Posted by Ken Linczer on August 29, 1999 at 04:49:07:
I took a really nice ride in the Human Convection Oven that we call the Houston suburbs. I love the heat.
I ended the country part of my ride and entered into town by the local Harley Davidson dealer. Could not resist going inside and checking things out. I have heard tell of a Sportster at less than $6000.
They had bikes starting at less than $7000. I realize that not every bike is built for every person, but...
I could not feel comfortable on any of the bikes untill I hit the Sportster 1200 that was just under $14000.
They had 4-5 bikes that felt unuseable(several flavers of 883s). The seat was tall off the ground but when you put your feet on the pegs, my knees were high and the handle bars were straight and I had to stretch forward. It felt awkward. The clutch was hard to pull (hydraulic but no engine on). The inside of my thighs were up against something annoying when I had my feet down. The more expensive bikes did feel good as well as some custom bikes. The stock, low ticket numbers, were incredibily low value deals to me (did not even look good).
Another thing that was odd and maybe some one can explain this to me: I overheard the salesmen being asked what the horse power of the engines were and they would not answer. I swear I heard "they don't have a published specification" and "even the mechanics can't give you an answer". What is the deal?? Another thing they said was "well its not important because as soon as you buy it you're going to change the exhaust and other things and its not going to be the same anyway" .
Anyway I got on my very comfortable Suzi and drove away happy. I did stop at my local Suzuki dealer and looked at the $10,000 Intruder 1500 LC and wondered what the deal is with Harley holding 50% of the cruiser market?
Enjoy you ride.
-Ken L.