I just don't get Harleys. MBB, copping negative Rep since ages ago.

[Flip]

Only reason I am even thinking Harley again is I have the café racer for one up fun and the ninja travelling at 1/3 max speed seems overkill.
Road block is serious lack of trade in due to Harley dealerships tending to think you will sacrifice anything to buy one and the fact home ownership creates light wallet syndrome now. Find 15k to Harley up or 15k for new roof and carpet in master bedroom plus concrete for the back steps and coloured stones for the clothes line area.

I do remember what it was like after I brought my first house, just hang on it gets easier very quickly.

I looked at a Rocket 3 and a road king, the HD dealer did a much better deal and took my T1200 as a fair trade in. Glad I went for the HD as it has done 100k and has been brillantly reilyable. That and I never forgave Triumph NZ for ripping me off for parts that never arived.

[mossy1200]

Or they just don't want your money you dirty ja%#a

But they sell Suzuki.

[yevjenko]

I have nothing against Harleys... If yer want one go for it...
I will say they have prob the best finish , attention to detail
of any motor cycle brand...
I will never own one... alway think most Harley owners are
buying a image more than a motor bike..

You obviously haven't seen one in the last couple of years. Mate of mine bought a brand new 48 speedster a couple of years ago (had to buy it up country as he couldn't get anyone from Wellington scooters to serve him!). Within months of him having it in Wellie, the spokes on the wheels started to rust. Apparently quite common. In the US the dealers will change the wheels if this happens, but not here...

[ellipsis]

...I have never ever seen a blemish of rust or fading or any bodily malfunctions emanating from any of the Japanese motorcycles I have owned over the last 43 years...I don't think I have ever seen a Japanese engined motorcycle engine break and whatsmore they are far more mundane and less likely to be drooled over or stolen...so suck that you fucken useless HD owners...cunts...fat people...slags...posers...penile deficient people...latte louts...

[Flip]

...I have never ever seen a blemish of rust or fading or any bodily malfunctions emanating from any of the Japanese motorcycles I have owned over the last 43 years...I don't think I have ever seen a Japanese engined motorcycle engine break and whatsmore they are far more mundane and less likely to be drooled over or stolen...so suck that you fucken useless HD owners...cunts...fat people...slags...posers...penile deficient people...latte louts...

What cralled up your ass and died?

[ruaphu]

Hmmmmmmm love to have a decent touring HD, of the Rushmore variety, just can't afford the 35-43 G for one. Went got me self a massive Jappa cruiser a couple years back, love it, reliable, looks good, sounds good, easy to service, parts are cheap, accessories are plentiful.................Hmmmmmm but it still ain't no HD tourer.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ellipsis]

What cralled up your ass and died?

...I really would like a 'real' sarcasm font...fuck Akzle's sans fuckin whatever shit...surely it wouldn't be that fucking hard...surely to goodness...it's just another variation on a fucking well recognized system of symbols that all can recognize...most anyway, maybe not all on here...notice my yankee friendly spelling... why can't some cunt on X Factor come up with a really simple little thing like a fucking sarcasm font...if I wasn't so fucking busy getting angry about the lack of one I'd do it my fucking self...it's only fucking Tuesday, fuck off...

[Tazz]

...I have never ever seen a blemish of rust or fading or any bodily malfunctions emanating from any of the Japanese motorcycles I have owned over the last 43 years...I don't think I have ever seen a Japanese engined motorcycle engine break and whatsmore they are far more mundane and less likely to be drooled over or stolen...so suck that you fucken useless HD owners...cunts...fat people...slags...posers...penile deficient people...latte louts...

[Flip]

...I really would like a 'real' sarcasm font...fuck Akzle's sans fuckin whatever shit...surely it wouldn't be that fucking hard...surely to goodness...it's just another variation on a fucking well recognized system of symbols that all can recognize...most anyway, maybe not all on here...notice my yankee friendly spelling... why can't some cunt on X Factor come up with a really simple little thing like a fucking sarcasm font...if I wasn't so fucking busy getting angry about the lack of one I'd do it my fucking self...it's only fucking Tuesday, fuck off...

Oh, I see your point.

No, really I do.

Ok, wtf are you on? What ever it is is fucking your mind!

[madbikeboy]

This is a turn around because I collect small english sports cars. I just don't get americian cars. Too big, heavy and large. Americian car drivers are a special breed, I got caught between a couple of tanks recently and they were not happy when I asked if the bigger the car the smaller the penis? (I was in a MG Midget).

I did a VCC run with a couple of those new Ford shelby cobras. They tried to keep up with me in the Lotus on a windy mountain road and by the end of the run were a bit pissed off.

I did a track day with a stingray in the MG and he just had a few MPH on me at the end of the straight, and that was the only place. I did another track day with a AC Cobra with 550 hp and I never saw him after the first lap I was in the Lotus. The Cobra driver too the pip and split.

I have however been thinking about buying my bros Mk2 Thunderbird. My uncle drove one in the Spy loved me movie and this is almost exactly the same car.

