Danville Moto Shed in Montgomery City, MO. I broke down this pass summer with a battery with a dead cell. I was on a trip that took me out to Glacier National Park and looped back around to Sturgis before making my way home. It was on my second day out that the bike just died. A young man stopped to see if I needed help and called Rod Sturgeon the owner. He delivered a new battery with-in 30 minutes. After troubleshooting he confirmed the dead cell and I was on my way again in time for beer:thirty. I can not thank him enough.
Yes sir! Last summer I crossed the country on my 1999 Harley Springer custom and my starter became unreliable in Sedona, Arizona. I tried the local dealer but they pointed me to an independent shop in Flagstaff and they were awesome! Got me to California and back home to Maryland with no further problems.
Last weekend, my partner and I rode down to Adam Sandovals place at the K River. We also swung into Chucks Classic Cycles.. if you get a chance to go to Chucks place, do it!! What a cool place!!
All great points. Most Harley problems are self induced by the owner. To this day I still believe the old air cooled Sportster motor is the most bullet proof engine Harley produced. The Harley is part of American culture. Just the other day my six year old son had fifties day at school. He had the leather jacket tee shirt and jeans, slicked back hair, sunglasses and video of him sitting atop the Harley rolling the throttle. His older brother was only five years old when I bought that bike over twenty years ago and he learned to ride on it when he was a teenager.
Most Harley owners like to work on their own bikes to whatever extent their skills allow them to. I know I do. Also, you can pick up a nice used Heritage Classic and change the look to just about anything you want. Run it with the bags and windshield, run it with no windshield, no windshield and no bags, throw a solo seat and fender bib on it, add a tour pack, install hard bags, etc. That’s a lot of gorgeous variety from one motorcycle.
I own a 2015 Harley Street Glide Special with 30,000 on it and needed on the bike except for routine servicing I’m now 72 years old and I plan to keep that bike till I cannot wait any longer and that’s going to be many years to come
It's a segment of an American Iconic radial engine designed using the engine dimensions 2 cylinders of a 7 - 9 cylinder radial combat fighter aircraft! The sound and ride quality are unmatched, they pull hard, ok they Rev like a diesel, but you can control the wheel drift in low traction conditions predictably and consistently
Local HD dealer said even as new as 2018 parts are now obsolete/unavailable due to Covid. The 10 year rule to maintain repair parts availability is a thing of the past. Aftermarket will still be there is my bet. So yes. HD can be owned and enjoyed for a lifetime.
That's a supply issue, all dealerships are having that issue. That said manufactures are by federal law required to support parts for 10 years. So if Harley is claiming that then they're open to law suits and federal fines, that we all know they can't exactly afford right now
I was one of those folks who said I wouldn't buy a Harley. Mostly because I couldn't justify the price. I rode a Victory as my main bike for a while but then Polaris decided to kill that brand. Parts dried up and the Indian style just ain't that impressive to me. So I bought an Ultra Limited. Wow. Now I get it. Still love my Victory....but now I understand what makes Harley so great. Parts and aftermarket everywhere. Heck, even walmart sells Harley stuff.
I think another thing is desirability. I'm sure it's "always buy American" over there, but Harley is still in high demand around the world and it doesn't matter if you ride it into the ground, there's someone out there who wants it.
We really do have a lot of metric bikes here, I'd almost say you see more of them on the road just not together like you do Harleys. Harleys are very sought after though everywhere, which always made me wonder why since most people talk bad about them lol.
I started liking Harleys in the 70’s so it makes sense that I own a couple of 79’s. I always thought their little quirks gave them character. If they were perfect then they’d just be, you know, an appliance. If you get attached to your bike for any reason then you bought the right bike. I remember looking at an FXEF in a showroom back in 79 and wondered what it’d be like to own that bike. Now I have one and every time I look at it I’m back in that showroom 42 years ago. And even though it tries to vibrate itself apart every time I start it I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s something about those old Harleys that I can’t exactly explain but I bet there’s a lot of other owners who can’t explain it either. Sometimes you just know. Oh yeah, my collection of torque wrenches and Loctite is pretty impressive.
Loctite and go over everything! That's awesome you got the bike you wanted to own all those years ago, it's things like that that make owning a Harley special!
The bond between a man and his harley is something truely unique, probably most similar to a cowboy and his horse in the 1800s. The time spent together, places traveled, memories made. The exhaust note is almost like a heartbeat. You learn your bikes temperment and personality over time. You get scratches and scars together. My bike has always been there when i needed it, and has helped me through some of the hardest most stressfull moments in my life. When i get behind the bars and hit that start button, all my problems fade away. I dont think about work, financial issues, relationship stress. I smile from ear to ear and thank god im allowed to be here for every mile marker i pass. Life really is amazing, and even more so when your in the breeze on a harley. Ride safe out there 🙏
Entry cost isn't high anymore....tons of $4000ish big twin Evos and TC on FB or craigslist that someone treasured but aged out. Next 10years should be a golden age if you can turn a wrench.
That's for sure! There are so many used bikes out there it's cause Harley to compete with their own used bikes. Now they've tried to capture that market with the certified used and financing on them.
@@GixxerFoo I think they will even manage a private sale between two people but I have heard bad stories where the salesmen tries to talk the buyer into a new bike instead. That said, if the bike does have issues or the buyer cant turn a wrench then new or barely used is the way to go.
🛑🛑 Gix……I think another reason I enjoy riding my Harley so much, is the “friendships and easy conversations” you can have with another Harley owners. 💯 There have been many times either I’m getting off my Harley or walking over to someone else’s Harley that owners are “more than willing” to discuss their bike; or are asking you, how you did something on your Harley? It seems to me, when you buy a Harley you become part of a “really big family” or “ a club” that cares about each other💯😀👍.
You really do, plus you can get some great ideas at bike meets checking out other bikes. Most people will be more than willing to tell you what they did and how they did it. Also if someone did the work and they did a good job they will get recommended.
A Harley to me has always been like a muscle car, they are more centered on torque and the 1/8th miles. A built Harley will pull anything for a short distance just cause of the torque and they put the power to the ground.
one way to get a low cost Harley , or any bike is getting a wrecked bike from an auction. with a clean title is best . depending on the damage and what you want to do with it. you can save a lot of $$. its an option. good vid
I need to do a video on wrecked bikes, frickin Harleys still command some money even wrecked to hell. I have a friend that made a lot of money at his shop rebuilding and selling salvage title bikes of all kinds. He bought them for nothing, put them back together with donor parts (it was done right) they were better than new when he was done.
@@GixxerFoo the thing with salvaged bikes is getting tags can be a pain, depending on the state you are in, and not worth much on resale. thats why i said clean title is best. salvaged bikes are good for parts though . if you wanted to use a custom frame anyway then id say that is the way to go. a vid on the subject would be cool.
@@justin.s9783 i built my first HD from swap meet parts in Florida. When it was done the DMV assigns a VIN# and special rectangular tag with a "ASPT" designator that gets permanently riveted to the frame. The shop that was helping me at that time told me ASPT means "ALL STOLEN AND PUT TOGETHER" 😂 I later learned that "ASPT" REALLY meant "AsSembled from ParTs". True story, funny stuff...
So happy on my Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic 2008 / 98k Miles on it Riding very different kind of brands for about 40 years but but last 5 years on HD. Just the normal regular maintenance and wear and do it all by myself Riding every day and allways fun on my bike. Great channel you’ve got and always looking out for your next content. For me it’s Harley-Davidson. Greetings from Holland (Europe).
I remember my uncle telling me when I was a kid to buy HDs because 'you can have them forever & just keep rebuilding them'. Now it's even better, I can literally buy everything from fender to fender in the aftermarket. New engines, frames, PCM/ECUs, everything. This is why after looking real hard at an Africa Twin I chose another HD (Road King). If I want, I can just keep rebuilding it & never buy another new bike in my life.
