Harley Davidson
Discussion
The bikes have always struck me as slow, badly built and expensive. If hey were cheap, or well built I'd respect them more but as they are they seem to be an example of great marketing for a poor product.
I was reading recently that sales are dropping due o the Victory and Indian bikes having a similar amount of heritage but with more power and better quality.
I was reading recently that sales are dropping due o the Victory and Indian bikes having a similar amount of heritage but with more power and better quality.
I like the banter reminds me of the late 70s Brit bikes v Jap bikes, there weren't many Harley's about then because they were very expensive, one mate had one because he had a pay out after being knocked off his Yam RD250(broken leg). Never been a Harley owner myself but I have always liked the older ones late 60s/early 70s with drum brake up front + not many about, only thing stopping me getting one they are too small for a 6ft 2in bloke just like the Triumph T160's I had. Anyone notice how small a Norton Commando looks now? They looked massive when I was a kid.
Browsing and saw the thread, thought that was timely. Took my V-Rod for an MOT this morning. The old boy doing the test had to ask what it was, then told me how he is not really a lover of Harleys, then spent the whole time cracking jokes through the test, starting with wow, the brakes really do work (as they are Brembo), suspension really is sturdy, it might actually work on these. The engine was the real shocker, where's the 'potato potato' he asked. had to explain it was a water cooled 60 degree V, not an air cooled 45. When explaining that the V-Rod tried to break the mould, but the HD fans didn't take to it as it wasn't a real HD, and the sports bike fans don't always like it as its a Harley. He found that amusing and said it's not surprising the true HD riders don't like it, it looks like goes, stops and handles. Harley seem to be stuck into the rut that many don't want them to change, and the stigma seems to make it hard for them to move on.
I'd say there will always be a lot of negativity around the image of Harleys, they are marmite, you'll either like them or you won't, and they are often very different. An 883 would be ideal around the town, I find the soft tails cool to ride, I like the sound and they have enough power for normal riding but the brakes and handling do let them down if you do want to open it up. Had a road king on loan last year, I really didn't like it, felt over sized in every respect, like hauling a bus when on the road. Always surprised at how people like to join in the Harley slag off having never had a proper look at one, let alone sit on one let alone ride one. If you want a really fast, good handling bike on a budget, a Harley is probably not your first choice. That is not why people buy them, if that was the only criteria would be a boring bike market.
I'd say there will always be a lot of negativity around the image of Harleys, they are marmite, you'll either like them or you won't, and they are often very different. An 883 would be ideal around the town, I find the soft tails cool to ride, I like the sound and they have enough power for normal riding but the brakes and handling do let them down if you do want to open it up. Had a road king on loan last year, I really didn't like it, felt over sized in every respect, like hauling a bus when on the road. Always surprised at how people like to join in the Harley slag off having never had a proper look at one, let alone sit on one let alone ride one. If you want a really fast, good handling bike on a budget, a Harley is probably not your first choice. That is not why people buy them, if that was the only criteria would be a boring bike market.
Forgive me PH bikers for I have sinned (but it was over 20 years ago and I saw the light...again) I had a 92 Fireblade from new for a couple of years but crocked my back so had this stupid idea that a 2 wheel armchair would be better for it! I spent a fair bit making it go and handle a bit better than standard but then realised I hated going so slow and got a 1200 Bandit instead ;-)
Captain Smerc said:
Jesus H Christ look at it
I'd rather not tbh.The Night Rod is an impressive looking machine, albeit with a silly name that could have been picked out of an Ann Summers catalogue and liable to be beached on the first speed bump. The 883 with it's spindly forks and that slope all the way from the bars to the rear mudguard just looks odd and unbalanced.
Mr2Mike said:
I'd rather not tbh.
The Night Rod is an impressive looking machine, albeit with a silly name that could have been picked out of an Ann Summers catalogue and liable to be beached on the first speed bump. The 883 with it's spindly forks and that slope all the way from the bars to the rear mudguard just looks odd and unbalanced.
Nope , looks good to me The Night Rod is an impressive looking machine, albeit with a silly name that could have been picked out of an Ann Summers catalogue and liable to be beached on the first speed bump. The 883 with it's spindly forks and that slope all the way from the bars to the rear mudguard just looks odd and unbalanced.
