Only 20 miles on it, but I can give some first impressions. Handling: This is only my second motorcycle, my first being an 883 sporty. I was pleasantly surprised how easily this bike is to ride around parking lots, corners and down dirt roads. Once moving above 5 mph, it doesn't feel too much...
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Only 20 miles on it, but I can give some first impressions. Handling: This is only my second motorcycle, my first being an 883 sporty. I was pleasantly surprised how easily this bike is to ride around parking lots, corners and down dirt roads. Once moving above 5 mph, it doesn't feel too much different than the Sporty. The only time you 'feel' the weight is when backing it into the garage. It is much easier backing it up pushing with your legs than trying to push it forward. It's a heavy bugger, but well-balanced, easy to keep up with one leg at a stop light. Drivetrain: As expected the engine is much more powerful than the Sportster but fits the bike well. The bike's very smooth, very little vibration felt in bars and footboards. It shifts well but neutral is hard to find. I suspect this will get better as my toe and transmission breaks in (again only 20 miles on this bike). The heel shifter is different, I find myself using the toe shifter for upshifts. The motor seems to run hot on the left (exhaust) side. The motor is so new, I expect it to run hot for the first couple thousand miles. Admittedly, I was only riding around town so not a lot of airflow to cool things down, also. The bike sounds wonderful. It's not louder than the Sporty, but it has a deeper tone. There is a whine in first gear, with the clutch pulled in. I have read it's normal and will lessen with time. Odds & Ends: Fit and Finish are superb. It's a beautiful bike. The bags are easy to use. The horn is a real horn, not the roadrunner (meep meep) found on the Sporty. The radio controls seemed confusing in the manual (seems 1/2 the manual is dedicated to the radio). But they are intuitive once in use. The radio display is hard to see. I have no idea how the radio sounds at speed. I am keeping it off until I am used to riding a new bike - the fewer distractions the better. The riding position is perfect, seat is great and floorboards very comfy. The bike has ABS - hope to never try that feature out. I gave the reliability a 5 star rating. I am most surprised by the handling of the bike, I was a little concerned that moving from HD's smallest bike to it's largest would be difficult. The concern was unfounded, it handles super easy once moving faster than a walking pace. If your considering this bike but afraid of the weight, don't be. I whole-heartedly recommend this bike. Handling is great. Handles 'lightly' for a large bike.
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