2018 Harley Demo Days, a review.

"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
05/21/2018 at 11:47 • Filed to: None

The Harley demo fleet was in town this weekend and a buddy of mine wanted to go check it out and see if he could pick up on some of that “special feeling” that Harley guys are always talking about. I’ve been curious about the new softtail line, and figured it would be a good way to expose myself to a few bikes outside of my typical riding style so I gladly went along.

A quick into to my riding history, to hopefully better portray my point of view. My first bike was a clapped out bone stock ‘82 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim, which has gone through many transitions and is now your typical sketchy cafe racer type of bike. I adore this bike. My second bike was an ‘08 Harley Sporster 883 which I had for five years and fell in love with. This was the bike that flipped my perception of Harleys in general, and the bike that I found that “special indescribable feeling” on. My daily rider now is an ‘06 Yamaha Warrior 1700, which is a beast of a cruiser and an all around incredible bike. So in general I love a good cruiser, but like my bikes a little smaller in general, and can more than appreciate a good sport bike. Now, on to my short review.

We’ll start with the new Milwaukee 8 V-twin in general. This engine was, interesting. If an engine can be both smooth and rough at the same time Harley found a way to do it. Everything was remarkably smooth once you got moving, but while sitting still the engine shook in typical Harley fashion, but not in the “good” way. While my old Sportster shook like every Harley, the feeling was more of a rhythmic thumping, while the new M8 feels more like random misfire to me. Shifting was also very inconsistent, at times it felt incredibly smooth, making me question if I actually changed gears, and at other times very heavy and agricultural. The heavy shifting doesn’t bother me, but the inconsistency was odd. Power was good, as was torque, strong down low but running out of breath up top. Cruising at 80+ could be done with ease. These are by no means slow, but by bike standards they are not fast, I didn’t ride any of the Stage 1 or CVO bikes which I’ve heard are better, but overall I was pretty underwhelmed by what’s supposed to by Harley’s biggest baddest engine to date.

The first bike I rode was a standard Street Glide. Outside of my typical preference zone as I’m not really a fan of baggers, I figured I’d give one a try. I was surprised by how much I liked this bike. While I love riding, I typically like to have a destination in mind, but with this bike I felt like I could wander aimlessly all day long and not get tired of it. Harleys have always seemed to have a very short stretch between the seat and the headstock and the Street Glide was no different. Everything was within easy reach and gauges are close and easy to read. This also helps the bike feel a bit more nimble making steering a bit easier and handling a bit more sharp. Overall I was surprised by how small an manageable this big bike felt. It’s not something I’d want to ride around town every day, but is very easy to manage when you do. My only complaint is that the windshield was a little short for me, causing a bit of buffeting at head level, an easily fixable problem. I’m not ready to move up to a big touring bike quite yet, but when I am, this bike will be on the shopping list.

The second bike I rode was the Sportster 1200 (but in white). The Sporster platform is old enough and has been reviewed enough times so I wont say much. What I will say is that this is objectively not a good bike, slow, rough, small, a little heavy, but this bike put the biggest smile on my face all day. I was however pretty disappointed in the power output of the 1200. While I didn’t expect it to be fast I did expect a substantial difference from my old 883, which just wasn’t there. In the end this bike brought back a lot of fun memories, and despite its flaws I really want to have another Sportster someday.

My third ride was the Street Bob. Going into this, this was the bike I would have been most interested in actually buying, but by the time I left, it was the bike I was most disappointed in.The overall feel of the bike was great, big enough to handle highways and interstates, but still small and slender enough to give a lighter stripped down feel, exactly what I want out of a bike. The ergonomics of the Street Bob, for me, were terrible. The seat pushed me too far forward, the pegs were too high, and the seat too low. My knees felt like they were at my chest. I felt less cramped on the mid control Sportster. I’m also not a fan of the new gas tank shape. If I were to buy a new Street Bob I’d have to spend so much money on making it comfortable, and look the way I want that I wouldn’t even consider it, except for one thing, that dash. Harleys new low profile dash, which is integrated into the bar clamps is the greatest motorcycle dash ever. You can try to fight my on this, but I will not be swayed. The display is very small and sleek, yet displays all of the information you would ever need and is still very easy to read. I would buy this bike purely for the dashboard.

The fourth bike I chose was the new Deluxe, which was on the complete opposite end of my personal spectrum as the Street Bob. Consistently my least favorite Harley these have always been way to retro for me, far too much chrome with those very old school white walls, and the ugly triple lights, the floor boards too high, and the seat and those beach bomber bars too low. But that gorgeous blue paint beckoned and today was about trying bikes I normally wouldn’t try, so I decided to give it a chance and see what it was all about. My friends, I have never been so wrong about a motorcycle. The minute we took off down the road I was floating in comfortable bliss. Everything was right where it needed to be, and despite the very overcast day the chrome and that incredible blue paint sparkled in my peripherals and brought a joy upon me that I never though this bike would. This is the bike that you take to a gently curving road and ride at 55-65 mph all day long, never pushing the limits, but simply relaxing, taking in the scenery and enjoying the day. I’d still take off those stupid auxiliary lights though.

The fifth bike, and final ride of the day was the Fat Bob. This retro futuristic bike has caused a good deal of commotion for Harley, and it’s easy to see why. While still based on the Softtail platform the styling and feel of this bike is very different from anything Harley has ever made. Riding it provides the same feeling. This bike is not a cruiser, nor is it a sport bike, clearly, this is a standard with slightly forward set controls. The seat keeps you very upright and provides a surprising amount of back support, and the drag bars and steepish rake make the bike very nimble, but that fat front tire fights the lean, trying its best to keep the bike upright. For my last ride I debated between this and a CVO Roadglide but my friend talked me into this one as he had just gotten done with it. I’m glad he did. This bike was by far the most interesting of the day, although not my favorite. My only complaint on this one is that the tank mounted dash was primarily a tach with the speedometer being a digital readout. That needs to be switched because this is by no means a sport bike and monitoring RPM for perfect shift points etc. is too far down the priority list for the tach to be displayed as prominently as it is.

