Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Adk.IBO on November 01, 2016, 08:28:10 PM
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26 motorcycles and never a Harley... I really thought the new Roadster was the one. I overcame lots of obstacles on the bike with minor mods (in my head and on paper). Now I find out tire mileage is 4-5 thousand miles, been there done that don't want to do it again. Very limited choices for now due to odd sized rear (and expensive). So I guess I'll throw some money at the Norge. Suspension, maybe a seat and I'll settle into being content again. Still have to sort the intermittent service light/triangle issue. I'll install a new oil pressure sensor over the winter. Winter is here where I am, the plows have been out and they've salted the roads :tongue:. It's easier to think logically when riding season is over :huh:. I guess...
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if like me you would be disappointed in the Harley anyway..
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A couple of my Harley riding buddies said the same thing. At 5'3" and 131# it will be a good time to try a shorter rear shock from Guzzi-tech along with their fork upgrade :cool:.
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Norge vs Sporster?
:shocked:
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Norge vs Sporster?
:shocked:
I could live with a Sportster if the fuel tank was big enough....but really, I like hanging out with the Guzzi crowd.
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...but really, I like hanging out with the Guzzi crowd.
Yup, me too.
Norge vs Sporster?
:shocked:
Ridden the new Roadster? I did and liked it :drool:. When it comes to two wheels I'm pretty easy to please, I like most :bike-037:. Living with them long term is another story...when funds are limited... Oh well.
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Owning a Harley would be OK , but then there are all those doo rags to buy :laugh:
Dusty
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I'm pretty sure I have HD out of my system.....unless I can get an Evo FLHP for a song...... :police:
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I'm pretty sure I have HD out of my system.....unless I can get an Evo FLHP for a song...... :police:
I can see Gomer yelling "Citizen's Arrest!"
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/51/32/e95132d8e5972a6a4c897ff5b5aeaad0.jpg)
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I can see Gomer yelling "Citizen's Arrest!"
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/51/32/e95132d8e5972a6a4c897ff5b5aeaad0.jpg)
That's Andy and Barney.
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yep i am in the same boat , there was always something that stopped me from buying a Harley...and i would like to thank that something whatever is was :whip2:
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I dunno. I have a Sportster and it got the lions share of the mileage this summer. Yes, I do have 4 bikes to share the riding duties, but it is my favorite bike I have ever owned for in town, short ride, play time. I also don't buy into the image stuff. I dont have a dew rag, I don't wear chaps, I don't have a club vest etc. I enjoy the bike and I appreciate it. Which is why having several bikes is cool. They can have different strengths and weaknesses and still be fun depending on the image that day.
I test rode a Roadster this summer and loved it, other than those mid controls. At 5'10" I was still crunched up. I would have to do a rear set on it or something.
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Body style and life style are the bag of nopes for me.
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26 motorcycles and never a Harley... I really thought the new Roadster was the one. I overcame lots of obstacles on the bike with minor mods (in my head and on paper). Now I find out tire mileage is 4-5 thousand miles, been there done that don't want to do it again. Very limited choices for now due to odd sized rear (and expensive).
Sounds like you were just looking for an excuse not to buy it.
First it was the fender (that owners said worked fine).
Then it was something about finding the right color with ABS.
Then it was TIRE MILEAGE from what, one report on your XL thread? Because others have gotten much more.
First reply to your thread said he got 8k. That's pretty good.
Let's remember that some people are reporting 3-5k on the Pirelli Sport Demons that come stock on a V7 too.
There are trade offs - do you want mileage or stick? If you want mileage go with a higher mileage touring tire.
My first google search on the subject suggests there are a number of options of touring tires for the 150/70-18 on the CX including Pirelli, Avon, and Michelin:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/589/d/cruiser-motorcycle-blackwall-tires?N=4294963716+4294963681+4294963527&source=tire-picker
Granted you might have to switch to Bias Ply, but that should be fine on this chassis and probably more likely to net you the mileage for which you're looking.
