Harley Davidson invited me, not really personally me but as a recipient
of the Chromezone eNewsletter to test ride a new Harley-Davidson® Project
Rushmore Tourer.
Here's the how the offer was made
Here's the how the offer was made
Up for a 5-day adventure through the stunning scenery of The Glasshouse Mountains?
So I clicked on the 'book a test ride' button and was presented with a choice of;
 |
| Street Glide |
Street Glide - Pure street style and long haul comfort made it the #1
motorcycle in the sport. And that was before it got a punchier engine and
hundreds of other improvements.
I wasn't that interested in the Street Glide as I had a mate take one
for a test ride and all he did was bitch about scraping on speed humps
etc.
 |
| Electra Glide Ultra Limited |
Electra Glide Ultra Limited - When you set out to improve the most
respected touring machine on earth, you don't take short cuts and you sure as
hell don't accept any limits.
 | ||
|
I thought, I need a long distance tourer as the poor old Kawasaki
1000GTR is getting a bit old and should retire gracefully not as a unloved
collection of materials on the side of the road if it ever stops and fails to
proceed.
The next choice is a Road King Classic.
 |
| Road King Classic |
Road King Classic - Sitting on top of those whitewalls is a motorcycle
that takes the idea of Classic to the most modern place it's ever been.
The new Road king reminds me too much of the 'Show Pony' and you cannot
sneak a new bike into the garage if it looks like the twin of the one already
sitting there. So was definitely off the list.
 |
| Show Pony at work. |
So I pressed the Electra Glide Ultra Limited button and was presented
with the request form.
Entering my suburb or postcode (zipcode for my American readers). I am
advised my test ride will be at Sy's Harley Davidson Campbelltown and not where
I expected to be going, Fraser Motorcycles in Fairy Meadow. There as no way of
changing it so Campbelltown was where I will go.
The next day Tim from Sy's Harley Davidson calls me and advises they
have a Street Glide on the test fleet and a Electra Glide Ultra Limited on the
floor. I advise Tim, I really want to try the Electra Glide Ultra Limited as I
have heard so many conflicting stories about the Infotainment system. Tim tells
me I can have a look at the Electra Glide Ultra Limited, climb all over it and
ask all the questions. That works and so Tim and I arrange a date for the test
ride. The days pass and the time has come. I ask Kym with his Victory Cross
Country Tour if he would like to come out and ride with Tim and I. Kym says he
will be there.
 |
| Kym's new Victory Cross Country Tour |
Kym and I arrived at Sy's Harley Davidson, the dealership is easy to see
from the road but a challenge to find the access road to get to it. I almost get
hit by a truck as I am doing laps of the roundabout whilst trying to find an
entry to the access road. The entry is back down the road I originally came in
on. Locals who read this are now most likely laughing but maybe a clear sign
showing where entry is.
We meet Tim in the showroom and all is prepared. I sign the form and hope Kay likes having a Street Glide in the garage if I do any damage to it in the test ride. Tim takes the matt black (denim) Street Glide out of the showroom and has it idling for me so I can just get on and ride.
Tim's mate has just come in to see he and we all agree to ride to Menangle. Tim's mates bike is brand new, a Harley Davidson Softail with an amazing paint involving the tank top being taken back to barre metal then clear lacquered. The back tyre is huge in comparison to the other bikes.
New bikes just ride so much better then the old ones. It is obvious Tim and his mate have been riding for a while together they almost intuitively know what the other is doing on the road. We all stop at the turn around point and dismount to discuss the bike/s. I have to admit I am enjoying the Street Glide, the instruments are in eye line and the smaller Infotainment unit is immediately below the instruments. The small screen is just right where as I thought it would be too low and useless.
There is now a gear indicator in the instruments which is a great help as with the power these put out, you sometimes don't know which gear you are in.
We return to Sy's Harley Davidson where Tim, Kym and I have a chat about the new Harleys and the improvements made even in the last year. Tim respects Kym's choice of the Victory and understands why he chose it over a Harley.
I had the climb and look over the Electra Glide Ultra Limited and found myself thinking I preferred the Street Glide with a few extras as it is far less complex which is something Nick wrote about in his report he wrote for me. Tim is deserving of a gold start for when I spoke fondly of my 1000GTR he suggested I should keep it as a second bike. I suppose that's easier then giving me the depressing news of what is worth as a trade-in.
So here we reach the end of this tale. Will I buy a Street Glide? Not yet as I have a Victory weekend test ride to do after I recover from my upcoming operation. We will then see where I am vehicle wise.
My advice to you dear reader is, if you are thinking of a Harley Davidson contact Tim at Sy's as he deserves all the sales he makes.
Sy's Harley Davidson
16 Blaxland Road
Campbelltown, NSW, 2560
Phone 02 4625 6666
Email General: info@syshd.com.au
Website: www.syshd.com.au
I did see some Harley Davidson helmets on sale in the showroom if you are in the market for one.
Comments
Post a Comment