Up early and swapped my old worn angel gt's for my fresh sporty S22's. Went a good blast in this lovely weather... jesus this thing is a handling god with good boots on! So easy to ride hard and fast. I'm mad in the head trading it in, I really am! Think of the licence, think of the licence
It wasn't today, it was last weekend. The weather was a little cooler and cloudier but a test ride on a Harley Sportster had been booked my partner, Rachel, so off to Leeds we went, where we enjoyed a friendly welcome from Victoria. American iron isn't to everyone's tastes but they do call out to the open road while they're lined up waiting for their new owners. I've still never ridden one. I prefer something a bit sportier as a rule, but we have a trip to the US booked in a couple of months and I'm hoping to hire for a day, riding out to the Grand Canyon. When in Rome, and all that. I had it in mind to try a Livewire for this ride. I'm not epecially interested in buying one but as I was at Harley anyway, I thought it might be an opportuity to experience pure electrical power on two wheels. Sadly, they didn't have a demonstrator, so instead I left my bike in their car park and took Rachel's Ducati 848 Streetfighter for a change while she got to grips with the big cruiser. Living in Yorkshire, we're not short of great rides and some lovely places to visit. Our destination was Grassington, a picturesque town, full of rustic charm and tourists. We parked up on the cobbles and took a wander around. Temperatures around 10C meant hot drinks were welcome so we popped in to The Devonshire for a coffee, cluttering the place up nicely.with our bike gear while we listened to a group of pensioners discussing the merits of assasinating the Russian president over their lunch. With that we rumbled our way out of town and set off for the second let of our journey.
More good, fast roads heading south, on our way to check out one of the places that on our map. That's what it's supposed to be for, after all. So it was we pulled in to Dick Turpin's on the A59. a roadside mobile cafe with a good line in bacon rolls. A few peope were there on bikes so, of course, we enjoyed a natter with our hot beverage and 'lunch'. I'll add to the recommendation by @Glenn2926 and say it's worth a stop if you're in need of some personal refuelling. Finally, before we made it back to HD to return their bike, we popped in to Route 59, another popular biker cafe, for yet more coffee and conversation. On this occasion there was a particularly shiiny Velocette parked up while it's owner took in the sunshine. I don't fancy those brakes, mind. And from there we were soon back in Leeds. It took Rachel a while to get used to the Harley but once she did she really started to enjoy it and by the time we were back in the showroom she was enthusiastic about having one in the garage someday, next the the Ducati. Talking of which, that was brilliant fun in the same way my Street Triple is, though with a bit more grunt. Those Akropovic exhausts make an addictive howl! Spring is on the way above the equator. This felt like the first proper ride of the year, with many more to come, hopefully!
I know one of the guys in my nearest Harley dealership and he has told me to come and ride one. Keep meaning to, and I will some day just to see what its like riding a big cruiser. No intention of buying, like you, I prefer bikes a bit sportier! But you never know until you try I suppose. The only thing close I've ever ridden was a Triumph bobber and I didn't like it at all! I could manage just fine with the feet forward thing but I didnt like being pulled by the bars as opposed to being pushed by the seat. Plus the rear suspension would cripple your spine.
Yeah, I'm with you there. I like the look of the bobbers but I've never fancied owning one. I was tempted to sign the insurance form for the Sportster but it wasn't really my test ride so I left it for another day. I'd quite like to try an Indian Scout, actually. A friend of ours has one and she loves it. Looks very nice, too. It would only ever be an addition to my 'normal' bikes, for a lazy summer day when you just want a relaxing ride.
Nice one @Octoberon glad you had a good day out. I forgot all about the 59 cafe when giving suggestions. I use it quite a bit as well. I went to a Dick Turpin’s on Friday. Great sausage and tomato sandwich. Glad it lived up to my recommendation.