99% of the speed of a motorcycle is the lose nut on top. Same with the muscle car thing. I've driven a lot of pro-touring Camaros, mustangs, even pick ups, that are surprisingly quick. So, using a good fraser as a benchmark, I've driven a couple of Cobra's (Factory Five replicas with LS7's/427's) that would spank a good 2 litre fraser - the difference is that the Cobra is much trickier to drive fast.

Most pro-touring Camaros / Mustangs would be slower than a Fraser on a tight course. The real difference is in the development. For example, I've got a 67 Mustang with at least $20k in suspension mods, big Wilwoods all round, and a worked (good) Shelby HiPo. Despite the money in it, it's still a 1960's Ford Falcon parts share car underneath. Is it fast? Well, it's quick, but not fast. It'll do 12 second quarters, and it'll turn and stop (sorta). A stock WRX would kill it. It's more fun to drive than the WRX, and there's more drama (and tyre smoke as well). Would it beat a Fraser? Not in a million years.

So, take a second Gen Camaro, or a 70 'Cuda. If you take time and money, (lots of money), and you're willing to drive bravely, then yes, you can beat a Fraser if you're a reasonably ballsy driver. It's a physics lesson, take a 2800 pound car, stuff 1200 horsepower worth of late model LS or Hemi turbo goodness, and stick enough rubber under it, and it's fast. I've seen Caterham's raced against said set up in the US, so I'm not basing it on opinion, but results.

But, it's kind of missing the point a little. Take a 1960 Impala (or the 58 Impala like I took to the beach hop this year) - with a two speed power glide, the cars just cruise smoothly and effortlessly. The carry lots of weight, and they have tiny brakes. They're also expensive and most of the parts are completely unobtainium. They made a million Mustangs, you can order any part you want. Try ordering parts for a 59 Imperial, or a 57 Pontiac Safari - I've been waiting for years for a couple of trim pieces to come up for sale. With that in mind, you don't risk the cars by racing. Bluntly, I prefer driving the Mustang in 90% of situations, it's the intellectual equivalency of banging rocks together for fun, but that all goes out the window when you can create rubber smoke in any gear. On a hot summers day, I'd prefer the 60 Impala Bel Air convertible, no question. Keep in mind, I'm the guy who thinks 800 k's out of a rear tyre on a thou is perfectly acceptable and normal.

As for racing performance of x versus y - same as bikes, the losest nut wins.

Okay, the TBird. Really great car. You can buy any part you want for them. They have great resale. They're not cheap to run (depending on the motor you get), but they're a great cruising car. You get in, start driving, and spend the day smiling at all the attention. They're easy to work on. You've got to be mindful of rust, make sure you check them out very carefully. I would never buy a US restored car unless I saw the restoration and the car in bare metal, and they ran out of bondo that year in the states. Chuck a couple of friends in it, and then find all the events you can.

I actually decided to add some more to war and peace. I like old cars, and I like some car people - normally the old guys who carry shotguns when they see someone driving up their driveway. Old car guys are like old bikers, same thinking, same realness. I fucking hate anyone who belongs to the Mustang club in NZ, or Australia. Half of them have never been to the US, and yet they can explain why you're wrong about everything your car has or hasn't got. Also against the wall when I take over are the Jaguar owners, the Porsche owners, and the Chev owners club guys. I have a special hate in my heart for Ferrari club members, dem fuckers need a life. Bikers are different. I mostly like bikers. You get complete fucktards online and IRL, but for the most part bikers are different, there's a different moral code. Car people are less cool. I have a $2500 alarm in the 67 with a GPS unit, because I know car people are covetous. The 67 lives long periods in a place when the welcoming committee believe in eminent domain laws, and carry Winchester pumps as a greeting. I've never had a biker steal from me, and I'd trust another biker long before I'd trust a muscle car person or a person in a suit. I'd trust a Mopar guy before a chevy guy. But I'd trust a Harley owner long before any of them. And I'm a sportsbike guy.

[ellipsis]

I've never had a biker steal from me, and I'd trust another biker long before I'd trust a muscle car person or a person in a suit. I'd trust a Mopar guy before a chevy guy. But I'd trust a Harley owner long before any of them. And I'm a sportsbike guy.

...what position of trust would the milkman have as opposed to the postman...

[Flip]

The "old school bikers" are a much more social bunch than the car brigades. The bikers are also a lot harder on dick and meat heads, who usually get the message and split.

The MG CC people are a nice bunch. Quite a few of them like me own modern sports cars. I also like most of the Landrover owners, most of them are "as mad as a meat axes".

I personally don't click well with any of the american car clubs. I have never felt entirely comfortable with them. I almost got in a punch up whan I was stuck between two big yank cars on the rivers run in Chch and asked if there was any truith in the saying "the bigger the car the smaller the dick?". I was in a MG midget at the time.

[yevjenko]

Harley "Customs" sales are dropping off...

% change graph


Sales for cruisers and smaller bikes seem to be going up, but the tassels panniers and screens brigade seem to be dropping thru the floor.

