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Message started by MMRanch on 04/14/18 at 07:43:52

Title: Harleyless
Post by MMRanch on 04/14/18 at 07:43:52

Well I done it ! I'm officially Harleyless as of Thursday afternoon . ;)

Now , my heavy bike is 412# Moto Guzzi V-7 , w/hard bags and shield. :)

.....................................

I might be headed for a "Moped or Scooter" in 20 years ? ;D

.............................

Lets just hope it don't turn out like that Japanese video of the Ageing guys all having all manner of health issues and in pitifully shapes , till one of them gets up and says " Let's Ride Motorcycles !!! "

Then they drag their old CB-125's out of the garage and wash the dust off them ! Do ya suppose ridding a 125 across Japan would be " Kin " to ridding a 650 across America ? ::)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/14/18 at 09:18:41

I sold my Sportster a few months ago because of the weight too.
Adding that beefed up frame to handle the iso mount engine, and extra 50 lbs, just put it over the line.
I don't like having to think about slope directions when I park.

I bought an S50 Suzuki to replace it... 470lb instead of 580lb...
..and it's faster.

But now I have it up for sale too.
Goin' Savage solo for while.
The V7 is on my wish list,... but I need a bargain.
I'll have to wait a couple of years for used prices to drop on the newer models with refined trannies.

Good choice... 8-)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Dave on 04/14/18 at 10:54:29

MM/Bot:

Glad you both were able to sell your Harleys - I guess there are still a few folks who want to buy and ride them out there.

I went on my first group ride of the year yesterday.....it was fun and made me hopeful about my future riding. I have only recently hooked up with this group, and my 62 years makes me the youngster in this group - the group is all 10 - 15 years older than me.

The bikes included 2 Valkyries, 2 Goldwings, 2 ST1300s, 2 vintage big Harleys, a BMW F800R, 1 Suzuki Boulevard, a big Moto Guzzi, and a 61 BMW with a sidecar....and I am sure I am forgetting a few bikes.

All of the fellows rode very well, and had no problems riding the big, heavy bikes. We weren't burning up the corners - but we rode at the speed limits and were not holding up traffic.

It is reassuring to know I have the potential for many years of riding ahead - I need to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest!

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by MMRanch on 04/14/18 at 11:01:16

The V7 is on my wish list,... but I need a bargain.

Things you may or may-not know : In 2017 the V-7 got a lot more computer.
In 2017 the Stone model lost the tachometer ,
I have a 2016 Stone (mag.-wheels) and wouldn't miss the Tachometer if it were gone.
The 2017 modle and newer have a Hemi Head and a few extra HP ... ::) , the 2014-2016 models have more than nessary ... ;)

newer models with refined trannies. ?

Mine is a 6 speed and shifts good as anything I've ever had . 8-) , If the Traction Control is turned off it will wheelie in that low first gear ... some times I take off in second .

I've been calling 7000 rpm "Red-Line" (it's not marked) and rarely get over 5000 rpm . In 6th gear 5000 = the high side of 80mph

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/14/18 at 11:04:33

Thanks, MM... did they go to a 6 spd at some point?...

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by MMRanch on 04/14/18 at 11:40:47

Dave , that sounds like a good bunch of fellers you found ! Fast enough to be fun but with :No Blood" and "No Tickets" ;)

I'm met some of the same type in the CMAUSA group , but not many.

Mostly , they are "Rolling Road Block" just happy to be in the wind and calling 150 miles a long day ride !

..................................................................

