Don't wave at me!

[Big Dave]

a
Awww dave!... I did take a sporty around the Coro loop and ended up in the grass more than once!- the pegs hit the road so easily! and the day after my arse hurt so bad! the seat is so bony.

Heat issues though? I'm wondering if its the girth of the machine.

My Buell gets toasty in summer, but never on a hog.


I like the challenge of a cruiser occasionally. Judging the cornering speed so perfectly that the contact is the softest kiss.

Not as much fun as going full tilt on a sportsbike, but its legal, non impounding, and less likely to be fatal.

[cave weta]

Couldn't agree more. Though I've never tried a big Harley I have ridden a couple and found them very cumbersome with very little brakes for the sheer weight of the things.

I dont think I will ever "get" the whole Harley Mystique thing but I dont begrudge those who do. One cannot compare them to any other bike as they are a breed of their own.

Great write-up Cave Weta! Did ya get any pics?

Thanks for bling!- I did take a couple of shots of it at the kerb.
not worth the megabytes to upload.

[Big Dave]

Tell me you weren't wearing MX pants?

[cave weta]

Heat issues though? I'm wondering if its the girth of the machine.

My Buell gets toasty in summer, but never on a hog.


I like the challenge of a cruiser occasionally. Judging the cornering speed so perfectly that the contact is the softest kiss.

Not as much fun as going full tilt on a sportsbike, but its legal, non impounding, and less likely to be fatal.

These things have a header on both sides- in just the wrong place, and that big black rear cylinder in traffic is just like having a gas heater blasting on full
between your legs.

As for the sporty- One thing I did sort of enjoy was the countersteering needed to set it in to a corner, its a bit speedwayish! -Motu would love it!

[Goblin]

I did take a couple of shots of it at the kerb.
not worth the megabytes to upload.

Pity...was hoping for a giggle at the muddy enduro gear and red bull lid on a Hog. Would have looked a hard case.

[martybabe]

Ah well, an honest report I guess, some of the observations are down to simply different ergos, if you rode it for a week the foot brake would become second nature as would the grips, seriously when you adapt a lot of the stuff seems to work really well.

Good report though and 100% with you on the brakes, technique makes them work better but they are shocking especially as a $ 500 front caliper makes them perfectly acceptable stoppers, shame on you Mr Harley. Never had the heat or air cleaner vibration probs, maybe you were subconsciously clinging on with your legs in fear. They do get a bit warm in traffic but nothing like the buell nut cookers.

Anyway interesting read thanks +1

[Big Dave]

ergonomics |ˌərgəˈnämiks|
plural noun [treated as sing. ]
the study of people's efficiency in their working environment.

It's morphed into bike jargon meaning how well the bike fits you and its intended purpose.

[cheshirecat]

You'll have to go the to gym. I was exhausted journeying up to the front to change gear and back, and I only needed to change three times.

[gatch]

I've never ridden a Harley, probably never will.. This write-up only furthers the stereotype that I had in mind, that most Harleys are poorly designed and fail to function as motorcycles should, the should be returned to the smelt, and fashioned into ship hulls or armor plating for tanks..

[Big Dave]

I've never ridden a Harley, probably never will.. This write-up only furthers the stereotype that I had in mind, that most Harleys are poorly designed and fail to function as motorcycles should, the should be returned to the smelt, and fashioned into ship hulls or armor plating for tanks..

With respect - I have ridden every variant and model regularly for the last 5 years - and that is not correct.

The vehicles compromise between 15% and 20% of the motorcycles sold.

You can't fool that many of the people that much of the time.

I share none of mr wetas criticisms and enjoy the machines for what they are. I find them very comfortable and highly enjoyable to operate within the constrains of the road code - or thereabouts.

[Rob Taylor]

I suppose this is where you quote the "God made" saying,is it

[Horse]

This write-up only furthers the stereotype that I had in mind, that most Harleys are poorly designed and fail to function as motorcycles should, the should be returned to the smelt, and fashioned into ship hulls or armor plating for tanks..

Please continue thinking that, it leaves more for the rest of us.

I'd echo the "are your hands tiny" question to the OP. I have no trouble finding the controls on my Ultra Classic, and LOVE the HD self-cancelling indicators. The bike's layout does take a bit of getting used to coming from something else, but with respect in my (limited) experience that's true of any time spent on a different bike. I recently spent some time on a friend's 80s Honda and coming from my Ultra it felt like I was learning to ride all over again for the first half an hour.

As for the heat issue - I get the impression you were crawling in heavy traffic through to your destination? These bikes are air-cooled, and the newest models are running very lean due to US emissions regs, so they do run warm, especially at a walking pace. They're no good for lane splitting and I don't think I'd use one as a daily commuter in the urban hell you Aucklander's call "traffic".

[MarkH]

Its no bloody wonder they spend so much time in front of pubs looking at them rather than riding them -God awfull it was!

Your review was a great read, it can be great to get an opinion from someone that doesn't like a bike!

For anyone that doesn't agree - get over yourself, cave weta is allowed to not like a bike, even if you think it is great. Personally I have never seen the appeal of HD motorcycles, but if it is what you like then you should get one and enjoy the fuck out of it! One thing that I have noticed with bikes is the huge variety of ergonomics and styles of bike - different strokes for different folks and all that.

[saltydog]

I've never ridden a Harley, probably never will..that most Harleys are poorly designed and fail to function as motorcycles should, the should be returned to the smelt, and fashioned into ship hulls or armor plating for tanks..

Why argue with the man ay? Armour plating for tanks, thats a good one jock!
best I've heard all day.
Must have been something out there in the garage, I'm having a right chuckle tonight.