Any Harley owners here?

Just bought a 05 Dyna Wide Glide with 7000 miles on it. It's my first Harley. Always had rice burners before.1450 cc's .It is loud and pretty!! It's now time in my life to just cruise with the wife.
Mike

Recently sold my '05 Night Train. Too many crazy drivers out there.

Sold my 09 Softail Classic for the same reason. Drivers are crazy.

Been riding this same bike for 30 years now, still puts a smile on my face! Of course crazy drivers don't bother me, I transport cars for a living, so I have seen it all! Have fun, but be always one step ahead of the idiots...

Been riding on/off for over 40 years. I live in the boonies now so hopefully keep away from the crazies!!
Mike

Always had crotch rocket type, but that all changed in 2005 when my Dad bought this new. I thru a leg over it in 2006 when he came to visit, immediately understood the HD thing and bought a Road King. The Road King is gone now and so is my Dad but I have his old 2005 Dyna that will hopefully give my son in law or grandson some day. This one has 56k on it now, a few more cubes, bigger cam and a bit of compression.

Not a bike rider but.....I always see stuff about watching for bikes(I do) and how drivers are crazy etc,etc. Just in the last month I've had a biker run a stop sign right in front of me(I had to slam on the brakes hard to avoid him) had one just cut me off on the freeway yesterday at 80 mph(he knew I was there,he just passed me!), had one pitch his cig out and hit my windshield, had a group of them hogging both lanes on a 2 lane so nobody could get around them,etc,etc. Lately it seems like they feel they own the road and motorists should just let them take over. Nothing against bikes (living in SE WI is Harley land!) or bikers but geez.....things work both ways!!

Not a Harley but big enough to big seen.104cuin.

My '18 Lowrider. Still stock except for the forward controls conversion kit that I just had installed.

My 95 WIDEGLID,not enough sun too make the color pop.

I agree completely. I rode Kawasaki's when I was young, triples and Z1900's. Had three friends die in one year in 1980, one was flat run over by a cage and the other two got drunk and stupid. I sold my Kaw and bought a an old Sportster when that happened, then quit riding for 10 years. Made the mistake of going to a Harley dealer with a new friend who wanted to get a new Heritage as his AMF bagger was falling apart. Couldn't believe how H-D had upgraded over the years and bought my Softail in 1990. Half the riders are as bad or worse than cagers nowadays. Real tired of the new clown bikes, the ones with 30" front wheels and bags that come to a point and drag the ground, true posers...

I ride British.

Welcome to the HOG family. Been riding motorcycles for over 50 years. Live in Michigan and have traveled through 42 of the 50 states. Hope to ride to Alaska next year, if health holds out. The wife likes riding as much as I do. Put 100,000 on the last Harley, so went out and got a new one 1 1/2 years ago. RIDE SAFE.

Those 114's are just torque monsters, I rode one once and that was enough, I don't need another payment...LOL

Kind of.....

Glad you're enjoying the Harley! I've ridden since 1965. Japanese bikes mostly, and over the years got pretty heavy into large displacement sport bikes. Even had a Triumph hardtail chopper for some time.

Still got 2 Suzuki TL1000R's, a Buell 1125CR, older Honda CBR1000, Older Yamaha FJ1200 and Kawasaki ZX12R. Like them all.

Couple years ago almost on a whim I bought a really clean Harley 883 and I absolutely love the bike. I never thought I'd find myself saying that. I do refuse to wear chaps or a bandana.

Hummm… do old antique Harleys count? I never wanted a Harley but I have always wanted a Sportster. I ride a 82 Sportster xlh 1000. kinda old and slow compared to todays Harleys but it ran from 82-2018 before I rebuilt the engine/trans and just now rolling 9,000 miles on the rebuild.

I am sentimental with it for several reasons.

In 1982 AMF sold/changed back to Harley Davison.

25th anniversary of the Sportster XL line.

I was 18 & graduated in 82' and I got married in 82"

I have been looking for a new ride when I retire soon and I just cant do new. I am looking for a 82-84 shovelhead FXR to ride next.

