 HD demo ride.
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Saturday I had a chance to take a new HD for a supervised ride, at the local dealer. I just don't get it, what makes a HD buyer pay $18K to $22K for thoes bikes ? My '03 BA was only $7K, which make me even happer with it. I'll never give it up but will add a second bike, soon. Wnat to travel by bike, all over after I retire.
My BA is more confortable and doesn't vibrate so mutch that my hands go numb. The Dyna Low Boy, did handle better at low speed. But it didn't inpress me enough to want another ride.
May go to the closes Triumph Dealer, (120 miles away) and ride a Rocket III. Next Saturday
Blue '03 TBA, Made in England. (50+ mpg).
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 Re: HD demo ride.
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Old Hand
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The Dyna Low Boy, did handle better at low speed.
But, that is very important when you trailer your bike to a run just to ride in the slow race. 
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Did ya try a sportster ? the 883's are only $6500.
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Loquacious
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My local HD dealer is having demo day in a couple of weeks and hope to take a Sporty or something out for a ride.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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I rode my buddies 05 dyna wide glide custom yesterday,$20k plus to purchase then $10k in goodies this past winter. I don't get it either.Don't like the weight, not as nimble, alot of vibration, not any faster in lower gears anyway.It does look and sound good though.
some times the light's all shining on me
other times I can barely see
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Hey I have a friend with a wide glide for 30k also and another who took a mortgage loan for his  Really!
When shopping for a bike recently I test rode a couple of HD's and swore I would not spend the money. Not being up on street bikes I did not relize how terrible they were and I will admit it was the first I looked at. I was going to get a mid size cruiser and figured the 883 would fit the bill. First I never saw one for less then 4k over the msrp. Yes over 11k was the cheapest new one I could find. I tried to get a test ride but could not immediately. I thank god frequently for that because the next week I rode a friends neighbors BA. Then I got a HD dealer to give me a test ride. "How pathetic" was my first thought! Vibes, sluggish and just did not seem to handle well, though I did not get to "really" ride it but the first impression sucked. Every Japanese bike I rode was far better than the HD but I could not get the Triumph out of my head. How nimble it felt was my biggest impression.
I also rode a sporty 1200 and it really felt like a heavy 883 to me. I guess after more street experience I may have different views but I loooooovvvvveeee my Triumph.
I will say my friends wide glide is some seriuos eye candy. Unlike others I am not too attracted to the sound. They just always sound like they want to go slow.
By the way I have always had a love for bonnevilles but did not really know about the new Triumphs until researching bikes for a purchase.
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The local harley dealer here has an 883 for $7100, a1200R for$9600 and a 1200C for $10,400 .He's also got a 1200 low for $ 10,200, He's also got a real pretty silver dyna superglide for $13,200, that seems like quite a difference in price, it would be worth a trip upstate to save that kinda $. I live up by Watertown.
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South Point, Ohio: just about as far south in that fine state as one can live (except for Sybene). Years ago someone pointed out to me that Harley riders tend to have fewer children, because vibrations tend to make one go sterile! 
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Quote:
The local harley dealer here has an 883 for $7100, a1200R for$9600 and a 1200C for $10,400 .He's also got a 1200 low for $ 10,200, He's also got a real pretty silver dyna superglide for $13,200, that seems like quite a difference in price, it would be worth a trip upstate to save that kinda $. I live up by Watertown.
Yes it seems here on the island HD buyers get even more ripped off than elsewhere! I stopped at a HD dealer in CT and could not believe the price differences.
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Did ya try a sportster
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
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Quote:
Quote:
Did ya try a sportster
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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Greenhorn
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The only upside to HDs is how they hold their value. That doesn't mean they're worth the ASININE amount people ask for used HD's, but some how, some way there is always some rub out their willing to pay $7K for a 1991 used 833 Sportster with a few aftermarket parts. I will give Harley this, they have GREAT brand loyalty and folks are willing to pay the extra cash just to own the name. Just like folks who are willing to pay $200 for a pair of pants that were manufactured at the same factory in China that the Old Navy $20 special was...
