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Hybridmomentspass
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 09:27 pm: | 
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This line made me chuckle quite a bit at the ignorance of it
"Harleys, they don't make particularly good motorcycles. "
What defines a 'good motorcycle'?
If they werent building 'good motorcycles' then why are others trying to copy them?
I've put time in on HDs, they're built really well, no cheap plastic, no rattling, just solid. |
Guell
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 09:30 pm: |
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yea, since they dont make anything you like you crap on the whole brand? I took a nice hard look at the xr1200x today, i wouldnt mind owning one of those. |
Hybridmomentspass
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 09:41 pm: |
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Guell - thats a great way of putting it. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 10:05 pm: |
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I'm still less than delighted with what they did to my resale value and ongoing serviceability of an expensive motorcycle.
Some of the management decisions have me astounded too. I'd like to know the facts and not just the internet speculation.
But that isn't that fault of the people that own them, or the vehicles themselves, or the good folks who make an honest buck from making or selling them.
That's why I try and keep an open mind about them.
(Message edited by danger_dave on May 01, 2011) |
Ikeman
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:00 pm: |
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You know I do a lot of lurking on this and many other boards. I don't post much but sometimes a post rubs me the wrong way.
Posers are posers and riders are riders. I don't give a shit if you like my bike or not. I ride what I want because it suits me.
I've ridden most of the HD models and I like them for what they are. I've ridden many different sport bikes, super motos, dirt bikes, etc. I like all of them for what they are too.
I don't care what you ride if you're enjoying yourself. I don't like the attitude that many "owners" have - the brand they ride is somehow superior to all others. You wanna tell me what bike to ride - pony up the cash and I'll ride whatever you buy me.
I ditched my last Buell (XB12R) because I was starting to have issues getting parts when I needed them and I'm not as young as I used to be. I had an '06 Uly before that and it had pretty much all of the problems that early adopters ran into. I liked both bikes and I like Erik's ideas from an engineering standpoint. But at the end of the day I want to ride a bike that suits my needs. I don't want a lot of downtime (Uly) and I'm getting too old to run around in a racer crouch (Firebolt).
Most of my riding is commuting to work so I want a bike that meets that need. I need storage, reliability and comfort for commuting. So I traded the XB12R and bought an Aprilia Mana GT. Yeah, it's got a CVT transmission which is awesome in bumper to bumper traffic in a locale that doesn't allow lane splitting. I've had people give me crap about the automatic but I really don't care. It's got a ton of storage, plenty of power and it does exactly what I need it to do.
Ride what you like and like what you ride.
You don't like what I'm riding? Unless you bought it for me I really don't care. |
Imonabuss
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:23 pm: |
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Sorry, the XR1200 is a pathetic sportbike. Of course the magazines will try to prop it up; H-D has a big budget that they want. But it is horrible compared to everything else sporting that is out there. If you think it's a sportbike, you have gotten old. End of story. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:32 pm: |
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Never considered the XR to be a sportsbike.
Very nice retro street bike though, and one of the better performers in that category. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:33 pm: |
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Jerry, thanks for posting that piece, absolutely brilliant! |
Ikeman
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:39 pm: |
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I just reread my last post...damn I'm turning into a cranky old bastard  |
Ikeman
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:42 pm: |
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DD - enjoy your posts and articles. It seems you just like to ride.
I guess that was my point. |
Rpm4x4
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 12:07 am: |
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While I do think that the fake Iphone is dumb Im with Jerry on the Harley bashing. Corporate HD closed Buell, not Harley owners. I dont hate or even dislike HD owners. I wish more Buellers were above that behavior. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 07:38 am: |
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...you have gotten old. End of story.
I have gotten older (and perhaps a little wiser), just like you, but neither of us have finished writing our stories.
I'm not trying to "prop up" the XR1200, nor do I think Jack Lewis or Motorcyclist is, but that's just my opinion. Mr. Lewis' piece had more to do with the "spirit of the sport" than the motorcycle itself, but, again, my opinion is heavily laced with, well, my opinion.
This particular motorcycle seems to be a touchy subject on this board, and I can understand why. No offense meant.
Jerry, thanks for posting that piece, absolutely brilliant!
