I drove to the seller before Christmas to look the bike over in the "flesh".
Liked what I saw. Handed over a cashiers check and rode back home 175 miles in 45-50F temperatures with no heated liner or gloves.
The bike does have very efficient heated grips. 5 settings and #3 was warm enough. The grips along with the ugly but most effective handguards and winter windshield with built in hand deflectors proved a great combination.
When the V1800 came out I didn't like the look of the bike because of the width across the "cat catcher" - Thanks Smoking Joe - radiator pods.
The addition of the V1500 saddlebags changes the visuals for me and makes the bike look more balanced. The owner did a very good fabricating job allowing the V1500 bags to be very securely attached to the bike.
The riding position on the V1800 is very different. More of a horse jockey pose with knees much higher than on my V1500.
I put on Kuryakan mini boards so i could adjust them and get my boot toe under the gear lever.
The bike is a rocket compared to the V1800. I would thoroughly recommend anyone thinking of buying a different bike to the V1500 to go ride a V1800. 100mph is easily achieved and on the flat the bike will pull in 5th from 20mph like a locomotive.
This is the 21st century sports cruiser and it is a shame that most will never get to ride one.
The ride again confirmed that Bates boots are a good choice for the all weather rider. My toes stayed warm all the way home.
https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjAGmr7Yq
Liked what I saw. Handed over a cashiers check and rode back home 175 miles in 45-50F temperatures with no heated liner or gloves.
The bike does have very efficient heated grips. 5 settings and #3 was warm enough. The grips along with the ugly but most effective handguards and winter windshield with built in hand deflectors proved a great combination.
When the V1800 came out I didn't like the look of the bike because of the width across the "cat catcher" - Thanks Smoking Joe - radiator pods.
The addition of the V1500 saddlebags changes the visuals for me and makes the bike look more balanced. The owner did a very good fabricating job allowing the V1500 bags to be very securely attached to the bike.
The riding position on the V1800 is very different. More of a horse jockey pose with knees much higher than on my V1500.
I put on Kuryakan mini boards so i could adjust them and get my boot toe under the gear lever.
The bike is a rocket compared to the V1800. I would thoroughly recommend anyone thinking of buying a different bike to the V1500 to go ride a V1800. 100mph is easily achieved and on the flat the bike will pull in 5th from 20mph like a locomotive.
This is the 21st century sports cruiser and it is a shame that most will never get to ride one.
The ride again confirmed that Bates boots are a good choice for the all weather rider. My toes stayed warm all the way home.
https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjAGmr7Yq
