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There was a party at our local Harley Davidson shop today. Bike show, car show, free test rides, a band, food, etc. My Dad put his front engine dragster in the car show, so the wife and I went to check things out. Before I knew it, I was test riding the Firebolt. The test ride guy was gone for the day by the time I was ready, but I knew one of the salesman, and he let me take it out anyway. I wish I could've ridden the 1125, but they didn't have a demo.
The Firebolt makes 20-25 more horses than the Kat, but I couldn't really feel it. Yeah, the front tire would come up 6" or so when I shifted into 2nd, and it would bounce a little when I shifted into 3rd....which I really liked. But that could be because the Firebolt has an almost 6" shorter wheelbase, and it's jacked WAY up in the air. (I couldn't flat foot it comfortably, and I am 5'10") One bad thing is you can't lower the bike.
It's dry weight is 395lbs, so it's a little lighter than the Kat. I felt more comfortable going fast around curves on it than I do my Kat. It felt like I could flick it a little easier. It also seemed a little more natural for me to want to lift my butt off the seat to drag a knee. (Which I didn't even come close to, it just felt like I could)
I really liked the way it sounded at WOT. Man, it sounded like compression, ignition, fuel, and air were having an orgy in the combustion chamber. Sounded like sex. I didn't like the way it sounded and vibrated at idle, though.....kinda rough. I didn't like where the exhaust exited, either....it was blowing right on my left ankle when I'd stop at a redlight. I'd move my foot forward, no big deal, but it didn't feel natural where I had to keep my foot.
It was really smooth going down the interstate, and 90 felt like 70. Only other things I really didn't care for too much was the seat and the footpegs. The seat was kinda hard and uncomfortable, and for being such a tall bike, it felt like the footpegs were too high up, and I was having to curl up into the fetal position to ride it.
It has a HUGE front brake rotor and you could definitely tell the difference. Stopped on a friggin' dime.
You also lean over it like an SS bike, and I felt like my wrists and hands could easily start hurting on even a 50 mile trip. Plus, there's very little windscreen...not a whole lot to duck behind when taking a long trip.
All in all, it was an awesome experience, and it is a really nice bike. From what I've read, these bikes run high-11's, low 12's in the quarter, which is the only thing that would keep me from buying one. It was an awesome ride, but I'd personally want something a little faster. (If I was in the market for a new ride) Definitely a great bike for someone looking to upgrade from the Kat. Just a little more power, a little more flickability, a low RPM range (7100 redline) for cruising, but at the cost of a little comfort.
The shop I was at was selling them for $8500....before TT&L.
The Firebolt makes 20-25 more horses than the Kat, but I couldn't really feel it. Yeah, the front tire would come up 6" or so when I shifted into 2nd, and it would bounce a little when I shifted into 3rd....which I really liked. But that could be because the Firebolt has an almost 6" shorter wheelbase, and it's jacked WAY up in the air. (I couldn't flat foot it comfortably, and I am 5'10") One bad thing is you can't lower the bike.
It's dry weight is 395lbs, so it's a little lighter than the Kat. I felt more comfortable going fast around curves on it than I do my Kat. It felt like I could flick it a little easier. It also seemed a little more natural for me to want to lift my butt off the seat to drag a knee. (Which I didn't even come close to, it just felt like I could)
I really liked the way it sounded at WOT. Man, it sounded like compression, ignition, fuel, and air were having an orgy in the combustion chamber. Sounded like sex. I didn't like the way it sounded and vibrated at idle, though.....kinda rough. I didn't like where the exhaust exited, either....it was blowing right on my left ankle when I'd stop at a redlight. I'd move my foot forward, no big deal, but it didn't feel natural where I had to keep my foot.
It was really smooth going down the interstate, and 90 felt like 70. Only other things I really didn't care for too much was the seat and the footpegs. The seat was kinda hard and uncomfortable, and for being such a tall bike, it felt like the footpegs were too high up, and I was having to curl up into the fetal position to ride it.
It has a HUGE front brake rotor and you could definitely tell the difference. Stopped on a friggin' dime.
You also lean over it like an SS bike, and I felt like my wrists and hands could easily start hurting on even a 50 mile trip. Plus, there's very little windscreen...not a whole lot to duck behind when taking a long trip.
All in all, it was an awesome experience, and it is a really nice bike. From what I've read, these bikes run high-11's, low 12's in the quarter, which is the only thing that would keep me from buying one. It was an awesome ride, but I'd personally want something a little faster. (If I was in the market for a new ride) Definitely a great bike for someone looking to upgrade from the Kat. Just a little more power, a little more flickability, a low RPM range (7100 redline) for cruising, but at the cost of a little comfort.
The shop I was at was selling them for $8500....before TT&L.
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