islandbloke Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) When I was 16 I rode to the Gaumont cinema in Manchester with some pals - I had a Suzuki 50 (sport!) at the time - and watched Easy Rider. I remember painting stars 'n stripes badly on my crash helmet with Humbrol enamel, which is as close as I got to being Captain America! Ever since I've fancied a Harley but been talked out of it by biker friends - which is how I came to buy a Yamaha V-Max a few years ago ('do everything a Harley will, and more'). They were all wrong. A pal over here had a 1985 Softail Custom but needed a van instead for his decorating business, so I bought it a month ago for five grand. It's fantastic. All torque and noise - happiest at 60mph when you can hear every power stroke (feels like it's doing 500rpm), the vibration isn't as bad as people think and the knees in the breeze riding position is much more comfortable for a chap of a certain age. And the best thing: I don't feel the need to go fast, race anyone or get my knee down to enjoy myself, so I may even make retirement age. Edited June 14, 2013 by islandbloke Quote Proud recipient of the LEF 'Car of the Month Award' February 2008"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: "Wow, what a ride!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmxa Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Taking her out on Mad Sunday next year Stu? Quote Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimbers Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Awesome Stu! I'll be joining you shortly! 1 Quote Possibly save your life. Check out this website.http://everyman-campaign.org/ Distributor for 'Every Male' grooming products. (Discounts for any TLF members hairier than I am!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandbloke Posted June 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Taking her out on Mad Sunday next year Stu? Mad Sunday is all about riding like a nutter and in many ways scares me - instead I did a civilised charity lap the week before (when the picture was taken) and enjoyed it tremendously. Quote Proud recipient of the LEF 'Car of the Month Award' February 2008"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: "Wow, what a ride!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 And there you go, I'm selling mine. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigeninja Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) just the opposite,never liked Harleys always thought of them as vibrating, under powered,bits keep fallen off pieces of junk,most of which was hear say from a friend of a friend of a friend. But now as the years go on I do find myself looking at them on ebay,shall I sharnt I Perfect place to own a bike as well Edited June 15, 2013 by nigeninja Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLarge Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Stu Good man! We sound as if we are a similar age. Grew up with bikes, bought a motorbike shop in 1997 and was lucky enough to run it for four years. Since selling the shop in 2001 have no desire to ride again-Funny how it works. But i absolutely respect the need for anyone to 'Tick it off' Never road a Harley in the UK, more Japanese specialist, but when I hired one in USA a few years ago I regret to say that I have not ridden a bike with such poor power delivery- not a lot of power either to be honest. Rough and jerkey.Mind you, I am talking about a 48 hour hire so perhaps not an ideal assessment. Looks beautiful, build quality great and the 'aura' surrounding it is wonderful. V-Max Oh Yes..... Horses for courses I suppose. Keep us updated. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigeninja Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Mark find the thread "How many bikers on here" lets see what you got or even what you had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandbloke Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Funny thing is Mark, I hired a Heritage Softail (more modern version of mine with fuel injection) in North Carolina around 7 years ago, and enjoyed it but was underwhelmed after the V-Max. Maybe it's being a bit older and slower, but Roxanne (she had to have a suitable name!) really hits the spot at the moment - especially round town when it's sunny and I can skirt the 'rush minute' we get twice a day here! Quote Proud recipient of the LEF 'Car of the Month Award' February 2008"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: "Wow, what a ride!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Simpson Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Nice one! I too am a recent convert to Harley. Never like them, I was always a sports bike fan but when I lived in Oz for five years I ended up riding around on friends Harleys and got to really like them. They're as much fun as any sports bike but just a different kind of fun. I ended up buying an 81' Shovel for myself and a 2010 Sportser 48' for my wife - love them. Here's the old Shovel http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/gallery/album/337-bikes/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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