Avon Cobra - $165
Pirelli Night Dragon - $175
Michelin Commander II - $196
I bet you'd get 8-10k on those, especially with your relatively light load.
Or you can go cheap:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/10979559/d/street-bike-tires?N=4294963527+4294963716+4294963681&source=tire-picker
Avon RoadRider - $113
Bridgestone Battleax - $130
IRC Road Winner - $120
Continental Conti Go - $135
Or do you want to listen to the guy on your thread that said he's changing to 160/60 - 18 for more selection:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/121/d/street-bike-sport-touring-tires?N=4294963541+4294963717+4294963681&source=tire-picker
Pirelli Angel GT (good tire, Jenn has on her Duc) - Radial - $147
Metzler Road Tec - Radial - $119
Michelin Polit Road 3 - Radial - $167
Avon Storm 3D - Radial - $158
Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart - Radial - $136
Bridgestone Battleax - Radial - $141
Continental Road Attack - Radial - $170
OR you could go down a size (140/70-18) I went down from a 150 to a 140 for quicker breakover on my Rubbermount Sportys years ago:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/12107/i/avon-am26-roadrider-rear-tire
Point is there's a solution. At the size and weight and power of the Sporty, it's not really any different from your tire selections for a CARC (like my old Breva). You have to decide what your priorities are.
But like I said, you've convinced yourself you don't want this bike, so it's probably no reason to pursue it.
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Thanks Kev, really, I work very slow with a computer, IPad, iPhone ect.. and you save me lots of time. The biggest discussions on the tire issue are on the HD forum where they don't consider bias tires. So anyway, what worries me about bias tires is my riding style, we'll call it brisk. My local roads are technical, mostly very low traffic volume and I'm content to hold my straightaway speeds to just over 60. When I'm in "brisk" mode I'm alone (except for my dog). I don't like group rides, but I do enjoy trips and motorcycle camping, hence the desire for higher mileage (and stickiness). Most Sportsters of late model vintage quite frankly don't turn (or stop) like I'd like, the Roadster addressed that. A sport touring radial would work since it's NOT a race bike. Neither is the Norge. Don't want one. Gotta believe tire manufacturers will produce the tire I and others desire at some point. After all, we're talking Harley...
Again, thanks for everybody's input. My local dealer is sitting on a silver ABS model with expectations of me purchasing it. It usually takes me some 15K miles to figure out if a bike will work or not for me, throwing money at it throughout those miles. With this one I gotta believe I'd take a nasty hit on the resale. The Norge was a 2 year leftover and it worked out pretty well. Gettin' on in years, and this habit is expensive, but man, it's a huge part of who I am :grin:. Can't/don't want to house/maintain more than one motorcycle. It'll work out one way or the other. It's all good!
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Thanks Kev, really, I work very slow with a computer, IPad, iPhone ect.. and you save me lots of time. The biggest discussions on the tire issue are on the HD forum where they don't consider bias tires. So anyway, what worries me about bias tires is my riding style, we'll call it brisk. My local roads are technical, mostly very low traffic volume and I'm content to hold my straightaway speeds to just over 60. When I'm in "brisk" mode I'm alone (except for my dog). I don't like group rides, but I do enjoy trips and motorcycle camping, hence the desire for higher mileage (and stickiness). Most Sportsters of late model vintage quite frankly don't turn (or stop) like I'd like, the Roadster addressed that. A sport touring radial would work since it's NOT a race bike. Neither is the Norge. Don't want one. Gotta believe tire manufacturers will produce the tire I and others desire at some point. After all, we're talking Harley...
Hey, it's all good on this end too whatever you decide I hope you find your bliss.
FWIW, I'm a bit of a Sportster nut, and I've ridden a lot of different versions of the rubbermount chassis (from lowered to sport, from Iron 883 to XR1200) etc.
