Harley Forum?

TresCrows · Jul 21, 2003

Not a Harley rider here but I do know of them, see them mostly dissappearing in my rear view. Even my Honda 90S can dust a Harley with the most unimpressive 888 engine. That engine makes all of about 30 horsepower rear wheel. The 1200 etc are better at making oh--say about 45 horses but at least you won't get passed uphill by a 30 yo Honda 90S.
A word of warning about Harely dealers--some of them charge a premium--ie--they do not sell for MSRP or less. I have seen as much as 10,000 dollars surcharge. Check the Harely website. They post the MSRP there so buyers will not be taken advantage off. Any decent dealer will sell for MSRP but since Harleys for some strange reason are in vogue now don't expect a discount.
Let's see, the Fonz, Steve McQueen, the Bad Boys and just about anyone of note rode Triumph--not Harley, the nicest people rode Hondas and road trash were on Harleys.
Actually some very old friends of my parents have a Sporster 1200. I took it out for a spin. It is a 2001. I changed their oil and serviced the bike and of course took it for a check out. It is a nice bike--I liked it and when they decide to sell it I will try and be it's new owner several years from now. My observation, it is crude, it is rude, it vibrates, it is noisy, it is very slow but decent torque. It buzzes the handlebars at cruising speed and seemed winded above 70MPH. This bike had the cruiser bars and forward located pegs--I hated that entirely--first thing I will do with it is put the pegs back down where they belong and get lower handlebars. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Good luck. J

TresCrows · Jul 21, 2003

Sorry for a second post, maybe you have owned other bikes, I don't know. Save yourself some money----truckloads of money --and go get a Shadow 750. After a few years if you are still into bikes and want to get a Harley go for it. You will be spoiled by the Honda, it does not vibrate, shake, leak oil (yes, Harleys still leak) or any of that kinda stuff. Once you get you a Harley you could keep the Shadow for when the Harely is broken /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J

Golfgar4 · Jul 21, 2003

I figured since this thread was discussing Harley's, I'd throw in this article 100th Harley Anniversaryfrom our local paper about Harley's 100th Birthday celebration next month. It's going to be quite the party. We're 75 miles west of Milwaukee, and all of our local hotels/motels are completely booked for that weekend. Our County fairgrounds will be open to Harley riders that want to camp out.

Jerry, maybe you should come visit and see what it is to be a Harley owner?! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 21, 2003

( Jerry, maybe you should come visit and see what it is to be a Harley owner?! )

Ok, Garry, but I warn you, I eat a lot and don't smell so good. Sometimes I wake up and bump into things, causing quite a ruckus (and some mess). Please post directions to your house. Oh heck, I'll just look for the awning. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

DUMBDOG · Jul 21, 2003

Harley Davidson's are composed of app. seven percent foreign parts.

Golfgar4 · Jul 21, 2003

( Oh heck, I'll just look for the awning. )

That's a good idea Jerry, 'cause that's what you'll be sleeping under. You can bump into anything you want out there since everything is pretty much indestructable anyway. As far as not smelling so good, well, why do you think they make water hoses?? After all, I do have to consider my neighbors you know! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DUMBDOG · Jul 21, 2003

Granted Harley Davidson's are not as smooth as a Honda, but they are not disposable either as other brands are. A ten year old Harley is worth as much if not more than the price was when it was new. This cannot be said for any other brand out there. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As far as the oil leaks go, I have not seen any on the newer models except those put there by other people who want to extend the myth. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

And in case you are wondering what HONDA stands for, it means Harley Owner Not Developed Adequately. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cadet32766 · Jul 21, 2003

Jerry, here is a site for Seminole County Harley Owners Group. Enjoy, we are a fun bunch. www.seminolehog.com. By the way, I ride a FLHTCUI Ultra Classic. Love the radio. Dola

RobertN · Jul 21, 2003

Oh, but they do not go without those foriegn parts. I know; I took most of them off mine.

Take the Showa forks and shocks off, and it sits on the floor. Take the ignition module and kehien carb of, and it don't run. The list goes on...

RobertN · Jul 21, 2003

You keep comparing apples to oranges. If you compare a Shadow to your 90S, you'd leave it in the dust too.

If you want to go fast on a Harley, start with a Buell. If you must go faster than that, then move to a Honda, or Suzuki-GSRX or TLS because Harley simply is not in that market.

The biggest part of Harley's lineup are cruisers. It's not to say cruisers can't run good. My FXRS runs pretty decent for 80". A balanced installation of ignition module, carb, and cam really brought some life to it. It did, however, run good from the factory(It's an '84, before the Calif smogger stuff).

I would run you good for the first couple gears, or first corner. When my bike lofts the front end as the back tire spins while banging 2nd and 3rd, it runs ok. But, it is still a cruiser, and is meant to cruise. It does that very well.

Even the Sportsters are a "sporty cruiser". They are not a Cafe bike.

I would compare it to your truck and mine. Your Tundra is a nice truck, but it is not as much truck as my Cummins Dodge. You want a truck that can haul a lot, tow a lot, and have power and capacity to spare, you look at something like my truck. If you want a light 1/2 ton, with ok mileage and ride, that can haul a smaller lighter load, you get something like your Tundra. Both are "trucks", but my Dodge is "truckier" by far. Your Tundra just is not made to do the things my Cummins/Dodge can do. They are apple to oranges; both are fruit, but totally different species(The apple is actually in the Rose family...)

As a note from expierience, The Suzuki GS550 I used to have leaked oil like crazy. The cam covers would never seal. It was a very clean well running bike, but the best I could get out of it was $500. My Harley, even though relatively stock, is worth a little more than it was new. And it does not leak oil.

What is a Honda 90S? I'm guessing you mean something besides the old Trail-90's?