Rode this.....

Flip · 20-07-2020, 11:38 AM

....last Friday afternoon and it really wasn't horrible.
Did about fifty five miles on it and I have to say out of the BMW R nine T, and the Ducati Scrambler I rode before lockdown I enjoyed the Harley the most and with the least intrusive electronics.

Sure it has faults, indicator switches on left bar for left and right bar for right which was just plain odd (like BMW's from a few years ago) and mirrors under the bars which I couldn't get used to as they out of my natural line of sight but the ride was solid and involving while the motor was lovely lazy torque everywhere.

I get there is a 'Mr Ben' fancy dress image that goes with them and I'm not into the tassels and cut offs and I know there are haters simply because they are Harleys but give one a go make your own mind up......you might be surprised- I was.

Darkness · 20-07-2020, 12:23 PM

I used to quite fancy an XLCR 1000 back in the seventies, but I’ve grown up (A bit) since then!

https://sumpmagazine.com/harley-davi...cafe-racer.htm

Darren69 · 20-07-2020, 12:35 PM

Actually I quite liked the look of the XR1200 cafe racer they did a few years back too. I did actually own and build an old XL1100 Sportster a few years back. Had a Fat Boy when I was in the States too, bloodly great big heavy thing that was!

Jez900ie · 20-07-2020, 02:12 PM

Rather you than me Flip!

Mark64 · 20-07-2020, 04:46 PM

Careful - you're just a step away from a peaked leather cap

Darren69 · 20-07-2020, 05:00 PM

I think if I didn't have the S4I would maybe have a Buell X1 (I know). Similar but the Monster is superior to the X1 in just about every way.

Nickj · 20-07-2020, 05:20 PM

Buell's were what HD's could have been, an evolving product line with real innovations. BUT the company still aims it self at it's (rapidly collapsing) niche market which seems to want 50's bikes with a thin modern veneer and while on paper it looks like a sound company it's finances tell a substantially different story. Most failed UK bike companies were actually financially rosier, HD survives through frequent dodgy share deals and equalisations that artificially boost the stock values (HD do this almost annually) and quite substantial US Govt subsidies.
I did ride one, well 2 infact. One of the XLCR cafe racer things and a recent semi custom thing, once you were used to the idea that the brakes seemed largely decorative items, it didn't seem to matter which gear you were in they were and that corners were a real inconvenience to be wrestled around... Not something that I'd want to risk my ass on with any regularity.
LOL I thought that my S2R wasn't the best handling but I'd rate the difference to be in the same league as putting my S2R besides my 748R.

Darren69 · 20-07-2020, 06:11 PM

I'm actually quite taken with the Buell 1125R with the 150bhp Rotax V Twin engine. Just get rid of the ugly front fairing and it would look pretty good. I guess parts availability might be a problem though?

Grumpy · 20-07-2020, 08:29 PM

I've ridden a Harley fatboy and Roadking in America.
The fatboy for about 2500 miles, solo, and the Roadking for 3000 miles, that trip was my wife and I.
Two of the most uncomfortable bikes I've ever ridden!
The Roadking two up was ponderous, the other half still winces when we talk about the bike .

jerry · 20-07-2020, 10:05 PM

i had a lot of HDs over the years best were plain old sporties ,with minimised weight a buell tune and some beefed up suspension good for bar hopping and long tours

mickj · 21-07-2020, 09:21 AM

I like the look, sound and character of Harleys, but when I ride one I remember why I don't have one.

Nasher · 21-07-2020, 10:45 AM

In the early 90's I had a 1986 1100 Evo for a few weeks.
I brought it as something different to commute to work on and save my Z1000H from deteriorating.
And I'd always wanted to try the whole Harley thing.

I just couldn't get on with it. It looked good, a bike of it's time shall we say, and was sort of comfortable, but only after you'd done a few miles on it.
But I couldn't believe the appalling build quality and finish.
I suppose I just never really gelled with it, so sold it on and brought a Z1000ST for commuting use.