SteellFJ said:
Simply put: Why all the negativity?
The lower end models like the Sportster 883 (iron 883) are easily accessible and they sound AWESOME! what more can you want?
Have you ridden an iron 883? Its very slow, has a terrible vibration and the braking felt like badly adjusted drum brakes. The lower end models like the Sportster 883 (iron 883) are easily accessible and they sound AWESOME! what more can you want?
edit: also sounded pretty s
t compared to what I'm use to.
Well I'm in the yay camp (to which I bring my assless chaps and a fistful of lube etc).
I've only been riding a couple of years and my first (and only bike thus far) was a Daytona 675, which I utterly adored. A truly awesome bike which I happily commuted on for 6 months.
Then I found myself in Vegas at the tail end of 2014 and decided it would be a great idea to rent a Harley (when in Rome etc). I approached the idea with an open mind, being conscious of all the negative sentiment towards them but at the same time, curious as to why they have such a massive following.
Anyway, I ended up riding a full blown Electra Glide thing 300 miles round the Mojave desert and... I absolutely, LOVED it. Sure it was massive, unrefined and not particularly fast, but I defy anyone to ride one of these things and not come away smiling. They ooze charm and are uniquely enjoyable to hustle, because they're so unwieldy.
Now I live in Abu Dhabi, where the roads are long and straight etc. So this weekend, I decided to pull my finger out and pay a visit to the Harley shop here, where I have rented this beastie for a couple of days:
I think being a petrolhead is all about sampling all things automotive. Only then can you make a true judgement for yourself. Me? Well I struggle to get past the list price on Harleys out here, but I'd definitely have one (and plan to do just that in a few months). They're amazing things to just ride slowly and bimble about on.
I've only been riding a couple of years and my first (and only bike thus far) was a Daytona 675, which I utterly adored. A truly awesome bike which I happily commuted on for 6 months.
Then I found myself in Vegas at the tail end of 2014 and decided it would be a great idea to rent a Harley (when in Rome etc). I approached the idea with an open mind, being conscious of all the negative sentiment towards them but at the same time, curious as to why they have such a massive following.
Anyway, I ended up riding a full blown Electra Glide thing 300 miles round the Mojave desert and... I absolutely, LOVED it. Sure it was massive, unrefined and not particularly fast, but I defy anyone to ride one of these things and not come away smiling. They ooze charm and are uniquely enjoyable to hustle, because they're so unwieldy.
Now I live in Abu Dhabi, where the roads are long and straight etc. So this weekend, I decided to pull my finger out and pay a visit to the Harley shop here, where I have rented this beastie for a couple of days:
I think being a petrolhead is all about sampling all things automotive. Only then can you make a true judgement for yourself. Me? Well I struggle to get past the list price on Harleys out here, but I'd definitely have one (and plan to do just that in a few months). They're amazing things to just ride slowly and bimble about on.
Raygun said:
cat with a hat said:
my garage might be a start 
click the username
BMW's sound good? They must be the most boring sounding motorbikes ever! click the username
I was at a NCC show once and we heard a bike fall over, everyone looked round in horror but we were soon reassured "Don't worry it's only a BMW"
Captain Smerc said:
Well I'd love a denim black 883 , looks & sounds awesome , just need to get a full licence before I'm too old . I mean Jesus H Christ look at it ! 
I like the looks of these, yes I'm sure the brakes are weak with a single disc and it will vibrate being a primitive V twin but I'm sure it is great for round town. Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 18th March 20:50
Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 18th March 20:50
cat with a hat said:
edit: also sounded pretty st compared to what I'm use to.
Did you ride one with standard exhaust?t compared to what I'm use to.Curious as I find all the models now sound really crap with standard exhaust. First mod seems to be to change them out. Not sure if it's noise regs but they have a muffled tinny sound, even on the big engines.
vrod said:
cat with a hat said:
edit: also sounded pretty st compared to what I'm use to.
Did you ride one with standard exhaust?t compared to what I'm use to.Curious as I find all the models now sound really crap with standard exhaust. First mod seems to be to change them out. Not sure if it's noise regs but they have a muffled tinny sound, even on the big engines.
I could see the appeal of a modified 1200 with a decent seating position, but the iron was rather terrible.
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