Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Don't suppose anyone knows how much luggage you can get in an HD electra glide?

I'm struggling to visualise it.

For context I'd expect to have a standard carry-on suitcase and a 35l backpack worth of stuff.

Also having never ridden a bike that big, would folk suggest possibly sizing down and going for something like a softail* with regular panniers and working out storage?

Cheers.

*the only thing I'm wary of is people often say a softail isn't that comfy for pillions.

There’s a place in Stockwell that I’ve bought tyres from on two occasions. They have a good inventory and will try to sort you out with an equivalent if the one you want isn’t in stock. Good service/bedside manner too.

Im in no way connected to them and not receiving a remuneration of any kind for what I have just written.

I do kind of know as I've done 2 tours on them. We toured 2 up so space gets a bit more limited. Before we left we bought our own HD liners for the electra glide luggage and were able to check what fitted, we sold them for reasonable money after the tour. They are also useful to have when you're touring because you can use them between the bike and hotel at night. The top box is big as well but that tends to be useful for day stuff to (depending on what kind of touring you're doing). I also had a stuff sack strapped to the top box which has a steel mesh around it so you can lock it to the seat with your jacket and lid in it if you're going for a walk.

What we got in the side panniers was light weight clothes, spare undies and toiletries. Like Rohan lightweight for the evenings and bare toiletries. You'll want to be wearing most of what you are taking most of the time. Waterproofs can go in the stuff sack and layers for day wear if your suit doesn't adapt to changing conditions. Top box for cameras gloves if you run 2 pairs, maps and some of the spare clothing if you have to. The top box empty will take 2 full face lids so it's not small.

Sorry I can't just tell you it's x size but I wouldn't pack jeans unless you're travelling alone! I can recommend buying the liners, they don't get that worn on a tour so you'll get good money back for them.

If you are riding alone you'll get a 20litre suitcase in the panniers and top box and strap the rucksack in the back seat. If you're not carrying a pillion I wonder why you'd choose an Electra Glide, It feels a bit silly riding one without anyone on the back and the stripped down Harleys are actually fun to ride, the Electra Glide is a handful because of the weight from the rear seat and luggage being so high.

If you let your pillion ride on an Electra Glide you'll struggle to get them on anything else! It's a seriously comfortable pillion seat, I went on the back one time and it's luxury, in the front not so much.

I drove an electra glide ultra for 4.5k miles across the US in 2016.

The wife and I managed to carry 3-4 days of clothes each plus shoes, toiletries, cameras, guide books, electronics and snacks / water etc.

We bought some goldwing soft bags which we packed at home to make sure we had enough room then brought them in the suitcase with us. Eaglerider shipped the suitcase from Chicago to San Fran. You're welcome to borrow the bags if you like...

In terms of rideability they're fucking heavy, especially 2up with full luggage. Anything under 10 miles an hour, they just want to fall over but you get used to it. Over that speed, they're comfortable, easy to ride and pretty engaging for their size. @Jung took me 'canyon carving' on ours and saw me filtering through LA traffic pretty easily; it was a fun day out.

In terms of size, here's a couple of rubbish pics from the trip that give a rough idea of dimensions. I'm 174cm for reference.

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This is what they looked like in NZ. Theft is not really an issue there so the wire mesh stuff sacks were overkill. I had a Kreiga tank bag which went in the top box when were off the bikes with a small ruck sack that had documents, money, camera etc. that came out of the top box off the bikes.

We cheated a bit because we arrived on the north island and had the luggage that wouldn't fit on the bike sent to a hotel in Christchurch which we looped through on the way to the south of the South Island. Then we came back to it before flying out via Auckland. That way we had 2 or 3 bites of the cherry. In then end you find you need much less than you think, especially the evening off bike stuff. You're only wearing it for a few hours every day. If you get the bike suit right you'll have a great time.

Make sure you wear a proper bike boot with the electra glide, you need a smooth sole so you can use your foot as a balancing outrigger when you're turning or slowing down. Second tour I didn't and regret it. Take a pair of gloves you know well, even if you're tempted to get a new pair for the tour, make sure you have one pair you know well. You need to feel confident with the throttle at low speed. Don't spend weeks worrying about riding it, it's pretty easy most of the time. Do get full insurance though, if you drop it once, which is easy to do the hire companies like to go to town.

