Does anyone at all here like Harleys?

Does anyone at all here like Harleys?

Author
Discussion

BroadsRS6

Original Poster:

785 posts

38 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I rode a lovely (if damn heavy) 114 cubic inch HD today and was pleasantly surprised at how it shifted and sounded.
I've not ridden anything like this for a long time but the engine seemed to rev really well for something with 1868cc and just 2 pots. It had Screaming Eagle basic mods like intake and exhaust and was about 110 bhp i believe. Doesn't sound a lot does it?
Well that thing went bloody quickly, i was really surprised.
But i don't have a single biking friend who likes these monster twins. ANYONE here a fan?

sociopath

3,433 posts

65 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Without a doubt, they are the best designed 1940s bike you can buy in 2021.

five50

497 posts

185 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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:heherofl

FNG

4,157 posts

223 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I would like one, but if I had 10k plus to spend on a half decent one I suspect I'd end up with an Indian bobber or a Diavel or possibly an older Triumph Speedmaster when facing up to putting my money down.

Plus, a green laning dirt bike and something like an Africa Twin (but without the rust) are more everyday usable that I'd get more value from.

Lastly I can't be doing with cleaning something more than you use it. So I'd destroy the value of a chrome-everywhere Harley within the course of a summer laugh

That would be the same for any bike with chrome everywhere but it seems harder to find a blacked-out HD than an equivalent other cruiser and it would properly put me off ownership cos there's no way I could keep it like they need to be kept if they're to hold their value.

craig_m67

949 posts

187 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Can’t stand the #fking things
Stupidly loud and obnoxious like the majority of their inadequate owners

Just my opinion




A500leroy

5,082 posts

117 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I like the 883 sportster

Hammerhead

2,698 posts

253 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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The little 48 is quite nice.

Just can't be arsed with any of the tassles, group rides and Chapter bks.

Bob_Defly

3,642 posts

230 months

HD Adam

5,143 posts

183 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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FNG said:
Lastly I can't be doing with cleaning something more than you use it. So I'd destroy the value of a chrome-everywhere Harley within the course of a summer laugh

That would be the same for any bike with chrome everywhere but it seems harder to find a blacked-out HD than an equivalent other cruiser and it would properly put me off ownership cos there's no way I could keep it like they need to be kept if they're to hold their value.
Mine doesn't have any chrome apart from the trim ring round the headlight, speedo & mirrors.



_Neal_

2,658 posts

218 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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FNG said:
I would like one, but if I had 10k plus to spend on a half decent one I suspect I'd end up with an Indian bobber or a Diavel or possibly an older Triumph Speedmaster when facing up to putting my money down.
This for me, and add an Indian FTR1200 and Triumph Bonneville Bobber to the "£10k for something stylish and cruiser-ish" list. I do like the 48 though (as mentioned above).

gregs656

10,816 posts

180 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I do. I don't really get why they are so divisive. They seem to be doing some interesting and more forward looking projects at the moment, and I suppose it was a few years a go now they started to make progress on things like frame stiffness without compromising their appeal.

FNG

4,157 posts

223 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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HD Adam said:
Mine doesn't have any chrome apart from the trim ring round the headlight, speedo & mirrors.

Much more like it, definitely. I could put up with that.

I guess whenever I look for one in black, I'm seeing nearly-new ones as it's much more of a thing now than it ever was.

But sadly I couldn't afford nor justify 15 grand on something I used daily, let alone a fair weather only bike.

Ref 883s and sportsters, I agree some of them are pretty nice looking too and a lot more affordable, but I'm 6'3" and make many many bikes look like a mini moto or a monkey bike, and they are in that category biggrin

FNG

4,157 posts

223 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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craig_m67 said:
Can’t stand the #fking things
Stupidly loud and obnoxious like the majority of their inadequate owners

Just my opinion
Just as well your opinion isn't obnoxious at all then tongue out

Jazoli

9,086 posts

249 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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The older I get the more they appeal, I can see myself getting one someday.

Iminquarantine

2,168 posts

43 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I’m feeling primal urges to do things with a HD Pan American, I don’t think I’ve felt that way since I watched that video of Taylor Swift in a wet nightdress.

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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The latest ones are a world apart compared to previous models. I think the competition from Indian has forced them to up their game

110bhp does not sound like much but with more than 110lbft from 2k revs and flat to 5k revs, they pull well. Thats the traditional appeal a short rev range with loads of torque.

Ive ridden a couple of newer models on holiday, but ultimate chose to do 3300 miles on route 66 on the big Indian Roadmaster, which I felt had better suspension and handling for a 350kg beast smile

I have had a Harley V-Rod for 9 years, its great for what it is. But then again its not a "real" Harley, because it was liquid cooled and revved to 9k revs, traditional big twin Harley riders dont like them and non Harley owners just dismiss them as "just another Harley".

Not all HD owners dress up like gay pirates or fake outlaw club members...there are quite a few of us on here who own a number of bikes and a HD just happens to be one of them..

the cueball

1,197 posts

54 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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I can take or leave them..

Used to have a 48 (Blacked out, stage 2).. bought it new for a decent price and only lost £2k selling it 4 years later..

It was OK... the tank limited its use somewhat.

I've had a Fatboy (Terminator 2) bike to ride across America - Florida to LA - 4007 miles in a couple of weeks.. that was nice to ride.

Hired a few Electra glides when out in Vegas for some road trips.. just day type stuff.. again OK out there, but a big bike

But none of my current bikes are from HD.. and not sure I'll ever have another...




55north1west

1,222 posts

53 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Although I’ve never owned one I’m a massive fan of H-D, I was always into sports bikes until I rented a Road King 18 years ago whilst on holiday on Oahu, spent a day just cruising along and in that environment it was unbeatable.

Since then we’ve visited nearly all the US production facilities, Lancaster Pennsylvania, Kansas and Milwaukee including the Museum, it’s a great brand with a loyal customer base. Visiting dealerships all over the States, our favourite is San Diego HD, amazing place, really cool staff.

We’ve toured a bit as well, favourites would be riding through the mountains to Mt Rushmore and the iconic Overseas Highway down to Key West.

Having said all that I don’t actually own one, (currently have BMW & Honda) way too much chrome for our climate, I’m not even that convinced by the finish, looking at bikes even a couple of years old they are already showing signs of corrosion.

My dream bike would be a stage 3 Fatboy, iconic bike that just never seems to date.




8IKERDAVE

2,279 posts

212 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Hate em. Although my mate has one, he recently did his DAS aged 70 and didn't want something quick so went down this route.

His is pretty cool with air suspension and a ton of other mods but it's the only one I've ever seen that looks nice. They seem to appeal to none bikers, the amount of people that say to me "if I got a bike, I'd buy a Harley" is phenominal. To be fair though if they've never ridden anything it's all about the appearance and they do look........wk. No I don't get em.

RemaL

24,967 posts

233 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Sports biker rider here wink

I like them, rides them in the US. would I buy in the UK no.
But a bike is a bike.

Not a fan of scooters though