I finally 'get' Harleys

[marty]

Well I've just got back from Merryka, been on a family holiday. Hired a car for the first time over there, and REALLY noticed how many Harley there were. Saw a small handful of sprotbikes - but literally 1000's of cruisers!

Drove from LA to Vegas, up to Reno and back to LA again. 90mph most of the time, getting passed all the time by huge SUV's and Mercs and Lexus and Vettes etc. Found large groups of Harleys (20 or more) sitting at 90mph, on roads that just disappear into the distance. No point having a twitchy gixxer or ninja - just need plenty of torque and the wind in yer hair :)

[Goblin]

Yup. Made in Amerika for Amerikan freeways. I just dont get why we have them here on our twisty, bumpy goat tracks.

Dont know if you'll get too many replies...everyone's busy having a little cry on the Thugby threads.:weep:

[Bren]

yup....l know what yer sayin....i was there in 2003 and the I83 was full of em...Harleys are king of the road over there by a long shot...its a "patriotic" thing

All ya need over there to look cool is a harley and a Dodge RamSRT10....mind ya....im starting to think kawasaki makes the nicest cruiser with their vulcan

[RantyDave]

Well I've just got back from Merryka ... Found large groups of Harleys (20 or more) sitting at 90mph, on roads that just disappear into the distance.
I went to Murrica last year and had a similar 'I get Harleys now' experience. If there's nothing interesting about the road I guess you'd have to get interested in how shiny and noisy your bike is.

Me? I like corners.

Dave

[riffer]

I went to Murrica last year and had a similar 'I get Harleys now' experience. If there's nothing interesting about the road I guess you'd have to get interested in how shiny and noisy your bike is.

Me? I like corners.

Dave

A Street Rod goes around corners just fine thanks.

A good rider on a good Harley will easily destroy an average rider on a sprotsbike.

[scumdog]

Dont know if you'll get too many replies...everyone's busy having a little cry on the Thugby threads.:weep:

What has happened opn the 'thugby' world that people cry? Sid Going get hurt or something? (sez he raking up one name related to rugby he knows).

[Goblin]

Who's Sid?:scratch:

[deanohit]

Who's Sid?:scratch:

Does it matter?

Must say I do like the sportier Harleys (do those 2 words even go together?:devil2:), they look good, sound awesome and can do 100k. They still go around corners, just not as fast as others, but it ain't always a race. Just sit back comfortably (no bunched up crouch here) and cruise. :ride:

[Goblin]

Does it matter?
No, not to me anyway.
There's a few really fast Harley riders around here tho. Did a poker run once where I couldn't keep up with two blokes on V-rods. One of them had chewed the rear tyre like I've only ever seen on Taupo track. Takes a fair bit of skill and huge balls to ride a hog that hard.

[yungatart]

You sure do see heaps of harleys in the US. When I was there in 2005, we drove from LA to New York and back again, I lost count of the Harleys I saw, and I only spied 4 sportsbikes, 2 Kwakas, a Gixxer and a Honda.
I would just fall asleep riding those Interstates tho, boring as!

[scumdog]

You sure do see heaps of harleys in the US. When I was there in 2005, we drove from LA to New York and back again, I lost count of the Harleys I saw, and I only spied 4 sportsbikes, 2 Kwakas, a Gixxer and a Honda.
I would just fall asleep riding those Interstates tho, boring as!

I was there that year too - didn't see YOU.

But boring or not it would be better on a motorbike eh!

[deanohit]

But boring or not it would be better on a motorbike eh!

It's got 2 wheels and a motor, means fun no matter what name is on it. :ride:

[yungatart]

I was there that year too - didn't see YOU.

But boring or not it would be better on a motorbike eh!

Oh, yessirreee!!!
Mstrs has no desire to travel.... I would love to do Route 66 on bikes with him....seed planted, just gotta wait till it comes to fruition...these things take time, you know!

BTW, I was in that hulking great F250 Ute, a white one, you must have seen me!

[Timber020]

On the east coast of the US we saw more sport bikes, goldwings and nakeds than harleys, although it seemed you couldnt throw a rock without hitting a harley dealership. Saw alot of harleys in peoples garages in the suburbs, but saw very few parked on the streets, at carparks or being ridden around.

