20 years riding m/cycles first day on Harley Davidson

[Lol-x]

Although I've ridden motorcycles for over 20 years yesterday was the first time I've ever ridden a Harley Davidson.

The local HD shop had a test ride day and I had seen a model that caught my eye the 883 Iron.

Here is a borrowed YouTube of the bike with aftermarket pipes (an extra $2,000).



The total cost of the bike is around $15,000. Quite a lot of money but not a lot for a Harley Davidson. It is basically the entry level Harley.

I ususally ride a Yamaha R6 600cc sports bike, so it was quite a change in riding styles.

The Harley seemed to be very solid, just a full steel bike frame and solid engine. With the stock exhausts the power seemed a little restricted. The gear changes and clutch were very heavy. The pegs seemed to be positioned quite high and it is nearly impossible to operate the foot stand whilst seated on the bike. The small seat position does not allow for a change of position so you can't slide back at all to allow muscles to relax.

Anyway, it was pretty cool, the riding position was quite comfortable, only one instrument dial (speed). Overall I liked the bike a lot. However, I don't think it got me over the line in terms of purchasing one.

Maybe if I could have 2 bikes it might be my second bike, but for day to day riding, I think I would get a little tired of this bike. Cannot take any passengers either.

However, it was a great thrill to have ridden a Harley Davidson.

The other bike I'm considering is the Ducati 848.
A very different bike, but again a beautiful bike it its own right. Cost is about $21,000 so it is significantly more expensive than the Harley 883 Iron.



The white Ducati 848 is a very sharp looking bike with quality componentry and a very worthy substitute for my Yamaha R6 that I've been riding for over 6 years now.

Difficult decision, I might just keep my Yamaha.

[Andad]

Yeah, on Monday evening I saw a hoon take off down Toorak Road on a noisy little Yamaha R6 600cc.

I was surprised at the performance - considering all the pasta and creme caramel you stuffed yourself with.

Time to step up to a Ducati IMO.

[Gaijin]

My first Harley was an 883. Loved it! I don't think that you would be dissapointed Steve.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Yeah, on Monday evening I saw a hoon take off down Toorak Road on a noisy little Yamaha R6 600cc.

Time to step up to a Ducati IMO.

[AWATCH]

Hey Stevo, glad to see you enjoyed your ride,,, I have been riding for 40 years and have either owned or ridden just about all makes. My last 5 have all been Harley's, had a sportster back about 20 years ago too. Many good brands out there. A suggestion though, if you decide on the Harley spend the extra and at least go for the next size up. Most people outgrow the sporty very quickly.

[2careless]

Sorry to say that I hate HD. The only thing they do sort of well is the muffler noise.
Get the Ducati mate. Blows away the HD miles apart. Even your Yamaha is good compared to the HD. A mate just took his Yamaha for a full circle around Australia trip along Princes Highway (came back yesterday) and the Yamaha didn't miss a beat

[surillious]

Originally Posted by 2careless

Even your Yamaha is good compared to the HD.

The implication of this statement seems to be that the Yamaha isn't good in it's own right, but only compared to a HD.

In my book they are one of the best bikes on the road today. So to the OP, congrats on the good choice of the R6. Instead of that Duc, perhaps an R1 is in order?

Just a thought...

[ducatidoc]

You can probably guess which way I'm gonna lean on this one, right ? The 848 is one of the sexiest, capable-est sportbikes on the road, and will make you forget all about that ol' R6. Remember the used-car salesman from True Lies: " What are we really talking about here ?". Yeah, the Duc'll get you noticed.

The Hog is nice, don't get me wrong. But 15 large for an 883 ? It better be made outta Rose Gold ! I mean, seriously ! And there's the big white elephant to keep in mind: No matter how they jazz it up and give it a manly-sounding nickname, 883's are for girls. 'at's just the way it is. Although I will allow that in this case, it would be girls that are attempting to appeal to other girls, as it were.

But I could be a wee bit prejudiced.

[Widows Son]

I wouldn't suggest getting a 883. The resale is awful. Had a 1200 for awhile, now a Softail. I'd suggest getting one of larger twins for a first Harley.

[rajurama]

Try out the Ducati Monster thats my personal favorite however must admit i have never ridden it... Harley looks sweet too one of my friends has the same one...

[dalip]

Hey Steve...Ducati are a fine bike...rode a 999 for ages...was an awesome machine on the track also. Always had japanese bikes though...just love the Suzuki K7 GSXR 750...such a perfect bike in so many ways...and raced the GSXR 600 for two years in super stock/sport here...Stopped all that now !! The R6 is probably one of the best Super sport bikes in the rounds here...but I was a Suzuki man

I am not into Harley's myself...never have been...but then I've never ridden one so ....

personally...I would go for the Ducati....they are a fantastic handling machine...and aesthetically such a stand out

[xbox]

Nearest I got to riding an HD was a Buel Lightning - as a sports bike rider, is was a little too chug-chug for me!

There's a bunch of cool bikes worth a look:

- Aprilia RSV4R, 95% the bike, 80% the price
- KTM RC8, or even the Super Duke
- New BMW S1000RR is getting loads of hype
- New MV Agusta F4, classic design beautifully updated

... and finally the new 1198 S Corse......... enough to make me think of flippin a few watches

[ratmotortom]

Glad you got to ride the Harley. I ride every day. I ride a Harley and always will. Not because it's the best bike in the world, but because that's what I like.

Glad you rode it, kept an open mind and most of all.......... had fun. Thumbs up to all of the riders here.

