Harley question...

[5-Shot]

This post is going to sound like I'm looking for trouble. I assure you, I'm not. It was prompted by Shooboy's news concerning his new Kawasaki (congratulations by the way, I came very close to buying its clone a few months ago). His thread kept drifting over to Harleys.

I began begging rides on bikes in 1950 and and by 1966 was able to buy my own first bike. Since then, I have never been without at least one bike in the garage and at one time there were eight. Today, at age 68 I ride about 8,000 miles a year...all of which are on twisty mountain back roads. During all those years I have never owned a Harley and have only ridden three. I simply do not understand their appeal.

Clearly, more people like them than don't so I am forced to suspect the misunderstanding in on my part. Could you Harley fans PLEASE explain to me what it is you like about them. One of my best friends in the world is a long time Harley devotee and when I ask him, he just looks at me sadly and says, "If I have to explain it, you'll never understand." Perhaps he's right.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[dasnake]

sorry

your buddy is right, there is just something about a hog, and as for the twisty turny, i have an "old" '84 that i have redone and at 64 i can swing through the turns as fast as i want.

 

[Bob R]

"If I have to explain it, you'll never understand"

Does that mean he really doesn't know why he is such a HD fan other than the mystique of riding a HD? Is there a mystique? I don't think so. But I could also be a poor misunderstanding individual.

I started riding when I was 12 on a Cushman, which soon became a Vespa and when I got my first license at 14 (Oklahoma) I moved on to real Japanese bikes. I had a succession of Honda's, Yamaha's and Kawas. Then I discovered British bikes and fell in love with them, electrical quirks and all. I had several Triumphs, a couple of BSA's and finally an Norton 850. Every penny I ever made as a teenager went to motorcycles. Then when I joined the Navy I had even more money for them.

After the Norton I went back to Japanese bikes because that was where the speed was. I had a Suzuki GS1100E because it was fast and handled well. I then went to a Honda Hurricane 1000. As the first 10 second quarter mile bike off of the showroom floor it met my needs for a long time. So long in fact that I kept it to this day. I am getting it worked over right now for the summer. Hopefully it will be done very soon. I was surprised at Shoo's bike, my 1988 Honda 1000 puts out the same horsepower as his, but falls short compared to his torque. I guess they have decided 135'ish HP is where a liter bike belongs and have just refined the rest of the bike over the last 23 years.

But anyways, back to the original question. I have never felt the urge to have a Harley, or any cruiser type for that matter. I am also not too fond of the layed over the tank crotch rockets. I like the position a sport tourer or traditional bike gives you. I have no desire to make enough noise to be heard in the next county and I like to be able to ride 150 miles or so, fill up and keep going without having to walk of any cramps or vibration fatigue. Trust me, I know about vibration, I rode British twins for a long time.

Wow, this got long, so I may as well throw a picture up of my Hurricane. This was about 3 years ago when I was going to sell it but the buyer backed out. It is the same today.

bob (looking towards Germany for his next bike)

 

[mkk41]

To each his own. Since you can't see any logic in anothers taste different from yours , they must be idiots , right?

Some people love Corvettes , some love Cadillacs , some will drive nothing but a pickup truck. I own 5 Harleys , ranging from 1944 to 1997. My current daily ride is a 1997 ex-Police Roadking. I probably ride 10,000 -15,000 miles a year , divided between them. I've rode them on highways and dirt roads. Any of them will do well past posted speed limits.
In the past , I've also owned fast sport bikes , and raced at club and semi-pro levels.
Unless yer riding like an idiot at way too fast speeds , or flying thru blind turns on 'twisty' roads , sport bikes are generally uncomfortable and not much fun for daily commuting. I can carry lots of 'stuff' in my saddlebags or on the racks , don't feel the need to dress like a multi-colored leather and nylon encased clown , trying to look like a pro-racer. Riding a motorcycle on public roads is not a 'sport'. Get seriously hurt riding at warp 2 , going nowhere fast a few times and see how yer tastes change. And sign yer organ donor card.

