Harley Davidson
Discussion
KingNothing said:
I like my Iron 883, not the fastest, not the best handling, but meh, I didn't buy it for anyone else, bought it because I like it and wanted one;
I can sort of see the appeal of the 883, although not my cup of Earl Grey, probably good bike for just popping down the pub, and running some local errands, however I can't see the attraction of the big Gin Palaces.hedgefinder said:
Walter Sobchak said:
A sportster 883, and hated every minute of it.
ahh, yes, even having owned several harleys myself over the years I wouldnt buy an 883 sportster.......if I was interested in that end of the market.Big tourer end of the market is a different matter altogether.
The only big Harley I could see myself on later in life is a Road king Classic with beach bars, just for cruising about on...its what I imagine the traditional big twin cruiser to be
Mr2Mike said:
GrumpyTwig said:
Can confirm, looks ace and who needs 999999hp when you're bimbling around town.
OTOH if you're only bimbling around town, then why get an HD?bogie said:
The 883 is the entry level model to get you into the brand. Take it back 12 months later they give you your money back if you upgrade to a big (full price) version...which if you have spent 12 months on a 50bhp bike, even the 90bhp 1.7L 350Kg one seems quick
The only big Harley I could see myself on later in life is a Road king Classic with beach bars, just for cruising about on...its what I imagine the traditional big twin cruiser to be
I just don't think I could see myself on one, when I feel too old for a sportsbike I expect, in honesty I will just give up riding altogether, as they're the only bikes, along with motocrossers that have ever appealed to me.The only big Harley I could see myself on later in life is a Road king Classic with beach bars, just for cruising about on...its what I imagine the traditional big twin cruiser to be
GrumpyTwig said:
Same reason as I don't need a 300bhp hot hatch to get me to work and back, are you sure you're in the right place?
Yep I'm certain. 300bhp is at least useable (for shortish bursts) on A and B roads, and the analogy is flawed because HDs aren't particularly powerful (many of them woefully underpowered in fact).Why would you choose a very heavy, long, cumbersome bike with a low seating position if you are primarily going to be using it to thread your way through traffic? Masochism? You enjoy the perceived attention? You have 22" legs?
Mr2Mike said:
Why would you choose a very heavy, long, cumbersome bike with a low seating position if you are primarily going to be using it to thread your way through traffic? Masochism? You enjoy the perceived attention? You have 22" legs?
Maybe, just maybe, because some one actually likes it, for whatever reasons and couldn't give a f
k what anyone else thinks.....Mr2Mike said:
GrumpyTwig said:
Same reason as I don't need a 300bhp hot hatch to get me to work and back, are you sure you're in the right place?
Yep I'm certain. 300bhp is at least useable (for shortish bursts) on A and B roads, and the analogy is flawed because HDs aren't particularly powerful (many of them woefully underpowered in fact).Why would you choose a very heavy, long, cumbersome bike with a low seating position if you are primarily going to be using it to thread your way through traffic? Masochism? You enjoy the perceived attention? You have 22" legs?
Can't say I ever had issues threading through traffic on the harley even with drag bars and certainly wasn't concerned with what others thought. It was fun, you might not appreciate it but there are those who do.
aeropilot said:
black-k1 said:
Add to that the fact that they are expensive to buy (and, I understand, maintain)
Yes, they are expensive to buy (but they hold they value so well, that often isn't such an issue) but they are not especially expensive to maintain at all (the bills for both of mine have been generally less than my Ducati was) and frankly, if you can afford to buy one, the cost of maintaining one isn't really an issue anyway. And if you are buying a 6-7+ year old bike, non-HD parts and items from specialists that import all sorts of stuff from the huge US market make maintaining them 'on the cheap' not a problem at all if so desired.
I found servicing and parts very comparable. Done 12,000 miles on mine with only one fault, a fuel gauge sender that was replaced via warranty. So other than tyres and service costs its been inexpensive. My ZXR used to go through chains and sprockets, not had to worry about any of that with the Harley.
I am so relieved!
I was beginning to believe the antagonistic naysayers and uninformed experts - and starting to doubt my own convictions. So, in order to reconcile a few principles and check my own sanity, I went out on my Harley Davidson this afternoon.
Phew; it does go round corners, will cruise in perfect calm at well in excess of the injudicious limits, returns 50+ mpg, is very comfortable, will progress in heavy traffic with aplomb – oh and looks a million dollars.
As for servicing? No valve clearances to check or worry about, no chain to faff about with, just an oil change every now and again.
