I have been rididng bikes of all sizes since I was a kid. I took my first tour on a 1976 Shovel Head back in 84 to Prince Edward Island with my uncle Glenn. I was 9 at the time, but it became an instant love for the raw guttsiness of man and machine. I now own that back as my inheritance, even though he has not passed on. I also up until just recently owned a custom 100th ann. V-Rod which I truly loved, even for an unconventional or traditional Harley, and a 100th ann. Heritage Springer. Great bike as well, but did not corner like the Rod, and I constantly drug the floor boards. I am now approaching 35 and slowing a little so 2 weeks ago after a tour out with the Rod, and seeing a 3rd friend crash behind me trying to keep pace in the corners, I decided enough was enough. The next day I found a custom done 2009 Electra Glide Standard built at Red Deer Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson in Alberta. I told them to put my name on it and I would be back to trade in the Rod the following day. The next day, I rode the Rod as if it was my final ride. And rightfully so, as it was the end of an era for me. It felt like I was dropping my dog off at the pound and getting a new one right in front of him. I picked up the 09 FLHT and rode it for 6 days around Alberta and then dropped it off for its first service, as I managed to rack up 3000 km when I wasn´t doing spring maintanance to my yard. I have been to alot of demo days, and have rode many different years of touring models, and I must say, yes it is a cruiser, yes I miss the power of my V-Rod but do not miss the fuel mileage. I averaged about 365 km / tank. V-Rod tweaked for performance, 135 km / tank! I rode with my Buddy Rick who thought the way the guys at GAHD incorporated alot of powder coated black parts with the denim black, and the wide radius blacked out Vance and Hines pipes, lowcut winshield, street glide lowered seat and many extras, somehow suited me. As strange as that may be as he was used to seeing me ride as though my hair was on fire with my beenie on and bugs in my teeth. After the ride through the Rockie Mountain foothills, he said I rode it like it was the V-Rod. And that is due to the new suspension HD has given it this year. It handled great at 150km/hr in the windy roads on H-Way 66 west of Bragg Creek. I was somewhat surprised myself. However as much as I love it, and having the stage one with HD´s race tuner for performance, I still feel it could use a little more. Many may find that it does not, but I am a high performance nut, and I will transform this into the sinister heart pounding beast It deserves to be. Canada day I leave for a coast to coast trip and back. So I will let you know after the Iron but marathon what I think of it then. For now, I am happy with the improvements, especially the cruise control, and handlling abilities, but could use a little boost in the power to keep me 100% happy. So I give it an 8 1/2 out of 10. When I am done with it, it will be a 12 out of 10.
CHEERS |