Last week, it was falling in love with an MV Agusta Brutale, and coming within a hairs breadth of parting with my much loved Hornet.
This week it is taking advantage of working in Milwaukee during part of May to book a factory tour with Harley! Yes, Harley! I can't believe what I'm writing!
To use my wife's expression, I must have mashed potato for a brain as I enter middle age! ;-)
Seriously, although I have no designs to own one - not even the new Street Rod that I like the cosmetics of and hear good things about the dynamics of - I'm much looking forward to seeing what it's all about.
Hope the Easter ride out went well, and you got to the bottom of your tyre trouble.
|
What I now have to do is reply sensibly without eulogising. I expect to fail.
Take that tour of the MKE factory. The engines are made now in York, PA. IIRC but the factory on the original site and the history are fascinating whether you are a Hog fan or not. You will be looking at the oldest motorcycle company in the world, an American icon and a genuine piece of American history. You will learn how Harleys played a part in opening up America. You will be received with hospitality. There is a sense of real dedication to the job, a love of the product.
If you can get to meet Willie G. Davidson that's about as close to God as you'll ever get.
Get a ride if you can. Settle into that big comfy seat, fire up that V-twin and let her take you to America. That potato-potato exhaust idle note is as addictive as any drug I can think of and a lot safer.
For me the V-Rods and the Street Rods are obviously marketing devices that the MoCo has to produce to keep up. My local HD tech tells me they aren't trouble free either. But its core products will always be in demand. Even now there are waiting lists for the traditional models.
Rent one. Go on. Just try it for a day. A Fat Boy or a Road King. Or if they're a bit heavy (and they are) then a Deuce or a Softail. Drop that agricultural transmission into first at the lights then hit the throttle and put your legs out front on those cruiser footpegs. Imagine you're Peter Fonda. Then hang on. But be careful, once hooked, there is no known cure. Life will never be the same.
Ownership also gains you instant access to the world's biggest social club. So many tales I could tell you of meeting other riders and making friends. Oh, and (if it matters...) the ladies hereabouts consider Harleys very sexy. Well, a proper motorcycle should vibrate, who wants a Japanese sewing machine?
Next year a mate of mine and I and our two girls (if we can get them US visas) are going to do Route 66 (the Mother Road) Chicago to LA via the Grand Canyon on rented Harleys. Trip of a lifetime.
Easter trip will be the subject of the next Colonies Letter, just need to post some pix on the HJ site. Next weekend coming we have a trip up north for the Bikefest on the beach. Ever seen 100+ Harleys cruising in convoy? If that doesn't stir the blood I don't know what does. The cops don't have enough tickets left in their books to book us for running at 80 mph. As for young women in wet t-shirts posing on Harleys with air-brushed paint-jobs, personally I think it should be stopped. Fortunately my efforts so far in this direction have been unsuccessful.
Do the tour. Enjoy it. You will.
Metzeler tyres are so-so thanks. Very good on low speed feet-up riding in sharp turns and slow moving traffic but woollier than I would like on high speed curves compared with the Dunlops. With those she stayed where you put her until told otherwise. The Metz's require a bit too much correction inside the curve than I'm used to. However the softer rubber has been remarked upon by Herself as an improvement for her shapely little derriere on our execrable city streets.
As for having mashed potato for a brain, it's my brain and I'll have it anyway I want to. At my age I can't afford to waste a minute.
Now then, I'm late for my tattooist appointment....
...later
Growler
+
|
Thanks for the post, G. I have no doubt I'll enjoy it, and will post back afterwards. I noticed the ride opportunities on the HD web site and am mighty tempted. I feel an e-mail coming on. Just a shame that the tours are only Monday-Friday, meaning I am limited to the flexibility of my hosts.
Stay safe.
SjB
|
It's spring that does it, you know. Plays havoc with the hormones.
I've found myself lusting after the charms of an XL1200R Sportster. A member of a local bike club called has one, and is just the coolest looking bike on the planet. I would run her alongside the GSX - I think she would understand that every man needs a mistress - and with my pension unlock plan nearly complete it will soon become viable. Sod this saving for old age, I might not even get there.
SWMBO is even starting to come round, provided I replace the minimalist seat with a Corbin. Watch this space.
|
Ah, Mr Shaw, I wondered when this one would resurface....
I agree the Sporty with all that chrome and polished ally is a sweet looking bike. I know several of them locally where I live.
The love of my life Miss Philippines rides one. Don't be fooled by the Harley detractors, they're mostly jealous anyway. The Sportster handles very well (even better if you lower the rear suspension) and has all the get-go that you'll ever need.
Plus you get looked at, not like those cookie cutter plastic fantastic Yamakawasukis that every man and his dog rides ;+)
Corbin seats are very good quality but a bit pricey (I bought a Gunfighter for my Softie, nearly $400) and you might want to look at:
www.jpcycles.com
We got a Mustang seat for Cathy from them.
Many other options there and their service is first rate. I suggest also you junk the feeble factory mufflers and go for something a bit more masculine, i.e. noisier.... You may have to downsize the jets though. Also my pals complain about the factory fit Dunlops and tend to switch them as soon as they get their bikes, although Cathy is still living with hers and says she feels fine on them. Another 100 quid or so will buy you the Screamin' Eagle ignition upgrade (CDI and coil). Well worth the money for increased sharpness in the low and mid-range.
Consider a fork brace - a nice billet chrome one. The fork trail does give a bit of "whip" although maybe your roads are better than ours.
I'd better shut up or I'll go on indefinitely.
|
Jet black with twin spots, preferably wired in as daytime running lights. The image is already imprinted in my brain.
I always liked the sportsters, lighter than the other HD's and I tend to favour the minimalst looks. A mate back in London has a Heritage Softail Classic, fully dressed and much cherished but even he admits it handles a bit like an aircraft carrier.
|
Now that sounds good. Definitely get the lights hard-wired to the ignition. A US import should have that anyway?
I don't go for the Dressers either. My Softie is the standard one with lots added but only those things which contribute to performance or convenience: Performance Machine Brakes, Goodman Oil Cooler, Arlen Ness forward controls, Custom Chrome LED tail-lights etc. I did put a 150 tyre on the rear which is about as much rubber as you can add without major surgery to the frame and I lowered the suspension too. Makes it ride like a bear over traffic humps but it holds the road on the bends like it's glued.
When you get started you'll want to do all this stuff after you've got used to the bike, and the beauty of a Harley is you can make it exactly your own anyway you want it. I've owned several, from the Dyna to the Road King, but this one is the best I've had.
Growlette's Sporty is as you say, lighter, she's quite tiny but she can manage it in car parks etc. If I have any criticism it's that the rear shocks are a bit harsh. I guess that's fixable with aftermarket ones, we haven't got around to that yet. It's a bit small for me but that's just me.
You'll love it.
|
|
|
£24,599was £25,000Details
£27,960was £29,050Details
£11,377was £11,550Details
£10,000was £10,103Details
