Hi folks,
For those of you who have not yet gotten yours, I thought I would post my riding thoughts after 500 miles.....maybe it will help with the wait-man it's hard waiting for a bike......
I have to modify my earlier comments about the handling. True, tight twisties are going to result in sparks on both sides of the bike, BUT tight sweepers are fantastic on this bike. It's easy to lay it over into sweeping turns-I assume that's due to how low it is to the ground. Thus far the 240 rear tire does not seem to hinder handling(for comparison, my V-Rod wants to naturally right itself while in turns with the 240 rear on it-you have to really work it to keep the bike tracking properly through the turn....no such sensation on the Breakout)
Power.....and more power....what's that old saying, "there's no substitute for displacement"...I'm a believer.
I have been on a couple of 2 hour + rides, and the riding position continues to be just fantastic. slightly leaned forward to take pressure off the back, and the spread of the bars is just perfect-not too wide, not too narrow. The pegs are perfect for stretching your legs out by hooking your feet on the inside of the pegs. Great for those long stretches of highway...
Comfort is really good. I thought with the thin-ish padded seat, I would get weary in the rear section, but it's incredibly comfortable. And although it's tempting to remove the pillion to reveal more of the bumper, you might want to reconsider-it keeps me ON the bike-lot of power coming with every gear change and you need to be held in place.
Suspension continues to impress, especially considering how slammed this bike is....road imperfections and expansion joints are non-events.
Still hate the way the side mounted plate is oriented....just hate it....
I am averaging about 38mpg
Having cruise control on a Softail is just fantastic......it works extremely well....
I really like the new instrument panel, and how you roll through the display via the top section of the HORN button. No more pushing buttons on the side of the console....very nice...
After 500 miles I am NOT impressed with the ride-by-wire throttle. Quick throttle blips on downshifts are greeted with pops, dead spots, and on a couple of occassions, it's killed the engine....yep, downshifting into 2nd a couple of times, blipping the throttle and it just dies...You have to roll on the throttle easy during downshifting. I am going to have the dealer check that....never experienced this with cable throttle systems.
WARNING: you WILL get stopped regularly when you are out with this bike, with shouts of "wow, what kind of Harley is that?"
I had a county sheriff's deputy follow me for a few miles and into a gas station. Asked me if this was the "new Harley Screamin' Eagle he had been hearing so much about"-he could not get over the paintwork-kept looking at it from every angle. He was a Street Glide guy......
It really draws a crowd every time I stop....