You might be surprised at what the current models are capable of, even the non CX. Take my XLr for instance. It started life as a 1200 Low, but I've raised it, added dual discs, and basically everything that a 1200R of the same year would have. I run bias-plys on it, and ask StormTruck about it since he borrowed it for a weekend chasing Bill Hagan through the twisties on his Griso.
I push the XLr to the limits of the chassis and have not had a problem with Metzeler bias-ply touring tires.
Yeah, it's never going to stick as long or as hard as Jenn's Duc on the Pirelli Angel GTs, but I've never had a problem keeping up with (or outriding) the average street rider (some better than average too) on it.
I don't get the impression you're more aggressive than that? Maybe you are... and if so maybe you need more tire/bike.
But I don't recall my B1100 having anything on the 1200Lr except possibly a little ground clearance and a tad lighter feel.
Again - have fun!
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yep i am in the same boat , there was always something that stopped me from buying a Harley...and i would like to thank that something whatever is was :whip2:
Same here, always something better elsewhere.
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Thanks Kev, really, I work very slow with a computer, IPad, iPhone ect.. and you save me lots of time. The biggest discussions on the tire issue are on the HD forum where they don't consider bias tires. So anyway, what worries me about bias tires is my riding style, we'll call it brisk. My local roads are technical, mostly very low traffic volume and I'm content to hold my straightaway speeds to just over 60. When I'm in "brisk" mode I'm alone (except for my dog). I don't like group rides, but I do enjoy trips and motorcycle camping, hence the desire for higher mileage (and stickiness). Most Sportsters of late model vintage quite frankly don't turn (or stop) like I'd like, the Roadster addressed that. A sport touring radial would work since it's NOT a race bike. Neither is the Norge. Don't want one. Gotta believe tire manufacturers will produce the tire I and others desire at some point. After all, we're talking Harley...
Again, thanks for everybody's input. My local dealer is sitting on a silver ABS model with expectations of me purchasing it. It usually takes me some 15K miles to figure out if a bike will work or not for me, throwing money at it throughout those miles. With this one I gotta believe I'd take a nasty hit on the resale. The Norge was a 2 year leftover and it worked out pretty well. Gettin' on in years, and this habit is expensive, but man, it's a huge part of who I am :grin:. Can't/don't want to house/maintain more than one motorcycle. It'll work out one way or the other. It's all good!
I have to say if you are looking for performance- handling and braking, you are better off with a Guzzi.
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Owning a Harley would be OK , but then there are all those doo rags to buy :laugh:
Dusty
Not to mention a truck/trailer.
And HD tires must have the bar/shield logo on them.
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Harley and Guzzi both make great bikes. Some of the little things that are great on a Harley: self canceling turn signals, paint quality, dealer network, low end torque and engine "feel," touring bikes are well designed for long distance comfort of both rider and passenger. Great things on Guzzi: balance and handling, engine layout and accessibility. I own both and love both. A stock tire that only gets 4-5K would not impact my buying decision on any bike.
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Harley and Guzzi both make great bikes. Some of the little things that are great on a Harley: self canceling turn signals, paint quality, dealer network, low end torque and engine "feel," touring bikes are well designed for long distance comfort of both rider and passenger. Great things on Guzzi: balance and handling, engine layout and accessibility.
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Harley and Guzzi both make great bikes. Some of the little things that are great on a Harley: self canceling turn signals, paint quality, dealer network, low end torque and engine "feel," touring bikes are well designed for long distance comfort of both rider and passenger. Great things on Guzzi: balance and handling, engine layout and accessibility. I own both and love both. A stock tire that only gets 4-5K would not impact my buying decision on any bike.
Ummm my Eldorado has self cancelling turn signals, you need to upgrade to one!!!!
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Ummm my Eldorado has self cancelling turn signals, you need to upgrade to one!!!!
Only 20+ years after Harley on that one. Congrats. :boozing:
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Ummm my Eldorado has self cancelling turn signals, you need to upgrade to one!!!!
