Harley Riders

[andrewsmith]

The harley ideal rubbed off on the fuel tanks tho!

*Runs*

My little Cagiva 125 Stroker was awesome.

And I suppose Harleys are the most efficient way to convert petrol into noise without the adverse side effect of horsepower.

[BanannaMan]

Harley's are every bit as reliable as they are powerful and good handling.
And nevermind the outrageous price, because it's not just a bike.....
It's a lifestyle. *

*(lifestyle consists of dressing like a overweight, heroin dealer/ biker gang member from 1960's California)

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

This isnt a Haley bashing thread so sorry to disappoint.

I also agree that it would be completely out of order to start Haley bashing, she's a lovely girl.

Harley bashers - fire away!

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

I've a friend planning to do his DAS in the spring and has his heart set on a Harley. So i'm going to kick him up and down the street until he sees sense.

Corrected for you!

[Geodude]

This forums not a bad one ( i lurk on this one quite often ) and its got regional sections news etc. http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com/forum/

[Balky001]

Just saw this post KG, been polishing the chrome since Friday boom boom.

If your mate is a novice the Xl1200 low/custom or XL883R/Iron/48 would be the best fit for a new rider. They are both based on Sportster frames, are the smallest and extremely easy to ride smoothly. Neither are fast or light but so low to the ground and easy to handle. If he doesn't want a chrome one they do all black as well. The XR is HDs attempt at a sports bike, why bother????

New you can get a XL883 for £6500 so used around £3000+ should get you a decent +2004 (that's when they introduced rubber mounts so reduce the vibration a bit). The throttle is light and responsive, fuel injection smooth and build quality on the whole has been better than the Suzuki and Kwaks I've owned (they don't use cheese bolts) as long as you look after it (I've heard of chrome peeling etc after a few years).

883 have mid controls generally unless upgraded (pegs where you expect them) whereas 1200 custom have forward (straight legs) which offers less control and heavier on the backside but gives a cruiser 'feel'.

It is old technology and you can get better cruisers (Kwak good value) but I don't know any HD riders that want another make of cruiser. The dealers are really good and arrange ride outs most weekends and the people I've met have been really friendly, not what I expected.

Tell him to get ready for all the jealousy shown but crotch rocket monkeys (they call themselves real bikers but just speed and argue a lot)

It's easy to recommend better bikes but if he wants a cruiser an 883 would be a good start although everything HD is expensive.

I don't know any decent UK forums but the http://www.hdforums.com/ can be helpful.

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

This isnt a Haley bashing thread so sorry to disappoint.

I'm assuming there are a couple of Harley riders lurking somewhere in the org, so own up.

I've a friend planning to do his DAS in the spring and has his heart set on a Harley. So i'm looking for any and all advice on them, which ones are good, which arent, which would be suitable for a first bike, how old can he go and still expect a decent machine and what sort of money are we talking.
Also any recommended Harley Forums...

Like i said any and all HELPFUL information. Thanks

dont think theres much in it as there all as bad as each other,as to what age to go for it wont really make alot of difference as they only come out on the 10 or so dry days of summer,so even at 10 years old it unlikeley to have more then 3k on the clocks,but check the paint and chrome well as its crap and will rust at the first sign of water and the paint aint much better, also check all the fastners as they do tend to fall off from the vibration, and no im not taking the p*ss,as i know several harley owner and x harley owners and there as bad a people say they are,but if you mate wants a cruiser type bike(id go for a suzuki m1800r intruder) and doesn't want a reliable well handling! jap one then he can expect to pay a lot to keep it in good condition and on the road if its used at all

i know a guy who has a couple, he only rides them on sunny days and rides his kwak 900 the rest of the time...

I want one but I can't afford the up keep....

I would suggest to avoid if it is the first bike, don't want to drop a HD!

oh you want to service it do you... it goes something like this....

yes sir, standard service....
you want a filter for your standard service that will be £100,
oh you want oil to go with that filter another £100 sir...
and at least four hours labour that's £85 per hour (they are a b!tch to work on) you have to pretty much dismantle to get to the engine!
so kinda expensive to buy, own, keep serviced etc.
and you need special HD tools to work on them too, if you're thinking I'll do it myself...

otherwise good bikes, totally custom if that's his sorta thing.

[Balky001]

My local hd dealership has fixed price servicing. £199 for 1000 miles and £299 for 5000. It's not cheap but not quite as expensive as some.