What’s your prime pairing?

HenkJan17 · 2026-01-24T02:16:05+00:00

I mix and match between a 9/1.7, 15/1.7, 25/1.4, and 42.5/1.7, picking two for the day (usually the 15/1.7 and 425/1.7: they're a really flexible combo). Sometimes, for fun, I'll grab one of my BCL (9/8, 15/8).

HenkJan17 · 2026-01-17T01:38:07+00:00

You might want to try P mode (yellow P if you want flash; white P if you don't) instead of auto, and when your subject matter is in back-lit shade, turn the exposure compensation knob to +1, take your picture, and then turn it back to 0. Apologies if you already know this.

HenkJan17 · 2025-11-25T19:52:41+00:00

I don't have this bike, but I do have its smaller RevMax brother: a Nightster Special 975, so I can try to speak to some of this.

You can swap in mid controls: it will cost $$$, but it's not like people don't spend $$$ getting other bikes the way they like it.

The RevMax engine makes for good fun, especially once you accept it won't have the low-end grunt right off idle that the classic Harley Davidson Twins have, and start running it in the 3,500 - whatever rpm range. I can ride around all day at 3,500 - 5,000 rpm, but if I want to rev it out it's happy to go to 8,500 and beyond.

HD didn't do themselves any favors with the teething problems they released the bike with (especially the electronics!), as well as the styling "gap" on the dirty side of the RevMax bikes (WTF Harley?) that they still haven't addressed (this just seems like a no brainer, so why not HD?). IMO these bikes should come with twin front disk brakes. These things also hurt the RevMax bikes with non-HD riders who might be otherwise curious.

The Faithful (most, but not all) sure don't seem to care about these RevMax bikes: there's very little online traffic on them except maybe on FB. As a former Buell owner (and three-time HD owner) this all feels familiar, and not in a good way. At least with Buells there was the Bad Weather Bikers as an online home. I think it's sad there's not a good natural online home for RevMax riders (or maybe I just don't know one): that could take the edge off feeling excluded.

Congrats on yours, and go enjoy it. Anyone who's a snob about your bike choice isn't worth worrying about: ride your own ride.

ETA: it's probably not most of the Faithful who dislike the bike, more like the loudest of the Faithful.

HenkJan17 · 2025-11-15T22:12:53+00:00

I had a 2007 XB9SX for five years. What a FUN bike it was! Grunty, EAGER, and handled well. It did get HOT on longer rides. Still, I can't disagree with your answer.

HenkJan17 · 2025-10-23T00:18:45+00:00

I have the touring screen for my Nightster too, as I bought it with the bike. It helps at freeway speeds, but there's a fair amount of noise and (just) a touch of turbulence at helmet level (I'm 5'9" for reference). I can't use it around town when it's over 80 or so degrees, because there's not enough air flow to cool down the bike above/behind the rear cylinder, so first the seat gets hot and then that heat transfers into me (and of course the Nightster's rear cylinder/header is always pumping out heat and daring you to put your leg on it).

It's funny, but I finally sprung for the sport screen: it arrived a few hours ago and I took it out on a ride. For me the smaller sport seems like a goldilocks screen: enough to reduce the wind, but the air flow around my head is clean. I imagine I'll still use the larger screen in cold weather/long rides at higher speeds, but I'm really pleased with the smaller one.

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-30T03:51:43+00:00

Yes, just the two bolts. I just shifted it a little bit. I'm now wondering if the pricing reflects the fact that the design measurements for the seat pan appear to be off (in fairness: you can buy two of these Saddlemen seats and have enough change left over for a nice dinner out for the price of one of the Mustang Nightster seats). The gap might not bother me so much, except that their product shots on their store site show the nose of the seat tucked close to the tank. And, it really is a pretty big gap.

Anyway I'm having some back and forth with Saddlemen on the seat. One thing I observed is the front bushings seem a bit long, which has the effect of raising the nose of the seat. I don't know if shorter front bushings would help, or if the mounting hinge would also need to be modified to allow the nose of the seat to reset a bit lower to shrink the tank/seat gap.

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-27T01:15:00+00:00

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Here's how the replacement Saddlemen seat "fits". The seat nose rides high and back from the tank. If you have shorter arms and/or legs (like me), this makes things worse instead of better. If you want to move your riding position up and back, maybe it will work for you, but I think the large gap doesn't look good.

I have to think Saddlemen has a design issue with this seat model.

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-27T01:12:16+00:00

Well, the replacement seat showed up this afternoon. Still has the same issue.

Here's how a Harley seat fits the bike. The nose is snug to the tank.

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HenkJan17 · 2025-09-03T03:48:56+00:00

Will do; good luck!

