Got my first HD, a ‘19 Low Rider a few weeks ago and I love it. Didn’t like stock handlebars so I put on 10” t-bars, Arlen Ness grips, and a burly outlaw fairing. Dealer was offering a free Stage 2 upgrade when I purchased bike so I got that as well with a 2-n-1 two brothers exhaust...thing is a beast.
I like the style of the new Lowrider bikes. Especially the bright blue. I'm a sucker for blue bikes. Sat on a used one and thought the fuel cap was on the left side (stupid me) and accidentally took the decorative piece off by accident. I thought I broke it LOL! I had to get somebody to put it back on for me. I felt so embarrassed! It's just a bayonet style piece that just simply twists back on.
The FXLR is great. I agree with your assessment. Just don't bring your wife on the demo bike. The passenger part of the stock seat is a disgrace. My wife absolutely hated it. HD is a disgrace for putting such an uncomfortable and useless pillion seat on a new bike. Other than that, acceleration, torque, cornering, clearance, suspension, handling are all very very good. One thing not suited to me is the handle bars. I'm 5'7" and could not reach full lock slow U turns . I've placed an order for the FXLR, the first mod ordered was a Sundowner 2up seat and the second is the Street Slammer handlebars.
Rabid Hedgehog. Have not ridden a Nightrod, but I can tell you that after 1 hour and 15 min on the crappy FXLR pillion seat my wife was hurting and asked me to drop her off at the train station, she caught the train home. HD, you are a disgrace putting such a crappy seat on an otherwise brilliant bike.
nevillegreg1- Interesting input on the bar stretch. I am looking at this bike for my wife who is 5'0. How does the bar/peg ergos feel to you? Does it sit low and is the seat height low enough for someone of that height?
Roger S. You definitely feel like you're sitting 'in' the bike. I've owned a Road King and a 1200 Roadster Sportie and I've been riding a 2013 Triumph Trophy tourer for the last 3 years, so to me, the seat height on the FXLR feels quite low and I can have both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the bike. But for a person who is 5'0", it's best for that person to actually try the bike out themselves.
I was under the impression that the Dyna Low Rider seat was one of the better seats out there and that this was a step down. I guess you never really now until you sit on one.
The Fat Bob and the Heritage have better, long travel shocks than the other Softies. I think the standard cartridge fork on the Fat Bob is probably a little better unit than the new dual bending rod business too. I also thought that the Fat Bob and the Heritage had the nicest ride. The Heritage's fork dove like a hungry duck on the front brake though. I'm itching to ride the Sport Glide. Seems to have the fork off the Fat Bob. It does use the shorter travel shock, but since it's the thin swingarm with the external adjuster, I think the longer travel shock would likely fit it. Prolly give it a smidge of extra cornering clearance too.
The fact Bob is more for looks compared to this bike. The FB has bigger tires that Don’t tattle as well also solid mag wheels that are unfriendly In a crosswind on the highway plus the lean angle is not as good as the FXLR, The fat Bob is a heavier bike and it has forward controls as opposed to the more mid controls on FXLR Which are not as effective in handling
Last Wednesday (May 2) around 6 pm, on my way to meetup with a motorcycle meetup group on my Harley Super Low 1200T I was involved in an accident. A Pickup truck and I had an mutual embrace at around 40mph. I flew off my bike and onto the pavement of Georgia Avenue tumbling and finally sliding down the roadway on my back, several times feeling my helmet bounce of the asphalt. I caught a brief glimpse of my HD doing the same as I was flying through the air before impact upon the pavement. They took me to Montgomery Hospital off route 108 in Olney and did a CAT Scan and found nothing was broken or fractured (Thank God). The actual accident took place on Georgia avenue north just south of route 108. Good thing I was wearing a motorcycle jacket with body armor for sure (back protector, shoulder armor , and elbow/wrist armor and knee shin armor. The jacket was ruined (torn apart) as were my pants (also tore ashreds). My poor poor Harley, sigh ... :-( P.S.: Since then my HD 1200T was towed to a Harley Dealership for repair. As of yesterday they still have not gotten to it. But I went by last Saturday to take a look at my bike and so on and noticed that the crash bar was badly bent (due to sliding down the road no doubt and it also looked as if it must have flipped at some point during the accident since both saddlebags were shot). The Service person that showed me my bike said that if the crash bars cause the farme to bend (where