Harleys; have you? Did you? Would you?

[Taipan]

Save cluttering up Couchies thread, I thought I’d start a Harley one of its own.

I had a 883 Iron and loved the whole Harley experience. One of my best ever biking experiences was riding with about ten others yo Southend seafront! The noise of that many Harleys with various version of ridiculously loud exhausts was amazing.

When we got to Sarfend we parked them in a line with the front wheels turned and took photos etc. Then the rest of Southend and their kids took their photos next to them!!

My Iron had really shit brakes which actually had no bite! Grab the front brake lever pretty much as hard as you like and pray until it eventually stops! As I said in the other thread, it’s like Harley sell you the base kit and you finish it off! Brake snd suspension upgrades on the Sportsters are literally required! But it was still one of the best bikes I’ve owned. If you ride a Harley you’ll know it’s a Harley because of the sound. Never known another bike like it!!

Have you owned one? Would you own one? Are you a hater!

[dern]

Wouldn't mind a go on one but not something I've seriously considered. Don't dislike the bikes although the noisy ones are pretty irritating.

[cheb]

No, and no, they do nothing for me, with the possible exception of the rebranded Aermacchis. I don't like their house styling and I think the engine is an ugly lump.

[KungFooBob]

I'd love a go on an XR1200X.

I parked next to one once, I was quite surprised how compact it was. Got to have aftermarket pipes tho, the stock ones are massive!

[Yorick]

[ChrisW]

Closest I've ever got was a go on an XR1200 - it was alright, fun to ride but nothing special.

I do get that there's a sort of sense of occasion to riding it / them but I wouldn't want to actually have one.

[Count Steer]

Haven't had one. I think I should have. (On the basis that you should try everything once, except folk dancing and incest - Sir Thomas Beecham).

[Horse]

You must have the most-photographed decking in the country

[weeksy]

Ridden a street Bob, didn't get on with it at all.

The OPs bike looks more interesting but even then I think it would need to be a flat tracker type to make me go hmmmm

[Rockburner]

Like I've said before - if I wanted to do the stuff you do on a Harley, or have the ownership/riding experience of a Harley: i'd have a 50s/60s British single/twin.

Having ridden a couple of (supposedly different) HDs a few years ago, I haven't really changed that opinion.

(I would repost the reviews, but I think they're lost somewhere on the Marie-Celeste that is TRC).

[Demannu]

Done a couple of open days.
Took a full dress thingy out, managed to scrape the footboard going into a petrol station. Wound it up along a decent straight, above 80 it got into that 70s style weave.
Second time took a 1200 sportster out, which was 'alright', but most certainly not something I'd ever own.
The most telling thing about a HD is people who know diddly squat about bikes always think they're cool.

[Count Steer]

Like I've said before - if I wanted to do the stuff you do on a Harley, or have the ownership/riding experience of a Harley: i'd have a 50s/60s British single/twin.

I've had two of those

I really don't think a modern HD would be quite the same.

[Couchy]

Rode a fair few, I like the simple 1200 sportsters. By every measurable metric they are rubbish but I enjoyed them and will have one some day. I liken them to a brand new classic, I’ll prob have a 1200 roadster as they have some resemblance to a normal bike but not too much

[Taipan]

A guy I knew had a 48 and said it was the worse of the Sportster range. Smaller tank, shorter suspension travel etc. He loved the looks but said he's previous Sportster was a better bike to ride.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've known a couple of people who've learned to ride specifically so they can get a Harley. One guy used to delight in telling me how his suspension mods made it corner on rails and the brakes were unbelievably good now etc.

He'd literally only ridden Harleys and the knackered old stuff he did his DAS on

[Buckaroo]

Yep, owned a 1200cx sportster from new for a year. It was as near as I could get to modern styling, with upside down forks and twin disks. Revved out at 6000 rpm but had loads of torque. Rarely used 5th gear.
I updated the cans, added a side mount plate and a proper leather solo seat. All black.

I had more issues with it in a year than I had with any other bike. Calipers binding, belt misaligned, some electrical problems.....

Been there, seen it, done it. Never again.

[Taipan]

I've known a couple of people who've learned to ride specifically so they can get a Harley. One guy used to delight in telling me how his suspension mods made it corner on rails and the brakes were unbelievably good now etc.

He'd literally only ridden Harleys and the knackered old stuff he did his DAS on

Catch him on yer Triumph!

[MrLongbeard]

3.5 years later, nothing has fallen off, broken or leaked.
After wandering around the NEC for 4 hours last week and sitting on 75% of the bikes on show there was nothing that compares, nothing that'd make me ask what I'd get in trade.

PXL_20210812_105409135 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

[Count Steer]

The most telling thing about a HD is people who know diddly squat about bikes always think they're cool.

Not sure what that tells us TBH. People who know diddly squat about cars think Ferraris are cool but then people who know diddly squat about computers think Apple products are cool.

I'd say it's a bit like the old aircraft recognition thing....a) aircraft approaching b) aircraft going away c) Catalina!

Most people go a) motorbike b) Harley Davidson!

(Which, actually, is quite cool. )

[Asian Boss]

3.5 years later, nothing has fallen off, broken or leaked.
After wandering around the NEC for 4 hours last week and sitting on 75% of the bikes on show there was nothing that compares, nothing that'd make me ask what I'd get in trade.

PXL_20210812_105409135 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

That little leather satchel is very kawaii.