Thank you. I think Mr. Lewis could have ridden a Ural Patrol instead of the XR that day and still experienced - and written about - the magic of his ride. Interesting that he's "not a Harley" guy, but he "got" what riding a Harley is all about.
Corporate HD closed Buell, not Harley owners.
Michael, that seems to be the case. Perhaps one day us "regular" folks will learn the reasons why, but it's been said here on the board it was a case of revenge.
Despicable, if true, and I don't support the decision to shutter Buell, but it may prove to be a blessing in disguise for Erik, both near-term and long-term, and for fans of his motorcycles and his philosophy.
I agree with you: Fans of Harley-Davidson motorcycles are NOT the enemy.
FB |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 12:56 pm: |
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Hot Jer,
>>> ...nor do I think Jack Lewis or Motorcyclist is (trying to "prop up" the XR1200) ...
Would that they had written as thoughtfully concerning Buell motorcycles back when it mattered, I could agree. Instead they mostly never missed a chance to belittle the brand. In response to a letter I wrote calling them on their anti-Buell bias, they responded to the effect that their performance comparisons are based on displacement and price, and that 65.8 HP is really the same as 70 HP. 
Now they are gushing poetic about the XR1200, a bike that when compared to any actual 1200cc class twin cylinder sport bike couldn't get out of its own way, either in terms of acceleration or handling.
Not trying to prop up the bike? History indicates otherwise.
Are motorcycles fun to ride no matter their performance relative to actual sport bikes? Sure! Is that some kind of revelation? Apparently to the "journalists" at Motorcyclist magazine it is. 
But why jump on Syonik? He didn't post the thread or article link. Did I miss something?
I do agree on one point; I too don't get the ire directed at any group of riders based on their preferred machines. Behavior is another thing though. Bikes with straight pipes are REALLY irritating, more so when the riders are in perpetual throttle-blip mode. What the heck is that about, some kind of a secret code or something?  What does it mean? |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 01:26 pm: |
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Blake, Mr. Lewis' piece is hardly "gushing poetic" on the XR1200, IMO, although I'm not surprised you think so. The bike mags, IMO, have done a fair job over the years reporting on the strengths and weaknesses of Buell motorcycles.
But why jump on Syonik? He didn't post the thread or article link. Did I miss something?
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/348 043/629723.html?1304227988
I do agree on one point; I too don't get the ire directed at any group of riders based on their preferred machines. Behavior is another thing though. Bikes with straight pipes are REALLY irritating, more so when the riders are in perpetual throttle-blip mode. What the heck is that about, some kind of a secret code or something? What does it mean?
Why are you asking me? Funny, I ride a LOT, and I don't see (or hear) the kind of straight-pipe'd throttle-blipping behavior from Harley riders that is so often bemoaned by some of the Buell riders on this board.
Maybe you need to get out more.
Or I need to get out less.
The OP on this thread took a cheap swing at Harley riders, same as the OP on the thread in the link I posted above. No biggie, they can say whatever they want, and I'm not losing sleep over any of it. However, once in a while I'll take a moment and call BS on the BS.
Take care,
FB
[Edited to be a little less bitter...]
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on May 02, 2011) |
Syonyk
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 02:00 pm: |
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I was under the impression the throttle blipping was due to putting straight pipes and a filter on with no tuning modifications, so the bike won't idle if you don't "help" it.
Or, other riders who had bikes that *do* idle learn from others that you're supposed to help it idle at stoplights.
Or, people who just want to hear their pipes.
Jerry/Ferris: I think it largely depends on where you ride. Some areas seem to have more of a "cruiser culture" than others. Albuquerque has massive amounts of it. There are a ton of Harleys, choppers, customs, and other random shiny things rolling around. You'll get a few hundred bikes at "bike night at the bar" type things.
And, then tend to go for cluster rides (it's not "group riding," it's "cluster riding") on winding roads around here with chains of 20-30 bikes so it's impossible to pass them. |
Jb2
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 03:36 pm: |
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WOW! A guy misses a weekend on BadWeB and all hell breaks loose.
Hot Jer.... bitter? NAAAAH! I caught a glimpse of that aimed at a Shenandoah National Park ranger one time but he wasn't riding a Buell.  |
Scooter808484
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 03:56 pm: |
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I'm still less than delighted with what they did to my resale value and ongoing serviceability of an expensive motorcycle
Me Too!! (But I still like my Road King.)} |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 04:17 pm: |
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>>> straight-pipe'd throttle-blipping behavior from Harley riders
I didn't single out Harley riders on that.
