Harley's gotta go....(long)

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coffee_brake · #11 Post by **coffee_brake** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:23 pm

Shane-o, there were certainly times I felt like burning it. It was a lemon and spent two summers down with electrical issues. Leaking oil pan, ate turn signal bulbs like candy, etc. But it was low and the handling was very good for a new rider. It was excellent for learning technique. I won the cruiser class in a low-speed closed course competition, where you dodge the cones and turn real tight and see who gets through it the quickest. Harley was awesome for that. Again, you never forget your first new vehicle. I traded it for a used Vmax, title for title. The 88 cubic inch Harleys aren't worth very much at all now, the market is glutted. This Vmax is pretty clean and looks babied, can't find anything wrong with it.
What a hoot to ride! The V-four engine is a completely different animal from the V-twin or the inline four. I knew I would love it before I ever saw it.

Here she is after a 3-hour virgin ride of all interstate and all rain. I already miss my Harley but I have no regrets, this bike is already doing what I needed from it:

#12 Post by **Wrider** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:21 pm

Glad you have your new VMax in your hands! How'd she handle the interstate? Do any decent twisties on her yet?
Details!

Again though, congrats!
Wrider

wmg1299 · #13 Post by **wmg1299** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:13 pm

I fully understand the problem with the Harley attitude you're talking about. I bought a very low mileage 2007 FXST Softail Standard last year because when I was starving in college and riding Rat bikes, I decided that I was going to own one some day.
The Softail has lived up to everything I expected, and I still love riding it. However, I can't stand to be associated with the guys who feel they have to have some sort of H-D logo on everything they own. To this day, the only thing I own that says "Harley Davidson" on it is the Softail.
I love to ride my bike, but it doesn't define me. I always wanted a Harley because I'm 6'05", weigh 250 lbs, and felt cramped on the little Japanese cruisers. I was a bouncer all through college (while riding little japanese bikes), and have had a few pro MMA fights since then. You seem to have proven yourself in the military. I don't see why anyone would be stupid enough to think buying a product could make them tougher than they are, or give them any sort of vad boy image.
The hardcore Harley yuppies and mid-life crisis survivors are turning chrome into white-trash bling and ruining a historic brand for those of us who just want to ride.

coffee_brake · #14 Post by **coffee_brake** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:59 pm

Hahaha she's completely torn down on the front end getting new steering head bearings! It was a fun job, let me tell ya!
The steering was fine at all speeds (no triple digit speeds yet) but after a few days I found a steering wobble that I knew was the bearings going bad. No foul on the dealership, it took me days to find the wobble too. The mileage for this maintenance is not unreasonable, so tomorrow I can put in bearings and get the handling right, THEN go find some tight stuff!

I'm just about 5'6" so the Vmax fits me very well. I find it quite comfortable. It's definately the fastest thing in the stable!

Most of my Harley riding friends think it's a good bike for me, and the few who sneer just back right down, I'm the only one of them who's ridden across the country and back on *any* bike. I'm a better rider than most of them and they know it (not because I'm a bada$$ or especially talented, but because I PRACTICE, often). And I'm not all that good! Scary, isn't it?

You're right, Wmg. I just don't have anything left to prove when it comes to riding, the rest of my life including my time on bikes has been enough for me already. Now I just want to keep and hone my abilities and enjoy them.

Johnj · #15 Post by **Johnj** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:26 pm

coffee_brake wrote:You're right, Wmg. I just don't have anything left to prove when it comes to riding, the rest of my life including my time on bikes has been enough for me already. Now I just want to keep and hone my abilities and enjoy them.

True

paul246 · #16 Post by **paul246** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:09 am

Congrats on the V-Max.... always liked that bike since it came out in '85.

paul246 · #17 Post by **paul246** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:14 am

wmg1299 wrote: I always wanted a Harley because I'm 6'05", weigh 250 lbs, and felt cramped on the little Japanese cruisers. I was a bouncer all through college (while riding little japanese bikes), and have had a few pro MMA fights since then.

A Honda Valkyrie probably would have suited you perfectly, nothing cramped or little about it...in fact, the Harleys looked little alongside that beauty. And talk about GO!