So, My Son Went and Bought a Harley

[Muzz]

On our local TradeMe site. He has started getting the hang of using the laptop that my darling works his business from. This is the first luxury item he has shouted himself since going out on his own a couple of years ago.  The start bid was the reserve met price, it was pretty local and the price was considerably lower than most around.  Had a Harris two in to one exhaust (loud but a lot nicer sound than potato) fork brace on the front, Ikons on the back, custom seat (with the original plus a solo) Screaming Eagle ignition module, leads and coils, carb has the thunderslide kit fitted and has been dyno'd while being rejetted, and a Hypercharger air intake with a K&N filter.  He only likes the 1200 Sporties and this is a 2002 model with 22,000kms on the clock.

We gave him a lift out and then followed him the long way home (about 50kms).  All the original parts came with the bike, as well as three sets of bars and a manual.  He is one happy camper as it goes really well.  There was one other person put in a couple of bids and then folded.  Auction closed at 8pm on Saturday night so I guess most of prospective buyers were out socialising.

The guy had had back surgery and had to give it up.  He just about had tears going down his face as the son rode off.

[Crusty]

Tell your son I said Congratulations!

I personally feel that the Sportster is the most under rated motorcycle out there. It's very reliable, makes decent horsepower and torque and handles fairly well stock. The real beauty is that it's easy to set up for the type of riding you want to do. There are endless accessories to personalize the bike so that it fits you and does what you want it to. With suspension improvements, it will surprise a lot of Sport Bikes. With a good seat and saddlebags, it makes a really nice touring mount.

Since May, I've ridden my '05 over 26,000 miles through 39 states, and the biggest problem I had was when the 10 year old belt snapped. There was a Harley dealer less than 10 miles away and he had the belt in stock. I changed out the belt in a parking lot, and that was it.

Here's a picture of mine:

[Kev m]

2002 was one of the best years for the Solidmount sportsters (that ended after 2003 with the introduction of the 2004 rubbermount).

The Rubbermount is a little bigger and heaver (about 50# give or take), but the trade-off is that it is also a bit more comfortable.

If you are going to own a Solidmount only the 00-03 models came with all the improvements they ever introduced to the line, including little things like 4-pot calipers and sealed wheel bearings (that don't need to be removed, repacked, and resealed with each tire replacement).

Hopefully he'll love it.

Guide him over the XLforum

www.xlforum.net and tell him to say "KevM" sent him.

It's a HUGE forum but he can basically get any conceivable Sportster question answered there in short time.

[Cam3512]

With the Screaming Eagle, Thunderslide, and Hypercharger how can he go wrong?

[Two Checks]

Now he has to buy the uniform.

[Lannis]

Now he has to buy the uniform.

Maybe he can REALLY fool 'em and buy some red suspenders!!

[blackcat]

Good luck to your son and his new bike. I had a 88 Sportster and put about 20,000 care free miles on the bike.

[Two Checks]

Maybe he can REALLY fool 'em and buy some red suspenders!!

Now THAT'S an outlaw motorcyclist!

[56Pan]

If he puts apehangers on it, disown him.

[not-fishing]

I've got a question about Harley Riders.....

Has anyone actually seen one with a full face Helmet?  and I don't mean on TV or "think you have"   

I know I'm old but it just hit me that I can't recall seeing a Harley rider with more than a 3/4's out here in California and those are very rare.

Rat's! Now I'm going to have to be on the look out for another "endangered specie", the full faced Helmeted Harley Rider - it's a California thing

Mark Not-a -Harley

[Lannis]

I've got a question about Harley Riders.....

Has anyone actually seen one with a full face Helmet?  and I don't mean on TV or "think you have"   

I know I'm old but it just hit me that I can't recall seeing a Harley rider with more than a 3/4's out here in California and those are very rare.

Rat's! Now I'm going to have to be on the look out for another "endangered specie", the full faced Helmeted Harley Rider - it's a California thing

Mark Not-a -Harley

Probably 10% of the Harley riders here (including bikes I can't tell from a Harley) are wearing full gear, and it's surprising-looking.   A batwing fairing Harley rider with a day-glo yellow vest and a full helmet.    I think I'm seeing more of them these days, although maybe it's because I've started looking for them .....

Lannis

[Kev m]

I've got a question about Harley Riders.....

Has anyone actually seen one with a full face Helmet?  and I don't mean on TV or "think you have"   

I was out on the V7 yesterday and passed a group of 5 or 6 Harleys - ALL WITH FF helmets on (some hi-vis).

I remember chuckling to myself thinking they and I were both "out of uniform".

That said, it's not uncommon for me to see a Harley rider with a FF...granted, they are a much lower percentage of Harley riders, but it's not uncommon.