Some Buell riders do it too.
I still think it's secret code for something. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 05:02 pm: |
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Jerry/Ferris: I think it largely depends on where you ride.
I've ridden most of the country, including Albuquerque and Taos with Erik Buell and a hundred of his closest friends. What you see depends, I think, on what you want to see. What I see is a two-wheeled brotherhood; we all ride to ride.
You seem to have pigeon-holed "Harleys, choppers, customs, and other random shiny things" into a neat little group of folks not worthy of your respect, based on your experiences in and around one small town in America. That's a tough pull, sir.
I didn't single out Harley riders on that.
No, you didn't. But that's what you meant, right?
Have at it folks; I need to stick to the Tale Section where I belong.
FB |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 05:39 pm: |
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Funny, I ride a LOT, and I don't see (or hear) the kind of straight-pipe'd throttle-blipping behavior from Harley riders that is so often bemoaned by some of the Buell riders on this board.
Come to the Milwaukee area. I hear the straight pipe, throttle blippers every day when the temp gets about 45 or so.
I find it particularly humorous when they keep blipping the throttle while backing up. I've once asked a member of the fringe crowd if they had reverse. He looked at me funny, and didn't understand my question...
Hey, I see squids on sportbikes do the same thing as well. It's just far more common in this area with HDs.
Now, before you lambaste me for picking on HD riders... I am, and have been a H.O.G. member for quite a few years, and ride with HD folk on several charity rides a year. But I've seen far too much dangerous riding the past few group rides to continue participating with them like I have in the past. |
Reindog
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 05:41 pm: |
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quote:Have at it folks; I need to stick to the Tale Section where I belong.
I think Hot Jer meantTail section and I am not referring to motorcycles. |
Syonyk
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 07:02 pm: |
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But I've seen far too much dangerous riding the past few group rides to continue participating with them like I have in the past.
I rode with a group that included a number of cruiser riders for a few months. The weather got warm and the "crashes per ride" average went above 1. Part of the blame belongs to mid-ride bars. It wasn't the sport touring riders crashing.
The Albuquerque police department used to escort various charity rides. After a huge fiasco on last year's Rio Rancho Toy Run (2 significant crashes in the ride, 4 or 5 people sent to the hospital with head injuries), they've stopped escorting non-helmeted riders.
The majority of bikes in both of those groups were Harleys.
Also, my girlfriend who has been riding for a month was complemented on her riding skills at a HD demo day. She kept up with me & the leader at a moderate pace! ... nobody else in the group seemed to be good with it. She's a competent rider. Not great, but competent.
I try not to ride in close proximity to Harleys. There do exist good, skilled, competent, sober riders who can hold a group formation. However, in my experience, they're statistically the minority, and a small minority at that.
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Hybridmomentspass
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 09:54 pm: |
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Id like to know the statistics (not opinions) of crashes-per-ride with cruisers (any and all) VS sportbikes (any and all)
Everyone talks about how they've ridden in groups of HD owners and how dangerous it was etc etc, but yet people arent talking about the group rides with other sportbike guys that had had an accident. |
Hybridmomentspass
| | Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 09:56 pm: |
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as much as Blake bitches about HD owners and bikes, I'd say youre more than likely correct
" "I didn't single out Harley riders on that. "
No, you didn't. But that's what you meant, right? " |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 04:21 pm: |
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>>> as much as Blake bitches about HD owners and bikes
Show me one example. I don't recall ever "bitching about HD owners" or the "bikes" ever. I used to defend the bikes quite often on this very forum. I used to have one on my to-buy list.
>>> But that's what you meant, right?
No, that is not what I meant. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 04:31 pm: |
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I don't recall ever "bitching about HD owners" or the "bikes" ever.
I concur, and think Mr. Owens' comment was, at best, not warranted.
No, that is not what I meant.
Fair enough.
Peace,
FB |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 05:32 pm: |
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A neighborhood guy around here rides some sort of Japanese cruiser bike, low on power, long on straight pipes. REALLY annoying. He's the first that comes to mind. |
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