Fuck, Harley stole my look!
- Thread starter DrJ
- Start date
goodfornothing
Spicey!
Those bikes are actually pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having one, but then again I'm young so I'm probably suckered into scenes. Like the cafe racer one. Lulz.
People can play the act of being a cool guy/girl on a motorcycle, but I just hope that doesn't involve being a snob/jerk/douche or all of those things.
People can play the act of being a cool guy/girl on a motorcycle, but I just hope that doesn't involve being a snob/jerk/douche or all of those things.
Mr.E
Got to keep the loonies on the path...
One of my first "up close" experiences with the checkbook harley crowd happened some years back when my bro and I were out in lake lure. We stopped in a little biker bar for lunch around 2pm on a saturday in april. I was riding a 87 kaw ninja 750, He was on his 85 shadow 500. We should have known we stopped at the wrong place that day, cause ours were the only metric bikes in the lot. after sitting inside, it took 45 minutes to get a simple burger and fries, and the other 15ish people in there ALL fit the stereotypical image of middle aged doctor, lawyer, insurance salesman, "look at me im on a harley and that makes me better than you" that I'm sure weve all encountered. Not a one of them had leather that was broken in, or was riding on less than 20 grand out in the parking lot. Seriously, other people came in 30 minutes after us and still got served before us. And our food was cold. All the conversation in there became "anti-everything un-harley" within a few minutes of our arrival, no one would acknowledge us, despite our attempts to be courteous to them. Comments were made by people walking in about the 2 "wannabe bikes" out front, and hows they could'nt match class with a "true american classic". Now, all that aside, I think the new looks Harley has is pretty slick....But I've had a sour taste left in my mouth by the general attitude of the lifestyle they put a pricetag on...
isolato
Been Around the Block
the vintage bike crowd I hang with occasionally, have similar stories to tell about HD people, but they themselves are quite clique-ish. The sport bike crowd I ride with would say derogatory things as well, not knowing I had a Harley. Now they know, they've shut up. I have no HD's now but I really enjoyed them. When I sold the HD, my HD "friends" dissappeared. The BMW crowd in this town snub their nose at any other make bike, and I own 2 of them and my cafe' project is a BMW. I don't get it. It's like high school all over. I won't be involved with assholes no matter what they ride, and I'm really glad to meet like minded riders. There are 26,000 HD's for sale on Cycle Trader right now, & almost 3000 on ebay, and I've seen as many as 10,000 listed there. Hopefully the HD "thing", as it has manifested itself in the last dozen years, is coming to an end. True enthusiasts' will be riding whatever strikes their fancy, till end of the road. Some really great bikes will get built, no doubt. I get all my other shit sorted out I'll probably buy another HD, I like those Sporty's too. I think that's why I keep checkin in at DTT. Enthusists.
Sticker Dude
Immunizations--think twice.
I ran accross some "real bikers" about 2 years ago. I was riding dirt bikes with two buddies and we accidently "dusted" them out at this biker bar (the bar sits off the highway and dirt trails lead to it from the back). I immediately applogized and bought all of them a round of beers (I think that's why I'm still alive today). Anyway, they were all pretty cool dudes and a few of them were fellow dirtbikers. I wonder what would have happened if I was an accountant on a Harley, rather than a teacher on a dirt bike? If you're true to yourself and tolerant of others, everything always seems to work out.
Useful Idiot
Been Around the Block
A guy in our group threw on a set of clubmans on his 883 and blacked his pipes. It looks pretty sick. I think the sporty tank helps the dragbar/clubman look.
A couple harley guys have come out to our meetups. Seemed like ok dudes.
I vibe everybody equally I guess.
A couple harley guys have come out to our meetups. Seemed like ok dudes.
I vibe everybody equally I guess.
i ride with a bunch of guys on nightsters... cool bikes! i also have done a ton of work on them... easy to work on as well... i am a fan of doing a tank lift and loop drags, leaving the mids and running some short shots, damper, fork brace and some progressive reserve shocks so the bike will really dig the turns... one of the cats i rode with last week was working his nighty in the turns so hard that he was keeping up with the rockets in the pack... impressive...
boomshakalaka
Over 1,000 Posts
this forum is so awesome. Not just as far as motorcycle forums go, but all forums. I really dont think Ive ever found a message board with such open minded people with such a low level of snobbery. Im really happy to have found this place.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
I'm not a big fan of Harley's because they are expensive and not always the most reliable. That Said, your bike looks killer. And harley put out the XR1200 and it is the first time I said, I would buy that bike. If it wasn't 13 grand plus tax fees etc. (Can) I like yours, blacked out, no chrome, not many people will be riding a bike like that. How is the riding position? looks cramped for anyone over 6' but if it fits you, it looks cool.