HD have lowered their delivery expectations from 287,000 to 281,000 as well.
According to their earnings statement, income made from customs has gone from $29.1M to $23.4M in the last year, while the Sportster and Street line increased by a little over $2M, and Touring bikes have brought in around $2.5M more.Also while overall sales are only slightly down, parts and accessories income has dropped by over $15M. Harley’s US market share slipped from 56% to 51.3%

[scumdog]

99% of the speed of a motorcycle is the lose nut on top. Same with the muscle car thing. I've driven a lot of pro-touring Camaros, mustangs, even pick ups, that are surprisingly quick. So, using a good fraser as a benchmark, I've driven a couple of Cobra's (Factory Five replicas with LS7's/427's) that would spank a good 2 litre fraser - the difference is that the Cobra is much trickier to drive fast.

Most pro-touring Camaros / Mustangs would be slower than a Fraser on a tight course. The real difference is in the development. For example, I've got a 67 Mustang with at least $20k in suspension mods, big Wilwoods all round, and a worked (good) Shelby HiPo. Despite the money in it, it's still a 1960's Ford Falcon parts share car underneath. Is it fast? Well, it's quick, but not fast. It'll do 12 second quarters, and it'll turn and stop (sorta). A stock WRX would kill it. It's more fun to drive than the WRX, and there's more drama (and tyre smoke as well). Would it beat a Fraser? Not in a million years.

So, take a second Gen Camaro, or a 70 'Cuda. If you take time and money, (lots of money), and you're willing to drive bravely, then yes, you can beat a Fraser if you're a reasonably ballsy driver. It's a physics lesson, take a 2800 pound car, stuff 1200 horsepower worth of late model LS or Hemi turbo goodness, and stick enough rubber under it, and it's fast. I've seen Caterham's raced against said set up in the US, so I'm not basing it on opinion, but results.

But, it's kind of missing the point a little. Take a 1960 Impala (or the 58 Impala like I took to the beach hop this year) - with a two speed power glide, the cars just cruise smoothly and effortlessly. The carry lots of weight, and they have tiny brakes. They're also expensive and most of the parts are completely unobtainium. They made a million Mustangs, you can order any part you want. Try ordering parts for a 59 Imperial, or a 57 Pontiac Safari - I've been waiting for years for a couple of trim pieces to come up for sale. With that in mind, you don't risk the cars by racing. Bluntly, I prefer driving the Mustang in 90% of situations, it's the intellectual equivalency of banging rocks together for fun, but that all goes out the window when you can create rubber smoke in any gear. On a hot summers day, I'd prefer the 60 Impala Bel Air convertible, no question. Keep in mind, I'm the guy who thinks 800 k's out of a rear tyre on a thou is perfectly acceptable and normal.

As for racing performance of x versus y - same as bikes, the losest nut wins.

Okay, the TBird. Really great car. You can buy any part you want for them. They have great resale. They're not cheap to run (depending on the motor you get), but they're a great cruising car. You get in, start driving, and spend the day smiling at all the attention. They're easy to work on. You've got to be mindful of rust, make sure you check them out very carefully. I would never buy a US restored car unless I saw the restoration and the car in bare metal, and they ran out of bondo that year in the states. Chuck a couple of friends in it, and then find all the events you can.

I actually decided to add some more to war and peace. I like old cars, and I like some car people - normally the old guys who carry shotguns when they see someone driving up their driveway. Old car guys are like old bikers, same thinking, same realness. I fucking hate anyone who belongs to the Mustang club in NZ, or Australia. Half of them have never been to the US, and yet they can explain why you're wrong about everything your car has or hasn't got. Also against the wall when I take over are the Jaguar owners, the Porsche owners, and the Chev owners club guys. I have a special hate in my heart for Ferrari club members, dem fuckers need a life. Bikers are different. I mostly like bikers. You get complete fucktards online and IRL, but for the most part bikers are different, there's a different moral code. Car people are less cool. I have a $2500 alarm in the 67 with a GPS unit, because I know car people are covetous. The 67 lives long periods in a place when the welcoming committee believe in eminent domain laws, and carry Winchester pumps as a greeting. I've never had a biker steal from me, and I'd trust another biker long before I'd trust a muscle car person or a person in a suit. I'd trust a Mopar guy before a chevy guy. But I'd trust a Harley owner long before any of them. And I'm a sportsbike guy.

Pretty much my view too!

On little cars with grunt: I had a '62 Mistral kit-car, warm 302 Windsor, 5-speed and Mk5 4.1 Cortina suspension and brakes.

Went like a shower of shit off a hot shovel and handled like a go-kart on steroids.

[Drew]

The "old school bikers" are a much more social bunch than the car brigades. The bikers are also a lot harder on dick and meat heads, who usually get the message and split.

The MG CC people are a nice bunch. Quite a few of them like me own modern sports cars. I also like most of the Landrover owners, most of them are "as mad as a meat axes".

I personally don't click well with any of the american car clubs. I have never felt entirely comfortable with them. I almost got in a punch up whan I was stuck between two big yank cars on the rivers run in Chch and asked if there was any truith in the saying "the bigger the car the smaller the dick?". I was in a MG midget at the time.

You're my new fucken hero.