What's to Like about Motorcycles

If it wasn't so IN YER FACE ridiculously obvious.This Harley thing.
Not a weekend goes by in nice sunny weather where there isn't numerous
small groups { sometime large } of riders on their Hogs { all Harley's }
There is no way around not seeing them and how they act at whatever
gas station.They will not ever go up to another bike { if not a Harley } and
act interested or compliment.This is something I look for.I have seen such a
pattern { Harley riders refuse to acknowledge other Bike brands } that even
Victory's are not acknowledged.Possibly Indians but not even those,because
there aren't many Indians on the road.It is Dyed in the wool,abject Brand Loyalty
taken to the extreme.Similar to the way in Kentucky one is either a UK Blue
Wildcat fan or a Louisville Red Cardinals fan { Basketball }.
Very little if any wiggle room in-between.
That is Bigotry.Or Intolerance of another.
Jay Leno and Steve McQueen were Motorcycle aficionado.Motorcycle
enthusiasts.I have a problem with One Beer type guys.Or one cigar type
lugs.Needless to say One Bike brand lugnuts.
Imagine what it must have been like for Hunter Thompson as he hung around
the hells angels while writing his book.He rode his Triumph.Proudly and with them
aviator sunglasses of his.And surely carrying a load on.I doubt he could pass
a breathalyzer test when in grade school,let alone as a full grown Gonzo.

 

I'll chill when I see a change in pattern.Not this abject Lovefest for all things
Harley and none other.When compassion for other rides and other styles
of bikes is more Americana.It's Mob mentality ... pure & simple.
It goes against the Pioneer spirit.I doubt Roy Rogers acted like the typical
Harley rider.Roy loved riding his motorcycle.The best Cop motorcycle
wasn't even a V-twin.It was a Henderson { The fastest motorcycle of it's Era }.
When they stopped manufacturing them in 1931 the 4 cylinder had a top
speed of 110. Only a Duesenberg could outrun it.Surely no Model T with a
top speed of around 41 mph.
Someone just posted that is why Harley's made for good cop Bikes.
WRONG. Harley's are too slow.I see where in the Latest Cycle World { April 2015}
The cover feature is about V-Twin Touring bikes.
The Indian Roadmaster vs. Victory Cross Country vs. Harley Ultra Classic.
Roadmaster had a top speed of 110 mph and h.p. of 76
Ultra Classic had a top speed of 103 and h.p. of 73
Cross Country had a top speed of 107 and h.p. of 85
In the 1/4 mile ... The Harley was the slowest.
You have a right to your opinion but Not your own facts.
I mix Facts with Opinion.
Not nix them like certain posters round this pop stand.Refusing facts is
living in denial.I think I already gave that opinion.

 

Im in to all bikes aswell, that bmw s1000rr is a monster, but for my first sports bike it will be a zx14, i really want to build a grudge/street race bike. Im such a hd snob, my best friend and riding partner, is always on a goldwing. Hell one day, when im old i might own one too!

 

You would not know a fact if you tripped over it.

 

I get it now.Yer like a Retarded Fortune Cookie.
Short and Sweet & Sour.

 

And as usual, Fool resorts to ad hominem personal attacks when called on his BS.

Boy, you are as useful as a darkroom with windows.

 

The Moderators whomever need to warn you.That reply's are not supposed
to be invitations for aggradational deposits.You constantly Reply to my
Posts with PERSONAL and quite often Very personal attacks.
Unless ingestion of " retarded fortune cookies " have little overall effect.
Still ... you imbibe constant Ad Hominem reply's.To the point of no return.

 

And yet more meaningless word salad from Fool.

