Some called the Big Dog K-9, a nine-foot-long chopper, the flagship of Big Dog’s 2009 line. Introduced in 2006, the K-9 replaced the Bulldog in the Wichita, Kansas-based company’s line of high-end custom bikes made on a production line, and remained largely unchanged for the rest of the company’s fairly short life. The company folded in 2011, a victim of the recession, so these bikes are something of a collector’s item.
Like all Big Dog machines, it has a 1,916cc, V-twin S&S motor and a Baker Drivetrain six-speed transmission, mounted on the right side to distribute the weight more evenly and improve balance. Long and low, clearing the ground by just four inches, the 700-pound (dry weight) chopper has a 39-degree rake, with 12-inch oversize telescopic forks, and a four-inch backbone stretch. The characteristic stretched-teardrop-shaped steel gas tank holds 4.4 gallons. The rear suspension, an adjustable rear shock with a twin-sided swing arm, is wired to allow the addition of an optional aftermarket air-ride suspension kit. Four-piston-caliper brakes, front and back, provide stopping power.
Since Big Dog took a custom order for each bike it made the K-9’s options list is a long one. A buyer chose the color from a palette of seven base paints and then selected one of the 70 graphic packages. A raft of accessories were available: a variety of mounting plates, an assortment of pegs, backrest pads, tail bags, tool rolls, sissy bars, luggage racks, several different seat styles, tinted or clear windscreens in two different sizes, and a custom suspension kit were just a few of the choices. If a buyer was really practical, he or she could even add an oil temperature gauge to an instrument panel that features the standard speedometer, odometer, and tachometer.
The low 24.3-inch seat was designed to put the rider in a comfortable position to reach the angled handlebars and controls. In fact, in terms of comfort, the only complaint one rider had was that the kickstand was awkwardly placed. The bike’s balanced steering lets the rider negotiate turns easily despite the heavy front end and big rear tire.
But truly, no one rides a chopper for its handling. A chopper is about its looks, and the K-9’s looks draw crowds and admiration.