Glad to hear that, my V7II does not, and that's ok too. It's my favorite bike.
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I sold my 94 Sportster to get a Quota. In all fairness, I only had the Sportster a few months, but I quite enjoyed it around town...not so much on the freeway. I have owned 30+ bikes over the years since 1971, mostly Japanese with 3 BMW's thrown in. Only one Harley. I am enjoying the Quota much more on the freeway than the Sportster plus the Quota can handle the dirt roads and fire roads around here. This is my first Guzzi, but it will not be my last. A LeMans or Daytona is on my wish list.
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I recently went on a trip to Utah with some buddies that all were riding Harleys, I rode my 13 Stelvio. I really liked a couple of the guys newer "14 and 15" street glides and really though serious about adding one to my stable. We've been back for a bit now and I went riding with two of them yesterday, after lunch and getting ready to do the 65 mile back home my friend says he has never ridden an adventure bike and would I like swap to try his 14 street glide on the ride home. I say of course and we take off. Holy crap! it rides like a garbage truck, every friggin bump in the road gets transferred to your spine making me dread every mile. Stuff i don't even notice on the Guzzi pounds my back like it a damn hard tail. His bike just turned 9k miles so none of this is from worn out high mile shocks. He said his wife won't ride on it and is looking into some high end shocks that are supposed to help but don't increase travel so I'm very skeptical it will help much. All this makes me love my Stelvio more. Just saved myself $24K
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Adventure bikes are wonderful. But my experience is that passengers are super comfy on a Harley Electraglide over distance. I'm comfy riding one and quite enjoy the sound system that includes Sirius XM, the wind protection, the seating (with rider backrest), the navigation screen, the floorboards and the luggage space. Professional reviewers almost always rank the Electraglide near the top in comparisons. I avoid rough roads when touring. When not touring I pick another bike. But the Stelvio is a one-bike-does-all solution.
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I'm from a Harley family. Literally every male that I know and most of the women in my family currently own (or at one time owned in the case of some of my elders) a Harley since my great grandfather's teenage years.....so we are talking back to the very early 1910's-ish. I'm the black sheep of our Harley family. I have owned a few bikes but never found a Harley I liked well enough to buy. Besides my current V7, owned Hondas and one red bike of no particular brand but with a Japanese lineage.
I do like the looks of the current MG Eldorado. I haven't swung a leg over one yet but hope to one day. I've never owned two bikes at the same time so I'm not quite sure how my car will take to being banished to the driveway.
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I have never ridden a Harley and never plan to, unless maybe a used Buel, unless they still shake just off idle like that 1`96? demo I rode once? But saw a used HD 1200 trike I considered for the wife....until I squeezed the clutch lever; :evil: jeezus the hardest pulling clutch lever I've ever experienced on ANY bike !! :rolleyes: That was the end of that ride test. Even I couldn't live with that.
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Over here Harley riders are looked on as bottom of the heap. They're rarely long term motorcyclists, but accountants and bankers who've suffered a midlife crisis. They buy a lot of chrome polish, ride very slowly in packs and park outside fashionable restaurants rather than frequent biker cafes.
And that's what puts a nix on buying a Harley in the UK.
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One of the guys in my riding group who rides a speed triple recently said he wants to buy a Harley. My first thought was we will never get anywhere because the Harley will want to stop at every bar it passes.
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I recently went on a trip to Utah with some buddies that all were riding Harleys, I rode my 13 Stelvio. I really liked a couple of the guys newer "14 and 15" street glides and really though serious about adding one to my stable. We've been back for a bit now and I went riding with two of them yesterday, after lunch and getting ready to do the 65 mile back home my friend says he has never ridden an adventure bike and would I like swap to try his 14 street glide on the ride home. I say of course and we take off. Holy crap! it rides like a garbage truck, every friggin bump in the road gets transferred to your spine making me dread every mile. Stuff i don't even notice on the Guzzi pounds my back like it a damn hard tail. His bike just turned 9k miles so none of this is from worn out high mile shocks. He said his wife won't ride on it and is looking into some high end shocks that are supposed to help but don't increase travel so I'm very skeptical it will help much. All this makes me love my Stelvio more. Just saved myself $24K
Of course some Harleys are lowered with short suspensions and don't ride as nice as the normal height models.