[johnswatch]

I did just shy of 30,000 miles in two years on my '05 sportster. It was by far the most reliable bike I've owned.

In my opinion sportsbikes just aren't suited to Aussie conditions. You have to go miles before you find a road with some decent bends and then you can guarrantee that there will be a speed camera on it. The HD is perfectly suited and you can easily work on it yourself should you wish to.

The price of one in Australia is another matter though.....far too expensive.

[Andad]

Hi Johnswatch,

You must mean Sydney or Melbourne conditions.

I live just South of Adelaide in the Fleurieu Peninsula and I am 2 - 3 km from the start of the best roads for bike riding that you will find. Clarendon, Meadows, Strathalbyn, Nankita, Victor Harbour, Delamere, Cape Jervis etc.

Steve's commuting would IMO be mainly in metro Melbourne and while he does ok with the Yamaha, he might be better off with a Toyota Echo.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Hi Johnswatch,

You must mean Sydney or Mekbourne conditions.

I live South of Adelaide in the Fleurieu Peninsula and we have some of the best roads for bike riding that you will find. Clarendon, Meadows, Strathalbyn, Nankita,Victor Harbour, Delamere, Cape Jervis etc.

now that's what I'm talking about...fantastic

[TattooedGQ]

In short the 883 is a chick bike.....the Iron is a bad ass looking chick bike. Go up to the dyna if you want to go Harley.

The Duc is sweet, my friend has/had an 2009 1198S, but I can't justify the price. he paid 23K OTD for it......then wrapped it up a month later..but he still "has" is.

15K for an iron 883 is a bit crazy, they're going like 8K OTD in NY....but all this coming from a guy who rides a '99 900RR....I'm fully aware that several of my watches are worth well more than my bike.

[Lol-x]

Well, I'm going to test ride the Ducati 848 in a couple of days. So I'll see how that goes.

The Australian Government is offering an extra 50% taxation bonus on depreciable items purchased before the end of 2009, and a new bike is used in business, so it might just be the right time for a new bike.

Anyway............time will tell

[Widows Son]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

In short the 883 is a chick bike.....the Iron is a bad ass looking chick bike. Go up to the dyna if you want to go Harley.

The Duc is sweet, my friend has/had an 2009 1198S, but I can't justify the price. he paid 23K OTD for it......then wrapped it up a month later..but he still "has" is.

15K for an iron 883 is a bit crazy, they're going like 8K OTD in NY....but all this coming from a guy who rides a '99 900RR....I'm fully aware that several of my watches are worth well more than my bike.

Had two bikes for awhile. My FXST and a 2001 CBR929RR. It had a power commander and a full D&D race exhaust. Got rid of it before I killed myself on it. That beast didn't belong on the street!!!

[ROLEX MAN]

Go for Ducati, any time, the entry level Harley is for Girls, not real men like you!!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Well, I'm going to test ride the Ducati 848 in a couple of days. So I'll see how that goes.

The Australian Government is offering an extra 50% taxation bonus on depreciable items purchased before the end of 2009, and a new bike is used in business, so it might just be the right time for a new bike.

Anyway............time will tell

Well, there you have it, Steve.......a good time to pick up the Ducati.....much better than the HD!!

JJ

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

Had two bikes for awhile. My FXST and a 2001 CBR929RR. It had a power commander and a full D&D race exhaust. Got rid of it before I killed myself on it. That beast didn't belong on the street!!!

The 929's a great bike, I wish mine was FI other than that I love it. She's jetted with a full HRC exhaust....if I stop buying watches, then i might get a new bike eventually.

So long as you're on the level and traveling east, it doesn't matter what you ride.

[nickchassi]

For us non-aussies (but who are terribly interested), just what exactly is a "hoon"? :-)

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Yeah, on Monday evening I saw a hoon take off down Toorak Road on a noisy little Yamaha R6 600cc.

I was surprised at the performance - considering all the pasta and creme caramel you stuffed yourself with.

Time to step up to a Ducati IMO.

Well I was only in first or second gear

I only had an entree size pasta

And as I remember correctly you had a creme caramel too

A 'hoon' is a guy who takes great delight or pleasure in driving his vehicle in an anti-social manner e.g. revving the engine excessively, spinning the wheels, doing wheelstands, speeding, parading up and down the main street or shopping strip, etc., etc.

[TattooedGQ]

Ahh so a Hoon is a Squid...got it....

[Tools]

Get whatever you want to while you're still a boy..

Harley will still be around when you grow up to be a real man.........

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by Tools

Get whatever you want to while you're still a boy..

Harley will still be around when you grow up to be a real man.........

If it doesn't seize up cuz the all the oil leaked out.

[Kapture1]

GO FOR THE 848. Harleys are nice... like a lazy-boy compaired to my CBR600RR... U got to go higher cc's. I dont count anything below 1200 cc's as a crusier. I want a Harley in my life time, but if your still in good shape, why not go for the Ducatti. Switch to a harley when your back and knees n hips start to go. Ride Safe

[Prince]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

If it doesn't seize up cuz the all the oil leaked out.

That's in the old days, Justin. Panheads and Shovelheads. My bike is pictured below, and it has NEVER leaked any oil, nor have any of my friend's Evo or Twin-Cam powered Harleys.

[figbo]

Originally Posted by Prince

That's in the old days, Justin. Panheads and Shovelheads. My bike is pictured below, and it has NEVER leaked any oil, nor have any of my friend's Evo or Twin-Cam powered Harleys.

That's because it's not yours!
Allan,if it doesn't leak,it's not a Harley!