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Try here for tyres -

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/?utm_campaign=fb-retargeting&gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2Y3uoSdiBjsjwzavaeK55heEzhojTNxZ9f0LLGuLolA84ymRwXHDZRoCrpYQAvD_BwE

I should add if you drop it at standstill or low speed it's generally not that damaging, it leans on the chrome bars and any damage is out of sight. The pillion can usually just climb off then, they tend to not fall off. When it comes to picking it up again make sure you have a look at the proper techniques, I'm not bad on a dead lift but you'll struggle if you don't have the right technique.

If you were to say drop it against a petrol pump then the fairing gets scratched and the bill is considerable! Don't ask how I know.

Getting the pillion on and off is a team effort too, you need them to make sure you're ready before they climb on. Saw a couple of instant fails with some of the other riders on our first tour which was a group of 4 bikes.

Getting the pillion on and off is a team effort too, you need them to make sure you're ready before they climb on.

This is the one and only time we dropped ours in the month we had it. First day, petrol station in rural Illinois; wife asks if I'm ready for her to get on the bike and I brace for her to get on from my left. She gets on from the right and I'm immediately unbalanced and drop it.

As you say though very little damage at low speed and we had full insurance so all good.

https://www.fwr.co.uk/

Matt works there. He used to run OMC (Oval Motorcycle Centre).

FWR.

Not been in since the boss died. I called him a fat wanker and he called a mother fucking cunt.

Wish he was still here to name call.

Right, I’m starting to think about bike purchase I have planned for later this year.

A few newb. Questions please.

Am I being an idiot buying a 2nd hand bike in spring, will prices be much higher as I assume this would be be most popular time to buy?

I am planning to do a direct access course to allow me to jump straight on a big bike. What order should I do things? Buying a bike would be tricky as I can’t test ride it or ride it home. Do I rent a bike from the test people?

Leathers, best to buy second hand?

I’m after a cbr600f around 2003/4 if anyone is selling or sees a decent one. Looking to buy in March...

Yamito. This was on eBay until yesterday. So cool ...

[EDIT: you need to select "original item" then "see original listing", as eBay tries to show you something else otherwise]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cagiva-Mito-350-ypvs-Yamito-034-Special-034-/222806576170?_mwBanner=1&ul_noapp=true&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2F0%2F0%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fulk%252Fitm%252F222806576170%26rvr_id%3D0&nma=true&si=ei7FnbFYnT7yiTR86V59NqJYzo4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

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@airhead and @soul - cheers for the pointers. If it happens this would just be a day or two riding down in New Orleans, so not proper touring. There would definitely be jeans!

Tbh at the moment I'm not sure it's going to happen, due to cash flow. We're going to Florida in April, so I'm wondering whether that might be better; 1) for the weather, 2) cash flow.

My only concern is I imagine roads in FL to be dull - flat and straight. Not sure if anyone wants to chip in with some thoughts on that(?). If I'm only likely to have one shot at convincing Mrs. Hugo7 to pony up for a day or two, so would it be better to hold out for if we go to Calli or at least Boston / Cape Cod?

That's clean, looks like a half decent job of the conversion too.

#1

Am I being an idiot buying a 2nd hand bike in spring,

Like bicycles or convertibles, prices tend to be lower in winter, but there's less choice. So swings and roundabouts.

#2

What order should I do things?

You can't legally ride a big bike without a licence unless you're on a lesson or test. When you're doing your lessons and test the bike school rent it to you as part of your lessons.

So I guess there's limited point in having a bike you can't ride or insure without a licence... Unless you just ride illegally.

Does that answer your question?

#3

Leathers, best to buy second hand?

Depends on your budget.

I think it was skinny who made a good point and said he couldn't afford to buy lots of the wrong clothing, so just spend £1k upfront on some decent fitting stuff.

The downside to 2nd hand is you don't know how they've been looked after. That said it's never worried me.

I've taken a piecemeal approach from borrowing my dad's jacket & boots with 2nd hand leather trousers to getting my own stuff and upgrading as I go.