@@jrbass62 That's why I was so tempted. It came down to comfort for long trips (nothing beats HD touring bikes) & service/parts availability. Looking at the current situation, HD was the safer bet. Still, If I ever go for a 2nd bike to have in the garage it's going to be an AT.
@@Chase_N I have friends with all kinds of bikes HD is nice but there are bikes Like a Goldwing or BMW K 1600 that have way more toys n tech if that's what you like Honda flat 6 and BMW inline 6 are so smooth and powerful !!!
You can buy a used twin cam and build it up into exactly what you want. You spend some money doing it and even if you spent as much as a new one you've got all the good stuff in there and not just a bone stock bike.
@@jrbass62 my father-in-law has ridden nothing but Honda GW’s for years. He’s a millionaire and could buy anything he wants. I asked him why he likes the GW and he said reliability, and comfort. He put over 150,000 miles on one he bought new before selling and buying another. For your money GW is the way to go and you don’t have to do anything to it but ride it. You buy a brand new HD an you have to drop thousands of dollars just to make it sound like a HD.
I bought my '09 Sportster XL1200 Custom new. Orange Pearl on Vivid Black and a ton of chrome. I do some mods and add-ons every summer so I've built it up over time. I can't ever go anywhere without getting looks and people walking up and saying "wow, that's a nice looking bike" and asking a bunch of questions. That look of shock when I say it's an '09 and they say "it looks brand new". Just wrapping up my '13'th season with it and never once had the slightest problem with it. It sounds incredible, I love the ride, and I never ever want anything else. Every year, it just keeps getting better. I started riding Honda CB350-Four back in 1980, then an '85 Suzuki Madura 700, Honda Magna V65. I always had trouble with all of them. Then no bikes for quite a while thru college, marriage and kids and apartment living. When I finally bought a house with a garage, I had my chance to get a bike again. Choosing a new Harley was a no-brainer. I like nimble street bikes so the Sportster was the obvious choice for me. I walked into a local HD showroom, walked around looking at all the bikes, and the second I laid eyes on mine, I just knew it. Had it written up within the hour. I grabbed a helmet off the shelf and a leather jacket off the rack. The sales lady kept asking "Do you need help?", "Do you have any questions?", "Would you like to sign up to our new rider's training course?". I just said "Naw, I'm fine, keys please". I fired it up and clunked it into first and off I went. Greatest feeling in the world. Even after 15 years without a bike, it all came back in about a minute. I hadn't gone two miles and I knew that I made the right choice.
I love all motorcycles. I truly do. I’ve owned a lot of different brands over the years but I currently own 4 big twin Harleys. I don’t have the need for speed and Harleys suit my riding taste to perfection. The aftermarket support is unmatched.
Another reason is the people. Some of the best laughs and times I’ve had have been with our riding group out on long rides. We’ve met some amazing people on our rides!
I ride a Harley Davidson because of the look, the sound, and yes that low end torque. And you hit the nail on the head with the support network. I have a dealership 20 minutes away and an independent shop a mile away who only handles Harleys. Did I mention the sound? Oh that exhaust note!
The beauty of today’s Harley over in the past is they’re really good about parts/aftermarket/service for these older bikes (I’ve an evo), but also are finally making new bikes I’d like to buy too. The new sportster looks pretty cool, and the PanAm has been doing pretty well too!
@@TheDeplorableOne I like the idea of the Bronx a lot. I hope they come out with it. I’d also love a less fancy sportster with the same engine but a touch smaller displacement. I think it could be a really awesome neo-retro bike. I imagine that and the Bronx might be a thing around the same time since they’d both use a 975 engine or some such.
I bought a low milage sportster 1200 first. Very much impressed with the power and torque and ride. Then I found a good deal on an Electraglide twin cam. What a ride > you are right. the quality of the Harleys are very hard to top. Thank you for this info sir.
Ride my fatbob hard my bike is around 700 lbs bit it handles amazing. The matched 427 Dunlop best tire i ever used .blew at 120km sounded like shot gun no wobble pulled over. Picked up a nail it came out at 170 bike felt soft pulled over no worries. 132 mph stage 1 only . That's why you have a tattoo that says HARLEY not to many Honda tats lol. Love all bikes rode many but love my Harley.
I can honestly say, purchased my Harley new 05. 99% of my rides, someone will say NICE BIKE! Or want to talk about Harley's. still gives me a giant smile of ownership to this day.
I just bought my first Harley. An 01 RK. Started modifying immediately. Came across your channel and am now subscribed! Great stuff. As soon as it's too cold to ride, it's getting a new camchest & cams thanks to you gixxerfoo!
Thank you for the subscription and I hope you're enjoying the new bike! You've got the solid bottom end so when that cam chest is done you will be good to go!
I was torn between the Kawasaki Concours, BMW KB1600 and the Roadking as my first bike at 62 years old. Sat on a 2018 Streetglide at my local Harley dealership, 15 minute drive . It was love at first straddle, ergonomic perfection. I'm completely average, 5 foot 11 and 62/64th inches tall, 32 inch inseam and 200 umm pounds. Got a great deal as the 2019's were shipping. Not the brightest bulb in the elevator but it seemed a good idea to add the rear guards before I took it out. They had them in stock and were simple and fun to install. So glad I did because my inexperience resulted in multiple slow speed drops. Guarding the Kawi or BMW would have involved a whole lot more time and delay, and thousands of dollars in "tupperware" damage as dealerships are 60 miles away. Absolutely, Harley's greatest market advantage is their extensive nationwide parts and service network.
Those are all great bikes but with the Harleys the accessories are eveywhere! Harleys may be heavy but they are well balanced bikes, much easier to pick up off the stand than the competitors. Lol now you get them off the balance point and going down, it's best to let it go. Glad you and your bike alright, it happens to all of us, unfortunately I was never able to have it happen when people weren't around.
Aftermarket and parts availability for Harley is unmatched in the US. I had zero concern about buying an 18 year old bike (03 Fatboy) last December because of this. I don't plan to ever sell it. I've had 5 Harleys over the last 20 years. I had an '04 Fat Boy that I regretted selling about 10yrs ago. After a year and half of searching, I found the right deal and pulled the trigger. I have zero qualms with buying what is now an old bike because of what you pointed out. You can literally make these run forever with the aftermarket and Indy shop support and knowledge out there. I know I can keep it running well into the future and likely be passed on to my son.
everything you said is true,, I had a 1994 Dyna 1340,,,,11 years of going and going,no dramas,,....sold it years ago,, someone else is riding around on it now , they're built to last,a long time.
I've had just about zero problems on the 3 Harley's I've owned the past 20 years. Outside of regular maintenance items, about 95% of what I've spent has been upgrades and custom parts.
Nothing sounds like a Harley and it has the strongest brand loyalty in the world. They aren’t perfect do require maintenance and occasional repair. With an extensive dealership network nationwide as well as support from independent shops you won’t be down for long even if you so have an issue.
Even just a general indy shop that works on anything and everything they usually have very good knowledge of a Harley. Anybody who has experience working on bikes can follow a Harley service manual and breeze through a job.
Reminds me of an old joke. There was a guy riding a Harley that pulled up to a stop light, at the same time there was a guy that pulled up beside him on a sport bike. The guy on the sport bike challenged the Harley rider to a race. The Harley rider calmly looked at the sport bike rider and replied, Sure kid I'll race you, same corner same red light...in twenty years. And then the Harley rider just pulled off.
I got just about 45,000 miles of smiles on my 2018 street glide special. Love it! It’s my first Harley I’ve owned and yes it was a bucket list item. Been riding for fifty years on many brands. The big reason I choose H-D was first I never owned one and two, Harleys dealer network. If I go out of state on an adventure I know I’m covered by H-D dealers all over the place.
