Previous: Day 1: Softail Family Ride
Hello everyone! I'm OGA, a stunt rider and I will be reporting on my participation in the global Harley test ride event. This is my second time I've joined in a hill-climb challenge on Harley. Can you ride off-road on your super heavy Harley and climb up a hill at once? I will be sharing with you in this article about the challenge I just mentioned earlier.
Please check it out on your leisure time.
The first day afternoon of the test ride, we moved to the hill climb point.
Previously, we set off from our base hotel in Antequera on the Lowrider S, a Harley Softail family member. Along the way, we changed street bobs and fat bobs to reach La Cala de Mijas, the site of the hill climb, the highlight of this year's event.
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After a half day of riding, I got to familiarise the road conditions in Spain. Its winding roads with spectacular views, overwhelmingly clear and cloudless skies, beautiful road surfaces (though a bit slippery), perfect weather for touring even in February, with few traffic lights in runabouts and the traffic is is almost non-existent. It is a definitely motorcycle paradise! I wholeheartedly agree that it is such a great place for manufacturers to hold a test ride. So, when I think of riding a Harley overseas, I can always imagine of riding across the continental United States, but hey, Spain is totally possible! So, if you are making plans of touring overseas, you might consider it because I strongly recommend it.
In the morning, we rode 180km to La Cala de Mijas, where the hill climb venue was located. I was feeling a little tired, but the Harley touring was enjoyable and I was very satisfied with it.
We arrived at our destination. There was an off-road custom Harley there!
When I arrived, there was a catering service to prepare lunch, and I ordered roast beef and pasta. I'm glad that I'm going to have a good meal at the touring destination.
Right after I made my order, I looked into the back of the kitchen car and saw white Harleys lined up there. As I got closer, I realized that it was a custom off-road Street 750 that were lined up.
The tires installed on front and rear are off-road tires, inverted front forks, OHLINS at the rear for improved driveability, and the fenders and hand guards are consistent with off-road material on the exterior. The exhaust systems are unusually short, probably straight pipes. (Of course, it's a closed course, so it's legal.)
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To be honest, I had been told at the pre-meeting that we were going to have a hill climb, but I didn't expect them to come up with such a solid off-road version of the bike. It's good to be betrayed in my expectations in a good way.
The STREET750 used in hillclimbs is an entry-level Harley model with a 750cc revolution engine and set a mid- to low-speed focus.
It's an off-road version but they were able to finish it just in five days. But, "Why would they put this special edition bike on a hillclimb event like thi?" The gathered journalists wondered including myself, of course. From the manufacturer's point of view, it is a matter of promoting the new model where people get interested to look at while on touring and get involve in giving feedback or reviews of the new model, and that's the main purpose of this test ride event.
But Nick, who organized this event, had one word to say. "JUST FOR FUN". "As long as you are having a good time, that's all that matters," he said. It's a great way to get the journalists to play with their Harleys without any conflicts of interest. It was the first time for me to be a Harley fan. I became a Harley fan instantly by just hearing the words, "JUST FOR FUN".
Afterwards, Nick walked me through the course and explained it to me. The course is relatively flat with a gentle slope and a slight bend uphill. There was one corner at the end of the climb, and it was a simple course to turn and finish.
It does not look to be complicated to climb up, but the problem is that the time is too short for this hillclimb. It's a competition format where you compete in trials. There are 4 practices and 2 trials. The fastest time in the race will be recorded.
After the briefing, I practiced riding immediately, but it was more difficult than I thought it would be. If you step into a rut carelessly, it can cause heavy bikes to shake and get in a lot of trouble, the front brake can lock up at once, and off-road boots can lock up the ankles and prevent you from using the rear brake. The first time was 9.14 seconds.
I've heard that journalists from different countries have tried, and the top time is said to be 6.80 seconds for an Indian flat track and motocross rider. It was a first attack that seemed like a good idea but six seconds is quite impossible.
However, I actually enjoy hard enduro as a hobby, and although I am still a beginner, I have a little experience in hillclimbs. With that poor experience and three more practice sessions after that, I gradually got the hang of it.
- Keep the throttle down and climb at full throttle.
- Don't let the rear slide too much at the start.
- Defeat the impact in a standing position.
- Give up using the rear brake to decelerate and accelerate back up.
- Turning the last corner in one go
With these points in mind, the final attack of the show was almost perfect. The time was 7.19 seconds.
Although I wasn't able to compete with the Indian riders, I think my time was pretty good for a situation where I couldn't use the rear brake at all. And I even got a trophy for the best time of the day... Nick was As I said, I thoroughly enjoyed the "JUST FOR FUN". It was a very fun hillclimb event!
What it felt like to perform a hillclimb
In the future, Harley-Davidson plans to sell more active vehicles such as the LiveWire electric sport bike, the PanAmerica adventure model, and the Bronx streetfighter. Until now, the image of a Harley has been one of leisurely continental cruising, but from now on, the direction and image of the Harley is going to change drastically in an even more active way. I think this is exactly the turning point.
And this time, the hillclimb project is "Let's play Harley! That's what he must have wanted to tell us. It'll be interesting to see how Harley-Davidson changes in the future, and I'm very excited to see it!
This article is also available in a video. Please watch it along with it!
Next Time: Day 2 Heritage Classic & Sport Glide Test Ride Impressions
See HARLEY-DAVIDSON Moto Index Page
See Accessories for HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET750
