Newbie questions.. any assistance would be appreciated.

[Justify]

Good evening,
I stopped frequenting this site several years ago after I sold my K-9. Still regret it.. and am looking at purchasing either a Chopper, K-9 or Ridgeback. I have a couple of questions. I'd like to note that I am still actively researching these answers, and am reaching out only because I have limited time to bid on the Dog I am linking below, so apologies if these questions seem rudimentary.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Big-D...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

1) Seller claims this is a softail.. I assume he means an 04 Chopper.. doesn't look raked out enough for a K-9. Can anyone confirm based on appearance?
2) Still looking online, but I could have sworn I was once advised to avoid Dogs built before a certain year due to 'balancing issues'. I believe this was resolved when they moved a drive to the other side.. hoping someone can fill in the blanks here as I am posting this off memory.

 

[Mike manson]

Good evening,
I stopped frequenting this site several years ago after I sold my K-9. Still regret it.. and am looking at purchasing either a Chopper, K-9 or Ridgeback. I have a couple of questions. I'd like to note that I am still actively researching these answers, and am reaching out only because I have limited time to bid on the Dog I am linking below, so apologies if these questions seem rudimentary.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Big-D...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

1) Seller claims this is a softail.. I assume he means an 04 Chopper.. doesn't look raked out enough for a K-9. Can anyone confirm based on appearance?
2) Still looking online, but I could have sworn I was once advised to avoid Dogs built before a certain year due to 'balancing issues'. I believe this was resolved when they moved a drive to the other side.. hoping someone can fill in the blanks here as I am posting this off memory.

That is not a k9 just a chopper some guys like the older bigdogs cause they are more changeable with harley parts it all on what you like


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[Mr. Wright]

Yep, 04 chopper. 250 rear tire. great bike

 

[bdm7250]

Good evening,
I stopped frequenting this site several years ago after I sold my K-9. Still regret it.. and am looking at purchasing either a Chopper, K-9 or Ridgeback. I have a couple of questions. I'd like to note that I am still actively researching these answers, and am reaching out only because I have limited time to bid on the Dog I am linking below, so apologies if these questions seem rudimentary.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Big-Dog-Softail/202288959376?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

1) Seller claims this is a softail.. I assume he means an 04 Chopper.. doesn't look raked out enough for a K-9. Can anyone confirm based on appearance?
2) Still looking online, but I could have sworn I was once advised to avoid Dogs built before a certain year due to 'balancing issues'. I believe this was resolved when they moved a drive to the other side.. hoping someone can fill in the blanks here as I am posting this off memory.

"Selling for a friend" always makes me skeptical, means if you ask the seller a question they won't be able to answer it... Check craigslist, lots of Dogs for sale up and down the eastern seaboard, many with great asking prices as well.

 

[FrankBDPS]

There are a lot of differences between the older first generation choppers and a K9. It's all in what you want and Want to spend. Check out the for sale listings here on the forum. Good luck!

 

[Mike manson]

Yea I get bored and post a lot of nice bigdogs on here


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[pknowles]

Yea I get bored and post a lot of nice bigdogs on here


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Keep up the good work. Lots a views on your posts

 

[Texas_Rigid]

2) Still looking online, but I could have sworn I was once advised to avoid Dogs built before a certain year due to 'balancing issues'. I believe this was resolved when they moved a drive to the other side.. hoping someone can fill in the blanks here as I am posting this off memory.

The 'balancing' you hear of is the right side drive BD came out with in '05. Moved the final drive to the right side of the bike. They (and everyone else using RSD) market this as "balanced". Both big dogs I've owned were '05 or later with the RSD so I can't speak to how much different they ride from a traditional drive, but I know lots and lots of bikes have been made with the primary and final drive on the left side. It can't be that balanced....my Dog won't stand up without a kickstand!

 

[2004BC]

Had an 04 Ridgeback, 250 tire, left side drive and now an 05 Chopper, 250 tire, right side drive. Big difference in my opinion. 05 is more neutral riding. 04 was great straight but try and turn and it fought you by trying to continue going straight. Noticeable difference.

 

[SimpleMan_Omen]

My 03 Pitbull is left side drive and I was surprised how well it handled the curvy mountain roads bringing it home.

 

[2004BC]

My 03 Pitbull is left side drive and I was surprised how well it handled the curvy mountain roads bringing it home.

I'm not totally positive on the engineering aspects but the pitbull and ridgeback have different centers of gravity, rakes, fork lengths, etc. here is a quote from it's spec page:

"Regarded by many as the best riding production rigid frame on the market, we went with a smooth running Baker 6-speed. Then we reworked the ergonomics for a lower seat height that gives the Pitbull unsurpassed riding comfort."

Someday get all 3 together and compare! Until then it's just observations and memories!

 

[Brandon Downey]

Yea I get bored and post a lot of nice bigdogs on here


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I love that you post them, keep it up bro.

 

[SimpleMan_Omen]

I'm not totally positive on the engineering aspects but the pitbull and ridgeback have different centers of gravity, rakes, fork lengths, etc. here is a quote from it's spec page:

"Regarded by many as the best riding production rigid frame on the market, we went with a smooth running Baker 6-speed. Then we reworked the ergonomics for a lower seat height that gives the Pitbull unsurpassed riding comfort."

Someday get all 3 together and compare! Until then it's just observations and memories!

I'm just saying that as for the difference in handling I think that the side the final drive is on would be a less significant variable within the handling equation.

 

[2004BC]

I'm just saying that as for the difference in handling I think that the side the final drive is on would be a less significant variable within the handling equation.

True, many factors involved. last is a quote from S&S as to why they developed the RSD.

" We introduced RSD (Right Side Drive) in 2001 when the 240 tires came out as a solution to balance big tire customs, and it accomplished just that. More than ever with the popular 300+ tires and the radical 360’s in circulation, RSD translates to zero offset and a perfectly balanced radical custom. The convention of offsetting the transmission to the left to get the secondary drive around the tire puts the entire motorcycle out of balance and adversely effects handling."

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Had an 04 Ridgeback, 250 tire, left side drive and now an 05 Chopper, 250 tire, right side drive. Big difference in my opinion. 05 is more neutral riding. 04 was great straight but try and turn and it fought you by trying to continue going straight. Noticeable difference.

I have an 04 rigid with is LSD and an 07 k9 RSD exact same frame dynamics only difference is 250 tire vs 300 and I don't notice any balancing or handling differences actually the k9 with the 300 takes a little more effort than the 250. I can zip around on the 250 tire much easier than the 300.

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