It was kind of a nasty day, but it was yesterday or 2 weeks from now, so ...
Rode my Deuce through the rain to the dealer (50 miles), finally hitting some sun with 10 miles to go. The new bike checked out fine visually and in a parking lot run, and after forking over the $$, I hit the road home ... hitting the rain on the way back again. It sure doesn't look like a showroom bike now, even with only 66 miles on it! The first detail has to wait until this weekend, though.
Terrific ride, and the front-end is better than the Deuce's, as expected. Handling, over all, seems a little better too. There is definitely less front-end dive in the Springer. I really can't say anything about motor performance yet, as I like to baby a bike through break-in. I don't think I cracked it over about 3100 and 50/55. It's definitely a hot engine. It was pretty hot coming off the rear cylinder, even though the air temp was only 60.
As reported elsewhere, the headlight vibrates. While that's good for being seen, I don't know how it will be for my own visibility at night.
The stock seat stinks. I was actually sore when I got home ... after only 50 miles! This was disappointing, as I like the look, but didn't have high expectations for it, either. Oh well, a reach seat would be a bit more comfortable anyway.
I had a few footpeg problems. The right rear passenger footpeg contacts the pipe when flipped up. I'll probably just take the passenger pegs off, as if I'm going to replace the stock seat, I'll put a solo saddle on anyway. My right foot came flying off the right driver peg when the bolt loosened and the peg spun on me. That had to wait until home to fix. No loctite on the threads. When I fixed it, I also took the opportunity to rotate the left peg forward a bit as the stock position was a little tight for upshifting.
She's staying stock until the 1,000. Then it's pipes, SERT, K&N element, and windshield.
I'm still looking for a good SERT tuner in New England. I called Meredith HD, who has a dyno. The guy I talked to, however, said that he'd only need a half-hour, given what I was planning for upgrades. On one hand that makes some sense, particularly if he has a map for the exact mods. On the other hand, it also sounds like that's all I'd get, i.e., the bike wouldn't be individually tuned. Opinions?
bc