Here's an example. A photo from a group ride about 10 years ago (a bunch of us in PA were headed to NJ - ironically I didn't know it at the time, but almost a decade later I'd move 5 miles from our destination that day). Anyway, there I am on the Jackal, and right behind me are two guys on Harleys with FF helmets.

[segesta]

I've got a question about Harley Riders.....

Has anyone actually seen one with a full face Helmet?  and I don't mean on TV or "think you have"   

I know I'm old but it just hit me that I can't recall seeing a Harley rider with more than a 3/4's out here in California and those are very rare.

Rat's! Now I'm going to have to be on the look out for another "endangered specie", the full faced Helmeted Harley Rider - it's a California thing

Mark Not-a -Harley

Maybe it's because Harley riders are getting older, but here in Illinois--ironically, a no-helmet-law state--I'm seeing more Harley riders in full gear. Especially when riding with a passenger. But that means it's gone from near zero to maybe 15%.

PS congratulations to the Original Poster's son, I hope he enjoys his Sportster.

[ken farr]

.....and the biggest problem I had was when the 10 year old belt snapped. There was a Harley dealer less than 10 miles away and he had the belt in stock. I changed out the belt in a parking lot, and that was it.

You cannot beat the dealer network that Harley has.

Sounds like your son is on his way, good luck and enjoy.

kjf

[Stormtruck2]

I've got a question about Harley Riders.....

Has anyone actually seen one with a full face Helmet?  and I don't mean on TV or "think you have"   

I know I'm old but it just hit me that I can't recall seeing a Harley rider with more than a 3/4's out here in California and those are very rare.

Rat's! Now I'm going to have to be on the look out for another "endangered specie", the full faced Helmeted Harley Rider - it's a California thing

Mark Not-a -Harley

https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Stormtrucker2-Storms-Cross/n-GTB7PN/i-V9VLm53/A

I was on KevM's Sporty, but yup, full face brain bucket.

[BillinPA]

I have Guzzi's and Harleys and wear a full face/jacket/gloves always.  My daughter and I took a 6 day trip on my superglide sidecar rig and we both were Atgatt, my jacket hi-viz.  Not all Harley riders are posers

[Lcarlson]

I owned a rubber-mounted Sportster 1200 Custom for a few years. It was fun to ride and beautifully finished -- an "elemental" motorcycle ("we don't need no steenkin' ABS", or even a second disk up front). Even with aftermarket shocks (Progressive"), though, the ride was pretty punishing. I eventually got tired of it, and it went to a new home.

[Kiwi_Roy]

When we were kids growing up Dad used to tell us how great Harleys were, we never believed him and rode mainly English bikes with an NSU thrown in for good measure.
Now my older brother has a Sportster, he's taken over from Dad preaching the word to us youngsters, we ignore him too, Kiwikev and I are trying our best to save him.

I have to agree that a Sportster is a real motorcycle though.

[canuguzzi]

Bet your son is thrilled. He got a great bike, something he'll no doubt make his own. As part of the deal he gets factory supported dealerships open 7 days a week in lots of places, even if he wrenches it himself.

Nice to see someone's kid get what they wanted instead of what got pushed on them. One thing for sure, no matter where he rides, he'll be doing it first class. Support coast to coast will add to his enjoyment.

Bet you're proud of him, rightly so!

[cruzziguzzi]

I'm certainly diggin' the bejeepers outa my 2003.
Single, exceptionally well adjusted carb.
Single, very capable front brake.
Belt... 'nuff said!
Somewhere solidly around 51 MPG in town.
Fairly leaps to life even under choke when cold.
Limited heat rise at stop lights in Phoenix... in August.
Low weight carry and low seat height.
Tiny presentation in negotiating heavy traffic or parking lots.

So much more.

Aside from the very limited "Hugger" suspension and the very limited range of the tank... those being simple credit card/garage time fixes, an outstanding all 'rounder.

Mine (my second "new/evo(?)" Sportster, really got me thinking about one of these as one of my last ever motorcycles: http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/motorcycles/police-fire-shrine/police.html

Todd.

[Lannis]

  Not all Harley riders are posers

The consensus seems to range in the 10 - 15% area.

Some of the longest-distance riders I know ride Harleys.   Friend of mine from high school used to put 60,000 miles a year on his, traded every two years or so.    EVERY YEAR, this dude rode to Daytona (twice), Laconia, Sturgis, the Grand Canyon, from Virginia.   Every weekend, every spare day on the bike.

Killed in an industrial accident a couple years back, when a bale of paper tipped back off of his forklift onto him ... Really nice guy, no "pose" about him.

