Not only can't they corner

[cheshirecat]

but straight lines give them problems

Harleys (http://www.visordown.com/snippets/americans/17320.html)

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

[paturoa]

Morons ride all sorts of bikes.

In the last couple of years I've trippled my following distances.

(note that I'm assuming that I'm not a moron!)

[MIXONE]

That just proves you get fuckwits riding every sort of bike.

[short-circuit]

Even with the replays and extended explanation I still cannot fathom how the fuck that plonker managed that. Oh and I'm no ATGATT preacher but if you are that retarded you may as well do as little damage to yourself as possible when the inevitable happens

[rustic101]

So based off the crash analysis it was the lack of 'rider skills' rather than the type of bike.

[breakaway]

I honestly can't wrap my head around what just happened in that video, no matter how many times I watch it.

[gammaguy]

group riding

bad idea

[Jantar]

Just the one muppet. Look how skilled the other riders are, even riding in reverse while waving. :blink:

[Flip]

but straight lines give them problems

Harleys (http://www.visordown.com/snippets/americans/17320.html)

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

All honda riders are homo's.

No problem.

[paturoa]

Just the one muppet. Look how skilled the other riders are, even riding in reverse while waving. :blink:

Are you sure they were hogs?

Seriously, waving, couldn't have been.

[carbonhed]

That's........................ quite an achievement really.

[Big Dave]

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

That's nothing to do with the bike, it's about the rider.

So I'll have a go on their behalf. Have you ever ridden a Harley?

It really (they don't corner) is one of the great myths I read on here all the time. I get several to ride for an extended period every year and have been doing so for for the last 10 years. Modern harleys handle great - for the type of bike. The Softtails have limited ground clearance, but so does everything else in that class. Its road holding and stability are fine. They have Showa suspension, highly evolved chassis on the Touring rigs - which have OK ground clearance for the class of bike, a lot feature Brembo or Nissin Brakes and they have a really nice road-bike engine that is very reliable, economical and cheap to service.

I would describe the Super Glide I just finished testing as 'quite squirty' and really enjoyed tossing the bike around.

Barrel that. :-0

[cold comfort]

Stunning-i particularly like the way the bike stands up by itself and wobbles happily on its way once released from the idiot rider

[davebullet]

It all ended happily anyway... When I played the video they all got back on their bikes toward the end (although they seemed to be riding backwards :confused: )

[cheshirecat]

That's nothing to do with the bike, it's about the rider.

Have you ever ridden a Harley?

yes - several including the V Rod and what passes for a sportser. I've never had my VFR give any hint of unsafe handlng despite all sorts of silly situations I've put it through.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=232529&d=1298017784
and yes that is a plant in the pic

[Laava]

What a learner!

[SMOKEU]

In the commentary the person sounds like a chick having an orgasm in a porn movie at one stage.

Typical Harley muppets, they think that just because they're piloting a heavy, overpriced, ill handling vehicle that they're invincible and don't need to take proper safety precautions (like wearing proper riding gear). Sort of like many SUV drivers.

[Big Dave]

yes - several


I added to the post cause it sounded angry and I wanted 'argumentative'. How old?

Last one I threw a leg over that was in any way agricultural was a early 2000's wide glide.

[Big Dave]

V-rod is a good point. I feel somewhat the same about the M109 and the other high powered cruisers. 120+ horses deserve better lean angles.

[Gremlin]

I don't know... it looks quite complex what with all the bumps, corners, painted lines, changes in surface, intersections, roundabouts, children, other foot traffic, crazy car drivers...

ummm... stuff.

[yod]

What a total fucking failure.

I was especially impressed with how magnificently his awesome leather vest protected his arms and hands as he cheese-grated his merry way down the road :facepalm:

[Conquiztador]

Throw crap as much as you like. That has nothing to do with the bikes.

The first one has already been analysed here.