I have been gathering parts for a chopper/bobber build and have frame/title & 75% of a 84 Sportster xlx and ordered a hardtail kit/springer front end. ridged looks cool but ride sucks so I have also thought about a Harley trike.

but again looking at all the newer styles of trikes and conversions I just cant do newer.

I have looked into Harley servi-carts and think I would love to do one of those up chopper style. lots of choices with them being around from 1937-74 with everything from a flathead 45 to a knucklehead/shovelhead FL engines.

so a chopped out shovelhead servi cart added to the bucket list.

BUT... if I had to pick a newer one I guess a 2003 Heritage Classic 100th Anniversary model would be the one.

What ever you get just make sure it has a EVO eng.

Yep. My 1987 FXRC.

Greg

I learn back in the early 1960 and 1970s that H.D.. are junk, they leak oil, shake enough that you have to stop after riding one for 1 hour and work on tightening up all the fasteners for 2 hours
I've own and ridden several different Japaneze (SP?) and British bikes but never a BMW or a Harley or Indian.
I compare owning and riding a Harley like owning a Corvette, not fast or reasonable to own but a lot of people like and buy them.
I'm NOT Chevy guy, thanks be to GOD

Yep hard tail

Superbee69 that is a very nice scooter I might encourage Cab_Burge to ride a Harley before talking of their ailments. I have a buddy who 'enlightens' the crowd at parties when he does a burn out for minutes his ape hanger Harley. I love the sound. Love Buell's as well. There is a guy in my neighborhood that rides a buell. Don't know what he has done to it but it sounds like a big block v8.

P.s. my sisters husband has many BWW bikes and he is always tuning and fixing.

My Son worked for Rob Muzzy racing for 23 years, as far as riding a newer Harley that doesn't leak oil or shake as bad as the pre EVO motors I'll pass.
My first ride on a Kawasaki was a 1969 500 triple, the next Kaw was a 1970 500 and finally 1971 500. None of them had the bottom end torque below 5000 RPM that I wanted on the street so I ended up riding several different Honda XL250 to work and in the desert in SO CA, They rode good and lasted a long time also.
I ended up owning several different Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda dirt bikes but no Harleys.
I was ask by Phil Day (Daytec and JPM CO owner) in 1986 or so ask me to ride one of his custom made showroom Harley chopper bike clones with 1500 CC S&S motors in them to ride it to Sturgis one year but I passed due to not wanting to ride on the highways from SO CA to Sturgis and back
I've have lost enough skin on the roads to not want to loose anymore EVER
Dune buggy and quads for me now

I used to, had to sell it when I got sick 10 years ago ,the money from it bought my " Starter Kit 68 Charger " LOL,, 95cid individual runner efi intake just like my Charger,, on my dyno it was 118 tq 125 hp I miss riding a lot !!!

Built this hardtail from scratch a few years ago. Thank goodness for swap meets.

Here's my 2, 09 Sportster & 12 Street Glide.

I had a bike (Suzuki Intruder 1400) about 15 years ago. Kept it about a year. Always wanted one, needed to get it out of my system I guess. Enjoyed riding it and had some good times riding down to the beach...I'm a little less than an hour ride from Myrtle Beach. Quickly realized w/ all the crazy drivers on cell phones that I'd much rather have 2 more tires and a lot more metal around me on the highway.

i bought a Softail new in '05. Rode it quite a bit. Got married, and we rode a lot. Got divorced, and still rode to clear my mind. Took a trip to the Black Hills, and got completely spoiled. Got home, and riding around home wasn't fun anymore. Bike sat the last year I had it. The fall my buddy hit a deer on his bike, and got busted up pretty bad. My bike went up for sale the next day. Used the money towards my racing. Haven't missed the bike one bit.

I have a 2011 Road King Classic I bought new, did a bunch of usual Harley stuff to it (bars, seat, exhaust, cams, tuned it myself, etc) and have around 24,000 miles on it now. I also have 2 minibikes, a Grom and a Yamaha WR250X supermoto that I just put a set of mixed use tires on so it's ok on both dirt and pavement. The best times riding them have been out in TN/NC/PA. The supermoto in particular, riding the tail of the dragon on that was just incredible and surreal, it's such a rewarding experience compared to driving a car. Like Jeff mentioned, if you ride outside of the midwest you get spoiled with the awesome roads available out in the mountains.