The interstates seemed built with harleys in mind.

[Mr. Peanut]

20000rpm and tight suspension doesn't do you much good when you're going in a straight line for 300km. It's like criticising a 747 for not being able to outmaneuver a fighter plane, horses for courses. Europeans love taking the piss out of hulking American machines, it makes them feel smart, but I'd like to seem them ride a 998 across Nevada :D

[marty]

20000rpm and tight suspension doesn't do you much good when you're going in a straight line for 300km. It's like criticising a 747 for not being able to outmaneuver a fighter plane, horses for courses. Europeans love taking the piss out of hulking American machines, it makes them feel smart, but I'd like to seem them ride a 998 across Nevada :D


my point exactly.

[limbimtimwim]

but I'd like to seem them ride a 998 across Nevada :DAre you offering to lend me one?

[marty]

well i would have chosen a harley over the duke. as it was, i was in a Lincoln Towncar - i can see why they are coverted to limos - a fantastic high speed cruiser. not once did my 6'3" tall son complain about leg room - more than a caprice or fairlane by far!

[Badjelly]

I lived in America for 4 years. I still don't get Harleys but I do get Gold Wings.

[deanohit]

Oooohhh man, I'd take a Harley over a Goldwing any day!!!

[arj127]

i still dont get why they have to be so ficken loud!

[hospitalfood]

harleys should not knocked by people who have not ridden them ( like me ).
I think they are cool, no question.
not my kind of bike in this country.
love my buell.

[Timber020]

The guys that do the big Km are often on the goldwings, when your on the interstates the harleys you see generally have local plates, but the goldwings are often from the other side of the country. We were in nova scotia and saw 3 wings from arizona, tennesee and one from texas.

[Monsterbishi]

I still dont get why they have to be so ficken loud!

That's the owners that do that, the new Harleys are 'noticeable' in volume, but no more than any sportsbike.

[Swoop]

The interstates seemed built with harleys in mind.
I believe that there is something in the Eisenhower legislation that enforces stretches of straight road (5 miles?) every so often.
This is so aircraft can use them as emergency runways. A left-over of the cold war.

[jrandom]

Did a poker run once where I couldn't keep up with two blokes on V-rods. One of them had chewed the rear tyre like I've only ever seen on Taupo track. Takes a fair bit of skill and huge balls to ride a hog that hard.

It's amazing how some bikes that you wouldn't think would hustle can be hustled, isn't it? Prepare for some photos later on of what kiwifruit did to the rear tyre of a tubby ol' K1200RS on the Coro GP (er, loop...) yesterday. Heh.

Oh, and fuck long straight roads. Twisty goat tracks of doom ftw!

:D

[Goblin]

That Fruity fulla is hard on the gear alright.:rolleyes:
Bring on the pics. :sunny:

[Timber020]

I believe that there is something in the Eisenhower legislation that enforces stretches of straight road (5 miles?) every so often.
This is so aircraft can use them as emergency runways. A left-over of the cold war.

Same in parts of sweden etc. They have (or had) massive bunkers of bombs beside some of the main roads to load up bombers from that would land on the sections of road. I knew a guy who was an ordanance firefighter in one of them.

[sAsLEX]

ordanance firefighter

Some job.

[675trippy]

ordanance firefighter

now thats an oximoron for ya

[NordieBoy]

Yup. Made in Amerika for Amerikan freeways. I just dont get why we have them here on our twisty, bumpy goat tracks.

God bless our goat tracks!

[scumdog]

On the east coast of the US we saw more sport bikes, goldwings and nakeds than harleys, although it seemed you couldnt throw a rock without hitting a harley dealership. Saw alot of harleys in peoples garages in the suburbs, but saw very few parked on the streets, at carparks or being ridden around.

The interstates seemed built with harleys in mind.

On the west coast and further inland (Nevada, Utah, Colorado) I noticed the reverse - normally it was a 'bagger' with a big screen, was actually surprised at the lack of other brand cruisers.

