A few days ago I received an email invite to test ride a Harley. Signed right up and chose the Road Glide. If I were going to buy a new touring Harley, that'd be it. Went to Harley Davidson of Fort Wayne, emailed Marcus back and forth. Because of events beyond my control at work I was a few hours late for my scheduled appointment. No problem. Marcus was very friendly and welcoming and set me up with a salesman ("fitment" something or other) named Brian. Told Brian to give me a tour and let me ride any Road Glide I wanted to. I stood there dumbfounded. Can you imagine ANY dealer dealing in vehicles of ANY kind saying "Point at what you want to ride/drive!". After giving me a complete tour of the entire building, including the dark and barely used corners, Bran began talking to me in detail about the bikes and the differences in trim levels. ABS, Nav, etc. Told him I wanted a true touring machine, not a barely ridden bar hopper. He explained the Ultra's have a larger front tire. Thats what I wanted to seem but didn't see and Road Glide Ultras on the floor. Without saying a word he took me outside to the 2 '19's they had. I was genuinely impressed with the infotainment system. the Nav, phone interface, comm's capabilities, not what I expected on a Harley.
Suiting up for the test ride Brian couldn't have been more accomodating telling me the best places to go. Instead of paying close attention I asked if his boss would allow him to tag along. One big grin later and a "hell, yea" he was off to grab a bike. He returned shortly on a 114 Fat Bob. Following him we headed out. I was quickly shocked at the acceleration of that Fat Bob. Which only encouraged me to crank on the RG to keep up. Acceleration of the RG was equally impressive. Gents, I didn't know HD made a bike like this. For an 800 pound bike, the thing hustled. Easily chirped the tire in the 1-2 shift. Dipped her down low in some twisty bits and she hung right in there. Couldn't hide all that weight, but compared to my 99 RK, she's a ballet dancer. Brakes were also equally on par. Not a sport bike, but again, so much better than my 99. Great sounding factory pipes. I wouldn't change them. I was REALLY enjoying the ride - UNTIL -----
At about 3/4 throttle something was obviously wrong. Check engine light was on and running on 1 cylinder. Limp home mode I assumed. Pulled up next to Brian with the bike shaking like a solid mount. While telling him what happened she died. In 3 lanes of traffic and I was in the middle lane. At a light. At 5pm. Got the bike pushed to the sidewalk, he checked diagnostics with the toggles on the bike, eventually called the service dept for a tow. Stood there talking for about half an hour. Cool guy, got the inside scoop on a few things, made the best of it. After we got the RG loaded onto the trailer he tells me to ride the Fat Bob back, take me time, they don't close for a while. To be honest I genuinely got lost on back roads and had to check my phone to get me bearings, but really enjoyed that engine and chassis. Handed really wall, engine was a hoot. Very comfortable minus the bike burning the inside of my right thigh if I didn't hold it out at a light or keep it on the peg. If I were 25-30, didn't do long hauls, needed zero storage, it could be an only bike.
So, not being a kool aid drinking bar and shield man, just a guy who likes bikes and happens to own a cool looking RK, I didn't expect much in the way of a modern Harley. I'd say Harley has made greater strides in their product than Honda has in the last 20 years. But then 20 years ago Honda still was 30 years ahead of HD. Felt that RG could begin to compete on an international level. Its not a BMW or Honda, but it isn't trying to be. It is its own machine and comfortable with that. I can't say Harley is old tech anymore. Still no electronic suspension, no multiple ride modes, ABS is optional (you gotta be kidding me), and function still follows form to a large degree. But as its own whole, it works very well.
Somewhat tempted to poke fun at the breakdown 5 miles into a test ride on a bike that only had 20 miles on it. But, flukes happen and can happen to anyone. Taking an easy shot on a $30k new bike for a company still the butt of reliability jokes it outdated and no longer justified. Though the humor isn't lost on me. Both bikes left a great impression on me. I'd buy a RG Ultra. But at $30k+ it is a good $5k overpriced IMHO. Just no way to justify that kind of coin for me. On that note, I was appalled at the orange peel in factory HD paint, the worst of it being on the painted inner fairing they upcharge for. Honda paint was MUCH better, no real noticable orange peel. HD colors have great depth, but that orange peel at that price point, not acceptable. When the upcharge for black powder over chrome was explained to me, I struggled to keep my head from shaking and laughing aloud.
Very nice, very capable machines with great strides in execution, no longed relying on image to sell to Old Guard riders. It stands tall enough on its own. I just can't justify that price. The dealership was full of younger staff. Didn't see an espresso machine, but the treatment I got was aimed at a personal "boutique" experience. They went out of their way to make me feel valued. I appreciate that. Took a TON of time with me and didn't treat me like an 'up' you get at most any car dealership. The relationship was fostered. More so than most metric shops. I guess what I'd expect at a high end European dealership. But not cheesy.
So, thats my take away. Glad HD is where it is with its product. Hope they keep making strides. You guys riding the touring bikes, you have nice rides. Not getting rid of my Dads Road King, hell its near an antique now (and rides like one), but though they look damn near identical, the new rides are worlds apart.