And for those who defend their purchase with "it's american made" seem to forget that when you do the math, the parts on a HD are 80% (or some high percentage like that) manufactured overseas.
Last edited by grail21; 05/10/2006 2:45 PM.
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I guess you ain't tried one either.
actually, used to own one...an '83 XLS...cast iron sporty, pre-Evo by about 6 months...had it nicely accessorized, overbored to 70 cid, with a mild cam grind and aftermarket pipes...the XLS was a limited run special edition with mag wheels and a fat bob tank...looked a lot like an FX...looked nice, pretty fast, and sounded great! but, I love my TBA, and I sure as hell wouldn't even consider an 883...or for that matter even a 1200...no siree bob...
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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I had a 76 ironhead put over 25000miles on it in 3 years. It was a hardtail ratster. Loads of fun.
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Greenhorn
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Just to clarify what I was trying to say because I don’t want to come off as a Harley basher - I’m not. I like some Harleys – in fact, I think as far as stock bikes go, the Night Train is a beautiful machine right out of the factory. I would own it and ride the ****** out of it any day of the week. And looks wise, some of the old pan/flat/knucklehead – even some sportsters – when they’re all done up – that’s just some sweet moto action right there. That goes for some Jap bikes as well – I own a Suzuki right now that I ABSOLUTELY love. I don’t care who makes it – if it rides good, looks good, sounds good, etc… I don’t care who made it or where it came from.
The reason I don’t own an HD is because they’re so expensive and I personally don’t think they’re worth the extra $$ just for the name. The other thing I dislike about the whole “HD Experience†are some of the attitudes you get from the “enthusiasts†but that’s an entirely different topic all together.
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I agree, but it looks like the Triumph "enthusiasts" are just as bad. Everyone keeps talking about price??? 883-$7100, 790-$7900,- rocket big cruiser- $15500, dyna big cruiser-$13,500
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Have you ridden a new one?
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I had a sh1tload of fun on my XLS, too...met a few girls on it too! ...my biggest beef with it was, it didn't like sustained high speeds...I'd go on a run and try to cruise at 80 and she'd get all hot and bothered and start to blow smoke...but it was unique...wasn't something off the showroom floor that 100's of others were riding...which is why I like the Triumph...in my city of 200,000, I've got the only America, and even if there was another, mine would still be unique...a guy on a nice looking Magna came up beside me the other day and said "Gorgeous bike!"...I hang out with Harley riders a lot, and they are real positive about my little Triumph...when I get the big bore/stroker work done and the nitrous on, I'll show them "little" all right! Can you say "VRD KLR"
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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Quote:
Have you ridden a new one?
Actually, truth be known, I've never ridden an EVO...only big twins I've ever rode were shovels...I think the EVO engine was an incredible technical development for HD...definitely saved their a$$ after the AMF junk years...I'm just a bit tired of V-twins is all...
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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Last edited by Stone; 05/10/2006 4:00 PM.
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some of the hard-core types I knew back then just cursed the Evo...said it was too Jap, and it wasn't a real Harley and railed about how HD had sold out...their motto was, See no Evo, Hear no Evo, Ride no Evo!
'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: HD demo ride.
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Loquacious
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I guess you ain't tried one either.
Actually, Yes i have. And i posted a report on it here on this forum. Harley Davidson did a test ride day in Chattanooga last summer. I rode a few harleys, one of them i liked a huge amount, that being the 35th Annivesary Super Glide.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/PR/MOT/20...section=gallery
But I also stated in that post that i test rode a Sportster and that as i left the parking lot on the thing I was in two minds to take the thing straight back, but decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and take it on the 10 mile test route. Shoudnt have bothered as it didnt get any better. The Sporster was quite possibly the worst motorcycle i have ever riden.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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The Sporster was quite possibly the worst motorcycle i have ever riden.