Is any of your new group got any advice for us for a Black-Hills ride ?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by norm92de on 04/14/18 at 13:08:25

I've never owned a Harley mainly because of the weight but also the cost. I had a Triumph Bonneville T100 for 11 years but decided 500 lbs was a bit too much to push around, so bought a Suzuki S40 and don't regret it. :)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Ruttly on 04/14/18 at 21:46:51

Ok,I'll try to tread gently,I said I'll try. There is still quite a few members that own a Harley and I think most have some questions to ask,even if most wouldn't ask. So let's just say I got some questions to ask about how you feel about selling your Harley's.
1) How long have you owned your Harley(s) ?
2) How many miles you rode your Harley (s) ?
3) Did you get asking price ? Or Did you take the first offer ?
4) Did you get bummed out about selling your Harley ? Or Did you deliver the bike with your p/u truck for no charge ? How did your p/u truck feel about it ?
5) How do you feel about saying "I used own a Harley" ? Or do you avoid saying it ?
6) Are you planning any tattoo removal ? Or just wear long sleeves ?
7) Is ego part of your soul ? Or is soul part of your ego ?
8) Is there any physical pain or swelling or shrinkage ?
9) Are you feeling nutless or neutered ?

By answering these questions honestly you could help others contemplating selling there Harley too ! Please honest answers only.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Armen on 04/15/18 at 03:30:25

At the bike show in NYC I went to the HD booth and talked to the guys. Told him I thought their bikes were quite handsome, and are nice highway bikes, but that the big twins weigh 200+ pounds too much. He said, "We sell a lot of bikes." No interest in listening to me.
Went to the Indian booth. Talked to the guys. Told them the 'Tracker' concept bike was awesome. If it was able to carry hard bags and sport tour, I'd buy one. Keep the weight under 450. He asked "So, if we made a light weight sport touring bike on the Scout platform, you'd be interested?"
You bet.
Guess which company is doing better lately, and which is losing sales?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Armen on 04/15/18 at 04:09:35

Years ago I spent a lot of effort doing up an '89 4 speed Sporty. Stainless Supertrapp 2-1, Screaming Eagle A/F, brake work, suspension, etc. Prob knocked 50-75 lbs off of stock, so the bike was in the low to mid 400s.
When the rubber mounted Sporties came out, they weighed 60 lbs more. Shook my head.
Thought about doing a 2000-2003 XL1200S. Already had high compression, cams, twin plug, etc. Wet weight 510lbs. Figured that with a lot of money and effort could get it to 425 lbs. Just couldn't convince myself.
Then the Savage project came along.
Goal is under 300 lbs. Maybe 35-40 HP.
We'll see.....

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/15/18 at 06:24:32

725554544C59200 wrote:

Whew!...
Okay...
1. 3 years
2. 11,000 miles
3. Nope,... and it took 3 months to sell
4. I don't have a truck,.. I carried it across town on my back
5. I always wanted a Sportster,.. (been there, done that)
6. I wear tattoo sleeves, (never felt strongly enough about anything to etch it onto my skin)
7. Ego?... I'm keeping my Savage
8. Yeah, some... but it's clearing up now that I sold the Sporty
9. Nope,.. I'm still a nut

Seriously,... the other reason, besides the weight, that I didn't like the Harley (and I think this is a bad design flaw),... is the external oil reservoir...
a. lots of hoses to and from that can leak out your oil
b. that oil reservoir is under yer' butt,.. and it gets hot!... ('specially is Arizona).
Also,... every nut or bolt on a Harley is torqued down super tight and loc-tited, to the point that metal shreds come out when you remove them... (home maintenance for gorillas only)

They do sound nice... and gobbs of torque
Nice castings, good chrome
What they need to do,... is put a modern Sporty engine into an early 80's lighter weight frame. Hopefully getting the weight down below 500lb.... 450lb even
I don't know what they could do about oil heater on my nutsack..
:-?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by oldNslow on 04/15/18 at 09:19:47

Dave wrote:

Quote:

I guess there are still a few folks who want to buy and ride them out there.

Yep. Still got mine. 2004 XL883. 24,000 miles. No plans to sell it. I like it.

