I respect the opinions of those who are designated, experts, they are perceptive in ways those with less experience certainly can benefit from. But I must say the opinion of the Bolt not fit for touring, I think that is rather presumptuous to say. The guy who tried the Bolt admitted he was into a different style with minimal experience on this Cruiser, for long rides. I am no one to stand as an expert, but I have owned and traveled on my old 55 Panhead,, bored out from 1200 to 1500, a 750 MotoGuzzi V Twin, a Norton 750 Comando, and now a Star Bolt. I have a reasonable frame of reference. Oh my first bike, a Ducati 250, I took from Southern Ca, to San Francisco when I was about 18 years old. I had a lot of fun, period. My point is how we use our bike, what we do with it, how we view it, identity with it, and the position it has in our lives is entirely and wholly personal. Maybe some of these bigger is better types aren't solid enough in themself or have the back strength to sit that Bolt on a long ride. I just never had that issue.. so does my opinion not count? I loved my Harley, totally. Now, I ride a Bolt. I completely understand and grasp why others say the things they do. Their opinion, what they say, is totally valid - No way I can criticize that. I see it, what they say. What I object to, is telling others what is and what is not. Their riding experience is subjective, personal, limited to their own experience. I now ride a Bolt; what does that make me? When a person is so critical as to dictate what is, or what is not fit to take a long ride, who do they speak for? You, me? Not me. I have no trouble taking a long ride up the coast. I'll stop to sleep, have a bite then move. I also remember what the old rigid frames felt like. We handled our kidneys getting a bit shaken. Next to that, the Bolt is smooth as silk. Even if it is not, no one can tell anyone to not take long rides. The big touring bikes are very comfortable, but maybe that is the rub for some. Some want the primal, the raw, the sound of our engine, not the sounds of the city we choose to escape from. The Bolt suits me well, and who can say my personal preference is wrong? What bothers the reviewer, would not enter the mind of many. The fact is we find our level, our steed, Period.
@@PupuTheMonkey I ended up getting a Triumph Bonneville Bobber instead. I think I would have been happy with any of them but the triumph just has a bit more grunt and it was a very good price. I think I would have ended up going with the Guzzi if I didn't get the Triumph though. Its more unique and much lighter too.
2018 Bolt owner. Gauge and tank size are my only problems with this bike. Yamaha XSR900 gauge is full of information. Bolt gauge is just wasted dead space.
I don’t get why everyone is comparing it to an 883, it’s a lot bigger in size. I have the r spec with fairing and bars raised 8in. People I’ve encountered compare it more to a dyna. Also with Vance and Hines pipes most if not all non riding people think it is a Harley
I'm considering this as a touring bike. I hate heavy motorcycles, and this is about as large as I want to go. I've toured on a 310GS and loved it. Maybe some people want a bloated cruiser, but I'm not one of them.
Can't see why you couldn't be touring on a bike like this if you changed a few things....a more comfortable seat , that would be an easy upgrade. A windscreen. 🤔 possibly panniers And maybe change the front pulley on the belt drive to a longer gear....a lot cheaper than a roadking
So the name "Bolt" refers to the arrow of a bow and arrow. The arrow was first referred to as a "bolt" or "missile" in ancient times. So, no, not like a big screw..
I've owned many motorcycles and many makes. The ones I've had the most trouble with were Yamahas. Starter problems at 10,000 miles on a 750 Virago, timing chain problems at only 20,000 miles on a 500 Virago, Serious Carb trouble at 12,000 miles on a 700 Maxium, and the biggest piece of junk was a Yamaha Star Stratoliner. I got rid of that junk in two years and lost $10,000 doing it. And I was glad to be rid of it. I will NEVER own another Yamaha. I'll quit riding before owning another Yamaha. Give me a Honda, Harley, Indian, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Royal Enfield, Triumph.. ANYTHING BUT A YAMAHA.
No good just look how low it is to the ground and what about that Sportster fuel tank and dinky front fender. For the money there are better motorcycles to be had. If you kick a dog in the balls he will make a BOLT for the door. Fancy asking some one that bought a Harley what they thought about this thing. Owning a Harley means that they would NOT KNOW. If I had the choice I would buy the Bolt over the Road King or a Sportster any day. The Bolt would at least be reliable and easy to maintain unlike any Harley that I know of.
I respect the opinions of those who are designated, experts, they are perceptive in ways those with less experience certainly can benefit from. But I must say the opinion of the Bolt not fit for touring, I think that is rather presumptuous to say. The guy who tried the Bolt admitted he was into a different style with minimal experience on this Cruiser, for long rides. I am no one to stand as an expert, but I have owned and traveled on my old 55 Panhead,, bored out from 1200 to 1500, a 750 MotoGuzzi V Twin, a Norton 750 Comando, and now a Star Bolt. I have a reasonable frame of reference. Oh my first bike, a Ducati 250, I took from Southern Ca, to San Francisco when I was about 18 years old. I had a lot of fun, period.
My point is how we use our bike, what we do with it, how we view it, identity with it, and the position it has in our lives is entirely and wholly personal. Maybe some of these bigger is better types aren't solid enough in themself or have the back strength to sit that Bolt on a long ride. I just never had that issue.. so does my opinion not count? I loved my Harley, totally. Now, I ride a Bolt.
I completely understand and grasp why others say the things they do. Their opinion, what they say, is totally valid - No way I can criticize that. I see it, what they say. What I object to, is telling others what is and what is not. Their riding experience is subjective, personal, limited to their own experience.
