Let the Flames Begin

[cstlwtr]

Nice.... The HD and the S4 would be a great combination!  So now the line will start to see if you're gone sell it bit-by-bit or truly keep the S4.

[ROBsS4R]

Bought it June 14th and have over 4500 miles on it since then and here are my impressions:

1)  The same three things people pregnant dog about on Monsters.....are the same three things to pregnant dog about on the Nightster
     a) suspension sucks
     b) seat sucks
     c) exhaust sucks
That being said, all I've upgraded so far is the suspension.  I bought Works Performance 2-stage fork springs and some custom built 12" rear shocks (stock is 11") with dual rate springs and it made a HUGE difference for about $600.

2)  Do NOT ride it like a Duc.  Do NOT ride it like a Duc.  (keep repeating this.....it may work for you...didn't for me)  It's low.  Ridiculously low as a matter of fact.  I've scraped the shit out of LOTS of hard parts but still enjoy it immensely.

3)  It's quick enough from 0 to about 30mph.  After that...it fades and if you really push it....it'll do 110mph w/stock exhaust and stock air-cleaner but it doesn't like it.

4)  Does GREAT burn-outs!  

5)  It's a good addition to the stable, but is no replacement for a Duc.  (seems obvious...but I'm currently Duc-less so doesn't apply for me).

Lots of character, lots of fun...42-47mpg...could use a 6th gear and better spacing but honestly...the 5-speed ain't bad.

Remove the foot-peg feelers for more clearance, do *something* with the side-stand (and let me know what you did...that mutha drags WAY easy), and get some smaller diameter pipes and it would be much more enjoyable.

Great bike all-in-all as an addition to your stable.
--Stu

Thanks for the info.

I was looking for something to replace my S4R as a Daily rider... Like Spidey mentioned I do a lot of slab riding. I make a 140 mile Highway trip once to twice a week and have lots of short range rides during the week.

After 2 years on the duc rain or shine I guess I am looking for something different 

I will try to stop by the Harley Dealer and take a closer look at one of them this week.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I would think a BMW R1200 GS would be a perfect commuter for you rob 

[ROBsS4R]

I would think a BMW R1200 GS would be a perfect commuter for you rob 

I do like those Beamers

Its a bit tough on a veritically challenged person though.

[somegirl]

I got to very briefly try out Duck-Stew's bike, I think you will really like the ride height on it Rob.

[Formerly Known as Hawaiibiker]

Anyone here have any experience with Harley's / Cruisers 

ROBsS4R,  In my former life, I used to own a Springer Softail and my brother still has a tricked out Sportster.  Understanding that the Monster and the HD are two different beasts .... I'd say go for it!

I road my Springer from NYC to Miami and then across to AZ.  I loved the ride, rumble and visceral feeling of being on such a beast but agree that the brakes, suspension, seating and acceleration on a stock bike leave you wanting ... of course I went with a 6 piston, 13 inch front brake, high comp cams and bored pistons, and a corbin seat ... after that ... it flew and stopped at a nice pace.  Handling was greatly improved when I put on drag bars ... I was soon scraping pegs but felt really comfortable with it and was much easier to spilt with on NYC streets 

I've ridden my brother's 883 ported to 1200cc sportster (his looks very similar to the Storz bike with flat-tracker pipes) and can say it was raw power and could shake your fillings out of your mouth ... however, I much prefer the big twin for smoothness and low end torque.

If you have any specific questions, just let me know.

[mostrobelle]

We are all being entirely too supportive of this cruiser idea, folks.  We're supposed to say something along the lines of "Get a$$ cancer and die if you buy one of the them Harley-ma-bobs..." 

(I keed!  I keed!)

However, I'm preemptively gathering an arsenal of cruiser jokes as we speak and I shall unleash them upon you with the purchase of that abomination.   





...dude, buy whatever you like.    There are a lot of cruisers that I like.  I haven't ridden one, but I've done some time on the back.  They're generally a lot better for passengers than sportbikes.    [moto]

[NORCAL510]

i think i just puked a little...



but the flat track version looks do-able

[Formerly Known as Hawaiibiker]

i think i just puked a little...

It's all good ... don't expect everyone to have the same tastes ... but then again, we choose the bikes we ride because they speak to us and not to impress others 

[desmoquattro]

...we choose the bikes we ride because they speak to us and not to impress others 

Speak for yourself...I choose the bikes I ride because they impress Spidey. Oh, and they make old ladies and little children cry as I ride past

[DanTheMan]

Crossbones

[Formerly Known as Hawaiibiker]

Speak for yourself...I choose the bikes I ride because they impress Spidey. Oh, and they make old ladies and little children cry as I ride past

Hahaha, ok .... even though I don't know Spidey personally, I'm sure he is worth trying to impress  ... and yes, some of us have that little that enjoys startling bystanders 

[mostrobelle]

It's all good ... don't expect everyone to have the same tastes ... but then again, we choose the bikes we ride because they speak to us and not to impress others 

We are the Ducati Elitists. Lower your face-shields, and surrender your cruiser. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours. Resistance is futile.

(I've seen a LOT of Star Trek...sorry.)  

 

[hypurone]

(Anyone who flames you over this question is an idiot.  There, I pre-emptively flamed the potential flamers.   )

I like cruisers though I have limited experience with HDs specifically.  I like 'em though, 'specially that sporty.  They're particularly good if you do a lot of slab.
Cruisers are a ton more comfy, and are well suited to the open road.  However, they can--depending on the ergos--looks more comfy than they are.  If you ride on with the pegs too far forward and the bars too high, your back takes a pounding because you can't use your legs as suspension.  

Personally, I think it would be an easier transition from sportbike to cruiser than the reverse.  The way you learn to ride a sportbike will lead to to quickly push the edge of ground clearance and traction with a cruiser.   You also have to learn to use the engine differently.  Cruisers want you to get into the high gear as fast as possible and then potato-potato-potato down the road.  It's the exact opposite of your Duc, which you likely rev up a bit before shifting.  It takes some getting used to, but the way you rise a cruiser is actually quite relaxing.  

It's harder to split with a cruiser, despite their low speed stability and low center of gravity.  They tend to be wider and not as quick steering.  Also cruiser suspensions suck.  As do their brakes.  Plan corners and stops well ahead of time.  Oh, and they're fat pigs.  Even that sportster.

Seriously, PM duck-stew.  I think he bought that exact bike.  Bigiain took it for a ride.  He may be able to share his impressions as well.

Not true!! My Mean Streak has killer brakes (twin disc w/ 6pot calipers up front!), decent suspension to start with, 46mm? inverted forks (now awesomely upgraded with Progressive springs and 440's out back) and I rail on it faster than most non-cruiser folks. Just ask the group of sportbikes, monsters, 1098's etc we railed thru on sunday, goin up the coast.  [moto] There are very capable cruisers out there. I would have to agree on the fat pig part tho. 600lbs !!

[Popeye the Sailor]

Not true!! My Mean Streak has killer brakes (twin disc w/ 6pot calipers up front!), decent suspension to start with, 46mm? inverted forks (now awesomely upgraded with Progressive springs and 440's out back) and I rail on it faster than most non-cruiser folks. Just ask the group of sportbikes, monsters, 1098's etc we railed thru on sunday, goin up the coast.  [moto] There are very capable cruisers out there. I would have to agree on the fat pig part tho. 600lbs !!

Just because you passed other "fast" bikes does not mean that your bike is fast, or that you are.