V-Twin Harley Powered Trike

[Massimo]

Zulu how abouth the KTM Super Duke 990.......................

[Morph]

And how many Harleys have you owned?

None, nor would I even if you paid me. seriously

However the comments are tongue in cheek

I have been riding bikes all my life, mainly a Honda fan, but had Yammies and Suzuki's as well.

I agree with Rudix re the "pretend" thing. Harley Davidson was loosing ground to the far smoother, faster, more powerful, more comfortable, better fuel efficient and better looking Japanese bikes. HD were originally adopted by the real bad boys of biking the Hells Angels and unfortunatly the market is pretty small and was not sustanable. So they repositioned their marketing and aimed the practically useless product at the fastest growing affluent market of the modern yuppie.

With clever marketing and lots of bling merchandise they gave said yuppie the ability to act out his Bad Boy image. For the first time Tatoo Parlours were filled with CA's, computer geeks, lawyers all wanting an easily hidden tat that could be proudly exposed only while wearing the piss-pot helmet(very very dangerous), regulation American Flag facemask and fingerless gloves, (stupid) leather vest(more stupid) and leather jeans. This while the rest of us, biking scum wore full-face helmets, proper gloves and proper leathers with good padding.

With the myriad of choices you have you can have a moving tassled reflector, completely unique, with limited resale value at the cost of an expensive beemer. But the bike is still the same old rattlebucket, just with shiny bits.

I remember once being in Arniston on a CTMCC club rally. We took a early morning drive out to Bredarsdorp and stopped at the garage. The "thunder that rolls" came rumbling through town, led by a Marshal, with a bright orange jacket with the name "Marshall" on the back and front. Following Marshall was about 10 HD's all at about 110 km/h. Then there was another guy called Marshall, followed by another 10 bikes and finally a third guy called Marshall, followed by an El Camino bakkie and a 2 bike trailer. This gives new meaning to the function of the sweeper.

They looked like a "Bad Boy" creche on an outing.

Apart from that I think they are great and at least more people are actually riding bikes now.

Think Bike

[Beaver 550]

There is nothing better than stopping at a trafic light feeling the heat rise up and the helmet starting to do the bouncy thing as your brains start cooking. Just as it becomes unbearable the light changes green and the vibration is a welcome change. Besides i do not have to sneek up on my house when i was out. When i walk in the wife is fast asleep so it is not as noisy as you make it out to be. Besides we experiance a 500 km ride in 50km. Leaves more time for drinking

[Tumbleweed]

Did my licence on a (then girlfriend's mom's) Harley.

"You want me to weave through all those cones, 3 metres apart?"
" OK" ( says traffic cop) "Jus stop on top of the hill and give me a spin"

Joined mates on a run with same bike, 1200 tourer, serious poliesman fairing, most comfortable widest seat you'll ever find and open piss pot. down to East TVL. In the beginning a bit difficult to light a smoke and you learn not to spill on your legs.

All the Yammies and Katanas came screaming past my 140 top -end vibration, but I pass them freezing their nuts off cuddling under the bridges having a smoke. Half way- stop and they're defrosting on coffees, moaning about stiff backs after only 2 hours riding.

Give one of their passengers a lift from Belfast through the passes and while keeping up with the rest, said he'd never enjoyed a safer and more comfortable ride.

"Please can I swop?" they scream, " that little seat has given me piles and I don't think I'll ever stand up straight again"

And then - there's always one - places the front tyre against the wall and winds his Yammie or Honda as loud as possible, covering everyone in black smoke. Same dude is passed around every corner, barely manages to keep upright.

Was good fun. Don't knock something because of someone's pose,or we would'nt have Blue Bull supporters.

[Morph]

I must say, if it wasn't for Harleys, we wouldn't have those good looking 40 y/o's with surgically improved chests, scantily dressed, dancing on top of the table at her first Rally. For that I applaud them

[Beaver 550]

Is very good headrest to.

[Griffin]

I must say, if it wasn't for Harleys, we wouldn't have those good looking 40 y/o's with surgically improved chests, scantily dressed, dancing on top of the table at her first Rally. For that I applaud them

Is very good headrest to.