There's parallels in firearms ownership too.

Some people like single action revolvers , and single shot rifles. Today's urban commando doesn't find any use or appeal in anything but the latest high capacity , semi-automatic , black plastic wonder weapon. I can tell their commitment to good marksmanship and responsible firearms handling by how the target stands are chewed up at the range and piles of casings left behind.

 

[gamedic]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I'm like you and don't get the appeal, but I am more performance oriented about my bikes. I am not a fan of the air cooled v twin. I like the liquid cooled engine in the Harley V rod. I wish Harley would put that engine in a bagger. I love the Street Glide and the Road Glide. Those bikes are gorgeous, but way to heavy for that engine. Those Harley guys don't want to go fast anyway. I have always liked bikes that are a little different than most. Shooboy I love your new bike.

 

[cal50]

Torque and the sound and feel of the big V twin. It's like a radial aircraft engine, unique and nothing else quite like it. I sold mine (Harley) and ended up getting a dual sport enduro (Honda 650L). It aint a Harley but it suits my riding style better. I like all bikes and love to ride.

 

[mkk41]

Torque and the sound and feel of the big V twin. It's like a radial aircraft engine, unique and nothing else quite like it.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I haven't ridden in years, and when I did, I rode a horizontal twin BMW R69S. I would still prefer that, but I can see at least two major attractions of a hawg, without even setting my butt on one. The first is the sound. I just like the sound of a Harley V-twin (74, in my time). The second is the simplicity of the engine, which, of course, was true of most other bikes 45 years ago.

They have plenty of drawbacks, but the attractions are obvious to me.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have a couple freinds that live and breathe Harley.

I could never understand why but they are happy.

Before I gave up bikes I had a Goldwing. Fast enough. Comfortable. And plenty of room in the saddle bags.

 

[mkk41]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I'm like you and don't get the appeal, but I am more performance oriented about my bikes. I am not a fan of the air cooled v twin. I like the liquid cooled engine in the Harley V rod. I wish Harley would put that engine in a bagger. I love the Street Glide and the Road Glide. Those bikes are gorgeous, but way to heavy for that engine. Those Harley guys don't want to go fast anyway. I have always liked bikes that are a little different than most. Shooboy I love your new bike.

Sooo , as an EMT , how many sportbikes and riders doing dumb stuff do ya scoop up compared to Harleys. Not saying that there ain't idiots on Harleys , and certainly alcohol has it's part in both.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Sooo , as an EMT , how many sportbikes and riders doing dumb stuff do ya scoop up compared to Harleys. Not saying that there ain't idiots on Harleys , and certainly alcohol has it's part in both.

It's an age thing. The younger generation likes the sport bikes. Older guys like Harleys.

How many of us felt invincible when we were younger? And there are many more sport bikes out there. So it's really not a fair comparison.

 

[Fishslayer]

One of my best friends in the world is a long time Harley devotee and when I ask him, he just looks at me sadly and says, "If I have to explain it, you'll never understand." Perhaps he's right.

Thanks,
Ed

He's right. Although the reason for that saying is that there is no logical reason anybody would want one. Well, there is one. Chicks!

I've owned my '78 Shovelhead since 1980. As a means of getting from point A to point B...ummm... let's say there are better tools for the job.
But they're fun to ride. They have class. They have history. They're bad***! There is a brotherhood of the old school.

My beef is with the RUB (Rich Urban Bikers) that found out the Evo Harleys didn't leak oil & were actually pretty reliable. They wouldn't get their precious manicured hands dirty turning a wrench. So they cashed in on the "Bad Boy Biker" image of the '60's & 70's. Bolt on a couple grand of useless billet & plastic chrome garbage & call me "bro." I don't think so, "bro."

I worked as a Harley wrench for a few years & got to ride all the new stuff in the 90's. The rubber mount engines are the absolute chiznit!