 

Now we move on to the Best Motorcycle for the Money.
Ural has to right there on top.Even though an old fuddy-duddy
build,it is very rigid,and holds up.The Russians make good stuff when they
put a mind to it.From Vodka to firearms to Tubes for radios and
electronic components.They also produced Great writers.
Even though priced between $ 12-16,ooo they do have a nice sidecar
even though it can sometimes fly in the air around a curve,unoccupied.
But they aren't a complicated bike to work on.Like Farm equipment of old,
they can handle heavy use and come back for more.
No it's far from a Best Bike for the Buck.But who's to say. I was booted off
the Honda CB 11oo forum by a guy who admits he's never had the bike over
5,000 rpm. { redline is 8,500 }. he also said it was a Great Touring bike.
Complete nonsense.The bike is way to skinny.Plus it has a bit of buzzing
In the rev range where it counts most.Like around 3-4,ooo.
That Forum is just now starting to realize that. I was banned because the owner
of the site was a prick who Lied about the bike.He also mocked me for stating
facts about other Honda like the VTX 1800 { a Really good potential
Touring bike }.I owned the first run of the VTX 1800 the first month of the release.
It was in early spring { around this time in 2001 }.

 

First ride yesterday...FINALLY. this winter just would not END.

 

Top speed has nothing to do with how well a bike performs as a police bike. If it did there would be few Police hogs and there are many. Shiva was correct when he said the radio was the equalizer, that and a squadron of more bikes and cars. And when those old police units go up for sale they retain their value much better than the Japanese bikes. What you do not understand is that your opinion is as or more bigoted than any HD rider I have ever known and I was a member of a large Midwestern MC. Top speed and quarter mile numbers are ok, most of us like speed and other performance. I like the way a bike makes me feel. I can straddle any inline 4 or other Japanese bike made, it may be scary fast and can do a stoppie at will but it cant stir my soul. I sit on top of a Japanese bike but I sit in an HD especially if I built it to fit me, it becomes part of me. When I twist the throttle of a nice running sportster that I built or had built to my specifications it feels like its alive, more like an Arabian thoroughbred thundering through the mountain curves and stretching its legs once out of the mountains and on the long ribbons of asphalt that roll out to the horizon on to the next adventure. No rides on any Japanese bike has compared or even come close to those experiences, and I have road many of them. Some European bikes have pricked those feelings but none have owned the entire package. An out of the box jap super-bike is exhilarating but how long and where can you ride one to its limits? Besides other than speed its like riding a 190 mph singer sewing machine, and it often seems like everyone else is riding one just like it. Sorry for my try at creative writing but it really is impossible to describe how a custom HD makes me feel. Maybe one day you will be lucky enough to feel it yourself ~

reva

 

Got mine in a weak ago before the cold weather moved back in.

 

Ah, it is really more about the experience than where the bike came from. For instance, I had a Suzuki TL-1000 and it was the most exciting bike I ever rode. I wish I still had it, but I now have a Honda VTX 1300 which is nice to putt around town on and I am probably not going on any road trips anymore. It is what fits your mood at the time and makes you happy like you express.

A lady friend of mine just picked up a low rider Sportster for a silly good price and is very happy. I have had Harleys and liked them all at the time. I don't think the type or mfg of a bike is important if you are happy with what you have.

 

Well then you best tell that to Jay Leno.About Top Speed means little as
far as a Cop Motorcycle.Leno is a true Motorcycle/Car enthuthiast and Historian.
I suppose that Leno just said the opposite of what you claim as far
Truth { about Cop Motorcycles } to be a contrarian.I Think YOU the Contrarian.
Like a few other who come here to spout off THEIR Version of Motorcycle
history and accuracy.

 