Can't argue with that!

[ZULU1]

Massimo, the super duke as we all know is awesome as is the Ducati Monster, very much similar kit. I actually dont discuss any other machines to be honest. Thats just my opinions. I need a machine that will be good for traffic, and not a super bike. I could never imagine myself on a Hardly Dangerous at all, nothing wrong with them (keeps the Chrome mines going) as everyone has their own choice and I respect that.

However some products are just have to have, like a iPod, Macbook air, Italian shoes and the 690 Duke falls in to that category..Its such a light machine with 68 hp and the grunt of a single..Spose a GT 450 falls into the same category ??

Ciao Paul

[John Boucher]

Okay Okay Okay.....

They were the flat track kings in the days when Kenny Roberts started out and yes okay... nothing really beats them on the 1/4 mile top fueler drags in the USA but that's it......

Okay Okay Okay.....

If it wasn't for HD then we would have had to put some other engine into a Buell! Happy now?

I still prefer my TL1000R, ZX9R, ZZR600, Dakar 650, Bomb 650 and soon to have either a Varadero or Caponord! That's the closest i'll ever come to riding a V!

[grostek]

[quote="Morph"]With clever marketing and lots of bling merchandise they gave said yuppie the ability to act out his Bad Boy image. For the first time Tatoo Parlours were filled with CA's, computer geeks, lawyers all wanting an easily hidden tat that could be proudly exposed only while wearing the piss-pot helmet(very very dangerous), regulation American Flag facemask and fingerless gloves, (stupid) leather vest(more stupid) and leather jeans. This while the rest of us, biking scum wore full-face helmets, proper gloves and proper leathers with good padding[/quote]

Well said Morph,
In my opinion, in biking, you dress for the accident not for the pose/camera/chicks/crowd etc.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek

[Beaver 550]

You have to wear the matching B....W underpants jacket ext........ Makes me think of when i was in the airforce. May be history is repeating it self. Allowed to be a free spirit as long as you wear matching kit

[pongopilot]

I agree with everything you say about HD. The tatoo's, leathers, bad boy image etc.

Unfortunately the HD community didn't invent the above. There is more "bad boys" in the superbike area, more tatoos, weird riding outfits , bisarre helmets (fur or mohawk on top), very little road dicipline (screaming past you - no marshalls) , dangerous acts of tireburning (HD can do that with a lot of effort) etc.

Fortuately the HD boys and girls go on a run with with all their teeth.

The beemers guys - good bunch as well although we rarely mix.


And to think this started with someone puuting a S&S motor in a plane.

Good to see there is more HD people on this forum.

[Morph]

Pongopilot,

please don't be offended, this is all tongue in cheek. Although I'd never own one they are getting more folks off their fat arses and riding.

Enjoy your bike

I agree on the Beemer side, they tend to be less of a leather and tassle thing, more designer synthetic gear and they do tend to stick to them selves. However their bikes are awesome, a 1200GS is problably my next buy. Don't think I'd join the BMW owners club tho'

I am a member of Ulysses Western Cape and we are an old toppies (40plus) club with no brand affiliations. Anyone can join, even if you ride a HD. It's about having fun and getting out with like minded folks.

[pongopilot]

Morph

I never get offended and enjoy all the comments. It is always a lot of fun hearing the different views on bikes, planes, rugby teams etc. Wait untill I start one one on the rugby.

I am also past the stage where I try to read something without the aid of glasses (although I don't need blue pills yet to reasch the bucket).

I have seen the Ulysses people at various rallies and the they live to their motto - Growing old gracefully.

As for the beemer 1200 GS or Adventure, what an awsome bike, but too high for my liking.

I'll stick to the Harley Dangerous - Comfortable ride.

Have you ever heard off a very nice women (lady is a matter of opinion) who asks for a ride on a beemer. HD guys get it all the time.

[Morph]

I have seen the Ulysses people at various rallies and the they live to their motto - Growing old gracefully.

A little different - see image

Have you ever heard off a very nice women (lady is a matter of opinion) who asks for a ride on a beemer.

All the time