Harleys. Love them or hate them.

[scumdog]

Bah.

I ride a Honda - a naked one and enjoy it. Just as well as it will be a long haul until I have the dollars for a replacement

Driving back from Wanaka to Christchurch today, in the car, with the family on very empty roads, my mind wondered to bikes (as it often does). It occurred to me around the Southern roads that this would be ideal Harley (or 'cruiser') territory. Good quality roads, nice open corners with just enough tight stuff to keep it interesting - long straights with beautiful scenery.

Superb cruising roads - 110 or there abouts and enjoying the ride not the race.

Just a thought.

Your thought is right on the button!!

[naphazoline]

........ They took off past me and my mates and past a coach up ahead, passing completely blind on a left hand bend.

How the f'k did they know they'd get away with it? Do they not have people at home they're hoping to see again?

That's exactly what i'm talking about.Regardless of what brand/style bike,some people just seem to have a deathwish.

Also totally agree with Peasea about the kids thing,combined with getting older and not so stupid.

[ducatilover]

A goodie....because?

The white lines on the road a clear and not worn down I think

[Elysium]

We do, fuckers on sports bikes don't. Tossers.

Correction, Ducati sport bike riders don't wave...dam snobs.

[ducatilover]

Correction, Ducati sport bike riders don't wave...dam snobs.

they are to busy basking in their clattering desmo noise. Or they are concentrating on how to afford the next service

[Patrick]

.... Some people see them as a tough image, they are just an old hat cruiser, no penile enlargement and nothing fancy. Simple. those who ride them like them.

and don't wave

Yes we fuckin' do........

They mean, "with all fingers extended..."

Doesn't matter if I'm on my Guzzi or Harley, I don't wave.

No stunt riding for you, then?

This pic is an oldie, but a goodie:

No it isn't... he only hit the front one and missed all the others......

Yep. Sunday. Coming back from Methven. Couldn't name all the bikes (they looked much the same) but one was an older GSXR without a fairing. There was a flash, blue coach / RV type thing up ahead that they passed on sheer luck.

And if they had been ticketed for it, the "cop was an arsehole" thread on here would have been created....?

From what I saw and heard, the riders around town for this bike show etc were well behaved and courteous. No problems mentioned from any quarter.

[Elysium]

they are to busy basking in their clattering desmo noise. Or they are concentrating on how to afford the next service

Only need to be told buy a guy who owns a Ducat about the cost to maintain one to scare me away from them

[ducatilover]

Only need to be told buy a guy who owns a Ducat about the cost to maintain one to scare me away from them

I have a mate who loves his duke. Yet he hates his duke... Similar to me and my little puss rocket. I think the duke thing is similar to the harley thing. Mainly it comes down to appeal and noise.

[naphazoline]

Only need to be told buy a guy who owns a Ducat about the cost to maintain one to scare me away from them

I'd absolutely love a Duke.Actually,there's about 4-5 models i like,but i too have been turned off them by some horrific "maintainance bill" stories.

What's the upkeep on the Brittish/American bikes like?

I'd be particularly interested in the modern Triumph costs.

[mdnzz]

I'd absolutely love a Duke.Actually,there's about 4-5 models i like,but i too have been turned off them by some horrific "maintainance bill" stories.

What's the upkeep on the Brittish/American bikes like?

I'd be particularly interested in the modern Triumph costs.

I was the same but the cost of maintenance and parts put me right off the Duke's.

Um British or Yank made......upkeep continuous...never ending....bloody nightmare....parts unavailable or from some obscure outta the way unknown hick town where ya brother's sister happens to be ya aunts daughter to your 6th cousin

[mdnzz]

And if they had been ticketed for it, the "cop was an arsehole" thread on here would have been created....?

From what I saw and heard, the riders around town for this bike show etc were well behaved and courteous. No problems mentioned from any quarter.

From what I saw while there mostly well behaved guys and gals out having a good day, but yes there will always be a few that like to test Darwin's theory

[Boulder]

So what the fucks up with the "tough guy" shit??

We will never know for sure. My guess is that Harleys, weather you em them or not, are generally looked at by the general public as BAD ASS bikes, or THE bike to have, or the bike that is LOUD and COOL. No doubt about it, Harleys have a reputation and a big one. The also cost more than many bikes. All this adds up to feeling special when you own and ride a HD. When in a group with those mean exhausts roaring you must feel powerful. Riding together close makes it stronger. Thats how I see it.

[Molly]

Harleys have a reputation and a big one. The also cost more than many bikes. All this adds up to feeling special when you own and ride a HD. When in a group with those mean exhausts roaring you must feel powerful. Riding together close makes it stronger. Thats how I see it.

That might be the case for some, in fact I'm sure it is. I just like Harleys and have for years. I like my Guzzi too. Shit, I just like bikes. That's why I'm always skint...

On the parts question, I've found H-D prices to be a lot less than for Italian bikes I've owned. Haven't needed much in the past eight years but, for example, an entire starter clutch assembly inc. jackshaft cost me only $140. Not bad (though it could also be sourced through Toyota...). The aftermarket always provides a range of other options too, not to mention that many parts are interchangable across different models.

I looked at a Ducati 999 last year but it needed new clocks / console that would've cost over two grand. Still, if you've a passion for a bike then you'll justify the cost regardless of the brand.

[naphazoline]

.....On the parts question, I've found H-D prices to be a lot less than for Italian bikes I've owned. Haven't needed much in the past eight years but, for example, an entire starter clutch assembly inc. jackshaft cost me only $140. Not bad (though it could also be sourced through Toyota...). The aftermarket always provides a range of other options too, not to mention that many parts are interchangable across different models....

That's fakin cheap.
I know when i brought parts for my Chev,they were quite often cheaper then parts for some jap cars.But then that was quite a few years ago now,and i suspect that things might have got a fair bit dearer now.

[popelli]

I was the same but the cost of maintenance and parts put me right off the Duke's.

Um British or Yank made......upkeep continuous...never ending....bloody nightmare....parts unavailable or from some obscure outta the way unknown hick town where ya brother's sister happens to be ya aunts daughter to your 6th cousin

have you ever owned any of these or are you speaking from years of observing other well educated opinions

I own a ducati maintenance is simple and parts are cheaper than jap bikes, buy a haynes manual and do the maintenance yourself

As for yank stuff I own several harleys parts are readily and easily available and a lot cheaper than jap parts

upkeep continuous - my 23 year old 250,000km evo is 100% reliable and better than any jap or german or italian bike that I have ever owned