magley64

Well, I finally got her out yesterday when I got home from work, it was about 48F outside, sunny, and calm.
I thought "yeah, let's go for it" so I strapped my books to the seat, and headed to school. on the first 7 miles, I forgot my gloves

with beat red hands, I stopped at my sister's and borrowed a pair of gloves...
the rest of the ride was much better...aside from your usual idiots (turning in front of me, following too close, etc etc)

a few things I noticed right off the bat: I'm going to want heli-bars or other touring bars, I'm going to want a throttle meister, and I might need a cct soon(noticed a little noise, and based on what I've read, that's probably it)
john has those, Right? or can get them?
I'll probably get a set of tires put on it soon as well.

all in all: Great ride, very cold, and I LOVE!!! this bike...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

ArmyStrong

Cool Dude! I don't know about you, but I feel naked if I don't have my gloves on, even going short distances...I coulda went on my first ride too...IF IT WAS FINISHED YET, BUT THEY...oh, never mind. Was told she'd be ready today, but I've put Saturday in my mind, for my own peace of mind. Looks like I'll probably do the same mods. How tall are ya again?

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

magley64

5'9" 160 lbs (175.26 cm, 72.57kg)

I don't ever remember riding with gloves maybe I just always waited til it was warmer out..of course, i never owned a blackbird before either...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

ArmyStrong

Wow. I however you're programmed it sticks w/you! (until a stronger stimulus--like cold--overrides it)

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

magley64

Very true...I'm now going to invest in some good gloves (the ones i used yesterday sucked)

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

BigArn

The XX is amazing isn't it. Got about 60 miles on mine, and it's scary fast.
Not sure about the bars yet, would like to get a good long day in the saddle before I change anything.
Good luck, ride safe
Mark S.

__________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves

SturgisNative

My '98 pisses me off. I had a 2005 Harley Ultra, and this "outdated" piece of Honda machinery is superior in nearly every way (except comfort. Sorry, gonna have to give that to the Ultra). Why am I pissed?

Because I didn't buy the XX first!

I'm in love with mine. Two weeks, 700 miles so far -- and it's still only about 48 on the warm days!

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1998 CBR1100XX // Bad, black, and ballistic
"Everybody interesting is somehow mad." - Dr. Who

magley64

yeah, the cruiser might be more comfortable...

but if you really wanted comfort, you'd be on a ST or a 'Wing...

plus you can "soften up" the bird with a bigger windsheild, corbin or bagster seat, and helibars, and you're going to be comparable in comfort, and still way faster, and better handling when you want to be...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

97Bird

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If you're not going over 100 miles and at least 100 mph, you're not riding

Gary

1100xxben

I have to agree with ArmyStrong and 97Bird... I always wear gloves and feel weird w/o. As soon as it's warm enough, I ditch the snowmobile gloves and usually wear mechanix gloves.

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16 valves, 4 pistons, 2 tires, and one twist of the wrist...

I'm doing my part to keep the insect population down... are you?

rdkng88

Just my opinion I like my XX bikes just as they are stock bars stock seat. My 02 I have a Corbin seat on it and I like it for long rides. Use your knees to keep the pressure off your arms especially when stopping. Once you get use to the position you will love the ride. Many have changed the bars and after a few rides back to stock. For long rides I do like a little taller screen it cuts down on some of the wind noise. RIDE SAFE !!

DragonXX

Congrats on the first date experience.
You'll enjoy it even more with a decent set of new boots on her.
Ride Fast and Stay Safe

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" 'Birds of a feather, flock together "

Quote of the month: "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

SturgisNative

I was actually just kidding. I find the XX damn comfortable. I've only had it two weeks; I'm going to give it a few thousand miles before I change anything.

If I wanted Ultra comfort, I'd have kept it. I wanted speed, power, and looks. I got it!

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1998 CBR1100XX // Bad, black, and ballistic
"Everybody interesting is somehow mad." - Dr. Who

Strek

I like wearing gloves as well no matter the weather. Fall off once and you'll wish you had them on. Learned that in my dirt biking days. I haven't had to do anything to my bird yet. Only 10K on it. I did have the CCT issue on my 1988 Hurricane. Must be a Honda thing.