I'm 5'6", 170# and I turned 70 a few months ago, The only time I'm bothered by the weight is when I have to shove it around in the garage.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by JLC on 04/15/18 at 10:03:48

Still got mine too: 2007 XL883L. I am 5'3" and 160lbs, will be 70 in less than four weeks. No problems dealing with the HD weight so far.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/15/18 at 10:16:58

Truly, the weight isn't unbearable, and many bikes are a lot heavier.
It's just that I grew up on dirt bikes,.. and I have a tendency to be lazy about stopping, parking, and maneuvring ...

I'm the guy that tilts his lawn chair back 'till it flips... :-?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by old.indian on 04/15/18 at 12:15:34

Age 75 (76 in a couple of months) The thumper (with mods) puts 34 ponies on the ground at 6,000 ft above sea level. Pulls 5K in 5th on the flat with 'shield and 190 lb. 6 ft rider. Runs comfortably at 4K (68 MPH) Roughly $4K total investment, including purchase price. Wet weight 385 lbs. Works just fine for me. 8-)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Dave on 04/15/18 at 14:31:22

So...MM - what are you going to look at to replace the Harley?

A better "we" bike so Marcia can go along?

A Dual Sport so you can ride the trails?

Nothin.....?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by raydawg on 04/15/18 at 14:42:53

Ok, I rode for a different reason that most perhaps, but that doesn’tv Delegitimize my question.....

Is a Harley the same thing as a AMF? ;D

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Ruttly on 04/15/18 at 15:27:46

Ray , AMF owned H/D for some years and imported some Italian bikes that carried the H/D name.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by raydawg on 04/15/18 at 15:34:07

Oh, the Fiat of two wheels eh 8-)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Ruttly on 04/15/18 at 15:56:03

I tried to keep my questionnaire in the middle as not to offend anyone and keep from giving my opinion. Maybe I'll be in the same boat in a few years.
But it took so long to get one it might be real hard to sell it. When I bought it back in 2004 the bike was clearly to heavy for my aggressive style but I found it easy to adapt to the bike cause of its low C of G. I find a full body work out in a 40 mile stretch of twisties , needing three times the body language as most bikes. At 5'5" and 175 lbs it gives me a workout ,but as long as it's still fun to ride I'm keeping it ! Or maybe do a cross country ride with it someday. It's a heavy pig but it's my heavy pig and I still find it a blast to ride.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by raydawg on 04/15/18 at 16:10:37

My BnL wanted to switch bikes one day, he had a 1600 nightster, or sumtin like that.
I mounted it, and quickly dismounted, without even trying it.
It was sontop heavy and felt unbalanced compared to the savage.
I am certain once underway it smooths out, or a more experienced rider would have no problem.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by oldNslow on 04/15/18 at 20:22:49

Here ya go Ray.. Not heavy at all. Tough to find one in working condition any more though. :)

https://youtu.be/wd6OwrRkhWM

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by MMRanch on 04/15/18 at 20:27:50

1) How long have you owned your Harley(s) ?
2) How many miles you rode your Harley (s) ?
3) Did you get asking price ? Or Did you take the first offer ?
4) Did you get bummed out about selling your Harley ? Or Did you deliver the bike with your p/u truck for no charge ? How did your p/u truck feel about it ?
5) How do you feel about saying "I used own a Harley" ? Or do you avoid saying it ?
6) Are you planning any tattoo removal ? Or just wear long sleeves ?
7) Is ego part of your soul ? Or is soul part of your ego ?
8) Is there any physical pain or swelling or shrinkage ?
9) Are you feeling nutless or neutered ?

1. I've had two of them , a 1200 and a 883
2. The 1200 was a o4 , mine from 09 to 2012. The 883 was mine from 2014 to 2018. My added miles : 10,000 ish/ 1200 and little more than 30,000 on the 883.
3. bought the first one for 3,200 sold it for 2,500 / 883 cost $3,000 and sold for $2,000.
4. I rode both of them to their new homes , and said Final fair-wells .
5 I'm not against Harley's , or Harley Riders ... On the Super-Slab I liked both of mine. I like my S-40 on the Super-Slab too.
6 I wear long sleeves anyway (Sun-Shade) ;).
7 The S-40 and the Guzzi have different ego's , enjoy both of them !
8. My legs don't work so hard now that I'm Harleyless ! :)
9. My Nuts are still in place and Happy ! ;D

.................................................