You and Rachel have a beautiful pair of bikes there @Octoberon - really lovely - and it sounds like you had a perfect day out; I sometimes miss Yorkshire when I see photos of "up north". It's beautiful where we live now and I am very lucky, but the Yorkshire scenery, stone and moody skies can be hard to beat. Rachel's face looking at the Harley does look very much like she's considering one.....you'd better clear space in the garage .
A visit to Yorkshire would be a good excuse for a ride, I reckon. We are fortunate with the roads and the scenery up here, for sure. Rachel's still quite a new rider and loves trying out different types of machine. I've been riding for many tyears and it's nice to see someone so enthusiastic.
I think my over - enthusiasm drives @Helmut Visor mad - when I came back yesterday jabbering on he said "Why do you always come back so hyper?" . It is, apparently, nice to see my enthusiasm too - but possibly seen and not quite as much heard might be better .
That sounds very familiar. Sometimes there is actual jumping up and down after a particularly fun ride.
Nitron R1 shock fitted to my 2016 GSF1250s. Also, forks rebuilt using T-Tech internals. A vast improvement over the standard setup.
Terrific ride report and photos, @Octoberon! It looks like you and Rachel had a wonderful day. I'd be interested to hear more from her about her thoughts on the Sportster S. The looks of it just don't do it for me but I'd sure love to test ride one to see how it feels.
I rode El Gordo Sunday morning after a week of scuba diving in Mexico (Cozumel). I went from this view on Saturday morning..... To this view exactly 24 hours later! The miracle of air travel. We arrived home at 9:00pm on Saturday, greeted Ellie, the Boxer, and our dog sitter, hit the sack, and I was on my bike at 9:00am. Mr. Sandi politely declined to join me. But I was joined by four of my ride buddies and we rode over Gates Pass to one of our Sunday morning standbys, Coyote Pause. After a week of Mexican pastries and tropical fruit for breakfast, I went with my usual meal at this place, the "Southwest Scramble" with (yes) fruit and a biscuit with honey. Delicious as usual! Isn't is great that we get to eat every single day? The wildflowers have started blooming and there were lots of them in the courtyard this morning. Although it's difficult for me to tear myself away from the ocean and from diving, it felt good to be back on a bike. Underwater on scuba and in the saddle of a motorcycle are two of my favorite places to be. This little guy greeted me when I returned home. This is the spot where I typically put my helmet while getting stuff out of my swing arm bag, saddlebags, etc. I took lots of photos of him and many from very close quarters. He didn't bat an eye or budge an inch.
Thanks, Sandi. I’ll ask her for thoughts on the Sportster and let you know. I’ve heard that the new Sportster has divided opinion somewhat among the Harley fraternity. I can see why, particularly for those who didn’t want to old Sportster to change. I quite like it, although I’m slightly put off by the drainpipes they put on as exhausts. Might take a test ride myself this weekend. The weather is nice here and we’re looking for an excuse to go out on Saturday.
Hope you had a great holiday @Sandi T, we had a week of diving in Cozumel too - some really lovely dives to be had for sure.
Mr. Sandi and I really love Cozumel all the way around. We primarily go there to dive but the place and the people (and the food!) have won our hearts. I took Mr. Sandi there to do his open water checkout dives back when he got certified around 2009-2010. We dove with one of the companies with a "six-pack" boat. It was just the boat captain, the instructor (with whom I'd dove many times previously before Mr. Sandi and I were a couple), Mr. Sandi, and me. It was a great way for him to relax and finish off his certification. Are there any particular dive sites or restaurants or dive operators or sights that are favorites of you and Helmut? I'll probably do a thread about our trip later this week (even though this is a motorcycle forum). I think one or two of the restaurants we ate at this week merit inclusion on @October's map!
I'm with you about that "drainpipe" exhaust! To my eye the whole bike looks a bit "parts bin". But as I mentioned, I'd definitely test ride one and reserve my overall judgment for that. Perhaps form really does follow function. Hope you get to test ride one and I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new Sportster, Saul.