Any Gold Wing owner that says I have had my Wing for 150,000 miles and never had to do anything is more than likely not being honest. I own 2 Harleys and a Gold wing and much prefer the Harleys. Don't get me wrong the Honda is great until you have to work on them 3 hours just to remove the rear wheel, 2 hours to change the air filter. Stupid crap like that oh hows about having to pull your engine in order to change the stator. No Hondas are great as long as they run. Over 50 percent of registered motorcycles on the road in the US are Harley Davidsons Honda you ask 14 percent. Just my opinion which means nothing I realize that. Just a few facts to ponder. Gixx I love your content thanx for all your great information your a big reason i purchased my last Harley. You supplied the knowledge that gave me the confidence to buy my latest Ultra Classic 😀
Uhhhh Gold Wings do require a metric butt ton of disassembly to get a rear wheel off. Most shops advertise a price for a tire change on the bike and have another price which is higher for a Wing.
Yeah I am not a fan of digging you have to do on Wing to get to things, it's a clean package don't get me wrong. But you really have to do some disassembly to get to things.
I just love the feel and sound. Get it screaming with those fishtails grumbling and the torque pulling is pure fun. My friend has a killer new indian but it was smashed and he's disappointed with service.
Gotta love the sound of the fish tails! I can't speak for Indian's service and support but I would hazard to guess he's fighting the supply chain issues right now. Given with a Indian there was likely less on the shelf parts availability too, it's all about that just in time supply so things aren't sitting on a shelf. That's biting us right now not having parts on the shelf.
No matter what others say, but what I do know is that I loved my Harley from day one riding it even though it had a few problems as on the other bikes. Personally, I use street bikes, and I had a Hayabusa, gsxr 1000, r6, kawasaki ZX10R, zx6r and of course not all at the same time but ultimately depends on what you settle on and enjoy riding
Right on, I've rode a lot of sport bikes over the years too. Dad ran a Kawasaki and Suzuki shop for 30 years, I got experience a lot of new bikes and different used models. Lol now he rides a Vrod, so we both settled on Harleys.
I like all your videos. Long story....short version, it's a patriotic thing with me. First HD for me 97 EVO, next 07 Twin Cam, now 18 M8. Love them all. Could have kept any of them and been happy.
I bought the iron 883 as my first motorcycle. Didn’t even know what I was doing. I just knew it looked badass and was a Harley Davidson 👍. It’s worked out just fine for me so far. I complain about constantly putting mods on it, but in reality I love doing it. 🤷🏻♂️. It’s a blast to ride and built like a tank so I will never have to replace it, unless I do something stupid to it which isn’t far fetched for me. Not to mention, there’s just a feeling you get from riding a Harley! I think that’s 50% of why we ride them. We feel like the king of the road on our Harley!
@@GixxerFoo I will definitely be putting that 1275 kit into it in the future (given I keep it that long). I am very, very, interested in what’s in store in the near future with Harley Davidson! Another, probably 975, sportster. Another ADV bike or two of smaller displacement and probably a little less tech. So the chances of me trading in on something with that new revolution max engine in it is very likely! However, the iconic, evo sportster is a dying breed and will one day be a legendary bike. So that has to be given consideration before just swapping out bikes for the newest one. There’s also advantages to the simplicity and availability of parts for the current sportster, that will positively NOT be the case with a brand new, modern, high tech, liquid cooled, engine, like the revolution max engine.
My first bike was a kawasaki, then I traded for an Indian scout bobber in 2018. A year later I traded for a slightly used 2018 street glide special. Then earlier this year I traded for a 21 road glide special. I'll never not own a harley as long as I live.
Nice. Love my 2014. I've got it set up perfect between the engine upgrades and the suspension. I like to think of them as a 'budget' Chevy. You're buying a platform to make your own. I wanted performance and handling to be better, and it was a breeze to upgrade to just what I wanted.. Never going to be a rice rocket, but coming out of the corner, rolling on the torque at 3000 rpm up to 4500 and it's a blast. And the nation wide dealerships really sealed the deal. Done a lot of long distant riding over the years. The 2 times I needed them, I went to the head of the line being on the road. This is one time I went with the crowd. Glad I did. Everywhere I've been, people are great. It's the bike. LOL Thanks for a great channel.
I love my soft tail! He's old and has lots of miles but he's paid for and has outlived all my wives! He is absolutely beautiful! I won't part with it till I die. When I can't ride any more, I'll move him into the corner of the living room and just look at him as art!
I’ve had issues in a couple of my trips cross country, I’d find a dealership closest to me and because I was traveling they put me into the Front of the line. You won’t find that at any Japanese shop.
Great video Gixxerfoo! I am an older motorcycle enthusiast and have owned nearly every brand name of big named bike out there at one time or another. I currently own only Harleys. I have nothing against other riders or brands but for me and my family, it will be a Harley Davidson. Along with all the positive reasons you have mentioned, I also want to add the camaraderie and brotherhood/sisterhood that comes along with being a big twin owner from a company with its roots as embedded in our American history as baseball and apple pie.
Thank you and very well said! I don't have a issue with other brands either but you just can't keep them forever. If something happens those bikes are done, you can't get parts or you're relying on take offs from the scrap yard.
There is a camaraderie amongst motorcyclists, but it seems more pronounced among HD riders. I ride an old '99 Road King with a ton of miles on it, and me and the brand new HD model owners still chat it up about eachother's bikes, so its a lot of fun.
In regards to the 99 Suzuki comparison. Sure it could cost that much to rebuild the power plant. But you could also go out and replace the whole bike for less than the cost of a dealer stage 1 and bar job.
0:00 my mechanics face when I bring in my sportster for a “piston cleaning” instead of listening to his advice of installing an external breather kit under the air filter
😆😂👍 I clean mine before every oil change, I know full well I need and external breather... I'm a bit lazy though when it comes to getting one put together on my bike.
I got a harley 1) lane spliting 2) it's a sofa on 2 wheels nice after a long day of hard work in construction that upright position Is comfortable 3) get to work and home faster everyday
you are so right, I bought my first Harley six months ago a mean looking Fat Bob, and Im already looking forward to a second Harley for touring, perhaps a Road Glide but I will make sure to keep my Fat Bob 👍🏼
Some good points you making ! Talk about getting parts that's true aftermarket support is awesome ! Unlike some other brands a friend has one of the last Victory's & he told me there are hardly any of the old Victory dealers that have any parts for them ! So my point is good luck getting what you need to fix some brands !
Victory’s you can get engine parts from Polaris online but you will not need to because they required very little maintenance other than spark plugs and oil.
Joe Biden will kill off Harley and Indian. Barack Obama almost killed off Harley with his abysmal economy and Polaris rolled Victory into the the Indian line just to sell bikes. Both companies experienced better sales under Trump’s economy but then phony pandemic came along. When Joe gets done you will have the Harley from China and the Indian from India.
When they discontinued Victory they promised parts and full support for ten years, now that the ten years is winding down I can see them getting scarce. A lot of people got some screamin deals on new Victory bikes, some nearly half of retail to just move them out of dealers.
@@GixxerFoo man has it been that long since they stopped Victory seems like just a couple years ! My friend still has his victory along with a Honda & 2 Harleys all 4 bikes run good !
There is a connection between Harley Davidson riders and our bikes that goes beyond enjoying the ride. Our bikes are family, and when riding it's as though we are with a cherished companion. I probably shouldn't admit this but there are moments during a ride when you feel bliss, and I say out loud, "I love you". Because I am in love with my '07 Road King. She's white with gold pearl clearcoat and flawless chrome. In the Sun you swear this bike is radioactive ☢.
