Harley-Davidson

[lazs2]

ammo... I did drag race quite a bit... your numbers are spot on but.....   you are wrong.   in fact... it is possible  for two cars to cross the line at about the same time with a difference of a second in et.   Most of you are not capable of winning races at the drags when you have a second advantage in potential over your opponent when the times we are talking about are below the 10's.    If you don't belive me I would suggest that you take your 9 second sport bikes to the drags during the "run what ya brung' "grudge nite" or whatever your local track calls the time open for the public to run.
lazs

[-ammo-]

The truth is, I dont have any experience racing my scooter, or any other scooter.  However,  I have alot of experience racing 4 wheelers.  I enjoy it immensely,  but my checking account and curent obligations don't support it.

I suppose you are talking about bracket racing, which is what I have experience in. The race is over in the first 60 feet , as you know.

So lets summarize.  I am stubborn, you are stubborn, I like you,  you like me,  you dont like sport bikes (and possibly their owners?),  I don't like harleys ( I do like other cruisers however),  and  we both like really hot furballs.  I can live with that

[lazs2]

well..... yeah.  

 Be careful out there buddy.   One minute you are a handsome well formed lad and the next.... 5 surgeons are trying to keep you alive and figure out what parts they can save.  
lazs

[beet1e]

I was on my way home from the Lakes, and about 8 miles from home I made history. I saw a couple of HDs in my rearview mirror, so I let them pass me. History was made when, for the first time I can remember, I saw a Harley exceed 30mph. They did all of 65 along the Fair Mile coming into Henley-on-Thames. I had to change down into 5th to avoid overrunning them.

My question is: Why do HD engines always sound like crap? Listen to European or Japanese bike engines, and you can tell you're listening to a well tuned machine. A Harley sounds like a bag of nails, or at best a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine with a blown head gasket.

[Thorns]

uh-oh......let the shelling begin

[Mark Luper]

Originally posted by -ammo-
 I don't like harleys ( I do like other cruisers however)

What is it in particular you don't like about Harleys? How many have you ridden Trey? You like "other" cruisers, is there a stigma about Harley Davidson motorcycles that turns you off? Reason I question you is because I have always thought of you as an intelligent and reasonable person. I used to have less than positive view of them myself but since they have improved the manufacturing and design of these scooters I was finally able to appreciate them for what they were meant to be.

Are you associating the machinery with some of the individuals that ride them? I find it puzzling. As I said before, different strokes for different folks.

[Mark Luper]

Originally posted by beet1e

My question is: Why do HD engines always sound like crap? Listen to European or Japanese bike engines, and you can tell you're listening to a well tuned machine. A Harley sounds like a bag of nails, or at best a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine with a blown head gasket.

Well...( I just considered the source of these comments ) I suppose we all have different tastes not only in what we percieve to be beautifull but what sounds good to us. I like the sound of a well tuned engine. Ducatis, Harleys, and other V twins sound different than inline 4s and two strokes. I like the sound of each. I also like the sound of big block auto engines and high revving multivalved F1 engines. If I had to listen to one for an extended period of time though I would prefer something with a low frequency sound such as a V-twin or big block.

My new Harley has the factory installed exhaust system on it. I prefer it to the louder versions available from aftermarket companies. It still has that great low frequency throb to it inherent in the design and I don't find it intrusive.

[-ammo-]

Originally posted by Mark Luper
What is it in particular you don't like about Harleys? How many have you ridden Trey? You like "other" cruisers, is there a stigma about Harley Davidson motorcycles that turns you off? Reason I question you is because I have always thought of you as an intelligent and reasonable person. I used to have less than positive view of them myself but since they have improved the manufacturing and design of these scooters I was finally able to appreciate them for what they were meant to be.

Are you associating the machinery with some of the individuals that ride them? I find it puzzling. As I said before, different strokes for different folks.

I guess its the price thing for me, and that, IMO, the Japanese and the Triumph bikes give more for the dollar.  There is a huge Harley following,  but I don't get it. No, I have not road one,  so I cant comment on that.  I think simply because of their storied history, the only really competitive American scooter company, they demand a high price.  But hey, people are paying for it so the market is definately there.  Do you think that Harley owners cheerfully wave at me on my sportbike as we pass ways?  I certainly wave at them, as a rider you know that is the standard behavior.

I hope you will still consider me an intelligent and reasonable person, I have not changed.  Hope to see you either here or in Ft. Worth.

[Mark Luper]

I can certainly understand the price thing. The main criteria I used when I decided to purchase a new scooter was that it be designed, manufactured, and owned by an US company. There is not a lot of choices there unless you like V twins.  Harleys, Indians, and a gaggle of Harley type custom clones are the only choices out there matching my criteria.

P.S. I have found it interesting that most sport bike riders or Japanese cruiser riders won't return a wave. I'm getting to the point I wonder if it's worth it. (the waving I mean )

[lazs2]

beetle... you would probly say that the small block in my Healey sounds like it is not in tune or has a blown head gasket or something.... at least at idle.    I don't think we would hear much out of you tho at 6500 rpm shifting into third.

believe me.... your girfriend thinks they sound great.

When I first rode jap bikes... I had only rode Harleys and british 40 inchers.... I thought...   either the Harley and the brit bikes are motorcyes and these jap bikes are something else or vice versa... the Harleys and brit bikes were around longer so I went with the former idea...  Never rode any jap bike no matter how fast.... that I would like to actually own.
lazs

[beet1e]

Lazs!  I would love to hear the engines in both your Healey and your Elk. Hoping you'll bring one of those cars to the con. I always loved the sound of American V8 engines... I also love the sound of high performance German engines - VW V6 and BMW 6/V8 etc. I'll want to go for a ride in Ripsnort's Bimmer...

[Snork]

Originally posted by Mark Luper


P.S. I have found it interesting that most sport bike riders or Japanese cruiser riders won't return a wave. I'm getting to the point I wonder if it's worth it. (the waving I mean )

I suspect they are so surprised to get a wave from a Harley rider they're too stunned to wave back. I'm surprised they don't fall right out of the saddle.