From FXDWG to FLHTCU

Just a quick beer, thanks. I went from a Sportster (XL1200C) to a Road King
Classic. The biggest difference is in parking lots, more weight = harder to
muscle around. You have to be careful about slow speed handling, otherwise
the larger bike is surprisingly agile and easy to handle. It handles
twists and turns with ease. The fatigue factor is really noticeable, I can
ride the RK all day where the XL would finish me off after a few hours.


<beargraves.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184009233.491678.287100@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
> next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
> learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
> death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
> I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
> than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
> Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
> things should I know in advance about the handling?
>
> deeply appreciate any help you vets can offer.
>
> Da' Bear
> Late of Phoenix, now of Myrtle Beach, SC
>
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

beargraves.DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
: Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
: next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
: learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
: death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
: I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
: than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
: Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
: things should I know in advance about the handling?

Do you regularly 'hang off' the Dyna in corners? Do your riding pants
have scarred up knee pucks?

I'll not say they handle the same, but the handling of my '06 FLHTCI is
'adequate'. I define adequate as being better than my skill level
requires.

It is a heavy bike, and low speed handling reminds you of that fact.

And when you dance to the radio, people will not follow you closely.

--
George BS235
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

<beargraves.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184009233.491678.287100@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
> next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
> learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
> death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
> I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
> than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
> Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
> things should I know in advance about the handling?
>
> deeply appreciate any help you vets can offer.

Just my opinion but you shouldn't have any trouble going from the Dyna to
the Ultra after about 250 miles or so (this assumes you are competent on the
Dyna). The Ultra does weigh a lot more than the Dyna but that is only of
concern when stopped or under 4 MPH or so. You will be pleasantly surprised
just how well the Ultra handles.
--

Wayne
AH52
The road goes on forever
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

You will love it. I went from a 400 pound Honda to the 800 pound Ultra with
no problems, unless you insist on counting the one, standing still, parking
lot crash!

--
PoorUB
'05 Ultra Classic
<beargraves.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184009233.491678.287100@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
> next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
> learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
> death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
> I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
> than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
> Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
> things should I know in advance about the handling?
>
> deeply appreciate any help you vets can offer.
>
> Da' Bear
> Late of Phoenix, now of Myrtle Beach, SC
>
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

<beargraves.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1184009233.491678.287100@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
> next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
> learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
> death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
> I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
> than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
> Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
> things should I know in advance about the handling?
>
> deeply appreciate any help you vets can offer.
>
> Da' Bear
> Late of Phoenix, now of Myrtle Beach, SC

I wouldn't be call a regular here although I have posted from time to time,
hope to change that over time.

In 2003 I was shopping for motorcycle. Almost bought one of the Indian
Chiefs on the market at the time. Just couln't make myself pull the trigger
on it and ended up with an '03 FLHTCUI. The bike I had prior to this was an
1978 Honda CX500 that hasn't been on the road since the late 80's. Needless
to say my riding skills were a bit rusty.

My first impression of the FLHT was that it was fairly heavy when coming to
a stop, very stable at speed. Braking pretty good, but on rain slick roads
the rear end is easy to over-brake. I feel power is adequate on a stock
engine easily cruising at freeway speed until your ass is numb or you run
out of gas. I'm not much of a twisty rider so don't try to ride past my
skill level but if one stays within the posted limit should have no trouble
on the curves.

I think if you make the switch you'll adjust to the differences within a
short time. Be mindful of the differences and you'll be a home in no time.

RB
USN (ret)
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

> Afternoon everyone, long time, no see. My plastic's on the bar, the
> next round is on me. The bike I currently have is an '03 Dyna-Wide. I
> learned to ride a motorcycle on it, and I love the damned thing to
> death. Having said that, I have a real itch to move into a new FLHTCU.
> I have heard that the handling on a big Tour bike is a lot different
> than on my Dyna. Keeping in mind that I am coming from only knowing my
> Dyna, aside from dealing with a couple of hundred extra pounds, what
> things should I know in advance about the handling?
>
> deeply appreciate any help you vets can offer.
>
> Da' Bear
> Late of Phoenix, now of Myrtle Beach, SC
>

I went from a 96 Wide Glide to a 99 Ultra. At speed I find the handling
better, particularly 2-up on curves. With the Glide I found that it's rake
caused a bit more care to be taken going into curves than the Ultra. One
thing I needed to change, BION, was my boot style! I had always worn cowboy
boots with the WG with no problems. With the bigger Ultra, I quickly found I
needed a better grip on the ground. When this sucker leans over too far it's
a lot harder to right than the Wide Glide ever was! I got used to the bigger
bike in about 2 weeks. I love it.

Gerry
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU 

My thanks, gents! I just put a deposit on an '08 Ultra with the anti-
lock brakes. I think the wife is even more excited than I am. Then
again, it wasn't my ass on the back when we did a turn around from
Myrtle Beach to Boston..............

Da' Bear
 >> Stay informed about: From FXDWG to FLHTCU