Should the keyboard warriors be filled with ire at these remarks, indulge me a moment.
I have been motorcycling since 1964, have never not had a bike on the road and have owned classics (ie old), retro, sports bikes, enduro, cruiser, tourer, GT bikes and yes the odd scooter or two. I think that experience helps an unequivocal outlook; one that accepts all types of motorcycles – including Harley Davidsons.
If you don’t get it, sobeit; but please don’t be so dismissive and arrogant.
I was beginning to believe the antagonistic naysayers and uninformed experts - and starting to doubt my own convictions. So, in order to reconcile a few principles and check my own sanity, I went out on my Harley Davidson this afternoon.
Phew; it does go round corners, will cruise in perfect calm at well in excess of the injudicious limits, returns 50+ mpg, is very comfortable, will progress in heavy traffic with aplomb – oh and looks a million dollars.
As for servicing? No valve clearances to check or worry about, no chain to faff about with, just an oil change every now and again.
Should the keyboard warriors be filled with ire at these remarks, indulge me a moment.
I have been motorcycling since 1964, have never not had a bike on the road and have owned classics (ie old), retro, sports bikes, enduro, cruiser, tourer, GT bikes and yes the odd scooter or two. I think that experience helps an unequivocal outlook; one that accepts all types of motorcycles – including Harley Davidsons.
If you don’t get it, sobeit; but please don’t be so dismissive and arrogant.
I guess we will have this same discussion next time someone mentions buying a Harley 
I like my V-Rod, I bought it because I wanted a comfy cruiser with a bit of go in it. Coming back to riding after 2 years break post accident/hip replacement. It was great; low seat and feet forward, low CoG
Its an 8ft long drag bike with 34deg of rake, I was not expecting it to be a flickable sportsbike. With a few mods you can get 38deg of lean out of it, enough to use all the fat rear tyre.
I do have other bikes as well, but I still enjoy riding the V-Rod, it is nice for sunny day runs out with the girlfriend. It has enough poke to be useable in the real world (130bhp with a pipe n map)
Of course the traditional Harley market dont like the V-Rod, and its a niche seller, seems every year you expect it to be dropped from the range. Then mainstream bike riders dismiss it because "its a Harley"
Its good fun, particularly at the traffic light GP as its a piece of p*ss to launch like a pro
I like my V-Rod, I bought it because I wanted a comfy cruiser with a bit of go in it. Coming back to riding after 2 years break post accident/hip replacement. It was great; low seat and feet forward, low CoG
Its an 8ft long drag bike with 34deg of rake, I was not expecting it to be a flickable sportsbike. With a few mods you can get 38deg of lean out of it, enough to use all the fat rear tyre.
I do have other bikes as well, but I still enjoy riding the V-Rod, it is nice for sunny day runs out with the girlfriend. It has enough poke to be useable in the real world (130bhp with a pipe n map)
Of course the traditional Harley market dont like the V-Rod, and its a niche seller, seems every year you expect it to be dropped from the range. Then mainstream bike riders dismiss it because "its a Harley"
Its good fun, particularly at the traffic light GP as its a piece of p*ss to launch like a pro
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 23 March 20:27
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 23 March 20:29
Here is my V-Rod on the official Pistonheads Bike Banter Euro Trip of 2009 (for those not sure the Harley is the one with a single headlight and tiny fairing).
Just to prove its not all hate, after riding in the middle group for a few days and wanting a little more of a challenge I asked if there were any objections if I joined the the fastest group. Guess what, the Harley didn't crash off the road at the first corner, leak oil everywhere, break down and although it couldn't quite catch the 1000cc sport bikes on an appropriate piece of unrestricted road it gave everything else a run for its money when it got up to 149 leptons.
Had a great time with some good friends on that trip and not a single bit of grief for taking the Harley. I could have taken my ZXR-750, so glad I didn't.
For Wayne, RIP friend.
Just to prove its not all hate, after riding in the middle group for a few days and wanting a little more of a challenge I asked if there were any objections if I joined the the fastest group. Guess what, the Harley didn't crash off the road at the first corner, leak oil everywhere, break down and although it couldn't quite catch the 1000cc sport bikes on an appropriate piece of unrestricted road it gave everything else a run for its money when it got up to 149 leptons.
Had a great time with some good friends on that trip and not a single bit of grief for taking the Harley. I could have taken my ZXR-750, so glad I didn't.
For Wayne, RIP friend.
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