The second one does partly what we in solo speedway do: Lay the bike down when there is a crash in the front. Best way to limit damage. BUT he forgets rule #1: Hold on to the bike!! It functions as your shield!

[RDJ]

but straight lines give them problems

Harleys (http://www.visordown.com/snippets/americans/17320.html)

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Done Deal's Gap yet my friend? once you have, then come back and roll out your barrel :yes:

[cheshirecat]

V-rod is a good point. I feel somewhat the same about the M109 and the other high powered cruisers. 120+ horses deserve better lean angles.
I tried selections during the Welly demo days and found them lacking to what my 16 year old VFR gives (power throughout the range, weight, build quality, handling etc etc). This is not to say they are bad bikes. Oddly enough I found the V Rods smoothness worked against it as it lacked character. Several of my friends ride Harleys and we give each other the usual inter bike shit. One has an Iron and I reckon it's a great bike and she loves it. The dog prefers the Honda but I felt the plant was glad just to get off the bike regardless of make.

[Big Dave]

Was it a follow the salesman ride? I heard that CWB rides like a girl anyway.

Build quality - Not with you on that one.

Admittedly I get press bikes - but often they don't get as thorough a PDI as customer's bikes, but Honda has no advantage on the bikes I've had, and that's a compliment to Honda.

[cheshirecat]

Done Deal's Gap yet my friend? once you have, then come back and roll out your barrel :yes:
No but I've done this on a CBX1000 and a CB750K2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YRHQsQ9XjI&feature=related

[RDJ]

Then you already know it's the rider not the brand...

[Spearfish]

That's nothing to do with the bike, it's about the rider.

So I'll have a go on their behalf. Have you ever ridden a Harley?

It really (they don't corner) is one of the great myths I read on here all the time. I get several to ride for an extended period every year and have been doing so for for the last 10 years. Modern harleys handle great - for the type of bike. The Softtails have limited ground clearance, but so does everything else in that class. Its road holding and stability are fine. They have Showa suspension, highly evolved chassis on the Touring rigs - which have OK ground clearance for the class of bike, a lot feature Brembo or Nissin Brakes and they have a really nice road-bike engine that is very reliable, economical and cheap to service.

I would describe the Super Glide I just finished testing as 'quite squirty' and really enjoyed tossing the bike around.

Barrel that. :-0

Just a quick question Big Dave.

Is some of the HD's poor handling reputation been built up from the customisation many bikes go through at the hands of their owners, especially as its mostly form over function, or is it just horses for courses and New Zealands courses aren't ideal for that particular horse?

[KiWiP]

I'm not convinced bike #2 lays it down. as I see it he just jumps off. and for no good reason either as there appears to be plenty of good road to steer around. Bike #3 manages this and he's not too far behind

[martybabe]

Even with the replays and extended explanation I still cannot fathom how the fuck that plonker managed that. Oh and I'm no ATGATT preacher but if you are that retarded you may as well do as little damage to yourself as possible when the inevitable happens


I honestly can't wrap my head around what just happened in that video, no matter how many times I watch it.


Thank gawd for that, I thought I was being a bit senior, no idea what occurred there :blink:

[cheshirecat]

Was it a follow the salesman ride? I heard that CWB rides like a girl anyway.

Build quality - Not with you on that one.

Admittedly I get press bikes - but often they don't get as thorough a PDI as customer's bikes, but Honda has no advantage on the bikes I've had, and that's a compliment to Honda.
A few couple of times I managed to escape - I was refering to my own 'onda re build quality which seems to be displaying less wear and tear than bikes half it's age.
Mind you it gets liberal quantities of Bell 6 in 1 at great expense.

[Conquiztador]

I'm not convinced bike #2 lays it down. as I see it he just jumps off. and for no good reason either as there appears to be plenty of good road to steer around. Bike #3 manages this and he's not too far behind


I buy that. I did not try to excuse his actions. He could easily have gone past. My point was; if you are gonna lay down the bike, hold on to the fucker!

