The Biker's Roadhouse

eSGe so you had a bad experience with some brakes on the 1 you had? As far as a rattle trap falling apart I find hilarious. I had an 89' and honestly that bike was faster than the 06' I had and never had a lick of issues with it. Rattling apart,maybe tighten some stuff up? Never had an issue with anything rattling off my bikes ever! And if your 1200 wouldn't keep up with a 800 Suzuki there was definitely something wrong with it. I know 1200's that dust 600 CC Rockets which I am sure are faster than the 800 cruiser. I also know a couple guys who have these Sportsters turbo'd and super charged. Oh as far as being good in hot weather.....plenty of Harley's down south that are running all the time. I talk to a lot of people and know a few people in Florida & Texas that have Harleys and no issues.

But then again I see your comment with Gibson mentioned and it makes me think it really has nothing to do with Harley's or Gibson's.....more like about $$$$$. I have well over 60,000 miles on my 3 Harley's with NO issues except a dead battery..... Harley and Gibson have been around for years and if they really did suck they shouldn't be a couple of the longest running & best selling & the most imitated/copied brands in the world. Oh and our riding season is longer than 4 months........You can ride from April to January for the most part around here.
 
YOUr a lucky man Rob.....be sure to double check the back brakes ;)

Thats why they make all kinds ----- so we dont all have to ride the same thing.

--- I will walk before Id ride a Harley--- period -- nothing to do with being un-American or any of the other stuff one might associate. Screw me once shame on you screw me twice shame on me. They dont get a second chance to kill me. Simple. (read on for info on the recall---I was told by 3 Harley shops I was at fault NOT the bike after my crash)


Numbers----
Triumph recalls 48 bikes in 2016 for potential hazardous failure
"Triumph Motorcycles has issued a recall for the new Street Twin and Bonneville T120 motorcycles in the UK and US over a potential fire hazard due to a fuel leak. A total of 48 bikes have been recalled in the UK and a smaller number in the US, with the models having been manufactured from September 7, 2015 to November 21, 2015. "
2016 Triumph Street Twin and Bonneville T120 Recalled Over Fire Risk - NDTV CarAndBike

Another for 119 bikes affected.....
https://www.automd.com/recall/campaign_c109333/


And Honda has them-----
Honda recalls Shadow motorcycles for bank angle sensor failure

Victory as well,
Victory Recall 14V596000Edwards Motorcycle Law

but look at THESE #'s
Harley Davidson Recalls 57,000 bikes
http://www.jsonline.com/story/money...00-bikes-possible-oil-line-failure/366750001/

ALso in 2016 another 27,232 bikes for hydraulic clutch failure---- and if you read the full article it points out this is Harleys 3rd recall for hydraulic clutch issues.
Harley-Davidson Recalls 27,232 Motorcycles - 3rd Hydraulic Clutch Recall

And this one was for over 400,000 bikes ----for the BACK BRAKE ---
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Are Under Investigation for Brake Failure

And another
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Recall Issued for Brake Problems - AboutLawsuits.com

on the forums
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-...1553-rear-brake-failure-it-happend-to-me.html

Top 278 Complaints and Reviews about Harley Davidson | Page 2


.......I will post pics here if you like of my childhood friends calf and ankle--- he has undergone 5 surgeries and is still in a cast 8 months after his MECHANICALLY CAUSED crash on his Softail----this is recent --- on a model that fell under the above recall ---- he didnt heed the recall....or "assumed" the p.o. had taken care of it.....
---how many riders have been killed----that couldnt say "HEY THE BACK BRAKE LOCKED NO ME "......


You can defend Harley ALL YOU WANT---- I am just telling you ---- I like ya man---- and I want you to be here longer ----- you REALLY NEED to take a second look. at the recalls, and your year/model and make sure its been addressed.


ALL manufactures have recalls ---- but if you do the math--- the number per capita of recalls Harley issues--- compared to other manufacturers is A LOT.

As for the speed thing ---- not sure what kinda SQUIDS are riding the 600's you speak of---the Suzuki spanked my Harley because of --very simply ---the numbers

92 Harley Sportster 1200 makes (Stock) 49 hp- and weights in at 498lbs

The (to be fair standard not cruiser) Suzuki VX800 made (stock) 63 hp and only weighted in at 470 lbs......and that was with shaft final drive! (which I hate)

Simply numbers---- I'm not making any of this up---- you ride ---you know what the above numbers mean in a race between 2 similarly talented riders....

I also stated the Sportster is IMHO one of the most gorgeous bikes ever designed. ---just LOOK at it-----GORGEOUS---

maxresdefault.jpg


Seriously all "fun with numbers aside"

I am not trying to be a DICK just trying to make you AWARE --- dont blindly drink the Kool-aid--- be sure---
and RIDE SAFE -----ride informed. :)


FYI side note---- notcie in the picture (backfground) looks like the guys helmet fell off the post while he was taking the shot -----
 
Wasn't going to come back to this thread but post #63 enticed me.
Adrian stop promoting your argument with facts!

OK, now seriously, if I was inflicted with a crazy idea to get a Harley I'd have a Sportster. Except for the vibration I like the solid engine.
Remove engine, place into a frame that knows what a corner is, while at it add some brakes ... make a Norley :-)

ScreenHunter_1210 Jun. 12 08.55.jpg
 
If I was going to get a Harley------it would be the
V-Rod! --- hey RobV???? V-Rod........is there a connection?????????????????
harley-davidson-vrsca-v-rod-photo-106171-s-429x262.jpg

115 HP (still not on par with my Triumph) 640 lbs (200 MORE than my Tiger) Porsche Designed engine......all sorts of TORQUES....

In a straight line ----stock these things can flat DO a 1/4 mile time of 11.7 seconds.........with a zero to 60 of 3.7 seconds.... That is respectable ofr sure.

And it just looks yummy
 
<<<< wonders what goes wrong with Harley Brakes?

Also, I have a good friend who is a fiend for riding. He has surely eclipsed 500K on his various Harleys while touring America as far away as Alaska and Canada's North Westernmost parts. In addition I believe he has traveled Canada as far east as Newfoundland, and all throughout the deep South of America. When he rode along with 3-4 of my other buddies to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on down to The Tail of the Dragon and we got to talking. His previous Harley had over 300,000 miles on it and Harley actually negotiated with him to buy the motor from him to see what they did right.

As for me, I will never sell or part with mine. I bought it in Oct 2001 as a 2002 model. It wasn't until nearly 8-9 years later did I notice something quite hair raising about my 1st Harley ever. I was straddling the area where the seat normally is while drying it off after washing it. It was then I noticed some numbers on the frame tubing just under the tank/seat area. The machine etched numbers read like this. 09.11.01 and a time made. From that moment to now, every time I tell that story, my hairs stand up on my arms.

harleydavidson_fxstb_night_train_2000_2.jpg

Mine is like this one.
 
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LOOK AT THE MEAT on the ASS of that bike --- see thats KEWL with 2 "ll's"
Not sure what goes wrong with the brakes........but a whole lot of folks are talking about it suing about it and I for one still have the scar on my left elbow as the result of it.

Get them checked--- check the VIN numbers and recalls --- seriously
 
It's all good, as long as we can agree Harley isn't the only bike with issues. There are some things to consider in those numbers is how many bikes were produced and sold. In my area I can say safely that it's a 5-1 ratio (maybe more) for cruisers sold by Harley over any brand. Hell you know how many recalls I have had to deal with thru all the brands to include new cars & trucks from Japan & the US? These recalls are preventative maint. that could fail eventually but may never actually happen. If you do regular maintenance on your bike and know a little mechanical it ain't hard or that expensive to fix/upgrade or what ever you want to do to a bike. It just takes a little know how. I am in no means an excellent motorcycle mechanic but I have friends who can build them from ground up literally out of baskets. Unfortunately a couple have passed recently. I am learning more and more and one day am going to build myself a full on Springer/Bobber when I get my garage built. I am no brand loyalist as I love all bikes. I love the old Triumph's and such but that Harley V-Twin hasn't been replocated for the sweet sound it produces out of the pipes. It's what does it for me on a cruiser. There have been no issues with any of the bike's I have had. We tore my 06' down and dropped it and I learned how to paint on that bike. Hell my 1200c is plenty fast enough for a cruiser. My 89' 883H like to cruise at 90 mph on the Hwy. It literally was a sweet spot for that bike. Crazy I know but on the other hand if I really want to go fast the sport bikes are where it's at instead for apparent reason's. I have had the ZX-6r to 140 mph and it had plenty left. They supposedly shut down at 160 mph for safety reasons lol. Anyway that's crazy speeds and not the way I want to ride. My bike will get out on the highway just fine at 70-80 mph and feel good for a long time. I had a RM250 & KDX for the dirt. My rockets didn't really get past 3rd-4th gear at those speeds.....My 06' Shadow was fine at 65 but after that felt like the bike would blow away with the wind on the Hwy with Semi's going past you. Every part on it was made of thin metal or plastic. That really is the last thing you can say about my Harley compared to a lot of MIJ bikes. There are bikes for everyone and anyone. We don't have to ride the same thing. It would be boring as hell.
 
If I was going to get a Harley------it would be the
V-Rod! --- hey RobV???? V-Rod........is there a connection?????????????????
harley-davidson-vrsca-v-rod-photo-106171-s-429x262.jpg

115 HP (still not on par with my Triumph) 640 lbs (200 MORE than my Tiger) Porsche Designed engine......all sorts of TORQUES....

In a straight line ----stock these things can flat DO a 1/4 mile time of 11.7 seconds.........with a zero to 60 of 3.7 seconds.... That is respectable ofr sure.

And it just looks yummy

I have rode with a couple guys with those. The advertised 115 hp is what it is. Like a lot of bikes & cars. The advertised isn't always the actual. Those motors can push huge HP like a lot of Harley motors. They are also water cooled. I have actually thought about grabbing one of those as I have found them for the $6-7K range a lot with barely any miles on them. I think it would be a nice bike to throw the lady on for the rides she likes to go on. Not super long 1's :confused: Then I could just bob the Sportster. Hell Harley is making water cooled smaller bikes to now.
 
Agreed........they all have issues......just want to spread awareness--many folks dont know about the recalls--- and on ANY BIKE a malfunctioning part can --simply--- KILL YOU---20 years ago I would have told me to go pound nails ---I am a bad ass biker I know my poop---- but --- when it happens to you--- and others you know---you rethink that cavalier attitude.

Just want YA'll to be safe even if your riding one of these
DSC02678.jpg


WHich --- to be COMPLETELY honest and in FOOL disclosure---- I broke my left wrist on when I grabbed a hand full of brake ---thinking it was a clutch (it didnt have a clutch) and WHAMO ........so

I KNOW --- you can wreck ANYTHING !!!!

HOWEVER FYI --- I out jumped a kid on a 80cc dirt bike with that little honda--- 50 cc's and weighted as much as some 10 speed bicycles you get a good full speed run on a ramp and those things will friggin FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (landing---- not so fun)
 
Lol My throttle stuck on my RM one time and I pushed it out from under me as we were in the woods and it lodged perfectly between 2 trees to not damage it but I had a branch in my leg about 4" inches deep.
I was also run off the road on my Harley and went down hard from someone in a car trying to be fast and furious in the S corners but failed to realize I was in my lane (n)
 
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My buddy borrowed my 1998 KX250 2 stroke to go trail riding. He is the strongest guy I know and has even been rear ended by a car on his cruiser bike at a red light and didn't even drop his bike. However, the power of my 2 stroke kicked in and he came home with broken ribs and a broken butt. Oh, did I mention he weighs almost 280lbs and did farming and machinist work all his life?
 
Another nice Harley!
What makes it nice is everything (other than engine) Harley has been removed LOL!!!

ScreenHunter_1211 Jun. 12 12.08.jpg
 
EDIT: About 3 weeks ago, I was voted in as Vice President, as the incumbent decided to leave the club due to his wife being ill. So now I'm VP and also Sgt. at Arms! I promise I'll be back here on these pages a lot more... Just been busy trying to help get the club off the ground.


IMG_5400.JPG

We have in the last month or so started up 2 more chapters... One in Adelaide, South Australia, and another in Bundaberg, Queensland. We also have interest from a club in Victoria wanting to "Patch Over" to us... Things are really progressing at a huge rate of knots!
But now we have the foundations set up and looking stable, I can step back a little and do my own thing for a while, like hang around and harass the good members of this forum!
Yep. I'm back!
And I can't stress enough, we ARE NOT, AND WILL NEVER BE an outlaw 1%er club. We are a family friendly, non sectarian, non racist riding club. (Just in case anyone thinks I've gone outlaw!) :D
 
And I can't stress enough, we ARE NOT, AND WILL NEVER BE an outlaw 1%er club. We are a family friendly, non sectarian, non racist riding club. (Just in case anyone thinks I've gone outlaw!) :D

Alex, the big hole in your comment,
"we ARE NOT, AND WILL NEVER BE an outlaw 1%er club",
any kind of "patch" club, be they 1% outlaw clubs or family friendly will be perceived by the general public as outlaw. I've been into the bike scene since the late 60's and can't tell the difference, to me a patch and the regalia that go with such is a massive turn off. I know from a mutual friend that you're a good bloke but sorry to say if you look like skum out on the road you'll be judged as such.
 
Whilst I appreciate what you're saying, and in some ways agree, the MASSIVE differences are quite apparent:

1- We don't wear a 3 Piece Patch on our back
2- We don't wear an MC cube or Territory rockers on our back
3- We are an RC (Riding Club) not an OMCG and don't claim territory
4- We don't ride or socialise with OMCG's or 1% Affilliated clubs or persons
5- We invite our non club friends and our kids to ride with us
6- Not one of us have ever been arrested or charged with a major criminal offence
7- We don't ride like idiots, cut in and out of traffic, speed or otherwise cause people to pay negative attention to us on the roads
8- We are completely respectful of law enforcement.
9- We raise a lot of money for charities, and don't take a cent of it.
10- Our ledgers are always available for viewing by anyone with an interest in our financial affairs.
11- We don't allow people with serious criminal offences to join
12- We conduct police checks on all potential members
13- If members or potential members break any of these rules, they don't get past probation.

And as far as people thinking that we're scum, that's their opinion...
 
Alex the differences are NOT apparent to the casual observer and therein lies the problem.

One thing I'd like clarified, how can a motorcycle club "legally" instigate a police check as stated in point 12?
That would open a big can of worms.
 
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