Sprotsbikes I saw mainly around the cities - normally getting fanged around cars in the freeway by some dude in sneakers and jeans with their shirt-tail flapping like a flag behind them. (I guess if you get it wrong and arse-up on a freeway 20 cars and trucks would have run over your sorry carcase before you've finished bouncing so protective gears worth would be minimal).

[Pixie]

harleys should not knocked by people who have not ridden them ( like me ).
I think they are cool, no question.
not my kind of bike in this country.
love my buell.

I have ridden a Harley.
My Fiat 120 DT tractor feels more sophisticated

[scumdog]

I have ridden a Harley.
My Fiat 120 DT tractor feels more sophisticated

And prbably is.

But if you bought a Harley for 'sophistication' you've missed the point.

[avgas]

I lived in America for 4 years. I still don't get Harleys but I do get Gold Wings.
Yeh but these days boat anchors are cheaper than they used to be.

[avgas]

I have ridden a Harley.
My Fiat 120 DT tractor feels more sophisticated
Get a real tractor - Get a David Brown!

[Timber020]

On the west coast and further inland (Nevada, Utah, Colorado) I noticed the reverse - normally it was a 'bagger' with a big screen, was actually surprised at the lack of other brand cruisers.

Sprotsbikes I saw mainly around the cities - normally getting fanged around cars in the freeway by some dude in sneakers and jeans with their shirt-tail flapping like a flag behind them. (I guess if you get it wrong and arse-up on a freeway 20 cars and trucks would have run over your sorry carcase before you've finished bouncing so protective gears worth would be minimal).

Its getting better over there, 12 years ago you hardly even find motorcycle boots (sport boots) for sale over there, at least theres a bit more gear out there and being worn now. Still a long way off being anything this side of suicidal though. Kids will be kids, young sportbike riders will be statistics.

[peasea]

God bless our goat tracks!


Have to admit, long, straight roads get pretty boring after a while, which is why the Yanks tour at the pace they do. Get it over and done with etc etc. I will say, though, that HD's aren't too unsuited to NZ roads, the torque does come in handy and if you tour a lot then comfort is a real issue. On the one hand I can understand why Gold Wings and their ilk are so popular Stateside but I can also understand why 'real' Americans would prefer to buy their own product. (That patriotism thing.)

How many people would attempt to cross America on a sports bike? Seriously?

[NordieBoy]

I can also understand why 'real' Americans would prefer to buy their own product. (That patriotism thing.)

Yeah, I have a hankering for a Britten too :niceone:

[Skyryder]

A Street Rod goes around corners just fine thanks.

A good rider on a good Harley will easily destroy an average rider on a sprotsbike.

Good rider on any bike will destroy an average rider on any bike.

Skyryder

[swbarnett]

Same in parts of sweden etc. They have (or had) massive bunkers of bombs beside some of the main roads to load up bombers from that would land on the sections of road. I knew a guy who was an ordanance firefighter in one of them.
When I was in Switzerland in the late 90s they had fields of engineering supplies on pellets ready and waiting for helicopters to pick up. They also had mig fighters in grass hangers spread out over airfields so that one bomb wouldn't take them all out. And not to mention that they had explosives wired to blow laid under all the major roads and bridges (although they're slowly removing them now). One lot I heard about was right outside a primary school!

[scumdog]

When I was in Switzerland in the late 90s they had fields of engineering supplies on pellets.....

What sort of pellets?
Slug-gun pellets?
Chook-feed pellets?



Or maybe they were on pAllets??:shutup::whistle::dodge:

[sAsLEX]

When I was in Switzerland in the late 90s they had fields of engineering supplies on pellets ready and waiting for helicopters to pick up. They also had mig fighters in grass hangers spread out over airfields so that one bomb wouldn't take them all out. And not to mention that they had explosives wired to blow laid under all the major roads and bridges (although they're slowly removing them now). One lot I heard about was right outside a primary school!

The airfield down the road from me was mined back in the day during the war..... except no one really wrote it down so when they went to dig it up no one was expecting some vets to come running down down and tell them in no uncertain terms that letting the digger continue was nothing short of suicide!

