Recent embarrasment, & bike sit review

[STrider]

Preemptive note: This is NOT an anti-harley rant, just my impression and embarrasment. Now, on with the story-

Sunday afternoon daughter has a play date with 2 kids, (imagine 3 drunk monkeys on crack), so I decided to go for a ride. (no, I didn't leave them alone, Mom planned it, so mom's deal). I've kinda been feelin the new bike itch, so I decided to check out Mancuso's, as that is the only place I know of that is open on Sunday.

Walk around a little, see a couple bikes that I like the looks of, really like the Softail Deuce (Sorry, I dunno all the FLABC's). I want to sit on it, but the pegs are folded up. "Huh" I think, "How is anybody supposed to know if a bike is comfortable when the pegs are folded up?" Unfold the pegs, have a seat, and "Wow, this is a weird riding position" So I get up, look at the bike some more, and "OH, those are the PASSENGER pegs!!" (Yes, I should have realized from the lack of levers near them). Sit again with feet on the proper pegs (actually floorboards), and "Wow, this is a REALLY weird riding postion!!"
Got the same impression from the V-rod.
Conclusion: I see the appeal of the relaxed position, but too much work to go at all fast on. No stretched out cruiser for me anytime in the near future, on to the Buells! (and i hope no one saw my peg conundrum)

I sit on the XB12S. Ever see those guys that ride itty bitty bicycles, with wheels the size of silver dollars? It is like that, only not as roomy. THe XB12R is much better, but still somewhat cramped, and lots of weight on my wrists. I could definitely see that as an urban assault vehicle, or for really tight twisties, but not for any significant amount of seat time.
conclusion: No Buells either, except in the far future, as an additional bike.

BTW- for those who don't know, Mancuso's is large, has large HD selection and some Texas Choppers, helpful staff, and all manner of HD doodaddery.

[John Bennett]

> daughter has a play date with 2 kids, (imagine 3 drunk monkeys on crack), so I decided to go for a ride.

HA! I totally understand. My little crack monkies have caused many a mile to be put on my bikes. 8-)

[kurt]

:-D And the Harley folks think you are crazy for leading with your head. Either position is a preference, and depending on what type of riding you do, both have their advantages. I play both sides of this fence, so I don't have an opinion one way or the other. :mrgreen:

+1 on the drunken crack monkeys.

[texasyankee]

The biggest reason I got a HD Low Rider was that it offers three riding positions. The controls are mid bike; there are standard forward pegs; and I can hook my heels over the passenger pegs and have a sport bike position. I find I spend about 80 percent of my time in the standard position. My Sportster had forward controls and that was one reason I got rid of it. I don't see how anyone can ride long distances with those extreme forward positions like the V-Rod and Deuce have

[Squeaky]

When I first read the title of the post I thought it was going to be a sit review & falling down dumb story all in one. Glad to hear that your embarassment was simple and didn't hurt anyone or anything (including all that chrome).

I don't mind the position of a cruiser for short rides, but compared to what I'm used to riding it just seems heavy and uncomfortable. Riding as passenger is a whole different story - the back of txmedic's Road King was easy and comfy. The back rest and engine vibrations at idle gave a pretty good lower back massage!

[STrider]

I like the "middle" peg position (yammie road star warrior, vtx, and apparently HD low rider), but the foot forward position, while comfortable for sitting, seems like it takes too much weight off my feet, thereby increasing turn-in effort, and seems like the wind would make shoulders sore pretty quickly.

I mostly just thought it was funny that feet on the passenger pegs was less foreign to me than on the proper ones.

:lol:

[Adan]

The back rest and engine vibrations at idle gave a pretty good lower back massage!

Ahh, so that is why HDs are soooo expensive ..... integrated message therapy :rofl :rofl:

I may own one, one day... if they offer the Vrod engine on a DS!!! :lol:

Sorry couldn't resist :oops:

My older brother in ELP had a Road King and now has the one with the big fairing and all the hard bags. It works good for him since most the time he rides with a large group in "parade" mode or on some benefit ride south of the border with 30+ bikers and police escort on many rides.

http://www.centauros.com/

http://www.centauros.com/colors.html

http://www.centauros.com/images/centaurossm.jpg

[10-95]

(imagine 3 drunk monkeys on crack),


:rofl :rofl :rofl

I kind of like the cruiser position. You actually get used to it. I think the best is a standard m/c though. Way comfortable. The leaning over sportbike position absolutely kills my back.

[pdef]

(imagine 3 drunk monkeys on crack),


:rofl :rofl :rofl

I kind of like the cruiser position. You actually get used to it. I think the best is a standard m/c though. Way comfortable. The leaning over sportbike position absolutely kills my back.

The 2005 Sprint and Speed triple look pretty nice.... *nudge nudge*

[rickmillertx]

Cruiser riding position is different. I went into an HD store one day to see what was new. Saw a rack of chaps and thought "Wonder what they fit like?" So I tried on a pair and as I was squatting down to simulate the sitting position (I thought they were very tight). The HD salesperson walked by and said "You've got them on backwards DA!" Ugh. I left in a hurry.

[whoa]

Cruiser riding position is different. I went into an HD store one day to see what was new. Saw a rack of chaps and thought "Wonder what they fit like?" So I tried on a pair and as I was squatting down to simulate the sitting position (I thought they were very tight). The HD salesperson walked by and said "You've got them on backwards DA!" Ugh. I left in a hurry.

Man, this is priceless. Is there a Readers Digest for motorcycle stories? If so , you'll make print with this one.

Thanks for posting.

[Thermalser]

Cruiser riding position is different. I went into an HD store one day to see what was new. Saw a rack of chaps and thought "Wonder what they fit like?" So I tried on a pair and as I was squatting down to simulate the sitting position (I thought they were very tight). The HD salesperson walked by and said "You've got them on backwards DA!" Ugh. I left in a hurry.

:rofl

[Sleepy Weasel]

Cruiser riding position is different. I went into an HD store one day to see what was new. Saw a rack of chaps and thought "Wonder what they fit like?" So I tried on a pair and as I was squatting down to simulate the sitting position (I thought they were very tight). The HD salesperson walked by and said "You've got them on backwards DA!" Ugh. I left in a hurry.

I wonder if they've got a security camera? What was the name of that Harley shop again? :lol:

This thread is useless without pics...

On the cruiser riding position... When I sat on the V-Star in the showroom, leaned over on the sidestand, the floorboard position felt weird and I thought it would take a while to get used to it, but that idea went out the window the first time I rode it. Not as extreme as those WAY forward control sets, but a real nice compromise.