Street Rod

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2005, 15:58

Howdy
just back from playing 'journo' in oz and a burn on the harley-davidson street rod.

I like the way harleys look. i think they are lovely machines visually. well finished, beautiful paint, and i like a willy g line. my taste.
never been overly keen on the way they go, i ain't mick doohan or nuffink, but i do like to get a knee out occasionally and a harley (in my price range and size) didn't quite do it for me. I like riding theam and sportsters are quite chuckable, but a little cramped for us 'economy size' blokes.

But, note i said 'didn't'.
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/streetrod_800px.jpg
not as keen on the way it looks as a fat boy or springer, but this is a very rewarding motorcycle for anyone who enjoys sports riding.

GREAT motor, good handling, stability, GROUND CLEARANCE (i touched hero pegs twice in 400km of steep alpine riding), brembo brakes, 120 very usable ponies, v twin torque, lovely smooth final drive, solid frame, sweet gearbox, comfort, and a H-D quality finish.

I had a few very minor gripes (and i had to think hard), but they are only pertinent to riders 6'4" or more. (instrument angle, lever angle etc) Full report in Kiwi Rider issue after next. (and KB after that - KR paid)

Meantime, Big Dave Rating:
If it's in your price bracket - test ride one as soon as the demo's are available (shortly) - 4.5 Schwings!

Also decided that after 2 days riding around what many (including HD) regard as the best riding in OZ - just how good we've got it, riding and living here.

Mt Beauty, Bright and the roads I saw are remarkably similar to the best NZ conditions. Magnificent riding. Even the pub would remind a Kiwi of the Cardrona and only when the stands of pines give way to the powerful and pleasant scent of the alpine eucalypts does it remind you that indeed it is not the South Island.

And it lasts for all of 80km.

bd

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 16:02

exhausts are friggin ugly

and they shoulda made ya ride it up mt tambourine.... or somewhere in tassie.... oz has it all, you just gotta find it!

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2005, 16:08

Originally Posted by Blakamin

exhausts are friggin ugly

and they shoulda made ya ride it up mt tambourine.... or somewhere in tassie.... oz has it all, you just gotta find it!

Agree - lived in tassie for 4 years. Queesnstown run would be my choice, but the weather was pretty crook at albury.

Lived on the gold coast too, don't remember ever riding up tambourine - take your word for it.

There's heaps of good mountains, but not many roads through the snowys? sealed ones anyway?

Exhaust - not the best lookers - but one of the nicest stock systems I've heard - at 6 grand in hums

bd

**James Deuce** · 18th March 2005, 16:08

Originally Posted by Blakamin

exhausts are friggin ugly

and they shoulda made ya ride it up mt tambourine.... or somewhere in tassie.... oz has it all, you just gotta find it!

(cough) bullshit (cough)

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 16:11

Originally Posted by Jim2

(cough) bullshit (cough)

wot??? you like them zorsts????? too high for me... and toooo big.....

**James Deuce** · 18th March 2005, 16:12

Originally Posted by Blakamin

wot??? you like them zorsts????? too high for me... and toooo big.....

(cough) bullshit artist (cough)

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 16:13

I spent 10 years travellin oz and I still aint seen half.... everything from snow to deserts.... and a few hills and cool roads... and a round of the motoGP

**James Deuce** · 18th March 2005, 16:17

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I spent 10 years travellin oz and I still aint seen half.... everything from snow to deserts.... and a few hills and cool roads... and a round of the motoGP

Yeah, but it's full of farkin' cahn Australians.

Bout time Ngati Bondi finished their invasion plans I reckon.

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2005, 16:24

Originally Posted by Jim2

Yeah, but it's full of farkin' cahn Australians.

Bout time Ngati Bondi finished their invasion plans I reckon.

9 other publications represented the days I was at this thing - 3 of them were kiwis writing for Oz mags or newspapers. (plus me the other way round - but i'm like that)
The bloke i sat down and joined for dinner last night was a Maori truckie living in Melbourne.

Plans? - fait acompli, mate.

bd

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 17:03

I have this thing... I LOVE AUSTRALIA..... but my mrs wont move......

and I love it here tooo..... go figure :spudwhat:

**Jackrat** · 18th March 2005, 18:10

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I have this thing... I LOVE AUSTRALIA..... but my mrs wont move......

and I love it here tooo..... go figure :spudwhat:

Yeah me to,bloody great place,top people.
Reckon somebody should build a bridge.
Hmmmm,like Vrods too,might drop into Frasers next month an check em out.

Is it just me but does this Street Rod have more hight/ground clearance than the standard VRod??

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 18:14

Originally Posted by Jackrat

Yeah me to,bloody great place,top people.
Reckon somebody should build a bridge.

Imagine driving 12 hours on a bridge!!!.... motels and servos every 200k!!!

**scumdog** · 18th March 2005, 18:31

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I have this thing... I LOVE AUSTRALIA..... but my mrs wont move......

and I love it here tooo..... go figure :spudwhat:

I loved it over there too but they have this 'thing' about some of my toys and won't let them in (AK$7 etc) and my hot rod F100 would make a Q'land cop cream his jeans with ticket potential and don't get me started on the Mistral....

Nice climate, nice people, just not yet for me, maybe when I "mature".

**Blakamin** · 18th March 2005, 19:09

Originally Posted by scumdog

I loved it over there too but they have this 'thing' about some of my toys and won't let them in (AK$7 etc) and my hot rod F100 would make a Q'land cop cream his jeans with ticket potential and don't get me started on the Mistral....

yeah... martin bryant fucked it for heaps of people... damn masss murderers....

Originally Posted by scumdog

Nice climate, nice people, just not yet for me, maybe when I "mature".

you... mature.....