Admittedly those 80s and 90s bikes were far less developed and primitive than the latest bikes, but unfortunately it tainted my view of them.

It's probably really unfair to tar the current bikes with the same brush so it would be nice to try one again and see what they are now like.

Nasher.

rbt1548 · 21-07-2020, 01:10 PM

I had this for a wee while, a 1998 100 Sportster Sport S.

It is not your bog standard Sportster 1200, from the factory it comes with twin plugged heads, 40mm carb, some more fancy gubbins in the compression and engine departments, fully adjustable suspension front and rear, not that I would know how to adjust them too much.
I can't remember why I bought it at the time as Harley's weren't my thing, BUT, it was a good bike, I enjoyed it, not too many vibes and handled fairly well, stopping not so.

It was replaced by a Monster!!!!

Darren69 · 21-07-2020, 02:48 PM

For all intents and purposes though, besides the changes you mention there is little difference between it and the '80's 1100 evo that Nasher and I had. Ok so they added rubber engine mounts, belt drive and added a gear but that's about it. The cycle parts and most of everything else are identical to the '80's version. They call it an Evolution but really it's a time capsule bike, not a retro one and that is the real issue.

Dennis menace · 21-07-2020, 03:13 PM

Darren sold me the Sportster and despite me being only 5' 1" I rode it without much difficulty. It is in fact lower at the seat than the Monster and 750SS that I had later. Not much for speed but good for lazy cruising. I loved the sound but found the ride uncomfortable in the seat area!

Dennis

Norton Jubilee
Honda Superdream 400NC
Moto Guzzi V50

20-07-2020, 11:38 AM	#1
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	Rode this..... ....last Friday afternoon and it really wasn't horrible. Did about fifty five miles on it and I have to say out of the BMW R nine T, and the Ducati Scrambler I rode before lockdown I enjoyed the Harley the most and with the least intrusive electronics. Sure it has faults, indicator switches on left bar for left and right bar for right which was just plain odd (like BMW's from a few years ago) and mirrors under the bars which I couldn't get used to as they out of my natural line of sight but the ride was solid and involving while the motor was lovely lazy torque everywhere. I get there is a 'Mr Ben' fancy dress image that goes with them and I'm not into the tassels and cut offs and I know there are haters simply because they are Harleys but give one a go make your own mind up......you might be surprised- I was. __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

20-07-2020, 12:23 PM	#2
Darkness . Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stockbridge Bike: M900 Posts: 1,984	I used to quite fancy an XLCR 1000 back in the seventies, but I’ve grown up (A bit) since then! https://sumpmagazine.com/harley-davi...cafe-racer.htm __________________ Original and Best since 1993

20-07-2020, 12:35 PM	#3
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	Actually I quite liked the look of the XR1200 cafe racer they did a few years back too. I did actually own and build an old XL1100 Sportster a few years back. Had a Fat Boy when I was in the States too, bloodly great big heavy thing that was! __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

20-07-2020, 02:12 PM	#4
Jez900ie Pleasantly surprised! Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stoke on Trent Bike: M900ie Posts: 780	Rather you than me Flip! __________________ Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed

20-07-2020, 05:00 PM	#6
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	I think if I didn't have the S4I would maybe have a Buell X1 (I know). Similar but the Monster is superior to the X1 in just about every way. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

20-07-2020, 04:46 PM	#5
Mark64 Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Hondon de los Frailes Bike: S4r Posts: 285	Careful - you're just a step away from a peaked leather cap

20-07-2020, 05:20 PM	#7
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,189	Buell's were what HD's could have been, an evolving product line with real innovations. BUT the company still aims it self at it's (rapidly collapsing) niche market which seems to want 50's bikes with a thin modern veneer and while on paper it looks like a sound company it's finances tell a substantially different story. Most failed UK bike companies were actually financially rosier, HD survives through frequent dodgy share deals and equalisations that artificially boost the stock values (HD do this almost annually) and quite substantial US Govt subsidies. I did ride one, well 2 infact. One of the XLCR cafe racer things and a recent semi custom thing, once you were used to the idea that the brakes seemed largely decorative items, it didn't seem to matter which gear you were in they were and that corners were a real inconvenience to be wrestled around... Not something that I'd want to risk my ass on with any regularity. LOL I thought that my S2R wasn't the best handling but I'd rate the difference to be in the same league as putting my S2R besides my 748R. __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

