Does anybody own a harley?

[shovelhead]

MY 1979 FXS...built 93ci HC S&S shovel motor, P&P heads/extrude hone. 5 in a 4 with a kick, not many oem parts left on her...dyno tested/proven 104RWHP. not the greatest in the corners, but a BEAST down the back streach.

although i do not agree with HD's modern corporate philosophy, i cannot turn a blind eye to all the innovation, R&D, sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears, failures and successes they have dedicated to the sport we so truly love. Motorcycling would not be where it is today if it werent for HD. PERIOD. And for that i am eternally grateful.

I enjoy all types of bikes...choppers, crotch rockets, dirt bikes, step-thru's, sport touring, etc...each type brings something different to the table, and they all offer a unique experience....and THAT is what its all about. wind in the face....bugs in the beard!


--riding is a lifestyle, not a label.

[shovelhead]

now that im off the soap box...dyna's are solid and will provide a similar handling ride that your accustom to FXR as suggested above is a good call...the early EVO motors had an issue oiling the lifter block, while most by now have had the upgrade, the ones that didnt have a life expectancy of less than 40K miles if your lucky...30k is about average. most of the AMF leaks folks complain about is the fault of the primary drive cover, most people switch to a belt primary, vent the primary case and plug off the port in the oil pump block that feeds the primary, and problem solved. I did exactly that in my shovel. Anything pre AMF (earlier than '66) and in your price range would be an XL (sportster) model and prob wouldnt provide the experience you are looking for. the vrod is awesome, i love it, and if you can find one for 6K move quick...before i do! depending on your height/weight the sportsters can be fun to bomb the blvd, or wknd trip...it will leave much to be desired on the long haul! ( i know first hand! when i was 18 i rode a 77 ironhead sporty from portland, OR to strugis...to OHIO for the grand national biker rodeo...down thru the app. mtns. on to Fl for biketober fest and on to TX where i laid low for the winter...but thats another story for another time)
all n all my advice is give it a whirl...its only money, and ya might like the experience. if ya dont, they hold their resale value very well...ya may even break even!
if ya have any Q's ill be happy to help, and if i dont know, ill help ya find out

[Brent]

2002 Harley Road King

Yes, I own one, a model FLHRI, scarlet red, a firefighter special edition, 184,000 miles, bought new in '02. That is me on it at the Oregon coast in the avitar.

If a person owns one bike, rides it and loves it, it seems to be a wonderful, fun bike. ...sometimes it is hard to get an objective opinion from them.

From what I have seen, the genuine HD engines are more reliable than the aftermarket ie S&S, Revtech, etc. "course some of these are more powerful.

Looking for a laid back cruiser? Try it you might like it. I did. I like to tour too.
advice - Wife said "When you want to go fast, ride the Yamaha XS1100" you will likely need both, You could develop risk factors for "multiple bike disorder". How many bikes will you then need? Always just one more.

Brent in GA

I'm sure not to many people here will like my question, but i been considering on buying a harley. Nothing too expensive, im only looking to spend $6000, but i dont want a sportster. So with my lack of funds, im probably getting a older one. Is there any i should avoid? I would ask a harley person this, but some people have to much pride to give a straight answer. So any advice would be great.

[Winterhawk]

My 2002 Ultra Fire Fighter bike

[XJfan1]

To answer your question they stopped making the amf bike in 85 or 86. You want any one with a evo motor. Thats a safe bet

[Cuda 69]

As stated above,don't waste your money on a sporty, the guy next door has one and I like to work on my XS, he HAS to work on his sporty. It breaks down all the time. Dyna's are really nice, may even buy one sometime.

[crazy steve]

...the guy next door has one and I like to work on my XS, he HAS to work on his sporty. It breaks down all the time...

If it's a EVO Sporty newer than '91, he's not doing something right. My '93 has been the most reliable bike I've owned, and I'm including my XS...

The pre-EVO iron motors are high maintenence, but do have their charm.....

[T99Ford]

I had mine out this last Friday. 35 degrees is warm enough! I had to show off my 21" front wheel and lowering job...

[Elevener]

Nice catching the BigSky billboard in the pic. Hell you almost make me want to come to Bozeman,

If it aint a shovelhead it aint a harley! ( not counting older models, pan and knuckle ) Anything newer is computer designed jap crap, no matter what you think.

[XJfan1]

i have never owned a harley. i do though have lots of friends that do. my brother in law loaned me his for my honeymoon. the bride and i rode the **** out of it that weekend. but its mostly custom it started life as a 99 softtail custom. its stretched and lowered. very comfortable. i have rode 3 different sportsters. 2 1200'S AND A 883. all three were UNCOMFORTABLE. my brothers fat boy is a nice ride but the solid wheels can be a handfull in a cross wind.but my 82 xj is just as comfortable it dont vibrate your hands numb. it was cheap and has ton more power. but thats just my opinion. harley's are sweet just not for me.

[T99Ford]

Nice catching the BigSky billboard in the pic. Hell you almost make me want to come to Bozeman,

Don't kid yourself man, it's like the North Pole up here...

...but anytime you want to come up, the beer is on me!

[trdriver71]

Don't kid yourself man, it's like the North Pole up here...

...but anytime you want to come up, the beer is on me!

I think i resemble the comment!!! Got like 8" of snow here last weekend. Same goes for you too anytime you want to come up here to the north pole just let me know.

[b.walker5]

Put enough bling on your Harley and the suns reflection should melt any snow out of the way......

[old_skool]

I owned an old right hand shift ironhead, fun for short rides, I also owned a 80 AMF Electra glide, and was the biggest vibrating, leaking, parts literally falling off on the highway POS!! I owned a 99 Suziki Intruder (Fatboy wannabee) and was one of the funnest smoothest v-twin big cruiser I ever owned, great for reliability, more power and could outrun all my buddy's Harleys with built motors while riding 2 up. I don't worry about resale when I'm buying a bike, do that and you'll never enjoy the bike, in the back of your mind will always be when not if I get rid of this, try a lot of different bikes, buy the one that fits you...meaning one that paints a smile on your face a chisel can't remove when riding it...nuff said
99 Zuk

[b1lock]

my hardly fergesun experience

When I was a young man servin my country I bought a brand new sportster thru AAFES in Germany. 1983. First year non AMF. Picked it up in Bay City Michigan at Saginaw Valley Motorworks. Times were so different. The guy had a little shop with a half dozen john deere yard tractors and a couple of bikes. Fell all over hisself to set me up and get me on the road. Remember, H-D got sold back to the employee consortium because AMF was gonna shutter the place. I digress. Before it was a year old it was breaking down about once a week. Clutch cables, rectifiers, negative battery cables. I actually took to carrying a spare battery cable. Scared to ride it out of town. People thought it was the coolest thing and admired its looks. And made fun of me for buying it. I got to meet a lot of nice people by asking "hey mister, can you help me push start this thing?"