The alternatives to Harley Davidson
Discussion
Probably the only HD I'd own (Ok I might be tempted by a 1920's board racer...), my 1977 XR750, proper works mile bike, 290lbs (130kg); less than a street HD engine! 100hp and very revvy!
Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
dingocooke said:
Probably the only HD I'd own (Ok I might be tempted by a 1920's board racer...), my 1977 XR750, proper works mile bike, 290lbs (130kg); less than a street HD engine! 100hp and very revvy!
Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
Oh now that looks fun Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
Hooli said:
dingocooke said:
Probably the only HD I'd own (Ok I might be tempted by a 1920's board racer...), my 1977 XR750, proper works mile bike, 290lbs (130kg); less than a street HD engine! 100hp and very revvy!
Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
Oh now that looks fun Very light for what it is, steep steering head angle (photo is a bit mis leading and makes it look steeper)
You'll have to excuse the non standard front brake, the MOT man doesn't like it without it!!
It's in this years Crossbow Calendar too!!Here you go...
I've done a few bits to it since the first pic, new air filters bit of a clean up, probably do a lot more sensitive detailing/restoration work to it at some point as it's so original. I doubt anyone is reading this bit mind......
Edited by dingocooke on Friday 26th June 15:52
I don't really understand these "Harleys handle badly" comments.
Of course they don't handle like a sports bike. None of the cruisers whether it's an Indian, Rune, Victory or HD will. That's not what they are about.
My Electra Glide handles exactly like you would expect a near 1000lb, long wheelbase, raked fork bike would, i.e. not like an R1.
But, if you don't want to get your knee down on every roundabout or fulfill your Guy Martin fantasies every ride out, they are all fine.
If we were to go for a ride out and behave normally, you wouldn't leave me behind and I wouldn't have to get off and push it round the corners or anything.
If we were doing a balls out lap of the IOM, then obviously not.
But I'd be listening to my radio and be nice and comfy
Of course they don't handle like a sports bike. None of the cruisers whether it's an Indian, Rune, Victory or HD will. That's not what they are about.
My Electra Glide handles exactly like you would expect a near 1000lb, long wheelbase, raked fork bike would, i.e. not like an R1.
But, if you don't want to get your knee down on every roundabout or fulfill your Guy Martin fantasies every ride out, they are all fine.
If we were to go for a ride out and behave normally, you wouldn't leave me behind and I wouldn't have to get off and push it round the corners or anything.
If we were doing a balls out lap of the IOM, then obviously not.
But I'd be listening to my radio and be nice and comfy
HD Adam said:
If we were to go for a ride out and behave normally, you wouldn't leave me behind and I wouldn't have to get off and push it round the corners or anything.
That depends on your definition of "normal" though. Normal for a HD club is going to be a lot slower than normal for a bunch of blokes on sports bikes. There is no point trying to dress up HDs into something they're not, sure you can press on riding one, in much the same way you can exceed the speed limit and screech around corners in a Ford Mondeo. They'll do it, just not well.With regard to the original question, I think if I was getting a cruiser it would be a Harley, probably a Fatboy with the stage 1 stuff done (the stuff that it needs to run right from the showroom what a swindle). If it's going to be a cruiser, it might as well be loud and unapologetic. The Yamaha Vmax is an interesting bit of kit, but if I was going to get something with a decent engine in it, I'd be after a Diavel, and then I'd wonder if I shouldn't just have a sports bike instead.
)
Mastodon2 said:
HD Adam said:
If we were to go for a ride out and behave normally, you wouldn't leave me behind and I wouldn't have to get off and push it round the corners or anything.
That depends on your definition of "normal" though. Normal for a HD club is going to be a lot slower than normal for a bunch of blokes on sports bikes. There is no point trying to dress up HDs into something they're not, sure you can press on riding one, in much the same way you can exceed the speed limit and screech around corners in a Ford Mondeo. They'll do it, just not well.I'm not trying to dress them up. They definitely do not go, stop or handle like a sports bike. Probably because they aren't sports bikes
I'm not in an HD club. My definition of normal is riding is keeping up with traffic, making progress, the usual stuff.
You can actually ride any cruiser like this but if I ever get my knee down, it's because I've fallen off.
I like the look of the new Indian Chief Dark Horse reminds me a bit of the Harley cafe racer of the 70's hopefully without the reliability problems that plagued that model.
I'm tempted, interest free finance (50% deposit) trouble is I don't have enough spare time to enjoy what I've got.
Call me an old fart but on a nice summer evening with an open face helmet 50 mph taking in the smells and sights of the countyside does it for me.
I'm tempted, interest free finance (50% deposit) trouble is I don't have enough spare time to enjoy what I've got.
Call me an old fart but on a nice summer evening with an open face helmet 50 mph taking in the smells and sights of the countyside does it for me.
I recently changed from Harley softails, via a gsx1400, to a victory Vegas. They are light years ahead of the Hd in terms of build quality, handling and power (113ft lb as standard and that can cheaply get to 126ft lb with an Airbox, power commander and a set of pipes). Sound fantastic and very planted (although a handful in the wet due to the huge torque).
Go and try one, after you've test ridden the HD of your choice. A victory feels like the best bits of a Harley air cooled and a v-rod put together, with 10 years of solid development and some common sense.
Go and try one, after you've test ridden the HD of your choice. A victory feels like the best bits of a Harley air cooled and a v-rod put together, with 10 years of solid development and some common sense.
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