This past weekend in Chattanooga, TN there was a big Harley Rally. Bikes numbered in the thousands. 99.9% of them were Harleys, but there was 1 Triumph there
.
The Milwaukee factory had trucked down three 18 wheelers full of Harleys for everyone to test tide. A big parking lot downtown had been laid out in sections with areas for Buell/V-Rod, Tourers, Dynas, Softails and Sportsters. V-Rod rides were pre booked. The wait was around four hours and so i decided not to bother with that. For the other bikes you only had to wait in line for about 20/30 minutes for a ride. A ten mile route had been set out. Leaving downtown Chattanooga you headed out on I-24 for about 5 miles then turned of the interstate and headed over Lookout Mountain and then back into Chattanooga again. The course was marked out with orange arrows. A nice short ride that offered a little bit of everything. Interstate, twisty mountain roads uphill and downhill, and some busy city roads.
I rode four Harleys.
1st up, it was either a Heritage Softail or a Softail Deluxe. I get Harleys confused. All in all a very nice bike. Comfortable, nice wide bars and comfortable foot placement. Must confess, this Heal and Toe shifting takes some getting used to. Nice power with lots of touque, but to be honest it didnt exactly set the world on fire, and really didnt "feel" that much more powerfull than the TBA which has almost half the engine size.
2nd ride, 35th Anniversary Super Glide. Oh my, I liked this. Dont know why, it vibrated worse then the paint shaker in the Paint Dept at Lowes. Take your hands of the bar and the whole thing bounces around underneath you. But once you pulled away she smoothed out, and it felt much more powerful then the Softail. Same engine but you would never think so, it felt much more powerful. Much more pulling power then the TBA, or at least it sure felt like it had more power. Have to confess, I liked this bike.
4th up, Dyna Wide Glide. Nice, not as comfortable as the TBA, it was a long reach to the footpegs, and the bars were a lot higher then the other bikes. The six speed box gave a very relaxed feel when cruising on the interstate.
The third bike I rode
. Have you ever been told that if you dont have anything good to say then Shut Up.
3rd Ride, a XL 883 Sportster....I'll shut up.
An enjoyable way to spend a saturday. This is the first time I've had a chance to ride a selection of Harleys, and I must say i enjoyed the experience. They were not nearly as heavy as I was expecting, and were a lot more comfortable then I expected. The gear boxes were all very clunky, and none of the bikes i rode turned into corners as fast or as easy as the our Triumphs. Riding the mountain section of the route, on the Triumph you only have to think the bike around the corners, on the Harleys you really have to press on the bars to make them turn in. It is certainly a different riding style to the Bonnie, and a lot less relaxed. High praise for the Bonnie I think, but i'm sure your die hard Harley riders would argue their case.
I can honestly say I would not trade Bonnie in for any of them. If i was to win the lottery then I sure there would be room in my garage for one. Not sure which one, probably the Softail, but maybe the Super Glide.
Mark
OK, OK, I cant resist. The Sportster. I have been riding now for 25 years. In that time I have had the pleasure of riding some nice bikes and some awful bikes, and I can say with hand on heart the Sportster is the worst machine i have ever ridden. A truly horrible ride. Its sits slightly higher then the TBA, has narrower handle bars a very skiny gas tank. I am average hight, 5ft 10, but I felt very cramped on this bike. As I pulled out of the parlking lot the bike felt horrible, I was about to take the thing straight back but decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and follow the test route. I shouldnt have bothered , it didnt get any better. A truly horrible ride. How any one can buy one and then say they love Harleys is beyond me. If the choice was Sportster or car I would have to say,
What Car?
