Questions for owners who own both, a 1200 and a big twin
#52
03-23-2010 | 12:06 PM
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
From: East of the Mississippi
Been talking to a friend of mine for a while who wishes to get a Harley. He has a sport bike background and says he is ready to slow down, smell the flowers, and take some longer trips. I have explained to him that performance wise, it's going to be night and day, he understands that. Of course, I have told him to rent, rent, rent! and he is looking into that right now.
The bike that he has seen that grabs him is the nightster. He likes that blacked out look and liked the lines of the nightster.
I expressed a concern that over time, while on longer trips which for him would be a long weekend at most, the bike might start to feel small. I pointed out some other blacked out bikes in the Dyna line which might do him better for the long run.
QUESTIONS for those who fit one of the three situations below.
1. You had a 1200, then switched and got a big twin
2. You had a big twin, switched and got a 1200
3. You have both a 1200, and a big twin
For those who have experience with both sizes, what are some pros and cons between the two?
I have heard the sporties handle much better and I think that since he has the sport bike background...this would be a pro
But....he also wants to handle some longer rides with his passenger, although she is only 100 pounds.....but smaller bike, longer rides???...might be a con.
Comments?
The bike that he has seen that grabs him is the nightster. He likes that blacked out look and liked the lines of the nightster.
I expressed a concern that over time, while on longer trips which for him would be a long weekend at most, the bike might start to feel small. I pointed out some other blacked out bikes in the Dyna line which might do him better for the long run.
QUESTIONS for those who fit one of the three situations below.
1. You had a 1200, then switched and got a big twin
2. You had a big twin, switched and got a 1200
3. You have both a 1200, and a big twin
For those who have experience with both sizes, what are some pros and cons between the two?
I have heard the sporties handle much better and I think that since he has the sport bike background...this would be a pro
But....he also wants to handle some longer rides with his passenger, although she is only 100 pounds.....but smaller bike, longer rides???...might be a con.
Comments?
Last edited by Zap; 03-23-2010 at 12:08 PM.
#53
03-23-2010 | 12:41 PM
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
just say yes
i bought a nightster when they first came out. test drove a dyna a year later. traded nightster in on fat bob dyna.. im pissed i ever bought the crappy nightster. rides like crap unstable over 80mph and long trips suck.. dyna feels great at 100mph plus super stable plenty of power and once i start riding it i dont want to stop.... could drive coast to coast on it...
bottom line get the big bike first time out learn from my mistake... just say no to sportsters..............
bottom line get the big bike first time out learn from my mistake... just say no to sportsters..............
#54
03-23-2010 | 02:10 PM
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
Well said. I've never understood the appeal of the CVO bikes. Too gawdy and way overpriced for my taste. I'd feel silly on one. I just like to ride. I don't care about being seen. But, to each his own.
#55
03-23-2010 | 04:58 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
I bought a Nightster mostly out of budgetary reasons – plus I didn’t think I could really handle a Big Twin nor did I really want to try after a 20 year riding hiatus. After 10,000 miles on the Nightster the Ride Free program became available and I already had decided I could handle a Street Bob after sitting on all the bikes throughout the year…… so I went for it. I probably never would have otherwise. Not for a while anyway.
Night and day difference between the two. The Nightster looks really cool, but at my weight (240lbs) it would bottom out ALL THE TIME. Even with Progressives. Bottoming out sucks too – it jukes your guts if you get on a rough stretch of road. The 1200 is pretty noisy too. I never really got used to that. I swear mine would get the knocks if you just slightly got on it and I had a Fuelpak on mine. For me, the Nightster seemed like it was really winding up in fourth gear getting up to highway speed, but if you shifted into fifth before you got over 60 it seemed like it was bogging to me. That may well have just been me and my sensitivity to that motor being extra noisy. I had a solo rack for my Nightster and took several extended weekend trips on it and it never let me down. It’s more fun if you take the back roads of course.