I now ride a Bolt; what does that make me? When a person is so critical as to dictate what is, or what is not fit to take a long ride, who do they speak for? You, me? Not me. I have no trouble taking a long ride up the coast. I'll stop to sleep, have a bite then move. I also remember what the old rigid frames felt like. We handled our kidneys getting a bit shaken. Next to that, the Bolt is smooth as silk. Even if it is not, no one can tell anyone to not take long rides.
The big touring bikes are very comfortable, but maybe that is the rub for some. Some want the primal, the raw, the sound of our engine, not the sounds of the city we choose to escape from. The Bolt suits me well, and who can say my personal preference is wrong? What bothers the reviewer, would not enter the mind of many. The fact is we find our level, our steed, Period.
Love my bolt. Like you said, it's perfect bike to have in a collection. Now I'm saving up for a Ducati street fighter to add.
Nice, honest review. Thumbs up.
I have an SCR. Same cruiser engine. I like the Bolt, too.
Looks good. Kind of thinking on it.
Nice bike. Hopefully I can move up to it
Can't decide between this and a Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber. love them both
Have you made a decision? I'm considering this and a Guzzi as well.
@@PupuTheMonkey I ended up getting a Triumph Bonneville Bobber instead. I think I would have been happy with any of them but the triumph just has a bit more grunt and it was a very good price. I think I would have ended up going with the Guzzi if I didn't get the Triumph though. Its more unique and much lighter too.
I have one and love it do wish they had gave it a 6 speed trans over the 5 it nicer on the high way at the point
My next bike in my next life.
2018 Bolt owner.
Gauge and tank size are my only problems with this bike.
Yamaha XSR900 gauge is full of information.
Bolt gauge is just wasted dead space.
You can get an upgraded Gauge with Tach Iv'e read and solve that problem >
@@lassiejr2115 yes... And reset all your miles to 0. It's also illegal to do that.
I don’t get why everyone is comparing it to an 883, it’s a lot bigger in size. I have the r spec with fairing and bars raised 8in. People I’ve encountered compare it more to a dyna. Also with Vance and Hines pipes most if not all non riding people think it is a Harley
Why not tour on this one? I mean, people do long distance touring on 125cc scooters. I'm just wondering..
+Christian100773 We Americans prefer bigger cruiser bikes for long distance, something with cruise control, that can go for 400 miles at a time.
+be92xdrive Thank you for replying! I liked the review and look forward to more..!
Many Bolt riders do tour with their bikes, with no issues. I guess it just depends on the rider.
@@wallyc1349 yup, I've done several tours across my country, city to city, through lush farmlands & barren desert highways, love my Bolt.
I'm considering this as a touring bike. I hate heavy motorcycles, and this is about as large as I want to go. I've toured on a 310GS and loved it. Maybe some people want a bloated cruiser, but I'm not one of them.
You didn't mention the pegs scraping quite often though. That is a deal breaker, for me at least.
Is there any possibility that this bike will overheat,coz it's only air cool only not liquid cooled,with big displacement engine I'm worried.
Not likely. A lot of Harley’s are air cooled too and they don’t have overheating problems
A Harley Brit guy,not sure about that! I want to try the Harley pan America before buying one because I think I may do so.
Could they have made a uglier fuel tank.those seams and how there is no line between seat and tank.
How different is riders position on c spec
@peter macdonald i wanted a c spec st first then switched to an r. Wish i could try out s c spec to see the difference
WANT!
Can't see why you couldn't be touring on a bike like this if you changed a few things....a more comfortable seat , that would be an easy upgrade. A windscreen. 🤔 possibly panniers And maybe change the front pulley on the belt drive to a longer gear....a lot cheaper than a roadking
Agreed. Back in my youth (1980's)I took my Yamaha XS400SG on a few long road trips and it and I did fine.
Is it me or his accent slowly went away in the course of the video?
By 3:40 he became a full on American.
Is this videos format/commentary from the 90s? jk
I had a bolt for 1 year....traded it in for a ROCKET 3. the bolt has a lot of hype....I did enjoy it but it was not for me
Where is the weight to give a high cofg? All looks low down to me.
You don't get a bolt to go fast fast lol
So the name "Bolt" refers to the arrow of a bow and arrow. The arrow was first referred to as a "bolt" or "missile" in ancient times. So, no, not like a big screw..
I've owned many motorcycles and many makes. The ones I've had the most trouble with were Yamahas. Starter problems at 10,000 miles on a 750 Virago, timing chain problems at only 20,000 miles on a 500 Virago, Serious Carb trouble at 12,000 miles on a 700 Maxium, and the biggest piece of junk was a Yamaha Star Stratoliner. I got rid of that junk in two years and lost $10,000 doing it. And I was glad to be rid of it. I will NEVER own another Yamaha. I'll quit riding before owning another Yamaha. Give me a Honda, Harley, Indian, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Royal Enfield, Triumph.. ANYTHING BUT A YAMAHA.
ok.....
No good just look how low it is to the ground and what about that Sportster fuel tank and dinky front fender. For the money there are better motorcycles to be had. If you kick a dog in the balls he will make a BOLT for the door. Fancy asking some one that bought a Harley what they thought about this thing. Owning a Harley means that they would NOT KNOW. If I had the choice I would buy the Bolt over the Road King or a Sportster any day. The Bolt would at least be reliable and easy to maintain unlike any Harley that I know of.
You sound like you own 0,0 bikes. Correct?
Who is this dumb fuck talking about kicking dogs in the junk?
The Bolt has a high center of gravity, not a low center of gravity.