How does the vibration level of a Big Dog, thinking Mastiff, compare with that of a HD Night Train? Is the Mastiff and similiar models a bike that a person can ride for 4-5hrs or after a couple hrs has a person had enough fun? I know this depends too on the person, but just trying to get an idea.
vibration levels
- Thread starter desertdog
- Start date
yes, vibration is always higher on a solid mount motor.
toodie
Active Member
It's all what you are used too. Never have ridden a "rigid" before the big dog so I had no expectations. For me the pitbull vibration and ride is not as bad as you may think. Don't get me wrong there are times when your spine shoots out your eye sockets but hey the bad ass factor sooths the pain 
MadMarx
Active Member
Rode my 06 Mastiff 236 miles the other day on NH roads!!!
That was over 6 1/2 hours of total riding with 1 stop for gas, 1 stop for lunch (1/2 hr) and 1 stop atop Mount Washington (about 1 hr).
Obviously that was a long day (well for me anyway), the vibration wasn't really an issue.
Does it vibrate more than a rubber mounted engine... yup.
Is that vibration worth it... Absolutely!!!
That was over 6 1/2 hours of total riding with 1 stop for gas, 1 stop for lunch (1/2 hr) and 1 stop atop Mount Washington (about 1 hr).
Obviously that was a long day (well for me anyway), the vibration wasn't really an issue.
Does it vibrate more than a rubber mounted engine... yup.
Is that vibration worth it... Absolutely!!!
desert, the big dog is going to have more vibration from the motor than the hd (i have a 2000 deuce with the "B" motor)
there are spots in the rpm range where the big dog is quite spooth---and you can get adjusted for some serious road miles.
after the k-9 came to my garage the deuce got little more attention from me. (the hd now resides in my son in law's garage in virginia beach)
as for the longer rides, i am a 60 yr old fat man and the k-9 did not beat me up on the 5200 mile round trip to sturgis.
buy the dog---you will never look back, chuck
there are spots in the rpm range where the big dog is quite spooth---and you can get adjusted for some serious road miles.
after the k-9 came to my garage the deuce got little more attention from me. (the hd now resides in my son in law's garage in virginia beach)
as for the longer rides, i am a 60 yr old fat man and the k-9 did not beat me up on the 5200 mile round trip to sturgis.
buy the dog---you will never look back, chuck
I got both -- the Dog is the primary ride and been on it up to 10 hours in a day -- no problem. The Night Train is a fine bike, but it's pretty much the backup to mine since the Wife rarely rides it. It does have bags, which are way handy on some trips.
On the vibration, the Night Train is smooth as glass compared to the BD. But, like Luphole said, there are ranges in the RPM that can be smooth too.
The '04 (I got in 2006) BullDog has 27,000 miles, the '01 Night Train has less than 10,000 -- pretty easy math on which is more fun to ride. :up:
Bubba_BigDog
Redneck
Ain't that the damn truth. lolIt's all what you are used too. Never have ridden a "rigid" before the big dog so I had no expectations. For me the pitbull vibration and ride is not as bad as you may think. Don't get me wrong there are times when your spine shoots out your eye sockets but hey the bad ass factor sooths the pain
goofy
Active Member
Solid mount Harleys are counter-balanced, as in the "B" engine, plus they're smaller pistons and probably less reciprocating weight.
That being said, our K9 vibrates, but it doesn't bother us much at all.
The worst offender I've owned, was a 1980 Kawasaki 1000LTD. That sob would buzz my hands so bad my fingers would feel like tuning forks in about 2 hrs, and I toured on it anyway!
Focus on the fun & the ride and the vibes will be just a reminder you're riding something special.
That being said, our K9 vibrates, but it doesn't bother us much at all.
The worst offender I've owned, was a 1980 Kawasaki 1000LTD. That sob would buzz my hands so bad my fingers would feel like tuning forks in about 2 hrs, and I toured on it anyway!
Focus on the fun & the ride and the vibes will be just a reminder you're riding something special.