Harley's getting in my way again

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Tintin said:
"I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed
to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really
twisting sections of mountain road with no straight sections to
speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that
say "MAX SPEED 50 KPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where
handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could
catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and
cornering. Three corners later, I was on his mudguard. Catching him
was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the
mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly
got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd
manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but
when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out-power me. His
horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me
more determined than ever.

My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever
until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an
instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of
his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before
the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I
stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the
canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see
him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles
before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I
was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the
tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more
than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. Though it was
not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the mountain and I had
preserved the proud tradition of one of the best bits of Brit iron.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled
so hard in my life. And, some of the credit must go to Raleigh
cycles, as well. They really make a great bicycle..."

SCNR
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ha ha priceless
 
[quote="JimNH"
When one of my co-workers offered to let me ride his new bike I promptly dragged the foot boards in the parking lot - to his horror! I just brought it back to him and said it was too much bike for me.[/quote]

I think that comes into play with a lot of the Harley owners I know. Sportsters are shunned as "Girls Bikes". The big twins are a real handful and a lot of people think only really skilled riders can handle them. I have a thing for stock Superglides and I will always like them. Lowish handlebars, regular pegs and seats, etc. The lightest of all big twins, and they really handle the best in this group. I just had a three-year "affair" with a bone-stock 2008 FXD. Lovely bike in a straight line, but just a handful to corner with at a sporting velocity, and really a chore to even roll out of the garage. Recently sold it and replaced it with a 2009 Bonneville SE. Got some strange vibes from friends who thought "gee, you've finally reached the apex of motorcycling - a Harley - and you sold it" Being able to stuff a big barge into a corner is not a measure of manhood, strength, or riding ability. It is what it is. More work. It does not make you as special as some people think.
 
Brithit said:
[quote="JimNH"
When one of my co-workers offered to let me ride his new bike I promptly dragged the foot boards in the parking lot - to his horror! I just brought it back to him and said it was too much bike for me.
Click to expand...

I think that comes into play with a lot of the Harley owners I know. Sportsters are shunned as "Girls Bikes". The big twins are a real handful and a lot of people think only really skilled riders can handle them. I have a thing for stock Superglides and I will always like them. Lowish handlebars, regular pegs and seats, etc. The lightest of all big twins, and they really handle the best in this group. I just had a three-year "affair" with a bone-stock 2008 FXD. Lovely bike in a straight line, but just a handful to corner with at a sporting velocity, and really a chore to even roll out of the garage. Recently sold it and replaced it with a 2009 Bonneville SE. Got some strange vibes from friends who thought "gee, you've finally reached the apex of motorcycling - a Harley - and you sold it" Being able to stuff a big barge into a corner is not a measure of manhood, strength, or riding ability. It is what it is. More work. It does not make you as special as some people think.[/quote]

I was just amazed that it didn't have enough ground clearance to execute a normal maneuver in a parking lot. I was hardly leaning.

I do understand the guys who load up the touring bikes and put serious miles on them but they're not the guys riding in the pack.

The same group of guys at work installed all sorts of Screaming Eagle performance and chrome items but really had no use for increased performance to cruise the beach.
 
It used to be that Harley guys only waved at Harley guys. Now that the wannabe crowd has taken over Harley you get
waved at. Fine by me.
We are all on bikes. Even the BMW guys! :-)
...and after a few hours in the saddle of my Commando those full dress Harleys look rather appealing!
 
its each to there own theres nothing wrong with a bit of banter, i know quite a few harley owners they are mostly ok one of them has just gone from a sports bike to a harley,harley riders do tend to ride along slowly in big groups i always overtake them and they dont seem to mind at all, i must admit i have only ever ridden one harley it was a 1340 rubber mount it was truly the worst handling bike i have ever ridden it didnt even go in a straight line every gear change made it twitch around i thought the swing arm must have been shot but the owner said "thats just the way they are"!!!!but you do get used to the way they handle after a while as i say each to there own ,,,,,,,,,,,,,baz
 
Thee's nothing wrong with Harleys, but there's something wrong with people who buy them and suddenly become more than they were before owning one. Especially when they're in a group.
 
Danno said:
Thee's nothing wrong with Harleys, but there's something wrong with people who buy them and suddenly become more than they were before owning one. Especially when they're in a group.
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Being Independence day, we might recall the history of people coming home from WWII needing something to replace the memories and to help with their PTSD of the time. I'm sure Harley's saved many live in an truly indirect way. It is that spirit that still provides help and companionship to many.

HAPPY 4TH TO ALL!
 
Jerry Doe said:
... These Harley people amaze me. Its happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks.
Cheers- Jerry
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I had a similar experience riding home late one night (I live in the country), when I came across a Harley on a lonely road. He wanted to race so we went for it. He petered out at about 115 and I left him behind (my Cafe Atlas tops out about 130). I slow down and he wants to race again. So we go for it again and I leave him behind again. After the 3rd time I realize he won't give up and has been wide open at top speed since we started. This guy is bat shit crazy and he's going to beat me one way or the other. So I decide not to do the melt down and let him go.

Some HD riders are way cool - that's another story.
 
MikeM said:
Not judging, but how many members here also own an HD?
I do.
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I have always wanted an XR 750 to detune for the street.
I like Harleys. What I don't like is the Japanese wanna bee's. Now don't get me wrong, here. I have affinities for the RD's and the XS's as well.





x
 
pete.v said:
MikeM said:
Not judging, but how many members here also own an HD?
I do.
Click to expand...
I have always wanted an XR 750 to detune for the street.
I like Harleys. What I don't like is the Japanese wanna bee's. Now don't get me wrong, here. I have affinities for the RD's and the XS's as well.
Click to expand...


It's a funny the Japanese copy of a Harley ! Why not just buy a Harley if that's what you really want,i know they are dearer but it's not as big a price difference as it used to be I don't think? After all if you really wanted a new dog you wouldn't go out and buy a cat coz it's cheaper!!!!,,,,,baz
 
Can I be excused for occasionally riding my Sportster. It's not a "real Harley" or "is a girls bike" and I don't ride slowly and usually ride alone or with a bunch of Nortons. :(
 
I have a 2009 HD Cop Bike, a 1968 Commando, a 1972 Combat not on the road and 2 500 Triumphs. The 800 lbs HD I believe will keep up to the 1968 Commando anywhere. I did modify the suspension and put cams and exhaust on the HD, but the 1968 has a hot cam and light porting. I love riding them all!
 
'tis the season!
The weather is nice and everyone who owns a motorcycle is out riding it.
old - young, experienced riders - noobs------ everyone!
however.........
Not everyone has the same idea of what "fun" is while riding their bikes.
Some ride twice a day, some ride twice a year.
Some go camping, some just go to the bars.
Some fly solo, some gotta ride in a wad.
Some go waaaaay too fast, some like to go traffic impedeling slow.

I can't put all of the blame on Hd's but since their shear numbers and propensity to gather in groups and hold up traffic.....
I have to put their "group rides" up near the top of my list of who to avoid while on the highway.
 
It's really not the bikes but where does the slow riding in groups come from? It seems to be a world wide thing I never realised it was as bad in America as the uk, I'd still rather see a Harley on the road than a car so live and let live , even some power rangers on sports bikes are ok except the ones with the hump on there backs don't speak to them!!!!
 
My 2004 Sporty.
Harley's getting in my way again


Model with the Buell heads and cams and dual front disk brakes. Also, Progressive suspension bits and some other engine tweaks. I ride mainly solo or with one other bike and I love blowing by groups of slow moving geazer-glides on my "girls bike". Is my 750 Commando faster? Hard to say. The sporty has 80 ftlb of torque and 70 hp at the rear wheel on the dyno but weighs 550 lbs. My gut feel is the Commando would be behind until about 60 and would then start closing the gap. The Harley runs out of steam above 5000 rpm. Which handles better depends on the road. The Sportster with a longer wheel base and more rake is better on roads with long sweeping curves, the Commando on the more twisty bits. Reliability, 25K on the Harley with only a couple of minor issues and regular maintainance. 3K on the Commando and only routine stuff.
I also don't own a do-rag and wear a full face.
 
they get in the way because they are everywhere,

get something or the combination/package right from the get go

and the market will not only respond, but also speak volumes,

what a comeback from where they were in the seventies,

clearly, engine power amounted to enuff more than does the job, or covered those bases well,

no others have stood the test time
 
commando6868 said:
But ride by on motorcycle, a large V twin motorcycle with straight pipes, you get ignored. Illegal in every state. I am not talking here about an aftermarket muffler that is extra loud, I mean no muffler at all, really loud cracking bark, hurts your ears loud, vibrates your windows loud. I am sure some places enforce it, but not around here.
It just gives all of us a bad name.
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lol, that's me.

i'm running open pipes on my old triumph because the reverse cone megas kill the midrange.

my wife can hear me coming up the canyon early enough to start and finish dinner before i get there.
 
I would take a street legal XR750, or replica in a hot second. Pre 1950 Harley would be fun, nothing much newer.
 
I ride with them. A local biker group hosts runs for different charity events that usually end at some BBQ with live music and lots of fun. We also ride to one of the casinos here in CT, that one's coming up in a week or 2. My Norton is accepted in this crowd, as are the Suzukis and Hondabagos. Nobody comments on my helmet, it's all about choice with these guys.

We typically ride at about 40 mph in a staggered pattern with maybe 25-30 bikes. My 850 can do that in 4th gear without complaint. At intersections the leaders will block the road until all bikes have passed, then pull up the rear. This helps keep the group together. We each take turns doing that, in rotation. None of the cagers seem to mind - it doesn't take long. Other bikes coming up from behind are welcome to weave into the line and overtake the group. My only complaint is the noise - I can't hear my Norton running and I don't like that.

Sometimes we do short spurts on the highway and I'll tell you that those big twins hit 80 in a heartbeat, bags, fairings, pillions and all. Personally, I'd rather ride with those guys than with rice boys who want to do wheelies at 100 mph.
 
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