I’ve read various reviews and have always been a bit skeptical of the reviews that claim that each bike has its own unique personality, despite being built on the same platform, but after this weekend I can say that’s very true. If you’re into this type of bike, and can justify the cost they’re definitely worth considering. I’m still not of the mindset that it’s Harley or nothing, but I still think that they’re bikes hold up very well to the competition and are worth of at least some of the premium they command.

It was overall a really fun afternoon, despite the cloudy and cold weather. We got to check out a good variety of bikes, I experienced several bikes that I wouldn’t have normally considered, and had my mind changed on several. Everyone was very friendly and I met a couple of pretty cool people. Plus, any day riding is a good day, regardless of what you’re on.

Edit: Damn you Kinja and you’re ten thousand pictures.

DISCUSSION (9)

jimz > Pickup_man
05/21/2018 at 12:10

‘82 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim

buddy of mine has an ‘81 XJ650 (pre-YICS.) he’d been trying to keep it going, but man, between the leaks and the shit charging system he finally gave up and got a Shadow.

Gerry197 > Pickup_man
05/21/2018 at 12:12

I think the 883 was flattered by a more aggressive gearing to make up for it’s lack in power. The 1200 geared the same way would be more noticeable for you I think.

As for ergonomics, that can all be changed easily, though at a higher (or much higher) costs such as bars, control sets and seats to suit you specific tastes and riding style.

Pickup_man > jimz
05/21/2018 at 12:32

Mine gave me lots of trouble for the longest time, mostly my fault due to the pod filters and lack of mufflers, but after getting that tuned in it’s been dead reliable. I did build a %100 new wire harness for it but that was mainly because I wanted to eliminate/relocate a bunch of features and it was just easier to start from scratch.

Pickup_man > Gerry197
05/21/2018 at 12:37

That must have been it because that 1200 didn’t have nearly as much pep as I expected.

I changed around ergonomics on my Sportster a few times and yeah, that gets expensive. I just felt like with the new Street Bob that I’d have to change so much that I’d rather start with a different bike all together, then again, there’s that dash.... which is only on like one other model which I didn’t like. Regardless, I can’t afford a new Harley so I don’t have to worry about it.

Gerry197 > Pickup_man
05/21/2018 at 12:40

A 1250 or 1275 conversion on a 883 would smoke any stock 1200, but yea, gearing is an easy way to fix the issue, which is why the 883 feels like it’s out of steam on the highway, it’s geared out.

The 1200 has about 20 more hp or so. When I tell my sport riding buddies that want to buy a Harley, I usually compare it to how the SV650 feels, which is the most common “starter bike” for most of them.

If they want an 883, I tell them to imagine an SV650 but missing 20 hp and a 100+ lbs passenger on the back. If they want a 1200, they get the 20 hp back, but still have the passenger on the back.

They eventually get a used Dyna or don’t buy one. I recently picked up a Iron 1200, I had to mod it a bit to get it where I want it, but I love it now. I wouldn’t own it as my only bike, but it’s a fun around town bike. I just wished Harley kept the 883 color and styling for it, which is way more attractive than the AMF scheme.

Pickup_man > Gerry197
05/21/2018 at 12:57

I did a little interstate riding on my 883, and thought it handled it ok, but that’s ultimately why I ended up selling it. My riding has become less in town and short rides and more highway and interstates, and the Sportster just isn’t the bike for that job. That and my wife started wanting to ride more with me so a bigger passenger seat was needed. I loved the size of the Sportster though, I’ve never been a big bike guy (even though I’m fairly tall) and I loved how little the Sportster felt. It’s still a ways off but I’ve been debating about what I want as my next easy build bike, I’m torn between a 1200 Sporty (or 883 plus mods), or a Shovelhead.

As for the paint, I happen to really like the AMF scheme, some schemes aren’t that great, but the bike I rode was pearl white with the blue stripes and I loved it.

Gerry197 > Pickup_man
05/21/2018 at 13:08

I just personally loved that matted dark brown of the current 883, just wished they offered that, I have the Black with AMF and not in love with it. I would have bought the Forty-Eight if I did it again, it had a color I liked more and forward controls already on it for, though it was a grand more.

I think you would be a happy with a used Dyna. It is much more a highway bike than any Sportster, plus you won’t lose much value since it’s already taken much of the deprecation hit.

I would love Dyna Low Rider S, which is blacked out with brass colored wheels. Hard to find them, and usually in the mid-teens used.

Pickup_man > Gerry197
05/21/2018 at 14:04

I looked at a couple Dynas when I replaced my Sportster, I ended up on a Yamaha Warrior instead because it was such a good deal. I love the Warrior and it suits my highway needs perfectly so if I end up on another Harley it’s going to either be a full on touring bike such as the Street Glide, or a fun bike in which case either a Sporty or a Dyna would be great.

I test rode the Low Rider S when it first came out, awesome bike, way out of my price range.

Gerry197 > Pickup_man
05/21/2018 at 14:21

Yup, the Warrior is a great bike as well. I was looking at used Road Kings but too big for me to feel comfortable lane splitting here in California with, Dyna is about as big as I want to go at this point.

I’m hoping to get a used Low Rider S one day, maybe around 10K or so or convert an older Dyna to the same style.