Confessions of Motorcycle Bigot

[HotRodZilla]

I've noticed improved fuel economy when puttering with my cruiser-riding friends
Except for the one Honda VTX rider who is arguably more of a hoon than I...

Haha, my friends used to say I rode my VTX like a sport bike. It had just over 30k on it when I traded for my FJR and it was getting ready to need its 3rd set of floor boards.

That bike was awesome. Almost 100 horses and 115ft/lb of torque. It was smooth and very comfortable. I did my first 1000 mike weekend on that bike. That's when I realized I could ride anywhere I wanted. The ONLY reason I bought an FJR was because I thought it would fit my riding style better. My wife wished I would have kept it, but I don't think I would have had the time to ride the VTX and FJR. Honestly, those that have never ridden a v-twin like that are missing out.

 

[PhilJet09]

I've noticed improved fuel economy when puttering with my cruiser-riding friends
Except for the one Honda VTX rider who is arguably more of a hoon than I...

Haha, my friends used to say I rode my VTX like a sport bike. It had just over 30k on it when I traded for my FJR and it was getting ready to need its 3rd set of floor boards.

That bike was awesome. Almost 100 horses and 115ft/lb of torque. It was smooth and very comfortable. I did my first 1000 mike weekend on that bike. That's when I realized I could ride anywhere I wanted. The ONLY reason I bought an FJR was because I thought it would fit my riding style better. My wife wished I would have kept it, but I don't think I would have had the time to ride the VTX and FJR. Honestly, those that have never ridden a v-twin like that are missing out.

Before the FJR, I had a Suzuki V-twin that all my friends told me I rode like a sport bike. I scraped the feelers right off the pegs and actually ground the heels of my boots off at an angle. The performance of that bike wasn't very good, but it was extremely comfortable and I could ride all day pain free. I switched to the FJR to better match my riding style, but will always have fond memories of that bike.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Honestly, those that have never ridden a v-twin like that are missing out.

I had a Suzuki V-twin that all my friends told me I rode like a sport bike.

You guys are right, I too had a sweet Suzuki V-Twin that I also rode like a sport bike. It was a hoot! Looked like this.

 

[TomInPA]

I also did the Suzuki V-Twin. Rode it clear across the country twice and had a great time. My decision to go to the FJR was frustration with the lean angles, lack of acceleration even at stage III, and the damn noise! I got tickets for the loud pipes, and I had put the quiet baffles in. Anyway, the C90 was a fun bike and I could pace many BMW and FJR riders as long as they didn't mind waiting at the next turn. Fun stuff, and the FJR was the best successor I could have imagined.

And hey, I even looked good as a pirate!

Note the scratched up exhaust. I couldn't keep the pipes off the ground.

So what's the big difference?

 

[Silver Penguin]

i hate motorcycles, all motorcycles. Ride one, and you'll surely die. That is all.

Guess what? You'll surely die if you DON'T ride a motorcycle too. But one of the pathways through life brings a lot more smiles than the other.

 

[airboss]

Don't know what's up with youse guys.

I love my Cruiser!

 

[gixxerjasen]

That's NOT a Diavel.

 

[airboss]

That's NOT a Diavel.

You're right. A Monster smaller lighter 2 X the fun, at half the bucks.

 

[BkerChuck]

Fred, way to go, kicking the hornets nest on this one! I may possibly be the only person on the forum who actually works for a Harley Davidson dealership so I get to see and hear it all!

The only reason I'm finally on a FJR is because the previous owner traded it in on a new FLHTX in August of 2012. That's a Street Glide if you want the translation.

I agree with almost all of the things being said on here. What got me working for a dealership is back when we sold and supported Buell. I bought mine new in 1995 and in spite of more problems than even I wish to remember, that bike still puts a smile on my face in a way almost nothing else can. Through working there I get to see the whole gamut of riders and riding styles. A month ago I sold a battery to a guy on a 2006 FLHR (Road King) which had 166k miles showing. He actually thought he need an ignition switch because he found it hard to believe the original battery was finally dead.I've also seen a 2008 FLSTN (Softail Deluxe) traded in on a new 2013 model when it only had 186 miles on it. Hell, when I bought my Buell it took me almost 200 miles to get home and I only live 17 miles from the shop!

I see metric cruisers whose owners spend so much time and money trying to make into imitation Harleys they should have just bought a real one. I'm not a cruiser style fan but my wife, being short of inseam, has limited choices when it comes to bikes.

She bought her FXD (Super Glide) brand new back in 1997 and will probably never trade or sell it. While we've put some money into it for improved performance and comfort it's no worse than the money I've put into my FJR for the same reasons. She has over 45k miles on her bike and last year rode it on the Mason Dixon 20-20 and the Void rallies covering over 1000 miles in each event.