Can't say off the top of my head about the SG, but wouldn't be surprised.
My RK was a magic carpet ride.
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Over here Harley riders are looked on as bottom of the heap. They're rarely long term motorcyclists, but accountants and bankers who've suffered a midlife crisis. They buy a lot of chrome polish, ride very slowly in packs and park outside fashionable restaurants rather than frequent biker cafes.
And that's what puts a nix on buying a Harley in the UK.
Ohhh - they're going to come and get you!!
For all I know Harley might make a very fine motorcycle, but I have no desire to join the clan
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Ummm my Eldorado has self cancelling turn signals, you need to upgrade to one!!!!
But the ones on a Harley actually work.
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But the ones on a Harley actually work.
The self cancelling feature on my Eldorado works great, too. If yours doesnt then you should get it looked after.
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Why would anybody buy a Harley Davidson with so few dealerships around the country........... Oh.... it not Harley I was thinking about with the lack of dealer support. ;-)
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Harley's are nice. Well made, handsome, and depending on which one, can be comfortable and/or decent handling. I like them okay, but the price is a little dear for what you get and the weight tends to be too high and the cornering clearance too low. For my riding style, a Harley is not a good value...
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The only Harley I would love to own would be the VSCR Street Rod, not the VROD. The SR is a modified VR that was only available for a couple of years and the main difference being the foot pegs are mid-mounted vs. forward on the VR. The engine was co-developed from Porsche and isn't the typical Harley engine of that generation either. Harley quickly realized that this particular type of bike wasn't what their demographic wanted and quickly axed it after only selling a few thousand of these. Too bad too, because it has some respectable street cred when it comes to canyon carving.
In fact, as soon as I find one whose owner hasn't lost his mind on price, I will own one (still waiting for that to happen).
(http://tenwheel.com/imgs/a/a/k/f/e/2006_harley_davidson_street_rod_vrscr_1_lgw.jpg)
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Harley's are nice. Well made, handsome, and depending on which one, can be comfortable and/or decent handling. I like them okay, but the price is a little dear for what you get and the weight tends to be too high and the cornering clearance too low.
These are two things I hear pretty frequently. Sometimes the answer is people are just not comparing apples-to-apples and/or looking at only one model.
There's no argument there are some outrageously priced Harleys.
There's no argument that there are some pretty low models with little cornering clearance.
BUT MOST Harleys are pretty competitively priced. I've done this too many times to bother again, but look at an 883 SuperLow or Iron and compare it to a V7 Stone/Special or V9 Bobber on price and what you get, they're pretty compatible.
Do the same with a 1200C or 1200CX Roadster and late-model CARC.
Do the same with a Dyna and a Road King vs. the Cali Variants. I mean sure you can get a 1400C (stripped of things like a bag and windshield) for less than an RK, but then it's not really competing with an RK at that point, now compare it to a Dyna Low Rider and the prices aren't that far off.
And this is across the board, Harley to other brands, for as long as I've been watching the products (meaning more than 20 years).
Now that said if you don't care about the traits of the Harley (fit, finish, comfort, stability, super low maintenance, accessories at the waazoo/dealers everywhere) you can surely find something from a different manufacturer that prioritizes lighter weight, more hp but less efficiency or at least more maintenance, plastic over metal, for likely a lower price. But that's not really comparing apples-to-apples, which is cool if that's what you want, but saying the Harley is heavy or pricey at that point sorta misses the point. That's like saying a Silverado is heavy compared to a Miata - yeah, sure, and the sky is still blue.
