Ride of '08 Ridgeback Compared to K-9

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

Has anyone ridden the 2008 Ridgeback with the 330 rear tire? I was sure I wanted a K-9 for the rear suspension but I love the look of a rigid and that 330 tire looks bad ass too. The seat looks really thick on the Ridgeback too.

Matt

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

Anybody with a '08 Ridgeback??

 

[dingo]

Matt,

Sorry I cannot comment directly about the 08 ridgeback's ride.

I do ride an '06 K-9 and have ridden an '06 ridgeback....aside from the aesthetic differences (fender clearance and frame), the K-9 can be expected to have the softer ride......

A big difference that I noticed with the 08' RB is the reach....at 5' 9", I could not comfortably reach the stock controls on the 08' ridgeback whilst that is not a problem for the '07 and earlier RB models.

If you are near a dealer, I would recommend that you try to set up a test ride for yourself....that can never be a bad thing :2thumbs: .

Hope this helps.

dingo

 

[V]

I have a 08 Ridgeback that I got in January rides like a dream compared to my 05 Pitbull. Handles curves and seams to lean easier even with the wider tire. Glad I got this one.


V

 

[P8RIOT]

I haven't ridden a 2008, but I have ridden a 2006 Ridgeback, and of course my K-9. I thought the ride was great on the Ridgeback - stiff, or maybe firm, but I thought that was a good thing. I did not consider it "backbreaking," as you hear sometimes about rigids. I'd sure like to try the 2008. My K-9 clearly is much more forgiving when I do go over a serious bump - it gets "tossed around" a lot less. Here's a few of the 2008's at the Wichita show room - they look great from the back end! :up:

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

Matt,

Sorry I cannot comment directly about the 08 ridgeback's ride.

I do ride an '06 K-9 and have ridden an '06 ridgeback....aside from the aesthetic differences (fender clearance and frame), the K-9 can be expected to have the softer ride......

A big difference that I noticed with the 08' RB is the reach....at 5' 9", I could not comfortably reach the stock controls on the 08' ridgeback whilst that is not a problem for the '07 and earlier RB models.

If you are near a dealer, I would recommend that you try to set up a test ride for yourself....that can never be a bad thing :2thumbs: .

Hope this helps.

dingo

This might explain the thicker seat....it looks like the push-forward seats that BDM used to offer.

Unfortunately, I am not very close to a dealer and the closest one does not offer test rides

Thanks for your perspective:up:

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

I have a 08 Ridgeback that I got in January rides like a dream compared to my 05 Pitbull. Handles curves and seams to lean easier even with the wider tire. Glad I got this one.


V

Great to hear how much you you love your '08 RB....I was thinking that the big ass 330 might span over some road imperfections better than my little-ol 250 that I have now....thus giving a better ride:up:

Matt

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

I haven't ridden a 2008, but I have ridden a 2006 Ridgeback, and of course my K-9. I thought the ride was great on the Ridgeback - stiff, or maybe firm, but I thought that was a good thing. I did not consider it "backbreaking," as you hear sometimes about rigids. I'd sure like to try the 2008. My K-9 clearly is much more forgiving when I do go over a serious bump - it gets "tossed around" a lot less. Here's a few of the 2008's at the Wichita show room - they look great from the back end! :up:

I would really like to ride one too....they do look bad ass from the rear and side view....thanks for the pic :up: Someone told me that the 2-in suspension travel on the K-9 doesn't give that much better of a ride than the Ridgeback??

Matt

 

[V]

They have a lower profile seat available. But the stock seat works well.
I'm 6'1" and have to strech a little when moving the bike around at real slow sharp turns.


V

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

I've test rode one and compared to my 05 RB...it's a little bit easier on me. Had to be that big seat though. I thought mine handled a tad better but maybe that's just because I'm used to it.

