sandandfoam
Veteran Member
If money was no object - what model HD would you own and why?
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Harley Davidsons
- Thread starter sandandfoam
- Start date
I'm actually thinking of getting a Sportie for tooling around town. I've avoided them in the past for their solid-mount engines -- things tended to shake loose on a regular basis, to say nothing of the comfort factor. Now that they finally decided to graft an FX rubber-mount between the engine and frame, though, I expect they'll be a lot more comfortable and reliable.
Which model? None of the current ones has all of the basic features I want, and it's irksome to have to spend money modifying a brand-new scooter. I don't mind putting out for a proper windscreen or a backrest, but I'd like to see H-D put out a basic model with a full saddle (read: comfortable passenger accomodation), tubeless tyres, and a tach.
Softails: I like the way they feel, the way you sit in them rather than on them. I like the relaxed, laid-back, legs stretched out riding posture. But they have a lot of drawbacks, from a practical standpoint I think they emphasise form too much over function:
No tach -- I like to see what my engine is doing. Speedo on the tank -- I don't want to have to take my eyes off the road and stare downward to see how fast I'm going. Spoked wheels (on some models) -- I don't want to spend two hours at the side of the road pulling wheels off and messing around with tubes. Solid-disk wheels (on other models) catch crosswinds, unstable. Heavy -- no problem on the highway, but tiring and unstable around town, and If you lay one down... Finally, rake & trail. Again, smooth and stable on the highway, but you really have to wrestle with these hogs around town.
Most of these drawbacks are easily correctable with mods right out of Harley's options catalogue, but, again, we're talking about big bucks...
I'd also like one of the touring models. Unlike the Softails, they emphasise function over form. They're comfortable -- for hours. Despite their size, their more "conservative" rake & trail makes them more manoeuverable around town than the Softails.
I like their comfort, their amenities, their passenger comfort, their luggage capacity, but they are huge -- great on trips, but, around town... they're really, really Big!
An ideal bike, no price limit? I'd create a Chimera: Lightweight aluminium Softail frame, with an FLH front-end and seating, detachable hard saddlebags and a TC 103 engine.
Which model? None of the current ones has all of the basic features I want, and it's irksome to have to spend money modifying a brand-new scooter. I don't mind putting out for a proper windscreen or a backrest, but I'd like to see H-D put out a basic model with a full saddle (read: comfortable passenger accomodation), tubeless tyres, and a tach.
Softails: I like the way they feel, the way you sit in them rather than on them. I like the relaxed, laid-back, legs stretched out riding posture. But they have a lot of drawbacks, from a practical standpoint I think they emphasise form too much over function:
No tach -- I like to see what my engine is doing. Speedo on the tank -- I don't want to have to take my eyes off the road and stare downward to see how fast I'm going. Spoked wheels (on some models) -- I don't want to spend two hours at the side of the road pulling wheels off and messing around with tubes. Solid-disk wheels (on other models) catch crosswinds, unstable. Heavy -- no problem on the highway, but tiring and unstable around town, and If you lay one down... Finally, rake & trail. Again, smooth and stable on the highway, but you really have to wrestle with these hogs around town.
Most of these drawbacks are easily correctable with mods right out of Harley's options catalogue, but, again, we're talking about big bucks...
I'd also like one of the touring models. Unlike the Softails, they emphasise function over form. They're comfortable -- for hours. Despite their size, their more "conservative" rake & trail makes them more manoeuverable around town than the Softails.
I like their comfort, their amenities, their passenger comfort, their luggage capacity, but they are huge -- great on trips, but, around town... they're really, really Big!
An ideal bike, no price limit? I'd create a Chimera: Lightweight aluminium Softail frame, with an FLH front-end and seating, detachable hard saddlebags and a TC 103 engine.
Last edited by a moderator:
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Will you get a new Sportster? A 1200 I presume? I'd like to hear what you buy/if you buy and what you do to it.
If money was no object I'd like one of the touring models, but I Love the Sportsters, they've dropped my model, the XL1200R here for '09, I thought it was the nicest of them, pity. We're getting the XR1200 instead, I think it's a Europe only model. I'm not sure what I think of it 2008 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Review - Motorcycle.com
If money was no object I'd like one of the touring models, but I Love the Sportsters, they've dropped my model, the XL1200R here for '09, I thought it was the nicest of them, pity. We're getting the XR1200 instead, I think it's a Europe only model. I'm not sure what I think of it 2008 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Review - Motorcycle.com
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
It does have that AMF look, I'm not gone on the pipes either.
