ARmy Rumour SErvice

Harleys are not that gay, but they do seem to leave a lot of mid life crisis German accounts by the side of the road in Central Europe.

RR, Sorry Sunshine you talk out your ass. There is no comparison between a 60s Harley and a modern one. It is all too easy to join the crowd bashing Harleys for lack of performance etc but not everyone wants or needs a sports bike.

A modern Harley is a reliable (starts first time, every time, whatever the weather) practical (given the right model will seat two and luggage in comfort, maintenance free belt final drive) economical (genuinely achievable 50ish MPG across most of the model range) and holds its value very well. Yes it is slow-turning but it is supposed to be - this is not a sports bike, it is a cruiser - and it is quite nimble enough for safe road riding whilst also giving stability for a relaxed riding experience (soft-tails the possible exception but that particular frame design is, and has always been aknowleged as, a deliberate compromise to achieve a specific look). All but the 883 have plenty of power to make good progress on any European road including Autobahn. You can get off a Harley at the end of a long day's riding and still walk!

You may have done some decent mileages - and credit to you for it - but you are in the minority. A Goldwing certainly is a luxury tourer but, in my opinion, thats where it ends. One trick pony - same as a full-dress Harley and actually just as, if not more, expensive to buy new. Africa twin - nice enough bike, I wont dismiss it as a useful general purpose machine. Doesnt light the fuse for me though other than as a workhorse.

My owning/riding is not limited to Harley, or to cruisers but, for a general purpose on-road bike with the added benefit of a bit of style and comfort, Harleys are fine machines. Incidentally, 2012 is looking like a record sales year already for my local dealer (Southampton) despite the recession and a very soggy April so I cant be the only person to think so.

The Harley sportsters are fine.... I've had two 1200s...miss em madly. They had everything that one needs, noise, vibration, handling and brakes that require respect. In a word fun. Although the Harley 'image' was not something I fell for. There are some sad posers and groupies out there that probably need an ice pick lobotomy. Having had countless bikes and represented The Army in off road competition I love riding motorcycles, not using them as a fashion accessory. If the cap fits wear it.

After nearly 40 years on sports bikes (with a brief flirtation with chops in the mid-70s), a couple of years ago I thought seriously of going laid back and had a test ride on a Victory V. I've ridden other folks' Harleys, in various incarnations, from full dress to radical chop and never really got on with them, but always assumed it was because the experiences were necessarily quite short. I spent a day with the Victory, a big black thing, with nice noisy pipes, but couldn't be doing with it, for at *least* two reasons - the riding position, with my legs out in what felt like a pair of gynae stirrups, utterly unnatural - and the incredibly ponderous handling, with a week's notice, in writing, being required for any change in direction. The noise was nice, as noted and the engine pulled like a train; I can sort of see the attraction, but a vehicle less suited to my riding style it's hard to imagine.I'm a V-twin fancier, still, but will stay with my discreet little Honda SP-2.

Glad, Not all Harleys are afflicted with "forward controls". You may find a model with mid-mounted controls more to your liking. Try the Street Bob, you might be surprised.

HB, I am with you on the 1200 as "fun". As I noted earlier, I was saddened by Harkley's decision to stop producing the XL1200R model which was the most fun of all. I guess they wanted to encourage sales of the XR1200 but it really isn't the same thing at all.

Originally Posted by goatrutar

I've ridden Harley's and Buells. They're not bad but the japs do it better these days. I wonder if the OP has looked at the Yamaha VMax? Comfy riding position with a truly insane motor.

Interesting article on that, bloke shat himself in the rain and was never sure he was going to get round a corner in one piece. Could see the appeal though.

Japanese Muscle: Yamaha Vmax used review - Road Tests: Used - Visordown

Originally Posted by Blokeonabike

RR, Sorry Sunshine you talk out your ass. There is no comparison between a 60s Harley and a modern one. It is all too easy to join the crowd bashing Harleys for lack of performance etc but not everyone wants or needs a sports bike.

A modern Harley is a reliable (starts first time, every time, whatever the weather) practical (given the right model will seat two and luggage in comfort, maintenance free belt final drive) economical (genuinely achievable 50ish MPG across most of the model range) and holds its value very well. Yes it is slow-turning but it is supposed to be - this is not a sports bike, it is a cruiser - and it is quite nimble enough for safe road riding whilst also giving stability for a relaxed riding experience (soft-tails the possible exception but that particular frame design is, and has always been aknowleged as, a deliberate compromise to achieve a specific look). All but the 883 have plenty of power to make good progress on any European road including Autobahn. You can get off a Harley at the end of a long day's riding and still walk!

You may have done some decent mileages - and credit to you for it - but you are in the minority. A Goldwing certainly is a luxury tourer but, in my opinion, thats where it ends. One trick pony - same as a full-dress Harley and actually just as, if not more, expensive to buy new. Africa twin - nice enough bike, I wont dismiss it as a useful general purpose machine. Doesnt light the fuse for me though other than as a workhorse.

My owning/riding is not limited to Harley, or to cruisers but, for a general purpose on-road bike with the added benefit of a bit of style and comfort, Harleys are fine machines. Incidentally, 2012 is looking like a record sales year already for my local dealer (Southampton) despite the recession and a very soggy April so I cant be the only person to think so.

Back in the 60's,there was a certain penchant to owning a Harley,mainly because it would have been a personal import,and an effort had to be made to get it into the country,but the guys I rode with in London didn't keep them for very long,and reverted to their Brit Bikes.

You've obviously never 'earoled' a GoldWing,one trick pony never,ridden well they go around corners,like they're on rails,wet or dry,but then again you could always get a Honda PE,great tourer,goes like shit of a shovel,comfortable,cheap to buy,and maintain,great on motorways.

I can think of a number of 'cruisers' that are better suited,than any Harley,and they're either British,or Japanese,and cheaper,both to buy,and maintain,like my AT,which I never ride on Motorways,Autobahns,or Route Nationales,if I can help,I can think of nothing more boring than riding in a straight line for hours at a time,I dunno,maybe I just like 'proper' bikes.