Today, I rode a Harley

Forum Sponsor
I don't see much difference between the Ducatisti and HD lifestyle folks to be honest....both can be equally obnoxious in certain environments. I'd still buy either if I could afford them because of the heritage and character of those bikes and would thoroughly appreciate them for what they are. I'd personally draw the line at wearing all Ducati or HD gear from head to toe.

The only Harley that I'd really want though is the XR1200 and they don't sell them in North America anymore, if they still make them. The whole cruiser riding position isn't really appealing to me just yet.

It would be fantastic to be able to afford and store a bike for every mood.
 
Last edited:
rzresurection said:
That's funny. I have some Harley friends. I constantly tease them about their brand name Harley under ware and socks. No guy needs orange under ware. Lol
Click to expand...
Check out the GP catologue under Ducati and especially KTM accesories.
 
N3WMAN said:
I'd ride an XR1200, but I wouldn't buy one.I find it genuinely hilarious that is only makes 90HP. Your average 600 makes 20-30 more than that lol
Click to expand...

What's the torque?
HP is not everything
 
dricked said:
I've ridden many bikes including a Harley (whatever model that has all the bags and stereo, like a goldwing) and wasn't impressed. Tried passing a transport truck at 120km/h and the buffeting wind hitting the fairing which is attached to the handle bars just makes the bike squirm down the highway. Not to mention it could barely get out of its own way from 100-120km/h.

I'm not not the Harley type and I couldn't care less about the "spec sheet" or their "lap times". They just aren't for everyone. My guess as to why they sell so well is the older men/women that can now finally afford a bike, their wife/husband will let them and they want to be a rebel/badass and feel tough cruising down the road immediately think that only an HD will provide this. It's not the bike that I dislike, it's the attitude that seems to be attached to the brand and comes standard with every bike and over priced piece of chrome or article of clothing that's purchased.

I do like the yamaha bolt though and if I were to get another street bike it would be somthing like that...with a supercharger.
Click to expand...

LOL,,,did you even read what you wrote? ;)

First you say you weren't impressed because it could "barely get out of its own way at 100-120 km/h", and then try to say you could care less about "spec sheets" and "lap times", which contradicts yourself. (You did notice the quotation marks around lap times as I originally posted, meaning performance numbers in general) Like I said, it's a "smell the roses" type bike, so it's not for you. That's okay. Plus the fact that you don't even know which model you rode, dismissing it as a whatever, tells me your mind was set before you got on, so not only are you not the type, you are also not ready.

As far as buffeting goes, guess you never had a ride on a early model FJR...possibly the worst ever re buffeting at speed. HD's are good up to to about 55/mph before buffeting becomes an issue. You have to be in cruise mode, which doesn't seem to be your style/type of riding: nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with HD's. ;)

You too seem to make another classic mistake when evaluating HD: don't confuse the scene with the machine. Not all HD riders are outlaw biker wannabes. :p

The Bolt is a good HD clone. ;)
 
Jason416 said:
I don't see much difference between the Ducatisti and HD lifestyle folks to be honest....both can be equally obnoxious in certain environments. I'd still buy either if I could afford them because of the heritage and character of those bikes and would thoroughly appreciate them for what they are. I'd personally draw the line at wearing all Ducati or HD gear from head to toe.

The only Harley that I'd really want though is the XR1200 and they don't sell them in North America anymore, if they still make them. The whole cruiser riding position isn't really appealing to me just yet.

It would be fantastic to be able to afford and store a bike for every mood.
Click to expand...

Spoken like a person who's not owned either: Typical. Ignorance perpetuates myths and stereotypes.

You need an eDUCATIon in motrcycling. :cool: lol...
 
I attribute wearing HD gear while on an hd like wearing a band shirt at a live show for that band. I just wouldn't do it.

ive wanted a harley since I was 2 and my rents lost me in a parking lot and found me on one. I would have purchased one if insurance wasn't outrageous.

I also dont personally see the appeal to a crotch rocket. Im sure they are a lot of fun to ride but they just arent for me. As I'm sure an HD isnt for the op.

People have their own opinions on the type of bike they would like and enjoy riding. Thats cool. Op and others just dont get it. As I will never get the sport bikes.