they were attached) that Harley would not repair the damages and consider the bike totaled (unless and I doubt the insurance would cover it due to the cost considering that it might cost more than the price of replacement, they replaced the frame). Sigh ... I really loved that bike. If it does happen to end up a total loss not sure what I will do. I do have a MG V7II as well. But ... the harley is/was a terrific "mini" cruiser and all around nice handling bike. I most likely would not get a check from the insurance company that would cover replacing it with same. Sigh ... I am toying around in my mind of the possiblity of maybe the 2018 Low Rider (but never bought a "new" bike before, always searched for a late model bike at a great price). Doubt if I would have the luck of finding another late model Super Low 1200T at the price I paid for mine. I am hesitant about the 2018 Low Rider because it will not handle or be as nimble as the Super Low 1200T (which I love about that bike). Yeah this was a long comment. Deal with it, haha But really sad I am ... :-(
White Rabbitt I am glad you are still with us. They are correct thay if the frame is bent then it would more than likely be totalled. I would keep the search out for another 1200T or maybe convert over a 1200C to do the light touring work of your old friend. Low Rider would be a nice addition and if you get a chance to ride you would be surprised how well this bigger bike handles too. Good luck on the hunt and once again thankful you are still here!
Thanks for your kind reply. I just viewed your video "Tough Love For Harley Davidson" and wow you might have talked me out of replacing (if my HD 1200T is determined to be totaled) with another Harley, haha. I mention the 2018 Low Rider but I am also considering the Motto Guzzi Eldorado (found a new 2016 at a local dealership selling for $9,995.00 or maybe the 2018 Honda CB1100EX (I do not like watere cooled bikes for the reason the radiator, water pump and thermostat will at some point need to be replaced and/or serviced ... just more complications) . Yet I am also taking a hard look at the New" 2018 Triumph Speedmaster as well (though it is water cooled, haha). But yeah, Harley are dinosaurs in many respects. They only recently added ABS (as an EXTRA COST option !, most likely to be able sell their bikes in Europe which requires ABS under Euro4 Regs) and still do not offer Traction Control as a standard feature. But you know I love riding a Harley for reasons unknown to me, haha. And what will I do with my "Harley Coffee Mug" if I do not own a Harley ? hahahahahahahahaha ... Oh, about Dealers ... My HD 1200T has been sitting at the dealership for repair since last Saturday and they still have not began work on it, not even being able to tell me if the frame is bent yet, making the bike totaled or not ! And yes one dealer I visited a while back (different than the one I had my bike towed to, is constantly not only sending e-mails but also texting me at least 3 times a week asking me When am I going to come in a buy a Harley, haha. I had to finnally call them and tell them I bought a used Harley 1200T, to stop their text messages but I still get e-mails, haha. And everytime I run into a Harley owner they always have something to complain about concerning Harley Dealerships (you name it and I have heard it no doubt, haha). Well, that is all for now ... Oh but I will let you know, when I do, if my HD 1200T is totaled or not. ;-)
Well the Harley dealership informed me that my HD 1200T will be ready for pickup by next Thursday ! Yea ! I Waiting for a saddlebag (long story on that). I took a look at my bike while at the dealership and wow thay did a fantastic job ! Looks like new (really). I also test rode the new 2018 Low Rider while there. Excellent bike for sure. The bike I test rode was blue and had a quick release windshield and leather saddle bags (it was a slightly used one (2018) that a customer traded in for a Fat Bob w/the 114 engine). I loved it for sure. Plenty of power and handled so much better than the old Dyna Model. And even though it is a heavy bike (661 pounds wet ?) it did not feel so. Though I, obviously, could tell it was not as nimble as my HD Super Low 1200T but so much more power and torque ! It would not be a great bike for city driving all the time but great for the cruising the open road me thinks. I really wanted to go cross country this summer on my HD 1200T then the accident happened. Though I am still considering maybe riding out to Sturgis or not on it. Anyways, Later ... ;-)
White Rabbit I have 2014 1200T bought it 2 mos. ago it's in excellent shape, 10,400 miles on it now , just had 10,000 miles checkup done at 10,200 I'm thinking about trading in for the 2018 lowrider. You're right the Sportster Superlow is an excellent mini cruiser, I hope you're healing well.
