Which Bike would you choose?
 

‎10 day trip. FL to DC. Luggage isn't an issue, there is a chase vehicle. I'm escorting a ride - I'm there as a support rider.

Out of the following bikes, which would you choose and why?

HD Electra-Glide, HD Street-Glide, HD Road King, HD Heritage Soft Tail, Honda ST1300.

These bikes are the ONLY choices.

Road King or the ST1300... I'd probably go for the Road King because I've always liked them and would consider one if I hit the lottery.

Also, I've ridden an Electra-Glide and have no interest in a Street-Glide.

Electra Glide.

I've ridden all except the Honda many miles.

The first 3 are essentially the same bike with varying amounts of stuff bolted on. If you are going to go big, go all the way.

The Honda is probably much smoother.

Funny this should come up, I'm renting a Hardley this weekend for a little 2-up day trip.

See but I disagree, she said she doesn't need storage... so get the SG.

ST!

I'd rather drive than take any of those but if I had to choose I guess the 1300 since I'm not a fan of cruiser seating positions.

Pick the one with the most fringe.

Long fringe saves lives. (TM)

JC

I've requested the ST.

I have to give them three choices. So it was ST then your option for fringe. I'm glad they have a sense of humor.

I know nothing about Harleys. I'm just thinking the seating position will kill me. But, it should be a good time non-the-less. Most of the people on the ride haven't done this before - that has me more concerned than my seating position.

Electra Glide is ugly, imo

Most hideous fairing ever. Effective, I'm sure, but hideous.

Ten days? I would take the ST and none of the interstates. I'd probably cross back and forth several times across the Appalachians before I got into DC.

For me It would be the ST . It suits my riding style is heavy enough to smooth out the bumps, has good handling a power curve that lends itself to superb touring.

It's funny all you guys complaign about the cruiser position... that is my number one problem with the ST and zoom's BMW's. The mid and behind me controls are not comfortable. Ever look at a lazyboy chair, the position is similar to a cruiser seating position. I can do hours and hours in either... :lol:

I gave my choices. They have assigned me to a Honda ST.

I don't get a choice on the route. I don't get to choose where we stop. I won't have personal time. But, I'll be on a motorcycle for 10 days as a chaperone and lead/tail rider.

I look forward to it.

dumb question, ST is the only answer

give me a shout if yall come through Chatty or the surrounding area.

No shit, that's pretty awesome. I could think of a lot worse things to do for 10 days.

Regardless of which you end up riding...

That sounds like you have NONE of the stressers... just ride.

Sounds PERFECT!!

probably doesnt help that youre only 4 feet tall :lol:

Could it be that your just use to the setup typical of many cruisers.
I couldn't get comfortable on the HD's I've ridden (not use to my feet being out front). Come to think of it...I can never sit still in a lazy boy either:lol

He did come from riding sportbikes. I too find it difficult to fathom riding with my feet forward like that and am sure it takes some getting used to. I am sure Chris will chime in with his expierences in making that transition.

My only beef when riding with those ergos is that it's hard to get pressure off your ass during long rides... it's harder to move around. You actually don't need to move around as much, but it's harder when you have to... I always thought that those highway pegs were goofy because they just put MORE pressure on your ass, but they provide a needed adjustment which makes them pretty pleasant. And for me, with my shit knees, being straight-legged for some miles is SUPER NICE.

My issue with cruisers is that the windsheild prevents the wind from propping you up (and cooling you down).

I would want the ST also, Last big cruiser I rode was the Kawi varqero and only nice thing on it was the radio. 1700cc with 67hp was a joke also.

Anything normally over 5 or 6 bikes and it becomes a chore to ride and enjoy it. Too many gas stops, stretch breaks, and the slower riding pace kills me.

Many times I ride 150 - 200 miles before I put my feet down. Can go 240+ miles on a tank if I am gentle to the happy handle, or 120 if I am not.

You ever look at what is good posture for your body? It's not the lazy boy position and your body doesn't like being rattled to death either.

Yeah I did. I remember for a few hundred miles on the chop, going for the invisible mid under me controls.

I do ride mid controls as well. The nightster is still sitting with mids. I get pains in my hip joints from them. If I was the only one riding it, it would have forwards on it. Or if I kept the mids, I would have drag bars or clip on's in the front.

The idea behind forward controls is the ablity to stretch out and relax. Further if you do it right, you rotate your hips forwards and that puts the meat of your ass down on the seat.

Moving around isn't hard. As far as highway pegs, you can see mine. They are perfect for heal on the floorboard, and toe on the peg. Or you can chalk your heal on the face of the peg for a traditional highway peg sit. Or I can put my boot on top and dangle my feet. That's why I like that position.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...Project229.jpg

But hey... different strokes for different folks.

I was more interested in doing 10 days in a known position. My body knows what to do with that. On a completely different bike that becomes an issue.

Mind you, this will probably be the shortest days I've ever had on a "big" ride. I just got the itinerary and guest list. It's a bunch of celebrities that I have to keep alive. :lol:

Long rides on the blade I'd prop my legs up on the crash bungs :lol:

Switching back and forth between the klr and the cbr is easier than it sounds. The klr has forward pegs, kid pegs,.with control s, and passenger pegs. I can also put my let's and feet way up on the crash bars. The cbr only has rear sets. Its not a problem, riding a bike its just looker riding a bike, all ether major stiff I'd the same

My Harley buddies and I have had this conversation multiple of times. Feet forward Kills my back, feet under me works the best for me. Cant tell you why but the feet forward position drives drives each and every shock up my spine.

What organization or company is this for? Seems strange that it isn't all one brand of bike.

ST would be my first choice, then Street Glide second.

Yeah that's different folks angle...

Me too. Seriously... I enjoy different bikes. I would roll the ST because I already have a FLH HD.

I can post up when we're done. First they told me any bike from their fleet, I have them BMW gt, rt and gtl. They said pick Honda or HD. Pffffffffftt.

Besides the obvious of the tail bag/seat/backrest thing, what is the difference between the Ultra and the Street?

SG doesnt have
-trunk
-1" less suspension travel aka 1" lower
-no lowers
-smaller seat
-no front lower fairings
-no front aux lights
-no saddlebag surrounds
-no cb or intercom
-less chrome
-different tail light setup
-no front fender tip light
-passenger pegs instead of passenger floor boards
-shorter (4") black windshield vs the 12" clear Ultra
-no engine heat deflectors at rear of engine

I think that's it....