I almost strayed yesterday...NOT!!

[TearlessTom]

I almost strayed yesterday....I stopped and looked at a Harley Electra Glide that was parked on the side of the road for sale.  I have looked at several Harleys before and even have one in the Garage for my wife. (shes a tiny thing)  My personal favorite is the Street Glide.

Now as much as we joke about Harleys they do make a quality bike. Today's craftsmanship along with the price tag is second to none. And a Harley does handle great! Perfect for a new rider. (if you can discount the vibration)

However they just feel SO DANG SMALL after riding a Valk.  I just can't get used to that at any price.

Tom

[elraque]

Tom... We're here for ya, buddy. If it happens again, post your experience BEFORE you make the trade. All your friends here will band together and we'll stage an intervention... We're here for ya.

(Sponsored by the national "Valkaholics Anonymous" organization)

[Psychotic Bovine]

The thing I noticed about Harleys is that they do know how to lay down some paint.  Their paint work is pretty awesome up close.

but they do seem rather "small" compared to a valkyrie.

[TearlessTom]

Tom... We're here for ya, buddy. If it happens again, post your experience BEFORE you make the trade. All your friends here will band together and we'll stage an intervention... We're here for ya.

(Sponsored by the national "Valkaholics Anonymous" organization)

No worries,  Sometimes it is just fun to tease the salesman.

My biggest problem with the HD is that all the models look so much alike. (excluding the paint)

If it were not for the logo's I can't tell a Electra Glide from a Street Glide, from a Super Glide, from a Softtail, from a Fatboy.  The 883's and 1200 I can pick out.

I would probable come out of a store and drive someones else away...

[SANDMAN5]

My biggest problem with the HD is that all the models look so much alike. (excluding the paint)

If it were not for the logo's I can't tell a Electra Glide from a Street Glide, from a Super Glide, from a Softtail, from a Fatboy.  The 883's and 1200 I can pick out.

That's what I noticed way-back-when I thought I wanted one. For the most part,
take any harley model, change the gas tank and fenders and it's a completely
'different' model!!

[fudgie]

If it were not for the logo's I can't tell a Electra Glide from a Street Glide, from a Super Glide, from a Softtail, from a Fatboy.  The 883's and 1200 I can pick out.

I would probable come out of a store and drive someones else away...

There easy to tell the differance if you look close. Fatboy is the same as a softail (hidden shocks) excepts its 'fatter'. Street glide is basicly like a Electra glide but is lower with different front fenders, lack of chrome in places, and 'most' of the time only SG have the fairing mounted mirrors.

[highcountry]

The thing I noticed about Harleys is that they do know how to lay down some paint.  Their paint work is pretty awesome up close.

but they do seem rather "small" compared to a valkyrie.

 

[TearlessTom]

There easy to tell the difference if you look close. Fatboy is the same as a Softail (hidden shocks) excepts its 'fatter'. Street glide is basically like a Electra glide but is lower with different front fenders, lack of chrome in places, and 'most' of the time only SG have the fairing mounted mirrors.

I did know most of that but not well versed enough to tell a Fatboy from a Softtail at a glance other than the Fatboy has solid rims and I think the soft tail rear fender is shorter but don't quote me on that.

I knew the Street Glide was lower in the rear, That's what I like about it, and knew the Electra Glide had more chrome, Didn't know about the mirrors. That is good to know.

However you kind of made my point. The differences are very subtle. You have to know your bikes to tell.

But then again I have trouble telling the VTX 1800 from the 1300's.

Now the Valk. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the difference between the Standard, Tourer and Interstate.

Now lets not get started on the engines.   OKAY LETS DO.

•   F-head, Flathead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution Twin Cam 88           (aka "Fathead") Twin Cam 88B Twin Cam 95, Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103, Twin Cam 110,


   INTERESTING ARTICLE ALERT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson#Harley-Davidson_engines

[fudgie]

Engines. I'm not good on them!  I can tell the 88 by the year, 99+, but thats about all I know. If a 80 & 88 were side by side then I might be able to tell. TC has more of a tranny separation then the 80. The 'B' stands for counter balanced. At least thats what my HD friend with a FXST 88B says. Now the the letters, FLxabcdefg is what f's me up, but I'ma learning. 

I cant tell on the VTX's without reading the tank badge as to what size they are.

[alph]

Sometimes you've got to look at other women to appreciate the one you've got at home!!  A couple of weeks ago, nitrojunkie and I took some victory's out for a test ride. I did like the bikes!  I loved the options, like the cruise control, super nice radio, adjustable windshield, ABS breaks, the bike handled just awesome!!  But, then there's that v-twin engine thing.  When I cranked the throttle to get going, I was reminded of a carnival go-cart!  (my opinion).  That think was pinging like crazy! PING PING PING PING PING!!!!  Drove me nuts!!  The vibration!  How in the world do these people handle that!!!  Screw the image thing, give me comfort!  After the test drive, I got on my 11 year old bike, and cracked the throttle and felt the crystal smooth acceleration of that F6.  Smooth.

[Disco]

But then again I have trouble telling the VTX 1800 from the 1300's.

The fastest way I've found is 1800s have dual front discs brakes and 1300s have a single front disc on the right side.   

[hubcapsc]

Terry (T-bone?) brought an awesome Harley to the Whiskey ride... I wish I had taken
it's picture before we rode on wet roads all day...



The wheels were really cool, and I though the motor was totally chrome, but some of it was
"skin tight" covers...

-Mike

[BudMan]

One of my guys at work retired about a month ago and came by last week with a 2006 twin cam Soft Tail he just purchased.  It had 111 miles on it when he got it and 115 on it when he let me take it for a spin.  The newest Harley I had ridden before this one was a '53 74 with a foot clutch.
Although the new Harley was far smother and more powerful in the top end, I was stunned to find the handling basic ride reminiscent of my '48 EL. (My 61 does have 74 innards so it has more punch than a normal 61.)  The roots of this bike go deep indeed.  It may be newer, smoother, and shiner than mine, you could still tell it was a Harley.  Although I would never trade mine for it, it was a really nice ride.