Roadtest Bagger Blues - Zodiac

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ®
Road Test
ZODIAC’S ‘BAGGER BLUES’
would have preferred a twenty-three or twentysix
wheel. Zodiac has decided not to use a bigger
wheel for practical reasons. And then I think the
Zodiac Bagger still has too much ground clearance
to achieve that real led sled look most bagger
customizers are after. Knowing less clearance
negatively influences the riding style, the men
from The Netherlands have decided to keep the
bike high off the ground. Maybe an adjustable airride
system can solve this issue. Altogether, this
bike looks fresh and Sporty. I love the paintjob by
Sam’s from Purmerend, especially the fact that the
silvergrey panels flow from the hard cases into the
Ness side covers. This bagger definitely looks much
better than a stock one if you ask me.
After the photo-shoot we ride from Den Helder
through small towns like Stroe and Oosterland to
Den Oever. We make a loop across the old Island
of Wieringen that once was occupied by Vikings.
It is no island anymore but still a small and
interesting piece of Holland with flowing hills and
narrow overgrown country roads. I take the
polder-roads and enter Historic Kolhorn which
used to be a harbour town before the Dutch
turned the sea into land. The Bagger runs great
and does everything a good bike needs to do. The
two front discs with Beringer callipers combined
with the round Arlen Ness brake handles work
perfectly. The front fork easily soaks up the
pothole ridden polder roads and I can not think
of anything negative about the hydraulic clutch
either. The seating position is okay although the
handlebars could have been a little bit higher
from me personally. Other things are similar to
what we are used to from an Electra. Despite the
totally different look, most of the geometry and
technique stayed the same. After a nice ride, the
sun is gone but the temps are still close to twentyfive
degrees, I park the bike at home. My daughter
has enjoyed the ride, bet she wants a boyfriend
with a bagger now. Shit! Some time later some
club brothers of mine come to have a peek at the
bike. The Chopper purists amongst them, fanatic
as they are, do not like it but the ones with a
milder idea about bikes admit it is a good looking
machine. It is a warm night and we stay outside
drinking wine till three o’clock. Next day I wake
up feeling surprisingly good. I look outside from
my bedroom window. Guess what? It is raining!
What else is new in Holland… Still I decide to
bring the bike back to Mijdrecht. I am taking the
highway this time. The Twin Cam, supported by a
Zodiac Top Fuel injection tuner, goes like hell and
with an average speed of hundred-forty I pass
most of the cars. Sometimes I see a thumbs up
appearing from behind the cars steering wheel,
one time even from a hot looking chick in a red
sports car. Thanks to the fairing, the full rear
fender and the front fender I hardly get wet from
the rain. What a big difference with my Chopper.
In Purmerend I do a pit stop at the Kentucky Fried
Chicken. A three piece box for lunch, yummy, so
good! In the mean time it has stopped raining and
passing Utrecht the road is dry. I take exit
Vinkeveen and arrive at Zodiac’s headquarters
with a big smile on my face. ‘And? Convinced?’
Vincent Pels asks. ‘Are you going to customize a
bagger now?’ ‘What do you think?’ I ask laughing.
‘No, Vincent, a Bagger is not for me, I will
desperately try to be a young god forever.
Choppers for Life! I even have it tattooed on my
arm! It is a fact however, that many other bikers
will embrace this new trend with open arms. Using
the Zodiac Bagger as a source of inspiration, we
might as well welcome a whole new generation
of Custom bikes in Europe.
Words and pics: Grizzly
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ®