Who Hates Harley Davidson?

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by Bubba Zanetti, Jan 31, 2008.

  1. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    Fair enough, to elaborate "charm and character" would be compared against bikes I'm used to riding which are mostly Japanese standards and sporty type rides. HD's have a lot more rumble, not vibration, not noise (the stock exhaust is not loud), I guess shaking is the proper word but never to the point of being too disruptive, the gearboxes are clunkier and I find the brakes to be average. Handling can be quite good on certain models like the Sport Glide. The redline is low but on most of the bikes there is gobs of torque. It's like riding a Moto Guzzi, there is a definite throwback feel about the whole machine but the fit and finish is modern. I guess the charm of it all is that it isn't a typical riding experience for me and that isn't a bad thing buuuuut I wouldn't want it as my daily rider.
     
  2. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    About that "handling can be quite good" thing. Try taking that SportGlide through a bumpy corner
    and see if you don't change your mind in an instant, after experiencing the "Harley Death Wobble".
    Rubber mounting the rear swing arm is not the road to decent handling when the road is a little
    rough.
     
  3. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    I rode it through some crappy, undulating, tar-snake covered twisty roads in the canyons of Arizona and it handled fine.
     
  4. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    It's not uncommon for a Harley with a few miles on it to go into severe to semi-severe wobbles
    after hitting bumps mid-corner, at or near it's cornering limits, which on a Harley are not all
    that great. It almost dumped my stepson on his StreetGlide. He said it scared the crap out of him.
     
  5. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    I have not experienced the death wobble but I have seen it almost take out a guy once. I think he shat himself.
     
  6. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    With unsafe, untrained, riders, unsafe motorcycles, that are always in the way and crossing centerlines in the mountains where I ride. They ask for it and they do get hit often in mountain riding. They're cool though.....in their own minds........
     
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  7. thx1138

    thx1138 New Member

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    You are joking aren't you? No one would rubber mount a swingarm.
     
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  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Not joking in the least. When we tried to troubleshoot my step-son's wild wobble on his '08 Street Glide, we pulled the swingarm to check the bushings.

    The swingarm mounts to a through shaft that is located, loosely speaking, by big ol' rubber donuts in the frame. Oh, and the motor, you know that big old lump that is also rubber and heim rod mounted, also mounts to the through shaft for the swing arm

    They have aftermarket bushings that are much stiffer and allow less movement that the OEM ones. But a really piss poor design. IMO of course.
     
  9. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Seriously?

    I do credit HD with great marketing execution that effectively makes people emotional enough that they do no research, get no training, then go out and kill themselves on a POS that they are not trained to ride safely. Riding a HD safely is an oxymoron.
     
  10. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Your talking about a company that has know about their engine design flaws since the late 30's and refuse to change it, the vibration and feel is what makes it a Harley. lmao

    They did/do make a counterbalanced engine that is much smoother. Forget which model.
     
  11. thx1138

    thx1138 New Member

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    They should rubber mount the front and rear axles as well as the steering stem for that authentic totally flexible riding sensation.
     
  12. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    We have to keep this thread going just because of the humor in it. It's a hoot, LOL!

    I recently got back from a few days in Western NC and the place was infested with HD's on a pretty weekend. There was barely a place to park at The Gap Store due to literally nothing but Hogs parked there. The Gap itself was almost empty of traffic but, as is mostly the case, HD's are usually seen parked. I noticed they always travel in "packs" in a line that makes passing difficult in twisties. Then when I go to pass them, they get pissed off by attempting to pull up too close to my back end. Brake lights make them panic though when I pull in the middle of a herd then continue putting them in the mirrors. There's something about being on a loud HD going slow that puts them on a power trip of some kind it seems.

    If it makes them happy then good. I just find it best for me to not be around them. They bring with them too many bad habits. Ever notice the riders and passenger chicks seem to suffer from obesity and are seen stopping to smoke or vape something often? I guess it takes a 900# machine to move them, LOL! I'll take a maneuverable pretty quick VFR that stays out of the shop any day. I tend to ride alone 99% of the time because either nobody can keep up with me or I just like the freedom of not being "led" by someone that can't ride a motorcycle. And then there are the tricycles and trailers.....
     
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  13. rich stone

    rich stone New Member

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    1. The local hardly boutique changed its name. Now in big letters on the front of the building it says DEFIANCE! Wtf

    2. I heard two gay pirates talking about test rides on the new bikes. They really liked the 107 inch motor, but "the 103 motor didn't have enough power to pull up a hill". I don't know how I've survived all these years on little 650 wee stroms.

    3. My Norton and I were temporarily behind an old, 300 pounder, no helmet on his brite yellow hair, shorts and sandles. High ape hangers tipped forward so he could barely reach, and his shirt blowing up to show the most obscene ass crack.. ONLY A HARDLY RIDER COULD DO THAT!
     
  14. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Got behind five wobblers on a perfect road...they were actually almost hitting 35MPH on the straights. Woohoo!
    Doesn't bother me, I guess I just don't understand or appreciate moving slowly.
    To each their own.

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  15. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Nor do I. That's 2nd gear speed. Speed limits are merely a suggestion and are for other people. Be thankful that specimen didn't fart, Rich Stone.
     
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  16. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Just got back from Western NC and the place was infested with them. It was funny (or sad) seeing a herd of them leaving The Gap store revving up the noise makers with ape hangers going on the Dragon to slay it....or get slain. Was surprised there were not that many sport bikes.
     
  17. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    nowhere near as much as i HATE #45.....................:eek: we need a competent assassin.
     
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  18. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    I don’t get them at all, I commute weekly now 300 miles a week and average speed is 75, and who always have to pass me in an unsafe manner with there unseen loud pipes, Hardleys.
    Now in LA I’m seeing a gang on stunt bikes and harleys with back to back R’s as there logos, what a bunch of asshats. Rolling road blocks then TRY to pop wheelies in front of you in the diamond lane.
    SMH
    Going to shit in a hand basket


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  19. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    I'm getting ready to go back to W. NC and was thinking last night how many Hardly riders I've seen tangled up in the Armco steel railing on The Cherohala Skyway. That means death. They can't even making sweeping turns. I can't stand to look at the carnage. No riding skills whatsoever.
     
  20. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Well, sure enough, W. NC is infested with Hardleys. Riding is packs seems to be the preferred method. Got behind one rider with his chick on the back and low and behold I didn't pass him on Hwy. 28. He was actually doing a helluva job on a road that does require some level of skill to ride. He was making some tracks. Spoke with him at The Gap store and he was a nice guy. They're out there.
     
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