 Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 140
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 140 |
Quote:
I see guys on the ferry to CT sometimes that love to rev their motors as much as possible inside the boat just to annoy the cagers? Or prove theirs is louder?
This one brought a smile... when I first moved to Houston I had a 2-stroker Suzuki GT 550 with a local-made dirt bike type silencer, loud as h3ll. My brother got a Honda 650 with factory whisper silencer. We would sit at traffic lights and take turns reving the motors and laugh like crazy.
Now I have the Triumph with tame TOR and he has a loud HD. We still rev at the stop lights and laugh like crazy. It is even more fun when there are other bikes around.
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Gary
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 382
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 382 |
I can go for a long time  You know what they say, I aint as good as I once was , but i,m as good once as I ever was!
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425 |
Well in that reply,,,the BEEMER set usually enjoys fine machinery, so, they will usually ride a eruro bike,,,be it German, Brit, Itialian,
Case in point, I know a guy who had in his drive,, F150, nissan Altama, and a very nice Porch.
now w/ gas he has F150 and new mercedes diesel. Now the general impression is dude in a benze is a pompus a$$. Nothing is further from the truth. He is the most down to earth guy in the world.
OK im done reading this thread.
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
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Most Harley's I come up on are travelling much slower than I.
Sometimes, that is for the same reason I don't ride near as fast as Joe Ricer. The faster you go, the sooner you get there and have to stop riding. Riding faster than you need to is taken by some as a sure sign you don't like your bike or maybe you are ashamed of it and are hoping to get away before someone sees you.
Now, Let's start the ricer litany:
1. Harleys are unreliable, which is why there are still a lot of shovelheads, panheads, knuckleheads and even an accasional flathead still in daily use and you hardly ever see a wonderful, high quality riceburner over 10 years old.
2. Harleys are all very slow, which is why they are pretty much the only bikes that take home trophys in the top fuel class at the dragstrip and has held the 2 wheel land speed record for some 12 years now.
3. Harleys vibrate too much, which is why it is the 4 cylinder buzzbomb crowd that throws quater after quarter into the vibro massage machine at the motels.
4. Harleys are too expensive and, of course, in this day of instant gratification, no self esteme and patent lazyness, getting a cheap basket case and building it yourself is unthinkable.
I'll say it once again, there is nothing wrong with a Harley, but there is something right with a Triumph.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265 |
I'll say it once again, there is nothing wrong with a Harley, but there is something right with a Triumph.
HERE HERE!!!
"Reality is for people who lack Imagination"
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
beamer,
I'm sure you know that I was just "pullin' a FriarJohn" here. As he said, "...I'm just trying to provoke...". 
I've nothing against BMWs. They are EXCELLENT bikes. Almost bought an R1100RS once back in '95. Took it for a test ride. Found it superbly engineered. 
In FACT it was SO superbly engineered(imagaine THAT?! it's GERMAN!!! )...that I thought of it as more of an "appliance" than a motorcycle.  (also test rode a Yamaha GTS1000 back then also...you know...the one with the center-hub steering...felt the same way about it...but a VERY COOL and advanced design just the same)
Bought the Triumph Sprint instead.
Cheers,
Dwight
(now, in the flip-side of this engineering phenomenon, I guess there's nothing MORE A "motorcycle", if you'd like to put it that way, than a Harley...but I've always been into the "happy medium" thing...That's why I "gots me" TRIUMPHS...Somewhat modern in design, but STILL has that "motorcycle feel", if ya know what I mean...but that's just me) 
Last edited by Dwight; 05/28/2006 3:11 PM.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734 |
I had a feeling my post would turn into this. Almost didn't hit the submit button, but I'm glad everyone got to drop trou and measure. 
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31 |
Quote:
I've nothing against BMWs. They are EXCELLENT bikes. Almost bought an R1100RS once back in '95. Took it for a test ride. Found it superbly engineered.
In FACT it was SO superbly engineered(imagaine THAT?! it's GERMAN!!! )...that I thought of it as more of an "appliance" than a motorcycle.
Dwight,
You only really start appreciating the modern BMW's when you start putting serious mileage on them. They also handle very well considering their relative size.
I've had my R1100RT for over 9 years now with my serious travelling habits and I am still impressed with the ride.
Perhaps that's why I am a little nervous when considering a HD (although I have ZERO experience with HD's) for my upcoming Trans-US tour next year.
Also check out Stern12's Cleveland thread.
Sorry for deviation.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21 |
Amen,Greybeard.I have always loved Harleys and was ready to lay down the cash for a new one when I discovered the Bonneville America. Since the weather has gotten "right" the parking lot at work is full of every breed of bike in production. The coolest bike in the lot (excluding my Triumph) is an old Harley that the guy built in his garage. There are several newer H-D's as well, but even the new H-D's almost seem like Harley-clones and most of them are ridden by biker-clones.(Maybe "clone isn't exactly the correct term. I'm referring to inferior copies)I think most of the Harley bashing is really not directed at the bikes as much as at some owners who shouldn't even be on a bike. Sure I bash Harleys, but I also bash GM and I have owned and loved a couple Chevies in my day.
