Question for Bulldog Bagger owners...

Energy One
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Guys & Gals,
I'm considering trading in my K9 for a Bulldog Bagger and have a couple questions for new Bulldog owners.

What's your experience with this bike so far? Are you happy with it's ride and performance? Any downside of ownership I should know about? Any design issues you'd like to change IF you could?

I'm concerned about the performance of the 111" engine on the heavier bagger vs. the 117" I had on my '05 Chopper and now my '09 K9.

I'm also concerned about the nose-cone "spoiler" getting beat up from rocks, etc. coming up off the road from the front tire. Have you had any issues with this and if so, what's the cure?

Thanks for all feedback!
:cheers:
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Wow...there's 4,338 members in this Forum and nobody has an '09 or '10 Bulldog they'd care to comment on and offer some feedback?..:rolleyes:
 
Uncle Milze

Uncle Milze

New Member
Let me start by saying I started with a 06 K-9 then moved to a 08 K-9 now a 2010 Bulldog. So I know where you are coming from. All your concern were my concerns. I now have 2,000 miles on my Bulldog.
The ride is COMPLETLY different.
Handeling:
Its handling is totally different. Not worst just different. You dont have to counter steer in a turn as much. It does not take high speed turns as well. When curving at 100mph it wants to walk a little. I didnt have that problem with my K-9.
Performance:
Its kind of a dog when coming from a K-9. Not harly bad... but certainly not what the 117 is. I have talked to the factory about doing something to "wake it up" but they say not too much can be done. If you start changing engine parts the computer wont run right. Something to do with if you change the needed fuel mixture more than 20% (I think) the computer dosnt know what to do. :confused: Now understand, this is coming from the factory. Local dealers might be able to do more since they dont have the EPA laws the factory does.
Comfortablty (not sure if thats a real word): :loony:
I am 6'2" and it dosnt fit me near as good. The floor boards are too close ant the bars are too low. Having said that... Its pretty comfortable. I am trying to get extended forward controls but they are not out yet. I am also going to switch to pegs. I HATE the floor boards. With the pegs I could hook my ankle over it and stretch out. Floor boards not so much. :(
Nose Cone:
Never had any problems so far. It gets pretty dirty, but I would rather clean that then the oil filter and the front of the engine. :whoop:
Comfortablty (theres that word again) for passanger:
Wife and daughter LOVE it. Thats the only reason I got it. The engine is super smooth, it takes bumps and pot holes like a champ, and the radio is awsum. You can plug your ipod directly in and control the ipod from the radio screen. :2thumbs:

I thought I would hate the ride. I find that I really like it. I will love it when I get the extended forward controls. Still miss my K-9 though.

Sorry its so long winded. Hope this helps. All in all I give it :2thumbs:
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Thanks Uncle Milze - I appreciate your taking time to respond. Wow, lots to consider..even aside from the extra cost of the Bulldog. I love my K9, but on longer trips and all day rides I sure miss the rider backrest support I had on my Harley Roadking. Looks like that's an available (albeit expensive:eek:) option on the Bulldog. I've sat on the Bulldog but have yet to test ride one...that's the next step in my decision making process.

Anyway, ride safe and ENJOY LIFE!!!:cheers:
 
Uncle Milze

Uncle Milze

New Member
K-9 when you test ride one remember that the efi is not used to your riding style. It learns how you ride. When I test rode one I thought WTF. It was gutless. After getting a couple thousand miles on mine I'm starting to open it up pretty good. I can tell the difference now that I'm getting on it. Its much better than the test ride. It just takes a wile.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Uncle Milze said:
K-9 when you test ride one remember that the efi is not used to your riding style. It learns how you ride. When I test rode one I thought WTF. It was gutless. After getting a couple thousand miles on mine I'm starting to open it up pretty good. I can tell the difference now that I'm getting on it. Its much better than the test ride. It just takes a wile.
Click to expand...
Thanks again, man!:up: My last two Harleys were EFI, but my Big Dogs have been carbs (I never understood Big Dog's reasoning behind putting a carb on their 15th Anniversary K9 - you'd have thought they'd want their latest, state-of-the-art stuff on all their Anniversary models...:loony:). Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.

I know the standard engine on American Ironhorse bikes for years was the 111" (albeit carb'd), so I'm not too worried about the power so much.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Anybody have specs & details on the stereo system they're putting in the new Bulldogs? All I've read is that it's an "Alpine Marine Grade" system..:confused:

I wonder how it compares to stock Harley systems on Streetglides, Roadglides, etc?
 
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