Cheers,
Cheers,
man i have to dissagree with you on this statement... it is flat out false, "...Harley's because they are expensive and not always the most reliable." I will agree with you that they are a bit $$$ but you are getting name branding with that $. new bikes are nto the shovels and knuckles of the past, since the Evo and twin cam motors and even the new 96 they are VERY VERY reliable. most of the thanks can go to the Delphi fuel injection and O2 sensors that allows the ECM to adjust and run the bike at top notch also allowing for Fuel tables to be adjusted. I use a SERT (screaming eagle race tuner) in my harley and it allows me to adjust all my tables, RPM durring warm up and idol, run playback, and so much more, new additons to the bike are as simple as plugging in a code... It also allows for spot on dyno tuning when you crack the cases and do heads, cams, or anything along those lines... any guys that say a HD is slow pull up next to me... basic motor, 30t pully, sert, pipes, stage 1 intake... and there are not many metrics that can touch me... i combine that with lyndall gold pads, floating rotors front and rear... mid blend fork oil (13 w) with progressive springs and actuators in front and 412 progressives in the rear, fork brace holds the forks from flexin on 49mm fork tubes... this sucker will RUN!
this winter ill do the bore, heads, gear driven or chain driven cams and welded fly, and arnett clutch... but even out of the box a stock sporty or even dyna will get up and move!
this winter ill do the bore, heads, gear driven or chain driven cams and welded fly, and arnett clutch... but even out of the box a stock sporty or even dyna will get up and move!
Useful Idiot
Been Around the Block
I've ridden my buddies 883 and a friends BMW rm/77 (i think that's how the motors are labeled) and I didn't like the way the motor felt on either.
They both just felt lopey, if that makes any sense.
They both just felt lopey, if that makes any sense.
garagedoreen
Been Around the Block
rob in socal said:I'm the farthest thing in the world from a "Harley" guy, but I have to admit, when i first saw a commercial on tv for the bike, I did a triple take. I thought it looked really cool. Took me a minute to figure out it was actually a harley ad.I was impressed by it and thought, wow, I guess if I HAD to ride a harley, that would be the one{Ive just never had any interest in harleys, even if I had a million bux}
I dont hate on anyone who rides any bike.
Im an avid surfer, its another passion of mine. So many poeple have attitudes in the water{especially in some parts here in so cal} I could say the same thing about longboarders,shortboarders, boogie boarders, whatever. As long as everyone in the water is having fun and enjoying/respecting the ocean and each other, then WHO CARES. Same thing on the road. Respect the road,respect fellow riders.
I was at a light the other day and this dude pulls up to me on a brand new, SICK BMW sport tourer, full leathers, etc. I was waiting for the snobby look, and he lifted his visor and went to town, complimenting my bike. Ive also been in the same situation where the same type pulls up and wont even look over.
To each is own. I wouldnt quite call myself a "hipster", but i admit I rock an old school lid, funky shades and a scarf. I LOVE cafes and the cafe culture cause it represents character and individuality. Im not flaming anyone or any posts{i got a few chuckles from some of them, especially the handlebars one}
Eh, my 2 cents, fwiw
+1
but a lot of good points writin' here. im pretty sure what somebody said earlier, is that they are trying to sell a life style. we as "cafe racers" arnt really racing to the cafe listening to punk rock in the UK.
As for me. I just like the style and the ride.
and I wear $300 jeans.. hahaha
a cafe racer could be built in many differnt styles. but i guess thats a whole other subject.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
JRK5892 said:
Good To know JRK. I am going on friends who have had Harleys, like 10 years ago, that always seemd to have to have them in the shop for something, One guy I know bought a brand new road glide touring bike, then took it touring only to have the thing completely crap on him 200 miles from home. He never made the trip, he and his wife had to call the dealer and have the bike picked up. If the bike wasn't under warrenty the repair bill would have been $4000.00. The dealer here actually gave him shit for taking a new Harley touring, He only had a little over 1000 KM's on it, should have been enough to break it in, but they saiod wait until you have at least 3-4000 KM's before going out of town???. That story along with a couple other friends who's new Harley's were always in the shop made me leary of buying one. But like I said also, I almost swallowed payments to own the XR1200. That bike is so close to what I want in a bike I would grab one if I had the cash, or could swing the payments. I also think new Hondas are expensive too, because I am cheap
Cheers, wasn't trying to knock Harely.....not too much anyway