 

[BigSpenda864]

I just bought (as in last week) an '08 K-9. I rode both the '08 Ridgeback and the '08 K-9 a bunch of times before deciding on the K-9. I first rode the K-9 which rides very smooth. Coming from a HD Softtail I was expecting a much harder bike to ride and less comfort. I found that the K-9 was very comfortable and, since I tend to ride more than from bar to bar, comfort was extremely important. The K-9 turns with ease and has been relatively easy to get used to (although I am still making fairly wide right turns). The dealer then suggested I try the Ridgeback. I loved the look but was dead against the rigid frame. He told me to try it before I made my mind up so I did. I found the Ridgeback surprisingly smooth and comfortable... for a rigid. The 330 rear tire and stretch of the bike somehow seems to smooth out the ride a good bit. Compared to other rigid framed bike I would say the Ridgeback's ride wasn't too shabby. I actually thought about buying the Ridgeback instead but decided my butt would appreciate the K-9 a little more. To sum it up, if most of your riding is for short distances or the occasional extended ride, then the Ridgeback is fine. But if you ride a lot or have trouble avoiding potholes you better go with the K-9. I did hit one pothole and I think I lost an inch of height.

The seat is most likely the push up seat you are referring to. I had to go with the lower seat and peg extensions since I am 6'5" but either seat is quite comfortable. I didn't really notice a difference in the seats other than positioning.

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

They have a lower profile seat available. But the stock seat works well.
I'm 6'1" and have to strech a little when moving the bike around at real slow sharp turns.


V

Thanks VAC....I'm the same height and that sounds about the same as it is for me now.

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

I've test rode one and compared to my 05 RB...it's a little bit easier on me. Had to be that big seat though. I thought mine handled a tad better but maybe that's just because I'm used to it.

Thanks man....I appreciate the info:up:

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

I just bought (as in last week) an '08 K-9. I rode both the '08 Ridgeback and the '08 K-9 a bunch of times before deciding on the K-9. I first rode the K-9 which rides very smooth. Coming from a HD Softtail I was expecting a much harder bike to ride and less comfort. I found that the K-9 was very comfortable and, since I tend to ride more than from bar to bar, comfort was extremely important. The K-9 turns with ease and has been relatively easy to get used to (although I am still making fairly wide right turns). The dealer then suggested I try the Ridgeback. I loved the look but was dead against the rigid frame. He told me to try it before I made my mind up so I did. I found the Ridgeback surprisingly smooth and comfortable... for a rigid. The 330 rear tire and stretch of the bike somehow seems to smooth out the ride a good bit. Compared to other rigid framed bike I would say the Ridgeback's ride wasn't too shabby. I actually thought about buying the Ridgeback instead but decided my butt would appreciate the K-9 a little more. To sum it up, if most of your riding is for short distances or the occasional extended ride, then the Ridgeback is fine. But if you ride a lot or have trouble avoiding potholes you better go with the K-9. I did hit one pothole and I think I lost an inch of height.
The seat is most likely the push up seat you are referring to. I had to go with the lower seat and peg extensions since I am 6'5" but either seat is quite comfortable. I didn't really notice a difference in the seats other than positioning.

Your statement in bold, as much as I love the rigid look, has me leaning towards the K-9 again....as I have thought the same thing after hitting potholes on my current Ridgeback

 

[sun_bill1974]

P8riot,
What a pic ...was this at BD's head-office or a dealer near by? What an inventory of Ridgebacks.

I haven't ridden a 2008, but I have ridden a 2006 Ridgeback, and of course my K-9. I thought the ride was great on the Ridgeback - stiff, or maybe firm, but I thought that was a good thing. I did not consider it "backbreaking," as you hear sometimes about rigids. I'd sure like to try the 2008. My K-9 clearly is much more forgiving when I do go over a serious bump - it gets "tossed around" a lot less. Here's a few of the 2008's at the Wichita show room - they look great from the back end! :up:

 

[Dr Pepper23]

Matt,

Sorry I cannot comment directly about the 08 ridgeback's ride.

I do ride an '06 K-9 and have ridden an '06 ridgeback....aside from the aesthetic differences (fender clearance and frame), the K-9 can be expected to have the softer ride......