Speaking of ugly - 2009 Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle Review - Motorcycle.com
I love Harleys that look like Harleys - I feel like a luddite
I never liked the V-rods, Stephen. I understand how H-D might see money in a high(er) tech fashion-bike, but these bikes are more fashion than function. They're also under-powered and difficult to modify. Either of my old, low-tech FXs could leave them in the dust.
H-D used to have a reputation for functionality -- and used to revel in it. I can't count the number of times I used to hear bikers declare that everything on a Harley was exactly what it appeared to be, and that there was nothing on Milwaukee's bikes that wasn't a functional component.
Then Harley added a faux gas-cap to the FH's split tanks, then disguised a sprung rear-end to look like a hardtail, and then completely abandoned their previous dedication to utilitarianism and began to explore the lucrative world of fashion-bikes.
H-D used to have a reputation for functionality -- and used to revel in it. I can't count the number of times I used to hear bikers declare that everything on a Harley was exactly what it appeared to be, and that there was nothing on Milwaukee's bikes that wasn't a functional component.
Then Harley added a faux gas-cap to the FH's split tanks, then disguised a sprung rear-end to look like a hardtail, and then completely abandoned their previous dedication to utilitarianism and began to explore the lucrative world of fashion-bikes.
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sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I like the sound of that!
The guys on here seem pretty good for info to do with everything Sportster
Powered by vbPortal - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum
I have a second full set of bodywork tank, mudguards, side covers, saddle and mid-controls if you decide to buy a dinged rubber-mount.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Ohhhhhh yeah. My favourite subject for daydreaming!
Before we'd the kids we used to get on a ferry and go wherever the road took us for a fortnight, we were all over England, Wales,France, Germany, Switzerland on the bike. We wouldn't plan ahead, just start looking for somewhere at about five or six in the evening.
When the kids are big we'll do it again. An American road trip taking in one of the big rallies would be a dream.
At the moment we get to go to one of the local rallies for a night, my in-laws mind the kids. Next year we hope to go for 2 nights!!
I have half a notion to slip over to a rally in Germany next year as well, but I'll have to go alone.
If you ever make it to Europe we'll have to meet up for a beer and organise a mini-rally!
Ringer
Jar of Clay
I think Heaven would be riding around Switzerland or the European countryside on a motorcycle. Ever since I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values for Philosphy class at school, it's always been one of those things I'd like to do before I die but will probably never have the chance to do.
On a side not, the V-Rods were always my favorite looking H-D. I know that the hard core H-D riders probably have a lot of animosity towards the model because it doesn't fit the classical H-D mold but it's quite appealing to my eye, underpowered or not.
On a side not, the V-Rods were always my favorite looking H-D. I know that the hard core H-D riders probably have a lot of animosity towards the model because it doesn't fit the classical H-D mold but it's quite appealing to my eye, underpowered or not.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Do it. Sell you granny if you have to.
The Swiss Alps on a bike = Heaven.I think the new one (v-rod muscle) is a horrible looking thing, I think the original looks quite nice, just not as nice as a real Harley !:cover:
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I sometimes get excited about books. Today I found one that promises to tick all the boxes I want ticked - "Harley-Davidson and Philosophy, Full-Throttle Aristotle"
Anyone here read this before?
Anyone here read this before?
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
It's fourteen articles by "twelve die hard bikers who also happen to be philosophy professors". Titles include 'Christ in sidecar: An ontology of suicide machines' and '"it's my own damned head:Ethics, Freedom and Helmet laws' Sounds good doesn't it?
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Got my 4.5 tank back from the painter today! I'm delighted with myself, a little bit of alteration to the saddle and it fitted straight on. Beaautiful!
Ringer
Jar of Clay
Lets see some pics!
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
This stupid computer won't take photos from our camera for some reason, As soon as I can get some downloaded I'll put them up.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I got out for a spin for about an hour this evening. I've been at my bike a good bit, fiddling around, changing this and that, and just generally being at it. It is now uniquely tailored to me. It's perfect and I just love it. I can imagine keeping this bike forever, I never felt that way about any other bike that I have ever owned. I do not know how they do it but Harley make a machine that you end up having a personal relationship with. It's extraordinary.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
Time for new tyres.
I think I'll get Avons this time. I used them before and found them good, although I can get Continentals cheaper so I'm not sure.
What I really can't decide is whether or not to put on white-walls.
Would they give me a pain keeping them clean?
I think I'll get Avons this time. I used them before and found them good, although I can get Continentals cheaper so I'm not sure.
What I really can't decide is whether or not to put on white-walls.
Would they give me a pain keeping them clean?