Precision HD's new Rider Program

[nhbubba]

...a machine similar to a dyno that they call a jump start. They get to get on a bike, start it and ride through the gears without the fear of crashing.

Holy shit that's awesome! (I had to google it.) I take back all of my smug remarks.

My wife and I would like to know when you guys in Rochester do one of those next.

Edit: From this faq:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...umpstart.html#

Is this a training program?

No. It is an introduction to the experience of riding a Harley® motorcycle.

So I guess we could still all keep our panties in a twist over them calling it 'training'.

[xxaarraa]

As someone pointed out above, every type of bike invites stupid people. Do I know squids who go out in shorts and wheelie on the interstate left lane? Yes. Do I know Ducati owners who put $2k leathers on, do track days and also do 100 mph on local back roads? Yes. Do I know Harley owners who ride with no helmets? Yes. Do I know dirt bikers that ride power lines or illegal trails? Yes. What makes one group better than the other? Just because you and I may understand the science of motorcycling a bit more and may own leathers doesn't automatically make us any more responsible than the chrome and tassles crew.

All motorcyclists live in glass houses. I learned a long time ago to never throw stones at others.

[Chippertheripper]

Just an observation I've witnessed over the years, I don't give a shit about being pc I call it like I see it.

What a bunch of retards, eh?

[Garandman]

You guys are brutal. We've done a couple of those boot camps. The women like them. They get a bunch of info and get to participate in a few activities like learning how to pick up a bike off the ground and a machine similar to a dyno that they call a jump start. They get to get on a bike, start it and ride through the gears without the fear of crashing. Is it marketing? Yup. Does it work? Yup. What has the big 4 done to get your girlfriend interested in riding? Nothing.
If the big 4 are so much better then why does their warranty suck?
Why are they all but worthless after 5 years?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not entirely a fan of HD but they pay my bills and ill give credit where credit is due. They build a decent product and their factory support is unmatched./.

it could be pointed out that all the 250's people take the MSF NRC on are big 4 products, but you have a point.

Five year resale value, not so fast. The last time I checked a V-Strom DL650 retained a higher percentage of purchase price than a BMW R1200GS - the GS just looked like it did better because they were so expensive to begin with.

?... the sportster is unique to Harley. A shadow 750 and vulcan 900 are low and wide, the sportster is taller and narrow and I wish there were more small narrow cruisers like this. I mean a twin motor and most are fatter than inline 4 bikes. It makes no sense.

The engine is narrow but the cases are really wide. I had a Roadster and (ignoring the 3" of rear suspension travel) there was very little cornering clearance. They vibrate in astonishing fashion at idle, they weigh a lot, and the most I ever got out of one tank was 116 gallons. One of my office commutes is 115 miles, meaning I had to get gas every day. Harley spends the absolute minimum on suspension, on Sportsters, anyway. And btw the "Big Twin" riders don't consider the Sportster to be a "real" Harley - it's a girl's bike or beginners bike. I didn't meet a single HD rider who "got" the Roadster (twin disks, tach, Metzlers, upgraded shocks) and in fact the previous owner had lowered it. By contrast sport bike riders were all over it because it was a "functionally improved" Harley.

I visited "there" and the HD culture as promulgated by the $6 billion parent company really is "too stupid for words." The bikes are not as bad as many think in terms of everyday. Reliability and durability and their chrome and paint work is as good as it gets. What they will do when emissions laws kill off air cooled bikes remains to be seen.


Eventually sold the Roadster on eBay. You can't imagine what it is like to sell an HD on Craigslist.

[Tunertype]

it could be pointed out that all the 250's people take the MSF NRC on are big 4 products, but you have a point.

Five year resale value, not so fast. The last time I checked a V-Strom DL650 retained a higher percentage of purchase price than a BMW R1200GS - the GS just looked like it did better because they were so expensive to begin with.

