I want a Harley-Davidson

[vash]

i hated harleys..then i saw one tastefully done up and i fell in love. i dont know crap about them..if i had to guess it would be a heritage soft-tail..all black and chrome..the perfect handlebar position..not to ape hanger..not too chopper. just perfect. even the exhaust was perfectly "loud"..the owner set it up nice. he didnt even have a stitch of HD clothing on...man, his bike was perfect.

i will own one someday. right after i get another sportbike (rhymes with mucati) and a BMW GS for then long haul. someday.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

"1965 Pan harley is my dream bike..." Hmm... it will be until you own one. Alas, like an old VW bus, the best cure for wanting one is getting one. Make no mistake, they are great "hobby bikes", but the hobby revolves as much around wrenching on them as it does riding them.

They are their own worst enemy; they quite literally shake themselves to death. HD has put as much work into addressing this one single issue as it has probably everything else put together. Out of this effort has come the rubber mounted motors in the Touring and Dyna families (and now Sportsters), and the counterbalanced Twin Cam "B" engine in the Soft Tails that still rigidly mount their motors. This effort probably has more to do with their significantly reduced maintenance requirements than all of their efforts at engine re-design.

Performance is another issue with the old Pans (and even Shovels, for that matter). They just can't keep up with today's traffic. You will run one ragged just trying to maintain 70 mph on the freeway, or even just trying to accelerate away from a stoplight with other traffic. They run quite hot in heavy stop and go traffic as well. Their drum brakes are another significant issue; even in their day, no one raved about HD drum brakes.

But, yes, like most old things, they do have a lot more soul. Riding one does have a way of making a guy slow down enough to smell the roses. Make no mistake, though, they do require a good deal more commitment than modern bikes, or even than cars of their same vintage. They are a lot of work to keep on the road. If a guy knows that going in and accepts it, great. If not, a newer bike would be a far better choice, in that it will always be ready for that occasional ride. Many old bikes fall out of even occasional use due purely to the maintenance hassles. There is always something to do as you put it away. There is always something to do when you get it back out. And, most of the time, there will be something to do on the side of the road. While you smell those roses...

Roger roger loud and clear.

I am friends with a guy who has somewhere around 2 dozen pre-shovel Harleys (nothing newer than 65 in his collection) and more than that in parts...a multigenerational collection in his family. Lets just say they all have giant pans underneath them to catch the oil that slowly comes out of areas that were never intended to ooze oil :LOL: He also never rides any of his old Harley/Indian/Excelsior bikes and his rider is a Valkyre...and he just picked up a second Valkyre :LOL: He's an awesome guy with awesome bikes but they never move!

[Dan J]

I too for some odd reason want add a HD I know nothing about them so thanks to Jeff
for the short course. I currently have a couple BMW's and a Ducati and one thing I've noticed about the Harley riders is they are far and away the friendliest bikers you meet while riding
The Ct. BMW guys are a bit snobby for whatever reason

[vash]

Originally Posted by Dan J

Ithe Harley riders is they are far and away the friendliest bikers you meet while riding

you serious? man, they are complete opposite here. you know what? i have never ever in my life heard a HD horn. i have no idea what one sounds like. do they even have a horn? you know why? they like blipping the throttle as a horn. they need you to move..BLAAAAP! splitting lanes, need you to scoot over please BLAAAAP!..oh, a hot girl! BLAAAP!

and the riders that can simply let the bikes idle at a stop light without constantly blipping the thing. damn.. the bay area harley guys are brutal in noise pollution. (i know, it is a generalization. sorry)

[lin7310948]

vash...spot on for this area as well. they are worse than the 5 liter mustangs drivers who blip their throttles at idle, between shifts, etc!

[glewis80SC]

I have a 2002 Firefighters Edition Road King love it, no issues at all very comfortable on long distances.
I always wave at other riders regardless of what they are on!! You don't have to suddenly wear everything HD, that being said I do have a HD leather jacket but it was a gift.
In my opinion other HD are friendly and love to talk about and admire other bikes, just like P-car owners. I would by used the cost savings are just to big to ignore, when you do pm me we will go for a ride.

[LakeCleElum]

Up to 50% off as another Harley dealer closes:

Eastern Washington’s Foremost H-D Dealership, Wenatchee, Washington, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Motorcycle, Dealer, Used, Parts, Accessories, Apparel

Did a 230 mile ride today to shop the sales with a friend (Had to go around the Mountain instead of over it).....Temps varied from 32 to 37 F all day...Thax Gawd for heated vest, grips, and seat ....Some nice bikes on sale - Doors closing for good in 3 days......

[speeder]

Thanks again for the replies! The stories of high-miler late model Harleys are common these days. Their general reliability and longevity is now amazing and just adds to the appeal of buying a late model used bike for today's prices. It also makes it a legit touring bike, IMO, since you don't have to anticipate being broke down on the side of the road.

As for the "why don't you look at a BMW" type advice, I know that it's given in a helpful spirit but wanting a Harley-Davidson is not the same as just "wanting a motorcycle". It's not like someone is going to do extensive research on the various brands and make a spreadsheet and go, "Harley it is!"

Any more than someone is going to read CR on used cars and say, "20 year old used Porsche 911 it is!"

They have a soul and they are a company that for better or worse has a unique idea about what a MC should be. Well, it was unique until every Japanese company started building Harley clones, at least. A lot of people really enjoy riding them, but they are cruisers. That style of riding is the only kind that appeals to me on the street, *easy does it*, if you will. I test road a couple new ones back in the '90s and frankly could not believe how well they rode. Easy to turn, effortless torque and a ride that's unmatched in a heavy touring bike, again IMO.