[98tls]

Have to admit, long, straight roads get pretty boring after a while, which is why the Yanks tour at the pace they do. Get it over and done with etc etc. I will say, though, that HD's aren't too unsuited to NZ roads, the torque does come in handy and if you tour a lot then comfort is a real issue. On the one hand I can understand why Gold Wings and their ilk are so popular Stateside but I can also understand why 'real' Americans would prefer to buy their own product. (That patriotism thing.)

How many people would attempt to cross America on a sports bike? Seriously? :yawn:dont worry folks we have im under control...........:nono:

[sAsLEX]

How many people would attempt to cross America on a sports bike? Seriously?

Its only 4000 km. How far do people go on a Southern Cross? Someone did that on a 50cc didn't he?

[98tls]

Have to admit, long, straight roads get pretty boring after a while, which is why the Yanks tour at the pace they do. Get it over and done with etc etc. I will say, though, that HD's aren't too unsuited to NZ roads, the torque does come in handy and if you tour a lot then comfort is a real issue. On the one hand I can understand why Gold Wings and their ilk are so popular Stateside but I can also understand why 'real' Americans would prefer to buy their own product. (That patriotism thing.)

How many people would attempt to cross America on a sports bike? Seriously? all this from an x postie..............go figure.

[NordieBoy]

Its only 4000 km. How far do people go on a Southern Cross? Someone did that on a 50cc didn't he?

But they had to have it surgically removed after though.

:doctor:

[pinkhoggirl]

And prbably is.

But if you bought a Harley for 'sophistication' you've missed the point.

Too Right!

And...A serious ride in North America "dictates" Harley. Not just in America - Canadian travel is similar - and NOTHING beats the Rockies on a Hog.

[scumdog]

Too Right!

And...A serious ride in North America "dictates" Harley. Not just in America - Canadian travel is similar - and NOTHING beats the Rockies on a Hog.


Too right - a 'must do' for me.

Just love that area near Idaho Springs just south of Denver - big sweeping bends and unreal scenery...

[Edbear]

Too right - a 'must do' for me.

Just love that area near Idaho Springs just south of Denver - big sweeping bends and unreal scenery...



By the way, have you managed to get the 'T-Sport' to match the Sporty's performance yet?:bleh:

Met a chap with his son on a new 50th Ann. 1200 custom on Sat. morn at the Caltex station on the Orewa bypass. He was VERY short and said it fitted him perfectly. Nice bike, but I still want a 1200 R...

[scumdog]

By the way, have you managed to get the 'T-Sport' to match the Sporty's performance yet?:bleh:...

Nah - working on a scheme to reduce the flexi-frame feeling on bends.
(Who the hell came up with the idea on an engine/trans/swing arm being a unit - and bloody mount it on rubber independent of the frame???:argh:)

Sheesh, what's a bit of vibration compared to a wallowing sensation when going through the twisty bit? the Sporty leaves it for dead in that respect - but sadly now even they are rubber-mounted - and you can't get the 'S' model anymore either.

[Griff]

With Respect.....


Well I've just got back from Merryka, been on a family holiday. Hired a car for the first time over there, and REALLY noticed how many Harley there were. Saw a small handful of sprotbikes - but literally 1000's of cruisers!....

Go to India and see if you come back "getting Scooters" :blank:

A reason why "The Disorganised States of america" have a plague of Harleys is primarily due to the fact that there are many oversized individuals who would find it difficult getting in and out of cars.

(Remember in the 70's America invented the Bucket Seat. Now even that is too small).

A Harley allows the portly gentlemen to perch themselves on it and trundle off to the doughnut bar, in a similar manner that a frog straddles branches whilst lazing in the sun.

These rotund gentlemen could not possibly imagine riding a SportsBike as they would probably split in two (that is, if their stomachs didn’t envelop the bike and their chubby knees didn't drag along the ground).

Since then I believe, that Harleys have become popular with thinner people.