20-07-2020, 06:11 PM	#8
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	I'm actually quite taken with the Buell 1125R with the 150bhp Rotax V Twin engine. Just get rid of the ugly front fairing and it would look pretty good. I guess parts availability might be a problem though? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

20-07-2020, 08:29 PM	#9
Grumpy record breaker!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peterborough Bike: M1200R Posts: 2,154	I've ridden a Harley fatboy and Roadking in America. The fatboy for about 2500 miles, solo, and the Roadking for 3000 miles, that trip was my wife and I. Two of the most uncomfortable bikes I've ever ridden! The Roadking two up was ponderous, the other half still winces when we talk about the bike . __________________ It's not the destination, but the journey that matters Definition of a motorbike, a devise for overtaking cars! Last edited by Grumpy; 20-07-2020 at 10:06 PM..

20-07-2020, 10:05 PM	#10
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,804	i had a lot of HDs over the years best were plain old sporties ,with minimised weight a buell tune and some beefed up suspension good for bar hopping and long tours __________________ MONSTERMAN

21-07-2020, 09:21 AM	#11
mickj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Clevedon Bike: M1200s Posts: 553	I like the look, sound and character of Harleys, but when I ride one I remember why I don't have one. __________________ Keep the rubber side down. Mick

21-07-2020, 10:45 AM	#12
Nasher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portsmouth Bike: M900 Posts: 1,510	In the early 90's I had a 1986 1100 Evo for a few weeks. I brought it as something different to commute to work on and save my Z1000H from deteriorating. And I'd always wanted to try the whole Harley thing. I just couldn't get on with it. It looked good, a bike of it's time shall we say, and was sort of comfortable, but only after you'd done a few miles on it. But I couldn't believe the appalling build quality and finish. I suppose I just never really gelled with it, so sold it on and brought a Z1000ST for commuting use. Admittedly those 80s and 90s bikes were far less developed and primitive than the latest bikes, but unfortunately it tainted my view of them. It's probably really unfair to tar the current bikes with the same brush so it would be nice to try one again and see what they are now like. Nasher. __________________ Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over.

21-07-2020, 01:10 PM	#13
rbt1548 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: M900sie Posts: 163	I had this for a wee while, a 1998 100 Sportster Sport S. It is not your bog standard Sportster 1200, from the factory it comes with twin plugged heads, 40mm carb, some more fancy gubbins in the compression and engine departments, fully adjustable suspension front and rear, not that I would know how to adjust them too much. I can't remember why I bought it at the time as Harley's weren't my thing, BUT, it was a good bike, I enjoyed it, not too many vibes and handled fairly well, stopping not so. It was replaced by a Monster!!!! __________________ It wisnae me, a big boy done it and ran away! 1965 BSA Lightning Clubman 1958 Wife 2000 M900Sie

21-07-2020, 02:48 PM	#14
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	For all intents and purposes though, besides the changes you mention there is little difference between it and the '80's 1100 evo that Nasher and I had. Ok so they added rubber engine mounts, belt drive and added a gear but that's about it. The cycle parts and most of everything else are identical to the '80's version. They call it an Evolution but really it's a time capsule bike, not a retro one and that is the real issue. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

21-07-2020, 03:13 PM	#15
Dennis menace Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Farnsfield Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 300	Darren sold me the Sportster and despite me being only 5' 1" I rode it without much difficulty. It is in fact lower at the seat than the Monster and 750SS that I had later. Not much for speed but good for lazy cruising. I loved the sound but found the ride uncomfortable in the seat area! Dennis Norton Jubilee Honda Superdream 400NC Moto Guzzi V50