I guess what I'm trying to say, every manufacturer has built some great bikes and they've all built some junk. Harley Davidson sells a "lifestyle" that for whatever reason still plays with the buying public. I don't get it and likely never will. I do however appreciate the employee discount that keeps me in PR2s!

 

[hppants]

Whether you like H/D or not, if you don't respect their business model and marketing genius, you must live on that river....

Da-nile River

 

[Fred W]

Fred, way to go, kicking the hornets nest on this one! I may possibly be the only person on the forum who actually works for a Harley Davidson dealership so I get to see and hear it all!

Excellent. Then you should have a unique vantage point and also have a copy of the secret decoder ring for model names and numbers

The only reason I'm finally on a FJR is because the previous owner traded it in on a new FLHTX in August of 2012. That's a Street Glide if you want the translation.

Now see... that doesn't really help bigots like me because I don't know what a Street Glide is either (vs. any other model)!!

I guess what I'm trying to say, every manufacturer has built some great bikes and they've all built some junk. Harley Davidson sells a "lifestyle" that for whatever reason still plays with the buying public. I don't get it and likely never will. I do however appreciate the employee discount that keeps me in PR2s!

Oh I can fully appreciate why The Motor Company promotes the "lifestyle" (aka bad boy image). That's an easy one: It sells bikes and creates loyal owners who won't even consider another brand. OTOH bigots like me often have no brand loyalty. I'm as likely to buy any of a dozen other brands as I am to buy another Yamaha.

What I do not understand is what makes (otherwise ordinary) people buy into that lifestyle. Maybe they didn't get enough chance to "act out" when they were younger? As a single data point (representing the bigots) I can tell you that I most definitely got all that kind of thing out of my system back in High School.

 

[garauld]

A guy I play hockey with has a few bar and shield tats on his bod. I kidded him one day about what would happen if he wanted to start riding Indians or Hondas. He hasn't talked to me much since and that was two yrs ago...

 

[BkerChuck]

Fred, I hate to tell you but the Harley Davidson secret decoder ring has superceded to a new part number and is on backorder. Through the years they've actually reused letter abbreviations on whole new models and changed them as time has gone by. They also trademark and copyright EVERYTHING. Erik Buell can't even use his name on his new stuff. He's now EBR if you're interested.

I'm more than happy to offer unfiltered, honest opinions and advice on anything Harley or Buell related whenever asked.

Have you by any chance looked into the new Street 500 and 750 being introduced next year? I'm apparently the only dealership employee who hasn't drunk the Kool-aid and isn't excited for what the future brings.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Have you by any chance looked into the new Street 500 and 750 being introduced next year? I'm apparently the only dealership employee who hasn't drunk the Kool-aid and isn't excited for what the future brings.

Is that because the future moves them from 1962 to 1963 technology?

 

[lonerider]

Have you by any chance looked into the new Street 500 and 750 being introduced next year? I'm apparently the only dealership employee who hasn't drunk the Kool-aid and isn't excited for what the future brings.

Yamaha did that back in the early eighties- called 'em Viragoes, IIRC.

 

[ice_station_zebra]

I don't normally take the bait on these NEPRT debates, but it's freezing cold outside and I've got a bad case of cabin fever. One of my all time favorite bikes was this 2006 Dyna Super Glide Custom (That's an FXDCI Fred). First year with the 6 speed transmission... head and shoulders the best transmission I've ever known on any bike. This bike was FUN to ride. It's was no FJR in terms of long distance comfort or get up and go....but huge torque and peppy enough for me around town and for short hauls. Fit, finish, materials you name it Harley is a first class product. Sold the Dyna to buy a 2009 Ultra Classic (that's an FLHTCU) People dump on Harley about old technology...what? my 09 had cruise, air adjustable shocks, fly-by-wire, fuel injection, ABS, quadraphonic speakers, fm radio cd, intercom, dual headsets etc etc. I used to join up with the local HOG group on some of their rides and they were great people. A few doo-rags, but other than that I never saw any pirates. One time I was in a bar with the Harley crowd and some BMW 'types' could be overheard ridiculing the HOG group and Harleys in general. The old guy (over 70) sitting next to me just shook his head and said, 'I thought we were past that!'

 

[marcusorelius]

Sometimes I leave the dog at home & cruise on my ole 97 1100 shadow spirit, easy bike to maintain (no valve adjust, shaft drive) big fat seat & comfort enough for a day cruise. Enjoy what ya ride, cause that's all that matters!