There are lots of whingy posts from me in this thread about kit. It's a mission! If you can spare the cash I'd recommend going to the biggest store you can and spending the most you can. One problem though is needing different kit for different weather. And I guess preferences you'll only discover with time on the bike.

#4

cbr600f 2003/4

Just bear in mind if you're in London, it won't be ULEZ complient when that comes into effect.

Just a follow up post on clothing with my hindsight thoughts:

1. Gloves - just pony up and buy a decent pair from the off. I've got a whole load of shit cheap ones. Silk glove liners and heated grips can extend the season. Buy cheaper summer gloves if/when you need them.
   
2. Trousers - you need to match these to your boots due to the cuffs/top of the boots. So have your footwear sorted first. I found decent trousers the hardest thing to find. Easiest thing is to get a half decent synthetic pair to start that cover all the bases: Like these:
   
3. Boots - the easiest and cheapest clothing option - there's so much choice depending on your needs. Get something with decent shin protection if you can.
   
4. Jackets - honestly there are so many options to choose from there's nothing much worth saying. Just check out Revzilla reviews on YouTube, hein gericke, and Sportsbikeshop.com
   
   

EDIT: here's a link to one of my posts about various bits of kit I tried: https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13513793/ I'd add Richa leather trousers are fucking useless unless you have a long jacket or want to show off your sexy tribal lower-back-tat. Which is a shame as most in other ways their kit is great.

Boots over trousers or trousers over boots? Assuming good weather...

I prefer trousers over boots, but my TCX S-Speed (waterproof) have big shin protection which means a lot of trousers need to be tucked in. I used to be able to get my leathers over my old basic boots.

I had an awesome fun testing their waterproof abilities my first time in the rain.... all the water just ran down my leg into the top!

Watch out for ulez if you’re in London. Not sure an old cb600f will be compliant.

The protection you buy depends on what you want. I bought a held yugusa suit 1st as it was about he beat you could buy. A mate for Scott leather to make him custom. I also now own a hein gericke forested pro textile suit I paid £200 for off eBay. But whatever it is, make sure you get a CE2 back protector.

If you’re riding for fun, get leathers and yes lots of second hand on eBay.

But helmet go to a big motorbike shop, blindfold yourself and try them all. Then buy the one that fits best and is 4-5star sharp. I have a shoei head.

And while you’re there, try on leathers from different brands. Then you’ll now what size you are for buying on eBay. 2 piece is more practical.

Thanks for all the advice above everyone. Really appreciate it.

I hadn’t considered ulez. Will that be the current congestion charge area or widened out?
Maybe I’ll have to consider something newer.

Will I look like a twat if I get one piece racesuit for general riding about?

ulez

Best to read up yourself TBH.

If you're only keeping it for a bit it might not matter. But long term I'd assume it will go to the North Circular.

Yes, generally you'll look like a power ranger. Textile suits or more recently motorcycle jeans are probably going to be enough unless you're planning on spending weekends racing round the countryside.

I'd get all the armour as an separate armour shirt (Knox) with d30 armour, motorcycle jeans or textile jeans, decent jacket and a one piece waterproof outer to start. Then you can look forward to years of searching for the perfect outfit. Tucano Urbano make some decent stuff, their lighter gloves will do 3 seasons. Daytona boots are excellent. Rokker jeans/chinos are nice but pricey.

You look more of a twat in shorts and a t-shirt!
Honestly when I first rode bikes I felt very conspicuous wearing any motorbike specific gear at all, but very quickly the fear of loosing all my skin and breaking joints set in and I clobbered up, now I feel naked if I'm not wearing everything. it's a worry that passes.
Over the obvious helmet gloves jacket pants boots and knee, spine protection, so much choice for proper strap on jobs now. £60-120 seems to get enough protection at the minute, a very low price for reducing risk of any spine damage! I have an uncle that was rear ended by a granny in a metro and has been in a wheelchair since.

My tuppence - definitely worth the expenditure on proper gear, and I recommend Rev'it as arguably best tech/value for money. They do full race suits down to waterproof armoured jeans and kevlar shirts. Lowest profile armour in the biz, as far as I know.