Went to Harley, where they know my dad and I pretty well and they let me test ride two bikes! Sportster 1200 with mid controls and the V-rod with forward controls. Took a little time to convince myself I could handle the V-rods weight but its very low and I said, what the hell, lets do it!
Sportster is very light, easy to ride, great beginner's bike in my eyes, definetly would get the 1200 not the 883.
Didnt like the power delivery, I like a smoother bike. On both bikes I noticed the clutch feel was not as good, just feels crisper on the R6. Also the brakes are nowhere near supersport but then again Im used to using only the front, you would use a lot more rear on a long heavy bike like the V-rod for maximum braking.
V-rod felt great, didnt take the sporster out on the freeway but thats the first place I went with the V-rod! Great power delivery (liquid cooled of course!) and buttery smooth. Under 6000rpm it sounded like a stock twin, very quiet, smooth sounding, like an SV. Open it up above that and its a great sound!
Lots of power on the V-rod and lots of bike but the low CG make it feel very light and nimble, and above 6,000rpm the power is superb, I think its 120hp at the crank. I had it opened up at WOT near redline in 1st and then into most of second (eased off to stay under 75mph) but man does it pull, the R6 pulls harder but I have yet to open up the R6 in 1st gear in the power band, for fear of riding a unicycle. The v-rod is just planted, you barely feel the front suspension unloading but its still pushing you back with a nice fun rush of power!
Anyways, dont think Im a convert yet, didnt like the aircooled motor but if they made a bike that handled like the new XR1200 Sporster, with the V-rod's power and smoothness I may just be sold!
Still hoping to ride an SV sometime but my dad really enjoyed seeing me enjoy a harley (he rides a Road King Custom) and was surprised that I could handle the V-Rod
.
Anyways I dont post here much since getting the R6 over the SV650 but just thought I'd share my experience with a twin!
Oh and the ride home felt funny, atleast at first. The long gears, the smooth power. The clip ons felt very funny almost like my two hands were touching! And then first time I slowed, oh boy are the super sport brakes nice!
Did a bunch of other riding, overall good motorcycle day for a day with a few showers, lots of clouds and a chilly temperature!
Sportster is very light, easy to ride, great beginner's bike in my eyes, definetly would get the 1200 not the 883.
Didnt like the power delivery, I like a smoother bike. On both bikes I noticed the clutch feel was not as good, just feels crisper on the R6. Also the brakes are nowhere near supersport but then again Im used to using only the front, you would use a lot more rear on a long heavy bike like the V-rod for maximum braking.
V-rod felt great, didnt take the sporster out on the freeway but thats the first place I went with the V-rod! Great power delivery (liquid cooled of course!) and buttery smooth. Under 6000rpm it sounded like a stock twin, very quiet, smooth sounding, like an SV. Open it up above that and its a great sound!
Lots of power on the V-rod and lots of bike but the low CG make it feel very light and nimble, and above 6,000rpm the power is superb, I think its 120hp at the crank. I had it opened up at WOT near redline in 1st and then into most of second (eased off to stay under 75mph) but man does it pull, the R6 pulls harder but I have yet to open up the R6 in 1st gear in the power band, for fear of riding a unicycle. The v-rod is just planted, you barely feel the front suspension unloading but its still pushing you back with a nice fun rush of power!
Anyways, dont think Im a convert yet, didnt like the aircooled motor but if they made a bike that handled like the new XR1200 Sporster, with the V-rod's power and smoothness I may just be sold!
Still hoping to ride an SV sometime but my dad really enjoyed seeing me enjoy a harley (he rides a Road King Custom) and was surprised that I could handle the V-Rod
.Anyways I dont post here much since getting the R6 over the SV650 but just thought I'd share my experience with a twin!
Oh and the ride home felt funny, atleast at first. The long gears, the smooth power. The clip ons felt very funny almost like my two hands were touching! And then first time I slowed, oh boy are the super sport brakes nice!
Did a bunch of other riding, overall good motorcycle day for a day with a few showers, lots of clouds and a chilly temperature!
