I've mentioned previously that in the glory days my wife and I spent many k's together on large sports tourers, and her first and only experience on my '98 Road King was less than perfect, mostly due to the lack of passenger grab rails (and no option for them). The first accessory on the list for the 2009 model replacement was the optional rails and today was the day to see if the new Road King passed wife muster.
She agreed it was time and then was surprised by my announcement that we'd be going on the HOG new members ride, not just a quick trip to the lake. Too late to back out, she agreed and we prepared for the ride and headed over to the local dealership and the almost carnival atmosphere that has now become the norm for new member days. Once again I was struck by the large numbers of HOG members that had not only turned up for the ride, but also just turned up for a chat and a sausage sanga. One of the regular attendees I've often chatted with was having his first outing heading up the group as Road Captain and looking at the numbers ready to go, would be made of steel if he wasn't nervous.
The route was discussed and I announced our exit strategy part way 'round. The full trip would have been great, but I wasn't keen to push my luck too far breaking my wife in. Close to on time we were on our way. The anticipated 18 or so HOGS grew to (guessing) 34+ and we took a reasonably uneventful trip through Sandgate and on our way towards the New England Highway then to John Renshaw Drive towards Kurri Kurri. There were a few occasions that lights and traffic split the group a little, you can't avoid that, but it was pretty good! Nice job J.
We arrived at the Sugarloaf turnoff and sadly we left the group to head towards home around the Mountain. We were stuck for a while behind a retread in a 4WD who thought 80k's meant 50 and that speed advisory signs for bends were actually meaningful, but one past that moving obstacle I let loose a little. I noticed my wife squirming a little and also "felt" some reluctance in the bends from behind. While I wasn't pushing at all hard I backed of a little and that left only the roughish road to contend with. A quick left at Cameron Park and we were out on the link road. 15 mintues later we were home.
It was evident that something wasn't right and the proof came flooding out.
- Helmet issues, her only worn twice Shoei was tight across the forehead and became quite uncomfortable.
- Bump issue, apparently a decent bump gave her back quite a jolt.
- Fear: it seems that she's greatly concerned about the highway pegs hitting the road surface while cornering and flipping the bike and also the extra width of the bike with them out creating a whack point for other traffic, particularly while riding in the right side of the lane while in formation.
Mentioning that the highway pegs would fold up if they were hit didn't help, on reflection I can see why (whoops).
However, negatives aside, the bike itself got the thumbs up for comfort and ride. The grab rails were too narrow but that can be sorted because, of course, HD have grab rail cover accessories! I sort of understand the fear factor, I felt the same thing the first few times I rode the '98 Road King after years on sports tourers. There's a lot of metal close to the ground and you sit closer to it. Your legs aren't tucked up high and feeling out of the way and where you are used V shaped plastic farings in front you see wide, square looking chrome tubes with lumps of chrome sticking out further. All this you quickly get used to. Hopefully she'll take the time.
K's travelled: 66