Leftlaner

I venture to say that if you're between 175 and 185cm tall (and not extremely obese), the stock handlebars will do just fine. I recommend reading up on riding techniques (using your knees and lower back muscles rather than resting on your wrists with stiff elbows) and trying out a couple of methods before considering to alter the stock riding position. If you have pain in your sholders/arms/back to begin with, that is of course a different story.. Enjoy the bike, and ride safely! :-)

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To do is to be - Socrates
To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre
Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra

magley64

Thank you all for your input, It is greatly appreciated.

I took it out again last night to school, and for a leisurely ride after school across the county, Filled it up for the first time at a gas station...$12 later it stopped (full): take that opec!

hit some nice roads back towards my house, but at that point I was sorta racing the rain back to my house (rain coming in from the south, i was coming from the north...)

I'm just so psyched, I love riding...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

ArmyStrong

I'm witcha man, first ride yesterday!

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

Leftlaner

I've had this bike for a year and a half, and the bike STILL makes me every single time. Best allround bike in the world IMHO!

__________________
To do is to be - Socrates
To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre
Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra

magley64

I must say, I'm a little suprised at how quickly this is happening...

You guys were right about the metzeler m3's, I took the bike out to lorain yesterday to visit my girlfriend, then when i got back near home, I stopped off at my cousin's house to say hi. My uncle was checking out the bike, and he goes "about time for a new tire?" so I replied with, "yeah, it's worn some, but I don't know how soon, I'm going to have to replace them"

the he goes "well you got a band showing"

"what!?" sure enough, the center stripe is sticking out

So, i've read a few of the threads here about tires, and i figured for my riding the pirelli diablo stradas would be my best bet, Got a set on order now.

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

Leftlaner

I wouldn't ride another mile with that worn out tyre. Heard plenty of stories about people pushing their luck, ending up in a ditch with broken limbs if you get my drift..!

__________________
To do is to be - Socrates
To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre
Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra

ArmyStrong

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

AntXXG

Hi, glad you enjoyed the first ride, yes gloves, leathers, helmet are a must...wouldn't dream of riding in anything less... I've seen too many very gnasty pictures in Magazines of offs with no protection...

youfly2

hey big arn what part of ohio you from us ohio guys have to stick together!! ha

daryl akron /cleveland

SilverBrd

I'm glad you yankee boys are finally getting to ride!!!

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02 Silver Bird, Throttlemeister, HID's, D&D Show and Go full system exhaust, Zero Gravity Double Bubble, Power Commander, Speedohealer, Corbin seat, Lowered foot pegs & more Mods to come!!!

jackbirdxx

'97 Blackbird, all stock... no mods as yet, and I'm not sure there will be any. I'm just one of those types I guess... old fashioned. Something about seeing exactly what you like, and just keeping it real. If she's thirsty, I'll pour gas into her... and if she coughs then I'll change her oil. Sprockets, chain, tires and exhaust... and a yearly check up from me. She's good to go.

magley64

Hi daryl, maybe the 3 of us could organize a ride one weekend next month or something, I used to work in highland heights/mayfield, so i know my way around that area pretty well...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

BigArn

Hey Daryl, I'm on the east side of Cleveland. We should get a meet together. I ran into another XX rider yesterday coming home from my mom's house. He was on a 99 I believe.

Mark/Cleveland east side!!!

__________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves

BigArn

Hey, that is in my backyard, were about did you work??

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The beatings will continue until morale improves

magley64

Philips Medical Systems, on Wilson Mills Road...

GREAT internship, best 10 months ever...

maybe we can hit china buffet, the boneyard, or DSC (dog sh!t chili) aka skyline..

My group of interns would always hit one of those places on friday, unless we weren't going to be missed for a long time, then we'd hit quaker state for lunch...

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Ðuane
"Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle"

BigArn

Was that the old Picker X-Ray?

__________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves