Topic: My dad just got a Harley

[cb650PK]

I am adding my sons on to my insurance policy for my bikes so they can learn to ride and we can ride together.. One wife isn't too keen on it but it helps that he is gonna ride with his ol man (soon to be 58).  I have Kawi's (ninja and nomad) honda 350f and a 883 sportster and want a road glide.  I have had sport bike guys not wave back when I am on the cruiser or harley i have had harley folks not wave if I am on the ninja and I have had lots of people wave back no matter what I am on.  I figure the problem is them not me.  I wont change them.  I won't talk down anyones choice of bike. 

I want to enjoy my ride which ever bike I get on in the morning.

how do you like that ninja 650. If I cant get my bike running right I will be picking up something else to ride. I was thinking the 650r or an fz6, but I am 6'2 so I think the 650 might be out.

You should consider the Kawasaki Versys. The 650 engine and frame + alloy swing arm(Ninja steel), USD preload and rebound adjustable forks and shock and 6" of suspension travel. I tested one and liked it enough to buy it. Very popular in Europe.

[dhall57]

Different strokes for different folks as the saying goes. Give your dad a thumbs up from me Anti. If that's what he wanted was a Harley and he had the funds to do it go for it I say. Im not sure why some people have such a sour taste in there mouth about Harley's. I've owned only 2 makes of bikes in my life Honda's and 1 Harley. I got my 1st Honda in 1971 when I was 14 and by the time I was 20 I had owned 5 of them and liked everyone. I was without any type of motorcycle for 20 years, marriage, kids you know the story, but in 2000 I got a 97 Harley Wide Glide. The HD gave me the fever again that had been absent for 20 years and than in 2009 I got my 6th Honda a 1976 CB 750. I enjoy riding both and believe me there couldn't be 2 bikes that are more different than a HD V-Twin and a Honda SOHC/4 and both have there positives and negatives, but on both bikes the + out weights the -. Everyone should just enjoy riding motorcycles no matter what make or model.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Congratulations on your dad's new bike! Be supportive but, yeah, you gotta mess with the old man  I'm glad he got something he's always wanted for himself (besides his family). We have more years behind us than ahead of us so you gotta do some of those things you've always wanted to. I hope you guys have many carefree safe miles on the open road together. Take a week off and ride around TX together. Something you'll never forget!

And for those bashers out there, Harley makes a good product which I was able to afford. You're welcome to come try mine out and see for yourself. They may be more expensive but at least I'm supporting MY country more than if I bought a foreign bike irregardless of where it was produced.  I didn't buy my Harley as a sport bike, I bought it as a Harley. It's taken me on 37,000 completely trouble free miles throughout the western US and Canada and on a 5500+ mile trip to Key West this past October. It's a softtail and it's not the smoothest bike I've ridden but I MUCH prefer it over my buddies VTX1800R. I feel like I'm riding a bike not on top of a bike. At the end of a long day's ride we're both sitting at the same bar with a big smile on our face because our bikes and our 40 year friendship got us there. Enjoyment not envy 

[wardenerd]

serious question.  What is the best handling Harley?

[Skunk Stripe]

Jerry, you ride a cb750f, you can't get any more on top of the bike! How do you do it?

[Retro Rocket]

serious question.  What is the best handling Harley?

Either the sportster, { Depends on the model}  and the  FXR evo......for the big twins

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Jerry, you ride a cb750f, you can't get any more on top of the bike! How do you do it?

I throw my leg over and turn the key       After sitting on one of these tall Hondas then getting on the Fat Boy I feel like I'm sitting on the ground. I can sit down and not stand up when I'm on the seat. No tippy toes and the legs are bent. It's a good thing too. That Harley is one heavy SOB if it should end up on it's side 

[Hannibal Smith]

serious question.  What is the best handling Harley?

The Sportster is about the funnest bike you will ever ride. Been riding for 20+ years (late starter) and my buddy's Sportster was the best ride I ever had. Had it for a week in Fairbanks, Alaska during the summer.

[wardenerd]

that FXR is a beauty.  Harley riders have cylinder envy.  Actually the bike your dad bought is a winner.

[Anti-Johnny]

My dad sent me some blurry cell phone pics, still hasnt mastered his phone, but the bike is black and real nice looking. I only wish my own bike was running. I may be trailering it to El Paso if I cant get it running for him to work on while I am in Europe. So he may be poking around here in about a month looking for answers. He is an electrical engineer, so he will at least understand the voodoo that is my bikes electrical system. His friends are all Harley guys from way back and are apparently good mechanics. I still dont like the idea of other people working on my bike without me there.

Maybe I can rent a bike while I am up there and take it for a day around the foothills in El Paso. Might be an opportunity to test drive some bikes. So far, I really like the stance and size of the FZ6. At this point I might be selling my bike and getting something else, hence the questions. If anyone around 6 foot has some recommendations on a newer sport-tourer for around 2500-3500 I am all ears. So far the fz6/1 and bandit are what I get over at the two wheel texan forum.

So far I have been able to talk my dad into getting a full face and riding boots. I think he was thinking 3/4 but it only took me sending him the pic of the guy with no face from the nose down to change his mind and another of the guy who's toes got pulled up to his knee and snapped all the gooey parts. I dont think I will be able to talk him out of leather. I'll probably have to let him sweat out a summer in El Paso for that one. When I lived there I wore leather, maybe the dry heat wont be so bad. Its definitely bad in central texas with the humidity+ the heat.

His new girlfriend is a biker chick so she is already giving him hell on when to shift and not needing to slow down so far back. I told him not to worry too much about that. The bike can take some hard shifting, worry more about turning that beast and learning how to brake properly. I wish I could go with him to the class this weekend. He is about 6'2" and 275, so it would be a real treat seeing him on the little 150cc bikes they do the classes on.

[hesselfuzz]

serious question.  What is the best handling Harley?

Either the sportster, { Depends on the model}  and the  FXR evo......for the big twins

I traded my FXR Evo for a Buell xb12x Ulysses about a month ago. The Buell is an incredible machine on paved roads or dirt, it handles great and goes like stink. It's got hard bags for travel or groceries and fuel injection, too. And still, I'm sad to see that FXR go. It handled damn well, best of the Harleys. Incidentally, it was designed by Eric Buell.

Harley had their road show in town last weekend with all models available for demo rides. It was a gas but there wasn't any that I really wanted, they make the CB's seem modern. Now that V-rod motor, wow, that is a fine lump! Designed by Porsche for Harley. But the V-rod seating position was wretched.

STILL miss that FXR.

[coke]

Want a road glide but love the vrod. Like the seat position too.