A big difference that I noticed with the 08' RB is the reach....at 5' 9", I could not comfortably reach the stock controls on the 08' ridgeback whilst that is not a problem for the '07 and earlier RB models.

If you are near a dealer, I would recommend that you try to set up a test ride for yourself....that can never be a bad thing :2thumbs: .

Hope this helps.

dingo

I have a 06 RB but with 08 handle bars...Im 6'4 and in need of foot extentions but love the lay back 08 bars. On long rides it makes a difference on the back of the shoulders. I love the look of the RB and you do have to watch the road a little closer for the pot holes.

 

[woodbutcher]

I just bought (as in last week) an '08 K-9. I rode both the '08 Ridgeback and the '08 K-9 a bunch of times before deciding on the K-9. I first rode the K-9 which rides very smooth. Coming from a HD Softtail I was expecting a much harder bike to ride and less comfort. I found that the K-9 was very comfortable and, since I tend to ride more than from bar to bar, comfort was extremely important. The K-9 turns with ease and has been relatively easy to get used to (although I am still making fairly wide right turns). The dealer then suggested I try the Ridgeback. I loved the look but was dead against the rigid frame. He told me to try it before I made my mind up so I did. I found the Ridgeback surprisingly smooth and comfortable... for a rigid. The 330 rear tire and stretch of the bike somehow seems to smooth out the ride a good bit. Compared to other rigid framed bike I would say the Ridgeback's ride wasn't too shabby. I actually thought about buying the Ridgeback instead but decided my butt would appreciate the K-9 a little more. To sum it up, if most of your riding is for short distances or the occasional extended ride, then the Ridgeback is fine. But if you ride a lot or have trouble avoiding potholes you better go with the K-9. I did hit one pothole and I think I lost an inch of height.

The seat is most likely the push up seat you are referring to. I had to go with the lower seat and peg extensions since I am 6'5" but either seat is quite comfortable. I didn't really notice a difference in the seats other than positioning.

thanks for all the good input. it always helps to have someone give their own review when trying to make a decision between two items. now, not to be rude, but if you would be so kind as to go to the introduction section of the site and tell us a little about yourself, pin your location on the map, and show us some pics of that new dog of yours. these things would be greatly appreciated. glad to see someone else in SC even though it is in the upstate.

 

[BigSpenda864]

thanks for all the good input. it always helps to have someone give their own review when trying to make a decision between two items. now, not to be rude, but if you would be so kind as to go to the introduction section of the site and tell us a little about yourself, pin your location on the map, and show us some pics of that new dog of yours. these things would be greatly appreciated. glad to see someone else in SC even though it is in the upstate.

I pinned myself on the site yesterday but this was my first post. I was going to the new member section but wanted to add a picture of my new bike first. I will knock that out tonight or tomorrow.

I am actually all over SC my friend. I just work in Greenville most of the time. I stay in Columbia and Charleston a lot of the time. Thanks for the warm welcome. I will head to the introduction section asap!

 

[BigSpenda864]

Your statement in bold, as much as I love the rigid look, has me leaning towards the K-9 again....as I have thought the same thing after hitting potholes on my current Ridgeback

I have never actually owned a rigid before. I was really torn as well, its not an easy decision. A test ride is a must. The dealer here let me test ride just about every type of Big Dog (and a coupe of other brands which shall remain nameless). I rode a long way on the Ridgeback and the K-9 just edge it out due to the smoother ride. You'll be fine either way I am willing to bet.

 

[Bigdog_Outlaw]

I have never actually owned a rigid before. I was really torn as well, its not an easy decision. A test ride is a must. The dealer here let me test ride just about every type of Big Dog (and a coupe of other brands which shall remain nameless). I rode a long way on the Ridgeback and the K-9 just edge it out due to the smoother ride. You'll be fine either way I am willing to bet.

Wow....that's amazing to me that a dealer allows test rides like that....the dealers I have been to have a few bikes on the showroom floor and that's it, you're lucky if they let you sit on them.