[Big Dave]

Just a quick question Big Dave.

Is some of the HD's poor handling reputation been built up from the customisation many bikes go through at the hands of their owners, especially as its mostly form over function, or is it just horses for courses and New Zealands courses aren't ideal for that particular horse?

Hmmm - I'd certainly attribute the unreliability thing to bolt on horsepower and buying from the S&S catalogue one component at a time. Keep 'em pretty stock and they will go as long as most.

And yeah - raking them out and changing the trail reduces the cornering geometry even more. It's a pretty broad brush to generalise though. A Fat Boy isn't the best choice for SH22, but it's pretty phat riding around town and cruising SH1 without stressing on the blue and reds. Everyone has different ideals. XR1200X tips in pretty good. The FXDX was a very nice steerer.

But I really liked the Super Glide and its road manners. It can do the 70kph posted corners at 100 and the 60s at 95 if asked, and I enjoyed doing it. In fact I liked the way it handled. Getting a cheek off the saddle tickled my happy spot a lot.

[KiWiP]

My point was; if you are gonna lay down the bike, hold on to the fucker!

True

Also applies to wild women, angry dogs and buttered bull sharks...

[robo555]

A perfect example of why Hardley riders don't wave. Look what happens when they try.

[Brian d marge]

Was it a follow the salesman ride? I heard that CWB rides like a girl anyway.

Build quality - Not with you on that one.

Admittedly I get press bikes - but often they don't get as thorough a PDI as customer's bikes, but Honda has no advantage on the bikes I've had, and that's a compliment to Honda.


I have done a couple of press bike for Honda back in the day ,,,they were given the royal treatment ,,,

Chiswick , used to really go over them before release ,,,

Times may have changed though ,,,,,

Stephen

delicate and refined are two words I am struggling to use when thinking about American Engineering

[Jdogg]

Done Deal's Gap yet my friend? once you have, then come back and roll out your barrel :yes:


What, like this you mean???:shutup::facepalm:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZFpIpaFMlc

[skippa1]

Haha......no gloves.......:weird:

[Kickaha]

My point was; if you are gonna lay down the bike, hold on to the fucker!

Dumb idea

Best thing to do is get clear of it

[KiWiP]

hold on to the fucker!


Best thing to do is get clear of it

Now the analogy with a quality but dangerous woman is clear. So I feel qualified to state that the correct course of action is to hurl yourself underneath her and hope for the best. You may come out of it destroyed but while the slim chance of a future quality ride remains it will ultimately be the right decision.

[porky]

Not the bike.... it managed to right itself and hold a pretty good line once it ditched the rider....

As has been said that second guy didnt lay that bike down... i recon he clipped the rider in front.. following to close ????

[steve_t]

Haha......no gloves.......:weird:

At least the guy had a helmet, albeit an open face one. As the bike hits him and mashes his face into the road, I'll bet he was wishing he had a full face. Aren't helmets optional in America? Or is that just state by state?

[scumdog]

At least the guy had a helmet, albeit an open face one. As the bike hits him and mashes his face into the road, I'll bet he was wishing he had a full face. Aren't helmets optional in America? Or is that just state by state?

And the guy wearing the full-face helmet about to hit the back of a truck probably wishes he was driving a car... and the guy in his Mini ploughing into the Land-cruiser probably wishes he was driving a Hino truck..where do you stop??

And helmet laws vary from state-to-state - and take it from me, if you arse-off on the interstate the fact you have no helmet/open-face/full face whatever will have a slim bearing on your survival, by the time 15 cars/truck travelling in the same direction barrel over your body you won't care...

[scumdog]

but straight lines give them problems

Harleys (http://www.visordown.com/snippets/americans/17320.html)

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.


Hmm..there's a barrel full of fish for any motorbike type you can think of........ :yes:

[steve_t]

And the guy wearing the full-face helmet about to hit the back of a truck probably wishes he was driving a car... and the guy in his Mini ploughing into the Land-cruiser probably wishes he was driving a Hino truck..where do you stop??

