quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
HD is selling every single Pan America they make, they can't keep up in production

It's a sharp looking bike. I'd like about an hour on one to see what it's all about but I'm certain I wouldn't buy one new right now. MoCo did a good job with the Pan America, the Sportster? Not so much (IMHO )

There are a lot of dealerships that have Demo bikes and will let you ride one. I test rode a Pan American out at Stonewall Harley in Orange. Give them a call.

It's not my cup of tea, bad knees, it was not comfortable for me, but it is a sweet bike.

My first (and last) HD was a '68 XLCH Sporty. I had up to then only ridden Triumphs, but the Triumph/Yamaha dealer I was wrenching at owner bought a new XLCH but took a lot of shit for it - so he sold it to me. I thought I was the King of the Effing World, 18 years old with a brand new '68 T120R Bonneville AND a new '68 XLCH Sportster.

The XLCH Sportster had a mag for ignition, and a spark advance/retard control on the left grip, similar to the throttle. I ended up on my head a couple of times late at night after some hard drinking, and forgetting to retard the spark before kick starting that bitch.

Not mine, but it looked like this except mine had a smaller peanut tank with the HD logo airbrushed on the sides of the tank - paint by Molly.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aileron,

quote:

Originally posted by side_shot:
I'll take this one i am getting old and need more stuff when i travel


[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jreNazSIGP8" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

I have seen several of the Roadmaster trikes. They are very nice. I like the big Honda trike and its 6 cylinder best. I did a Maps online review for the local Indian dealer. As of last Autumn I had over 116,000 people view the photos I posted. Probably a lot higher now.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
My first (and last) HD was a '68 XLCH Sporty. I had up to then only ridden Triumphs, but the Triumph/Yamaha dealer I was wrenching at owner bought a new XLCH but took a lot of shit for it - so he sold it to me. I thought I was the King of the Effing World, 18 years old with a brand new '68 T120R Bonneville AND an a new '68 XLCH Sportster.

The XLCH Sportster had a mag for ignition, and a spark advance/retard control on the left grip, similar to the throttle. I ended up on my head a couple of times late at night after some hard drinking, and forgetting to retard the spark before kick starting that bitch.

You thought you were king of the world because you were.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
My first (and last) HD was a '68 XLCH Sporty. I had up to then only ridden Triumphs, but the Triumph/Yamaha dealer I was wrenching at owner bought a new XLCH but took a lot of shit for it - so he sold it to me. I thought I was the King of the Effing World, 18 years old with a brand new '68 T120R Bonneville AND an a new '68 XLCH Sportster.

The XLCH Sportster had a mag for ignition, and a spark advance/retard control on the left grip, similar to the throttle. I ended up on my head a couple of times late at night after some hard drinking, and forgetting to retard the spark before kick starting that bitch.

You thought you were king of the world because you were.

HaHa! It was the beginning of owning waaay too many bikes for my situation, a malady that continues to this day.

aileron, you're the boss!!

I don't like the Harley, but admittedly I'm a Honda guy. I have four Hondas, with the newest being a 1981 CB900C. When I want a good shaking, I take the 1977 Yamaha XS650 out for a spin.

Considering my bias, this bike doesn't do anything for me. I actually like the 883, but if I were going to get a bruiser style bike, which to me is what this new Sportster S looks like, I would go find me a slightly used Rocket III, or Valkyrie . The worst part of the new HD Sportster is the scrambler style exhaust. Seems odd.

I do like the Indian.

Oh boy, another new Harley and a good running 600cc UJM would out run it.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
Oh boy, another new Harley and a good running 600cc UJM would out run it.

...and cost way less doing it.

I had a 2008 1200C. I liked that Sportster, rode her for three years. Here is a pic.

I had and rode a 1984 Sportster 1000cc for 5 years. It had been converted to final belt drive (really nice) by the dealer. When I had a bad accident in 1989 I had the bike repaired and sold it. It eventually made its way to The Netherlands, I understand.

flashguy

quote:

The Sportster S is more than just a new engine. Its powertrain is a structural member of the chassis, which means it doesn't have a conventional frame, but sub-frame elements bolted directly to the driveline.

The Vincent Black Shadow did this over 70 years ago.

I'm really glad to see HD is finally using the VRod motor for something. I had an 03 VRod and the only good thing about it was that motor. I'd kind of like to see where they've taken it. 121 HP in a reasonably light bike should be a hoot.

That exhaust though is a sin against god, nature, and the rider's inner right thigh.

Even with several professional upgrades I maxed my 2012 forty-eight at 93 hp. So looks aside, 121 is quite the jump.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
I'm really glad to see HD is finally using the VRod motor for something. I had an 03 VRod and the only good thing about it was that motor. I'd kind of like to see where they've taken it. 121 HP in a reasonably light bike should be a hoot.

That exhaust though is a sin against god, nature, and the rider's inner right thigh.

The only think this new motor has in common with the VROD is that it burns gas.

Facebook has been pushing the Indian Bobber at me for a while. Never owned a bike. Probably get myself killed on one if I did. But it does look very cool and the price is not bad at all.

Checked it out at the IMS in Sonoma yesterday.

Meh...

Big meat on the front... doesn't cut it IMO. Style over function.

Checked out the Indian FTR.

MUCH nicer! Looks like the business and felt much better when I threw a leg over it.

Didn't ride either, but based on my observations, the FTR gets it.

quote:

Style over function.

Has been Harley Davidson's problem for many years.

The touting of 121 HP is fine but not that big a deal. Just about everyone has motors that develop 1 HP per CC these days. My BMW F850GS = 90 HP.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
The touting of 121 HP is fine but not that big a deal. Just about everyone has motors that develop 1 HP per CC these days. My BMW F850GS = 90 HP.

I think you must mean 1 hp per cubic inch, not cc. Possibly 1 hp per 10cc.

flashguy

Yep... Thanks for the correction.