Harley Demo Days Today

[ringadingh]

Today one of the HD dealers near Niagara Falls had a demo day to try out the new 08's. Its an 1 1/2 hour ride to get there from where I live and I wanted to go for a ride anyways so off I went. They had 20 different models to try out between the HD's and the Buells. I signed up to try an Ultra Classic and waited for my turn. I hadn't ridden one in at least 4-5 years and wanted to compare it against the Nomad. Once we were underway I noticed that they are a little smaller in size than the Nomad, the windshield is closer to you, and the seating position seems a little tighter and more upright for my 6'2" frame but not uncomfortable, just different. My butt starts to get sore after an hour in the Nomad saddle, although I was only on the Ultra for about 25 minutes I liked the seat better, and think I could spend more time on it without getting uncomfortable. Power seemed to be fairly close in comparison and the shifting was almost as smooth. The six speed tranny really drops the rpms at highway speed, I do think they handle better at low speeds and feel more nimble than the Nomad at 30-60mph. The new Brembo brakes were very smooth and efficient as well.They shake a fair bit at idle, but this disappears as soon as your underway. I like having a full set of gauges and the stereo and cruise. Overall it is a really nice machine, and when the time comes to get a new bike,the Ultra may be getting a second look from me. I really like the Nomads, but by the time I put on the fairing,lowers, tour-pak,stereo,cruise, gauges, etc etc , the price difference probably isn't as great as you may think, and the Ultra already has all of these features. On the other hand, there are thousands of HD's out there, and the Nomads do stand out in a crowd.

[dogdoc]

I too like the Ultra Classic and would be my choice IF i went H-D.

[davidjones1]

+1 I have always like the ultra classic, the money has always been the the factor in not buying but as you said by the time you add the trunk the fairing -paint them etc... the cost diff would not be that far apart. it will be a while I would like to get at least 50,000 +miles out of the nomad before trading.
ride safe

[stambukj]

I have to agree, all of my past Harleys handle a lot better at slower speeds. And another point you make is price, by the time you get a Nomad to what the H.D. has the money difference isn't that great. And one other factor is resale, Harley's do hold their value. My next one will be a Ultra Classic and when I get to old to hold it up I can have it converted to a trike!

[bobzinger]

When my Roadking blew up I wanted a water cooled bike thinking it would be a cooler running machine. I chose a Nomad . This past weekend (92 degrees) I was stuck in stop and go traffic for 40 minutes and it was downright uncomfortable. My legs were frying and I could feel the fan blowing the heat around. But the biggest reason for not getting another Harley was that I didn't want to be a part of that whole egotistical Harley's best, metric's suck, mentality any more.

[dragon57]

I had an Ultra Classic once. I agree; they are very good bikes; wouldn't mind having another.
I agree, by the time I added fairing, gauges, stereo, custom paint, pipes, etc, price was not that far off. Plus the Ultra has the tour pack, which is great for long hauls.

[rewindgy]

It's interesting that Harley's always seem okay, and then when you talk to people who own them and they proudly explain that they fixed this for $500 and then the that needed repair for only $800 and then I upgraded the thingamagigiie for $1000. They only cost so little! I ride with two guys who both own Classic's and we have compared operating costs on all three bikes. Now I have only had the Nomad for a year, but we compared all three on the one year basis. Nomad - Oil & filter - 3 times $156.00 - one rear tire $254.00 / 2006 Classic - Oil & Filter - 3 times $255.00 Primary Oil change $115.00 One rear tire ( Dealer had to remove and align belt) $425.00 Shift lever & spline $135.00 ( I guess they wear out about once a year?)
Second Classic 2007 - Oil & filter 3 times $255.00 Primary $115.00 One front & one rear tire $630.00 Shifter - no spline - one belt $765.00 ( picked up a rock on way to Sturgis) Hmmm?
Oh - and 06 Classic is making noise and they may have to change the Timing chain adjusters ??? He got an estimate of $1500.00 - I guess they wear prematurely - at this time he is trying to get Warranty ???

[bobzinger]

To be fair 80% of my riding buddies have Harleys and only one has had any repair issues in 9 years of riding. Dealer issues is another matter!

[ringadingh]

Two of my pals have Ultras with no problems, one is a 97 with 90,000 miles on it. He did the rings and valvejob on it last summer, last week he replaced the clutch. The other is an 05 with about 40,000 miles, Its never been back to the dealer. Both these guys really ride their bikes. My other neighbour has a 05 Roadking with under 15,000 miles, he's a fairweather rider, and so far its let him down each time he goes away on a long trip away from home.

[stambukj]

The trick with Harley's is to find a good independent mechanic, that alone will save you about half! I've had 6 or 7 Harley's and can honestly say they have all been trouble free for the most part.