And helmet laws vary from state-to-state - and take it from me, if you arse-off on the interstate the fact you have no helmet/open-face/full face whatever will have a slim bearing on your survival, by the time 15 cars/truck travelling in the same direction barrel over your body you won't care...

LOL. Why do you need to extrapolate to an unrelated scenario? All I was saying is in this particular instance a full face helmet would have saved this guy from scraping his face on the ground.
Yes I agree that if 15 cars/trucks run you over that it doesn't matter what type of helmet you're wearing. Take it from you? Did you get run over on the interstate?
So, are you saying that you don't think helmets are effective pieces of safety equipment?

Over 11,000 now for us drongos :innocent:

[KiWiP]

Not the bike.... it managed to right itself and hold a pretty good line once it ditched the rider....

Again the woman analogy works :yes:

[YellowDog]

Having watched the video, it is hard to believe that there was no mechanical failure of the front forks OR no alcohol or drugs involved.

How can you come off your bike whilst riding in a straight line?

Even with no hands, the bike would continue straight :no:

[avgas]

shit happens.

Liked the "remix" part though

[gammaguy]

Stunning-i particularly like the way the bike stands up by itself and wobbles happily on its way once released from the idiot rider

which just proves that harleys have a lot of gyroscopic inherent stability,and resistance to tipping over

should be harder to crash

right?:innocent:

[Nonbeliever]

alcohol or drugs involved.

bingo!

he's probably just left the pub where theyve been parked up for a couple hours drinking and consuming who knows what? I guess he didnt make it to the next pub, 5 miles up the road where he could park up and try improve his tough guy / badass image.

harley: ride to park, park to be seen

[sinfull]

But I really liked the Super Glide and its road manners. It can do the 70kph posted corners at 100 and the 60s at 95 if asked, and I enjoyed doing it. In fact I liked the way it handled. Getting a cheek off the saddle tickled my happy spot a lot.

Having just done the deed to my 93, front to back with new swing arm rubbers, shocks, tickled the forks up etc etc, it's back to where it would/should be as new and yes the grin factor is way up there !
Of course i had to push the boundaries and see how it felt at double the posted corners, (of course i don't have to be as PC as you on here) the word rails comes to mind !

That vid has me fucked also, how he seemed to leap off the dresser after what looked like a failure !

[Virago]

but straight lines give them problems

Harleys (http://www.visordown.com/snippets/americans/17320.html)

sorry to HD owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Not only are all Hondas a piece of shit, but their gay riders can't even stand still on them without crashing...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fNin0ATI6Zg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

sorry to Honda owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel...

[awayatc]

just another waving thread.......

Maybe waving should be tested at Basic handling skills?

Or wait....let's make waving illegal

[KiWiP]

just another waving thread.......

There's another one out there? :gob:

[cheshirecat]

Not only are all Hondas a piece of shit, but their gay riders can't even stand still on them without crashing...

sorry to Honda owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel...
Yeah yeah yeah - and we all ride these
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/return-of-the-honda-motocompo/17328.html

[schrodingers cat]

sorry to Honda owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel...

When the guy holding the camera says "Your dad's gunna be pissed off with you' what he means is that:
1. Dad will pissed his son is a homo
2. Dad knows with his sons lack of ability he should just get a Harley. That way he could remain closetted as well

[Big Dave]

sorry to Honda owners but it is like shooting fish in a barrel...

You are a mile away and you have his shoes.

[Smifffy]

In the commentary the person sounds like a chick having an orgasm in a porn movie at one stage.


You must watch crap porn.

[Oscar]

Just the one muppet. Look how skilled the other riders are, even riding in reverse while waving. :blink:

Two muppets actually.
The second guy goes down in a similar fashion to the first - for no apparent reason.