Try 'em. Ya might like 'em. As for all the imports, they might fool a high school girl for a minute.

This is me in another life...

 

[mkk41]

It's an age thing. The younger generation likes the sport bikes. Older guys like Harleys.

How many of us felt invincible when we were younger? And there are many more sport bikes out there. So it's really not a fair comparison.

No doubt! Got my first Harley Sportster at 16. Owned at least 1 Harley ever since. I even got rear-ended the day I passed my M/C test.

Owned a few fast Jap bikes ('83 GS1100ES , '86 GSXR-750) after I got out of the Navy , but as I stated before , they weren't much fun on the streets unless I was 'pushing the envelope'. And I did get hurt a few times , and saw a few friend get hurt , and some die. On both types of bikes. Some their/my fault , most due to drivers violating our right of way. And with more and more urban sprawl and the accompaning traffic , hardly a day goes by without a close call , even in the 5mi ride going to work in the morning. And at 51 , I don't heal as well as I used to.

However , with todays mass media , 'stunt riding' has become very popular among the younger kids. Videos are all over YouTube and TV. Again , this has no place on public roads.

 

[Marshwheeling]

I'm not going to be able to help you, Bob. I have been riding for 45 years, on just about all the well-known brands, and several obscure ones, somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 miles (200k of that on a /5 BMW I bought new in 1972). I have ridden a lot of Harleys over the years, but never ridden one that I could live with.

 

[mkk41]

I have ridden a lot of Harleys over the years, but never ridden one that I could live with.

That's why I own 5! Hopefully I'll get a few more before I die.

Bobbers , choppers , dressers , it's like having a harem!

Life is good when the hardest decision of the day is which motorcycle to ride.

 

[Faulkner]

One thing is for sure, the Motor Company spends more on marketing in the US than Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha combined, and it works. Also makes a lot of money on accesories and T-shirts, a lot of people will pull off the interestate to get a local Harley T-shirt . . . you don't see typically see that happening at the local Suzuki shop.

I have a 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Classic and I love it. I didn't buy it because it was a Harley and I shopped around for a couple of years before I bought it, but I think it's a very good bike that does well what I like to do, which is touring. I'm not into the whole Harley culture thing and I think it's well past time for Harley to start putting water cooled engines on it's baggers, but my Harley is good, quality bike.

I also have two Suzuki's (C50 and a VStrom) and they have some advantages (mainly water cooled engines), and they are cheaper to maintain and buy parts and accessories for. But, Harley doesn't advertise as a low budget product, so folks who say they aren't worth the extra money should buy a metric bike they like and be happy with it.

 

[Big Cholla]

5-Shot; quote,"Clearly, more people like them than don't so I am forced to suspect the misunderstanding in on my part. Could you Harley fans PLEASE explain to me what it is you like about them. One of my best friends in the world is a long time Harley devotee and when I ask him, he just looks at me sadly and says, "If I have to explain it, you'll never understand." Perhaps he's right."

I have been riding first motor scooters then motorcycles since I was 8 years of age. I now own my 38th and 40th two-wheelers. The 39th was traded in on the 40th. Of those bikes four have been Harleys. I started as a dedicated desert racer and that fascination lasted thru about bike No. 33 or 34. Then I started riding on the street. I was riding dual sport Honda XRs and was quite happy. Then one day a young lady passed me riding a Harley Sportster. I thought that looks like fun and I sure like the way they sound. I bought my first Sportster the next day. Sure enough I got caught up in the Harley mystic and progressed onward thru another Sportster, a Road King and my present Road Glide. The sheer 'presence' of a big Harley is impressive on its own. Adding the great sound and rideability makes for a real pleasure to ride and own. I recently toured with two friends up the California's central coast wine growing country. They were riding large Japanese sport bikes and were very familiar with the roads. They were amazed at my demonstrated ability to keep up with them thru those twisty roads while riding a full bagger Harley Road Glide. I also had to laugh at their disgust at every lunch or gas stop when passerbys would wander over to my bike while ignoring their bikes and start up a conversation about Harleys and/or riding motorcycles.