The engine is narrow but the cases are really wide. I had a Roadster and (ignoring the 3" of rear suspension travel) there was very little cornering clearance. They vibrate in astonishing fashion at idle, they weigh a lot, and the most I ever got out of one tank was 116 gallons. One of my office commutes is 115 miles, meaning I had to get gas every day. Harley spends the absolute minimum on suspension, on Sportsters, anyway. And btw the "Big Twin" riders don't consider the Sportster to be a "real" Harley - it's a girl's bike or beginners bike. I didn't meet a single HD rider who "got" the Roadster (twin disks, tach, Metzlers, upgraded shocks) and in fact the previous owner had lowered it. By contrast sport bike riders were all over it because it was a "functionally improved" Harley.

I visited "there" and the HD culture as promulgated by the $6 billion parent company really is "too stupid for words." The bikes are not as bad as many think in terms of everyday. Reliability and durability and their chrome and paint work is as good as it gets. What they will do when emissions laws kill off air cooled bikes remains to be seen.


Eventually sold the Roadster on eBay. You can't imagine what it is like to sell an HD on Craigslist.

Yeah I had an 05 sportster and the suspension was very uncomfortable to ride on and I had scrapes on the pegs on one side and the exhaust on the other from cornering. And with wide bars and a higher center of gravity than other cruisers it was pretty easy to steer accept for the 21" front tire that you had to muscle a bit.

I sold it on CL without a problem, first guy to come look at it in person paid asking price. I priced it below KBB retail though unlike some yahoos who think they're shit is gold. ebay charges like $100 to sell a bike. If possible I'd like to send that savings along to the buyer.

If Harley goes liquid cooled their bikes will be much better. Instead of a 1500cc-1800cc twin with 80hp, it should be north of 100hp like all the Victory bikes. Also the XR1200 is a fun bike for sport riders, it's got a 32-33" seat height and 90hp it's actually pretty fun to drive and goes back a little to the heritage of the sportster from when it was a real sportbike(xr750).

[Tricky Mike]

Ok, wait just a second here! Douchebags ride motorcycles?!?!? What the actual fuck?

I've seen just as many assholes on HDs as I have on Ducatis. Thankfully, though, in my experience they're the minority in both cases.
I rode my 848 to a Harley dealer yesterday for an inspection sticker. Even though they wouldn't give me one due to shagged tires (I thought they might be a problem) everybody there was super cool and really interested in seeing another type of bike in the shop. Yeah, I bet I could have found an ass in the parking lot if I went looking for one... just like I could if I rode a GSX-R to a Euro night. One blood, folks. We're really not any different. I like most of the Harley guys I meet.

[Imbeek]

I've owned around 20 bikes I guess. Just 3 of those were bought new from dealers. I am far from rich (LOL!), but I own 7 bikes right now. One is a Harley road king, and its the only Harley I have owned. The rest are Hondas, Suzukis, and a Triumph. One is really my wife's bike. I owned a BMW for 20 years, raced MX and woods, been riding for 33 years, doing road track days now, etc. etc. etc....

I LOVE riding my road king, as well as my sportbike, my sport touring bike, and the track bikes. Probably love them all equally, and choose which to ride depending on weather, length of ride, what I need to take with me, what bikes my companions (if any) are riding, and road type. Don't care who is impressed or disgusted by me riding any of them, and don't care who does or does not wave to me either. I DO like hanging out with other people who ride any type of motorcycles, though...

What's the point of this thread again? People who ride Harleys are illiterate? They cant ride well? They all hate other riders? Harleys suck? BMW riders are bigger a-holes than harley riders, but ducatista are worse yet? Harleys are Japanese? Anyone buying a Harley is trying to buy a lifestyle? WE are better than THEM?!?!

Sheesh, whatever. What FUCKING ever!

Take a SMALL leap from many of those opinions and you might find yourself dangerously close to the thinking of those who say BIKES, in general, on or off road, aren't really necessary...too dangerous...and shouldn't be allowed. (Kinda like large cap mags in CT, if ya get my drift...but I digress...or not)

When it comes to sportbikes vs harleys, I am us, AND them

Y'all should consider being the same, in attitude if not ownership.

Strength in numbers. Dividing our pack is foolish. Unity is smart.

Thank your lucky stars we have ANY bikes, and are healthy and wealthy enough to ride em, boys and girls. Thank goodness we are ALLOWED to ride them, too. They ARE dangerous, loud, and, well, you know, not everyone gets to have one...in fact, less than 50% of voters get to have one.