One last thing. After loading the RGU to the trailer he told me to ride the Fat Bob back. "Take your time and enjoy it", Umm OK! Fun bike.
I've got to give kudo's to HD. The 114 is a great engine. If you are in town playing with one of these, don't let your guard down, you'll be playing catch up if they get the jump. This engine spins up a LOT faster than my 88 twin cam. Revs to about 5500. When it hits red line its more of a rev limiter, not so much out of breath like my TC. Power band is 3500-5500. Where as HD twins of old ran out of breath by 4500 with all the torque coming in at 1500.
Suiting up for the test ride Brian couldn't have been more accomodating telling me the best places to go. Instead of paying close attention I asked if his boss would allow him to tag along. One big grin later and a "hell, yea" he was off to grab a bike. He returned shortly on a 114 Fat Bob. Following him we headed out. I was quickly shocked at the acceleration of that Fat Bob. Which only encouraged me to crank on the RG to keep up. Acceleration of the RG was equally impressive. Gents, I didn't know HD made a bike like this. For an 800 pound bike, the thing hustled. Easily chirped the tire in the 1-2 shift. Dipped her down low in some twisty bits and she hung right in there. Couldn't hide all that weight, but compared to my 99 RK, she's a ballet dancer. Brakes were also equally on par. Not a sport bike, but again, so much better than my 99. Great sounding factory pipes. I wouldn't change them. I was REALLY enjoying the ride - UNTIL -----
At about 3/4 throttle something was obviously wrong. Check engine light was on and running on 1 cylinder. Limp home mode I assumed. Pulled up next to Brian with the bike shaking like a solid mount. While telling him what happened she died. In 3 lanes of traffic and I was in the middle lane. At a light. At 5pm. Got the bike pushed to the sidewalk, he checked diagnostics with the toggles on the bike, eventually called the service dept for a tow. Stood there talking for about half an hour. Cool guy, got the inside scoop on a few things, made the best of it. After we got the RG loaded onto the trailer he tells me to ride the Fat Bob back, take me time, they don't close for a while. To be honest I genuinely got lost on back roads and had to check my phone to get me bearings, but really enjoyed that engine and chassis. Handed really wall, engine was a hoot. Very comfortable minus the bike burning the inside of my right thigh if I didn't hold it out at a light or keep it on the peg. If I were 25-30, didn't do long hauls, needed zero storage, it could be an only bike.
So, not being a kool aid drinking bar and shield man, just a guy who likes bikes and happens to own a cool looking RK, I didn't expect much in the way of a modern Harley. I'd say Harley has made greater strides in their product than Honda has in the last 20 years. But then 20 years ago Honda still was 30 years ahead of HD. Felt that RG could begin to compete on an international level. Its not a BMW or Honda, but it isn't trying to be. It is its own machine and comfortable with that. I can't say Harley is old tech anymore. Still no electronic suspension, no multiple ride modes, ABS is optional (you gotta be kidding me), and function still follows form to a large degree. But as its own whole, it works very well.
Somewhat tempted to poke fun at the breakdown 5 miles into a test ride on a bike that only had 20 miles on it. But, flukes happen and can happen to anyone. Taking an easy shot on a $30k new bike for a company still the butt of reliability jokes it outdated and no longer justified. Though the humor isn't lost on me. Both bikes left a great impression on me. I'd buy a RG Ultra. But at $30k+ it is a good $5k overpriced IMHO. Just no way to justify that kind of coin for me. On that note, I was appalled at the orange peel in factory HD paint, the worst of it being on the painted inner fairing they upcharge for. Honda paint was MUCH better, no real noticable orange peel. HD colors have great depth, but that orange peel at that price point, not acceptable. When the upcharge for black powder over chrome was explained to me, I struggled to keep my head from shaking and laughing aloud.
Very nice, very capable machines with great strides in execution, no longed relying on image to sell to Old Guard riders. It stands tall enough on its own. I just can't justify that price. The dealership was full of younger staff. Didn't see an espresso machine, but the treatment I got was aimed at a personal "boutique" experience. They went out of their way to make me feel valued. I appreciate that. Took a TON of time with me and didn't treat me like an 'up' you get at most any car dealership. The relationship was fostered. More so than most metric shops. I guess what I'd expect at a high end European dealership. But not cheesy.
So, thats my take away. Glad HD is where it is with its product. Hope they keep making strides. You guys riding the touring bikes, you have nice rides. Not getting rid of my Dads Road King, hell its near an antique now (and rides like one), but though they look damn near identical, the new rides are worlds apart.
One last thing. After loading the RGU to the trailer he told me to ride the Fat Bob back. "Take your time and enjoy it", Umm OK! Fun bike.
I've got to give kudo's to HD. The 114 is a great engine. If you are in town playing with one of these, don't let your guard down, you'll be playing catch up if they get the jump. This engine spins up a LOT faster than my 88 twin cam. Revs to about 5500. When it hits red line its more of a rev limiter, not so much out of breath like my TC. Power band is 3500-5500. Where as HD twins of old ran out of breath by 4500 with all the torque coming in at 1500.
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