What are Harley like to live with?
- Thread starter SJPB1982
- Start date
hd
i had a striped down softail from 1987 until last summer.
the first few month i found out what screws needed locktite and which electric connection needed proper soldering......for the rest of it's 23 yearslife it just did what a bike has to do and when people say you can only cruise.....no ....not true.
it goes really fast around the bends .....AS LONG THERE IS NO BUMP OR HOLE IN THE TARMAC.
good luck if you want one ....i prefer my gs suspension
i had a striped down softail from 1987 until last summer.
the first few month i found out what screws needed locktite and which electric connection needed proper soldering......for the rest of it's 23 yearslife it just did what a bike has to do and when people say you can only cruise.....no ....not true.
it goes really fast around the bends .....AS LONG THERE IS NO BUMP OR HOLE IN THE TARMAC.
good luck if you want one ....i prefer my gs suspension
BrianGriffin
Registered user
Been there, done that..!
Had a very nice looking custom job, that was built for the three main custom shows in the uk. The guy I bought it off customised Harleys as a hobby, money no object. Once he'd shown them, just sold them on and moved on to the next project. So I got a year old Harley, with less than 500 miles on it, for half its value, that he'd spent £12,000.00 on. It was still sh*t.
Unless of course, you just enjoy going in straight lines and stick to motorways,
avoiding all roundabouts and corners, back lanes and 'B' roads, sweeping 'A' roads that cover our nation. In which case you'll love em.
Had a very nice looking custom job, that was built for the three main custom shows in the uk. The guy I bought it off customised Harleys as a hobby, money no object. Once he'd shown them, just sold them on and moved on to the next project. So I got a year old Harley, with less than 500 miles on it, for half its value, that he'd spent £12,000.00 on. It was still sh*t.
Unless of course, you just enjoy going in straight lines and stick to motorways,
avoiding all roundabouts and corners, back lanes and 'B' roads, sweeping 'A' roads that cover our nation. In which case you'll love em.
After many, many years of harley ownership and riding (still got em), I plunged head first and bought a 1100gs 25th anv with ABS and thus began my first year of possession just love it now 8 years later I'd never thaught I'd own a boxer in my youth , now I'd never be with out one as for my Hog for all it's flaws makes it what it is (Bovril) ?
Mutley
Registered user
Been there, done that..!
Had a very nice looking custom job, that was built for the three main custom shows in the uk. The guy I bought it off customised Harleys as a hobby, money no object. Once he'd shown them, just sold them on and moved on to the next project. So I got a year old Harley, with less than 500 miles on it, for half its value, that he'd spent £12,000.00 on. It was still sh*t.
Unless of course, you just enjoy going in straight lines and stick to motorways,
avoiding all roundabouts and corners, back lanes and 'B' roads, sweeping 'A' roads that cover our nation. In which case you'll love em.
Bought someone else' show pony andthink you've been there and done that?
Been there, done that..!
Had a very nice looking custom job, that was built for the three main custom shows in the uk. The guy I bought it off customised Harleys as a hobby, money no object. Once he'd shown them, just sold them on and moved on to the next project. So I got a year old Harley, with less than 500 miles on it, for half its value, that he'd spent £12,000.00 on. It was still sh*t.
Unless of course, you just enjoy going in straight lines and stick to motorways,
avoiding all roundabouts and corners, back lanes and 'B' roads, sweeping 'A' roads that cover our nation. In which case you'll love em.
I bought a hardtail Honda chop once with loooooong twisted springer forks and 24" ape hangers. It had a small cut down seat.
It was crap, wouldn't go round corners and was uncomfortable. I wouldn't buy another Honda, they're crap. Been there done that!
I had one of these as a loaner when my Road King was being serviced last year. It had a full Stage 2 conversion on it & must have been close to breaking windows as I rode past
I had to stop after half an hour to put in my ear plugs which were never necessary with the Road King.The Road King has now gone and been replaced with a GS Triple Black, a return to GS's after a break of 4 years, but I enjoyed the RK and the Dyna Superglide Custom before it. My experience of dealer back up was excellent & the theory that HD hold their value was found to be 100% correct in my case.
Been there, done that..!
Had a very nice looking custom job, that was built for the three main custom shows in the uk. The guy I bought it off customised Harleys as a hobby, money no object. Once he'd shown them, just sold them on and moved on to the next project. So I got a year old Harley, with less than 500 miles on it, for half its value, that he'd spent £12,000.00 on. It was still sh*t.
Unless of course, you just enjoy going in straight lines and stick to motorways,
avoiding all roundabouts and corners, back lanes and 'B' roads, sweeping 'A' roads that cover our nation. In which case you'll love em.
Not sure if you're being serious here
But you win 'Daft Post of the Day' award.
My personal advice would be to get an Evo. engined 'big twin' (ie mid 1980's to late 1990's) bike
Inclined to agree with that....
I’ve had a few Harleys, the best of the bunch being my old 1992 1340cc Lowrider. Really easy ‘bike to get on with...dead dead easy to service. I went all over on it including a number of Euro trips, in all weathers, and it never missed a beat. It just ran and ran, and it became one of those 'bikes that you just 'know' will never break down.
The overall finish was up and down. The tank/mudguards/side panels were really nice, but the paint on the frame was crap. The chrome and alloy was very good. If you look at most ‘bikes from that era, they were much better finished than the ones we buy today (IMHO)
I kept it for nine years, which is longer than I have ever kept a ‘bike, and still regret selling it......visited the States in 2001, saw the V-Rod in various mags, and just had to have one....
Harleys....I love ‘em.....Great ‘bikes......
My tuppence worth,
2006 Stage 2 Streetbob
Gutless in standard form, don't handle and the brakes are crap. Stage two and the performance is good but chassis can't handle it, great in a straight line, challenging in the corners and terrifying in the wet, especially exiting roundabouts or powering out of bends where it snakes on a whiff of throttle.
Good on fuel and comfortable on a long run, the torque is addictive and the accompanying noise is music to the ears. finish has so far been good on mine and it has been ridden through winter. In fact it survived better than my GS which despite being ACF50 treated, needed both rocker covers and the engine cover replaced within the first six months of ownership from new! They just crumbled away.
They are basic and easy to work on, mine is matt black and many parts are powder coated black as I hate the chrome and tassel look, so easy to look after, coat it in acf50 and clean once a year.
I am still not convinced it's a keeper, but there is just something about them, despite their faults you tend to forgive them and I always enjoy riding it, I must be a glutton for punishment!
I am now looking at Victories if anyone has any experience they can share on them. I do like the Hammer S limited edition in matt black.
2006 Stage 2 Streetbob
Gutless in standard form, don't handle and the brakes are crap. Stage two and the performance is good but chassis can't handle it, great in a straight line, challenging in the corners and terrifying in the wet, especially exiting roundabouts or powering out of bends where it snakes on a whiff of throttle.
Good on fuel and comfortable on a long run, the torque is addictive and the accompanying noise is music to the ears. finish has so far been good on mine and it has been ridden through winter. In fact it survived better than my GS which despite being ACF50 treated, needed both rocker covers and the engine cover replaced within the first six months of ownership from new! They just crumbled away.
They are basic and easy to work on, mine is matt black and many parts are powder coated black as I hate the chrome and tassel look, so easy to look after, coat it in acf50 and clean once a year.
I am still not convinced it's a keeper, but there is just something about them, despite their faults you tend to forgive them and I always enjoy riding it, I must be a glutton for punishment!
I am now looking at Victories if anyone has any experience they can share on them. I do like the Hammer S limited edition in matt black.
Mutley
Registered user
A Victory will be everything you wanted your Harley to be and more. The engine is more powerfull and more economical. With a stage 1 they sound awesome. The cycle parts are top spec, the kind of thing you buy after your HD starts to look a bit tatty. The finish is top notch, deep glossy paint and thick chrome. The dealers are friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable
Unfortunately the gearboxes aren't quite up to the job and the depreciation is scary, almost as bad as a BMW
At the end of the day they are great bikes with some interesting design ideas. They're just not HD's though :cool
Unfortunately the gearboxes aren't quite up to the job and the depreciation is scary, almost as bad as a BMW
At the end of the day they are great bikes with some interesting design ideas. They're just not HD's though :cool
Harleys are pretty much like any other bike in terms of reliability and longevity, look after them well and you will be suitably rewarded. They are rather simple to service as well.
I know a bloke who has had a Road King for several years, it lives outside under a cover and gets used all year round, he commutes six days a week in all weathers, he washes and polishes it often, and he is meticulous in his maintenence regime, the bike is still in excellent condition and with all the engine mods he's done it's one very quick Harley.
I've had two, a Sportster 1200, and a FXDX Superglide sport, I much preferred the FXDX, it was bigger, quicker and more comfortable than the sportster, The FXDX was used two up for touring in Europe, more than up to the job in the alpine passes and sounded bl**dy marvellous. I also had the use for three months of a 1340 lowrider several years ago, that was a nice bike but lacked ground clearance.
I'm quite sure that I will own another Harley davidson within next few years, funds allowing.
I know a bloke who has had a Road King for several years, it lives outside under a cover and gets used all year round, he commutes six days a week in all weathers, he washes and polishes it often, and he is meticulous in his maintenence regime, the bike is still in excellent condition and with all the engine mods he's done it's one very quick Harley.
I've had two, a Sportster 1200, and a FXDX Superglide sport, I much preferred the FXDX, it was bigger, quicker and more comfortable than the sportster, The FXDX was used two up for touring in Europe, more than up to the job in the alpine passes and sounded bl**dy marvellous. I also had the use for three months of a 1340 lowrider several years ago, that was a nice bike but lacked ground clearance.
I'm quite sure that I will own another Harley davidson within next few years, funds allowing.
The Victory is a good bike but i cant help but say it, IMO they are for people who cant quite afford a Harley. There, ive said it. They have made no secret about the fact that almost every bike they make is almost a direct copy of a hd.
I visited the Victory stand at NEC last week, good looking bikes but found the parts/finish a bit 'flimsy' when compared to HD's.
The HAMMER seems to be more or less a direct copy of the VRSC bikes. Not a bad thing but as Rods dont seem to hold they're money as well as the 'normal' HD's. With that in mind, if I was looking at a hammer, I would spend another couple of grand and buy the Rod.
You want the badge, you have to pay........
You want the badge, you have to pay........
You've just inadvertently hit the nail square on the head
Lots of Harley riders simply want to be seen riding the badge...
A bit sad really
Mutley
Registered user
It's a Dyna Fat Bob. It's a Dyna in Matt black with drag bars, mag wheels, twin headlights and slammed suspension. You don't have to buy one to own one, you can pretty much make any Dyna look like that if you want. That's why people keep their HDs, if you get bored you don't have to buy a new bike just a few bits and a paint job
It's a Dyna Fat Bob. It's a Dyna in Matt black with drag bars, mag wheels, twin headlights and slammed suspension. You don't have to buy one to own one, you can pretty much make any Dyna look like that if you want. That's why people keep their HDs, if you get bored you don't have to buy a new bike just a few bits and a paint job
Is it a standard bike? The pic in the post shows a bike with mid controls, not forwards, which I like and what looks like a single headlight which I also prefer.
As far as I know the standard Dyna Fat Bob had forward controls and twin headlights. I test drove one in 2008 and it didn't really work for me not least because it had really loud pipes. It wouldn't have taken much to get it right but I bought a Night Train and spent ages changing stuff on that instead
The Victory is a good bike but i cant help but say it, IMO they are for people who cant quite afford a Harley. There, ive said it. They have made no secret about the fact that almost every bike they make is almost a direct copy of a hd.
I visited the Victory stand at NEC last week, good looking bikes but found the parts/finish a bit 'flimsy' when compared to HD's.
