[doc_63]

I just talked to my sister. Her and her husband just bought a new HD Electra Glide. Wow, it looks nice on the website. Thats a whole lot of bike. I wont see it for a couple weeks, but it will be interesting to take it for a ride. What should I expect it to feel like?

 

[woof359]

after they have it for a while, tell us how the bike is working out? huge monster, and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[pweg33]

You will feel like they spend a lot of money for a nice looking bike. The ride is OK, a different bike than the X. You can make yours look the sames for a lot less money.

 

[Scar]

Be sure and take your AAA carb with the towing feature with you when you go for the ride. -- And a cell phone.

 

[BigDog]

Nice bike but for double + of what a VTX cost I can't see paying that much, plus they are so common if you get one and make it custom you have $25k in a bike.

 

[OldBlue62]

My $.02......nice bikes, but way to much $$$$

 

[woof359]

See, its mostly all the same, every one likes HD well enough, but price is what every one comenets on the most.

 

[Highmiles]

Be sure and take your AAA carb with the towing feature with you when you go for the ride. -- And a cell phone.

Be nice. I own both, and that's just not true.

The main difference is the H-D comes with a lot of extra features, and they all cost money. On my Road King Classic, you pay extra but get standard items like quick detachable windshield and bags, electronic fuel injection, self cancelling turn signals, alarm system which will also disable bike if it is moved, electronic cruise control, highway bars, bag bars, floorboards front and rear, air suspension, etc. I have added enough to the 1300 to know that if you really made them equally equipped, with the same quality of parts, there would not be much difference in parts.

Just enjoy your 1300. It is a great bike for the money, or at any price with accessories.

Highmiles

 

[Scar]

Be nice. I own both, and that's just not true.

Actually I thought I was being nice...

Been riding since the 60's and have owned, worked on and ridden about everything out there including several pre AMF HDs.. I worked on my own HDs so I didn't have any problems, that was not the norm.

TODAY "MOST" of the HD riders I encounter don't know anything about their bikes and take them to a shop to have them worked on.. totally clueless, they are just "game operators with a joystick" in my book... going along for the ride.. Buy the officail HD garb at the local outlet and wear it when they go riding so that everyone will be sure and KNOW they are an official biker.. hahahaha... official RUB would be more like it.

The bikes I see broak down alongside the road are HD... The horror stories I hear from the guys at the "stops" are from HD owners... and MANY of them are on loaner bikes... seems their bike is in the shop AGAIN.. and they are telling a tale about how long it has been in there being fixed... and why it is taking so long because this has been a recurring problem... so of course I ask them why don't they do their own work.. that is when they look at you like you just landed from another planet.. walk off and find a group of similarly attired "RUBS" were they know that lack of mechanical knowledge will not be an issue.

See, I was being nice... and I am still being nice... I haven't brought out any of the "horror" stories... P.T. Barnum was right.

 

[Highmiles]

Love to meet you sometime. Sound like a nice intelligent fellow.

Highmiles

 

[MerwinT]

The Harley Davidson Electra glide is a heavy bike. You will definitly feel it. The weight also contributes to the ride. It should feel very stable and solid. I think the 1300/1800 honda is a more nimble bike. However it is not a fair comparison. The Electra Glide for Harley would be better compared to the Gold Wing even though that is not the best comparison either.

 

[bgrd1]

the HD Electra Glide is a very well balanced smooth riding at highway speeds bike, the EFI is very nice, about the same or a little less performance than a stock 1300 VTX and feels heavy at stops and very slow speeds. Speaking from experience as I own an Electra Glide Standard and a 1300 VTX

 

[Buda_jim]

Merwin hit it dead on. I have owned three of the Goldwings produced over the years (GL1000, 1100, and 1200) and an Electra Glide (pre-Evolution motor). That particular era HD did require a lot of maintenance. I still have many friends with HDs and have ridden a variety of the newer models, including Electra Glides. Virtually all of my friends with the newer HDs keep up with the scheduled maintenance (some do most of it themselves) and their bikes are as reliable as anyone else's in our group.

In terms of size, weight and function you can compare the Gold Wing to an Electra Glide. However, I quit riding the Wings because every few years they seem to evolve farther and farther away from what I expect in a motorcycle. It's to the point that almost none of the engine is visible behind plastic, and the ride is so quiet and smooth that it feels more like a car than a bike (no feedback from the road). Next I expect to see a convertible canvas top!

Since I'm obviously a "full dresser" touring type rider, why didn't I go back to the Electra Glide? Simple ... it's too under-powered for me at 88 cubic inches. Of course, now they have the Screaming Eagle motor which is simply the 88 ci bored out to 96 (I think) ci. AND ... it's rediculously priced at over $20K. AND, I'm not 100 percent in love with the lines. For me, it has nothing to do with reliability anymore.

So why did I buy an 1800 VTX? Again, it's simple. I really like the lines of the VTX Retro and the 1800 has an awesome 110 (almost) ci power plant. I'll be adding a full fairing when I see the one I really want. The Bat Wing style is the most likely candidate from what I've seen so far. I'll be able to add the instrumentation that Honda neglected to provide (a tach is the most obvious). I may keep the Leatherlyke bags and trunk that I have now (I like their look) or I may go with something different. But when it's all said and done I'll have a full dresser touring bike with lines I like best and the fun of a big muscle V-twin, rather than the underpowered Electra Glide.

