| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Well, I had a moment of weakness and honestly considering selling my Ss. This sub-4k stumbling thing has really gotten under my skin. As the new has worn off, I've experimented with pretty much every "cure" known to BadWeb, I've found it bothers me more and more. So, I went shopping. Much to my surprise, the world is full to the brim with BORING bikes. Apparently I've ruined myself by purchasing a Buell as my first bike, because nothing else catches my eye anymore. I kinda' like the Piaggio MP3 500, but I'm not ditching a sportbike for a scooter, no matter how funky it may look. The Kawasaki Versys sounds like my kind of bike, but it's kinda' goofy looking, and... well, I'm just not THAT interested in it. The only thing out there I could honestly get excited about was a H-D Nightster. I LOVE the look of it, and there's all the handy things about a Harley to go along with it (add-ons and service centers aplenty, good torque and MPG, comfortable riding position, yadda yadda...). So today after work, I test rode a black n' orange Nightster 1200. The riding position was great. I like it better than my Ss for a long haul, but I found it... awkward. Rather than pushing it where I wanted, it felt more like a pull. Maybe it was just the lack of familiarity, but it kinda' creeped me out... especially after dragging the peg feeler on (what I considered) a VERY mild left turn. Made me not want to turn for fear of scraping again! The engine ran very smoothly at lower RPMs, which is EXACTLY what I was hoping for, but of course it lacked the top end of my Ss. I could deal with that I think, but when accelerating, the Nightster took on a REALLY weird vibration, like loading an empty paint bucket with a billiards ball and then putting it in a paint shaker.... very unpleasant. It sounded bad too. Maybe it just needed to break in? And I was under the impression that cruisers had soft suspension? Not true for the Nightster. My Buell has never jarred my ass like that thing did. Small pavement breaks all felt like gaping potholes. Again... not pleasant. Maybe they had the suspension set for some 250 lb. guy or something. I guess I shouldn't hold that one against them just yet. So, anyway, when it all boils down, this is the way my scorecard looked: NIGHTSTER: 1.)Low RPM performance 2.)Seating position LIGHTNING LONG: 1.)Suspension comfort 2.)Seat comfort (God bless gel) 3.)High RPM performance 4.)Overall sound (no 8-ball hiding in the heads) 5.)Steering geometry/handling (x1000!) I still wouldn't mind having a Nightster, but not as a replacement for my Ss. As aggravated as I may get about my surging, this little moment of weakness has enlightened me to all the things it does SO well. I have new respect for the bike as an entire package. Oh, and keeping it saves me a new monthly payment! ~SM | ||
| Brumbear |
there are not many bikes I like anymore either the kawasaki Z 1000 caught my eye but I would have to change the exhaust and get a power commander immediatly and its an I4 the ktm superduke is to much for much the same Triumph speed triple is a cool bike but to big for me and alot of the same stumble and surging problems well at least in 06 they were MV augusta Brutale ok I would if I could dead sexy that is | ||
| Chasespeed |
I have a N, along side the X1... It IS rough... but, still softer than a rigid.. The Sporty is a firmer riding bike than more cruisers(thing sport).. The 1200N, 1200L, and 833L, are on shorter shocks, and forks, thus, bottom out a bit easier... FWIW... here is mine (Click on the pics for bigger pic)    I think it looks TONS better with the speedo moved, and all that cheesy looking plastic removed, the wires hidden, etc... ANYWAY Glad you did what was best for you... Chase | ||
| Froggy |
Have you done the open airbox mod? I can ride down to about 1500 rpm on my SS and same thing on my Uly with no issues. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Choice between the Sportster and the Buell, and most mornings I do have the choice of which to ride 2006 XB9SX Bought new Aug 2006 25k 2005 XL883R Bought new Feb 2005 10k That should tell you which one gets out of the garage the most. There simply is no comparison to what the Buell does for me. The sportster is nice, but I am not always in the mood to play nice. The Buell gets it done for me. | ||
| Rick_a |
You could always put a set of Progressive 15" race shocks on that Nightster. That along with some rearsets from Storz Performance would make one tolerable (oh, that and about 25 more HP). I scraped pegs on one just riding around a parking lot. Ridiculous. | ||
| Cochise |
Remember, when buying a Harley, just because it says SOFTtail, doesn't make it so. Look for anything with road or glide in the title, THEN you'll get a "softer" ride. | ||
| Swordsman |
Yeah, well, I WAS looking for something in the $10k range that didn't weigh 800 lbs. If I was going to get a 2nd bike, I'd definitely be interested, but there's not enough room in my garage and, more importantly, not enough disposable income in my bank account for two bikes. I'm really glad I didn't like the Nightster more. It's a lot of hassle to sell a vehicle and then go through all the new purchase paperwork. I got the bug out of my system.  ~SM | ||
| F_skinner |
Chasespeed, your Nightster looks great. I am lucky in that I do not own a Harley but get to ride my GFs 07 XLN1200 from time to time. I have had a lot of Sportys and the only thing I did not like about the Nightster was the seating position but it is not my bike, she fits on it perfect. If it was my bike I think I would set it up similar to yours..... Looks great!. Frank | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
If you want to cure your stumbling..... Look into TechnoResearch Inc. I had my Race bike Dyno tuned by a local dealer... I got 6 extra ponies. Check out the Dyno Charts on Liberty H-D sponsor area. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/295565.html?1221147414 Dealers in your area... Georgia American Twin Performance 1587 Highway 85 North Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 461-2562 Bike Performance Accessory 101 Spring Valley Blvd Calhoun, GA 30701 Tel. (706) 629-9776 www.bpamobiledyno.com Harley-Davidson Of Atlanta 501 Thornton Road Lithia Spring, GA 30122 (770) 944-1340 www.hdatlanta.com Hartman T/F Cycles 7677 Cumming Highway Canton, GA 30114 (770) 479-8254 www.hartmantfcycles.com Hog Whilde 1052 Highway 78 East Temple, GA 30179 (770) 562-0040 www.hogwileoftemple.com | ||
| Koz5150 |
The onlu new bikes I mildly like are the Ducati Monster S2R 1000. But it still doesn't look as cool as the Buell S1  | ||
| Swordsman |
Wolf, thanks for that info. I actually work about 2 miles from the guys in Calhoun!  ~SM | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
If you have a race ecm installed take the stock one with you and let them hack into it. Then sell your race ecm on flebay |