Wow. Talk about more money than sense (or is it more money than coordination?). However, I don't think that falling off in a straight line, in the dry and with no outside assistance is down to a particular marque. These guys shouldn't be allowed sharp scissors...:facepalm:

[Grubber]

group riding

bad idea

when you ride with Auckland HOG i would have to agree. Bunch of the idiots pushed thier way across 2 lanes of traffic in front of me the other day. On the brakes hard out in a 44 ton truck with no where to go.


Done Deal's Gap yet my friend? once you have, then come back and roll out your barrel :yes:

Was going to mention the video that i have since seen turn up.


Just a quick question Big Dave.

Is some of the HD's poor handling reputation been built up from the customisation many bikes go through at the hands of their owners, especially as its mostly form over function, or is it just horses for courses and New Zealands courses aren't ideal for that particular horse?

Would agree there is a certain amount of this. On the other hand, i spent around $3000 trying get some form of Handling out of my Wideglide and it still disappointed me. Off the showroom floor it was an absolute disaster. Not sure what you actually mean by "they handle well for what they are" type of thing. I expected a hell of a lot more than what i got for my nearly $30g.

[Robert Taylor]

Morons ride all sorts of bikes.

In the last couple of years I've trippled my following distances.

(note that I'm assuming that I'm not a moron!)

With a decent set of rear shocks, Race Tech emulators and springs in the front and careful attention to geometry they can in fact be made to handle very well. A lot of my Harley customers will testify to that.
Plenty of other brands of bike need such attention as well.

There re plenty of Japanese bike dealers whod love to be able to sell Harleys at present, they actually give dealers profit.....

[Spearfish]

Would agree there is a certain amount of this. On the other hand, i spent around $3000 trying get some form of Handling out of my Wideglide and it still disappointed me. Off the showroom floor it was an absolute disaster. Not sure what you actually mean by "they handle well for what they are" type of thing. I expected a hell of a lot more than what i got for my nearly $30g.

At 30 grand I would to, especially after another 3 on top.

What year was yours, and would you say as a rider you would expect to push your own boundarys more often than finding the bikes (maybe to early), rather than just cruising, if you don't mind the questions?

[Big Dave]

when you ride with Auckland HOG i would have to agree. Bunch of the idiots pushed thier way across 2 lanes of traffic in front of me the other day. On the brakes hard out in a 44 ton truck with no where to go.



Was going to mention the video that i have since seen turn up.



Would agree there is a certain amount of this. On the other hand, i spent around $3000 trying get some form of Handling out of my Wideglide and it still disappointed me. Off the showroom floor it was an absolute disaster. Not sure what you actually mean by "they handle well for what they are" type of thing. I expected a hell of a lot more than what i got for my nearly $30g.

Like I said too - the last harley I rode that was 'agricultural' was a wide glide. The new ones ('10+) are reasonable tight. Still a raked cruiser, but 'good for one of them'.

As for the 08/09 Touring Chassis onwards - Super Glide, Ultra, Road King. They tip as good as any in class.

[MarkH]

I watched the video and my first thought was: "I wonder how long he's had his license for?".
I believe that in the US of A you don't need to buy a bike like a 250cc learner type thing for your first bike - you can get a bike license and buy a Hayabusa or a Harley or a GSXR-1000.

I think that the rider of Bike 1 and probably the rider of Bike 2 also were noobs, in NZ they would probably have been on GN250s or something similar.

[Grubber]

Like I said too - the last harley I rode that was 'agricultural' was a wide glide. The new ones ('10+) are reasonable tight. Still a raked cruiser, but 'good for one of them'.

As for the 08/09 Touring Chassis onwards - Super Glide, Ultra, Road King. They tip as good as any in class.

I always notice that you put "they tip as good as any in class". Hmmmm...what class is that exactly??
Went for a ride on a very recent sporty and a superglide thingy. Sporty was not too bad but the other was very much De ja vu.

Video in OP is definitely the dickhead on the back. Think any bike would have been dead with him on it. Still not sure how the hell he did it though.:facepalm:

[Grubber]

At 30 grand I would to, especially after another 3 on top.