HD had a program to rebuild your motor, they called it the reman program. Now its called longblock, so you can still say your bike is all HD made. Price wise I would have to check that out against after market parts. Super video.
Thank you! I think that program runs roughly about 4500 bucks, it's pretty bare bones though. You still have dealer labor to pay with that program as well. If you did it yourself you could swap your left side crank case with the vin to the new motor if you really wanted to.
Really enjoy the channel GixxerFoo! Great content and you know your stuff. I give Harley a pretty hard time. But I have earned that right. That said. Some of the best times of my life have come Touring on Harleys. Before switching to Goldwings. All of my touring was done on Ultra Classics. And I'll be the first to admit. Nothing else will give you the feeling of throwing a leg over a big twin. A big Harley can touch your soul in a way no other bike will. Now part of that is the anxiety of wondering if your gonna make it home. LOL! But I'm as handy with a set of tools as anyone. So most of the time. It usually worked out. Seems like I can break a TC engine at will. But like you said. They are really easy to work on. I won't go back to touring on one. But it still puts a giant smile on my face to ride the VROD or my sons Deuce. Both really great bikes!
Yeah, it really boils down to whether one prefers that low end torque or bumble bee sound horse power as far as the engine "experience". And yeah, it's hard not to argue in favor of the endless aftermarket support for HD. It really is phenomenal.
I got my first Harley last July. 02 sportster 1200 custom. She had been sitting for some years and needed some love. Top end rebuild and new oil lines, new spark plugs, and fresh fluids. I also had to replace the speedo because it simply did not have one. I know that no speedo is very sketchy but I got the bike at a really good price so I rolled the dice. Been riding her to work everyday since I got her. My hope is that if I treat this bike right that I will see many miles and years riding it. I love the way it sounds and handles. Not so much at highway speeds though lol
A good 10 or 15-year-old big Harley is something I'd love to have around. I bought a Honda for the reliability, but I'd love a Harley to work on and ride occasionally.
I turned 40 this year and have been riding off and on since I was ripping trails as a 12 year old on an old Yamaha GT80, tearing up back roads on a 250 Rebel, buying my first crotch rocket (Honda F4i), Suzuki SV650, etc. Never once did I think I'd want a Harley then my best friend shows up with a HD Road Glide out of the blue after trading in a Ducati (that he never rode) and says "just take it around on a quick loop". DANG, it all clicked, you truly don't realize until you ride one that they are a great feeling/riding bike. That same day my uncle shows up with his Yamaha Stratoliner so I ride it immediately after, sure it is a nice bike but I had no desire for one after the ride. Needless to say I now own a Road King.
@@joshwilliams9122 I can almost mirror that story so I'll keep it short I'm 63 started out on a Honda CT70 then the Suzuki 90 Motocross trail riding in the early 70s got a 73,900 kaw had to ride a buddy of mines lowrider he was hurt and had to get it back to his garage and I was hooked my dad rode Harleys my mom rolled with him my sister wrote Harley's I never got the bug till I rode one been on one ever since ❤️❤️❤️
GW and Ultra both 30k. More power than most other “cruisers” period. Most metric bikes are “throw-a-aways” not made to last because they know you’ll eventually be on a HD anyways. HD parts are the ONLY quality made OEM and after market parts made today period. Ask the car guys…All parts today are JUNK!! We all started on metrics and I LOVED my first bike a ‘84 Kawasaki 454 LTD great bike zero issues. Then ‘04 750 Shadow ACE, junk… Then a Suzuki Intruder 1500, junk… And finally…a ‘12 Limited… Heaven… And currently a ‘21 RGL 114… Little bit of Heaven and Hell 🔥😎🤘🏼
Dad ran a Kawasaki shop for years and the Service manager got to where they wouldn't work on anything over 10 years old. Parts was a major issue since they couldn't guarantee work with used parts. Car parts today, nothing is rebuildable and it all comes from China. OEM parts I even question myself anymore, just cause it's new doesn't mean it's good when it comes to cars.
I’ve had bikes my whole life, since grade school. Never had a Harley or even rode one, they just werent around me. When I rented one for a trip with my girlfriend, I was sold in like minutes. Later I bought a nice Roadking. I feel so good on that bike, not like anything else I’ve ever had.
Growing up all I heard is how these thing break down. Bought a 2003 Fatboy off the floor, still running it today. Only one thing happened to me with it while riding, VSS went on it. I know nothing about engines or mechanics. - bought the new VSS - watched you tube video - and installed it. 2 hours, probably a 30 minute job or less for someone who actually knows what they are doing. Bike is in the shop going to 95Kit. I will never sell this bike, my son will get it one day. Do your maintenance, know your bikes week points (cam tensioners for Twin Cam88's.) Massive aftermarket and mechanics ready to work on your bike and it only gets better with time. Solo riding for week end trips or longer is a great way to clear your mind and step out of your weekly grind! Have fun!
Great video! I love all motorcycles, but my Harley's are still my favorite. These bikes are virtually bulletproof if they're properly maintained. I love my Evo Sportys. My 03 sat for almost a year, outside, untouched, and fired right up, even with that old gas with no stablelizers added. It ran rough for a tank or two, but cleared itself out, and it runs great. Is it fast? No not at all. But it is absolutely a blast to ride. I love the points you made, and it shows just how good Harley Davidson is as a brand.
Thanks for sharing! I love not having to worry about parts availability, unless it's a Vrod oil cooler. Those are discontinued and it took forever to find a old school radiator shop who actually repairs things instead of replacing.
They are definitely expensive, but it's like you said if you maintain them they good for a lifetime but at the end of the day ride what you want👍haters will always be haters,good video
Thank you, it's nice to know you won't have any parts worries since they are literally every where. With Harley it seems like you either love them or you hate them.
I've traveled across the country several times on my Harleys, packed down. Anytime I had my tool roll out and was squatting next too my bike, at least one person would roll up asking if I needed anything. It was inevitable. Sometimes, if I was just doing maintenance or checking things, I would park somewhere out of sight so people wouldn't come to see if I needed help. I use to travel on Gen 1 Honda goldwings, gl1000's. Not once ever did a person stop to see if I needed help when I was broke down. Not once. Just for the record, I've been on the side of the road many more times on my old goldwings than I have on my Harleys.
I love my high mileage 2013 Ultra Limited and it will be the last bike I ever own. I'm having the engine rebuilt from the crank up this winter and if all goes as planned giving the bike to my nephew when I get to old to ride. The rebuild will easily exceed the value of my motorcycle but I'm hoping to be one of those old guys who own a bike with over 200,000 miles on the chassis and still going strong.
Even a complete rebuild on that bike with all the good stuff is cheaper than the comparable model today. Even with the expense of a new bike it's still a bone stock bike!
Thank you so much, I really do appreciate that! I've been wanting to put some good out there on the Harley, I felt I've began sound like I hate Harleys talking about the issues.
@@GixxerFoo I watch all of your videos and I never got the impression that you were having on harley. All you're doing is speaking of the facts. And I appreciate all the knowledge you've shared.
You have a good point but I don't think the hand full new riders you have impressed will make a difference. I could say the metrics don't need a dealer every other block because of the need for new parts, but we all know how dependable the metrics are don't need to be worked on as often. Harley will always have a good advertising campain and their are those who still insist on telling me that any other brand just isn't a true motorcycle, but we all know that HONDA is still the number one best sold motorcycle brand in history. They still can't build a good dependable engine, but they're trying. SO far they got the counter balancers to work and one model has even got liquid cooling, but they quit that model. Keep trying Harley, you'll get it right eventually, if it's not too late.
i love my 2000 FXDX 98ci big bore high compression redshift577 cam 103 hp 110 ft lbs torq thing hauls i love it cause of the parts are everywhere and lots of choices ill never sell it going to rebuild it with darkhorse crank works for reliabilty from flywheel shiftin
Plus you have the HD effect, recent story traveling from Southern California to Las Vegas, stopped at a 50s style diner in Yermo, CA called Peggy Sues Diner a lot of tourist stop there as well. I finish eating and walk out to my bike, there is a tour bus full of Japanese tourists that had just pulled in and there all standing around my Harley taking pictures, I don’t understand Japanese but you could tell they were taking about it being a Harley. They all moved away as I walk towards the bike like they were afraid of the old biker🙂 but I told them it was okay, they took pictures with me and I let a few of the ladies sit on it and take pictures. You see that happen much to the Wingers? I don’t think so. And it’s not the first time something like that has happened to me.
