Any Harley's here?

[650cafe]

Ya, a Harley guy here. I cut my teeth on a GS550, but since then I've only owned Harleys. I'll sell a japanese bike any time an offer rolls in, but since parting with my 79 Sporty, I swore I'd never part with another Harley Davidson. Guys can say what they want, but the old Hogs can run. My old shovelhead rides like a lumber wagon, and stops like Fred Flintstone's pedal car, but the point is to GO!! For the pure pleasure of riding nothing beats a Harley.
Anyone with basic mechanical skills can work on and modify a Harley with much more ease than any japanese bike I've owned. Half the fun of owning a Harley is customizing it, and I'm not talking about bolting on a Vetter fairing or a new exhaust system.
Let the bashers bash...Harley's are best, but I love my GS too!

 

[tkent02]

For the pure pleasure of riding nothing beats a Harley.

Meh, rode a few. You can have them. I did enjoy my buddy's old 350 Sprint.

 

[harley10]

I love all MOTORCYCLES and would ride any make or model of bike old , new, i don't bash anyone who rides a certain brand , to each there own, riding and enjoying are the only thing that matters, Brian

 

[Ecklund]

I love all MOTORCYCLES and would ride any make or model of bike old , new, i don't bash anyone who rides a certain brand , to each there own, riding and enjoying are the only thing that matters, Brian

The soft tails are kinda wanna be bikes primarily focused on 'style' and it is fun to mock 'rough' rider types that actually ride only a few miles a year.

But mostly I agree. Riding is the thing.

Of course except for those 'L' models... Yikes!

And Viragos. Come to think of it many of the early Japanese 'cruiser' bikes were just plain nasty. I got your Magna...

Oh, and most scooters suck too.

 

[storm 64]

I want a scooter just to mess with my Harley buddies. I can see it now. Everyone meeting at the Shell station on there big bad motorcycles, and me pulling up on a Vespa with a bow tie on However them Vespas aren't cheep!

 

[Charley Davidson]

I love all MOTORCYCLES and would ride any make or model of bike old , new, i don't bash anyone who rides a certain brand , to each there own, riding and enjoying are the only thing that matters, Brian

I feel the same, but I must say my experiences with these Suzukis have been the worst of the worst & even if I do get them running right they have no resale value or desirability.

 

[UncleMike]

Guys can say what they want, but the old Hogs can run. My old shovelhead rides like a lumber wagon, and stops like Fred Flintstone's pedal car, but the point is to GO!!

But my old GS will GO better than any Harley I've encountered.

 

[850 Combat]

I feel the same, but I must say my experiences with these Suzukis have been the worst of the worst & even if I do get them running right they have no resale value or desirability.

Not the ones you own, anyway.

That said, if you don't buy the tin cramped little L models, they are fast enough, durable, reliable, comfortable, and dirt cheap. I laugh about my 1000Gs. The two black ones have about 4 grand in them combined, and they are ready to cross continents in comfort. My 600 dollar GS850 has crossed our Continent in reliable comfort. So cheap I can have extras so I can take my brothers and friends along. So I do.

 

[Guest]

But my old GS will GO better than any Harley I've encountered.

Define "will GO". Do you mean faster?
Most stripped(non baggers) HD's run in the mid to high 13's. With little mods like intake and exhaust might get em another second or so. Granted, that's not "fast" by many's standards but it's not too shabby for 1950's technology and only two pistons doing all the work. They do what they're supposed to do, cruise. They do it with much better style, quality and unsurpassed fit and finish for a factory production bike.

Me thinks you have never encountered a Harley rider who really knows how to ride a bike.
90% rider, 10% bike...

 

[UncleMike]

Define "will GO". Do you mean faster?
Most stripped(non baggers) HD's run in the mid to high 13's. With little mods like intake and exhaust might get em another second or so. Granted, that's not "fast" by many's standards but it's not too shabby for 1950's technology and only two pistons doing all the work. They do what they're supposed to do, cruise. They do it with much better style, quality and unsurpassed fit and finish for a factory production bike.

Me thinks you have never encountered a Harley rider who really knows how to ride a bike.
90% rider, 10% bike...

I mean go, stop, turn and be able to pack on the miles. Never could stand the birthing position of the cruisers or the hunched over position of the crotch rockets.

But I've only been to the drag strip once in my life, and I was able to get down to 12 seconds on a GS that'd been neglected for who knows how many years of its 25-year life.

 

[Guest]

I mean go, stop, turn and be able to pack on the miles. Never could stand the birthing position of the cruisers or the hunched over position of the crotch rockets.

But I've only been to the drag strip once in my life, and I was able to get down to 12 seconds on a GS that'd been neglected for who knows how many years of its 25-year life.

To each their own I suppose.
I've riden a lot of bikes and My 04 Softail Fatboy does exactly what I want it to do. I've done manya 300 mile days and a few 2500 mile long weekends. Never done that on either one of my GS's. Granted I have done some "comfort" mods but most do to whatever bike they own, even if they wont admit it.
Hell, me and the guy I ride with most do 300 mile days not even knowing the destination. We just ride.

 

[UncleMike]

To each their own I suppose.
I've riden a lot of bikes and My 04 Softail Fatboy does exactly what I want it to do. I've done manya 300 mile days and a few 2500 mile long weekends. Never done that on either one of my GS's. Granted I have done some "comfort" mods but most do to whatever bike they own, even if they wont admit it.
Hell, me and the guy I ride with most do 300 mile days not even knowing the destination. We just ride.

I was talking performance, not preference.

 

[Guest]

I was talking performance, not preference.

It's a cruiser dude.. Not a sportbike.
If you wanted performance you'd own something other than a 25 year old standard wouldn't ya?

Penny per pound, the GS is an outstanding bike. No denying that, I do own a couple of em, remember?
But I also own a Harley. For a cruiser it does very well in the "performance" dept. And like I said before, looks best doing it.

 

[UncleMike]

It's a cruiser dude.. Not a sportbike.
If you wanted performance you'd own something other than a 25 year old standard wouldn't ya?

Penny per pound, the GS is an outstanding bike. No denying that, I do own a couple of em, remember?
But I also own a Harley. For a cruiser it does very well in the "performance" dept. And like I said before, looks best doing it.

Never said it was. I was responding to this:

Guys can say what they want, but the old Hogs can run. My old shovelhead rides like a lumber wagon, and stops like Fred Flintstone's pedal car, but the point is to GO!!

 

[Guest]

Never said it was. I was responding to this:

Yeah, I know. My reply..

Define "will GO". Do you mean faster?
Most stripped(non baggers) HD's run in the mid to high 13's. With little mods like intake and exhaust might get em another second or so. Granted, that's not "fast" by many's standards but it's not too shabby for 1950's technology and only two pistons doing all the work. They do what they're supposed to do, cruise. They do it with much better style, quality and unsurpassed fit and finish for a factory production bike.

Me thinks you have never encountered a Harley rider who really knows how to ride a bike.
90% rider, 10% bike...

 

[UncleMike]

Forget it.

 

[Guest]

Harley Davidson Short Jokes

Q: What does HOG stand for?
A: Heavyset Old Geezers

Q: Why did they decide to call it the "Harley Owners Group?"
A: Because the term "Special Ed" was already taken.

Q: Why are Harley's some of the safest bikes on the road?
A: You can't go fast enough to hurt yourself....

Q: Did you hear about the harley rider that broke his arm while playing golf?
A: He fell off the ball washer!

Q: What do you call a Harley that doesn't leak oil?
A: Empty!

Q: What do you call ten Harley owners lined up ear to ear?
A: Wind tunnel.

Q: Why did the Harley owner cross the road?
A: He couldn't get his dick out of the chicken.

Q: Why did the Harley owner couple decide to have only 4 children?
A: They'd read in the newspaper that one out of every five babies born in the world today is Chinese.

Q: How do you tell which is the Groom at a Harley owner wedding?
A: He's the one with the CLEAN mechanic?s shirt.

Q: How do you stop a Harley owner on horseback?
A: Unplug the carousel.

Q: What do you do if a Hell's Angel throws a hand-grenade at you?
A: Take the pin out and throw it back.

Q: What do you do if a Hell's Angel throws a pin at you?
A: Run like hell - he's still got a hand-grenade between his teeth.

Q: How do you get a Harley owner out of the bath tub?
A: Throw in a bar of soap and get out of the way.

Q: How do you break a Harley owner?s finger?
A: Kick him in the butt.

Q: What's the smallest room in the world?
A: The Harley Davidson Hall of Fame.

Q: Why do Harley owner dogs have flat noses?
A: From chasing parked cars.

Q: How do you confuse a Harley owner?
A: Put him in a round room and tell him to **** in the corner.

Q: What do you get when you have 32 Harley owners in the same room?
A: A full set of teeth.

Q: How do you tell if a Harley rider has had sex?
A: His middle finger is clean.

Q: What's the difference between a Harley Davidson and a Hoover vacuum cleaner?
A: The Harley has room for two dirtbags on board.

Q: How is a Harley Davidson like a Porcupine?
A: Both have pricks on their back.

Q: How is a Harley Davidson like an old dog?
A: They both like to ride in the back of pickup trucks.

Q: What is the difference between a Harley Davidson and an old dog?
A: The dog can get in the back of the pickup by itself.

Q: A Harley owner and a NASCAR fan get in a fight, who wins?
A: Everyone else!

Q: What's the happiest day in a Harley rider's life?
A: When they discover that they can use Right Guard under their left arm.

Q: What do you have when you put 10,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles on the bottom of the ocean?
A: A good start.

