Running down a Harley

[tjohnson]

So, this afternoon was the second time in 2 weeks I have been on a super slab letting the phat gurl spread her wings. She really likes to cruise around 90 as most on here already know. The true thrill was as I was rolling around a curve I notice a bike ahead of me. What should I do but pass it! Why of course, if it ain't running my speed I will gain and eventually overtake it, similar to most cages. So this afternnon I'm humming along, the phat gurl is just humming away from the 5" stacks, minus the piggies, and slowly catching this bike. I can tell as I draw near to it, it's a Harley, Ultra Classic. The look on their faces as I zip by them, I just nod, and they nod back. I did what I hope many of us would do, but twist the trottle a little farther. Triple digits, passing traffic real well, and I can just see them shrinking in the mirror. I am not a Harley hater by any means, just like the fact that I have a 16 year old bike that draws attention everywhere we go. Harleys of all shapes and colors seem to be more common, which would explain why the phat gurl gets so much attention. Love seeing the cagers when they glance down at the horizontal 6, all chromed out and making a statement. THen the look of amazement is priceless!

The more I ride the phat gurl, the more I like riding her. She's not a city fan, however you give her open highways and sunshine and she will travel jsut fine.

[Hoser]

They all run really well, as we all know, but it ain't worth shortening your lifespan or losing your DL. Automatic suspension in my neck of the woods for triple digits.  Be careful.  Hoser  

[Stormchase]

Yeah.. a little danger.. little chance.. little adrenalin... a lot of fun!
I was doing a ride up north and caught up to a harley. He sped up a lot in the twistys! I scraped 2 times in the turns giving it all I could in my safty zone. Never cought him. He had a girl on the back too. Very good rider. Yet.. I'm still mad at myself  lol.

[cookiedough]

why mad at yourself, you lived to ride another day.  I call it smart living.   

I once was going a tad fast for me with wife on back doing 70 mph in 50-55 mph corners.  I saw 2 crotch rockets catching up in rearview mirror real quickly.  NO way was going to catch them on the corners with wife on back when they zipped right on by me like I was standing still.  I was going to go for it, but knew NO way could keep up.  Besides,  when I did speed up a tad as soon as they passed me, the wife smacked me on my shoulder to KNOCK it off.  Funny part is was 5 miles from next town and they took a side road before going in town in the country around the town and I caught them on the other side of the shortcut with me going thru town.

I maybe in the wrong, but I don't know of maybe but 1-2 Valk riders who could keep up or try to keep up with a larger over 600cc zip splat crotch rocket. 

[eric in md]

  good story i even pass them if they only have a hardley sticker on back ,

[Jess from VA]

I maybe in the wrong, but I don't know of maybe but 1-2 Valk riders who could keep up or try to keep up with a larger over 600cc zip splat crotch rocket.

Not necessarily.  Just because they are riding true performance machines, does not mean they are true performance riders (not talking pure straightaways), though many are.  We absolutely cannot lean with them.

I've spent some time running with liter bikes and Beemers in the mountains (in back)..... it's harder than running down Harleys. 

[cookiedough]

Most of my roads are 55-60 mph corners tops in rural farmland roads where they say take corner at 45-50 mph and mean it for the most part.  Not many Valk riders could go nearly as fast as those crotch rockets in those type of corners vs. longer sweeping Mountain roads.  I know a few, but not many. 

I did see that one video though on the tail of the dragon I think where a very skilled Goldwing rider was super fast scrapping pegs at nearly every corner - NOW that is riding!

Agree though, just because they have a well made leaning/turning crotch rocket doesn't mean they know how to ride one effectively.  Also agree, Harleys are much easier to chase down than most other bikes.   

I just love passing decked out 15-20K HD's putzing at 55 mph on my 250cc scooter doing 70 mph and so far, none have tried speeding up to not allow me to pass thankfully.   

[Hef]

I have ridden most all my life and can't say I get a thrill from passing anyone, If a HD rider passes me with an attitude (maybe something only I understand) I will make sure to go for it, but I never mess with the crotch rocket riders. These young men buy these machines and they usually learn to ride it quite well. I have seen first hand their 70 mph wheelies and riding standing on the seat. Very impressive but not very smart, but they can do it! It's what I call an accident waiting to happen and if (or when) it does I don't want to be a part of it.

[Jess Tolbirt]

my ultra classic will top out at 128 with 2 up indicated..my sons will will top out a more than mine, he has a road glide with a few "extras" in the emgine.. my Valk would top out at 135 solo, indicated,, tru speeds were probaby around 120,, so yea i get a kick out reading a lot of the post where the valk just smoked the harley,,bottom line is, we all have fun and most of the time we get to where we are going hardly ever going past 85...

o yea and then there is the blown valks with nitros,, zoom zoom,,,,
i would rather be blown than injected,,

[desertrefugee]

Went on a 200 mile ride with a group of about 6 bikes last weekend.  Three were sportbikes - two Kawasaki Ninjas and a Bandit 1200.  Two Valks (mine and a buddy's) and an 1800 Goldwing.

Phoenix to Payson via the Beeline.  Some very nice long sweepers up that way.  As we approached them, the sportbike guys broke ahead (I knew what they knew and where they were going).  I also kicked the 'Ghurl in the butt and moved ahead with them.  We were all "mature" riders over 50, but those guys can ride.  I was very proud of my Bumble Bee that day.  I hung right with them through those sweepers.  I did touch down once on a left-hander, but what a ride!

They greeted me with wide eyes and handshakes when we stopped for gas in Payson.  5-10 minutes later, the other guys caught up (at the previously agreed on gas stop).

I'm almost certain that a big Harley would not have hung.  A VRod or a Sporty, maybe.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

my ultra classic will top out at 128 with 2 up indicated..my sons will will top out a more than mine, he has a road glide with a few "extras" in the emgine.. my Valk would top out at 135 solo, indicated,, tru speeds were probaby around 120,, so yea i get a kick out reading a lot of the post where the valk just smoked the harley,,bottom line is, we all have fun and most of the time we get to where we are going hardly ever going past 85...

o yea and then there is the blown valks with nitros,, zoom zoom,,,,
i would rather be blown than injected,,

I would rather be blown also  . I ride with a couple Harley's once in a while. They will move pretty good. I think rider skill plays the most important part.