Mark,
Having had a sexy TLS in your history, I can see how that is.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I remember when they first came out[evo] my buddy bought one, let some of us try it and we all were joking how it felt like a jap bike, big differance to my ironhead hardtail.  
Stone,
Interesting observation. I guess a lot of this "controversy" surrounding this topic whenever HDs are discussed around here has a lot to do with the attitude of...change vs tradition.
There are some diehards in every group. Some former, and even a few present Triumph owners can't quite come to terms OHC engines and think the modern Bonnevilles in all their permutation are more "Japanese" than British.
Some HD owners absolutely hate the V-Rod.
Heck, I know a guy with a couple of bevelhead Ducatis that thinks a "real Ducati" doesn't use belts to drive it's Demodromic valves. He opines that if it doesn't have a tower-shaft "it ain't a real Ducati".
What I think some people fail to see is that time marches on, and new ideals are not necessarily an affront to tradition.
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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Loquacious
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Having had a sexy TLS in your history, I can see how that is.
Man i miss that bike. Nothing could touch it in the corners, but dammnm that thing was uncomfortable at low speed.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Old Hand
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Quote:
I'm really wondering how many of you have actually ridden a harley, they ain't asport bike so they don't handle like one' duh. It sounds like abunch of tire kickers looking at price tags and listening to other peoples crap without ever even owning one so that they know what they are talking about 
Been riding mostly HD since I was 18, probably something on the order of 1.5 million miles or more. Before that, I spent 2 years each on a Velocette and a Triumph.
In HD's favour, they are infinately rebuildable to the point that you can replace individual crank pins. And, at least after you replace the Sino-Japanese electrics, they will run a long time.
They don't handle nearly as well as the Triumph Cruisers. On the other hand, you can modify the frames and suspension a lot without hurting such handling as they have. Even Mikey can ride those things they churn out at OCC!
HD's can be made to go really fast. The trick is to start off by installing a cash injection system.
HD has a lot of class, obviously enough to impress japan.inc with a severe case of V2 envy. But, they don't have as much as Triiumph. Like I've said before, there is nothing wrong with Harley, but there is something right with Triumph.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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I agree, but it looks like the Triumph "enthusiasts" are just as bad. Everyone keeps talking about price??? 883-$7100, 790-$7900,- rocket big cruiser- $15500, dyna big cruiser-$13,500
Comparing a Dyna and a Rocket III? That's apples and oranges when you look at the HP and torque. And that's my problem with Harleys...the lack of performance. Even though I dislike Yamaha/Star for their marketing tactics, they at least give you some guts for 15 grand with their 113 inch V-twin. Harley needs to do the same. Bump that TC88 to 100 inches and I might buy one.
According to this site. a stock TC88 motor puts out 59 hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque. That's fine if you're just paradin' along with the local HOG Chapter at 10 mph under the posted speed limit like they do here, but some of us want more than that for $15,000 and in a bike that weighs 700 lbs.
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Learned Hand
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I wasnt going to say anything, pretty much likeing something about all kinds of bikes. I riden some nice harley's and some just as nice honda's. I think harely is partly responsible for being bashed by the attitude of a few riders. As in there aint nothing else but a harley. Also it puts me off slighty when you pull into some harley dealers and they have the little sign up harely parking only. Every other brand of bike dealer i'v ever been to including bmw, has bike parking only. They don't single out their brand as if to say, if you aint on our bike you aint worthy of parking here. But having said all that I could have just as easily bought a harley, I just didnt this time. And I might add I'v never had anything but positive comment's on my bike from harley riders that actually ride bikes. There is this one fellow that asks me evertime I run into him, if im about ready for a harely. I was riding bikes when he was still in diapers. I always just give him the same answer, not yet.
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Loquacious
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if im about ready for a harely. I always just give him the same answer, not yet.