But let's be honest ... by the time I'm finished I may have close to the same invested in my bike as if I had gone with the Electra Glide in the first place. However, I'll have what I want without sacrificing the style I like or the power I want, and there won't be any others around like mine.

Buda_Jim

 

[MerwinT]

As far as riders not knowing very much about their scoots, the same could be said for any brand. There was a time when "if you couldn't fix it, you didn't ride it. If you couldn't "kick it over" you didn't ride it either. Over the years Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki and Yamaha all went through some less than dependable ignition systems. The irony of Harley is that AMF got a bad rap when they owned Harley, but they are the ones who began the R&D on the Evolution motor. And while I'm on a rant, the VTX’s that we love so much were made to resemble Harley Davidson’s, Not (for those who remember them) a 305 Honda Dream. You don't see people proudly posing with their Vintage Honda CB350. Over the years Honda earned my respect, but Harley Davidson has had it since I was a kid. I will stop here. I have a tendency to go on a bit. I will leave you with this :Many times the Fox that can't reach the grapes calls them sour"
Ride Safe.
:hmm2:

 

[DillDawg]

And while I'm on a rant, the VTX’s that we love so much were made to resemble Harley Davidson’s, Not (for those who remember them) a 305 Honda Dream.

Mine was made to resemble an Indian. HD just copied them. :bleh:

As for what to expect when you ride the Electra Glide - you''ll look just like every other rider on one....exactly like every other rider. For the record - I don't like Wings either for that same reason.

 

[The VTX Monk]

Hey Scar,

As for some riders not working on their bikes, I'm in that camp right now. I used to work on my cars with minor this and thats and things usually worked out ok.

Haven't worked on an engine or anything else for decades. Now that I have a bike, my first one, I am putting my trust in the dealership for now to make sure everything is within tolerance. I do not want anything falling off my bike (especially me) because I did not tighten a bolt to torque spec.

Later I want to learn more of what to do, such as replacing a clutch cable if I breakdown on the rode, but for now I can't trust myself. I bet this feeling is around more than you think as opposed to "I'm too busy enjoying my latte...."

Unfortunately for me, the only work I have done on my bike is putting on the windshield, riding pegs and putting the new dipstick on. I let the dealership put on luggage rack, bags and a few other things. Sure enough, I almost lost a Kury peg! I didn't tighten it enough....and those pegs are d*** expensive!

By-the-way, I'd rather have a cappucino anyway.

Monk

 

[Scar]

Hey Scar,

Now that I have a bike, my first one, I am putting my trust in the dealership for now to make sure everything is within tolerance. I do not want anything falling off my bike (especially me) because I did not tighten a bolt to torque spec.


Monk

Monk: Yea, I cross deserts and sometimes don't see a town or anything for maybe a hundred miles or so.. I have to rely on everything "holding together", which is why I do my own work. I just don't trust those kids working at the dealer who are learning how to be mechanics with my machine. They don't really have a "vested interest" in dependability like I do.. I can see it now, "we messed up? Bring it in and we'll fix it".. fine, but when you are 500 miles from the shop in the middle of nowhere that isn't very comforting -- Thus I work on my own bike.

I suppose that if it is just for "local" rides where a tow truck can get it back that might be a different situation, although I really can't see being broken down alongside the road for any period of time anywhere...

Anyway, different stokes and all that... and I like the double expresso

 

[AZVTX'er]

Monk: Yea, I cross deserts and sometimes don't see a town or anything for maybe a hundred miles or so.. I have to rely on everything "holding together", which is why I do my own work. I just don't trust those kids working at the dealer who are learning how to be mechanics with my machine. They don't really have a "vested interest" in dependability like I do.. I can see it now, "we messed up? Bring it in and we'll fix it".. fine, but when you are 500 miles from the shop in the middle of nowhere that isn't very comforting -- Thus I work I my own bike.

I suppose that if it is just for "local" rides where a tow truck can get it back that might be a different situation, although I really can't see being broken down alongside the road for any period of time anywhere...

Anyway, different stokes and all that... and I like the double expresso

Scar, I totally agree with ya. I wish you were in Phoenix so you could teach me. Being able to fix any bike on the move must be a great thing.

 

[Scar]

AZ, I have my truck packed (except for the clothes, they get loaded in the morning)... headed back to Salome... that is 90 miles east of Phoenix.. should have the bike out there in a few weeks.

 

[AZVTX'er]

AZ, I have my truck packed (except for the clothes, they get loaded in the morning)... headed back to Salome... that is 90 miles east of Phoenix.. should have the bike out there in a few weeks.

Sweet! I think you mean 90 miles west of Phx right? You're up close to Quartzite. I'll PM ya with my #. Call me when you get here. We'll meet in Wickenburg and ride Yarnell! 80 degrees here on Sunday! Woo hoo!

:cheers: