I finally 'get' Harleys

**NordieBoy** · 8th October 2007, 09:20

Originally Posted by Goblin

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** · 8th October 2007, 09:46

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 8th October 2007, 10:00

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**scumdog** · 8th October 2007, 10:04

Originally Posted by Pixie

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** · 8th October 2007, 11:45

Originally Posted by Mark Hadfield

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** · 8th October 2007, 11:46

Originally Posted by Pixie

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

Get a real tractor - Get a David Brown!

**Timber020** · 8th October 2007, 12:43

Originally Posted by scumdog

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** · 8th October 2007, 17:25

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

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** · 8th October 2007, 18:45

Originally Posted by peasea

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

**Skyryder** · 8th October 2007, 18:53

Originally Posted by riffer

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** · 8th October 2007, 21:12

Originally Posted by Timber020

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** · 8th October 2007, 23:13

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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??

**sAsLEX** · 9th October 2007, 02:40

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 9th October 2007, 03:24

Originally Posted by peasea

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?

dont worry folks we have im under control...........