Which Harley...

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
21,594
Country flag
Ok, I know there’s several Harley owners / lovers on here... So, a quick question or two to y’all...

Which Harley do you have, and why?

Which of the current range do you like, and why?

Which do you particularly dislike, and why?
 
Hey Nigel,
I bought an 09 XR1200 last weekend. This is the only bike I've ever owned with an electric start. It's fast, a bit heavy, loud and handles (for a Harley). Wanted something I could go reliably long distance, also something a bit "sporty". This is the only Harley that fit the bill in my price range, plus it looks cool.

IMG_20200720_195935785.jpg


I also own this 1972 xlch. This was the first Harley I bought. I was impressed with the build quality, simplicity and reliability. It's a classic American machine. Not fast, but has a sweet spot in third gear that feels great.

IMG_20200629_184455367_HDR.jpg


I am not a "Harley" guy, I am a motorcycle guy. I like that HD is an American motorcycle. Big old cruisers don't appeal much to me but that's ok, I can't afford one anyway, nor have we got the roads around here. You don't need to own a Harley to see the failures in their line up, not a lot of variety.

Here is an FTR I ran into the other day.. Also a bike I would consider buying, too expensive right now, in a few years maybe... Much smaller than I expected, fun looking.
IMG_20200721_104018915_HDR.jpg


Still think if I could get 20 more HP out of my commando and a good windscreen it would be the best bike in the world haha.
 
Last edited:
Pete, TonyA over on the modern forum has got one of those XR1200s.

Your ‘72 looks sweet. Bet you have to ‘plan ahead’ in the braking dept though eh?
 
I like the '72 for 2 reasons.

First the gear shift is on the correct side... ;)

Secondly, it still looks old school to me. It's layout is pure functional. there's no molding of parts to make it so it looks like a solid brick of twisted metal under the gas tank. You are sitting on top of an engine, with a gas tank between your legs... What could go wrong with that? :D
 
I always liked the 2007- Roadster 1200 , good reports at the time of release .....
 
Not sure I would set out to do the Atlantic-Pacific ride on my Commando , but I did do that ride on my Ducati in spring “17 , just one way 6500kms ..... never missed a beat , couple chain checks/adjusts on new chain that was it .... think a Sportster would hurt my body going that far ....
 
Second-hand Harley Sportsters are relatively cheap in Australia. I'd like to buy a motor and build it into a light racing frame. When the XR750 TT was raced, it had a problem with the timing side crank bearing. That was fixed in later Sporsters and they also got a 5 speed gearbox in which top gear is an overdrive - but that can be fixed with a close ratio gear-set. - It would actually be possible to get one really going - but expensive.
 
I bought my 2018 ultra limited for long distance riding. Great luggage space, comfortable, handles well, incredible torque and sounds good. I have the screaming eagle stage 1 and exhausts. Really like the bike and it’s the only Harley I ever owned. Did 600 miles on it in one day last year from Montana back to Colorado. 90 mph most of the way. I have a herniated disk and that was comfortable. I do have the riders back rest and that’s a must. I did a few 500 mile stints too, not a problem on that bike. I don’t regret buying it. Heading over to South Dakota week after next...
 
A few of my mates have late model Harley's and surprised in how well they handle for such a heavy bike, I sold a great 81 Triumph Thunderbird I brought new for a 91 1200 Sportster, it was good but just wasn't for me and sold it after 3 years, it was the first model 5 speed and belt drive, but I also put straight threw pipes and a 5 gal bobber tank on it, those small sportster tanks didn't get you very far and when traveling had to stop every 70 miles to fill up.

Ashley
 
Rode a friends late model Dyna, Cams and out to 117 inch IIRC, 6 speed too. Awesome acceleration third through sixth on the freeway; pullled hard from 80 to 120. Handled good too except for right hand pipe touched.

Also spent a day in the canyons on a Buell with the Sportster derived engine. Sweet handling fool! Loved it. Could turn it with the throttle, snorted it from corner to corner.

The joy of both of those bikes was the mid range, easy to ride power
 
Jerry Doe said:
I bought my 2018 ultra limited for long distance riding. Great luggage space, comfortable, handles well, incredible torque and sounds good. I have the screaming eagle stage 1 and exhausts. Really like the bike and it’s the only Harley I ever owned. Did 600 miles on it in one day last year from Montana back to Colorado. 90 mph most of the way. I have a herniated disk and that was comfortable. I do have the riders back rest and that’s a must. I did a few 500 mile stints too, not a problem on that bike. I don’t regret buying it. Heading over to South Dakota week after next...
Click to expand...

Does that have the 107 motor Jerry ?
 
I had a 2000 year Super Glide Sport. It had twin four pots which gave very good (for a Harley) braking, 1550 pistons & barrels, a Mikuni pumper & Screaming Eagle cams. If roads here were mainly straight I might have kept it for more than a year, but it was massively over weight & lacking in ground clearance. What I did like was the engine, nice to look at & lots of grunt. I now have the best "Harley" ever made in my Buell 1200 Firebolt which is as much fun as it's possible to have with your clothes on.

Martyn.
 

Similar threads

NORTSTER1974
Harley Parts-Could be modified to fit your Commando.
Replies
0
Views
80
NORTSTER1974
NORTSTER1974
RobBB
Which Battery for 1974 John Player 850?
Replies
13
Views
268
eo1bart
eo1bart
Simmoto
Which 961?
2 3
Replies
56
Views
1,022
The yaki
The yaki
savingclassicmotorcycles
Road Kings an Heritage Softails ?
Replies
15
Views
358
cjandme
C
gpzkat
Which footrest rubbers for my '66 N15CS?
Replies
6
Views
316
gpzkat
gpzkat
Back
Top