Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

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MikeNTexas
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#136

Post by MikeNTexas »

My last ole lady used to like to ride on my Harley with me. Then it got to where she just wanted to sit on the back of it while it idled fast! :IDTS:
1975 GL1000 Restored (sold)
1983 GL1100 Custom (sold)
1976 GL1000 Project (finished and sold)
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rcmatt007
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#137

Post by rcmatt007 »

someone asked me why on an HD we occasionally rev the engine whilst at a stop light. I said, "because I can".
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
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kerryb
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#138

Post by kerryb »

rcmatt007 wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 1:10 pm someone asked me why on an HD we occasionally rev the engine whilst at a stop light. I said, "because I can".
Actually, I understand that revving the engine at a stop light interupts the harmonics so your teeth vibrate less. My twin cam has balancers in it so it doesn't vibrate any worse than my '78 cb750!
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.
'78 cb750K, '83 GL1100s,I,&A,'08FXSTC, '79 WilMac trike
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rcmatt007
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#139

Post by rcmatt007 »

I find the M8 is very smooth even at 107ci, but I rode a softail with the M8 114 and it really did have a vibrations
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Halfnaked
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#140

Post by Halfnaked »

I'm told that Harley owners are so happy with their bikes that they just want to share the joy. Hence the loud mufflers and noisy attitudes.
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound. --Anonymous


Current: '81 GL1100 (Completely naked!), '97 TRX300FW(4X4),'96 TRX300FW(4X4)
Past: '76 GL1000, '77 GL1000, '78 GL1000, '79 GL1000, '79 GL1000(Fairing),'82 GL1100I, '86 GL1200, '94 GL1500A,'76 GL1000 LTD, '82 GL1100I (halfnaked), '00 GL1500C ( the Ultimate Naked Goldwing), '80 GL1100 (with a full set of Craig Vetter stuff)
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Lowrider Bud
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Re: Someone explain the Harley Davidson experience

#141

Post by Lowrider Bud »

I am not brand loyal. Right now I have 3 Hondas, 1 Kawasaki, 1 Triumph, and 1 HARLEY Heritage Softail. I am down from 3 Harleys (Ultra Classic, Heritage, Dyna). The Ultra just got too heavy for my 76 year old body. The Dyna went to someone that wanted to give my a hand full of $100 bills to own a cool motorcycle. The Heritage will run off and leave any of my Hondas from a standing-start to top-end. I can load up the bags and ride 500 mile days comfortable. It can set in the garage for 3 months and will start on the first few revolutions and I don't put a battery tender on it. It does everything very well and rides very smooth (it has a counter-balance engine).

The '75 and '82 Wings are for show and attention. They ride rough, get poor fuel mileage and you have to know the combination to starting each one if it set for more than 3 days or just rode it down the road for 10 miles and shut it off. The 2004 VTX has a sidecar attached so it doesn't even get considered for comparison. However, it too is a V-Twin with a bit of shake and very loud exhaust.

The Kawasaki is a KLR. It is the hammer in my motorcycle tool-box... It's a 650 single that can be repaired on the side of the road. It gets great fuel mileage (50+). It has taken me to ALL 4 corners of North America. It's been to Mexico so many time it speaks Spanish, has over 80K miles and has never been overhauled or rebuilt. It shakes, vibrates, and yes it has a constant buzzing in the handlebars at 70 MPH. A comfortable day on this bike is between 150 and 600 miles. Depends on where you're riding and where you want to go.

The Triumph is a late model Bonneville (T120 - FI). It's just a fun bike to ride; light, nimble, quick. Gets attention everywhere we go.

So, to answer your question, I suggest you go to a H-D dealer and test ride one. Or ask one of the folks that let you "ride on the back" if you can take theirs for a spin.

Later, Bud...
Time for another Road Trip...
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