Hopefully going to be back in the saddle on a RSV after tomorrow.

[grubsie]

OK OK, so I bought into the Kool Aid about 2 months ago and bought a 2013 HD Ultra Classic with only 6700 miles on the clock from a widow referred to me by a friend. It only had 6700 miles on it and is chromed out to the max and in mint condition. Got it for a good price and thought that I was going to love the bike. After I bought it, I put my 2008 RSV up for sale on CL and it sold in 2 days.

 

I have to say, after I had setup my RSV with a 1" lowered front end and a 1/2" lowered seat modified by myself along with V&H Monster Oval slip on exhaust with baffles from Smartpartz, I had the ultimate setup. My wife loved the bike and I have to say that I loved it also. After all it was my 3rd RSV and this one was setup with everything I ever wanted in a touring bike. That and the Avon Cobra tires, made the bike ride like a dream.

 

Fast forward with the 2013 HD Ultra Classic and the disappointment started. The suspension front and rear sucks the tranny is very clunky, the seat gets very uncomfortable after a few hours for both of us, riding 2 up is way more cramped and power is no where near as responsive as the RSV. It also seems more top heavy than the RSV and the heat on the right side is damn near impossible to live with. My wife hates the ride and I am not thrilled with it either. I now have it up for sale and discovered that the HD market is flooded with used bikes. Not even getting a sniffle on it so I will likely wind up selling it for a loss just to get out from under it.

 

Went on the HD forums to complain/ ask advice to resolve the problems and was stunned by responses that seemed like matter of fact and no big deal with things like just change the front and rear suspension along with the seat and handlebars etc at a cost of thousands of dollars like it's just expected on a HD. No big deal, right? Then to solve the heat problem and power. Oh, just upgrade to better headers , along with upgraded mufflers that are going to be louder than I ever would want and add a fuel controller which would all cost well over $1,000.00. No big deal, it's just the way it is with HD's. And, after all that, it still won't ride or be as comfortable, or ride as nice as the RSV. All the money spent in upgrades will cost more than it costs to buy a good running used RSV.

 

Fast forward again, I have quickly gone back into the market looking for another RSV. After, making a huge mistake swallowing the Kool Aid and getting damn near castrated by my wife for selling my RSV, I have the chance to get another 2008 RSV and hopefully going to be able to grab it tomorrow. I have to admit, The 2nd gen RSV, after being setup the way I want, is hands down, the nicest riding motorcycle I have ever ridden. I can't wait to get back in the saddle of one again. Hopefully tomorrow will be that day.

[Graywulf]

OK OK, so I bought into the Kool Aid about 2 months ago and bought a 2013 HD Ultra Classic

Fast forward again, I have quickly gone back into the market looking for another RSV. After, making a huge mistake swallowing the Kool Aid and getting damn near castrated by my wife for selling my RSV, I have the chance to get another 2008 RSV and hopefully going to be able to grab it tomorrow. I have to admit, The 2nd gen RSV, after being setup the way I want, is hands down, the nicest riding motorcycle I have ever ridden. I can't wait to get back in the saddle of one again. Hopefully tomorrow will be that day.

 

I can understand your wife's annoyance now. I took my ex Vicki out on Barney yesterday for a ride round the loop. She's pillioned several bikes in my ownership in the last decade. Her comment was Barney is as, if not MORE comfortable, than the rear accommodation on her Spyder RTS. It's the first bike I've owned where even after 2 hours she was not asking for a coffee stop and she almost nodded off. Just my damned 'rock music' kept her awake

[cowpuc]

Yep Grub's,,, best be listening to that precious wife of yours. It sure seems like until a bike reveals it's true touring charactoristics and,, sort of like a good pair of riding boots,, answers the question of whether it "fits" or not,,, its just another bike... Once it proves itself though,, it becomes part of the family...

By the way,,, Tip agree's with and totally concur's with your wifes perspective.. Roll forward to 6:20 in the vid below to hear her thoughts.. When you do,,,pay very special attention to her comment of comparing the seat comfort on the 2nd Gen to that of Tippy's vast experience on our tired old 1st Gens. Personally I put a lot of value on the passengers perspective because if they (wife/passenger) aint having fun and enjoying the miles going by - the whole trip tends to sour,,,,,, IMHO of course..

All the best in your endeavor in scoopin another 2nd Gen!!

Edited October 7, 2018 by cowpuc
I said go to 607 and tippy didnt start talkin till 620 so I corrected my mistake...

[grubsie]

Well here she is sitting in my driveway. I'm happy, my wife is thrilled and all is right in the world again.

[cowpuc]

Well here she is sitting in my driveway. I'm happy, my wife is thrilled and all is right in the world again.

 

:dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::clap2::clap2:

 

[Skeeter]

I did the exact same thing two years ago. I sold my 99 RSV and bought a 2010 Ultra Classic. It was a nice bike, but not as nice as my RSV and not as comfortable for me or my wife.

 

I sold the Ultra last fall and bought beautiful low mileage 2008 RSV this spring. I like the styling on the RSV better than the Harley too. The 2nd Gen RSV is definitely the most comfortable bike I've ridden. I love the power of the RSV also.

 

My wife got uncomfortable on the Ultra after a couple hours, but not the Venture. We rode 9 hours home from Ohio in August and she was comfortable the whole way.

 

All my buddies ride HD. I warned them that if they want to stay happy on their HD, don't ride a Venture.