Q: Where do you put money to hide it from a harley rider?
A: In the bathroom...under the soap.

Q: Why are there only two pallbearers at a Harley funeral.
A: Garbage cans only have two handles!

Q: What is the most common accessory for Harleys'?
A: A pick-up truck.

Q: Why do harley riders never ride faster than 50mph?
A: Any faster and they can't see where the parts fell off.

Q: Why do harley riders chrome all their parts?
A: It makes them easier to spot on the side of the road.

Did you hear about the Harley owner who put Odor Eaters in his new riding boots?
Two days later, he disappeared.


Harley Davidson Bar Jokes

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein arrives at a dinner party. He introduces himself to the first person he sees and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The man answers, "189."
"That is wonderful!" says Albert. "We will talk about the Grand Unification Theory and the mysteries of the universe. We will have much to discuss!"
Next, Albert introduces himself to a woman and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The lady answers, "143."
"That is great!" responds Albert. "We can discuss politics and current affairs. We will have much to discuss!"
Albert goes to another person and asks, "What's your IQ?"
The man answers, "58."
Albert's face lights up as he exclaims, "So you're the one who rides the Harley parked out front!"

God & Arthur Davidson

The inventor Arthur Davidson, of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation, died and went to heaven.
At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur,"Since you've been such a good man and your Motorcycles have changed the world,your reward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven."
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God."
St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.
Arthur then asked God, "Hey, aren't you the inventor of women?
"God said, "Ah, yes. "
"Well, " said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention."
God was somewhat taken back, and when He asked what the flaws might be, Arthur Davidson produced a list for Him to read.

1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusions
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds.
3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much.
4. The intake is placed way to close to the exhaust and finally,
5. The maintenance costs are outrageous.

"Hmmmm, you may have some good points there and it may be true that My invention is flawed... " God said to Arthur.
"But the last time that I checked, more men are riding My invention than yours."

The Dishes


A young man has always dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson. One day he has finally saved up enough money so he goes down to the dealer. After picking out the perfect bike, the dealer asks if he would like some extra chrome protection added to the bill. The young man is upset because he does not have the extra money, and is now afraid that the chrome will rust as soon as it gets wet. The dealer tells him not to worry. There is an old biker trick that will keep the chrome like new. All he has to do is to keep a jar of Vaseline handy and put it on the chrome before it rains - and everything will be fine. The young man happily pays for the bike and leaves.
A few months later, the young man meets a woman and falls in love. She asks him to come home and meet her parents over dinner. He readily agrees and the date is set. At the appointment time, he picks her up on his new Harley and they ride to her parents house. Before they go in, she tells him that they have a family tradition that whoever speaks first after dinner must do the dishes.
After a delicious dinner everyone sits in silence waiting for the first person to break and get stuck doing the dishes. After a long fifteen minutes, the young man decides to speed things up, so he reaches over and kisses the woman in front of her family. And no one says a word.......
Next he decides to take a more direct approach, so he throws her on the table and makes love to her in front of everyone. And no one says a word.....
Now he is getting desperate, so he grabs her mother and throws her on the table. They have even wilder relations. Yet no one says a word.....
By now he is getting very worried and is thinking what to do next when he hears thunder in the distance. His first thought is to protect the chrome on his new Harley, so he reaches in his pocket and pulls out his jar of Vaseline.

 

[Charley Davidson]

Here's a pickup line you'll never hear in a bar "Hey babe, wanna ride my Suzuki?"

Why do Suzuki riders wear full face helmets? It's not to protect there head, it's to protect their identity

 

[tkent02]

It's a chick filter, not a chick magnet. If you need a motorcycle for a chick magnet, might I suggest having your piston enlarged?

 

[650cafe]

To me comparing a Harley to a UJM is like comparing a big-block Chevelle to a Porsche or something similar...maybe a Datsun Z. Guys assume that because Harleys are air-cooled, 2 valve per cylinder, pushrod engines that they are old, frail, and wimpy. Hell, Chevy's LS engine line still uses that same technology, with the advantage of liquid cooling. And they are one of the finest engine platforms around.
I look at it like this: I'm more concerned with torque than horsepower. Torque is what actually moves you...horsepower is just a measurement of the rate at which an engine makes power. Take my TC88 and compare its dyno numbers to, say, a modern sportbike from the same year, 2005. The numbers (torque vs. HP) will almost always be a near mirror image of each other but in reverse. Example below:

05 TC88 HP: est.70
torque: est. 110

05 gsxr 750 HP: est 120
torque: est 60

My shovelhead posts similar numbers, with perhaps a bit more HP and a tad less torque than my twincam, in a bike that is around 100 lbs lighter (about 500). Think that thing wont move you? And consider that most stock Harleys are all but done making power before 5000rpm, it all can happen pretty quickly when you dump the clutch.

Isolated incidences here to be sure, but just check em out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lo9dftd9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXsoAdh5P5g