And on a lighter note. A Harley. [Archive]

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 09:29

Recently completed the test on the new '07 Road King for the December Kiwi Rider (out mid Nov).

Don't let the 50's look fool ya (rider or bike) - wonderful motorcycle. Goes, stops, tips and handles like a modern bike should and is just a beautiful machine.

The 96 cube motor is a gem and a fantastic feel good bike to ride.

Try one before you knock 'em. I loved it.

My pics are here:
http://homepage.mac.com/david_cohen_design/PhotoAlbum18.html

This is one of osbornes for the test:

frogfeaturesFZR

27th October 2006, 09:35

Very nice BD, both bike & photo's :rockon:

TonyB

27th October 2006, 09:55

Goes, stops, tips and handles like a modern bike should and is just a beautiful machine.
Hmm, I begin to suspect that my long held beliefs about Harelys are as outdated as those of people who say "Jap bikes don't handle" because they didn't in the 70's and early 80's.

thehollowmen

27th October 2006, 10:04

My second choice in harley, as soon as I can get the dosh.

Very pretty

kiwifruit

27th October 2006, 10:06

looks classic

one day.....

Swoop

27th October 2006, 10:08

Is there any alternative to putting the numberplate where it is currently?

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 10:14

Is there any alternative to putting the numberplate where it is currently?

See what you mean, It's not as prominent when it has a passenger seat and backrest. It's pretty much a solo unit as standard.

Motu

27th October 2006, 11:23

Pity about the motor - it'd look better as a Pan or Knuckle head.I've got no problem with a bike that looks old...but isn't.

skelstar

27th October 2006, 11:31

Bloody nice looking bike.

Tell me, is keeping bikes clean for the 'shoot' a challenge?

Pwalo

27th October 2006, 11:37

I'm surprised you didn't go for a sepia tint and show your true age old fella.

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 12:03

I'm surprised you didn't go for a sepia tint and show your true age old fella.

It is! Just a mild one.

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 12:04

Bloody nice looking bike.

Tell me, is keeping bikes clean for the 'shoot' a challenge?

Nah - it's not really - most grime doesn't show up on camera and if it's real bad photoshop is our friend.

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 12:05

Pity about the motor - it'd look better as a Pan or Knuckle head.I've got no problem with a bike that looks old...but isn't.

Not when you ride it mate - it's got some pull.

Ixion

27th October 2006, 13:02

Hmm, I begin to suspect that my long held beliefs about Harelys are as outdated as those of people who say "Jap bikes don't handle" because they didn't in the 70's and early 80's.
I must try a Harley one day. But I just can't get with having my feet stuck out in front. Too weird.

Motu

27th October 2006, 13:10

Just the look of the motor I'm nit picking about - the Harley motor gets less and less character as it goes on through the years.The Yamaha big twin is one of the few motors in recent years that says ''look at me!'' Some guys are legs guys,some are tit guys....I'm an engine guy.

iwilde

27th October 2006, 13:20

Looks bloody good to me, It'd look good sitting beside the sportsbike!

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 13:32

I must try a Harley one day. But I just can't get with having my feet stuck out in front. Too weird.

It takes a day - 200km-ish to get fully used to.

Obviously it depends on how hard you intend riding. Once you are used to feet forward - and if you intend travelling close to the posted speed limits - then after that day it took to get used to it, I begin to wonder 'why aren't all bikes this comfortable'.

but it takes a day or so.

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 13:33

Looks bloody good to me, It'd look good sitting beside the sportsbike!

and the adventure bike.

iwilde

27th October 2006, 14:54

and the adventure bike.

You're on to it, and the motard, jetski...hellicopter....

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 17:11

I'm an engine guy.

I think you must be a short sighted guy!
The engine is bewdiful in its own way.
From some angles it is almost entirely chrome.

What I don't like as much as previous incarnations is the air filter cover and treatment. but i'm sure lou could sort me out with something suitably gothic and bling to replace it.

Ixion

27th October 2006, 17:15

Well, you can't hardly get a decent view of the engine, what with the exhaust pipes, and footboards and forward controls and aircleaner and everything blocking it off.

I, like Mr Motu , an an engine man. It's what I look at. I like the engine to be the central thing on a bike, the focus of attention. Everything else is secondary to that.

One reason why I don't really groove over sprotbikes, they all look the same to me , cos I can't see the engines.

I rather like the 1200 bandit, the donk is right out there in plain view.

Mr. Peanut

27th October 2006, 17:54

*KNOCKS IT WITH A WRECKING BALL* All the amazing cruisers out there, who would buy a Harley??

Triumph Rocket 3 FTW.

Big Dave

27th October 2006, 18:27

*KNOCKS IT WITH A WRECKING BALL* All the amazing cruisers out there, who would buy a Harley??.

