RocketDaryl
Top Fuel
Well, I have my new T-Bird for just over a month now and have logged about 550 miles on it. That's pretty good considering I have 2 bikes and we've had an unusually high number of cold days.
The T-Bird is all I hoped it would be. The ergos are perfect for me (I'm 5'10", 148 lbs). I really love everything about them and, like with my Tiger, I get zero shoulder or neck tension. I would get tension pain in both areas on my R3T even on short 50 mile hops. The bars are in perfect position. The footpegs are forward compared to a mid-mount setup, but they're not as far forward as Harley forward controls and that gives a sense of better control over the bike. The seat is firm and I initially thought "Man, this thing like a brick" and figured I'd end up changing it, but that's not the case. It's actually quite comfortable when riding and I never even think about the seat.
The suspension is firm; much stiffer than any cruiser I've been on. I have preload on the softest setting and it's still pretty stiff. That's probably a good thing for some of you larger riders or if plan to ride 2-up a lot. If you're my size, you might want a softer set of springs depending on your riding style. I don't plan to change them, however, as the stiff setup makes the bike handle really really well for a 746 lb bike. If not for the lean angle limitations that all cruisers have, it would be **** close to the larger (heavier) sport touring bikes (ST 1300 type bikes) with regards to handling.
I expected the bike to feel rather anemic with regards to power as my other two bikes are pretty darn fast. Again, I've been pleasantly surprised. No, it's not going to chase down my old Rocket or my Tiger, but it'll hold it's own with 95% of the cruisers on the road. The low end torque is quite good. The controls are identical to the R3T, which is something I wish my Tiger had. I have to reach across the bars to access the computer on the Tiger. That's not something you want to be doing in traffic.
So far there are only 2 things I'd change about the bike. I'd rather have the ignition on the left side or on the console. Having it on the right side is kind of a pain if your on an incline because that means I have to put my foot on the rear brake because I have to reach down with my right hand to turn the ignition on. No biggy, but... The other thing I'd likely change is the angle of the speedo console. It's pretty much the same as the R3T other than it has a tach where the fuel gauge is on the R3T and the fuel gauge is on the digital display above the scroll thru items (clock, fuel to empty, odometer, trip 1 and trip 2). The console is pretty flat and if you're like me and where a fullface helmet, you have to look down (eyes off the road) to see it. I'd like to see a steeper angled console like Harley uses on most of their bikes as they require much less head nod to see them.
Bottom line, so far so good and it's without question one of the best cruisers I've ridden. In fact, before the T-Bird my favorite cruiser that I'd ridden was Victory Vegas Low. The T-bird is a MUCH better handling bike, but the ergos are almost identical for me. Overall, I think the two are fairly equal. The T-Bird might have a hair more power.
Anyway, I know some of you have expressed interest in the T-Bird so I thought I'd post my thoughts so far. Feel free to ask any specific questions. Oh, and if one of you has time I need some help. Scot in Exile will NOT leave me alone. He begs me every day to take him for a ride on the back and I have the picture to prove it! Can someone PLEASE get him off my back!
Link Removed
The T-Bird is all I hoped it would be. The ergos are perfect for me (I'm 5'10", 148 lbs). I really love everything about them and, like with my Tiger, I get zero shoulder or neck tension. I would get tension pain in both areas on my R3T even on short 50 mile hops. The bars are in perfect position. The footpegs are forward compared to a mid-mount setup, but they're not as far forward as Harley forward controls and that gives a sense of better control over the bike. The seat is firm and I initially thought "Man, this thing like a brick" and figured I'd end up changing it, but that's not the case. It's actually quite comfortable when riding and I never even think about the seat.
The suspension is firm; much stiffer than any cruiser I've been on. I have preload on the softest setting and it's still pretty stiff. That's probably a good thing for some of you larger riders or if plan to ride 2-up a lot. If you're my size, you might want a softer set of springs depending on your riding style. I don't plan to change them, however, as the stiff setup makes the bike handle really really well for a 746 lb bike. If not for the lean angle limitations that all cruisers have, it would be **** close to the larger (heavier) sport touring bikes (ST 1300 type bikes) with regards to handling.
I expected the bike to feel rather anemic with regards to power as my other two bikes are pretty darn fast. Again, I've been pleasantly surprised. No, it's not going to chase down my old Rocket or my Tiger, but it'll hold it's own with 95% of the cruisers on the road. The low end torque is quite good. The controls are identical to the R3T, which is something I wish my Tiger had. I have to reach across the bars to access the computer on the Tiger. That's not something you want to be doing in traffic.
So far there are only 2 things I'd change about the bike. I'd rather have the ignition on the left side or on the console. Having it on the right side is kind of a pain if your on an incline because that means I have to put my foot on the rear brake because I have to reach down with my right hand to turn the ignition on. No biggy, but... The other thing I'd likely change is the angle of the speedo console. It's pretty much the same as the R3T other than it has a tach where the fuel gauge is on the R3T and the fuel gauge is on the digital display above the scroll thru items (clock, fuel to empty, odometer, trip 1 and trip 2). The console is pretty flat and if you're like me and where a fullface helmet, you have to look down (eyes off the road) to see it. I'd like to see a steeper angled console like Harley uses on most of their bikes as they require much less head nod to see them.
Bottom line, so far so good and it's without question one of the best cruisers I've ridden. In fact, before the T-Bird my favorite cruiser that I'd ridden was Victory Vegas Low. The T-bird is a MUCH better handling bike, but the ergos are almost identical for me. Overall, I think the two are fairly equal. The T-Bird might have a hair more power.
Anyway, I know some of you have expressed interest in the T-Bird so I thought I'd post my thoughts so far. Feel free to ask any specific questions. Oh, and if one of you has time I need some help. Scot in Exile will NOT leave me alone. He begs me every day to take him for a ride on the back and I have the picture to prove it! Can someone PLEASE get him off my back!
Link Removed