Personally for me its the sound. Its a distinct sound that I've always loved. Id ride a 50s panhead before a new sport bike any day.


All that being said I would like to try a sport bike just to see what the hype is about.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
 
Huh? I thought I said I want to own both, if money weren't an issue. I'm not into cruisers, whatever the make, but would gladly take a Sportster custom with standard pegs if not an XR1200. I don't put a lot of weight into the lifestyle argument since other brands can be just as focussed on it, like my Ducati example, which does focus heavily on the lifestyle factor. Lifestyle/ image shouldn't hold someone back from buying the bike they love.

twinswin said:
Spoken like a person who's not owned either: Typical. Ignorance perpetuates myths and stereotypes.

You need an eDUCATIon in motrcycling. :cool: lol...
Click to expand...
 
twinswin said:
LOL,,,did you even read what you wrote? ;)

First you say you weren't impressed because it could "barely get out of its own way at 100-120 km/h", and then try to say you could care less about "spec sheets" and "lap times", which contradicts yourself. (You did notice the quotation marks around lap times as I originally posted, meaning performance numbers in general) Like I said, it's a "smell the roses" type bike, so it's not for you. That's okay. Plus the fact that you don't even know which model you rode, dismissing it as a whatever, tells me your mind was set before you got on, so not only are you not the type, you are also not ready.

As far as buffeting goes, guess you never had a ride on a early model FJR...possibly the worst ever re buffeting at speed. HD's are good up to to about 55/mph before buffeting becomes an issue. You have to be in cruise mode, which doesn't seem to be your style/type of riding: nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with HD's. ;)

You too seem to make another classic mistake when evaluating HD: don't confuse the scene with the machine. Not all HD riders are outlaw biker wannabes. :p

The Bolt is a good HD clone. ;)
Click to expand...

I believe I even said it's the attitude not the bike. Passing from 100-120km/h has nothing to do with a "spec sheet". That was me riding the bike and being disappointed.

Whatever you want to call the bolt it doesn't come with the silly price tag of an HD. Besides if I walk into an HD dealership I probably wouldn't get the time of day. I'm not over 30, don't look like I can afford one, and don't have a chip on my shoulder.
 
twinswin said:
Ahhh, the eternal question. Why, can't a young, inexperienced, sport-bike rider appreciate or "get" Harleys? I make the brave assumptions you are young, a sport bike rider, and inexperienced which I'll qualify as either lacking time in the saddle, or experience with other types of mounts.

There's only one answer: you are either not "ready", or not the "type".
Click to expand...

Not the type then, as I'm not young or inexperienced, and have a sport-tourer. I imagine if all I ever did was tool around town, I wouldn't have that bike though,
as it's happiest munching miles on tour.
 
dricked said:
Besides if I walk into an HD dealership I probably wouldn't get the time of day. I'm not over 30, don't look like I can afford one, and don't have a chip on my shoulder.
Click to expand...

Pro Tip: suck on a lemon before walking in.
 
Not the type either. Got my M license 40 years ago.
 
N3WMAN said:
I'd ride an XR1200, but I wouldn't buy one.I find it genuinely hilarious that is only makes 90HP. Your average 600 makes 20-30 more than that lol
Click to expand...

You are not ready young man ... LOL .... stop checking spec sheet. It's a lifestyle they are selling, nothing wrong about that. I think HD does that well, probably as good as Ducati ... the difference is that Ducati are technically and innovation wise premium machines ... but not everybody cares about that.

The better question is ... if you like XR1200 as a concept ... what other brand of bike could you buy, which would give you a similar riding feeling/position.
 
RockerGuy said:
What's the torque?
HP is not everything
Click to expand...

It's also the weight .... 550lbs dry!!! ... about 100lbs too many.

Unless you believe the cliche, "It doesn't matter, once you get the bike moving you don't feel the weight ... " .... LOL
 
mxs said:
The better question is ... if you like XR1200 as a concept ... what other brand of bike could you buy, which would give you a similar riding feeling/position.
Click to expand...

None. Nobody else makes a bike with rubber swingarm mounts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom