Motorcycle Riding - what it is like

[blink138 (Pat)]

"When I owned my Harley business I had Harleys in the shop that scared the daylights out of many a boyracer speed demon!"

there is a very good reason for that (if indeed it is true) its because harleys cant get round a bloody corner!

"But these days, I prefer to sit back and cruise and leave suicide to the young and stupid."

agreed, my boyracer days have given me two replacement hips, the first in 1986 when i was 23, the second one on the same side in 2001
boat anchors and rice burners will never agree, best to leave sleeping dogs lie
pat

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by blink138

there is a very good reason for that (if indeed it is true) its because harleys cant get round a bloody corner!

and you have ridden all the different models around corners have you?

Originally Posted by blink138

boat anchors and rice burners will never agree,

Absolute crap.

I like both and have owned both (even at the same time), almost all my biking mates like both or own both, and even the diehard Harley meat-heads that I know don't hate all Jap bikes, usually just the peanut sitting on it.

True, there will always be some opposition in loyalty to brands, but it doesn't really help when you come in here and throw your 'boat anchor' statement around to fire it up.

I can imagine the uproar if I posted something like "Your wanky Losmandy boat anchor mount is a toy compared to a Paramount King of the Hill".

Ahhhhh, but that is Astronomy Equipment. Its not right to put down one brand over another.
Pat, it goes for everything.

Just watch the videos (or not), and keep the 'Brand' negatives out of the thread.

other than that, have a good day.

and yes, I too have scars and aches and all the associated ailments from the old days of riding too hard and fast and hitting the road (and twice a car) too often

but all mine was caused by stupidly riding in outlaw bike clubs pissed as a maggot, too fast, at night with sunglasses on, no helmet, too much attitude, and totally bulletproof

[kitsuna (Adam)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

but all mine was caused by stupidly riding in outlaw bike clubs pissed as a maggot, too fast, at night with sunglasses on, no helmet, too much attitude, and totally bulletproof

I am genuinely amazed you're still alive.

As for the boat anchor vs rice burner argument? I don't see the point. Variety is the spice of life and all that.

Having said that, I don't understand what the harley hype is all about. If you want to cruise? Fine, go for it, but why pay twice as much for something with a Harley badge on it when most of the japanese brands have equally good cruisers at significantly cheaper prices.

Its the same problem I have with Ducatis and MV Augustas. Yep; they're a pasta rocket, but Honda Yamaha and Kawasaki all offer equally nuts sportsbikes cheaper (and it's not like they're of a poorer quality than the Dukes or MVs either)

[blink138 (Pat)]

"I can imagine the uproar if I posted something like "Your wanky Losmandy boat anchor mount is a toy compared to a Paramount King of the Hill"."

no uproar at all, after all it is only the truth, and when confronted with it there can be no argument, and anyway not a good analogy a paramount is light years ahead in sophistication can the same thing be said of a harley? i think not
i am sure we are both enjoying our rides (or our mounts)
pat
oh and yes i have ridden just about most manufacturers but i didnt make it round some corners and that is why i have replacement hips

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by kitsuna

Having said that, I don't understand what the harley hype is all about. If you want to cruise? Fine, go for it, but why pay twice as much for something with a Harley badge on it when most of the japanese brands have equally good cruisers at significantly cheaper prices.

It's not as simple as price. There is a saying that sums it up:
If you haven't ridden a Harley no explanation is possible. If you have ridden a Harley no explanation is needed.

I have owned many brands of bikes and enjoyed them all.

But can we not turn this into a Brand V's Brand thread please.
That is not the point of this thread.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

I wondered if anyone had noticed the rider riding through 2 Stop signs.
I ride a Yamaha XVS1100 classic but would have a Harley in a flash IF I could afford one. I have a couple of friends who are "outlaw" Harley riders and one also owns a Yamaha 350 2 stroke road bike and one owns a Triumph. I don't know why I ride a bike and probably couldn't explain if I wanted too.
My 2005 XVS1100 and my wife's 1996 XV1100 are for sale only so we can buy a VW powered trike and keep riding in our "old" age

Adrian

[Ric]

Just reading the posts and it reminded of what I was told by an old timer when I was about 18. He rode an old Moto Morini 350cc.

"It doesn't matter what you ride just so long as you ride"

Cheers

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

One thing the video proves is that the Yanks are just as bad at moving out of the overtaking lane as a lot of Aussies.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

One thing the video proves is that the Yanks are just as bad at moving out of the overtaking lane as a lot of Aussies.

But also notice that 80% of the vehicles on the roads are SUV's!

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Thanks for that link Ken . Sold my 750 Suzuki a couple of months ago and downsized to a 250 cruiser (Chinese). Made me wonder why

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

Thanks for that link Ken . Sold my 750 Suzuki a couple of months ago and downsized to a 250 cruiser (Chinese). Made me wonder why

Onya Bill. At least you are still riding

If you have any photos of your bike you can post them in here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=27511