I'm semi-looking for a bike that'll go between the supermoto and the Harley. Maybe a flat tracker inspired Sportster OR a hypermotard. Not sure I'm ready for an ADV bike yet.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Everything I've read says it's better than the long-defunct XR1200X, it looks absolutely killer, and is a much more appealing bike to me than the new Sportster S. I can't bring myself to buy an Indian though. I was working at Roush at the time when the last incarnation of Indian pulled the plug on our in house motor design and went with an S&S crate motor instead. I also grew up in Milwaukee and have multiple friends that are engineers at Harley too, so it's a bit of a hometown pride thing for me. It would be hitting too close to home if I defected on them, lol. The Bronx streetfighter concept was cool and I would've considered that but it got axed from what I understand.

I could see building one of these out of an 04 or earlier Sportster.

Other random options are a 690 Duke, a Husky 701 SM, or a light used Ducati hypermotard. Not interested in Ducati's other offerings but I love the idea of the hypermotard. Also really like the Aprilia SXV 550's but I have heard they're a reliability nightmare!

At 52 years old I bought the newest vehicle I have ever bought in my life. A one owner 500 mile 2109 Indian FTR1200. (Indian is Polaris BTW.) The liquid cooled V twin is rated at 120 hp and 85 lb feet of torque. It has instant "Holy [censored]" power low in the range but redlines at 9100RPM. This bike is AMAZING.

Post a picture! They're beautiful bikes!!

2019 base Black model. The riding position is upright and comfortable. The power is like a liquid cooled Honda CR500 2 stroke and then some! The low end power is instant and the 9000RPM redline hits quick.

Lot of Harley owners would agree that you don't have a Harley.

Never been interested in anything HD ever made.

Ducati, OTOH

Love it. I had an '01 CR500 so that description is totally relatable!

This is my V-Twin that I've owned and ridden since 2005. 990 (1000cc) KTM Super Duke. Carbon fiber wheels, fender, etc., complete titanium exhaust, 130 hp at the rear wheel..from a little tuning Love V-Twin torque and power

if you have not ridden recent motorcycles (Sounds like you loved your CR500) there is a category you would enjoy. Its called Upright Naked. Upright riding position and no fairings and coverings. Yamaha MT07 MT09 MT10, Indian FTR1200 several Ducatis, KTM, Aprilla, Honda CB1000ABS and the list goes on and on. Very comfortable with EASY TO ENJOY power that is flat out fun.

Mike - your Super Duke has to be an absolute riot to ride!!!



I'm definitely leaning that way, I see so many neat and quick options in that segment these days. I had an '02 Hayabusa for about a year too. Loved the power, but didn't like the hunched over riding position. I tried Buell drop pegs, risers, and angled bars... sold it after my first trip to Pittsburgh and then immediately bought the Harley. lol

04 V-rod that I’ve had since 07….. will own a street glide one day.

Here you go, the bike or segment that is said to help save Harley Davidson.............who da thought that a little dirt adventure would save an American icon??

https://www.hotcars.com/the-harley-...ave-the-worlds-biggest-motorcycle-brand/

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...-sport-riders-out-there.html#Post2971098

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/11/05/is-harley-davidson-speeding-back-to-success-with-i/

That new Max 8 engine is really something special. And not " For a Harley its a special engine" either. Its getting fantastic reviews plus unlike its competitors the valve clearance never needs adjusting. On a Ducati this can be quite the $$$$ and even my pride and joy Indian FTR1200 needs them adjusted at 20K Miles. HD never published HP numbers just torque. Now they have an engine where the power output exceeds the torque output all the while creating an engine with TONS of low end throttle response that continues waaaaay past 5000 RPM. When I bought my first ever modern motorcycle last year there were a couple models with inline 4 and an inline 3 power screaming engine. Im glad I went with the Indian FTR1200 and am now a fan of high performance liquid cooled V Twins.

