Yes, it’s official…after an afternoon putting the new Harley Davidson through its paces on many of the backroads in the vicinity, it proved itself to be more than capable of dealing with changeable surfaces and twisting roads too.
The Sport Glide on the Softail chassis is just one in the range now that has extra stability and balance making it a superb bike that will roll through the bends and still feel planted to the road.
Turning off the main roads, I headed onto some forest roads, then narrow and twisting country lanes that were full of potholes, patch repairs and usually littered with grit and gravel that would have been like riding on marbles but for the splendour at which the bike dealt it all.
In truth I didn’t expect the Harley to perform so well under these conditions. Whilst the speeds were hardly race pace, these were the kinds of backroads that higher speeds would not be possible unless you enjoy kissing pavement or holding court with a hedge.
Keeping the bike upright and perpendicular to the loose surface I brought with me from my dirt riding days. It glided over must bumps and seating comfort was ample although no amount of cushion could dampen some of the seeming chasms that the front tyre was forced to roll over.
When I first test rode this bike some months ago, I had an immediate impression that it would be an outstanding choice for my next bike, but I never expected it to be so useful on the twisties.
The only thing to do now is go in search of more…more bends, more country roads and a hell of a lot of fun.
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