Posted by Orso Balù on May 12, 2006, 2:01 am
Hi all, since some of you requested it, I hope I won't wander too much OT by
giving some impression about my new piece of iron.
Have a seat, make yourselves comfortable and have a drink on me - Shirley,
please...
A few forewords: in 2004 I rode an almost brand new Electra for some 5000
kms in the US - mostly long, straights roads.
Now, I've ridden a 5-yrs old GL 1800 for a few hundreds kms.
So, my impressions on the HD are a bit distant and fading, whereas the GL
ones are obviously more vivid.
Also, since I understand that the faintest critic to HD can be less than
welcome here, let me explain that I do like HDs, because of their look and
the "air" that surrounds them. Almost everything else about HD here in Italy
is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the horrendous
number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who never cared for
or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf to own a status
symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a corner... ok, ok, enuf
of this crap, back to the report.
What I remember of the Electra was its smooth ride - I DID feel the weight,
but I was not overwhelmed by it: reactions to both acceleration, braking and
leaning was progressive. That made me "feel" the bike's presence.
With the GL it's the opposite: beyond the 20 kmh speed threshold the weight
literally, as if by magic, disappears, and I can lean the bike everyway I
like - the engine is so powerful and full of torque that not only it reacts
instantaneously and with an apparent neverending acceleration, but the first
day I had problems in starting without having my rear tire skidding.
Braking is powerful as well, and with ABS I feel more safe.
The negative point is that all this handling ease and immediate reactions
despite the weiight, along with some creaking here and there in the
plastics, make the bike feel like plastic - which is not, and you better
remember it and be prepared for when the weight reappears at slow pace.
With the Electra I had a more "iron" feeling, and this somehow increased the
pleasure of driving.
I think the you can appreciate the GL more with your brain - all that
technology show under your butt- , and the HD with your hearth - you breath
it in a way.
But what I feel with the GL, because of it's reliability (500.000 km
guarantee on the engine and transmission parts), and driving pleasure (it's
light, I don't think I can get tired by its weight) is that all the places
in the world are inside the bike, and I only have to dig them out: suddenly
all places in my atlas look closer: Moskow, Istanbul, Casablanca - you name
it, and the whole of Europe of course. I know they are there, *inside* the
bike you see what I mean. :-)
Or maybe I'm just getting older and softer... :-)
A little bit more facts: parts are incredibly cheap, I couldn't believe the
prices I've been told - a real bargain. Aftermarket accessories are widely
available for any kind of customization. The bike is appreciated and
commented on by other bikers or passer-by. The comfort is excellent, just
like on the HD. The bike has cruise control, ABS and CBS, stereo with AUX
input (I have it) and with 6-CD changer (not mine, but you can have it - the
only expensive accessory I've seen so far) - new models have a GPS installed
and an airbag.
Rear tire is 180. Luggage capacity is almost 150 liters. Trunk and side
cases are controlled with both a key or a wireless remote controller. With a
knob on the panel, I can set and store in memory two different rear shock
settings and recall them anytime I want, and front light inclination can be
as well electrically adjusted. Tank 25 liters, gives 300+ km of range. There
are four gears and an overdrive - torque is so much that more often than not
I find myself driving overdrive in town at 60 kmh. Also, there is a reverse
electrical gear that, when not uses, works like a stationary brake.
Sidestand has a security measure such that if I put the first gear with the
sidestand open the engine stops.
Well, that's all folks - if you wanna know more, feel free to e-me.
"Best regards" :-D
Carlo (Italy)
Posted by Mike in PA on May 12, 2006, 6:35 am
> Hi all, since some of you requested it, I hope I won't wander too much OT
> by giving some impression about my new piece of iron.
> Have a seat, make yourselves comfortable and have a drink on me - Shirley,
> please...
> A few forewords: in 2004 I rode an almost brand new Electra for some 5000
> kms in the US - mostly long, straights roads.