I got quite a few friends who ride Gold Wings. I always tell them, "when im ready to give up riding motorcycles I'm gonna get me a Gold Wing. Funny thing though, they never take offence to me giving them a hard time over their rides. Unlike some brand owners i can think off.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Big Bore
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It's not HD Stone, it's the attitude. Case in point: We had a fire alarm a couple of weeks ago so everyone dutifully filed out of the building. I met one of my riding buddies (Judy, who rides this big purple HD) and we naturally gravitated to where the bikes are parked. This guy had just walked up to his Shadow (well kept and I know he is a daily rider) and she started giving him crap about it not being an HD. I said 'at least he's a rider' and she retorted with 'yeah, but it's JUST a Honda', very cynically. I was embarassed enough that I wanted to apologize to the guy for her being such a jerk. I see this attitude ALL the time. That's probably what turned me off to the whole HD genre. Oh yeah, it was a wiring short that caused the fire alarm
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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You have to compare it to the rocket cause its the only BIG cruiser they make, I' m just making the point that the prices are actually comparable. And as far as parading around. I don't know who you ride with but my bros ride their harleys, HARD AND FAST. Personally I love the thump of a big twin. If Triumph fills the gap between 800 and 2200 cc's we can compare them.
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I realize that some harley riders are one dimensional, but it seems that the majority of the Triumph owners[ at least the ones that respond] are worse. All my harley buddies love my bike. I have not been "bashed" once about my Triumph. There are no Triumph dealerships around here so I go to the events at the local Harley dealer and am more than welcome. I just dont get the prejudice, LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE.
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Learned Hand
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The only HD riders that have bashed my bike are ones who just started riding and bought a new HD for their first bike. The attitude must come with the payment book. The guys who have been riding for a while, enjoy something different.
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I purposely don't go to the local HD dealership for test rides. I'm sure that they have several models that I could get used to. In fact if I could find a place on a fully decked out Ultra Classic Road King suitable for a mailbox, I'd seriously look at one. After all, the only way that I could justify $25-$30 K for a bike would be if I could live on it. One of the reasons that I have the America is the excellent $$$ to fun ratio. In '05 I bought my '02 America that was purchased new in '03, had 2400 miles, lots of extras, chrome, TLC and I only paid $4200. I sold a Honda Reflex scooter for $3200, added a K and rode my beautiful America home in the rain. I'm pretty sure that I can keep the America for a long time and still get most, if not all of the money back. Call me a tightwad, but I like to get the most bang for the buck. I have friends who ride HD and they say that the only difference in money is in the initial higher investment. Once you sink the extra $$$, owning/buying/selling/trading isn't much different from other brands due to the excellent resale value on the Harleys.
I don't bash Harleys or any other brand. In fact, if we really wanted to be honest, we should thank HD because they largely developed the cruiser market. Most manufacturers, including Triumph, have HD in their crosshairs and have developed their own line of cruisers in response to demand. Triumph developed the Americas and Speedmasters largely for the US market as a kneejerk reaction to capture a piece of the cruiser pie. Personally, I'm really glad they did!!
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My local HD dealer has some good sales going on at his shop. I wonder if HD is finally reaching saturation point and have to back-off on that 4k above MSRP?
I have never ridden an HD but would like to one day just to see for myself how they handle. The next HD demo ride I'm going just to see what all the fuss (both Positive and negative) is about.
Kevin
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Quote:
I agree, but it looks like the Triumph "enthusiasts" are just as bad. Everyone keeps talking about price??? 883-$7100, 790-$7900,- rocket big cruiser- $15500, dyna big cruiser-$13,500
Ouch!
Kevin
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Quote:
Triumph developed the Americas and Speedmasters largely for the US market as a kneejerk reaction to capture a piece of the cruiser pie.
I don't think I'd classify it as a kneejerk reaction...more like a smart business move by Mr. Bloor based on market savvy.
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Personally, I'm really glad they did!!
Ditto.
'02 Blk/Slvr BA, Jireh fishtails, Freak, no AI, 160/42, 18T
She is the Beauty, I am the Beast.
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