I'm an American and I just want to hit the road on a full-dress Harley and dial in some Glen Campbell or Johnny Cash on the stereo. What can I tell you...

[speeder]

And Scott, I've never gotten the whole "$50k hog" deal unless you just have $$ to burn or that's your artistic statement in life or...(?)

And also because you can buy someone's customized bike that they spent a fortune on for pennies on the dollar. Like Eric's Dad's bike. A couple of years ago, I was in Minnesota bored and surfing eBay for hogs. Some guy was selling an Ultra Classic dresser that was seriously the most beautiful Harley I've ever seen in my life. It was black with a ridiculous amount of $$ put into cosmetic mods, just the right amount of extra chrome, (tons), , "diamond cut" fins on the cylinders, bike was lowered slightly, etc. It was in better than showroom condition, might have been 7 or 8 years old and he was struggling to get $12k for it. He probably had $30k easily "invested" in it.

Good god it was beautiful. If I ever saw someone riding that bike, I would just die of envy. I didn't have the cash to grab it and was far from home but it still bugs me.

[aigel]

I always liked the Fat Boy and dislike the chrome.

2011 Harley-Davidson® FLSTFB - Fat Boy® Lo Stock: 2062C | Los Angeles Harley-Davidson®



G

[motion]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks again for the replies! The stories of high-miler late model Harleys are common these days. Their general reliability and longevity is now amazing and just adds to the appeal of buying a late model used bike for today's prices. It also makes it a legit touring bike, IMO, since you don't have to anticipate being broke down on the side of the road.

As for the "why don't you look at a BMW" type advice, I know that it's given in a helpful spirit but wanting a Harley-Davidson is not the same as just "wanting a motorcycle". It's not like someone is going to do extensive research on the various brands and make a spreadsheet and go, "Harley it is!"

Any more than someone is going to read CR on used cars and say, "20 year old used Porsche 911 it is!"

They have a soul and they are a company that for better or worse has a unique idea about what a MC should be. Well, it was unique until every Japanese company started building Harley clones, at least. A lot of people really enjoy riding them, but they are cruisers. That style of riding is the only kind that appeals to me on the street, *easy does it*, if you will. I test road a couple new ones back in the '90s and frankly could not believe how well they rode. Easy to turn, effortless torque and a ride that's unmatched in a heavy touring bike, again IMO.

I'm an American and I just want to hit the road on a full-dress Harley and dial in some Glen Campbell or Johnny Cash on the stereo. What can I tell you...

Denis,

I think your objective is admirable, but honestly, as a machine, Harley's really are not very good. They don't do anything really well, when compared to the alternatives. I've owned 4, and each had character, but were all pretty bad motorcycles. If you just want to cruise the frontage road at 55mph with Taylor Swift blaring on the radio, then yeah, could be a good experience. If the road gets twisty, you'll be held back by a machine that won't get out of its own way, dragging floorboards and making you work too much and giving you oh**** moments at every turn.

When I tour, I like a nimble machine with long legs. A Harley ain't it. Almost any BMW will give you a much better experience if you need 80mph quiet, efficient touring on the strada, and nimbleness in the esses.

BTW, they're a pain around town and in traffic. Loud, rough, uncivilized, etc. Maybe you just need to get one to get it out of your system

[VINMAN]

Let me reiterate what Denis said HE wants...

Originally Posted by speeder

As for the "why don't you look at a BMW" type advice, I know that it's given in a helpful spirit but wanting a Harley-Davidson is not the same as just "wanting a motorcycle". It's not like someone is going to do extensive research on the various brands and make a spreadsheet and go, "Harley it is!"

[Jeff Higgins]

Motion, which four models did you own? How long did you own each one, and how many miles did you put on them? Not counting the race bike...

[Gogar]

+1 I don't recall Denis asking "What type of motorcycle should I buy?", or "Which motorcycle can I purchase to avoid social stigma?", or "Which motorcycle gets the best gas mileage?"

He wants a Harley and he will have a great time, and he can do it reliably and at a lower cost than ever. Why not?

Sorry, Gotta go; time for that $12K engine rebuild for my 40 year old Porch. Bulletproof.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by speeder

As for the "why don't you look at a BMW" type advice, I know that it's given in a helpful spirit but wanting a Harley-Davidson is not the same as just "wanting a motorcycle". It's not like someone is going to do extensive research on the various brands and make a spreadsheet and go, "Harley it is!"

You were the one that posted the pic of your friend's garage with the R bikes. Those made my heart go pitter patter. HDs just don't - in fact they have the opposite effect on me. For me, it is an R bike, a Duc or Aprilia, or pretty much forget it.

So follow your passion. Spreadsheets lead to Hondas.

[Bill Douglas]

Motion, some pics of your bike please. I loved the look of it in a pic six months ago. It may not be the fastest or the best handling but MAN, what a lot of soul.

[Nostril Cheese]

Harleys really are image bikes more than anything else. My Sprint does everything I need it to and it still handles, stops and gets up pretty well. Much cheaper than a HD as well.

That said, I think this is one of the coolest looking bikes ever, despite the fact it doesnt handle well and has no range.

[HardDrive]

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

That said, I think this is one of the coolest looking bikes ever, despite the fact it doesnt handle well and has no range.

I also like the look of moto guzzis in road racer/cafe racer style.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Harleys really are image bikes more than anything else. My Sprint does everything I need it to and it still handles, stops and gets up pretty well. Much cheaper than a HD as well.

That said, I think this is one of the coolest looking bikes ever, despite the fact it doesnt handle well and has no range.

Looks great, but if you are over 6' and on that thing, you look like a circus bear riding a tricycle. If you are a fat guy, even worse.

G