> Now, I've ridden a 5-yrs old GL 1800 for a few hundreds kms.
> So, my impressions on the HD are a bit distant and fading, whereas the GL
> ones are obviously more vivid.
> Also, since I understand that the faintest critic to HD can be less than
> welcome here, let me explain that I do like HDs, because of their look and
> the "air" that surrounds them. Almost everything else about HD here in
> Italy is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the
> horrendous number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who
> never cared for or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf
> to own a status symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a
> corner... ok, ok, enuf of this crap, back to the report.
> What I remember of the Electra was its smooth ride - I DID feel the
> weight, but I was not overwhelmed by it: reactions to both acceleration,
> braking and leaning was progressive. That made me "feel" the bike's
> presence.
> With the GL it's the opposite: beyond the 20 kmh speed threshold the
> weight literally, as if by magic, disappears, and I can lean the bike
> everyway I like - the engine is so powerful and full of torque that not
> only it reacts instantaneously and with an apparent neverending
> acceleration, but the first day I had problems in starting without having
> my rear tire skidding.
> Braking is powerful as well, and with ABS I feel more safe.
> The negative point is that all this handling ease and immediate reactions
> despite the weiight, along with some creaking here and there in the
> plastics, make the bike feel like plastic - which is not, and you better
> remember it and be prepared for when the weight reappears at slow pace.
> With the Electra I had a more "iron" feeling, and this somehow increased
> the pleasure of driving.
> I think the you can appreciate the GL more with your brain - all that
> technology show under your butt- , and the HD with your hearth - you
> breath it in a way.
> But what I feel with the GL, because of it's reliability (500.000 km
> guarantee on the engine and transmission parts), and driving pleasure
> (it's light, I don't think I can get tired by its weight) is that all the
> places in the world are inside the bike, and I only have to dig them out:
> suddenly all places in my atlas look closer: Moskow, Istanbul,
> Casablanca - you name it, and the whole of Europe of course. I know they
> are there, *inside* the bike you see what I mean. :-)
> Or maybe I'm just getting older and softer... :-)
> A little bit more facts: parts are incredibly cheap, I couldn't believe
> the prices I've been told - a real bargain. Aftermarket accessories are
> widely available for any kind of customization. The bike is appreciated
> and commented on by other bikers or passer-by. The comfort is excellent,
> just like on the HD. The bike has cruise control, ABS and CBS, stereo with
> AUX input (I have it) and with 6-CD changer (not mine, but you can have
> it - the only expensive accessory I've seen so far) - new models have a
> GPS installed and an airbag.
> Rear tire is 180. Luggage capacity is almost 150 liters. Trunk and side
> cases are controlled with both a key or a wireless remote controller. With
> a knob on the panel, I can set and store in memory two different rear
> shock settings and recall them anytime I want, and front light inclination
> can be as well electrically adjusted. Tank 25 liters, gives 300+ km of
> range. There are four gears and an overdrive - torque is so much that more
> often than not I find myself driving overdrive in town at 60 kmh. Also,
> there is a reverse electrical gear that, when not uses, works like a
> stationary brake. Sidestand has a security measure such that if I put the
> first gear with the sidestand open the engine stops.
> Well, that's all folks - if you wanna know more, feel free to e-me.
> "Best regards" :-D
> Carlo (Italy)
Nice report, Carlo. I'll keep my Electra for now but if I make it to Rome
early next year (there is a chance) maybe we can hook up for a ride. Do
they rent GL's (or any type) over there?
Posted by Zombywoof on May 12, 2006, 7:57 am
wrote:
>Hi all, since some of you requested it, I hope I won't wander too much OT by
>giving some impression about my new piece of iron.
>Have a seat, make yourselves comfortable and have a drink on me - Shirley,
>please...
>A few forewords: in 2004 I rode an almost brand new Electra for some 5000
>kms in the US - mostly long, straights roads.
>Now, I've ridden a 5-yrs old GL 1800 for a few hundreds kms.
