What is it with Harley Riders? RANT

[MGPilot]

I think each bike tends to attract both the people who consider themselves "serious riders" (yeh, sure, you Never smile) and "posers" (who get into the image and want to be seen on one and/or decorate it).

In the early 70's, the Dodge Challenger was (in)famous for having more non-functional factory options than any other car to date. Seems like some other vehicles have far surpassed that -- probably driven by the limitations of what you can do to the engine, etc., (legally).

But clearly, many folks buy Harleys for the theatrical quality. But Harley riders are not alone in their desire to dress up (both themselves and their bikes).

I recently bought a 2014 Morgan Three-wheeler. Morgan offers almost no performance upgrades, but you can double the price of the cycle with cosmetic mods.

[Tom]

Nice bike!

[Kev m]

Just goes to show how different we can be in how we "perceive" things.

<snip>

And here's the kicker.

4) Because of the interactions and conversations that I have had on the highways and at gatherings while riding my Harleys, I have chosen to not ride Harleys any more, and ride Guzzis, Triumphs, and BSAs.

I don't think you can blame any of that on "Harley Hating", "not enough riding", "unsociability", or any other easy explanation other than "Some reasonable, riding people see things differently than you do."   

No, one might easily chose to blame that on the seeker finding what was sought. Of course I recognize that cuts both ways (and at multiple angles).

 

I recently bought a 2014 Morgan Three-wheeler. Morgan offers almost no performance upgrades, but you can double the price of the cycle with cosmetic mods.

I would guess that clearly you bought it because it's probably a ball!

[Penderic]

Wart Hog Owners!  When you get tired of taking care of that expensive Slow and Glow Parade Custom, why not trade it in for one of these practical, stylish and comfortable rides? ....


NO RACING IN THE HALLS, PLEASE!

[Sheepdog]

Sensational Morgan! There is a Harley that gets my attention...

[HDGoose]

OK, so I have to admit...I would not mind owning a Roadster.  I'd love to own a 40's or 50's era HD as well.  Indian Scout and old 4cyl Indian is on the list as well.

But, I would NOT ride around in chaps and leather vest with my feet splayed out in front of me :)  And I'd probably find a way to raise the bike up and remove stuff that dragged in corners.

Proper weight springs for the forks and custom shocks for the rear (with proper weight springs) yields about 1 inch more ride height. Which means more lean angle for corners.

[Tom]

Which, I would want more of than "looking low and going slow".

[mjptexas]

OK, so I have to admit...I would not mind owning a Roadster.  I'd love to own a 40's or 50's era HD as well.  Indian Scout and old 4cyl Indian is on the list as well.

But, I would NOT ride around in chaps and leather vest with my feet splayed out in front of me :)  And I'd probably find a way to raise the bike up and remove stuff that dragged in corners.

Speaking of Roadsters:


It's a pretty sweet ride.  The suspension makes a huge difference in the bike.  The peg feelers drag on a semi-regular basis, but I'm doing my best to solve that problem by wearing them down 

And yes, the irony is not lost on me that, as the OP, I do own a Harley.

[Cool Runnings]

1957, 1st year for the sporty. 

[LowRyter]

Speaking of Roadsters:


It's a pretty sweet ride.  The suspension makes a huge difference in the bike.  The peg feelers drag on a semi-regular basis, but I'm doing my best to solve that problem by wearing them down 

And yes, the irony is not lost on me that, as the OP, I do own a Harley.

did you trade Sporsters Mike?

[Bonafide Bob]

1957, 1st year for the sporty. 

 What a beauty.

[derek533]

You know the reason stereotypes exist?  Because at one point, they were true.  Same thing for Harleys. 

Is it still like that?  Maybe, maybe not.  But to be honest with you, the only Harley I would like to own would be the Street Rod which didn't sell that well and only lasted a couple of years.  It was just a V-Rod but with a much more upright seating position and the pegs directly under you.  It also used an engine developed by Porsche and wasn't a traditional Harley engine. 



Funny thing too, for some reason, Harley's are much more expensive to insure than even my Guzzi as I cross shopped the Street Rod and considered getting one until I found out the insurance was almost double what the Guzzi is. 

[ITSec]

Funny thing too, for some reason, Harley's are much more expensive to insure than even my Guzzi as I cross shopped the Street Rod and considered getting one until I found out the insurance was almost double what the Guzzi is.

In most areas of the country, the explanation comes in one word - theft. For another outrageous example, check the rates for a Caddy Escalade - same problem.

[Kev m]

You know the reason stereotypes exist?  Because at one point, they were true.  Same thing for Harleys. 

<snip>


Funny thing too, for some reason, Harley's are much more expensive to insure than even my Guzzi as I cross shopped the Street Rod and considered getting one until I found out the insurance was almost double what the Guzzi is.

Woah, easy there on that first statement or you're stepping in it. At best some stereotypes might have some truth in some discernable percentage of the population (enough for some to see a pattern). But there are plenty of stereotypes based on misperception or prejudice too that have little or no basis in reality, never mind apply to the majority of the population.

As for insurance it must vary greatly by region. My Harleys have never been more than my imports to insure. In the current fleet the Duc was most expensive for a while and the V7 is/was close, the Sporty is under $100 a year these days and was never as high as the Duc at peak (which barely broke $200/year when brand new).

