Harley/Stelvio trade

[leafman60]

This forum, I must admit, is generally open-minded about other bikes, especially those from The Motor Company.

Just because you like something else, it doesn't mean you dislike Guzzi.

A Harley, with a few tweaks, can run with anything. Its reliability and dealer network is unmatched in the industry.  Just sayin.

This week, I acquired another late-model, 6-speed Super Glide very much like the red one I sold last year.

This bike was owned by a close friend of mine who converted it almost exactly to match my former bike.  Ohlins suspension, power train stabilizer, engine Stage 1 conversion, low handlebars.

Riding it this week, I have been reminded about what a fantastic performance machine this is. The power, especially low end coming out of curves is amazing. Its road holding and ability to polish off a tight curve at serious lean angles at speed is thrilling.

These comments are from a current Stelvio owner and rider of many Japanese and European sporty bikes of recent years.

If you are drawn to a Big Twin, don't fall victim to some of the negative H-D comments from people who don't know what they're talking about.  Yes, most H-D riders don't want a curve carver, performance bike and that's fine.  Catering to that customer base has proven wildly successful for H-D. 

Just be aware that, with a little modification, these bikes, even the Touring models, can be made to perform better than many non-H-D people realize. You don't have to go full-bore and break the bank doing it either.

On top of that, you don't put up with the niggling issues that so pervasively seem to afflict other brands.


.

[swmckinley54]

Amen to that Leafman60.

[jumpmaster]

Just be aware that, with a little modification, these bikes, even the Touring models, can be made to perform better than many non-H-D people realize.

On top of that, you don't put up with the niggling issues that so pervasively seem to afflict other brands.
.

My Whizzer has never left me broken down on the side of the road.  Of course, if it did break down, I could just take the drive belt off & pedal it home!   

[leafman60]

The primary limiting factor for the H-D in my book is they don't work well in the woods, on dirt !

[Rough Edge racing]

Just be aware that, with a little modification, these bikes, even the Touring models, can be made to perform better than many non-H-D people realize. You don't have to go full-bore and break the bank doing it either.

On top of that, you don't put up with the niggling issues that so pervasively seem to afflict other brands.


.

 At the Ohio one mile standing start LSR track I spent a lot of time talking to a rider on a late model Big Twin bagger. He had ridden about 500 miles one way to race on the track...The bike was running 130 MPH with all touring equipment. Yes it was modified, probably mega cubic inch,but it sounded and idled like a stock bike.. And it was not very loud  LOL.
 Riding a 120 plus HP Harley  at WFO throttle is quite the experience, kinda like a 650 HP supercharged ZR1 Corvette. The pull through the gears is insane...

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I'm Harley-Davidson-less currently, but 10-years ago when I had one (1987 Electraglide Sport) my local dealer would work on it even though they told others they wouldn't touch a bike that old.  When I asked about why they made an exception they said they "knew" the bike because I'd had them do some service work on it when it wasn't so old. So I suppose sometimes being a loyal customer works in your favor.  However, if I still owned it today and took in to the same dealer they'd probably turn me away, since now that bike is older than the majority of their employees.

[jumpmaster]

I'm Harley-Davidson-less currently, but 10-years ago when I had one (1987 Electraglide Sport) my local dealer would work on it even though they told others they wouldn't touch a bike that old.  When I asked about why they made an exception they said they "knew" the bike because I'd had them do some service work on it when it wasn't so old. So I suppose sometimes being a loyal customer works in your favor.  However, if I still owned it today and took in to the same dealer they'd probably turn me away, since now that bike is older than the majority of their employees.

The silver lining to this cloud that nobody has mentioned yet - in general, the independent shops that are willing to work on the older Harley's usually have lower shop/labor rates than dealers, & many of them have better mechanics than the dealer mechanics who often have a "plug & play" mentality (i.e. just replace parts until something works instead of actually analyzing & locating the problem &, when appropriate, repairing the part rather than replacing it).  I have pretty much zero experience w/MG dealers except for trying to get new valve cover gaskets from my (now defunct) nearest dealer.  I discovered I knew more about MG valve gaskets than the parts counter guy did, & I'd only owned the bike for 6 months at that point!  That might not be representative of MG dealers in general, but it sure didn't inspire confidence in my mind.