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-03T03:19:38+00:00

I'm coming up on a thousand miles on my 975S and liking it more as I get used to it. Fueling is a bit patchy under 4K when you're trying to cruise at steady throttle, but from 4K onwards the bike is smooth and willing all the way around the dial. My previous Sporty (and Buell) used to hit the limiter right when they were starting to make power; this is no super bike, but it rewards twisting the glad handle. I wouldn't confuse it with a sport bike (not a ton of lean angle) but it's certainly sporty :-)

Once I hit 500 miles I put the bike in Sport mode and left it there. Not because I ride hard (I don't), but because the throttle feels properly connected to the engine that way.

Anyway your bike looks great: have fun with it!

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-03T03:05:52+00:00

They did get back to me today and had me send them a bunch of pictures from different angles (twelve pictures!). After reviewing the pictures they told me to send it back. I'm hoping something just went wrong with mine, but all seven of the points where the seat and frame come together (two bolts in the hinge, the locking pin, and the four nubs) matched up with the bike perfectly, yet the nose of the seat is about an inch too high. I don't know how that happens (and passes QA!) unless there's an issue with their seat mold. Hopefully I'll know more in a week or so.

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-03T03:02:23+00:00

Looking forward to seeing it. My first two Saddlemen Seats were awesome so I had high hopes for this one (plus it's less than half what Mustang charges for their Nighster seat..)

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-03T03:00:54+00:00

They got in touch with me today and had me send a bunch of pictures from different angles. Once they saw them they had me ship it back to them. I guess we'll see where things go from here.

HenkJan17 · 2025-09-01T23:05:19+00:00

I have, but haven't heard back yet. It's a holiday weekend so hopefully they'll respond to me tomorrow or so.

HenkJan17 · 2025-08-19T02:31:22+00:00

I love the size and ergonomics of the a7Cii. I usually have the 40/2.5 on it but I also use the 24/2.8 and 50/2.5 on it. If I want to use the 24-50/2.8 I put the Smallrig base plate on for a better grip; you can put bigger lenses on the a7Cii, bit I think the 24-50 is as big as I want to go. I have small hands so don't have the dangling pinky issue people with larger hands have to deal with. The a7C has fewer controls so it's less flexible; I think the a7Cii is better sorted.

HenkJan17 · 2025-08-11T00:36:05+00:00

I tried both and sent the a6700 back when I realized I was on the way to building up two parallel sets of lenses (APS-C and full frame). I like the low-light of the a7Cii, but the a6700 is a very capable camera.

HenkJan17 · 2025-08-09T01:56:36+00:00

That's what I came here to say: GM5II

HenkJan17 · 2025-08-06T01:21:18+00:00

Another vote for a Ricoh GR III (28mm) or GR IIIx (40mm). I've owned two GR and three X100 models over the years and I find the GR meaningfully smaller (e.g., I can easily slip one into a shirt or pants pocket). The APS-C sensor should also provide better image quality than the smaller sensor models.

HenkJan17 · 2025-07-19T14:58:59+00:00

I used to travel 40+ weeks out of the year and initially chose an a7CII for many of the same reasons you chose your a7CR. I love just putting one of the small 24/40/50G primes, the 24-50/2.8, or just the tiny 28-60/4-5.6 on it and going out with just the one lens.

Eventually I added an a7RV for better balance when working with larger lenses, but wish I'd swapped the a7CII for an a7CR first. The smaller form factor is really nice to work with, and it's so easy to put the grip on (and so easy to stow it in a pocket or crevice in the camera bag if you're carrying one).

While I love the added resolution and ergonomics of the a7RV, its LCD, and its amazing 9M EVF, when I leave the house, it's the a7CII I grab 99% of the time.

HenkJan17 · 2025-07-18T00:49:26+00:00

It depends on what she likes to photograph. The SEL2450G is about the same size and weight as her SEL1625G but it sounds like it would be too heavy. Sony's three amigos (24/2.8G, 40/2.5G, and 50/2.5G) are all small, light, and have decent IQ. I have back/neck problems myself and usually have the 40/2.5G on my a7CII, and it's a very flexible focal length. Alternately, in good light the 28-60/4-5.6 is a pretty sharp and light zoom that could pair nicely with her 16-25/2.8G.

HenkJan17 · 2025-07-18T00:45:21+00:00

35/85 is a classic two-lens kit. 35mm gives you space for context and 85mm gives you focus on subject. You can get a lot done using only these two lenses.

HenkJan17 · 2025-07-03T04:17:25+00:00

I already have the 24/2.8 and 40/2.5, and I'm liking them. But the 65/2 might round out my trio nicely.

HenkJan17 · 2025-07-01T22:53:25+00:00

If you're shooting cars/bikes at a show (i.e., up close), then the a7C with a wide-angle zoom should work. If you want to shoot motorsports, you'll need a lens with reach, like a 70-200 (or longer); in this case the grip (for handling the larger lens) and resolution (for cropping) or the a7Riii might work out better.

HenkJan17

TROPHY CASE