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Had a Harley for a week

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  • Had a Harley for a week

    I've been at my present job for 20 years and as a gift they gave my wife and I a $1000 to use for a trip. We went to Charleston SC and rented a HD Ultra Glide Classic for a week. We were able to put on about 900 miles. It was an interesting time, to be able to compare this bike with my 78E. My bike is equipped with Vetter fairing, bags, and trunk



    The good points of the Harley were

    Deadly accurate cruise control
    Good sound system with intercom and CB, built in controls for
    passenger
    An honest 45mpg 2 up and loaded
    Very good fit and finish
    Very smooth engine...above idle that is
    That special Harley sound
    Decent seat and seating position
    Built in backrest for rider
    Factory alarm system
    Trunk that would hold 2 helmets
    Surprisingly good handling...even slow parking lot speeds
    Very quiet belt drive
    Auxiliary flood headlights...so cagers see you better
    5 gallon tank
    FI bike started very easily no choke


    What i didn't like
    Could start the bike up in gear with clutch not pulled in
    Could not get use to floor boards instead of foot pegs
    Rear brake was car like pedal
    After you unlocked fork lock did not need key to start bike
    Saddle bags were not big, long and narrow
    Fairing provided much less wind protection than the Vetter Windjammer on my XS
    While the bike was not underpowered and remembering that it's official weight is 788# ,my old XS has much better engine response and power, especially in top gear rollons
    If someone would say "here this is the bike you have you to ride", I would live with that, but for somewhere around $20k
    I'm not sure if it was worth it.

    As an aside almost all the bikes we saw were Harley's and they don't even wave to each other. I waved every time I saw one, hardly any waved back. So I guess if you have to have that attitude I wouldn't want one.
    78E ... Gone but not forgotten
    2006 Kawasaki Concours....just getting to know it

  • #2
    While you were in Charleston did you get a chance to tour my old Navy ship the USS Yorktown?
    Shiny side up,
    650 Mike

    XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
    XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

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    • #3
      i feel for you man why rent a harley
      79 yamaha xs1100f standard
      best 1/4 mile 13.282@99.40

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      • #4
        Hmmm, a new business concept? Rent to XS?
        Papa Gino

        79 and something XS 1100 Special "Battle Cruiser"
        78 XT 500 "Old Shaky"
        02 Kawasaki Concours "Connie"

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        • #5
          We went to Patriot which has the USS Yorktown plus 3 other ships. And we went to Wilmington NC to tour the USS North Carolina, which is a WWII era batleship. Military hardware is a longtime hobby of mine.
          78E ... Gone but not forgotten
          2006 Kawasaki Concours....just getting to know it

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          • #6
            Should of Said Patriots Point
            78E ... Gone but not forgotten
            2006 Kawasaki Concours....just getting to know it

            Comment


            • #7
              Hey Jeffe,

              Brent...Fireman has a nice FireFighter's Edition Harley Road King, and during last years XS East in NY, he let me ride it a bit while he took a jaunt on Godzilla!

              It's built too low to the ground for me(6'6" tall) Also, no friggin' tach....couldn't tell how far I could wind it up before getting into the dangerzone! It sat comfortably enough, and I could get used to the floorboards given enough time. But like you, I was surprised at how UN-powerful it felt. Brent likes it cause it does cruise long distances very well, and he's a bit more height challenged than me, but he also owns an XS11 !

              I think I'll keep mine also!
              T.C.
              T. C. Gresham
              81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
              79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
              History shows again and again,
              How nature points out the folly of men!

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              • #8
                The one we had did have a tach. It let you know well before you got to the danger zone. Did not like to be wound out.
                78E ... Gone but not forgotten
                2006 Kawasaki Concours....just getting to know it

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                • #9
                  Think most new Harleys have rev limiters, no way to overrev.
                  Shiny side up,
                  650 Mike

                  XS1100SF "Rusty", runs great, 96k miles
                  XS650SJ "The Black Bike", engine from XS650H with 750cc big bore kit, 30k miles

                  Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting, "WOW, what a ride !" - [URL="http://www.flyingsnail.com/Sprung/index.html"]Sprung[/URL]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    .. yep to what 650 Mike said, all have rev limiters but most run outta power before hitting the limiter.. the FL's limit is at 6500

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                    • #11
                      Harley Dreams are Gone...

                      Before I ever bought my XS, I used to always say I wanted a Harley. Now, after owning my XS1100 for about half a year, I have come to the realization that I no longer want a Harley. Instead, my new dream bike is a Midnight Special.

                      I'll own one some day!!!
                      ~ Street Rat ~

                      Mitch
                      '78 XS1100 "My Mistress"

                      Knowledge is Experience. Everything else is just Information

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        .. the same here Mitch, i still wouldnt mind having a new sportster but i would rather give up my 8 grand for a FZ1

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                        • #13
                          .. here ya go Mitch, the price is a little high but love knows no limits, check out how many other people are feeling the love. i am suprised no one has done the buy it now the first day
                          http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

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