Back in the day I had a 76 Super glide and a 3 cylinder Kaw 2 stroke. The faster I drove the KAW the cooler I was. The slower I drove the Glide the cooler I was. I’m really ok with slow and cool 😎
Those 3 cylinder Kawasakis are absolute animals, I got ride a 750 once and realized really quick why it was called the widow maker. Brakes and chassis were not up to par with the engine output of the day!
I love my 05 anniversary fatboy 95 twin cam but I forgot about the cam chain tensioner issue or I wouldn't have bought it. Its a shame an expensive motorcycle has issues out of the box!
Once you get those upgraded it's a really solid machine, that's really the only down side of the 88. The 5 speed had a return spring issue in the transmission but it's a pretty easy fix to swap that out.
If you are interested in a sport bike but want a Harley..... Buy a dyna. Put a big bore kit(124+), cams, air intake, ignition upgrade, headwork(port polish big valves and high lift springs), welded trued and lightened crank, baker grudge box, chain drive conversion, tuned exhaust, and a gentle break in period. Sputhe chassis and motor stabilizers and a progressive suspension upgrade. Next thing you know, if you build it right, you have a bike that will cruise at 140mph at around 3100rpm!
Yup; all metal and no pot metal . Like tractor ; last forever . Motorcycle junkyards full of em pot metal plastic throw away bikes . Harley’s will stand the test of time - The metric bikes don’t even have bushings in head and when one goes : replace whole head. V twin has best torque band for touring and cruising . Better mpg . American bike manufacturers believed in keeping the engine within the frame . ✊🏻👍👌
Dad's shop used to have indoor salvage yard of Kawasaki and Suzuki, wrecked bikes were stripped and inventoried. The bikes became more plastic and times changed, nobody rebuilt bikes anymore so all that went to scrap.
@@GixxerFoo yup ; I had a few metric dirt bikes and you turn a phillips screw on case more than 3 times head strips out . Pot metal get that white corrosion on it . Well 🤔
Loved this video blog. I've got an even more warm fuzzy feeling about my 14 Street glide that just turned 40,000 miles and my 2005 Softail Deuce that has 25,000 on it .🤔😂😂I'm thinking that's it for this dude in this lifetime. There are faster up and coming HDs and my friend just bought an identical black Street Glide like mine only his has the M8 107. I'm thinking my bikes go plenty fast ( I used to do sport bikes in England YEARS ago ) Honda CBR XX 1100 Super Blackbird but I was younger and there was way less pogi there then here😏. So I love to cruise and smell the Rose's here in the States now. 😂👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
That had to be a blast riding sport bikes on the roads in England! With all the M8's having some issues I still thing the late Twin Cams are a much better ride. The newer bikes just don't feel like the Twin Cams and the Twin Cam has plenty of power!
@@GixxerFoo a BLAST is the correct term my friend. In the flat lands where I lived you could see for miles. That helped when looking out for the pogi. Seriously on occasion with Hyper bikes we sometimes looked like the Moto GP on the TV . NO 💩.😂🇬🇧🇺🇸👍😎
Another great video. Bought my 2002 RKC 20 years ago this month. Looks and runs like the day I drove it off the lot. 79K miles. Stage 1 stock. Hooker slip-ons. I just ride it and not beat the sh*t out of it. Been maintaining it myself all these years so I know how well the bike has been cared for. Question. I know the generality of such a question because of all the variables. How many miles does one generally get out of a TC-88 like mine before she's crying for a rebuild? Mine shows no signs of slowing down. Just retired a month ago so the scoot is going to see a lot more time on the road now. I retired in Nevada. Escaped California. Reno area. If you've ever riden in Nevada, you know once outside of the city limits, it's like having your own personal state. Gets remote and lonely out there.
A well cared for Twin Cam can easily see 100K miles, I've seen some make it upwards of 150K. As with anything mechanical when you get up in the miles anything can happen but since it's well cared for it's got a shot well over 100K.
@@GixxerFoo I've been using synthetic oil since the break-in oil. Oil debates have been raging on Harley forums since the first Harley message boards some 25 years ago. I've always gone by the premise that if synthetic oil is good enough for jet engines, it's good enough for my TC-88. Seems to work! 🙂
Wow ! You've upgraded your shelf, lol BTW vot a 2000 Electra Glide Standard $14500. On the road in 2000 got a 107000+ nothing but stage 2 (mild cam). Still runs great 😎
I drifted into Harley from Japanese bikes because of the simplicity and Sportsters were rock solid and affordable. The brand new Harleys don't seem to have any of the characteristics that attracted to me to Harley so it looks like I'm going to stick with the older bikes.
Do you have a story from the road about a indy shop or dealer helping you out?
Danville Moto Shed in Montgomery City, MO. I broke down this pass summer with a battery with a dead cell. I was on a trip that took me out to Glacier National Park and looped back around to Sturgis before making my way home. It was on my second day out that the bike just died. A young man stopped to see if I needed help and called Rod Sturgeon the owner. He delivered a new battery with-in 30 minutes. After troubleshooting he confirmed the dead cell and I was on my way again in time for beer:thirty. I can not thank him enough.
Yes sir! Last summer I crossed the country on my 1999 Harley Springer custom and my starter became unreliable in Sedona, Arizona. I tried the local dealer but they pointed me to an independent shop in Flagstaff and they were awesome! Got me to California and back home to Maryland with no further problems.
Last weekend, my partner and I rode down to Adam Sandovals place at the K River. We also swung into Chucks Classic Cycles.. if you get a chance to go to Chucks place, do it!! What a cool place!!
Bad Pig Customs, metro Detroit.
Tires installed while I waited. Hung out for hours after just enjoying the
fellowship of the HD nation.
Ivan at Vegas Thunder Cycle hooked me up on a Blown Fork Seal Job when i was traveling thur Vegas last Spring👍
My Harley is my therapy. Life changing for me.
Me too -
Same. You never see a Harley in front of a shrink's office
@@getoffmygrass6974 yeah buddy -
✊🏻👍👌
@@getoffmygrass6974 knees in the breeze -😁
Best stress reliever I know of...
Well, besides some steamy sex and a cold beer afterwards...
All great points. Most Harley problems are self induced by the owner. To this day I still believe the old air cooled Sportster motor is the most bullet proof engine Harley produced. The Harley is part of American culture. Just the other day my six year old son had fifties day at school. He had the leather jacket tee shirt and jeans, slicked back hair, sunglasses and video of him sitting atop the Harley rolling the throttle. His older brother was only five years old when I bought that bike over twenty years ago and he learned to ride on it when he was a teenager.
They do pretty well with mild mods, a lot of issues start when you get too crazy on the stock bottom ends.
Most Harley owners like to work on their own bikes to whatever extent their skills allow them to. I know I do. Also, you can pick up a nice used Heritage Classic and change the look to just about anything you want. Run it with the bags and windshield, run it with no windshield, no windshield and no bags, throw a solo seat and fender bib on it, add a tour pack, install hard bags, etc. That’s a lot of gorgeous variety from one motorcycle.