Just picked up the exact same bike, color and all but mine has ABS brakes. The rear brake has to be stepped on to stop the bike but that’s they way my 2006 Street Bob was
My Fat Bob never had the issue of needing to stomp down on it to get her to halt on the rear brakes and neither did my Sportsters or Night Rod Special so it was a bit of a why is this happening kind of thing for me.
This is the second video I've seen of your's. Suggestion: you don't need to go through all the controls. Most Harley controls are in the same place. Oh, BTW, what is your body type, height and weight? I'm short and dumpy, 5'8', 185 lbs. 28" inseam. So I'm shorter than most so it helps me to know your body type so I can relate the size of the bike and how it might feel to me. It's probably gonna be a little bit different for me than you. Ride safe.
I really enjoy your videos, especially sense l'm in Ohio and we have a frickin foot of snow on the ground now. Your vid's help me with my addiction while my Road King is in hibernation.....lol. Just wondering, my wife currently rides a 883 super low and is thinking of upgrading to a Slim this summer. Will you be doing a review of the 2018 Slim, and comparing to to the earlier models at all? Thanks again for sharing. Have a Merry Christmas! RSMF.
I will try and get my gloves on a new Softail Slim as soon as I can. It has been a bit of an issue as of recent when coming to these reviews. But things are changing and there will be a detailed video about that later on. Thank you for your support and I look forward to speaking with you more when the Slim has been rode :)
You mentioned being scrunched up a bit on that bike ,how tall are you and how much do you weigh if you don't mind me asking...Also is it forward control I didn't catch that if you mentioned it.
I would say there are not any significant issues with it. I am beginning to wonder if the bikes that I had rode were not setup correctly or they have corrected the braking issues since last year. Those were the only concerns I had with them, but after the latest demo event I did not have any issues.
I saw a review of this bike being compared to the Dyna Super Glide Custom, and overall, the person comparing two bikes, basically stated that it is a Super Glide Custom with a tacometer
The single disc brakes actually work better than you would think. A 600 pound bike plus my 230 pound ass, the brakes work quite well. Mine also has the optional ABS. Not sure why you are hating so much on this video and this bike, starting to think you have never ridden this bike.
thanks a lot for a thorough review! just curious, would you yourself choose the low rider or the street bob if it came down to a purchase? ( i saw your comment about better lean angle on the low rider ) i used to ride a sportster 72 model.. mostly work commute, and some longer trips through europe, thanks a lot! / Mike
I would go with the Low rider as the bars and seating position aid as well. If the Street Bob had forward sets with the mini-ape then it would go that direction. But with the larger fuel tank and the way it sits that is what I like the most.
There is a little less lean angle in the Street Bob actually and because of that the Low Rider actually does play a little better in the corners than the Street Bob.
I have a new 2017 Ultra Classic, the low RPM torque is great in 6th gear. My bike is around 900 points, a tank. If I need to overtake quickly I just drop to 5th and go. Kinda like I would on my Kawasaki ZZR1200. The gear box is smooth enough that dropping down a gear isn't a hassle.
The handlebars may not have fit your body structure, but as I stand 72 inches tall 49 inch chest it fits me just perfect. No elbow tuck, and can sit comfortably with the addition of the Sundowner 2 up seat.