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Oh yeah , those Sportster Superlows and Irons have all kinds of cornering clearance and suspension travel :shocked: :laugh:
Dusty
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Oh yeah , those Sportster Superlows and Irons have all kinds of cornering clearance and suspension travel :shocked: :laugh:
Dusty
You know damn well I wasn't talking about them.
But remember, my 1200Lr started life as a 1200 Low... it doesn't take much more than a set of shocks (these are take-off Progressive 412s that lived on my Jackal for 4-5 years) and a set of longer fork damper rods ($40) to raise the height of a Low to what is currently higher than a 1200R.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4ct17hSSLc1JCjoxYs4KGZHuhggjEIv95_06MtHL0QkE1qVE4wsR4TbCAudAylpGg6MhV7E2IwJA_bRQ0MMAuNfOKJVvOUvpFMC5_DvyCP5oFD_Z7cgOEbN7tAe3iYs8f3mbgfo9R-CqYRY8Ht_ABUnC_E7_ut44GP3NJ6AH0tff0m9IPwazud0uapgpx01-MNY7rsjHRI6b773TPtQewT_KiyPrJuOA1Mq_OU1WppdZABEyaf6UpxnaJ7Rg5SjZhesgBhG-ezNXUIOquyXpLuvQH11bZQ4V1tIiB-bbCdn5vmvwEjVCEKcp3vNm-1PyN-VJspB2ag5sb-dbDgKKsU-zzjefqo4byv0gO2IiMwSCfYbG-86rRK-yMObPDISn92xVfwviXc6ZYMfDR00nUfp9iad1zDTI-XfA9q_WJtQaEQ2-DXEuPy2VN9z7-gW6iRWO0nDSpVFk8IDGV-vOvSwdeW1dm3rPt7EuNqCdTG_4XMlaBfE9P8Mu76oPAoaelFLumaQMF7kldZDd83rXI3S9q1KAQu2BD50j2DtJyYlCY8WpnIp2vxj1y_Wko19HcRw_UOCCECMT9hLUUZJRGrMAfDEB070dkzEKxGvF1OLaLDBe7g=w1639-h922-no)
But that very same year you could buy a Base 883, an 883C, 1200C, XL50 Anniversary Sporty, and 1200R ALL at a decent ride height with decent cornering clearance.
The existence of bikes like the SuperLow, Iron, or 48 doesn't mean there aren't others that corner.
And hell, there are people who take the SuperLow, or Iron, or 48 and RAISE THEM too... :bike-037:
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But the ones on a Harley actually work.
The ones on my BMW F800GT work...... sometimes :sad:
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The only Harley I would love to own would be the VSCR Street Rod, not the VROD. The SR is a modified VR that was only available for a couple of years and the main difference being the foot pegs are mid-mounted vs. forward on the VR. The engine was co-developed from Porsche and isn't the typical Harley engine of that generation either.
Yeah, the Street Rod is on my list of Harleys that I'd like to at least test ride, along with the XR1200(X) and the new Roadster. There is a lot to like about all three models, and all are bikes I could see myself owning.
Harley quickly realized that this particular type of bike wasn't what their demographic wanted and quickly axed it after only selling a few thousand of these. Too bad too, because it has some respectable street cred when it comes to canyon carving.
The XR1200X met the same fate. I can also see this happening to the new Roadster, so, anyone that wants on should get one while they can.
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I can also see this happening to the new Roadster, so, anyone that wants on should get one while they can.
I'm working on it damnit... :evil: :boozing:
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I wish I could start a poll:
This being a Moto Guzzi Board, Harley bashing is:
a) tolerated.
b) encouraged.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
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Owning a Harley would be OK , but then there are all those doo rags to buy :laugh:
Dusty
Must also consider the cost of those flame tattoos on your arms.
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I'm working on it damnit... :evil: :boozing:
I'd like to ride a roadster. If the leg position is tolerable, I would own one. It is nicely appointed and looks absolutely gorgeous.