That is all.

[Garandman]

Ok, wait just a second here! Douchebags ride motorcycles?!?!? What the actual fuck?

I've seen just as many assholes on HDs as I have on Ducatis. Thankfully, though, in my experience they're the minority in both cases.
I rode my 848 to a Harley dealer yesterday for an inspection sticker. Even though they wouldn't give me one due to shagged tires (I thought they might be a problem) everybody there was super cool and really interested in seeing another type of bike in the shop. Yeah, I bet I could have found an ass in the parking lot if I went looking for one... just like I could if I rode a GSX-R to a Euro night. One blood, folks. We're really not any different. I like most of the Harley guys I meet.

Almost every time I get wound up to rank on HD owners, I see some old guy commuting into Boston on a day I chose to drive to put me in my place.

But the lifestyle marketing is still repugnant to me. Anyone seen the new Indian ads?

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

What the fuck? Lecture time?

[nhbubba]

I think my biggest beef with the cruiser crowd is that so few seem to gear up. But that's true of "metric" cruisers too. Ultimately its their choice and they'll have to live with the consequences. But man, that's a lot of hurtin'.

Even the guy at work who just bought his Road King. I thought he was normally an ATGATT type with a top-shelf gear. He's one that endorsed the Aerostich suits. But now that he got the Harley he shows up in jeans and a non-padded leather jacket. His helmet was full-face, but a cheap DOT poly one. I don't get it.

[SteveM]

Wirelessly posted

What the fuck? Lecture time?

I'm shocked that "lecture time" hasn't already hit Legally Jackie's thread.

Perhaps the nicer weather is warming things up...

[Garandman]

Hayh! Check out this BMW rant!

[SteveM]

Confession,

I am casully trolling around looking for a Road King to put next to my VFR.

click the internet price option on a local dealer's site.

did not get a price, but did get an email from a "fit specialist" asking me when I would like to come in and letting me know when they had test ride slots available today.

[Garandman]

Somewhere around is the HD Sales Guide for demo rides. It includes a stop so that people can admire your lifestyle.

This is the new Indian ad. Interesting that Polaris (who now owns Indian) chose to take on HD with Indian rather than Victory. And note that while choice is coming, it apparently does not extend to black half helmets and Marlon Brando leather jackets.

[nhbubba]

Ooo, facial hair. I'm in!

[Tunertype]

I am seeing lots of people talk about how good the road king is. Is it really better than a victory vision or honda goldwing??? You can't compare it to a raider or VTX cause those aren't touring bikes...

[nhbubba]

This Victory Vision? I'd say one thing is for sure, the Road King is less ugly.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

I am seeing lots of people talk about how good the road king is. Is it really better than a victory vision or honda goldwing??? You can't compare it to a raider or VTX cause those aren't touring bikes...

The VTX is almost a copy of a road king. Deliberate I'm sure.

[SteveM]

Which VTX has hard bags?

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Any of them. I have two friends with VTXs with hard bags.

[jasnmar]

Wirelessly posted
The VTX is almost a copy of a road king. Deliberate I'm sure.

Moot point. Honda has dropped the VTX line.

The VTX "T" option was comparable to an RK, but the tons of factory options available from HD were always much better.

The VTX wasn't really a tourer, but was more of a cruiser that could be used for touring.

The wing and vision I would compare more with ultra/Electra things than the road king. That said I've never been on a Harley to provide a fair comparison.

[nhbubba]

Isn't the "Interstate" 1300 basically a VTX 1300?



I agree, the Road King spanks that.

Just look at the absurd rake!

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

I have ridden both. Extensively. They are the same bike. Except the Honda is better at everything and more reliable and better built.

Ok the radio. Ill give the king that option.

[jasnmar]

Isn't the "Interstate" 1300 basically a VTX 1300?

I agree, the Road King spanks that.

Just look at the absurd rake!

Drivetrain is from the VTX from what I can tell. All the surrounding stuff isn't VTX, but is closer to the Fury "mass production chopper".

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Road king 29 degrees
Box 31.5 or 32 depending on year.

Close enough for me. And the box STILL steers better.