I have now added a Suzuki V-Strom with a complete luggage rack as my 'Around Town Grocery Getter'. It does a great job on the LV freeways and does it while getting 55 mpg. Yesterday afternoon I went about 6 miles to a special market and brought back one small ingredient my wife needed for a new-to-us entrée for dinner. Tomorrow I am riding to Kingman, AZ to look at a lathe that I am interested in. For that trip I will ride the Harley Road Glide.

My riding partner rides a Harley Road King. Both of our bikes are equipped with Bub exhaust headers and mufflers. On a road trip we vie to see who gets to ride "trail" because the rider in back gets to listen to both of the bikes exhaust note and not just the one he is riding.

My suggestion is to haunt the Harley Dealers near you and ride all the demonstrators they will allow and then catch the actual H-D Factory truckload of demos the next time it is near your location. Spend a morning or an afternoon riding. You will soon learn if a Harley is for you or not. ............... Big Cholla

 

[66TAS]

Because you like vanilla. You will never like Harleys or most likely Ducati's because they arent vanilla enough for you. You are practical, and you can ride a bike that does every thing, and more, that a Harley will do for less money and with less flash. Its OK, just be vanilla.

 

[mod29]

Wow, this got long, so I may as well throw a picture up of my Hurricane. This was about 3 years ago when I was going to sell it but the buyer backed out. It is the same today.

To my way of thinking, that Honda Hurricane looks pretty close to the perfect bike. You should hang on to that, I'm sure you'll get a lot more years and miles out of it.

-Jim

 

[mkk41]

I have a 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Classic and I love it.

Here ya go. Now while that dresser is perfect for a trip to California , or two-up down the Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline drive , it's not a backroad racer , or would it be good for commuting to work if it's a short trip. For me , it's a bit too much for around town.

My ex-Police RoadKing has the windshield and trunk that I can pop on in seconds for long trips , but usually it looks like this.

It's comfortable , and though big and heavy (730lbs), with good brakes and fuel injection , it'll still out handle , out brake and out accelerate most cars. That's why cops use 'em.

Even without the trunk (TourPak)I can stop by the Giant on the way home from work and get a weeks worth of eats in those big hardbags and a case of my favorite beverage bungeed on the rack.

Though it was my daily ride for over 20 years of day to day riding , it's now semi-retired in favor of the above cop bike , I still love my trusty ol' 1968 Electra-Glide.

With throw-over bags , I can carry day to day essentials like my lunch in the morning , jacket , rain gear and other stuff. Bungee net and cords in that bags will attach anything else I might pick up. Have a passenger pad that clips on the luggage rack that most gals found rather plush. I've also got the windshield , hard bags and trunk for it too. But the old girl just doesn't have the steam for sustained modern highway (85mph) speeds , and the cable-operated drum front brake is a joke. Anti-lock? These are more like anti-stop. It's much happier at 55-65. That's it's sweet spot. Yeah , it's 'maintenance intensive' , but with a mechanic that knows his stuff (me!) old Harleys can be as reliable as a hammer. And just LOOK at her! She's gorgeous! Never fails to get compliments and attention wherever we go.

Loud , obnoxious , uncomfortable , ill-mannered , evil handling , tempermental , but FAST and good looking , my total custom (built by me) 1950 Panhead chopper doesn't do much well beside shred the rear tire and set off car alarms , but leaves me with a mile wide smile everytime we make it home alive. 93 cubic inches , 5 speeds , FAST , lightweight with great brakes , ya can't carry much of anything. It's a stoplight terror. But with it's rigid frame , it's definatey NOT something for a long highway trip or even a short one on rough roads! Passenger accomodations are downright cruel!

We'll do the basketcase '44 Flathead and Dads 95% original '55 Pan another time.