The HAMMER seems to be more or less a direct copy of the VRSC bikes. Not a bad thing but as Rods dont seem to hold they're money as well as the 'normal' HD's. With that in mind, if I was looking at a hammer, I would spend another couple of grand and buy the Rod.
You want the badge, you have to pay........
Hence why I am considering the change, owning a Harley is a little bit embarrassing these days, there is something almost cheesy About it (just visit a HOG event and it will put you off HDs in an instant).
I do not subscribe to the whole brand thing and the only thing I own that has the name on it, is the bike. I do like them, but badge collecting RUBs who use them as a fashion accessory are putting me off the brand.
As for the Victory being for those that can't afford a Harley, I fail to see how
you work that out? The prices are pretty much identical across the range the Hammer S LE is £14295 the same price as the top spec V Rod! I am yet to test ride a Victory, but if the blurb is to be believed, the Victory will out perform, brake and handle better than an HD. To me it makes more sense to buy something that works rather than a lesser item brought just for the brand name!
I may change my opinion after I ride a Victory, but being a current HD owner I fail to see how it could not be better (apart from the noise) it has better
suspension, twin discs up front and a more powerful engine, all the things an HD is missing. Mind you the same could be said of all the Japanese HD clones, but I do agree that the HD will win on resale value, they do hold their price
well.
IMHO HD are a victim of their own success, they used to be a bikers dream bike that you would work your whole life for in the hope to some day be able to buy one and ride on a daily basis. Now for many people they are purely a summer toy and fashion accessory to be rolled out for a pose on a sunny day,
whilst wearing a matching wardrobe of his and hers branded clothing, including underpants and wallet.
Let the debate continue.
Mutley
Registered user
Is it a standard bike? The pic in the post shows a bike with mid controls, not forwards, which I like and what looks like a single headlight which I also prefer.
As far as I know the standard Dyna Fat Bob had forward controls and twin headlights. I test drove one in 2008 and it didn't really work for me not least because it had really loud pipes. It wouldn't have taken much to get it right but I bought a Night Train and spent ages changing stuff on that instead
You are correct about the controls. I haven't looked into it but I think you may need new inner and outer primary cases to run mids on one of those (although I may be wrong about the inner). It's doable though and not a big job, and you'd easily sell the existing primary as there are hundreds of Street Bob owners who want to fit forwards on their bikes
That bike does look like it still has the twin headlight but HD did have a conversion kit to a single headlight. Each to his own I guess
Mutley
Registered user
Not all HD riders are HOG, plenty of us have encountered them and steer well clear. It's easy enough to do: just ride 20 miles out of town and avoid anywhere that clames to be an 'American Diner' at the weekend
I do not subscribe to the whole brand thing and the only thing I own that has the name on it, is the bike. I do like them, but badge collecting RUBs who use them as a fashion accessory are putting me off the brand.
As for the Victory being for those that can't afford a Harley, I fail to see how
you work that out? The prices are pretty much identical across the range the Hammer S LE is £14295 the same price as the top spec V Rod! I am yet to test ride a Victory, but if the blurb is to be believed, the Victory will out perform, brake and handle better than an HD. To me it makes more sense to buy something that works rather than a lesser item brought just for the brand name!
I may change my opinion after I ride a Victory, but being a current HD owner I fail to see how it could not be better (apart from the noise) it has better
suspension, twin discs up front and a more powerful engine, all the things an HD is missing. Mind you the same could be said of all the Japanese HD clones, but I do agree that the HD will win on resale value, they do hold their price
well.
IMHO HD are a victim of their own success, they used to be a bikers dream bike that you would work your whole life for in the hope to some day be able to buy one and ride on a daily basis. Now for many people they are purely a summer toy and fashion accessory to be rolled out for a pose on a sunny day,
whilst wearing a matching wardrobe of his and hers branded clothing, including underpants and wallet.
Let the debate continue.
Honda build 'better' bikes than HD as well. The Goldwing is a brilliant super tourer, much more accomplished than a 'Glide, and let's not talk about Sportsters
I always wanted a Harley and now I have two. I haven't had the bar and shield tattooed on my arm but I have bought a wallet
