Harley wrongness

[m3psm]

I went out for a test ride on the Buell 1200 Ullyseseseses today. Before I got on it I loved it. It's much smaller that you’d expect and even though it's a 1200 it’s smaller in every direction than my TDM. When I sat on it, it felt OK too. A bit hard and felt like a soft KTM. Once I pulled away though it all went tits up. The riding position has you right over the front wheel and it just felt like I was leaning over the headlight and way too aggressive a position for everyday use plus it puts too much weight on the wrists unless you're hustling along.

I spoke to the dealer about the other versions but they all have a similar riding position. Regretfully, that's the end of my Buell aspirations

I was almost ready to leave and focus on the motorcycling delights of Germany when I spotted an uber-Benly (XL883) so I had to have a go As soon as I sat on the 883 it felt like a comfy set of old clothes. It was welcoming and quite plush. It's a surprising thin bike but with wide bars and wide foot-pegs. The other weird thing is the foot-peg position. They sit about 6" forward from where you expect and want them. Once I pulled away it was like a Honda Benly (CD200) on steroids. The brakes where shite, it was gutless and the foot-pegs where just wrong but, I loved it

It just felt like back to basics motorcycling. The riding position was wrong simply because of the foot-pegs but I’m sure I could get used to it. The brakes can be improved with twin discs, braided hoses and good pads. The power can be easily resolved by getting the 1200 conversion instead of the weedy 883. This would then give something a little different for the daily commute.

Personally, I can’t ever remember seeing a well ridden Harley cutting through the traffic faster than the other bikes (or even keeping up with them). I’ve never seen a Harley with a Givi top box grafted on and muffs on the bars for winter. In fact I’ve never seen a Harley in the winter. With all this in mind I’d love to get a nimble 1200cc, loud as hell, basic, top-box wearing, filthy dirty, commuter slag and ride it like I do my TDM

Have I finally lost the plot???

[black1]

funny i never see a plastic bike in winter as well !

[97rsr]

Have I finally lost the plot???

YES! FFS have you lost your senses? You race that 3 series, ride a TDM and then talk about how you loved a "weedy 883"?!?!
Get out on something modern for thay money and really enjoy yourself. Hardly Ablesons don't commute and don't compute! In fact burn them all and leave the poseurs to hold everyone up on a Sunday when the banks are closed. If you search on Google I think there is a helpline for this.

[Hooli]

do it, bikes are for riding not polishing

[aeropilot]

m3psm said:

I went out for a test ride on the Buell 1200 Ullyseseseses today. Before I got on it I loved it. It's much smaller that you’d expect and even though it's a 1200 it’s smaller in every direction than my TDM. When I sat on it, it felt OK too. A bit hard and felt like a soft KTM. Once I pulled away though it all went tits up. The riding position has you right over the front wheel and it just felt like I was leaning over the headlight and way too aggressive a position for everyday use plus it puts too much weight on the wrists unless you're hustling along.

I spoke to the dealer about the other versions but they all have a similar riding position. Regretfully, that's the end of my Buell aspirations

I was almost ready to leave and focus on the motorcycling delights of Germany when I spotted an uber-Benly (XL883) so I had to have a go As soon as I sat on the 883 it felt like a comfy set of old clothes. It was welcoming and quite plush. It's a surprising thin bike but with wide bars and wide foot-pegs. The other weird thing is the foot-peg position. They sit about 6" forward from where you expect and want them. Once I pulled away it was like a Honda Benly (CD200) on steroids. The brakes where shite, it was gutless and the foot-pegs where just wrong but, I loved it

It just felt like back to basics motorcycling. The riding position was wrong simply because of the foot-pegs but I’m sure I could get used to it. The brakes can be improved with twin discs, braided hoses and good pads. The power can be easily resolved by getting the 1200 conversion instead of the weedy 883. This would then give something a little different for the daily commute.

Personally, I can’t ever remember seeing a well ridden Harley cutting through the traffic faster than the other bikes (or even keeping up with them). I’ve never seen a Harley with a Givi top box grafted on and muffs on the bars for winter. In fact I’ve never seen a Harley in the winter. With all this in mind I’d love to get a nimble 1200cc, loud as hell, basic, top-box wearing, filthy dirty, commuter slag and ride it like I do my TDM

Have I finally lost the plot???

I Know plenty of Harley riders who ride in winter and use as a daily commute. Don't bother with a an 883 for pete's sake, just get a 1200 to start with, there are plenty about to choose from.

You want a XL1200R. Blacked out, dechromed - magic.

Top box......now don't be silly!

Don't need to with a HD anyway. Detachable rear sissy bar and luggage bag that fits over the sissy bar - much better.

[aeropilot]

97rsr said:

Hardly Ablesons don't commute and don't compute! In fact burn them all and leave the poseurs to hold everyone up on a Sunday when the banks are closed.

