Amen to that thought.. rode about 100 miles today, couldn't be happier.
Yeah, I keep thinking that's it's a crime to have more posts on this site than I have miles on my bike. Over these past few months, those 2 numbers have been running a tough race and it's been neck and neck. It's getting very close to that time where the mileage takes the big lead. But for now, I still have about 15 more posts than I have miles on my bike.
Today was the first ride that I've taken for any distance that I wasn't all bundled up with heated gear and full face helmet and gloves, etc. I finally had a day to let loose and ride without a helmet or gloves (which I normally don't do), but I wanted the full experience of this bike. It's just been building up all winter in me, and I was riding down the road and thinking to myself "I love this bike". I had to share that thought as soon as I walked in the door tonight.
I tested it out pretty well today. Before I met up with some others, I was stopped at the end of an on ramp to a road with 3 lanes on my side. It was uphill for about a mile and the only cars were the few that were obstructing me from making a moving merge into traffic. I decided to get on it and I passed those cars immediately and long before I reached the top of the hill, I was doing 100 mph and I realized I still had 6th gear left to go. No, I didn't try it. I just backed off, as there was heavier traffic in site. But an uphill surge to 100 mph like that was surely not something I could do on my 96" motor. I could do it with a little more effort on the 96" if I was going downhill or with a lot of effort on a level surface. Then I met up with the guys and we hit some winding country roads. I've been on these roads many times with other bikes, but I really felt comfortable on my 09. It was so smooth in the turns and I didn't feel like I had to make an effort to keep it on the road. I briefly switched bikes with my friend, who has an 08 SEUC, and I didn't have that same feeling on his. I felt like I had to make an effort to keep the bike on the road in the turns.
I'm not looking to offend anyone out there with a pre-09 bike, but I just happened to have the opportunity to switch from 09 to 08 and back to 09, and I could really feel a difference in roadability. I really wasn't expecting it to be noticeable to me, but it was. Anyway, back to the point, I had a great first good weather day out there and found out that I truly enjoy this bike. I did have some minor doubts until today.