Day Trip & Bike Review: Nevada Desert + Harley Sportster

[Apoc]

To get more details read up here --> http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1770779

The Bike

We ended up with a Sportster 1200, which had plenty of power for 2 up riding. The torque was nice and low and being accustomed to a twin I never felt like I was missing out on winding it out just to have some fun. I found that the seating position was much more comfortable than any sportbike I've ever been on but the seat got uncomfortable on the 6 hour day trip, like pretty much anything that's not a Corbin. My portly ass plus my buck-10 wife was more than the rear shock could handle on some of the bumpier roads. We bottomed out a few times, which I'm sure didn't add to the comfort level of the day.

Amusingly enough the guy that "checked out" the bike before we left said such a small bike would be uncomfortable for two people. I told him that it would be a vacation compared to a day trip on a sportbike. His response to that was "oh this is gonna be a lot more than what you're used to, it's fully loaded." Every time we stopped there were Harley people just hanging around and they'd end up asking us about the bike and whatnot. I figured they were being friendly until I let it slip a few times that I owned a sportbike. I was surprised that the converstaion really almost ended at that point, as if I was invading their world. I honestly didn't want to believe it but the second or third time it happened I was forced to see the reality of it. I just laughed and realized that every misconception I thought I had about Harley people is in fact true.

I didn't like that the range was a mere 100 miles, but I guess that's expected with a smaller tank. No windshield and no full face helmet meant I was eating bugs at 70mph for the highway section. I also managed to get some sunburn on my face because of the open helmet, I don't know why those guys wear them. The bonus part of the trip, however, was that they route map they gave us actually had "Red Light Entertainment" marked on it. Evidently they get some characters on the rentals looking for a good time.

The Trip

We left Vegas in the morning and hit Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam on a ~200(?) mile loop. The high for the day was 75┬░, the wind was cool and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I know the whole humidity thing is cliche but 75┬░ there is an assload better than 75┬░ on the east coast. At some points it was actually a bit chilly at higher speeds in the higher elevations.

There was a decent portion of the trip that we were the only people for miles and the roads were amazingly well paved. There was one section that was somewhat bumpy any normal bike wouldn't have had a problem. We actually had a few miles of dirt because the road wasn't finished (!?) but we had no problems navigating it around 35 mph.

The Valley of Fire was cool, almost felt like you were riding on Mars. There were miles and miles of twisty roads with imposing cliffs and rock formations all around you with not a hint of civilization in sight... that was definitely the best part. Lake Mead was hoohum and the Hoover Dam was okay. I have respect for the engineering marvel and the men who do it but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone other than to say you were there. We stopped by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on our way out and actually saw a bike school taking place. Talk about low danger when the only thing you can hit is a portapotty.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something... oh well. Enjoy.

The Pictures























P.S. - In-N-Out Burger is overrated. Five Guys > *

[ScottyB]

looks incredible....i'm so going out west one of these days

and as for unpaved part, Jay can tell you don't ride through Idaho hock:

[Feersty]

Nice pics.

[HAULN-SS]

Even corbin seats suck ass. my moms 1200 has one, and after about one tank of gas you're starting to feel it. I prefer the stock seat, but she's short so uses the lower sitting corbin. I cant even imagine what your lady friend was doing back there the whole time with no sissy bar. She must be very slight.

[Apoc]

Iunno, my I've done 300 miles on my SV's Corbin and felt nearly nothing. Maybe it's because more weight is on your arms and legs on a sportbike and less on your ass.

The bike did have a seat back, she's actually holding it in pic #1. Again, that's luxary compared to a day on a sportbike.

[.RJ]

Even corbin seats suck ass

Ok, so what would you recommend that doesnt suck ass?

[JohnC]

I hear nothing but good things about Sargent seats on the VFR boards...

[Sijray21]

awesome trip!

glad you had fun man. now that i ride i want to ride on the roads out west.

[Apoc]

I hear nothing but good things about Sargent seats on the VFR boards...

I've seen split reviews on the Sargent vs. Corbin debate. I stand by the opinion that seating position means everything to what's going to get sore and that whatever has most of the weight is gonna hurt after a long day no matter what.

That said, worst case scenario on my bike is a sore back the next day. I much prefer that to moderate pelvic pain during the ride itself.

[Feersty]

I would venture to say being overweight excerbates the time it takes soreness to set in.

[.RJ]

I would venture to say being overweight excerbates the time it takes soreness to set in.

:?:

Dammit Rob. Seriously.

[Apoc]

I would venture to say being overweight excerbates the time it takes soreness to set in.

:?:

Dammit Rob. Seriously.

Meh... it's probably true. More weight on your ass means more pressure .

[Sijray21]

I would venture to say being overweight excerbates the time it takes soreness to set in.

:?:

Dammit Rob. Seriously.

Meh... it's probably true. More weight on your ass means more pressure .

may be the case, but i still think Chris' idea of where the weight is the problem of what is sore. I've never had an issue with the RR seat and it sucks. I'm not really on the seat much and i weigh about 190 lbs. My wrist, quads, ankles, and back hurt after i ride for a while. When i rode my friend's 1100cc cruiser the seat was comfy, but my ass was numb after the ride.

[stevegula]

were you able to buy any dam bait?


(national lampoon movie reference for those not getting it)

[Mike]

Even corbin seats suck ass

Ok, so what would you recommend that doesnt suck ass?

bueller? there is probably a reason corbin is everywhere... they work?

[HAULN-SS]

I dunno - the stock seat I always thought was way more comfortable. We've had two different corbin seats, and neither of them seemed like anything worth the extra cost to me.

[.RJ]

I dunno - the stock seat I always thought was way more comfortable. We've had two different corbin seats, and neither of them seemed like anything worth the extra cost to me.

Well thats slightly more constructive than "corbin seats suck ass".

[HAULN-SS]

I knew you'd like it.

[JohnC]

So, I'm headed out to Vegas for a conference during the week of the 15th, and it looks like I'll have at least one day to myself before having to head to CA.

Where exactly did you rent the bike from, how much was it, and would you recommend them?

Also, I should have the opportunity to do a back to back comparison between a cruiser and a track-prepped ZX-6R :roll: I just *may* make it to a CA Superbike event at Streets of Willow Springs the day after the Nevada cruising...

[Apoc]

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I don't really remember how much it was, but they have costs on the website by model. Like any service type place, they're never ready to check you in on time, but they did manage to get us out within an hour.

My one recommendation to you is lie when they ask you what you ride. They're a bit biased against sport bikers and would only agree to put me on a Sportster 883. As you can imagine, a Harley 883 is NOTHING close to a sportbike of the same size. Tell them you ride an Honda Aero 1100 or something like that so you can have your choice of machine. I think they might have a few Hondas if you're interested.