>So, my impressions on the HD are a bit distant and fading, whereas the GL
>ones are obviously more vivid.
>Also, since I understand that the faintest critic to HD can be less than
>welcome here, let me explain that I do like HDs, because of their look and
>the "air" that surrounds them. Almost everything else about HD here in Italy
>is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the horrendous
>number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who never cared for
>or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf to own a status
>symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a corner... ok, ok, enuf
>of this crap, back to the report.
>What I remember of the Electra was its smooth ride - I DID feel the weight,
>but I was not overwhelmed by it: reactions to both acceleration, braking and
>leaning was progressive. That made me "feel" the bike's presence.
>With the GL it's the opposite: beyond the 20 kmh speed threshold the weight
>literally, as if by magic, disappears, and I can lean the bike everyway I
>like - the engine is so powerful and full of torque that not only it reacts
>instantaneously and with an apparent neverending acceleration, but the first
>day I had problems in starting without having my rear tire skidding.
>Braking is powerful as well, and with ABS I feel more safe.
>The negative point is that all this handling ease and immediate reactions
>despite the weiight, along with some creaking here and there in the
>plastics, make the bike feel like plastic - which is not, and you better
>remember it and be prepared for when the weight reappears at slow pace.
>With the Electra I had a more "iron" feeling, and this somehow increased the
>pleasure of driving.
>I think the you can appreciate the GL more with your brain - all that
>technology show under your butt- , and the HD with your hearth - you breath
>it in a way.
>But what I feel with the GL, because of it's reliability (500.000 km
>guarantee on the engine and transmission parts), and driving pleasure (it's
>light, I don't think I can get tired by its weight) is that all the places
>in the world are inside the bike, and I only have to dig them out: suddenly
>all places in my atlas look closer: Moskow, Istanbul, Casablanca - you name
>it, and the whole of Europe of course. I know they are there, *inside* the
>bike you see what I mean. :-)
>Or maybe I'm just getting older and softer... :-)
>A little bit more facts: parts are incredibly cheap, I couldn't believe the
>prices I've been told - a real bargain. Aftermarket accessories are widely
>available for any kind of customization. The bike is appreciated and
>commented on by other bikers or passer-by. The comfort is excellent, just
>like on the HD. The bike has cruise control, ABS and CBS, stereo with AUX
>input (I have it) and with 6-CD changer (not mine, but you can have it - the
>only expensive accessory I've seen so far) - new models have a GPS installed
>and an airbag.
>Rear tire is 180. Luggage capacity is almost 150 liters. Trunk and side
>cases are controlled with both a key or a wireless remote controller. With a
>knob on the panel, I can set and store in memory two different rear shock
>settings and recall them anytime I want, and front light inclination can be
>as well electrically adjusted. Tank 25 liters, gives 300+ km of range. There
>are four gears and an overdrive - torque is so much that more often than not
>I find myself driving overdrive in town at 60 kmh. Also, there is a reverse
>electrical gear that, when not uses, works like a stationary brake.
>Sidestand has a security measure such that if I put the first gear with the
>sidestand open the engine stops.
>Well, that's all folks - if you wanna know more, feel free to e-me.
>"Best regards" :-D
>Carlo (Italy)
Geez sounds like a luxury car on two wheels. Does it come with a
Butler as well? What about porta-potty?
--
Only way to beat terrorist is to use terrorist tactics...set traps, snipers.
No amount of conventional warfare will work...
Posted by Gilbert Bates on May 12, 2006, 11:54 am
>>Almost everything else about HD here in Italy
>>is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the horrendous
>>number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who never cared for
>>or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf to own a status
>>symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a corner... ok, ok, enuf
>>of this crap, back to the report.
>>
No matter where you go in this world, some things never change...
Posted by Guzzisto on May 12, 2006, 12:50 pm
Gilbert Bates wrote:
> >>Almost everything else about HD here in Italy
> >>is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the horrendous
> >>number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who never cared for
> >>or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf to own a status
> >>symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a corner... ok, ok, enuf
> >>of this crap, back to the report.