[Lannis]

But there are plenty of stereotypes based on misperception or prejudice too that have little or no basis in reality, never mind apply to the majority of the population.

I'm sitting here trying to think of some, and having a problem.   Can you name a couple (out of the "plenty") of stereotypes that have little or no basis in reality, past or present?

Lannis

[charlie b]

Thanks for the tip on the Roadster.  And the Street Rod is another example I like.  I do wish HD would put a bigger tank on the sporties.  Aftermarket has some though.

My father-in-law had an early sporty.  He claimed it was the only HD he'd ever own cause it handled so well.  Later in life he bought a CB500-4 in Japan when they first came out.  It rode back with him in a Navy C-54.

[mjptexas]

did you trade Sporsters Mike?

Yep

Traded the Custom:



for the Roadster:



I had the Custom set up so it was pretty comfortable, but just didn't like the feet forward for longer rides. The Roadster might be a keeper.

[mjptexas]

...I do wish HD would put a bigger tank on the sporties...

You can get a Sportster with a 4.5 gallon tank.

[ITSec]

I recently bought a 2014 Morgan Three-wheeler. Morgan offers almost no performance upgrades, but you can double the price of the cycle with cosmetic mods.

I want a Morgan with a Cali 14 engine. With the red head covers. Body in black, red trim, red leather seating. I don't care if it gets hot in the sun, it would be so 

[oldbike54]

 The engine in this Morgan looks like an S&S X wedge .

 Dusty

[Penderic]

Looks like the rear engine cylinder is a fake. 

[Rough Edge racing]

 I ride this thing, a Sportster sport bike...Accelerating past a group of Harley riders stopped for fuel, they look for a Harley but don't see one...

     

     

[Kev m]

Lannis, "can I?" Yes, I can.

You can get a Sportster with a 4.5 gallon tank.

Yup, I love the range (150-175 miles) I generally get with the 4.5g walnut tank on my XLr and that is found on a number of Sportster models, but I like the looks of the 2.2g and 3.5g peanut tanks on many of the Sportster models.

I've already heard some speculation about mounting a walnut tank on a new CX Roadster, but I think it might require bar repositioning.

[Cam3512]

I went on a relatively long ride with a buddy yesterday.  He was on his brand spankin' new Sportster Forty-Eight with the peanut tank (Harley dealer says it has been 48 years since the first small tank).  I was on my V7 Special.  He gassed up 3 times to my one.   I couldn't do it.

[Kev m]

I went on a relatively long ride with a buddy yesterday.  He was on his brand spankin' new Sportster Forty-Eight with the peanut tank (Harley dealer says it has been 48 years since the first small tank).  I was on my V7 Special.  He gassed up 3 times to my one.   I couldn't do it.

Yeah that has the 2.2, which is obviously the worst for distance. On the 1200cc Sportsters you are generally looking at only around 40 mpg.

I believe generally the light comes on at:

2.2g goes about EDIT 1.5 to reserve, so ~60 miles
3.5g goes about 2.5  to reserve, so ~100 miles.
4.5g goes about 3.2  to reserve, so ~130 miles.

I've found with the 4.5g I can actually use somewhere a little more than 4g, but I've never run it out.

[Cam3512]

Yeah that has the 2.2, which is obviously the worst for distance. On the 1200cc Sportsters you are generally looking at only around 40 mpg.

I believe generally:

2.2g goes about 1.8 to reserve, so ~70-75 miles
3.5g goes about 2.5-2.8 to reserve, so ~100-110 miles.
4.5g goes about 3.2-3.5 to reserve, so ~130-140 miles.

I've found with the 4.5g I can actually use somewhere a little more than 4g, but I've never run it out.

Yea, I figured around 35-40 MPG on his bike, and told him he's got approx 20 miles to find gas after his light comes on.  Is that accurate?

[Kev m]

Yea, I figured around 35-40 MPG on his bike, and told him he's got approx 20 miles to find gas after his light comes on.  Is that accurate?

I had to research that. Sounds like my earlier estimates are high on reserve point. Light comes on just a little after 1g, generally closer to 50-60 miles with total distance in the 80 mile range. So yeah, it depends on at what point his light is coming on, but ~20 after is probably a good estimate. The was at least one report of 100 miles with wrist discipline.

I'd take him for a ride with your spare bottles some time and purposely run it out to check.

[Lannis]

Lannis, "can I?" Yes, I can.

Kev - Do unto others .... You'd never put up with someone making, in writing, a positive, in-your-face statement about something like stereotypes and then let them get away without backing it up when asked.   

So don't expect us to.   Either back it up with an example or (and here's the really hard part for you) admit "Ready-Fire-Aim" B.S. on that.

Lannis

[Kev m]

Kev - Do unto others .... You'd never put up with someone making, in writing, a positive, in-your-face statement about something like stereotypes and then let them get away without backing it up when asked.   

So don't expect us to.   Either back it up with an example or (and here's the really hard part for you) admit "Ready-Fire-Aim" B.S. on that.

Lannis

No thanks, I'll pass on your bait.

[Lannis]

No thanks, I'll pass on your bait.

I wasn't the one throwing the bait out there.   But I understand.

Lannis