dnifong
Jun 29th, 2008, 2:18 pm
Went on my first group ride with the LT. It was a poker run with about 25 bikes. 2, 1500 goldwings, a few cruisers, and the rest were harleys. 3 !/2 hours with 3 stops. We broke in small groups most of the day. It was all backroads. There are some very sparse areas in Middle Ga. We were able to let-em-run a view times. The Harleys could jump me for about 50 yards but I could run on by without much problem at all. I was TWO up. We were much faster cornering and breaking. If I had been by myself, I would have been hated by the end of the day. However, since my wife was continuously keeping my testosterone level in check with a barrage of "If you dont stop, "you can forget---------forever"
It was hot as hell.
The biggest difference was rider comfort. Air management is important and the Lt does a good job. At the last stop some of the riders looked like that had the hell beat out of them. We were the only couple covered up with mesh and mesh jackets, cool vests, and and the new HJC Symax II helment, which does a good job of venting.
I was second guessing my choice of the LT over the wing. At the end of the day, I was either shunned or answering a bunch of questions about the LT. "price etc." some of the HD guys had twice the money in their bikes. But last sunday we rode for 8 hours straight. I dont think we could of accomplished that on any other bike, even my goldwing. I know that I could not purchase a 2005 HD or GL in this shape for $13500.
Dragging the rear brake trick is a big help at low speed. "try it." Keeping the R's up makes the motor happy. Dont be afraid to talk a little crap, because you can probably back it up. One of the guys with a screaming eagle set up "who I didnt ride with" said "I wish you had raced me." I said, "lets race to Key West next weekend, 2 up." His buddies laughed when he said "my wife dont ride." The other HD guys could tell I was serious and ended the conversation.
Bottom line, I'm happy so far. It's a good motorcycle for long distance travel :D .
Dale
It was hot as hell.
The biggest difference was rider comfort. Air management is important and the Lt does a good job. At the last stop some of the riders looked like that had the hell beat out of them. We were the only couple covered up with mesh and mesh jackets, cool vests, and and the new HJC Symax II helment, which does a good job of venting.
I was second guessing my choice of the LT over the wing. At the end of the day, I was either shunned or answering a bunch of questions about the LT. "price etc." some of the HD guys had twice the money in their bikes. But last sunday we rode for 8 hours straight. I dont think we could of accomplished that on any other bike, even my goldwing. I know that I could not purchase a 2005 HD or GL in this shape for $13500.
Dragging the rear brake trick is a big help at low speed. "try it." Keeping the R's up makes the motor happy. Dont be afraid to talk a little crap, because you can probably back it up. One of the guys with a screaming eagle set up "who I didnt ride with" said "I wish you had raced me." I said, "lets race to Key West next weekend, 2 up." His buddies laughed when he said "my wife dont ride." The other HD guys could tell I was serious and ended the conversation.
Bottom line, I'm happy so far. It's a good motorcycle for long distance travel :D .
Dale