> >>
> No matter where you go in this world, some things never change...
Took the words outta me'mouth!
XML Sitemap
> by giving some impression about my new piece of iron.
> Have a seat, make yourselves comfortable and have a drink on me - Shirley,
> please...
> A few forewords: in 2004 I rode an almost brand new Electra for some 5000
> kms in the US - mostly long, straights roads.
> Now, I've ridden a 5-yrs old GL 1800 for a few hundreds kms.
> So, my impressions on the HD are a bit distant and fading, whereas the GL
> ones are obviously more vivid.
> Also, since I understand that the faintest critic to HD can be less than
> welcome here, let me explain that I do like HDs, because of their look and
> the "air" that surrounds them. Almost everything else about HD here in
> Italy is unpleasant - price, the way the average dealer treats you, the
> horrendous number of posers and rubbers - you know the kind, people who
> never cared for or rode a bike who suddenly discover they are wealthy enuf
> to own a status symbol such an HD but don't know how to negotiate a
> corner... ok, ok, enuf of this crap, back to the report.
> What I remember of the Electra was its smooth ride - I DID feel the
> weight, but I was not overwhelmed by it: reactions to both acceleration,
> braking and leaning was progressive. That made me "feel" the bike's
> presence.
> With the GL it's the opposite: beyond the 20 kmh speed threshold the
> weight literally, as if by magic, disappears, and I can lean the bike
> everyway I like - the engine is so powerful and full of torque that not
> only it reacts instantaneously and with an apparent neverending
> acceleration, but the first day I had problems in starting without having
> my rear tire skidding.
> Braking is powerful as well, and with ABS I feel more safe.
> The negative point is that all this handling ease and immediate reactions
> despite the weiight, along with some creaking here and there in the
> plastics, make the bike feel like plastic - which is not, and you better
> remember it and be prepared for when the weight reappears at slow pace.
> With the Electra I had a more "iron" feeling, and this somehow increased
> the pleasure of driving.
> I think the you can appreciate the GL more with your brain - all that
> technology show under your butt- , and the HD with your hearth - you
> breath it in a way.
> But what I feel with the GL, because of it's reliability (500.000 km
> guarantee on the engine and transmission parts), and driving pleasure
> (it's light, I don't think I can get tired by its weight) is that all the
> places in the world are inside the bike, and I only have to dig them out:
> suddenly all places in my atlas look closer: Moskow, Istanbul,
> Casablanca - you name it, and the whole of Europe of course. I know they
> are there, *inside* the bike you see what I mean. :-)
> Or maybe I'm just getting older and softer... :-)
> A little bit more facts: parts are incredibly cheap, I couldn't believe
> the prices I've been told - a real bargain. Aftermarket accessories are
> widely available for any kind of customization. The bike is appreciated
> and commented on by other bikers or passer-by. The comfort is excellent,
> just like on the HD. The bike has cruise control, ABS and CBS, stereo with
> AUX input (I have it) and with 6-CD changer (not mine, but you can have
> it - the only expensive accessory I've seen so far) - new models have a
> GPS installed and an airbag.
> Rear tire is 180. Luggage capacity is almost 150 liters. Trunk and side
> cases are controlled with both a key or a wireless remote controller. With
> a knob on the panel, I can set and store in memory two different rear
> shock settings and recall them anytime I want, and front light inclination
> can be as well electrically adjusted. Tank 25 liters, gives 300+ km of
> range. There are four gears and an overdrive - torque is so much that more
> often than not I find myself driving overdrive in town at 60 kmh. Also,
> there is a reverse electrical gear that, when not uses, works like a
> stationary brake. Sidestand has a security measure such that if I put the
> first gear with the sidestand open the engine stops.
> Well, that's all folks - if you wanna know more, feel free to e-me.
> "Best regards" :-D
> Carlo (Italy)