The Big Twin 96” and six speed transmission are far superior in my opinion…. whisper quiet in comparison. I still to this day can be in fourth gear and not realize I’m not in fifth at 50+……and getting it up to cruising speed and hitting sixth is plush! The Street Bob has a good deal more heft to it as well. On the highway you can feel how it’s more planted and not effected by crosswinds as much. No more bottoming out either! Rides like a Cadillac in comparison.
I really can’t imagine trying two up on a Nightster at all…..even just occasionally. I see people all the time with them setup for two up, but I know I couldn’t have done it on mine. It bottomed out with just me on it. If you were getting a bike to run around town on and take the occasional weekend trip the Nightster might be the ticket for you….it’s a cool looking scooter.
I personally prefer the Street Bob for a run around town bike that can still pull touring duty fairly well when needed. It’s not humongous, but it’s got enough size to ride well and still be maneuverable.
Night and day difference between the two. The Nightster looks really cool, but at my weight (240lbs) it would bottom out ALL THE TIME. Even with Progressives. Bottoming out sucks too – it jukes your guts if you get on a rough stretch of road. The 1200 is pretty noisy too. I never really got used to that. I swear mine would get the knocks if you just slightly got on it and I had a Fuelpak on mine. For me, the Nightster seemed like it was really winding up in fourth gear getting up to highway speed, but if you shifted into fifth before you got over 60 it seemed like it was bogging to me. That may well have just been me and my sensitivity to that motor being extra noisy. I had a solo rack for my Nightster and took several extended weekend trips on it and it never let me down. It’s more fun if you take the back roads of course.
The Big Twin 96” and six speed transmission are far superior in my opinion…. whisper quiet in comparison. I still to this day can be in fourth gear and not realize I’m not in fifth at 50+……and getting it up to cruising speed and hitting sixth is plush! The Street Bob has a good deal more heft to it as well. On the highway you can feel how it’s more planted and not effected by crosswinds as much. No more bottoming out either! Rides like a Cadillac in comparison.
I really can’t imagine trying two up on a Nightster at all…..even just occasionally. I see people all the time with them setup for two up, but I know I couldn’t have done it on mine. It bottomed out with just me on it. If you were getting a bike to run around town on and take the occasional weekend trip the Nightster might be the ticket for you….it’s a cool looking scooter.
I personally prefer the Street Bob for a run around town bike that can still pull touring duty fairly well when needed. It’s not humongous, but it’s got enough size to ride well and still be maneuverable.
#56
03-24-2010 | 01:09 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Well, I'll be damned...
You're right. I read it wrong.
But I'm stickin' to my opinion: He should ditch the girlfriend and buy a Ducati.
Or....at the very least: Save a bundle by getting a Suzuki instead of a Ducati and use the extra cash to buy the girlfriend a Harley
#57
03-24-2010 | 05:28 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,438
Likes: 6
From: Gulf Coast of Mississippi
The Quote: "I have heard the sporties handle much better and I think that since he has the sport bike background...this would be a pro"
You're right. I read it wrong.
But I'm stickin' to my opinion: He should ditch the girlfriend and buy a Ducati.
Or....at the very least: Save a bundle by getting a Suzuki instead of a Ducati and use the extra cash to buy the girlfriend a Harley
You're right. I read it wrong.
But I'm stickin' to my opinion: He should ditch the girlfriend and buy a Ducati.
Or....at the very least: Save a bundle by getting a Suzuki instead of a Ducati and use the extra cash to buy the girlfriend a Harley
Just askin'...
Charlie D.
#59
03-24-2010 | 08:04 AM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
Yeah, that must be it... An you ride what?.... don' even see it list'd.......
#60
03-24-2010 | 08:14 AM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
Understand???? Don't understand the appeal of a Vette' or a Ferrari either, huh?? An yer prolly the same kind'a dude that'll dump $$$ in yer motor ta make "more power"
......Overpriced?? Yeah....Everthing's overpriced......Food's overpriced......guess you're gonna quit eat'n , huh???