Greetings to all!! Figured I would join up as I will be gettin a bike shortly-- but havent decided wich one. I'm down to the hammer or the jackpot as I like the 250 rear tire. I am looking for opinions on the difference in rideability between the two- is one more difficult to handle / corner? I am soliciting input from folks who have some seat time on both. Any input is appreciated
Thanks!!
M
I've ridden both and own one of the two. Same frame. Same engine. Different front wheel sizes. Hammer has duel discs up front. Same middling rear shock. Hammer has the inverted/stouter front shock set up. JP's front is conventional. I think the JP comes lowered a little from the factory (could be wrong about that). Not sure about the Hammer. Can't recall how much different front ends' trail & rake were. Two up on the JP and a seat cowl/2 up for the Hammer. The '02-'07 are open loop systems and have higher compression than the '08 and ups which are a semi-closed loop system.
That being said, from my [dim] recollection of my limited time on a Hammer, both require more steering input than a "skinny"tire rear wheeled bike, with the Hammer requiring slightly less input due to the smaller/wider front wheel. The duel discs are nice as well, and combined with the smaller wider front wheel, stopped better.
I read a lot of reviews on the two bikes and was really concerned about all the complaints about handling. What a load of crap that turned out to be. These are POWER CRUISERS, not sport bikes. If I ever met one of the guys who complained about the handling, I'd tell them to take a remedial MC riding course and learn how to ride a damn motorcycle!
Both bikes are a BLAST to ride. Both bikes are show stoppers/head turners. Both bikes are easy and relatively cheap to get 20+ additional HP and 20-30 additional TQ simply by adding a good set of pipes matched to the cams, a better breather and a fuel controller. That's right and bares repeating:Both bikes are easy and relatively cheap to get 20+ additional HP and 20-30 additional TQ simply by adding a good set of pipes matched to the cams, a better breather and a fuel controller. Yup. All you gotta do is pick the low hanging fruit for HUGE uptick in performance. Both bikes are built like anvils: strong & reliable, although somewhat clunky in the trannies. Oh yeah, the engine's STOCK cams, pistons and bottom end can EASILY handle the upgrades I outlined.
In the end, the classic muscle custom cruiser aesthetic spoke to me and I bought a JP.
My advice: Ride them and then GET ONE. Good luck!cheers
I've only ridden a hopped up hammer, that big 250 tire makes sure you know your riding. It looks great but makes everything work a little harder, I don't think it improves anything other than looks, width of burnout and traction off the line.... big n heavy is bad for braking and takes more power to turn it but the hammer was 129/144 so it had some.
Must have been a big bore 116". Lucky you.