Something sad developed in the world of Motorcycling.
The Guy { Reuben } of Competition Accessories who posted weekly
on YouTube { every Wednesday } is no longer posting.I wondered
about the last month.The weather wasn't a concern.I read in the
comments section that for whatever reason Reuben was let go of his
Job.The guy was about as pleasant and approachable as any person
on Earth.A Saint of a biker.Extremely good-natured and golly.
Liked to laugh and enjoyed greatly his job and posting weekly videos
of some new Bike he was lent to showcase.Or some motorcycle technique
that one acguires after years of Biking.Like how to properly use a clutch
or Brake.Or downshift and corner.How to ride { what to focus on }.
Always remain defensive and watch out for the other guy.
Yet it seems he didn't watch out enough for his own job.
Could very well be that we are in a very troubling Economy.Bikes and
Cars really aren't selling well.Those who craved new cars and bikes already
bought them.Now is not the time to take on new debt.Now is a time for
being miserly and save,scrimp and learn how to horde.
Riding a motorcycle used to save a lot in gas expensive.But since gas
prices are now finally down that no longer is the case.
BTW ... Reubens YouTube were fun to watch because of GoPro.
He owned his old standy Eddie Lawson Green/Black Kawasaki.
But he did have the Latest new and best apparel and accessories.

 

The thing is ... No matter how skilled a rider ... go long enough w/o
riding and you tend to lose yer motorcycle legs.Not like Bicycling.
More like overall balance and awareness.After all you are sitting atop an
engine ... Literally.Plus you have to stay awake AT ALL TIMES.
No ... Rides in the park like on a bicycle or even a car.You make one
misjudgement and it may be all over.Or yer scrapped-up really bad and the
bike is stranded ... It got flooded and is overturned.
Every year at winter;s end I must deal with this Biker predicament.
Meaning getting one's Biker legs back.It usually lasts anywhere from
maybe 10 or 20 mintes or an entire ride.You have to quickly calculate all yer
necessary hand and feet and overall body movements in order to successfully
transverse a bike on it's proper course.One of my overall sins is forgetting to
decelerate the throttle as soon as engaging the clutch.If you forget and
accelerate the throttle ... No biggie.You'll just eventually Blue-out the exhaust pipes and
have the engine run Hot all day.One of the missions of Motorcycling is to NOT
let an engine run hot.Heat is the Enemy of an engine.
My other less than big sin after a long winter rest from Motorcycling is to
be cornering skittish.You have to be willing to use yer best acquired motorcycle
knowledge and skill at tackling cornering.When one becomes too cornering skittish,like a
horse you may have more than you bargained for.
Not to be confused with Confidence.Confidence means nothing once out
and about on a motorcycle.You either know good riding practice or you neglect.
There are many aspects to good riding practice.Overall awareness and balance
and knowing what a Motorcycle is and Isn't capable of.Especially when cornering.
Cornering is what causes most accidents.That and other motorists.

 

Why I feel the need to own more than one motorcycle.Because One motorcycle
can't universally meet my needs.I don't need a big cruiser to go to
the Grocery or run an errand.But I like Cruisers.Most motorcycle lugs are
totally happy with their one Cruiser.Some cruiser aren't even cut out for
trips longer than a local Boulevard.Like most Clone bikes or those on the
Motorcyle shows like Orange County Choppers.Those are strictly weekend
warrior,fair weather bikes for the boulevard.If I was younger I'd get an
off road bike.But I'm too old to shake,rattle and roll this frame of mine.
Plus you need a nice farm and permission for off road biking.
I'm thinking of an Adventure bike that is good for may tasks.
Especially Touring but also quick trips and even off-road.
I want a bike that can handle most anything thrown at it.
Like a KTM 1290 Super Adventure

 

Many agree with this and own multiple motorcycles while others select one motorcycle for a 'preferred use' and ride it for other purposes that it isn't really optimal for. That is a personal choice and I find nothing wrong with either choice.

 

I had to laugh reading this. Perhap 15 years ago I purchased a bicycle and I hadn't been on a bicycle for probably 30 years. Guess what, I could barely ride it because I'd forgotten how to. In fact re-learning how to ride a bicycle well was so challenging that eventually I sold it - I just wasn't motivated enough to re-learn how to ride a bicycle. LOL

The belief that you never forget how to ride a bicycle is really a myth. Obviously riding a motorcycle is more complex but the similarity between forgetting skills that you once had is the same for both.

 

Are you drunk?

 

My wife and I are running the Kanc tomorrow...she still hasn't made up her mind which bike she will take.

And I'm getting a new helmet.

