New guy help. K9 or Ridgeback
- Thread starter Bad Idea
- Start date
Tim
Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
:2thumbs:
ALDog
Active Member
Love my Ridgeback. I think many people that talk about them beating you up haven't actually ridden one. I have ridden older hardtail bikes a couple times and these new RB's are no comparison. They are so long there is a lot of flex in the frame and the 330 fatty on the back helps too. The most I have done is 350 or 400 miles in a day but that is no problem. I will say that I haven't had anyone riding on the back of mine but I can only imagine your wife would appreciate the ride on the back of a K-9 much better than the RB. I think it really comes down to a personal preference. As many have suggested before, ride both of them and see which one works best for you. Good luck :2thumbs:
Thumper169
Well-Known Member
I would say ride them both and make your own oppinion, I have been on both and it's K9 hands down for me but you may like the Ridgeback better, my wife loves the K9 and the ride quality as well. One more thing to consider to is that Texas has awesome roads but when you get out of state like Ok. the roads suck, just something to think about if your seriously planning long hauls with the misses.
DRBarnhart
Insert title here...
Due to the fender sitting closer to the rear tire the Ridgeback has a small edge when it comes to looks. The ride is decent ON A SMOOTH ROAD but the real difference for me is the reaction of the bike if you hit a bump or even a small pot hole... 
The ridged rear end is all over the place while the shocks of the K-9 will at least allow you to maintain some control. :2thumbs:
Dennis
The ridged rear end is all over the place while the shocks of the K-9 will at least allow you to maintain some control. :2thumbs:
Dennis
08ridgid
Active Member
I've been riding my Ridgeback since January (weather permitting), I love the bike and I love the ride (I'm in Illinois where the roads suck!!). I did purchase a Pro Pad for the serious bumps only, any other bump isn't really felt, especially with the Pro Pad.
If you're taking a rider the 2 up seat is the softest seat of them all! I don't know how the ride is back there yet but the 330 tire and the long frame REALLY make a difference.
Ride both bikes. :up:
If you're taking a rider the 2 up seat is the softest seat of them all! I don't know how the ride is back there yet but the 330 tire and the long frame REALLY make a difference.
Ride both bikes. :up:
1extremeskier
Member
AIH is gone, would not buy that. I agree, ride both and make a choice. I have K9 and love it, I'm past the days of a hard tail, but to each his own. Went 450 on the K9 last weekend and was punished. Cant imagine what the ridgeback would do. But others are riding it 400-600 and say no problem. You can get an air ride suspension for the K9 and make it a hard tail, or pump more air for comfort, lower like a low rider, and in between. Runs about $1200. Ride safe, get a dog.........
gearsmithy
Active Member
for god's sake don't make this decision until you ride them both
gearsmithy
Active Member
Read Fabricator Kevin's article on hard tails in last month's issue of the horse magazine. I think hard tails have gotten a bad rap. Most people who bash them live in the north (like me) where we have shit roads because of the seasons. So unless you're coming up here the only time you'll even notice the stiff rides are when you go over railroad tracks. I rode over 1000 miles in 1 day on my ridgeback and didn't so much as have a cramp. I don't think I've heard anyone mention this as a positive but you can also "feel" the road better on a rigid, so you get a bit more feedback from the bike but sacrifice comfort on rough roads. It all comes down to personal preference and you won't know what you like until you try it.
Buildem
Member
Air Ride...
Just keep in mind that if you put anything electrical on the bike such as air ride or an alarm..BDM will not cover your bike for any Electrical warranty issues..Even if you add LED lights they will not warranty your electrical system...Just a thought..
Slider
Active Member
Not necessarily. When my first EHC went bad in '05 I had a tricky air suspension w/ compressor hooked to battery. The dealer replaced the EHC under warranty but only if I let them remove the compressor. The air shocks leaked anyway so I let em. Still don't understand how something hooked directly to the battery afffects the EHC but I'm dumb as a rock.
DRBarnhart
Insert title here...
And here's another way to look at it...
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/5672-post-what-big-dog-model-you-ride.html
Dennis
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/5672-post-what-big-dog-model-you-ride.html
Dennis
K9Anniv
Well-Known Member
Find out from your local BDM dealer when the Big Dog demo truck will be in town, then be there when it is and ride as many models as you can, back to back, over the same route...that's the only way to do an accurate comparison and be sure of what you want in your 'Dog.
You have to decide for yourself...can't rely on polls or what suits others - too many variables. Anyway, good luck and have FUN!!!
You have to decide for yourself...can't rely on polls or what suits others - too many variables. Anyway, good luck and have FUN!!!
Bad Idea
New Member
I tried to ride both models at the factory in Wichita. (I'm from there) The sales guy was a little put off by me or something because he wasn't offering any kind of deal to ride. I didn't ask because I figured they were like any other toy I have ever bought. Buy it then decide if you like it.
I guess I'll go by there next week & see what I can get to happen.
I guess I'll go by there next week & see what I can get to happen.
TheDeadOne
Banned
I would think that if there's a sales guy at the factory, he'd let you ride one or two to make up your mind if he knows that you're serious.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!