[NordieBoy]

These rotund gentlemen could not possibly imagine riding a SportsBike as they would probably split in two (that is, if their stomachs didn’t envelop the bike and their chubby knees didn't drag along the ground).
I don't think they have a problem with sportbikes...
His chubby knees are protected by sliders :D

<img src=http://fran.nelson.geek.nz/motorbikes/wierdness/HAHAHAHA.jpg>

The herd of poor cows that was killed to make the leathers on the other hand :(

[deanohit]

Holy shit!!!! How can he reach the handle bars with that gut?

[Tank]

I was there that year too - didn't see YOU.

But boring or not it would be better on a motorbike eh!

We were there a few months back (looking at relocation - decided not to), anyway, it was my wife watching a Harley rider beside our POS toyota rental car that said "bikings cool - when we get home you go buy a bike" - that got me into biking.

I love the concept of cruisers - and if I had the $$$$ a Harley would be for me. A big mean looking bastard (the bike - not me).

Tank

[Tank]

I don't think they have a problem with sportbikes...
His chubby knees are protected by sliders :D

<img src=http://fran.nelson.geek.nz/motorbikes/wierdness/HAHAHAHA.jpg>

The herd of poor cows that was killed to make the leathers on the other hand :(

Jebus - Im going to diet.

Still on the bright side at lest hes not a cyclist in white Lycra!

[deanohit]

Still on the bright side at lest hes not a cyclist in white Lycra!

:crazy: Wash ya mouth out man!!!! I'm still trying to get rid of the mental image.:puke:

[Griff]

Fat people ride Harleys because they keep the centre of gravity down.

This is what happens when they open the throttle gently on a SportsBike.
<img src="http://www.dailyhaha.com/_pics/fatbiker.jpg">

[Griff]

There's No need for an OE.....

A Brief history of Fat American Biking Culture.
==================================

Before Cruisers were invented, obese Americans did indeed ride conventional bikes ..and suffered in silence:

<img src="http://www.bloginfiji.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/fat-twins.jpg">

The real issue was their excessive lifestyle, which they were reluctant to change:

<img src="http://3quarksdaily.blogs.com/3quarksdaily/images/fat20cat_2.jpg">

Then.... The HOG was invented... and America took to it like a Fat Duck to Water..

<img src="http://motorcycle-web.com/strange/pig_bike.jpg">

[marty]

I don't think they have a problem with sportbikes...
His chubby knees are protected by sliders :D

http://fran.nelson.geek.nz/motorbikes/wierdness/HAHAHAHA.jpg

The herd of poor cows that was killed to make the leathers on the other hand :(

considering that's in europe somewhere.......

[Tank]

very funny - consider yourself bling'ed

[avgas]

i would consider a harley....i currently am quite taken with having a 883 next to the King Rat.
I have been dissappointed with alot of the new bike purely for the fact that riding to me means that i am away from it all.
I dont want to push 27 buttons to configure a GPS cellphone, fuel map linked to my abs gear changer
I dont want a 1 million horsepower all the time
I dont want plastic parts i cant fix myself
I dont want an engine that has more than 2000 components
I dont want to go tone deaf to the sound of a bumble bee at 100kph
I want a reply to kids that say - "You should buy a harley"...."I do its at home today" when im out on the FZ.

[MisterD]

considering that's in europe somewhere.......

I reckon that's the queue to get onto the Nurburgring (sp?)...

[Edbear]

I don't think they have a problem with sportbikes...
His chubby knees are protected by sliders :D

<img src=http://fran.nelson.geek.nz/motorbikes/wierdness/HAHAHAHA.jpg>

The herd of poor cows that was killed to make the leathers on the other hand :(



Now I'm FAR from that size...:whistle: but on the GSX-F I could rest my tummy on the tank to take the weight off my wrists and ease my upper back on longer rides...:ride:

Now with the cruiser, I can sit relaxed and upright, no problems!:cool:

[scumdog]

i
.
I dont want to push 27 buttons to configure a GPS cellphone, fuel map linked to my abs gear changer
I dont want a 1 million horsepower all the time
I dont want plastic parts i cant fix myself
I dont want an engine that has more than 2000 components
I dont want to go tone deaf to the sound of a bumble bee at 100kph



Sound like me - good one.