I own a 2015 Harley Street Glide Special with 30,000 on it and needed on the bike except for routine servicing I’m now 72 years old and I plan to keep that bike till I cannot wait any longer and that’s going to be many years to come
That Twin Cam 103 is just barely broke in at 30K, regular service and it will do another 30K and beyond!
60,000 miles on my 05 Dyna and only requires basic upkeep such as oil change etc ...
I own a Harley because it never lets me down
That's a tribute to maintenance and upkeep! These bikes are 350 chevy of the motorcycle world!
70k on our 05 RK, would ride it across country tommorow if I could...
It's a segment of an American Iconic radial engine designed using the engine dimensions 2 cylinders of a 7 - 9 cylinder radial combat fighter aircraft! The sound and ride quality are unmatched, they pull hard, ok they Rev like a diesel, but you can control the wheel drift in low traction conditions predictably and consistently
Local HD dealer said even as new as 2018 parts are now obsolete/unavailable due to Covid. The 10 year rule to maintain repair parts availability is a thing of the past. Aftermarket will still be there is my bet. So yes. HD can be owned and enjoyed for a lifetime.
That's a supply issue, all dealerships are having that issue.
That said manufactures are by federal law required to support parts for 10 years. So if Harley is claiming that then they're open to law suits and federal fines, that we all know they can't exactly afford right now
Supply chain is super broken right now, they can't even get the raw materials to manufacture a lot of things right now.
I was one of those folks who said I wouldn't buy a Harley. Mostly because I couldn't justify the price. I rode a Victory as my main bike for a while but then Polaris decided to kill that brand. Parts dried up and the Indian style just ain't that impressive to me. So I bought an Ultra Limited. Wow. Now I get it. Still love my Victory....but now I understand what makes Harley so great. Parts and aftermarket everywhere. Heck, even walmart sells Harley stuff.
I was the same way too for years, I finally rode one I and finally saw what everyone meant! I was hooked ever since then!
I think another thing is desirability. I'm sure it's "always buy American" over there, but Harley is still in high demand around the world and it doesn't matter if you ride it into the ground, there's someone out there who wants it.
We really do have a lot of metric bikes here, I'd almost say you see more of them on the road just not together like you do Harleys. Harleys are very sought after though everywhere, which always made me wonder why since most people talk bad about them lol.
@@GixxerFoo I love my Harley... now. It cost WAY too much to get it right. I bought it new, did the work myself, and it still cost a GD fortune.
Yep brand loyalty and being a part of the world's largest cosplay group 😂
@@TheDeplorableOne I've only had one HD. I can honestly say i think it will be my last HD.
@@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234 No one cares what your opinion is jimmy...
I started liking Harleys in the 70’s so it makes sense that I own a couple of 79’s. I always thought their little quirks gave them character. If they were perfect then they’d just be, you know, an appliance. If you get attached to your bike for any reason then you bought the right bike. I remember looking at an FXEF in a showroom back in 79 and wondered what it’d be like to own that bike. Now I have one and every time I look at it I’m back in that showroom 42 years ago. And even though it tries to vibrate itself apart every time I start it I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s something about those old Harleys that I can’t exactly explain but I bet there’s a lot of other owners who can’t explain it either. Sometimes you just know. Oh yeah, my collection of torque wrenches and Loctite is pretty impressive.
Loctite and go over everything! That's awesome you got the bike you wanted to own all those years ago, it's things like that that make owning a Harley special!
The bond between a man and his harley is something truely unique, probably most similar to a cowboy and his horse in the 1800s. The time spent together, places traveled, memories made. The exhaust note is almost like a heartbeat. You learn your bikes temperment and personality over time. You get scratches and scars together. My bike has always been there when i needed it, and has helped me through some of the hardest most stressfull moments in my life. When i get behind the bars and hit that start button, all my problems fade away. I dont think about work, financial issues, relationship stress. I smile from ear to ear and thank god im allowed to be here for every mile marker i pass. Life really is amazing, and even more so when your in the breeze on a harley. Ride safe out there 🙏
You don't see that with many other brands!
Entry cost isn't high anymore....tons of $4000ish big twin Evos and TC on FB or craigslist that someone treasured but aged out. Next 10years should be a golden age if you can turn a wrench.
I just bought an 01 RK 40K miles with new tires, breaks, LEDs and seat for $5500. First Harley and I'm in love!
@@michaellobdell7064 as long as the cam tensioner was done you got a good deal
That's for sure! There are so many used bikes out there it's cause Harley to compete with their own used bikes. Now they've tried to capture that market with the certified used and financing on them.
@@GixxerFoo I think they will even manage a private sale between two people but I have heard bad stories where the salesmen tries to talk the buyer into a new bike instead. That said, if the bike does have issues or the buyer cant turn a wrench then new or barely used is the way to go.
Just added another to my stable... 1 owner '03 Anniversary Fatboy , 22k on the speedo.
That is awesome! It's always a great feeling to score a low mile bike like that, I personally couldn't own a bike and not ride it!
🛑🛑 Gix……I think another reason I enjoy riding my Harley so much, is the “friendships and easy conversations” you can have with another Harley owners. 💯
There have been many times either I’m getting off my Harley or walking over to someone else’s Harley that owners are “more than willing” to discuss their bike; or are asking you, how you did something on your Harley?
It seems to me, when you buy a Harley you become part of a “really big family” or “ a club” that cares about each other💯😀👍.
You really do, plus you can get some great ideas at bike meets checking out other bikes. Most people will be more than willing to tell you what they did and how they did it. Also if someone did the work and they did a good job they will get recommended.
Harley's are to a pickup truck as sport bikes are to sports cars. They're made to haul, not fly.
A Harley to me has always been like a muscle car, they are more centered on torque and the 1/8th miles. A built Harley will pull anything for a short distance just cause of the torque and they put the power to the ground.
one way to get a low cost Harley , or any bike is getting a wrecked bike from an auction. with a clean title is best . depending on the damage and what you want to do with it. you can save a lot of $$. its an option. good vid
I need to do a video on wrecked bikes, frickin Harleys still command some money even wrecked to hell. I have a friend that made a lot of money at his shop rebuilding and selling salvage title bikes of all kinds. He bought them for nothing, put them back together with donor parts (it was done right) they were better than new when he was done.
@@GixxerFoo the thing with salvaged bikes is getting tags can be a pain, depending on the state you are in, and not worth much on resale. thats why i said clean title is best. salvaged bikes are good for parts though . if you wanted to use a custom frame anyway then id say that is the way to go. a vid on the subject would be cool.
@@justin.s9783 i built my first HD from swap meet parts in Florida. When it was done the DMV assigns a VIN# and special rectangular tag with a "ASPT" designator that gets permanently riveted to the frame. The shop that was helping me at that time told me ASPT means "ALL STOLEN AND PUT TOGETHER" 😂 I later learned that "ASPT" REALLY meant "AsSembled from ParTs". True story, funny stuff...
@@kennethwise7108 thats cool. from what i have read it differs from state to state. so are easy some are impossible. that is a funny story too lol
@@justin.s9783 haaa yeah really thanks
So happy on my Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic 2008 / 98k Miles on it
Riding very different kind of brands for about 40 years but but last 5 years on HD.
Just the normal regular maintenance and wear and do it all by myself
Riding every day and allways fun on my bike.
Great channel you’ve got and always looking out for your next content.
For me it’s Harley-Davidson.
Greetings from Holland (Europe).
I remember my uncle telling me when I was a kid to buy HDs because 'you can have them forever & just keep rebuilding them'. Now it's even better, I can literally buy everything from fender to fender in the aftermarket. New engines, frames, PCM/ECUs, everything. This is why after looking real hard at an Africa Twin I chose another HD (Road King). If I want, I can just keep rebuilding it & never buy another new bike in my life.
