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Merry Christmas from MD •<:{D

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physiqo

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2024
Messages
34
Location
Laurel, MD
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Bike
2024 R18 Roctane | 2013 CBR 250R | 1981 CB650 C
Hey all!

Decided to get myself a well-deserved holiday gift. Could finally afford something nice that I can enjoy with my partner (she doesn't like riding on the back of my cbr250..for the life of me I can't figure out why 🤔) and decided on this bike.

R18 Trolltane.png

Been thinking about my next cruiser for a few years now. I used to have a Sportster 1200 and loved the sound, torque, and that I could comfortably ride with my lady on the back. I didn't want to go back to Harley this time since the last one left the garage due to a bad head gasket..and it's Harley. I don't feel particularly strongly about the eagles and 'Murica lifestyle. Whatever, they're fine..I don't have a strong opinion about them. I was however seriously considering a Victory Vegas 8 Ball for a while but at this point even that last ones made are going on 7 or 8 years old now. Indians are sweet but not sure I wanted on of those either.

I sat on one of these a few years back at the beckon of a District BMW salesman. He was like "No, you really need to start this thing up, it's sick." I thought, how good could it be? The start-up was just savage. Was still hesitant, though because the flywheel shouldn't stabilize the bike at slow speeds; the angular momentum is pointing the wrong way. I took their '21 Classic for a spin and it was super smooth and stable. Ultimately, test rode a Roctane at Bob's BMW and ordered this one. Indeed, giving the bike some throttle (clutch-in) at slow speeds slightly destabilizes the bike as opposed to the opposite on most others. I figure I'll adapt and get used to it with time. Pretty happy with the purchase for now—let's see after a few thousand miles!
 
Physiqo, I think you will really like the mechanics of this bike. Easy lever pulls. Easy shifting (no clunks). Nice smooth ride. The sweet spot is 2,500 rpm in 4th 5th or 6th. Unless on an entrance ramp, I generally don't rap the bike out in the lower gears. But then I'm over 60 also.
 
Physiqo, I think you will really like the mechanics of this bike. Easy lever pulls. Easy shifting (no clunks). Nice smooth ride. The sweet spot is 2,500 rpm in 4th 5th or 6th. Unless on an entrance ramp, I generally don't rap the bike out in the lower gears. But then I'm over 60 also.
Oh yeah, definitely. I've had BMW cars before and I know the German engineering never disappoints on quality and experience. I think I'll have to make some minor tweaks to optimize the ergonomics to suit me just right but I totally hear you.

I did like how my Sportster clunked through the gears, though 🤷‍♂️. There's just something about how it feels—raw, un-engineered, more like made by a mechanic haha. The R18 still has some grit, though, which I like.

Anyway thanks for the welcome!
 
Congratulations on the new ride.. and welcome aboard the forum.. The ROCTANE is by far the best looking model, stock off the showroom floor...
Thank you! Yeah, I couldn't pass up this trim. I was this close 🤏 from getting a Classic because they're just so dang clean but after I saw the Roctane, it just itched that spot that the Vegas 8 Ball tickled.
 
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new bike. You will love it. It is a bit different to other bikes and make take a little getting used to it but once you get there she will reward you.
Enjoy
Thanks Anibal!
 
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