Are choppers everyday riders? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Fredly · 06-08-2009, 09:48 PM

I guess there has always been this grey line drawn in my mind between riding your chopper everyday and riding it casually. I'm interested in your opinions. Would you ride your custom built chopper as much as say a manufactured Harley? What are your thoughts?

I know if I buy a new bike I am going to want to ride it as much as I want, which will more than likely be everyday. I like the looks of choppers and would love to be riding that, way more than a cookie cutter Harley. (Nothing against Harleys, I love em all the same)

syco · 06-12-2009, 02:07 AM

I have a customer who rides his chopper every day the sun is out!He rode it from his home in Bakersfield Ca. to Salt lake city Utah. Xtreme frame 48 rake 300 tire 113 ultima. He has also rode to Long beach and laguna beach with no complaints or problems except his A$$ is soar!

Fredly · 06-12-2009, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syco

I have a customer who rides his chopper every day the sun is out!He rode it from his home in Bakersfield Ca. to Salt lake city Utah. Xtreme frame 48 rake 300 tire 113 ultima. He has also rode to Long beach and laguna beach with no complaints or problems except his A$$ is soar!

Awesome.

nightrob · 06-12-2009, 04:51 AM

[/quote]I know if I buy a new bike I am going to want to ride it as much as I want, which will more than likely be everyday. I like the looks of choppers and would love to be riding that, way more than a cookie cutter Harley. (Nothing against Harleys, I love em all the same)[/quote]

What kinda cookie cutter do you ride?

jerry34208 · 06-12-2009, 05:14 AM

In the early days of choppers, none of them handled worth a crap. The geometry was all wrong and many were death traps.

These days a lot of the builders have done their math and tackled that area so your chances of finding a daily rider are better than ever.

It's still a buyer beware situation though. The customs typically have lots of nickel & dime issues. If you're handy with a wrench or you don't mind getting to know your local indy, go for it.

Otherwise, get a cookie cutter Rocker from the HD dealer or a Honda Fury

Scrubs · 06-12-2009, 05:43 AM

I've seen 'em ridden on and off the trailer

BigMike · 06-12-2009, 07:30 AM

My buddy has an American Ironhorse Texas Chopper. He rides it as much as any Harley guy. He rode it to Milwaukee in '03 and our Sturgis trip in '05. Several trips to Daytona and Myrtle Beach as well. (all from Atlanta).

jerry34208 · 06-12-2009, 09:37 AM

There you go, it CAN happen. You don't hear about them much but they're out there.

BigMike · 06-12-2009, 12:57 PM

Probably more Harley's out there serving as garage queens than choppers

BoomerBob · 06-12-2009, 01:34 PM

I rode rigid framed choppers every day for 6 years until my back said that's enough of that. The newer softail choppers would be a breeze to ride every day.

midnight sporty · 06-12-2009, 02:19 PM

yeah, i know a guy who rides his texas chopper every day he can get out. but only to the bar... in the old days they wernt even harleys.. no one could afford a harley back then that were choppers, it was hondas and triumphs and bsa's

BoomerBob · 06-12-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnight sporty

yeah, i know a guy who rides his texas chopper every day he can get out. but only to the bar... in the old days they wernt even harleys.. no one could afford a harley back then that were choppers, it was hondas and triumphs and bsa's

I did see alot of Honda, BSA, and Triumph chops but most were Harley's where I was. Mine were a 68 Sporty and a 65 Pan.

Riverdog · 06-12-2009, 03:36 PM

I used to ride a hardtail, every day rain or shine. But I was younger then. I think the older I get the less I have to prove, and I'm starting to really enjoy a comfortable ride. I'd rather ride a touring bike coast to coast than bar hop around town on a rigid that's all show and no go. But if I had room in the stables, I'd still have one of each.

fj1200 · 06-12-2009, 10:41 PM

I have put about the same number of miles on my Big Dog as my Dyna this year. However, I use the Dyna for riding to work and the Big Dog for weekend trips. The S&S 117 in the Big Dog just does not like stop and go commuting traffic but actually feels more comfortable on the highway

2blackbelts · 06-15-2009, 05:50 PM

I have my FXR chopper at my office to ride back and forth home over the weekends, about 125 miles each way. The FXR is very smooth, but with a 46 deg rake, drop seat, and big tire, it doesn't handle as well as my other bikes. However, for a chopper, fairly well.

If I really want to jam, I ride my 107 S&S custom rubber mounted bagger. I can just put more miles, and carry more stuff on it.

2 bb