Dave ,

Marcia is NOT going on any LONG bike rides . But , we are going to Mammoth Cave with the CMA group this summer and we'll ride the Guzzi. Carry one change of clothes for a motel overnight stay.
For anything further away or longer stay --- it will be , bike in the back of the truck thing.
I finally got a pair of the Helmet communicators things . It is nice to have the phone piped into the helmet ! :) and "chit-chat" going down the road ! 8-)

If I ever get another Harley it will be a Sportster 883 between 2004 and 2006 . I don't see it in my future from here . ;D

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by norm92de on 04/15/18 at 21:04:12

Oldnslow,

looks like a BSA Bantum to me. (DKW) Copied all over the world.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by oldNslow on 04/16/18 at 04:45:38

7475687723287E7F1A0 wrote:

Oldnslow,

looks like a BSA Bantum to me. (DKW) Copied all over the world.

Yep, same bike. The DKW drawings were part of the war reparations after WW2. A company in what used to be the Soviet Union made lot of them too. They were called Minsk, after the city where the factory is located. Minsk is still in business I think, and still makes motorcycles. I'm not sure if they still make the little two strokes though.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Ruttly on 04/16/18 at 06:52:14

MM , How is that leg doing ?

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by LANCER on 04/16/18 at 07:02:08

I'm 68 and have an '05 XL1200C.
Got it on a whim in '11 for cheap.
Keep it for 2 up riding with my wife after I made a seat with back rest change for her.
Neither of us are "lean" and it is comfortable on the road.
A few mild mod's to perk it up a little.
It is heavy and hard for me to push, so just a little back and forth into and out of the garage.
It is primarily our CMA bike with an occasional run to the VA just to give it some exercise occasionally.
No plans to sell it at all.

Tattoo's ? NOPE.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/16/18 at 09:39:46

10:15,... Sporty engine gives up the ghost. :-?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niijO3AQ6zE
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niijO3AQ6zE[/media]

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by norm92de on 04/16/18 at 11:55:37

Talking about the BSA Bantam. I was stationed in Germany and made the foolish mistake of pointing to a genuine DKW and commenting that it was a copy of "our" BSA. Needless to say I could have started WW3. :)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Serowbot on 04/16/18 at 12:05:12

;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Dave on 04/16/18 at 12:16:13

756775676A79767B70380 wrote:

I've had two of them , a 1200 and a 883
2. The 1200 was a o4 , mine from 09 to 2012. The 883 was mine from 2014 to 2018. My added miles : 10,000 ish/ 1200 and little more than 30,000 on the 883.
3. bought the first one for 3,200 sold it for 2,500 / 883 cost $3,000 and sold for $2,000.

It is hard to complain about riding the 1200 for 10,000 miles for a $700 investment, and the 883 for 30,000 miles for a $1,000. (Maintenance costs excluded). At those kind of prices buying used bikes is not taking food off your table.

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by oldNslow on 04/16/18 at 12:35:55

Quote:

Sporty engine gives up the ghost.

Girl "My oil light is on. Is that bad?"

Idiot boyfriend/husband "It's fine"

Girl "OK"

Being brainless is a sure fire way to wind up Harleyless I guess. Wow!

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by MMRanch on 04/16/18 at 17:13:58

(Maintenance costs excluded

The 883 cost three oil changes , a Commander II rear , a pair of 888's , another Commander II rear ... and a pair of Emigo 12" shorties w/home made baffles ... Oh yea , 50+ mpg Gas ...

I can't complain ! ;)

Title: Re: Harleyless
Post by Ruttly on 04/18/18 at 12:23:56

Can't complain either in 14 years only thing that happened was the kickstand fell off and had to get a new one. It's been a really dependable bike, heavy but dam fun to ride !