I really need to test ride one of those Pan Americas! Everybody who I've talked to with one loves it. Same with the 1290 Dukes (both the naked and adventure versions). Ducati's newest V4 Multistrada looks pretty hot too.

So many sweet bikes available right now! With the new Harley motor being that good, they should really start showing it in everything...

I don't get it. Please explain these 1000cc and larger "adventure" bikes. Just by size alone they seem too large to do any type of off-roading/trail riding. These large bikes seem limited to gravel roads to me.

Maybe I have the definition of "Adventure bikes" all wrong. I think of something on-road/off-road in the 650cc range and either a thumper or a twin. And something that can easily handle 4x4 trails.

Dual purpose bikes look like lots of fun. I snowmobiled for years and got sort of bored rather quickly after I bought my Lowrider.

For me I consider this new wave to have at least three levels.......

1: The all in "dual sport adventure" with anything from a small bore 2-stroke/4-stroke that will get you down the road to another single track with very difficult trail. Not for everyone but the most experienced of off-road riders. Usually as you mentioned a 650 cc limit but anything over 450/500 4-stroke is a challenge even for experienced riders IMO.

2: The 500/650 cc dual sport class bikes that you can do much more dirt/gravel/graded and paved roads without the strain of not having enough power to cruise at highway speed (i,e., Interstate travel) and also be able to carry some baggage like extra weather gear or even light camping gear. Many single track trails are still possible but you don't want to tackle most of them alone for lack of help if you get stuck. Not fun by yourself DAMHIK.

3: The "Adventure Touring" which is what brought about bikes like the KTM 950/990/1190/1290 Adventure bikes and the BMW GS to name just a few of the dozens out there now. This is like the world touring class SUV/Range Rover that is IMO a great alternative to a full on road only touring bike as you can carry lots more baggage, gear and a passenger and go just about anywhere down to two track type trails or difficult off-road section as a #2 group adventure bike can on the upper end of their ability.....once again you need to have a friend on another bike with you.

You would be surprise at the ability of the big bore #3 group adventure bikes, especially the KTM R models with 21" front wheels and 18" rear wheel just like the smaller bore competition and dual sport bikes. Adventure Touring with fewer limits than most any type of motorcycle. A great blend of most all motorcycles now.

Hey A12....Number 3 is spot on. Many buy a big ADV bike as a touring long hauler 2 up bike and it does it well with the extra fuel capacity, storage accommodations and incredibly powerful engine. Just like those who buy a Jeep Rubicon will never go off roading with it many ADV riders stay on the pavement with their bikes. The Pan America is not heavy and at 150 plus HP (not just ANY hp but Liquid cooled V twin horse power!) would be a lot of fun to open up on the interstate!

I spent 5 days running around south Florida and the Keys on a BMW GS1150 is some such number. It was a nice bike, but definitely not for me. I found it amusing it had a switch for taking power out for riding in the rain. I didn't think it had that much to start with.

I normally ride a ZX-14.

Lots of GPX/GPS downloadable maps for Adventure rides in your area and the USA here https://ridebdr.com/routes/ Home page here https://ridebdr.com/


https://ridebdr.com/mabdr/ Mid-Atlantic ride

Thanks, A12. Helped a lot.

I stopped at a Honda, Yammie, KTM dealership this afternoon and the only "Adventure" bike they had on the floor was a KTM 390 Adventure. Single cylinder 4-stroke. No comparison when compared to those big-boy bikes, but it looked fun anyway. Plus I could put my feet flat on the floor, but just barely. Drive by wire & ABS - woooo.

At $6,700 MSRP, I had to laugh. Think I paid around $3,600 for my '79 Yamaha 1100 Special forty two years ago.

If they were to drop the price a couple of grand, I might consider it. But that ain't gonna happen so I won't.

My anti chrome ride. Night Train get it?

Good looking bike!

I have a soft spot for Night Trains. Spent a few days on one out in Vegas and loved it.

A friend knowing I'm a Mopar guy and knowing I have a RR and had a couple RR's (first car I bought in 1969 as some know and friend knows too) and also knowing my KTM Super Duke and KTM connection sent me this Surprised he didn't title it "Beep, Beep Your @$$" ...........back to OT sorry.