Cheers
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21 |
BTW. I have never had a Harley rider say anything bad about my bike except as tongue in cheek. I would rather ride with a group of Harleys than any other group, especially RAT Packs. No one but H-D or Triumph owners are passionate enough about their bikes to tattoo the logo on their skin.
I have nothing but respect for "genuine" H-D riders and their machines. I don't think "genuine" needs to be defined here.
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Quote:
I had a feeling my post would turn into this. Almost didn't hit the submit button, but I'm glad everyone got to drop trou and measure.
Haha so true... Seems to happen a lot eh?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
I had a feeling my post would turn into this. Almost didn't hit the submit button, but I'm glad everyone got to drop trou and measure.
Haha so true... Seems to happen a lot eh?
Yep! Sometime mentioning the name Harley Davidson to THIS crowd is akin to waving red meat in front of a friggin' lion.
Bedouin,
All I can tell you is that I know many a Harley owner and most have had pretty good luck with them. In fact my neighbor, Darrell, owned a very nice all black base model 2001 Electra Glide that he rode from L.A. to Sturgis and back, a distance of almost 3000 miles and experienced absolutely no problems along his journey. He's since sold it, as he got into the sport bike/track days thing, but he still recalls with fondness his Harley experience.
Cheers,
Dwight
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 31 |
Quote:
Bedouin,
All I can tell you is that I know many a Harley owner and most have had pretty good luck with them.
Dwight,
Yes, I'm sure that's true ... it's just all these "horror" stories you keep hearing.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 937
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 937 |
Quote:
Sometime mentioning the name Harley Davidson to THIS crowd is akin to waving red meat in front of a friggin' lion.
LOL...excellent analogy, Dwight! It do seem that way sometimes, don't it?
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734 |
Well, during Stern12's parade...err...ride, I'm wondering just how many Harleys there were compared to other brands? If they're anything like the organized event rides I go on, it's something like 95-100% Harleys. No wonder they're the ones breaking down with numbers like that. Having said that, I'm going after something Greybeard said; Quote:
2. Harleys are all very slow, which is why they are pretty much the only bikes that take home trophys in the top fuel class at the dragstrip and has held the 2 wheel land speed record for some 12 years now.
If you're talking stock Harleys, or just the usual Stage 1 or 2 mods...which is what the vast majority of the Harleys are when seen on public roads, then they ARE comparitively slow when measured up against other makes with similar displacement. According to this chart of dyno runs, your stock Twin Cam 88 Harley puts out anywhere from 53-64 hp. On a 650-800 lb bike that's fairly pathetic considering how much you pay for a Harley. IMO some of that money should be buying performance instead of nicely fitted chrome sparkly baubles.
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
Well, during Stern12's parade...err...ride, I'm wondering just how many Harleys there were compared to other brands? If they're anything like the organized event rides I go on, it's something like 95-100% Harleys. No wonder they're the ones breaking down with numbers like that.
Having said that, I'm going after something Greybeard said;
Quote:
2. Harleys are all very slow, which is why they are pretty much the only bikes that take home trophys in the top fuel class at the dragstrip and has held the 2 wheel land speed record for some 12 years now.
If you're talking stock Harleys, or just the usual Stage 1 or 2 mods...which is what the vast majority of the Harleys are when seen on public roads, then they ARE comparitively slow when measured up against other makes with similar displacement. According to this chart of dyno runs, your stock Twin Cam 88 Harley puts out anywhere from 53-64 hp. On a 650-800 lb bike that's fairly pathetic considering how much you pay for a Harley. IMO some of that money should be buying performance instead of nicely fitted chrome sparkly baubles.
Yeah. When I start seeing HDs or their derivatives competing on the road racing circuit (without special rule changes to give them an advantage) then I might say they're getting somewhere.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
True enough Bill.
Until Willie G. gives the V-Rod motor to Eric Buell so he can drop a modern engine into those very creative frames of his, Harley will be but a one trick (cruiser) pony, with a minor sideline of "specialty" bikes that have Eric's Pegasus logo on them.(sorry Eric...Sportster motors do not a sportbike make...at least not anymore)
That's what I like about Triumph's line. Though they still haven't, as you noted, gone racing in any major(read: AMA, WSB, or MotoGP) way, they can lay claim to having a legitimate "heritage" line, AND a modern sportbike line, which is especially surprising considering Triumph is a relatively small manufacturer.
Cheers,
Dwight
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Harley owner reviews 06 America
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017 |
Quote:
According to this chart of dyno runs, your stock Twin Cam 88 Harley puts out anywhere from 53-64 hp. On a 650-800 lb bike that's fairly pathetic considering how much you pay for a Harley.
Their torque specs don't look all that bad though...
Mark
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