Chopper Vs. K9

RCAdd1ct

RCAdd1ct

JAFO
I tried to search, but either it or I failed. :D

So for those of you that have ridden a K9 and a Chopper, can you tell the difference?

I have ridden a Chopper and liked it. I would have to get about 1-2" more pull back on the bars for me to go longer distances. ( I put 300 miles on in three days on a rental bike)

Everything else seemed to fit, but here is the kicker. I like the look of the bigger tire, and I think the bars are a little farther back on the K9.

So before I bid on ebay or go crazy and try and buy a bike, I would like to hear from some people that have ridden both and can tell me if they handle any different.

Also, I drug the frame twice on the chopper. is the lean angle any better or worse on the K9?

Thanks.

Ride Safe,
RCA
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Here are the stats on both from the 07 Owners Manual. Notice the ground clearance is 4" on the K-9 and 4 1/2" on the Chopper not that thats a lot. You had a Ridgeback before didn't you? As for length there is only a 4" difference.
My liking is the larger tank on the K-9 and wish I had it on my Chopper. But the Chopper is still my favorite model and hope it comes back as rumored.
I like them both obviously but I think like the Chopper better maybe cause that's what I have but..........

:cheers::flag::cheers:





 
Exotic

Exotic

Member
I had an 05 Chopper and loved it. Now I have an 06 K9 and love it.

What it really came down to was the 300 rear, and overall looks of the longer bike.

For the most part there is little difference to me in the ride. I don't drag the Big Radius pipes on the K9 as much as I did on the Chopper, but have never scraped the frame in a turn period. :eek: I expected the K9 to not want to turn as well as the Chopper since it has the 300 rear, vs the 250 - but I didn't notice any change. I have noticed I have less ground clearance going over speed bumps on the K9.

A Chopper would have been a bit less expensive than the K9, but I know I would not have been satisfied with the Chopper.
 
BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
I have an 05 Chopper and have ridden a K9. I didn’t notice the 300 being that much different, both rode great!!:2thumbs:
 
W

Wild Woody

Member
Before I got my 06 K9 I took out several older model bdm choppers. Besides the looks of the 250 vs 300 rear tire and being longer. The right side drive made a differnece to me because some of the older choppers I took out for a ride were left side drive. K9 Really seemed like a better ride ...
 
BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
Wild Woody said:
Before I got my 06 K9 I took out several older model bdm choppers. Besides the looks of the 250 vs 300 rear tire and being longer. The right side drive made a differnece to me because some of the older choppers I took out for a ride were left side drive. K9 Really seemed like a better ride ...
Click to expand...
I don’t think it would be fair to compare an 04 or older Chopper to a new K9. The right side drive makes a drastic difference in torque over and over all handling.
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
Who's the lucky one?

Go Ridgeback ... 330 mm tire .... just looks awesome ... but don't go by looks ... glad my wife didn't ... :D :up: :lol: :spank:
 
RCAdd1ct

RCAdd1ct

JAFO
I never have owned a BDM, I have only rented the 05 chopper.

My HD is being troublesome so I am looking to make a move. Not sure what to do, but I need to do something.
 
spiderjason

spiderjason

Member
Before I bought my 08 K9. I was looking at a used 07 chopper. Almost bought the chopper but I ended up getting a really good deal on my K9 which was brand new.

So to the point The K9 fit my riding style a little better. So it seems you are doing the right thing by trying them out before you buy. I know you can most likely put different bars on either bike so ultimately it might not even make a difference. The 300 back tire does look meaner and I also like that the K9 is a little longer. Both bikes look great though you can't go wrong with either one.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
I had an '05 Chopper for 4 years and traded it and 2 Harleys in on a deal that included my current '09 K9. I loved my '05 Chopper (esp. the flame paint job), but hated polishing all the billet aluminum (the K9 is a 15th Anniv model, so everything except the triple tree is chrome plated).

Honestly, the '05 Chopper handled better and was easier to ride so far than my K9, but I'm still getting used to the K9's extra length and 300 rear tire in turns and tight maneuvers.

At first, the '05 Chopper had more "giddy-up" than the K9, but as the K9's finishing its break-in period it's starting to come around.:whoop:

So overall..I like many features of BOTH bikes, but I'm glad I ended up with my Anniversary K9 and very grateful to be so fortunate! :cheers::2thumbs:
 
fmschatz

fmschatz

Bullfighter
I had a 05 chopper. Liked it until a heavy rain screwed all the electronics. Traded it on a 06 K-9. No problems ever with the bike. Loved the 300 tire over the 250. Bigger gas tank. The bike was yellow with the Azetc paint job. Every one would stop to inquire about the bike. Take the K-9 over the Chopper.

Now have the 09 Wolf
 
chopper_dude

chopper_dude

Member
if you buy a dog i would also buy an ehc elimination kit from lowdownchoppers, go to the tecnical section here. that will make your chopper the best bike on the road. ......remember loud pipes save lives :flag:
 
stlmikie

stlmikie

I wish I had more money.
That is a bold statement for a newb! We don't need another used car salesman.


chopper_dude said:
if you buy a dog i would also buy an ehc elimination kit from lowdownchoppers, go to the tecnical section here. that will make your chopper the best bike on the road. ......remember loud pipes save lives :flag:
Click to expand...
 
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T

Thumper169

Well-Known Member
I've been on both and they seemed to ride about the same, I wanted the longer bike and the 300 so thats what I went with, my electronics may fail next time I ride but my bike has been problem free from day one, I think the EHC gets a bad rap, now I know their are those that have had problems but to say rip it off right off the bat is just down right stupid IMO. Just ride them both and you decide, if you want to drive up here your welcome to take out my K9 for a ride. If you come up to Iron Lightning's party take it for a spin.
 
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FatDog

FatDog

Well-Known Member
Honestly, they are both great bikes. I've driven them both and currently own an 06 Chopper and love it.

Little differences in the handling, and I do mean "little". Personnally I think the Chopper handles a bit better with the 250 rear.

In the saddle, there a little different to. I'm 6 ft. and put the forward control extenstions on and had Seatmaker customize my seat for a little more room. He basically cut the seat down and back to give me more room and that changed the feel quite a bit.

The main thing is going to be in the looks department, gas tank and rear tire being the major differences. That comes down to what you like better. Personnally I like the Chopper tank much better then the K-9 tank. The tear drop vs. the flat bottom and the 250 vs. the 300.

My suggestion, drive them both and look at a bunch of pics of each and then decide. No matter what, I don't think you'll be disapointed with either.

One thing is for sure, if you don't like people staring at you, coming up to talk to you, and creating a stir then don't buy a Big Dog. They definatley command attention when your out and about.
 
RCAdd1ct

RCAdd1ct

JAFO
I am fully aware of the the EHC. If I get one, I will keep it stock (except pipes and air cleaner) until it is out of warranty. Then I will look at mods.

On my current ride, I invested too much and when I sell it, I am going to have to bend over big time.
 
RCAdd1ct

RCAdd1ct

JAFO
Oh and the bigger tank sold me on the K9.

I do luv my long rides and as a guy that commutes on a bike, I hate having to get gas every day.
 
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