But that Africa Twin will take so many places that RK will never see..And do just as many miles
@@jrbass62 That's why I was so tempted. It came down to comfort for long trips (nothing beats HD touring bikes) & service/parts availability. Looking at the current situation, HD was the safer bet. Still, If I ever go for a 2nd bike to have in the garage it's going to be an AT.
@@Chase_N I have friends with all kinds of bikes HD is nice but there are bikes Like a Goldwing or BMW K 1600 that have way more toys n tech if that's what you like Honda flat 6 and BMW inline 6 are so smooth and powerful !!!
You can buy a used twin cam and build it up into exactly what you want. You spend some money doing it and even if you spent as much as a new one you've got all the good stuff in there and not just a bone stock bike.
@@jrbass62 my father-in-law has ridden nothing but Honda GW’s for years. He’s a millionaire and could buy anything he wants. I asked him why he likes the GW and he said reliability, and comfort. He put over 150,000 miles on one he bought new before selling and buying another. For your money GW is the way to go and you don’t have to do anything to it but ride it. You buy a brand new HD an you have to drop thousands of dollars just to make it sound like a HD.
I bought my '09 Sportster XL1200 Custom new. Orange Pearl on Vivid Black and a ton of chrome. I do some mods and add-ons every summer so I've built it up over time. I can't ever go anywhere without getting looks and people walking up and saying "wow, that's a nice looking bike" and asking a bunch of questions. That look of shock when I say it's an '09 and they say "it looks brand new". Just wrapping up my '13'th season with it and never once had the slightest problem with it. It sounds incredible, I love the ride, and I never ever want anything else. Every year, it just keeps getting better. I started riding Honda CB350-Four back in 1980, then an '85 Suzuki Madura 700, Honda Magna V65. I always had trouble with all of them. Then no bikes for quite a while thru college, marriage and kids and apartment living. When I finally bought a house with a garage, I had my chance to get a bike again. Choosing a new Harley was a no-brainer. I like nimble street bikes so the Sportster was the obvious choice for me. I walked into a local HD showroom, walked around looking at all the bikes, and the second I laid eyes on mine, I just knew it. Had it written up within the hour. I grabbed a helmet off the shelf and a leather jacket off the rack. The sales lady kept asking "Do you need help?", "Do you have any questions?", "Would you like to sign up to our new rider's training course?". I just said "Naw, I'm fine, keys please". I fired it up and clunked it into first and off I went. Greatest feeling in the world. Even after 15 years without a bike, it all came back in about a minute. I hadn't gone two miles and I knew that I made the right choice.
That's awesome to hear! A lot of people are shocked by the year of some Harleys, most are built up and well taken care of!
I love all motorcycles. I truly do. I’ve owned a lot of different brands over the years but I currently own 4 big twin Harleys. I don’t have the need for speed and Harleys suit my riding taste to perfection. The aftermarket support is unmatched.
Another reason is the people. Some of the best laughs and times I’ve had have been with our riding group out on long rides. We’ve met some amazing people on our rides!
Absolutely!!
I ride a Harley Davidson because of the look, the sound, and yes that low end torque. And you hit the nail on the head with the support network.
I have a dealership 20 minutes away and an independent shop a mile away who only handles Harleys.
Did I mention the sound?
Oh that exhaust note!
There's just nothing else out there like it!
The beauty of today’s Harley over in the past is they’re really good about parts/aftermarket/service for these older bikes (I’ve an evo), but also are finally making new bikes I’d like to buy too. The new sportster looks pretty cool, and the PanAm has been doing pretty well too!
I was holding out for the street fighter, when they scrapped it I bought the Indian FTR
@@TheDeplorableOne I like the idea of the Bronx a lot. I hope they come out with it. I’d also love a less fancy sportster with the same engine but a touch smaller displacement. I think it could be a really awesome neo-retro bike. I imagine that and the Bronx might be a thing around the same time since they’d both use a 975 engine or some such.
Couldn't agree more! I've got to hit a demo day and try out the new Sportster S.
It's a real shame they scrapped that bike, it would of been a lot of fun with that short wheel base if they didn't cap the power off with the 975.
My first and only Harley is a FLHTCU. I went from a Goldwing GL1800 to my Ultra. I’ve ben happy with it.
I bought a low milage sportster 1200 first. Very much impressed with the power and torque and ride. Then I found a good deal on an Electraglide twin cam. What a ride > you are right. the quality of the Harleys are very hard to top. Thank you for this info sir.
Thanks for sharing and thank you for the support!
Ride my fatbob hard my bike is around 700 lbs bit it handles amazing. The matched 427 Dunlop best tire i ever used .blew at 120km sounded like shot gun no wobble pulled over. Picked up a nail it came out at 170 bike felt soft pulled over no worries. 132 mph stage 1 only . That's why you have a tattoo that says HARLEY not to many Honda tats lol. Love all bikes rode many but love my Harley.
Owning it forever, yeah I can see that. I bought my 91 Dyna new and still have it.
That's awesome! Very few people with other brands can say that!
I can honestly say, purchased my Harley new 05. 99% of my rides, someone will say NICE BIKE! Or want to talk about Harley's. still gives me a giant smile of ownership to this day.
That's awesome, I love it when people compliment the bike or we sit and talk about them. Always someone comes up and says hey I ride a Harley XXXXX!
I’ve always wanted to buy an Indian, but doing a demo on a Roadglide I was hooked , now every time I ride my Harley I’m glad I made that choice 😁
I just bought my first Harley. An 01 RK. Started modifying immediately. Came across your channel and am now subscribed! Great stuff. As soon as it's too cold to ride, it's getting a new camchest & cams thanks to you gixxerfoo!
Thank you for the subscription and I hope you're enjoying the new bike! You've got the solid bottom end so when that cam chest is done you will be good to go!
@@GixxerFoo
Is the advantage to adjustable pushrods the fact that I won't have to remove the rocker covers?
I was torn between the Kawasaki Concours, BMW KB1600 and the Roadking as my first bike at 62 years old. Sat on a 2018 Streetglide at my local Harley dealership, 15 minute drive . It was love at first straddle, ergonomic perfection. I'm completely average, 5 foot 11 and 62/64th inches tall, 32 inch inseam and 200 umm pounds. Got a great deal as the 2019's were shipping. Not the brightest bulb in the elevator but it seemed a good idea to add the rear guards before I took it out. They had them in stock and were simple and fun to install. So glad I did because my inexperience resulted in multiple slow speed drops. Guarding the Kawi or BMW would have involved a whole lot more time and delay, and thousands of dollars in "tupperware" damage as dealerships are 60 miles away. Absolutely, Harley's greatest market advantage is their extensive nationwide parts and service network.
Those are all great bikes but with the Harleys the accessories are eveywhere! Harleys may be heavy but they are well balanced bikes, much easier to pick up off the stand than the competitors. Lol now you get them off the balance point and going down, it's best to let it go. Glad you and your bike alright, it happens to all of us, unfortunately I was never able to have it happen when people weren't around.
Aftermarket and parts availability for Harley is unmatched in the US. I had zero concern about buying an 18 year old bike (03 Fatboy) last December because of this. I don't plan to ever sell it. I've had 5 Harleys over the last 20 years. I had an '04 Fat Boy that I regretted selling about 10yrs ago. After a year and half of searching, I found the right deal and pulled the trigger. I have zero qualms with buying what is now an old bike because of what you pointed out. You can literally make these run forever with the aftermarket and Indy shop support and knowledge out there. I know I can keep it running well into the future and likely be passed on to my son.
Honestly the older bikes are more reliable than the new ones, especially if you find a good deal and take the time to go through it.
everything you said is true,, I had a 1994 Dyna 1340,,,,11 years of going and going,no dramas,,....sold it years ago,, someone else is riding around on it now , they're built to last,a long time.
