 Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 129
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 129 |
Beautiful day today and spent all of it riding around town. Anyway, stopped by a friend of mine's place who has a leather shop. When I was coming out, a guy on a Geezer Glide comes pulling up and we start talking about Triumph's, cause that's what people do when they see you riding one.
He says "These things still a rattle trap? When I used to have one it would just shake and shake."
I told him that no, it was a really smooth ride and that this was one of the deciding factors in my purchase of the bike. I explained that I had test driven two Harleys before deciding on the America, and that the America felt really smooth, even on the highway.
He made some comment about quiet bikes and how they just don't sound as good as a Harley. I responded that in my experience new Harleys are about as quiet as anything else out there, as everyone is trying to comply with all the environmental laws and emissions standards these days.
Then he starts the braggin (or whatever you want to call it) and says, "yeah, mines not so quiet now." and he starts his up and revs it a time or two. "whats yours sound like?"
I started mine up, as I was leaving anyway, and surprised him, as my bike was clearly louder and meaner sounding than his was.
Then he says, "I thought you said that thing was quiet." to which I responded "I said it was a smooth ride, not that it was quiet."
Anyway, made me laugh and thought I would share it. Nothing against Harleys, I'd own one too if I had the money.
My '07 "For three days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off." Johnny Carson
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Then he says, "I thought you said that thing was quiet." to which I responded "I said it was a smooth ride, not that it was quiet."
 
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
I love the sound of my Harley breathing through Vance&Hines long shots with baffles. However my Speedmaster with gutted stock pipes truly stirs the soul. It sounds like a Nascar motor. Maybe if everyone had one it would be different, but everyone doesn't so we're different; might as well make an impression. 
Strangler
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
my harley buds have commented that my TBA with its' Sceptors , sounds like a growling canine.....and when we are at a stop. I can actually hear as the decibles ARE lower.....than on the harley at idel....................... Love harley but love my Trumpet more ! 
Last edited by hill8586; 03/02/2008 10:29 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
|
|
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Every time you guys start up I think about gutting my TORs. It would bring out the young in me again, but then again, maybe that's not such a good idea! Good story.
Fidelis et Fortis
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
I remember reading another story here a long time ago about a guy running his english bike against a harely. I cant do it justice but he went in to detail about how the harley was on his tail most of the time thru the mountians and how he would gain a good lead on the twisties and finally the harley was to much for him and passed him on a long straight away. He said he pedeled that "English" bicycle as fast as he could.............
Erwin
05 America
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
I remember reading another story here a long time ago about a guy running his english bike against a harely. I cant do it justice but he went in to detail about how the harley was on his tail most of the time thru the mountians and how he would gain a good lead on the twisties and finally the harley was to much for him and passed him on a long straight away. He said he pedeled that "English" bicycle as fast as he could.............
Race with a Harley
I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed
to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really
twisting sections of mountain road with no straight sections to
speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that
say "MAX SPEED 50 KPH".
I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where
handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.
I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could
catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and
cornering. Three corners later, I was on his mudguard. Catching him
was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.
Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the
mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly
got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd
manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but
when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out-power me. His
horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me
more determined than ever.
My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever
until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an
instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of
his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before
the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.
But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I
stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the
canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see
him in my rear-view mirror.
Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles
before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I
was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the
tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more
than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. Though it was
not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the mountain and I had
preserved the proud tradition of one of the best bits of Brit iron.
I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled
so hard in my life. And, some of the credit must go to Raleigh
cycles, as well. They really make a great bicycle...
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Thats the one  Man that makes me laugh..... I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life
Erwin
05 America
|
|
|
Re: Funny Harley Story
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354 |
Bill, With all that pedaling to outdo the Harley, did you let out a big'ol' "Yabba-dabba-doo!!!" when you did it?  Great story !
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
|
|
|
|
|