I would atchally.

scumdog

27th October 2006, 18:52

I must try a Harley one day. But I just can't get with having my feet stuck out in front. Too weird.

Not ALL H-Ds are like that - sporties and superglides often don't have forward mounted pegs as they are designed for biffing into the corners.

sAsLEX

27th October 2006, 19:01

One reason why I don't really groove over sprotbikes, they all look the same to me , cos I can't see the engines.

You might like this one

http://www.engmore.com/wallpapers/Wakan01.jpg
http://www.engmore.com/wallpapers/Wakan09.jpg
http://www.engmore.com/wallpapers/Wakan10.jpg

Motu

27th October 2006, 19:03

I reckon,with a bike like that....that chicks will think I'm pretty good looking,sorta....and I will be articulate and charming.I just get the feeling from looking at the bike,that I could be some kick arse dude....

Mr. Peanut

27th October 2006, 19:07

Piston speed for a ZXR250 @ 100km/h 1900fps
Piston speed for a 1200 Sportster @ 100km/h 1750fps

ZXR250 engines can last 100000km without too many problems. ZXR250s are faster...

250cc folks... Time to move on :yes:

Edbear

27th October 2006, 19:14

I rather like the 1200 bandit, the donk is right out there in plain view.

Kinda spoilt that with the new water-cooled one, though. They shoulda put fake fins on it. Not sure I like it. Maybe it'll grow on me.

topher

27th October 2006, 19:27

and the adventure bike.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. Pretty sure the financial director would notice it parked in the shed though. End up with bollocks in a sling. Again. So tempting though for an old bastard like myself.

Forest

28th October 2006, 03:09

Someone sent me this link today. I'm not a Harley rider but it sure made me laugh. :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpgmff4nA-s

Big Dave

28th October 2006, 08:54

Kinda spoilt that with the new water-cooled one, though. They shoulda put fake fins on it. Not sure I like it. Maybe it'll grow on me.

I find it hard to list an aesthetically attractive water cooled engine.
My favourite looking donks all time are a T160 Trident and a Norton 850 Commando.

Macktheknife

28th October 2006, 09:44

Great photo's BD, as always, not a bad looking bike either.

Ixion

28th October 2006, 10:54

I find it hard to list an aesthetically attractive water cooled engine.
My favourite looking donks all time are a T160 Trident and a Norton 850 Commando.

The GT750 Suzuki could not be called a pretty engine, but it has presence. You look at the bike and what you see is this "don't mess with me" donk glowering at you.

The Manx Norton had the same thing. Look at the bike and the engine hits you right between the eyes.

Some of the early Harleys had the same thing. Not *pretty* engines (leave them to Maurice) but they commanded the bike. Original CB750 Honda had it too.

Those bikes, the engine was the primary element in the design presentation. And the engines themselves were functionally attractive. You look at it, you can see the engineering. Trace how it works. I never liked the Bugatti idea, just a pretty polished slab. I like to be abel to see what the engine designer was doing., what goes round and what attaches to what.

Lou Girardin

28th October 2006, 16:49

It might handle OK Dave, but I want more than 30 degrees cornering clearance.

Edbear

28th October 2006, 19:42

I find it hard to list an aesthetically attractive water cooled engine.
My favourite looking donks all time are a T160 Trident and a Norton 850 Commando.

Sure can't argue with that! Have to admit, though that of the water-cooled engines on "display", the Honda CB1300 is probably my pick of how to do it right. It's a nice looking bike and the motor seems to 'fit'.

Skyryder

28th October 2006, 20:38

Aye she's a big mother an' all. Liked the rustic weather boards too. Sorta set off the bikes good looks. Jeeeezz I'm saying something good about a Harley. "Always a first Sky me ol' son always a first."

Skyryder

Big Dave

30th October 2006, 16:45

It might handle OK Dave, but I want more than 30 degrees cornering clearance.

I found the cornering clearance pleasantly suprising.
If you want to ride at 'about' the speed limit - it's actually fine.

Ixion

30th October 2006, 17:05

Not ALL H-Ds are like that - sporties and superglides often don't have forward mounted pegs as they are designed for biffing into the corners.

You're right!. I overtook one on the motorway today. Quite a tidy unit, seemed quite small, but trundling along well enough. And the riding position was "normal" - ie footpegs and handlebars in what would be quite a good touring position. Lowish bars, not quite A10 but not much higher and footpegs in a "proper" place.

Ground clearance looked like it would be OK for touring.

Complete with handlebar tassels!

Big Dave

30th October 2006, 19:16

You're right!. I overtook one on the motorway today. Quite a tidy unit, seemed quite small, but trundling along well enough. And the riding position was "normal" - ie footpegs and handlebars in what would be quite a good touring position. Lowish bars, not quite A10 but not much higher and footpegs in a "proper" place.

