Does anyone at all here like Harleys?
Discussion
LordFlathead said:
Going back to the Livewire, it really needs to lose £10k off the price to become competitive. At £30k the kids can't afford it and old-'uns don't want it so they have missed a trick. These will become very collectable as first editions going forwards.
The price I agree will be the sticking point, when it's one of the most expensive bikes in the whole Harley product range.https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/...
A few years back i had a 2009 883 sportster and mostly used it to commute into London. As others say was mostly trouble free and efficient in filtering. Mine was completely stock, so not too loud. I regret selling for not a lot of money but always had limited space and time (and money).
I was bikeless for the past couple of years and was looking what to get that could do a bit of commute and be characterful for fun ride in the weekend.
Like the spoked wheels traditional looks and comfy position.
A lot of HD have been blacked out with solid wheels unfortunately so I went for a Honda CB1100EX instead this time. The Honda feel night and day smoother with better suspension and dependable. The V2 is no doubt characterful though.
I was bikeless for the past couple of years and was looking what to get that could do a bit of commute and be characterful for fun ride in the weekend.
Like the spoked wheels traditional looks and comfy position.
A lot of HD have been blacked out with solid wheels unfortunately so I went for a Honda CB1100EX instead this time. The Honda feel night and day smoother with better suspension and dependable. The V2 is no doubt characterful though.
hiccy18 said:
I was looking forward to your post on this thread. 
150k miles is more than most bikers will do in their lives.
So in essence you find them comfy, reliable and do the job you ask of them well whilst enjoying how they look and feel? Sounds like damn fine value too.
Cheers bud - I know, there's always one and that one is normally me! Your summary is pretty much bang on, although I'd add "generally" to the "reliable" statement; but unlike a lot of bikes, where they are based on pretty old technology then are fairly easy to wrench on yourself with basic tools and a bit of patience. 150k miles is more than most bikers will do in their lives.So in essence you find them comfy, reliable and do the job you ask of them well whilst enjoying how they look and feel? Sounds like damn fine value too.
Ultimately I enjoy myself on it and it is substantially cheaper, faster, and more fun than the train - even during the middle of winter when its cold and wet. Plus they also hold value pretty well so when you fancy a change or they do finally die, you can get decent value back on them for salvage as there is always a good market for 2nd hand parts.
One thing I will digress on is the whole HD (and cruisers in general) fancy for spoked wheels - it's the one big change I've made on every crusier that I've ever owned and ditched those likea sack of yesterdays turds and added solids/mags - sure the spokes look great but they are a nightmare to maintain and I don't have the patience to patch/replace tubes every few months when I pick up the odd nail or screw.
Bob_Defly said:
LordFlathead said:
Going back to the Livewire, it really needs to lose £10k off the price to become competitive. At £30k the kids can't afford it and old-'uns don't want it so they have missed a trick. These will become very collectable as first editions going forwards.
No they won't, it's not like an NA engine. Nobody wants old battery tech, it becomes unserviceable.It's the image for me. Pure irrational prejudice. I suppose I can sort of see it on Sunset Boulevard or cruising across Arizona but a bunch of accountants blurting around Whitley Bay dressed as a Hells Angels inspires pity and scorn in me, for some reason. In a way that a bunch of accountants trying to emulate Valentino Rossi on a B road or recreating the Paris Dakar doesn't. Nothing against accountants.
That said a friend of mine bought one which he was very proud of, and while I still think he looks a bit of clown riding around on it like easy rider it is a beautiful thing in its own right. Hardly any plastic or electronics, nice low revving throaty, mechanical sound. Yes the chrome is over the top, but so are the racing decals and the Paris Dakar claims so if you enjoy it why not?
Most bikers are living out some sort of fantasy. If you can be Barry Sheen, Evel Knievel or Fonzerelli why not Mr Harley? Good luck to them.
That said a friend of mine bought one which he was very proud of, and while I still think he looks a bit of clown riding around on it like easy rider it is a beautiful thing in its own right. Hardly any plastic or electronics, nice low revving throaty, mechanical sound. Yes the chrome is over the top, but so are the racing decals and the Paris Dakar claims so if you enjoy it why not?
Most bikers are living out some sort of fantasy. If you can be Barry Sheen, Evel Knievel or Fonzerelli why not Mr Harley? Good luck to them.
Davel said:
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Most bikers are living out some sort of fantasy. If you can be Barry Sheen, Evel Knievel or Fonzerelli why not Mr Harley? Good luck to them.
Can't agree with that at all...There may be some - but most ?
Nearly everyone else is doing it for fun, and the vast majority nowhere near the limits if their machines.
I do it for fun but not bothered about the tassles and leather chaps - nor the BMW Tw4t suite.
And I'd look a right tit in a leather suit...
It's also great for getting through the traffic and much more involving than my car.
Yes a 125 might work but I don't want one of those, just like there are certain cars I could make do with but don't want to.
Where would PH be without our ability to choose what we like or want.
Point taken though.
And I'd look a right tit in a leather suit...
It's also great for getting through the traffic and much more involving than my car.
Yes a 125 might work but I don't want one of those, just like there are certain cars I could make do with but don't want to.
Where would PH be without our ability to choose what we like or want.
Point taken though.
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Nearly everyone else is doing it for fun, and the vast majority nowhere near the limits if their machines.
I agree most ride for fun and are riding nowhere near the capability of the machine (as are car drivers) not sure about the fantasy bit - mine would involve Xena or Lara Croft 
Oh I'm not knocking it, and I absolutely do the same thing myself. Bikes and cars.
I suppose the Harley image is just a bit more jarring because it's so ultra American. It would be like donning a stripey jumper and a string of onions to go for a bicycle ride.
Worth mentioning too that I l'm talking about the big, tassly jobs with chrome, flames and star spangles banners everywhere. There are less ostentatious Harleys too.
I suppose the Harley image is just a bit more jarring because it's so ultra American. It would be like donning a stripey jumper and a string of onions to go for a bicycle ride.
Worth mentioning too that I l'm talking about the big, tassly jobs with chrome, flames and star spangles banners everywhere. There are less ostentatious Harleys too.
KTMsm said:
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Nearly everyone else is doing it for fun, and the vast majority nowhere near the limits if their machines.
I agree most ride for fun and are riding nowhere near the capability of the machine (as are car drivers) not sure about the fantasy bit - mine would involve Xena or Lara Croft Pothole said:
Bob_Defly said:
No they won't, it's not like an NA engine. Nobody wants old battery tech, it becomes unserviceable.
Surely as batteries get smaller and lighter they'll be be adaptable to power anything, old or new?Harley have sold absolute rubbish for years, with chrome and 'heritage' bs tacked on...Indian turned up (re appeared) and totally kicked their arses...apart from the awful image problem, line dancers wanting one etc...if i wanted a cruiser,a good choicefor a holiday ride, I would get an Indian on principle
The Indian flat tracker I would actually consider as a road bike, it seems great, I want to try one
The Indian flat tracker I would actually consider as a road bike, it seems great, I want to try one
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