Which would you choose? Also, ride quality questions on a ridgeback

Energy One
A

aCASEortwo

Member
Hey guys,
I'm hoping some of you might have some input to help my brother decide what Big Dog he wants. He's looking at an 04 chopper DT and a 04 chopper ridgeback. But, there is a four thousand dollar difference in price and the same mileage between the two. You should also note that he would only ride ever so often and this isn't his main transportation. So, my question is which would you choose for the price difference? Next, if he did buy the ridgeback how is the ride quality? I realize that it has a rigid frame and doesn't have the suspension of a soft tail, is it that bad or not bad at all? Are there ways to improve the ride of the rigid? I realize that we don't know that much about these bikes compared to a lot of you, so all input is much appreciated!
 
pig pen

pig pen

Well-Known Member
I ride a rigid with the 250 tire, I think the 04 ridgeback has the 250 also.The ride isn't to bad. I can run about 250-300 miles per day. I just stay away from roads that I know are rough.
 
Reaper

Reaper

Well-Known Member
I have the 2005 Ridgeback which has a 300 rear tire. My experience is if the road is smooth, no problem, but if I'm ridding on rough, or bumpy roads, after a while it starts to get pretty uncomfortable.
 
Bigdog_Outlaw

Bigdog_Outlaw

Active Member
I owned an '04 Ridgeback for 4 years and I agree, they don't ride bad on good roads...but, the roads have really deteriorated with the last two winters of rain followed by freezing temps. That said, the rigid bikes have a destictive look to them over the look of the suspension model bikes.

Another option would be to go with the Ridgeback and have a seat mod done at Southwest V-Twin in Grandville. They just did a spring/shock seat for an '05 Ridgeback using the same parts used on the '08 Pitbull....it looked sweet!

Matt
 
lee

lee

Well-Known Member
can he not test ride them? thats the only way he's gonna know for himself
 
Oscar Maldonado

Oscar Maldonado

Guru
Calendar Participant
Some dealerships offer test rides but some won't due to the lack of motorcycle riding experience and the main one being $$$$$$$$
 
C

Cephus

Well-Known Member
I have an 03 Pitbull which is a rigid with the 250 rear tire, so I can add that the ride is smoother than people give them credit for being. Like Lee said he's going to have to test ride them both and see which one he likes best. Ultimately it is his money buying it. How much experience does he have on a bike? For me it would come down to comfort level(ride) and price(cost/usage). What ever bike he buys make sure he also gets a battery tender if it is going to be an sitting for any amount of time.
 
iron mike

iron mike

Member
this is a no brainer trust me get the ridgeback. i have owned both, the ridgid is longer, taller and unless your on cobble stone roads you would never know the difference.
 
ptcs

ptcs

Member
Jus for the records, which one is the higher priced. I know that is not a deal breaker either way but I would think the Ridgeback to be the higher priced bike..:2thumbs:
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
The Ridgeback should be less expensive as they don't cost as much to build.

:flag:
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
You can always tell a rigid rider cause when you get to the bar, they don't sit down. Ask Seatmaker! :lol:
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
I got the 05 Ridgeback 300m tire .. it is ruff on some roads ... but I would still chose the Ridgeback ... test rode a 06 K9 but didn't like it for some reason...I need to retest ride the K9 ... I'm getting the Kyriyakyn switchblade pegs because on occasion my foot will get jerked off when I hit a bump doing 70mph. Test ride both and then decide what it right. Good luck and let us know what he chose. :whoop: :D :up:
 
Moespeeds

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
How bad is a rigid with a passenger? I do allot of riding with passengers, and I don't want the bitch to fall off. What's it like?
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
The Ridgeback is 4" longer than the Chopper. 2" stretch in the rear and 2" more in the frame up front so the pegs and bars are out further. My friend has a Chopper and fits it great, but he can't ride my Ridgeback. Too much reach. I feel cramped up riding his Chopper too and I am only 5' 11" but that is because I am used to my Ridgeback.

As for passenger riding, the bike rides smoother with a pasenger on the back actually. My wife doesn't complain and she has spent most of the 6000 miles on this bike and most of the 6500 on my 2004 as a passenger.

Only he will be able to pick which bike fits him and is comfortable to ride. I took the little bit rougher ride to have the better looks in the bike. The rear fender looks much better to the tire than a softail bike.

Tell him to ride both. If he has financing set up and has a license then most dealers with let him test ride the bikes.
 
Mario77746

Mario77746

Active Member
05 RB here. Rode it from NC to FL then back 2 days later. No problems and I have a bad back. Also, passangers are no problem. I would recomend getting the sissy bar though....
 
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