so I brought a Harley
Discussion
aeropilot said:
How those guy's ride those bikes with legs straight out horizontal and arms stretched way up above their shoulders with ludicrously high Ape's beats the hell out of me....?? 
Each to their own though
You mean this guy?.Each to their own though
This, on the other hand looks rather comfortable.
Bike still looks painful though
MarsellusWallace said:
dave0010 said:
I went out on my first proper ride on the bike today, about 140 miles round trip in total. I even got caught in a proper rain storm but due to the comfiest of riding positions the rain made no difference to the ride.
One question though for others with bikes with loud pipes, even with a full face helmet and ear plugs is it normall to have a head ache after a long ride? Im pitting it down to just getting used to the noise but was curious about other peoples experiences
Does you exhaust have the removable baffles fitted?These keep the noise down to a loud but not headache inducing level.One question though for others with bikes with loud pipes, even with a full face helmet and ear plugs is it normall to have a head ache after a long ride? Im pitting it down to just getting used to the noise but was curious about other peoples experiences
I can't say though that I ever got a headache before fitting them though, even after several hours, and I ride with an open face, but with ear plugs.
RizzoTheRat said:
...the feet forward arms forward position killed my back quite quickly.
I'm the same. The flatracker/bobber style do look more accommodating though I doubt I would be riding one very far if I owned one.It would probably end in tears, but I would love a go on one of those suicide shifter old Harleys with the foot operated clutch and hand shifter.
MarsellusWallace said:
Does you exhaust have the removable baffles fitted?These keep the noise down to a loud but not headache inducing level.
@ Davecheck with the exhaust manufacturer of your pipes - they may offer some slightly different baffles
I have Vance & Hines competition pipes and they are loud, but with earplugs and full face, just about right. They do offer optional "quiet" baffles, they are not really "quiet" at all, they just knock 3dB off of 108dB pipes
Edited by bogie on Saturday 19th May 10:30
Like that bike in the OP. Rather similar to how Mrs Hooli's has ended up now she's had most of the shiney powdercoated black. Decent pipes like you've got & a PC3 (fuel packs aren't as good I'm told) to tweak it up & they shift a lot better than stock.
I'd suggest Avon Vemon tyres to make it feel connected to the road, we also found different pads & a braided hose on the front made it able to stop as well.
Enjoy
I'd suggest Avon Vemon tyres to make it feel connected to the road, we also found different pads & a braided hose on the front made it able to stop as well.
Enjoy
I upset a Harley driver today.
At the petrol station I pulled far forward (my filler was on the wrong side) and he was tutting and shaking his head on the pump in front of me as he made a right meal of reversing (as you would a car) off the pump and round all the other pumps.
Why he could'nt just turn his handlebars ever so slightly and get past me on his left I don't know.
I was trying to ask if he wanted to get on my pump as I thought his was busted but his passenger was just standing next to him. He ignored me and just shook his head leaving me a little confused.
This wasn't in my town where there's a Harley dealership and the Harley boys are always riding around like they own the place!
At the petrol station I pulled far forward (my filler was on the wrong side) and he was tutting and shaking his head on the pump in front of me as he made a right meal of reversing (as you would a car) off the pump and round all the other pumps.
Why he could'nt just turn his handlebars ever so slightly and get past me on his left I don't know.
I was trying to ask if he wanted to get on my pump as I thought his was busted but his passenger was just standing next to him. He ignored me and just shook his head leaving me a little confused.
This wasn't in my town where there's a Harley dealership and the Harley boys are always riding around like they own the place!
Re: Loud pipes = headache
Are you sure that it is the noise that is causing this? I've only ever run loud 'bikes and only owned ill fitting open face lids and never used earplugs (I do have tinnitus but that's a different story) and have never had a headache from loud pipes. Could be a change in riding position that you are not used to, I had to change from flat bars on my bike as hunched shoulders used to cause headaches. Maybe you'll get used to it and the headaches will go away...
I'm quite partial to black 'bikes with loud pipes as well - getting a bit tatty compared to these moderns but I wouldn't swap...
Are you sure that it is the noise that is causing this? I've only ever run loud 'bikes and only owned ill fitting open face lids and never used earplugs (I do have tinnitus but that's a different story) and have never had a headache from loud pipes. Could be a change in riding position that you are not used to, I had to change from flat bars on my bike as hunched shoulders used to cause headaches. Maybe you'll get used to it and the headaches will go away...
I'm quite partial to black 'bikes with loud pipes as well - getting a bit tatty compared to these moderns but I wouldn't swap...
Yep, you're right there - I meant it wasn't loud pipes that started it - we think it was an accident when I was still a toddler. It's wind noise that sets it off really badly (that and angle grinders but I haven't got one of those on the 'bike), much worse than the loudest pipes. I recently bought a Davida that actually fits for that very reason - transforms this motorcycling lark, I might get some other decent kit if I stick at it.
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