Lannis

[Muzz]

Thankfully, he is no poser.   I of course gave him heaps about needing a bandana first up so he can be a gay pirate,  followed by the obligatory face mask with a skull on it.  First up will be a full face helmet.  Does not know whether to do the leather jacket or Cordura riding suit.  Wants to do some research on that.  It is the 4th Harley he has owned (all 1200's) as well as various BSA's and Trumpo's.

http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/tq/412914352.jpg

http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/412915914.jpg

Not sure if the photos will show.

edit; the bullet holes hide a dent in the tank.  fortunately he does a lot of work for a panel beating firm and does the odd job for friends he has there.  Dent removal and touch up are listed in the to do list.
I see he has started putting things on watchlist as he contemplates how he wants it to look.  I think the first thing will be the original back guard going back on.

[Aldo]

Tell your son I said Congratulations!

 :1:

I've been enjoying my Sportster '48' a little over a year now...

[Rough Edge racing]

 Posers... How do you know it's a poser and not a rider who just likes "traditional" bike leathers? And what is a poser? Because they ride a new Harley? Or because there appears to be more Harleys than any other brand ?  How about riders on Japanese Harley clone bikes, are they posers?
 To be honest, the poser term is overdone and ,in my opinion, those who use it come off as snobs...

 I like the look of the Sporty above...

[Kev m]

Posers... How do you know it's a poser and not a rider who just likes "traditional" bike leathers? And what is a poser? Because they ride a new Harley? Or because there appears to be more Harleys than any other brand ?  How about riders on Japanese Harley clone bikes, are they posers?
 To be honest, the poser term is overdone and ,in my opinion, those who use it come off as snobs...

 I like the look of the Sporty above...

+1 Brazilian, but I've been fighting that battle on this board for a decade and it's not won me any friends.

[Aaron D.]

I prefer leather most of the time too. I even have a set of chaps! And they are great for travel.

[Lannis]

Posers... How do you know it's a poser and not a rider who just likes "traditional" bike leathers? And what is a poser? Because they ride a new Harley? Or because there appears to be more Harleys than any other brand ?  How about riders on Japanese Harley clone bikes, are they posers?
 To be honest, the poser term is overdone and ,in my opinion, those who use it come off as snobs...

 I like the look of the Sporty above...

Well, I might have to come off as a "snob" under those rules, even though I ride everything from nice Guzzis to raggedy old Brits ....

You can't be sure someone's a Poser until you talk to them, generally.    You might make a guess or a "prejudgment" (the basis of "prejudice") when you SEE someone.    If they are acting Tough, and Scary, and Threatening by their choice of gear, and costumes, and masks, and get-back whips, and a Bad Look on their face, then they MIGHT be a poser, you can't be sure.   Normal people don't act like that.

After you Talk to them, you can be pretty sure.   If they're obviously full of BS about motorcycling (and after 43 years and 10,000 times that many miles, I can generally detect whether they speak with forked tongue or not) and trying to convince you of The Thing That Is Not ....

.... then I'll use the "P" word, whether people here recoil in tolerant, diverse horror or not .....

If they're just a regular guy who happens to like fringed leather jackets and blacked-out Vtwins, it'll be obvious pretty quick.

Lannis

[Penderic]

I had a dream .......

 

[Rough Edge racing]

Well, I might have to come off as a "snob" under those rules, even though I ride everything from nice Guzzis to raggedy old Brits ....

You can't be sure someone's a Poser until you talk to them, generally.    You might make a guess or a "prejudgment" (the basis of "prejudice") when you SEE someone.    If they are acting Tough, and Scary, and Threatening by their choice of gear, and costumes, and masks, and get-back whips, and a Bad Look on their face, then they MIGHT be a poser, you can't be sure.   Normal people don't act like that.

After you Talk to them, you can be pretty sure.   If they're obviously full of BS about motorcycling (and after 43 years and 10,000 times that many miles, I can generally detect whether they speak with forked tongue or not) and trying to convince you of The Thing That Is Not ....

.... then I'll use the "P" word, whether people here recoil in tolerant, diverse horror or not .....

If they're just a regular guy who happens to like fringed leather jackets and blacked-out Vtwins, it'll be obvious pretty quick.

Lannis

 You're not a snob because you give them the benefit of the doubt.. A "poser" on a Harley is no different than a "poser" who drives a one ton pick  truck that never hauls anything, or a person who drives an expensive German car for image or a rider in fancy leathers on a sport bike who never races or people who wear fancy footwear and shirts with brand names on them...
 I can jump to judgement but on occasion I have found some "posers" to be ok people...

[segesta]

Loud pipes = look at me look at me = a pose. That's my rule of thumb for identifying genus poseur.