mark883
25th March 2005, 14:54
I must admit that I've sinned against all things Sportster.
I rented a BT for four days and rode through Arizona, California and Nevada.
I rented a '05 Heritage Softtail through EagleRider in Phoenix. All I have to say, is, darn, is that a nice bike. I'd compare it to a '74 Chevy Impala, a super smooth boat like ride, even at 80+ mph (with plenty of twist left in the throttle). Fuel Injected (it never farted! no enrichener! never stuttered on a cold engine!) Big fat puffy seat that just cradles your butt, unlike my 883L's seat, which shapes your butt to fit it. But yes, it also handles a bit like a yacht. A no-problem turn on a Sportster may create scraping noises on a heritage as I found out, which didn't scare me too bad. Overall though, I was impressed that it handled a lot better than I thought. I was expecting something much more dump truck like, but it suprised me how readily it would turn and manuever. However, a 135# guy riding a 600+# bike needs to know, at ALL times, just which way it feels like leaning. Comparison? A Sportster is more like a '74 Corvette, rougher riding, but appealing in a whole different way. :D
My route was, from Phoenix, I-10 to Blythe, Ca, for an overnight (hit the only rain and hail of the trip) then north on US 95 along the Colorado River crossing over to AZ 95, then back to US 95 to Vegas. Incredible Scenery! With my body still on EST, I woke up at 5am local, and decided, I'm going riding! So off I head, north of Vegas, up to Rt 375 and the Extraterrestrial Hwy! Yep, I'm going to Rachel, Alien / Area 51 center of the universe. THAT was a ride- beautiful scenery.... stopped at the Lil Ale'inn for some postcards. Didn't see any aliens or UFOs, but a few fighters playing around, since it was Red Flag excersizes, Nellis looked like a hornet's nest of activity when I rode back down into vegas. After that night in Vegas, and losing only about $5 gambling (gambling boooooorinnnggg!) its back to Phoenix to return the bike (taking the long way, of course). Traffic in Vegas wasn't that terrible on bike. So, rode across Hoover Dam, then to Kingman where I stopped at the Stealer for a HD Shirt then along 40, then a short detour on to 66- wish I could have done more 66, but not enough time to go to the Canyon. Then down Rt. 89 to I-17, then back to Phoenix to return the bike.
BTW- traffic in Phoenix absolutely s*cks. But I found it better on a bike than in a car. Just watch out at those stoplights.
It is incredibly easy to put 300+ miles a day on the Heritage. All in all, over the course of my four day rental, I put on 1325 miles. Not Iron Butt material, but by far the longest ride that I've done. Didn't really ever feel tired or woreout when I got off the bike. Riding the Heritage convinced me to get a quick detach windshield for my sporty. Made distance riding at speed pretty nice, but I still think they're ugly on a Sportster. Don't think I'm ready to drop $15-18k on a softtail yet.
You guys out west really have it good. Incredible scenery, and great weather most all the time. Renting the bike wasn't real cheap (about the rental of a really nice car) but worth every $$. Not a better way to see the scenery out west than a bike! I want to do it again, and take more time! :D
I rented a BT for four days and rode through Arizona, California and Nevada.
I rented a '05 Heritage Softtail through EagleRider in Phoenix. All I have to say, is, darn, is that a nice bike. I'd compare it to a '74 Chevy Impala, a super smooth boat like ride, even at 80+ mph (with plenty of twist left in the throttle). Fuel Injected (it never farted! no enrichener! never stuttered on a cold engine!) Big fat puffy seat that just cradles your butt, unlike my 883L's seat, which shapes your butt to fit it. But yes, it also handles a bit like a yacht. A no-problem turn on a Sportster may create scraping noises on a heritage as I found out, which didn't scare me too bad. Overall though, I was impressed that it handled a lot better than I thought. I was expecting something much more dump truck like, but it suprised me how readily it would turn and manuever. However, a 135# guy riding a 600+# bike needs to know, at ALL times, just which way it feels like leaning. Comparison? A Sportster is more like a '74 Corvette, rougher riding, but appealing in a whole different way. :D
My route was, from Phoenix, I-10 to Blythe, Ca, for an overnight (hit the only rain and hail of the trip) then north on US 95 along the Colorado River crossing over to AZ 95, then back to US 95 to Vegas. Incredible Scenery! With my body still on EST, I woke up at 5am local, and decided, I'm going riding! So off I head, north of Vegas, up to Rt 375 and the Extraterrestrial Hwy! Yep, I'm going to Rachel, Alien / Area 51 center of the universe. THAT was a ride- beautiful scenery.... stopped at the Lil Ale'inn for some postcards. Didn't see any aliens or UFOs, but a few fighters playing around, since it was Red Flag excersizes, Nellis looked like a hornet's nest of activity when I rode back down into vegas. After that night in Vegas, and losing only about $5 gambling (gambling boooooorinnnggg!) its back to Phoenix to return the bike (taking the long way, of course). Traffic in Vegas wasn't that terrible on bike. So, rode across Hoover Dam, then to Kingman where I stopped at the Stealer for a HD Shirt then along 40, then a short detour on to 66- wish I could have done more 66, but not enough time to go to the Canyon. Then down Rt. 89 to I-17, then back to Phoenix to return the bike.
BTW- traffic in Phoenix absolutely s*cks. But I found it better on a bike than in a car. Just watch out at those stoplights.
It is incredibly easy to put 300+ miles a day on the Heritage. All in all, over the course of my four day rental, I put on 1325 miles. Not Iron Butt material, but by far the longest ride that I've done. Didn't really ever feel tired or woreout when I got off the bike. Riding the Heritage convinced me to get a quick detach windshield for my sporty. Made distance riding at speed pretty nice, but I still think they're ugly on a Sportster. Don't think I'm ready to drop $15-18k on a softtail yet.
You guys out west really have it good. Incredible scenery, and great weather most all the time. Renting the bike wasn't real cheap (about the rental of a really nice car) but worth every $$. Not a better way to see the scenery out west than a bike! I want to do it again, and take more time! :D