 

I'm never going to buy a motorcycle

but this is something I was wondering. Let's say I'm in some country
like Romania or N Korea or Vietnam and I rent a motorcycle to go on some
quieter farm roads. I wouldn't ride a motorbike on a freeway in California
for no amount of money. But let's say I'm going 40 mph. do I pull over to the
far right side of the road to let other vehicles pass, or do I stay right in the middle of my lane
and let three or four vehicles wait behind me until they have a chance to pass?

that's something I was wondering.

 

I just had to go and confess something yesterday to my Harley Buddy.
I was kinda peeved { not really } that he didn't call Me for a Bike run on
Saturday. Probably because he knew I no loner give a turd about Bike
Gatherings or Runs. I am beyond that.It is more juvenile than anything else.
I did learn it was a big run and that not one RUNE was to be seen.
So I spent yesterday afternoon talking Bikes and the Military and
Politics with by Harley buddy and his wife,close at hand.
I was gracious as usual to a point.I spent the better part of an hour
listening politely to my Harley buddy brag about his latest aftermarket addition for
his { 2011 } Fat Bob which he had bought installed with the Harley
113" big bore kit.He customized it as usual and to my surprise had roughly
the same amount of miles on as my 2004 Rune { 24,ooo }.He was showing off his
new Harley Bags.They were nice.I asked how much ... He said around $ 700 but he
bought on line for around $ 500.He had another pair of bags that were all leather
and soft but weren't Harley and was tiring of them. Of course both bags were
quick disconnect since he digs that kinda stuff.Then he started tickin' me off.
He has his trusted old '83 Shovelhead which he bought in Germany when doing a
tour in Germany in the Military. I saw in his garage 3 quarts of Amsoil that had the
number 60 on them. It was Amsoil straight 60 racing oil. My Harley buddy is an
Amsoil head { more like devoted Freak }.That Oil discussion alone was well over an
hour.I had to remind him about the first few years owning my Rune,i used him for
the Amsoil in my Rune.At that time { 2005-2007 } All he carried was Amsoil 20-50W
which just so happens to be the default recommended viscosity for ALL Harley
Cruisers.Because they are Air-cooled engines.And 50 weight oil is better in
summer months.
I remember him telling me often about making sure to follow Recommended
Owners manuel guidelines about what viscosity do use.I kept telling him
for years that Hondas have a tendency to run hot.Especially in summer.
So a 50 weight vs. 10-40W oil is better in the summer.
So here he was Now swearing to the use of a Straight 60 W oil for both
his old '83 Shovelhead as well his 2011 Fat Bob. I thought that was the height
of hypocrisy.I asked him to have a look at his Shovelheads Owners manuel.
I wanted to check and see what it said about recommended oil.
He hemmed & hawed and acted like he didn't know where that Owners Manuel was.
So I unloaded.That No way On Earth would I ever But a Harley. No Way.
That Harley guys are a certain breed of cretins and I can't stand their attitude.
They all,by and large have attitudes.And then I set about to prove it.
With that Willie G. trademark ad word ... Softtail.
That was another hours worth of arguments and such. I did admit that I was
willing to purchase a Harley { had my name down on a waiting list for a V-Rod }
and also wanted to trade my VTX 1800 for a Very expensive { The most expensive
Harley ever offered at the time $ 28,ooo + Road King CVO " Screaming Eagle "
as a 103rd anniversary issue bike.With a fantastic paint job and chromed
controls,Braided lines and Hydraulic clutch },But the local Harley dealer would
not even think of a Honda as trade.
So I again ... swore ... I'd never ever But Harley.
I am now committed to that pledge.

 

Well if that's what you want then go for it.Be all the person you can be
sans any motorcycle.If that's what fancies you.

 

Drunk again, dude?

I recall that older (pre-86) "Ironhead" Harleys DO call for single-weight oil, and SAE60 IS recommended for hot weather.

And H-D dealers DO take other brands as trades. You've already been caught in that lie before, just stop.