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I wish I could start a poll:
This being a Moto Guzzi Board, Harley bashing is:
a) tolerated.
b) encouraged.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Or C ) mandatory :evil:
Seriously , haven't seen any real Harley bashing , of course ya gotta be careful , some of these guys are a bit sensitive :shocked: :laugh:
Dusty
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So a lot of times I will see a harley & the first thought I have is: "Good lookin bike".
Then I start to really look & all the different angles that make up the whole bike & my thoughts are:
"They are so asymetrical it just does not work for me".
Custom harleys (most) are great lookin bikes because the customizer has smoothed out the angles.
Stock HD's are just so lumpy looking to me.
The gas tanks are at a different angle than the seat, on some models they are so small & sit up so high that the frame is exposed & looks unfinished.
Never liked the coil pack hanging off the left side or the oil tank or battery cover on the right.
Always looked like they were after thoughts not designed in as part of the bike.
I will admit that the three I think are the best looking are: Roadster, 48 & Soft Tail Slim.
Out of those 3 the Roadster would be the most likely to find it's way home.
But I'd much rather have an old Pan Head.
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Actually, in one way, Harleys are the most symmetrical. They are the only V-twin (to my knowledge) in which the cylinders are in the same plane. This is due to the fork-and-knife con rods on the same crankpin. All other twin cylinders are staggered due to the con rods being next to each other on different crankpins.
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I bashed the average British Harley rider earlier in this thread. Now let me bash a Harley bike. I road tested a Street a year or so back. It was the most uncomfortable thing I've ever ridden, and was a bike without any redeeming features.
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I bashed the average British Harley rider earlier in this thread. Now let me bash a Harley bike. I road tested a Street a year or so back. It was the most uncomfortable thing I've ever ridden, and was a bike without any redeeming features.
I test rode a Kawasaki Vulcan LTD 500 once, same impression.
But I'm not dumb enough to assume that tells me anything about any other Kawasaki's, especially the ones that aren't entry level.
I spent a couple of hours on a Versys years later, very different experience.
As for British Harley owners I'm acquainted with a few and none of them for your stereotypes, but that's the thing about stereotypes and generalisations.
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That Roadster is dang attractive and I actually don't fit too bad on it.
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Or C ) mandatory :evil:
Seriously , haven't seen any real Harley bashing , of course ya gotta be careful , some of these guys are a bit sensitive :shocked: :laugh:
Dusty
I vote C.
Excluding Ken Bunch.
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I bought a Harley a couple years ago. It was a 2007 XL1200R (twin front brakes, mid controls...)
Bike was OK to ride and I enjoyed it for a short while but, seemed every time I rode it I would wish I was on a different bike within an hour (ergonomics mostly and dragging hard parts on corners all the time). That and I could never bond with the low revving, short shifting engine even though it had serious low end torque. Overall it was a very solid and well built bike. Nothing on it seemed cheap. Just not my cup of tea.
And I must admit the stereotypical Harley rider image did make me feel odd when I was riding it, almost self-conscience, which is quite different from the "don't give a sh** what you think" attitude I am regularly accused of having. My wife joked she was going to get me a "I'm NOT a Pirate" T-shirt to wear while riding it.
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I bought a Harley a couple years ago. It was a 2007 XL1200R (twin front brakes, mid controls...)
Bike was OK to ride and I enjoyed it for a short while but, seemed every time I rode it I would wish I was on a different bike within an hour (ergonomics mostly and dragging hard parts on corners all the time). That and I could never bond with the low revving, short shifting engine even though it had serious low end torque. Overall it was a very solid and well built bike. Nothing on it seemed cheap. Just not my cup of tea.
And I must admit the stereotypical Harley rider image did make me feel odd when I was riding it, almost self-conscience, which is quite different from the "don't give a sh** what you think" attitude I am regularly accused of having. My wife joked she was going to get me a "I'm NOT a Pirate" T-shirt to wear while riding it.
