Bikefest and Ring of Kerry 6-17
- Thread starter patzx12
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patzx12
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My copilot and I took the Varadero, A bike lost in the crowd. I would say not one person stopped and looked at it.
But riding it, it is brilliant.
It's €20k behind my departed 16 GSA but just a few meters behind it on the road.
The engine is a peach with loads of power, very smooth and no mechanical clanking.
The gear ratios are high with 6th a proper overdrive, this takes a bit of getting used to.
I always loved the Honda combined braking with the back operation 2 sets of front pistons. Great for touring not so good for gravel tracks.
Suspension gets on with it but BMW suspension is just so far ahead of the competition.
I would say there was nothing on the road with suspension and control like my 16 GSA.
But riding it, it is brilliant.
It's €20k behind my departed 16 GSA but just a few meters behind it on the road.
The engine is a peach with loads of power, very smooth and no mechanical clanking.
The gear ratios are high with 6th a proper overdrive, this takes a bit of getting used to.
I always loved the Honda combined braking with the back operation 2 sets of front pistons. Great for touring not so good for gravel tracks.
Suspension gets on with it but BMW suspension is just so far ahead of the competition.
I would say there was nothing on the road with suspension and control like my 16 GSA.
patzx12
Registered user
I AM IN LOVE.
patzx12
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HD along with BMW do brilliant corporate events and the Harley guys loved being in Kerry.
We had a nice chat with the MD of HD UK. A dedicated rider on a well ridden Police special.
We took out the 17 Road King, it was a very happy place to sit.
Great power, nimble handling, good brakes (Brembos), nice suspension.
I just wanted to keep going back to Galway.
The HD man said I would come back from my ride with a smile on my face. True after my ride I wanted to hug everyone.
The Road King is a new world of motorcycling and food for thought. These are fast comfortable bikes.
Only problem was Mary's leg position on the back was a lot of knee bend like a sports bike.
I am sure this could be sorted with seat \ footboard mods.
We had a nice chat with the MD of HD UK. A dedicated rider on a well ridden Police special.
We took out the 17 Road King, it was a very happy place to sit.
Great power, nimble handling, good brakes (Brembos), nice suspension.
I just wanted to keep going back to Galway.
The HD man said I would come back from my ride with a smile on my face. True after my ride I wanted to hug everyone.
The Road King is a new world of motorcycling and food for thought. These are fast comfortable bikes.
Only problem was Mary's leg position on the back was a lot of knee bend like a sports bike.
I am sure this could be sorted with seat \ footboard mods.
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patzx12
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Next up was the Ultra.
I like heavy bikes but this was too much, a tank.
This thing just didn't handle well no flickability.
The seating is scrumptious the copilot seat in an armchair.
I haven't look up the weight difference from the RK but it must be significant.
A motorcycle for long USA highways I think.
I like heavy bikes but this was too much, a tank.
This thing just didn't handle well no flickability.
The seating is scrumptious the copilot seat in an armchair.
I haven't look up the weight difference from the RK but it must be significant.
A motorcycle for long USA highways I think.
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patzx12
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Sunday morning was the grand parade and we do love a good parade.
The people and tourists of Killarney were out in force to wave us on.
You can spot the 2 uncool bikers on the silver Varadero.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fLk2TOejTO8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The people and tourists of Killarney were out in force to wave us on.
You can spot the 2 uncool bikers on the silver Varadero.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fLk2TOejTO8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
patzx12
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Sunday afternoon was a the meetup and a spin around the Ring. We had a couple of local bikers leading out on great roads.
I loved it.
Where else do you need to be on a motorcycle when the weather is up?
I loved it.
Where else do you need to be on a motorcycle when the weather is up?
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patzx12
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patzx12
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patzx12
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patzx12
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The rain came in Waterville and was the proper stuff.
A brisk ride back to Killarny squeezing past the traffic and tourists.
Tourists are deadly, they see something and just hit the brakes. Cars just stop on the roadway and not a one switch on the hazzards.
Whits about you time.
A brisk ride back to Killarny squeezing past the traffic and tourists.
Tourists are deadly, they see something and just hit the brakes. Cars just stop on the roadway and not a one switch on the hazzards.
Whits about you time.
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patzx12
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Head down to Galway 100% rain.
The Varadero is quick, super comfortable and totally smooth.
The bike needs a cruise control, any turn of the throttle will put the speed at 100mph.
Economy seems to be high 30's
The crappy Honda heated grips stopped working and I really missed them.
I was in no shape to do a motorcycle ride but the wet got to me and I could feel my body core getting cold.
We had to make a pitstop in Newcastle West.
Take a paracetamol sachet, add extra clothing and stuff the Sunday Mail down the front of my jacket.
I am recuperating now from a chest infection with strong antibiotics.
I had a miserable 2-3 days of nonstop cough.
The Varadero is quick, super comfortable and totally smooth.
The bike needs a cruise control, any turn of the throttle will put the speed at 100mph.
Economy seems to be high 30's
The crappy Honda heated grips stopped working and I really missed them.
I was in no shape to do a motorcycle ride but the wet got to me and I could feel my body core getting cold.
We had to make a pitstop in Newcastle West.
Take a paracetamol sachet, add extra clothing and stuff the Sunday Mail down the front of my jacket.
I am recuperating now from a chest infection with strong antibiotics.
I had a miserable 2-3 days of nonstop cough.
Hells Bells where absolutely brilliant on Sunday night in the INEC.
Sent from a OnePlusX.
Sent from a OnePlusX.
B Murr
Registered user
Cheers for posting, nice video of the parade, oldest GS I saw was a R1100 at the back of the crowd.
patzx12
Registered user
With a Varadildo ?
Get a grip man
Nice write-up & pics though
Keep up at the back!! follow my narrative, what follows the "i am in love" comment?
patzx12
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Everything on the RK was spot on, I LOVED IT. I will have to do a USA rental on one and see how long the love affair lasts.
who was behind the camera Pat?
we had a loaner Street Glide I think it was called in 2005/2006?, at the first bike fest thing when it was an official Harley event. it was absolutely useless. Rode a Road King a fews times since. A good tourer, everything worked as it should.
Hope you are recovered.
patzx12
Registered user
Con. The 2017 RK is a different yoke from the older models.
Showa suspension and the linked Brembos.
The thing would eat miles and has good handling.
Its no Multistrada but is a different approach to biking instead of hooning around just kick back and hum along at 90mph
in complete comfort and control.
I can see why Harley sell bucket loads of these.
Try one Con although you may look a bit dodgy with a ponytail
Showa suspension and the linked Brembos.
The thing would eat miles and has good handling.
Its no Multistrada but is a different approach to biking instead of hooning around just kick back and hum along at 90mph
in complete comfort and control.
I can see why Harley sell bucket loads of these.
Try one Con although you may look a bit dodgy with a ponytail
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