What year was yours, and would you say as a rider you would expect to push your own boundarys more often than finding the bikes (maybe to early), rather than just cruising, if you don't mind the questions?

Questions are good.
Firstly it was a matter of slow cruise home from Welly to Auckland only to find that the rear stepped out on nearly every corner. Definately not pushing it at all as most of it was done a night so was reasonably cautious i thought.
As i got more used to it i expected to see some change but it just got worse. Hence the $3000 spent. It did swing round corners much better but at the loss of some comfort.
I kinda thought after spending $30g that i was buying a bike that should have gone to the moon on one wheel but was really dissapointed that it was quite so bad.
Age. First one was 1995 and tried again many years later with one of the new engine s etc and it was just as bad as the first.
Can see what your trying to say here. Would have been my first questions too.

[Spearfish]

Questions are good.
Firstly it was a matter of slow cruise home from Welly to Auckland only to find that the rear stepped out on nearly every corner. Definately not pushing it at all as most of it was done a night so was reasonably cautious i thought.
As i got more used to it i expected to see some change but it just got worse. Hence the $3000 spent. It did swing round corners much better but at the loss of some comfort.
I kinda thought after spending $30g that i was buying a bike that should have gone to the moon on one wheel but was really dissapointed that it was quite so bad.
Age. First one was 1995 and tried again many years later with one of the new engine s etc and it was just as bad as the first.
Can see what your trying to say here. Would have been my first questions too.


Great, thanks for the answers.

[cheshirecat]

Apologies apologies to all you HD riders - I've been under the wrong impression all these years.

Today on a jount over the Masterton to get my Continental RA Mk2 bedded in, no less than 5 Harley riders waved to me including some dude with the architype German WW2 helmet. (that really threw me) My little world will never be the same.

Or is there another reason?

[Big Dave]

I always notice that you put "they tip as good as any in class". Hmmmm...what class is that exactly??


Super-heavyweights.

Including Metric Cruisers over 1600cc, Rocket III and Thunderbird, Gold Wing, Victory Tourers, any of the large capacity 'behemoths'.

They all handle and work well - till the size and girth of the vehicle limits how far it can lean over. That's why I always put the proviso. The comparison is conditional.

There must have been something wrong with the Super Glide or it was a pre-current touring Chassis rig. From my experience anyhoo.

Every touring chassis vehicle (quite a few) I've tested has been first rate. Solid, stable and planted over undulating surfaces, maneuverable and actually quite confidence inspiring, with one ABS finger brakes.

[jafar]

Done Deal's Gap yet my friend? once you have, then come back and roll out your barrel :yes:

I've done deals gap. Got the tee shirt to prove it too :woohoo:

Ive stood under the parts tree, seen the truck they take away the dead bikes with & spoken to the driver of it too. :whocares:
A 45 foot long semi loaded with dead & dying bikes, it is the guys main living picking them up from deals gap & taking them to asheville to get them sorted out.:rockon:

Do I get a barrel too ?:corn:

[RDJ]

I've done deals gap. Got the tee shirt to prove it too :woohoo:

Do I get a barrel too ?:corn:

You've again proven it's the rider not the bike...

[jafar]

You've again proven it's the rider not the bike...

Correct, it is the rider that pushes the machine, the bikes @ deals gap were a vast range of types & models from nearly every manufacturer . Most of the ones going on the wrecker were of the sports variety though. Plenty of harleys & other cruisers were there having a good day out & none crashed that I saw:yes:.

[paturoa]

With a decent set of rear shocks, Race Tech emulators and springs in the front and careful attention to geometry they can in fact be made to handle very well. A lot of my Harley customers will testify to that.
Plenty of other brands of bike need such attention as well.

There re plenty of Japanese bike dealers whod love to be able to sell Harleys at present, they actually give dealers profit.....

What do you have for the bit between the ears?