Ground clearance looked like it would be OK for touring.

Complete with handlebar tassels!

A FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport it could have been. A quite tasty motorcycle and very rewarding to ride.

That or a Sportster. Which are unfortunately too small for me, but are currently ridden by some of the best and most skillful riders I know.

scumdog

30th October 2006, 19:47

A FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport it could have been. A quite tasty motorcycle and very rewarding to ride.

That or a Sportster. Which are unfortunately too small for me, but are currently ridden by some of the best and most skillful riders I know.

Agreed.
An FXDX? my pick of the HDs for cruising the twisty bits two-up.

And a Sportster 'S' for one-up.
.

Ixion

30th October 2006, 19:56

Uh-huh. Well now, see, that's the other thing about Harleys.

There is such a plethora of different model names.

FXDX. Dyna Glides. Street Glides. Sportsters. Road Kings. V-rods. Fat bobs. Wet Bobs. Hardtails, Panheads, Shovelheads, Knuckleheads, Fatheads, Night Trains, Milk Trains, gawd knows what.

And no apparent rhyme or reason to any of it. Can anyone elucidate what means what? And which ones come with tassels as standard.

Big Dave

30th October 2006, 19:59

More written about than any other brand of bike.

www.h-d.com

is where I start.

Motu

30th October 2006, 21:17

I think I saw it on saturday,Albany Heights road in the company of a couple of other Harley's.It looked nice - natural,the rider totaly comfortable....which a lot of Harley rider don't look to me,sometimes they seem to sit arwkward,I won't mention how I think sprotsbike riders look....

I like my engines to confuse me,to wonder where the hell....what the fuck is that....why is that....

Velocetes always did that to me.They seemed to be made by six guys who all met one day with a part in their pocket,and they said - ''hey,if we put all these bits together what would happen?'' Much to their surprise it turned out to be a motorcycle.

Ixion

30th October 2006, 21:17

Well, I went there, and now I'm more confused than ever. Lotsa pictures of lotsa different models, even more than before.

But the only thread I can make out is that Sportsters are, presumably, sporty (duh). And anything with King in the name is a big honker with luggage and fancy seats.

But whats the code of all the model numbers . Like, FXDX, whats the "F" mean? And the "D". Wots "Dyna" imply in the name? And so on.

And why would you pick one over the other, apart from the obvious difference between the sporty ones and the big honkers wiv the seatz.

(One I saw was a Sportster 800 Low , I think. Could make sense, cos looked like a chicky riding it, just based on width of shoulders and bum.)

Ixion

30th October 2006, 21:21

Motu

30th October 2006, 21:55

I like to be confused and then figure it all out....but you just stay confused with a Velocete.

Ixion

30th October 2006, 21:59

I bet it was when you tried to find the fork springs in the Dowty forks, right? I guess one of the six guys had a hole in his pocket, so they ahd to manage without fork springs :killingme:

Ixion

31st October 2006, 10:45

HEY!

I just checked the specs for those sportsters. They ( well , the 1200 anyway), have a 21 inch front wheel!

21" wheel, low CoG, grunty low revving motor. Shit, I wonder how they'd go on gravel with some knobblies ?

Anyone ever tried knobblies on a Harley?

Big Dave

31st October 2006, 12:47

Anyone ever tried knobblies on a Harley?

http://www.amaflattrack.com/gallery_archive.php?UID=dXB6V7zBf10i6YNevzZf3K1Vz5 FeNq
or
Google 'Flat Track Racing'.

SPman

31st October 2006, 12:54

"on a LIGHTER note"? surely that should be HEAVIER note...........

Actually saw a Harley I liked at Northam, last weekend. - a '56 Sportster. It actually looked like fun in an original, stripped down basic way - the sort of bike you could hop on and ride, regardless of the road conditions - seal, dirt, mud, ....whatever. Would look equally at home in the city, or half way to Mt Isa. I think Harley have lost something, somewhere along the line, in trying to be so retro.......

ManDownUnder

31st October 2006, 13:15

BD - I trust your judgement on the bike... no worries there... it's..

it's just... the headlight...

Looks like it was longer but shrank back in the cold air if you get my drift. I ain't going to ride a bike suffering a permanet, and very public display of shrinkage.

Ixion

31st October 2006, 13:28

http://www.amaflattrack.com/gallery_archive.php?UID=dXB6V7zBf10i6YNevzZf3K1Vz5 FeNq
or
Google 'Flat Track Racing'.

Yeah, but that's those wozza-doodly750 thingies. Very specialised, like saying that a Jawa would make a good gravel bike cos Jawa dominated speedway. And flat track's not really like back road gravel, no honking big bumps for a start, tracks are nice and smooth.

I mean has anyone tried knobblies on a "normal" Harley , i.e. one with tassels.

Big Dave

31st October 2006, 14:11