I got a couple of em and have owned quite a few, so I don’t mind em at all………………
I have owned Japppers and enjoyed them that I had, but it was when I borrowed a mates Harley on a run years ago I realized I LIKED them Harley’s.
Yup, Like a few of ya’s I wasn’t impressed by the brakes, the suspension or the acceleration.
Case of thinking these don’t go, they don’t stop an dont handle, but feck me, there is summat about them.
A few of ya’s have mentioned the odd failing they may have : - - - - - -
Shad .. Ridden a couple, brakes are wooden, no ground clearance, no performance, uncomfortable and they vibrated like hell!!
Can ya be more specific mate ie what models an age were they?
Ground clearance can be an issue, especially when people lower them, as the rage was a few years back, feck that, I wanna be able to go round a bend or a roundabout without grinding me exhausts or me primary case.
Vibration varies greatly from model to model, some have rubber mounted motors some now have balance shafts.
Bottom line .. .. if you only ever rode one that was say 8 – 10 years old or more .. .. take a ride on a newer one I would suggest you may be pleasantly surprised.
Take the amazing HOG lot, people with attitude, as in up your arse attitude ...... road captains !!!!!
Brilliant !! an so true
Oh and how come with those loud pipes no one seems to complain, they are louder than sports bikes cans. That's just not fair !!
Ah, ya see plod expects em to sound louder haha.
And its our way of getting back at you’s lot that slag us dahn
LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES
Although back in the days of Triumphs, it was,
Loud tappets save lives !!
Geoff .. But for me, I prefer something that accelerates, stops, goes around corners and is comfortable
You dont say if you have actually rode one. sooooooo have ya? Or is it just what you’ve heard?
As to acceleration .. .. mine does 0 – 120 in 11 seconds .. .. give or take couple of MPH or a couple of tenths!! is that any good for ya?
where's GT lol?
(Although I think I know what he'll say ... something along the lines of Harleys are rubbish, modded Harleys are ace. Let's see if I'm right!)
Aha, trying to second guess me Geoff tut tut !! - - - Close, but no cigar. .. .. ..
In reality, they are a good bike if bought an used for the purpose they were and are designed.
I know people who have kept their bike bog stock an believe me, they are so reliable in that form as most components are well over engineered
If you wanna bike to go scratching on .. don’t get one They are cruisers !! operative word there boys n girls.
BUT, you can modify them whatever level you want, .. all it takes is shed load of dough an someone who can do PROPERLY.
They have also evolved tremendously over the years .. . .before HD took back control from AMF, quality was a big issue ie it didn’t exist!!!!
Brakes, as Shad has said, were wooden right up to around year 2000, But even that varied a huge amount, you could get on one an it’d have crap brakes, jump on another an they’d be great, Ok maybe not great but far far better than anothers lol !! although these bloody heavy bikes still only have a single front disc on all Softail models, most Dyna models and most Sportsters. IMO any bike that weighs as much as they do should have a twin disc set up on the front !!!
Those that have a 21” front wheel cant have twin disc as the braking forces will snap the spokes on the skittish, narrow, tall wheels, so again The reason that you buy a Harley should be taken into consideration.
Suspension has got better in last 5 years or so and comfort .. .. Again far better with later models
I Spose Im saying if you only rode one more that a few years back, Try em again.
Another reason I like em, is I make a living repairing, servicing an making the odd 12 or 20 go A LOT quicker than the factory ever intended.
Anyhow, Im sure you all heard the expression .. .. “If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand”
An You don’t need a lotto win to own one, they start around 6K, ok, they go up to around 30K, but thats for a Screamin’ Eagle CVO top of range Touring model.
One major thing a Harley has is its resale value .. .. they hold their money better than anything else…. Buy a 15K Softail now an in 10 years time you’ll still 8k – 10k for it.
Trish .. .. haha Dirty girl .. .. I know what ya mean tho’ – hang on, not ME ya understand .. A couple of pilly’s have mentioned “I LIKE going on your bike Tony “.. .. for the very reason you are referring to.
Ok, now we done that …. What about Balls out sports bikes .. . I hate em … I don’t like having me head down near the front wheel an me arse looking like Im offering it up to Elton John an the likes. BUT do I spend me life slaggin em orf ?? nope !! I respect whatever any body likes to ride … (two strokes an pizza bike scooter thingy wotsits excepted haha)