You're so funny ......

[m3psm]

97rsr said:

Have I finally lost the plot???

YES! FFS have you lost your senses? You race that 3 series, ride a TDM and then talk about how you loved a "weedy 883"?!?!
Get out on something modern for thay money and really enjoy yourself. Hardly Ablesons don't commute and don't compute! In fact burn them all and leave the poseurs to hold everyone up on a Sunday when the banks are closed. If you search on Google I think there is a helpline for this.

lol, it would be a 1200 and it would get riden in a way I've never seen one riden

The problem with modern stuff is that I will lose my licence. For the first time ever I now have a clean licence after never (& I mean never) having less than 9 points for 20 years. I also now have 2 kids so need to slow down. Whatever bike I have from R1 to SS50 to ZZR1100, I ride them all as fast as they will go. This, like my TDM could keep me under the ton and be a tad interesting. When was the last time you saw a Ahrdly Ableson fltering past the other bikes in the London rush hour?

[AcidRich]

97rsr said:

Have I finally lost the plot???

YES! FFS have you lost your senses? You race that 3 series, ride a TDM and then talk about how you loved a "weedy 883"?!?!
Get out on something modern for thay money and really enjoy yourself. Hardly Ablesons don't commute and don't compute! In fact burn them all and leave the poseurs to hold everyone up on a Sunday when the banks are closed. If you search on Google I think there is a helpline for this.

You truly are a tt.

[97rsr]

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

[97rsr]

m3psm said:

97rsr said:

Have I finally lost the plot???

YES! FFS have you lost your senses? You race that 3 series, ride a TDM and then talk about how you loved a "weedy 883"?!?!
Get out on something modern for thay money and really enjoy yourself. Hardly Ablesons don't commute and don't compute! In fact burn them all and leave the poseurs to hold everyone up on a Sunday when the banks are closed. If you search on Google I think there is a helpline for this.

lol, it would be a 1200 and it would get riden in a way I've never seen one riden

The problem with modern stuff is that I will lose my licence. For the first time ever I now have a clean licence after never (& I mean never) having less than 9 points for 20 years. I also now have 2 kids so need to slow down. Whatever bike I have from R1 to SS50 to ZZR1100, I ride them all as fast as they will go. This, like my TDM could keep me under the ton and be a tad interesting. When was the last time you saw a Ahrdly Ableson fltering past the other bikes in the London rush hour?

I've got that little DR400SM for commuting and its fine. You wont lose your licence - it does 90 flat out (about 50 mph faster than a hardly) but you can nail it off the line and short shift your way up to 70 in no time at all - so unless you really trying, you have nothing to worry about.

[aeropilot]

m3psm said:

lol, it would be a 1200 and it would get riden in a way I've never seen one riden

You may not have......
Don't assume all HD riders are chap wearing weekend warriors.

I even know a few guys who commute into London all year round on vintage bobbed 45's with no front mudguards, hand change and suicide foot clutches

[SS HSV]

97rsr said:

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

[Biker's Nemesis]

SS HSV said:

97rsr said:

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

[aeropilot]

97rsr said:

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

No, I think you're thinking of the one where all the 'power-ranger' clad superhero wannabe's meet

[Biker's Nemesis]

aeropilot said:

97rsr said:

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

No, I think you're thinking of the one where all the 'power-ranger' clad superhero wannabe's meet

[Hooli]

aeropilot said:

97rsr said:

What is a "sissy bar"?

Is this some kind of Hardly meeting place?

No, I think you're thinking of the one where all the 'power-ranger' clad superhero wannabe's meet

[m3psm]

lol certainly a mixed reception for HD's.

Personally I've never been a fan of them and have always assumed they're riden by city lawyer types, the only gay in the village, people who know nothing about bikes or beer and piss soaked denim wearing phsyco's from some chapter of a baby eating bike club None of which fall into the catagory of day to day biker (whatever that is).

I've still got to test ride the big BM's (GS and R) before I make my mind up, but I just fancy something a bit different but still reliable and practical

I just love the idea of riding one "innapropriately" with a top box fitted

[Hooli]

i have to say a rat hardly would be a great thing to see.

[m3psm]

Hooli said:

i have to say a rat hardly would be a great thing to see.

A1 mechanically, but cosmetically shagged, with a plastic Givi type top box bungeed on the back

Edited by m3psm on Friday 30th November 21:47

[Hooli]

m3psm said:

Hooli said:

i have to say a rat hardly would be a great thing to see.

A1 mechanically, but cosmetically shagged, with a plastic Givi type top box bungeed on the back

Edited by m3psm on Friday 30th November 21:47

you KNOW it needs doing, dont forget the duct tape seat - even if it doesnt need it