I had been hearing about the Utica Harley dealer having a test drive for all the 2012 models. Harley brought in a truckload of new bikes. One of each new model. It was to be Saturday and Sunday.
I wasn't going to go, figured there would be so many people I wouldn't get to ride any. This morning I said WTF I might as well go look at the bikes.
I got up there and it wasn't to crowded so I signed up and rode a few.
Ride #1 was a Dyna Street Glide. Pretty much the same as my '03 FXDX. One front disc no adjustable shocks, Mini ape hangers.
I mostly wanted to see how much stronger the 103 inch engines ran than my 88 inch.
It ran well, pulled good. With the 6 speed tranny it ran about 2000 rpm at 55.
Ride #2 was the new Dyna Switchback. It has detachable hard bags and windshield. Pulled about the same but had a noisier exhaust. Talked a bit louder.
Of these two did they impress me enough to want to trade mine in for one? No way. They were stronger runners and had a few gizmos to play with, but not enough more to consider getting a new bike or spending the cash to upgrade my 88 to 103.
Ride #3 was the Sportster XR1200. This bike impressed me the most. It has tons of acceleration and the machine was capable of going much faster than I could get it on the test ride.
It was nimble and quick. I think it could out run an XS even with a good 750 kit rebuild unless you did good head work and cam.
The guy said they are over 85 HP. Redline at 7000 rpms. The rev limiter kicks in about there.
I rode Scabbers 750 kitted bike with the bigger cam and that was impressive. I think it would out do an 883 Sportster, maybe even one of the 1200 Customs. Not the XR1200.
The XR1200 has the edge in high tech suspension. Very adjustable.
It can't replace my XS, but if I had the money it could have a place in the garage.
They even had one of the trikes. That and the faired bikes didn't appeal to me so I didn't ride them.
Don't care much for the softails either.
If a dealer near you has a test ride day near you, you might enjoy a few test rides.
Leo
I wasn't going to go, figured there would be so many people I wouldn't get to ride any. This morning I said WTF I might as well go look at the bikes.
I got up there and it wasn't to crowded so I signed up and rode a few.
Ride #1 was a Dyna Street Glide. Pretty much the same as my '03 FXDX. One front disc no adjustable shocks, Mini ape hangers.
I mostly wanted to see how much stronger the 103 inch engines ran than my 88 inch.
It ran well, pulled good. With the 6 speed tranny it ran about 2000 rpm at 55.
Ride #2 was the new Dyna Switchback. It has detachable hard bags and windshield. Pulled about the same but had a noisier exhaust. Talked a bit louder.
Of these two did they impress me enough to want to trade mine in for one? No way. They were stronger runners and had a few gizmos to play with, but not enough more to consider getting a new bike or spending the cash to upgrade my 88 to 103.
Ride #3 was the Sportster XR1200. This bike impressed me the most. It has tons of acceleration and the machine was capable of going much faster than I could get it on the test ride.
It was nimble and quick. I think it could out run an XS even with a good 750 kit rebuild unless you did good head work and cam.
The guy said they are over 85 HP. Redline at 7000 rpms. The rev limiter kicks in about there.
I rode Scabbers 750 kitted bike with the bigger cam and that was impressive. I think it would out do an 883 Sportster, maybe even one of the 1200 Customs. Not the XR1200.
The XR1200 has the edge in high tech suspension. Very adjustable.
It can't replace my XS, but if I had the money it could have a place in the garage.
They even had one of the trikes. That and the faired bikes didn't appeal to me so I didn't ride them.
Don't care much for the softails either.
If a dealer near you has a test ride day near you, you might enjoy a few test rides.
Leo