any harly lovers out there?

[fettcols]

Something about harley owners... They don't take lightly to being dogged on about their rides...

If you want to compare performance you should do it on a level playingfield... Harley tech in a buel xb or tuber and an air-cooled v-twin suzuki... I don't think Suzuki has any air-cooled v-twins so I guess the SV would have to be the answer.

I can't speak for everyone but I know I didn't buy my Harleys for the performance... I will say that the sportsters I own have needed less repairs than the GSXR I currently have. The result of that is I rode about 6k miles on the harleys and just under 2k on the gixxer this season. 

When it comes to the cost to maintain... The 04 GS I bought new is right about the same as the 06 XL that I also bought new. The only difference I've run into is that the HD is harder to schedule a service appointment for..

On a side note... the Ironhead had the reputation for leaking oil... Not the evolution that powers the xl's of today.


also... if you remember ed's post started something like this...

I've always thought the GS500 is a great beginners bike, maybe the best. Enough power to have fun but not scary for a noob.

[jdanna]

I've always thought the GS500 is a great beginners bike, maybe the best. Enough power to have fun but not scary for a noob.

I was not new to bikes when I bought mine so the lack of power caught up to me quick. The clincher was a semi panic stop with my wife aboard. Being driven into the gas tank by myself and my mate convinced me riding two up on a ball buster sportbike is not for me. The Sportster is much more comfortable and relaxing, even in a panic stop, riding 2 up.

I have pondered what I'd get for a 2nd bike if I can afford it someday. I prefer twins so I'd probably go with an SV650 (not the S) since I like an upright seating position. I'd probably put a pipe on it for more HP too. That would be for solo riding though.

I'd like to have both a cruiser and a sportbike.

I get wild enough with my HD I don't think I should go for a full liter sport twin, but I could be wrong. Wheelies is all I want. I have jumped and off-roaded my Sporty.

you are so right. i rode with my girlfriend on the back of my GS for a total of about 10 minutes before we both got scared and said f this, never again.

then i traded it in on an 05 boulevard c50, and we ride together all the time and its wonderful.
eventually i want to upgrade to a C90, and get a gsx-r or another gs500 just for me to have fun with on my own.
every time i scrape the floorboards on the c50 i miss the gs a little bit

[porsche4786]

Something about harley owners... They don't take lightly to being dogged on about their rides...

On a side note... the Ironhead had the reputation for leaking oil... Not the evolution that powers the xl's of today.

He's right, the only harley's i've heard of that have leaks are older ones, my dads 04 883 that he used to have the his current 04 road king classic have never had any problems, and NO oil leaks! And neither have had to visit the shop for anything other than scheduled maint.

[Susuki_Jah]

I really like the basic design of harley, Im a fan of old school though not much on a lot of new school rides unless its a ferrari or a buell lol. Just watching the history of harley and reading up about it they have so much to offer, and when motorcycle companies took a hard crash Harley came out on top over and over again. thats why they have such a long standing rep. and have such a great resale value. you cant find an old sporster that runs well for under a couple grand.

[Ed_in_Az]

Something about harley owners... They don't take lightly to being dogged on about their rides...

On a side note... the Ironhead had the reputation for leaking oil... Not the evolution that powers the xl's of today.

He's right, the only harley's i've heard of that have leaks are older ones, my dads 04 883 that he used to have the his current 04 road king classic have never had any problems, and NO oil leaks! And neither have had to visit the shop for anything other than scheduled maint.

The only ways to hate Harleys are avoid any personal exposure to them. Never ride one, but if you do make sure it's mid 80s or older. And, above all cling to arguements that haven't been valid for decades(since AMF owned HD and tried to run it into the ground).

Well, there's always those who believe life begins at 10,000rpms too. Their heads just spin too fast to see anything else.

For anyone considering a Harley, buy as new a model as you can. There's no more to dread there than any other brand. If you want a maximum weight road sofa they have them. If you want sport/cruiser get a Sportster. If you want full on sportbike get a Buell or wait for the new XR1200. HD is not any better or worse than any other brand. They're just the most different and most copied. The models that no one even tries to duplicate are the Buells and Sportsters. Nothing comes close. YMMV

[porsche4786]

I heard that in a few more years motorcycle may be required to go thru DEQ. I'd just stay away from the 07's and wait for them to get all the bugs out of it.

[Susuki_Jah]

I heard that in a few more years motorcycle may be required to go thru DEQ. I'd just stay away from the 07's and wait for them to get all the bugs out of it.

DEQ?

[porsche4786]

Department of Environmental Quality

[Ed_in_Az]

I heard that in a few more years motorcycle may be required to go thru DEQ. I'd just stay away from the 07's and wait for them to get all the bugs out of it.

All vehicles sold for use in the USA must meet federal emissions standards.

I haven't heard or read of any bugs.

[Susuki_Jah]

They have had emissions regulations on motorcycles for years.. what would they be changing it? upping the standard? watch us go to electric motorcycles now like the whole thing will be a battery cell.   now presenting HYBRID MOTORCYCLE for 2008 lol.

[jdanna]

motorcycles still have to meet emissions requirements out of the factory. thats why my c50 has a PAIR valve, that ainjects air into something or other at some time to do some nonsense voodoo to reduce emmissions. I have heard that these valves go bad after awhile, and while it doesnt effect performance at all, the emissions benefiets just go away after awhile.

I have also heard, and i dont know how accurate this is, that soon california will require emissions inspections on motorcycles, like other states do for cars. Those crazy eco-mentalists ruin all our fun.

The concern is that since so many people put aftermarket exhausts and stuff on bikes, the cause lots more emissions.
I say they can emissions check our bikes the same day the teach everybody in a car to not drive like a dipshit and try to kill us all the time

[fettcols]

The '07 sportster comes with fuel injection and... you guessed it... an O2 sensor!

Not to mention the new for '07 bandit is also fuel injected too. Can't wait to see that at the cycle world show.

If the cycle world show comes to your area go ahead and stroll by the harley section and look around, don't be intimidated by all the black leather...

[porsche4786]

I heard that in a few more years motorcycle may be required to go thru DEQ. I'd just stay away from the 07's and wait for them to get all the bugs out of it.

All vehicles sold for use in the USA must meet federal emissions standards.

I haven't heard or read of any bugs.

But they will make you go thru DEQ every couple years like you have to with your car. Which they don't currently do in my state. 
And with the newer harley's my dad said they are putting on catalytic converters now and some other emissions things. He went off on some things they changed on the 07 models, which weren't all the great. They also had a lot of people complain about the seat getting very hot because of the rear cylinder which harley will fix one time for free.

don't get me wrong, i don't hate harley's, i'm sure i will buy one in another 30 years

[porsche4786]

I have also heard, and i dont know how accurate this is, that soon california will require emissions inspections on motorcycles, like other states do for cars. Those crazy eco-mentalists ruin all our fun.

this is what i was refering to. thanks to our great govenor here in oregon we will also be going by california emission requirements in 2008 i believe!

[Susuki_Jah]

well fortunatly we do not have emissions testing in Richmond VA otherwise none of my vehicles would pass lol except my 2006 ford ranger.  im glad antique vehicles are exemt anyways.