a surprise to me when I went this way. maybe it's Charisma, but there is something more than just character. Lots of bikes (especially Brit Bikes) have character. Yep, I think it's a Charisma thing or somethig similar. No other bike feels like it nor rides like it, which also came as a surprisse to me. Ridden 100's of bikes, but the first Harley felt like something completely different and at that point I guess I was hooked. There is something rather unique about Harley's and I don't believe anyone knows exactly what it is. Riders, admirers, passers-by, it matters not. There is always a reaction, I don't now why, but there is nonetheless. The ulitimate X Factor???????

I used to get a lot of older people looking at the Triumph and youngsters, not only because of the sound ( which like the Harley is totally unique ), a fair few older people used to talk to me about when they owned a Triumph/BSA/Norton/Trident etc.

With the Triumph I really got a good feeling from owning one, the Dealers treated you well, especially the one in Chigwell, top blokes, and of course I loved riding that bike, it was a real hooligan, but the problem was that previous owners had crashed and smashed the Speed Triple and neglected it and I got fed up repairing it, otherwise I would have kept it without a doubt.

With the Harley I think a lot of people know the brand and it has something special to it, not just bikers but to people who havent even rode a motorcycle, as with the Triumph when you sit on the Harley it feels like a Harley, sounds like a Harley and rides like a Harley, something the Japanese cannot copy.

In my experience with a Harley and Triumph theres something special and unique to each brand, unlike the Japanesse bike American and British bikes have soul and character, the Japanese build great bikes, fast bikes, reliable bikes, but they just cannot capture what American, British, Italian and Austrian bikes have.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by pjvenda

Hi everyone, first post here :]


I finally decided the 1200 Low is exactly right for me. Sadly this model is no longer available in the 2010 lineup,

Suggestions? Advices? Flames?

Thanks in advance,
Pedro.

GET ON THE PHONE QUICK

09 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200 LOW SPORTSTER on eBay (end time 23-Oct-09 17:50:25 BST)