It's the "feel" of a Harley. You must've missed it.
I am told you need to be an "experienced" rider to appreciate it.
Try to understand. A few more mile perhaps?
Hey Darren, did you ever think about "weighing" your bikes. Like maybe a Stelvio and a GS. You ever gonna get rid of the GS now that you have an FJR? Cheap I mean.
:evil:
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We say the same thing about a Guzzi. :undecided:
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It's the "feel" of a Harley. You must've missed it.
I am told you need to be an "experienced" rider to appreciate it.
Try to understand. A few more mile perhaps?
Hey Darren, did you ever think about "weighing" your bikes. Like maybe a Stelvio and a GS. You ever gonna get rid of the GS now that you have an FJR? Cheap I mean.
:evil:
Maybe I need to practice riding a bit more before I can learn to appreciate a Harley, don't know.
My Stelvio weight on our calibrated shipping scale at work was 612# (it had an almost full tank and a few things in the boxes). The GS with all the Vario boxes was 580# (also almost full smaller tank and a bit more stuff in the boxes like a heavy tool pouch).
The GS is not going to be for sale cheap as you would define it! Although I joked with Paul at BMC about a 2 or 3 for one trade in, Breva, Thruxton and GS for that new red Griso. He didn't seem to interested.
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That and I could never bond with the low revving, short shifting engine even though it had serious low end torque.
That has been my problem with Harley engines. Just when I think, "Hey, this is starting to make some power.." I hit the rev limiter and it falls on it's face. <shrug>
I've said many times that a motorcycle is all about the engine to me. I could live with some of the short comings of the chassis if I loved the engine. I don't.
I don't like Harleys, I don't like Beemers. I don't like inline 4s. I sorta like the Triumph speed triple, though..
Gimme a Guzzi.
Chuck, deacon..
Church of Guzzi
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Maybe I need to practice riding a bit more before I can learn to appreciate a Harley, don't know.
My Stelvio weight on our calibrated shipping scale at work was 612# (it had an almost full tank and a few things in the boxes). The GS with all the Vario boxes was 580# (also almost full smaller tank and a bit more stuff in the boxes like a heavy tool pouch).
The GS is not going to be for sale cheap as you would define it! Although I joked with Paul at BMC about a 2 or 3 for one trade in, Breva, Thruxton and GS for that new red Griso. He didn't seem to interested.
shhhhhhhhhhh!
Leafman might see this. :whip2:
Cheap? I can offer equal to two KLRs, $5k cash money. Now. Real ca$h.
Meet you at the ATM :evil:
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i want the all the cases and the hardware. :popcorn:
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When I bought my Vintage, I comparison shopped. The last two bikes on my list were the Vintage and a Road King. Three factors made my decision easy:
1) the RK weighed 130 lbs more.
2) the RK dragged the floorboards on one side and the header on the other in sharp turns.
3) the RK cost was $4,000 higher.
Of lesser importance to me was the superior braking and acceleration of the Guzzi. These two bikes are pretty close in build quality. HD has better paint and chrome, but the California has polished stainless fenders, SS braided brake hoses, and floorboards that are not so far forward...still, I would call them apples to apples. In my case, I passed on the Harley because the Guzzi matched my desired priorities better. Thankfully, I feel I made the right choice; my Vintage has been the best bike I've owned in 47 years of riding. I don't hate Harleys, but they haven't made the right one for me, yet.
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shhhhhhhhhhh!
Leafman might see this. :whip2:
Cheap? I can offer equal to two KLRs, $5k cash money. Now. Real ca$h.
Meet you at the ATM :evil:
Mine is NOT the big tank Adventure model, just the regular 5.3 gal GS. But I do have some guards and lights and add-on stuff to pork it up.
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Mine is NOT the big tank Adventure model, just the regular 5.3 gal GS. But I do have some guards and lights and add-on stuff to pork it up.
$5k? Maybe $4500? cash, man