Thanks Jon

Steve P

Ps thank you for letting us look around the shop like that we still talk about how cool of an experience it was

Let’s start with a simple question. “How do you improve a legendary icon without offending a legion of faithful followers?”

The answer is simple. Hire Jon Cornell and his team at UFO. Some say he trained at Area 51 in the 70’s and lifted technology from little green men. Some say he’s “CDO” and “perfection” is 3 steps below what he aims for in his designs. All I know is that everything I’ve purchased from him is flawless and worth every penny. This wheel is no exception.

Let’s break it down:

I’m initially struck by just how “stock” this wheel looks. That’s not a bad thing guys. In fact a good designer may say that it just goes to prove that it “belongs” on this bike. I would also venture to say that if the engineers had Jon Cornell on their team when they originally designed the mighty Gen 1, this is the wheel you would have received when you bought the bike. It’s light, it’s strong, it has attitude and it matches the front wheel, just like it should.

I have a 2007, with the factory black wheels and red stripe. It was critical that the paint match. UFO delivered. You would swear the black was swiped from Yamaha when they weren’t looking and the red stripe is dead on.

Installation couldn’t be simpler and there are a wide range of options available on this wheel. I’d wager the guys at UFO could hook you up with just about anything you’re looking for here. Oh yeah! Check this out – You can run up to a 190 rear tire with no mods to the swing arm. How cool is that? Good luck trying that on your Sportster! Want to go wider? The guys at UFO can hook you up with that too!

I chose a 180-18 for my ride. It fills the rear fender in a way that screams “business end” without looking overdone. It also keeps the gear ratios very close to stock. Add the UFO Starfighter seat, UFO Drag Bars and 1” Riser and you’re finally getting that hot hourglass shape that’s worked for decades. Doubt me? Think Coke Bottle – Better yet – Corvette Stingray. Now let’s add the words “Timeless” and “Iconic”. Gentlemen this is no accident – these guys know what they’re doing.

So what about handling performance? Does it really make a difference? Three words – “Day and Night”. I rode 23K miles on the stock bias tires. They were heavy, slow to react and they gave that sense of riding on a “rubberized knife blade”. If you pushed them too far, you’re begging for trouble.

I just chalked it up to what everyone said about the poor handling characteristics of the Gen 1 and I settled into the routine of dealing with uneven tread wear, short life, low grip and lackluster handling. When confronted by skeptical rivals, riding on newer technology, I often found myself defending my bike with straight-line performance and legendary heritage. That ends today. The Max is back!

Think surfing without the ability to fall. This set up is so smooth. The grip is unreal. The balance is blissful. The feedback is instant. Everything reacts with the slightest intent and the road becomes your servant.

So is it really worth it? Oh yeah – worth every penny! My build continues – Where’s yours?

Thanks for a truly great product. I obviously didn’t waste any time
trying them out. All my friends are very impressed.

Bill

I put 200 miles on the recently purchased UFO Drag Bars and 1” riser yesterday. I just wanted to give you guys some feedback on that experience. As you know from previous dealings with me, I’m fairly “picky” when it comes to the details of my “hotrod”. I’m also an avid rider and I don’t hesitate to put some serious miles that hotrod.

Let’s start with the bars – First off – Great styling! They give my bike that subtle “custom” look combined with the more aggressive stance that I was looking for. You guys get a big thumbs-up for that!

Then there is the excellent quality. Flawless chrome, heavy-duty feel and when paired with the 1” riser it’s a perfect fit!

One unexpected benefit was improved ergonomics. I can’t speak for everyone, but after a long day of riding on stock bars, my throttle hand experiences that numb-tingling feeling from lack of circulation created by prolonged riding in the stock position. That vanishes with the improved positioning provided by the UFO drag bars. What a difference!

Handling – another area of concern before my purchase. I’ve ridden several bikes with drag bars in the past and one thing I’ve always noticed is the lack of leverage and feedback in the corners. I can honestly say that I did not experience that with the UFO drag bars. They are the perfect length. There was slightly less leverage than stock but nothing in the way of being uncomfortable. I felt in complete control with the leverage provided by this set of bars. Responsiveness and feedback was exactly what I expected, giving me the confidence to conquer the toughest of corners.

Then there is the 1” riser – I must admit I was a little concerned before ordering. I’m relatively short at 5’ 9” and my short reach left me wondering whether or not I would be stretched to an uncomfortable position, since I also have the UFO Starfighter seat installed which provides a lower stance. I’m pleased to say that the riding position in this configuration fits me perfectly! I was comfortable all day and felt I could ride well beyond the 200 mile mark. This was a vast improvement over stock.

Then there is the riser’s fit and finish. I was surprised (and shouldn’t be) at just how perfectly this riser blends with the stock components. Very close tolerance and fit. The finish was flawless. Highly polished and impressive machine work. When mixed with the stock black components, it adds just the kind of tasteful trim I’ve come to appreciate in a custom motorcycle.

Overall, no regrets and highly recommended! Great value for the price! I’m really looking forward to the next project. Thanks again for all the tech-support and keep this stuff coming!

- Bruce