I've had just about zero problems on the 3 Harley's I've owned the past 20 years. Outside of regular maintenance items, about 95% of what I've spent has been upgrades and custom parts.
That is awesome to hear! If you just take care of them they won't give you a problem one!
Nothing sounds like a Harley and it has the strongest brand loyalty in the world. They aren’t perfect do require maintenance and occasional repair. With an extensive dealership network nationwide as well as support from independent shops you won’t be down for long even if you so have an issue.
Very true.
Even just a general indy shop that works on anything and everything they usually have very good knowledge of a Harley. Anybody who has experience working on bikes can follow a Harley service manual and breeze through a job.
Right on all counts. I have a 16 year old 883 that ive done a bunch of work on. Its cool, tough, fast and a working mans bike. Its not for sale. Ever.
That's what I love about those older bikes, you can make them what you want and they are way cooler than new stock bikes!
Reminds me of an old joke.
There was a guy riding a Harley that pulled up to a stop light, at the same time there was a guy that pulled up beside him on a sport bike. The guy on the sport bike challenged the Harley rider to a race. The Harley rider calmly looked at the sport bike rider and replied, Sure kid I'll race you, same corner same red light...in twenty years. And then the Harley rider just pulled off.
Harleys really have the torque and power down low, they will pull for a while off a light!
I got just about 45,000 miles of smiles on my 2018 street glide special. Love it! It’s my first Harley I’ve owned and yes it was a bucket list item. Been riding for fifty years on many brands. The big reason I choose H-D was first I never owned one and two, Harleys dealer network. If I go out of state on an adventure I know I’m covered by H-D dealers all over the place.
That is awesome! Did that bike ever sit still since you bought it with 45K?!
Any Gold Wing owner that says I have had my Wing for 150,000 miles and never had to do anything is more than likely not being honest. I own 2 Harleys and a Gold wing and much prefer the Harleys. Don't get me wrong the Honda is great until you have to work on them 3 hours just to remove the rear wheel, 2 hours to change the air filter. Stupid crap like that oh hows about having to pull your engine in order to change the stator. No Hondas are great as long as they run. Over 50 percent of registered motorcycles on the road in the US are Harley Davidsons Honda you ask 14 percent. Just my opinion which means nothing I realize that. Just a few facts to ponder.
Gixx I love your content thanx for all your great information your a big reason i purchased my last Harley. You supplied the knowledge that gave me the confidence to buy my latest Ultra Classic 😀
3 hours to change a back tire. are you a quadriplegic?
Uhhhh Gold Wings do require a metric butt ton of disassembly to get a rear wheel off. Most shops advertise a price for a tire change on the bike and have another price which is higher for a Wing.
Yeah I am not a fan of digging you have to do on Wing to get to things, it's a clean package don't get me wrong. But you really have to do some disassembly to get to things.
I’m guessing you don’t do your own work, because none of those things take that long. Unless you remove a panel, then drink a beer: repeat.
the guy that worked on my wind would have the wheel off bike in less than 10 min
I can strongly say that even just the finish on the chrome is BETTER
It really is and their paint process is much better! I've never seen orange peel on a Harley factory paint job like I have metrics.
I just love the feel and sound. Get it screaming with those fishtails grumbling and the torque pulling is pure fun. My friend has a killer new indian but it was smashed and he's disappointed with service.
Gotta love the sound of the fish tails! I can't speak for Indian's service and support but I would hazard to guess he's fighting the supply chain issues right now. Given with a Indian there was likely less on the shelf parts availability too, it's all about that just in time supply so things aren't sitting on a shelf. That's biting us right now not having parts on the shelf.
Just dropped an Ultima 4 5/8" stroker flywheel assembly into my 1998 Road Glide 89". Can't wait to see what its going to run like!
That's a big crank, lol that thing is going to scream!
@@GixxerFoo I'll be running an EV27 cam in it. Woooo-Hooo
No matter what others say, but what I do know is that I loved my Harley from day one riding it even though it had a few problems as on the other bikes. Personally, I use street bikes, and I had a Hayabusa, gsxr 1000, r6, kawasaki ZX10R, zx6r and of course not all at the same time but ultimately depends on what you settle on and enjoy riding
Right on, I've rode a lot of sport bikes over the years too. Dad ran a Kawasaki and Suzuki shop for 30 years, I got experience a lot of new bikes and different used models. Lol now he rides a Vrod, so we both settled on Harleys.
I like all your videos. Long story....short version, it's a patriotic thing with me. First HD for me 97 EVO, next 07 Twin Cam, now 18 M8. Love them all. Could have kept any of them and been happy.
There's just no feeling running down the road like a Harley, there's just something about the way they ride you can't get anywhere else.
I bought the iron 883 as my first motorcycle. Didn’t even know what I was doing. I just knew it looked badass and was a Harley Davidson 👍. It’s worked out just fine for me so far. I complain about constantly putting mods on it, but in reality I love doing it. 🤷🏻♂️. It’s a blast to ride and built like a tank so I will never have to replace it, unless I do something stupid to it which isn’t far fetched for me. Not to mention, there’s just a feeling you get from riding a Harley! I think that’s 50% of why we ride them. We feel like the king of the road on our Harley!
The Iron is a really good looking bike! If you decide to convert it over a 1275 kit from Hammer will really wake it up!
@@GixxerFoo I will definitely be putting that 1275 kit into it in the future (given I keep it that long). I am very, very, interested in what’s in store in the near future with Harley Davidson! Another, probably 975, sportster. Another ADV bike or two of smaller displacement and probably a little less tech. So the chances of me trading in on something with that new revolution max engine in it is very likely! However, the iconic, evo sportster is a dying breed and will one day be a legendary bike. So that has to be given consideration before just swapping out bikes for the newest one. There’s also advantages to the simplicity and availability of parts for the current sportster, that will positively NOT be the case with a brand new, modern, high tech, liquid cooled, engine, like the revolution max engine.
Yes, the Twin Cam and M8 motors are more complicated than the previous ones, but how often do you have to work on them anyway?
My first bike was a kawasaki, then I traded for an Indian scout bobber in 2018. A year later I traded for a slightly used 2018 street glide special. Then earlier this year I traded for a 21 road glide special. I'll never not own a harley as long as I live.
The Harleys are just fun to ride, you can't beat the roll on power and just how they put the power to the ground.
Nice. Love my 2014. I've got it set up perfect between the engine upgrades and the suspension. I like to think of them as a 'budget' Chevy. You're buying a platform to make your own. I wanted performance and handling to be better, and it was a breeze to upgrade to just what I wanted.. Never going to be a rice rocket, but coming out of the corner, rolling on the torque at 3000 rpm up to 4500 and it's a blast. And the nation wide dealerships really sealed the deal. Done a lot of long distant riding over the years. The 2 times I needed them, I went to the head of the line being on the road. This is one time I went with the crowd. Glad I did. Everywhere I've been, people are great. It's the bike. LOL Thanks for a great channel.
Thank you! That is the sweet spot in the mid rpm for a good roll on out of a tight corner!
I love my soft tail! He's old and has lots of miles but he's paid for and has outlived all my wives! He is absolutely beautiful! I won't part with it till I die. When I can't ride any more, I'll move him into the corner of the living room and just look at him as art!
What year? Those bikes are awesome to look at even when they are sitting still!
I’ve had issues in a couple of my trips cross country, I’d find a dealership closest to me and because I was traveling they put me into the Front of the line. You won’t find that at any Japanese shop.
Very very few shops that deal in metrics will help you out like that, Harley dealers and indy shops are awesome!
Great video Gixxerfoo! I am an older motorcycle enthusiast and have owned nearly
every brand name of big named bike out there at one time or another. I currently own only Harleys. I have nothing against other riders or brands but for me and my family, it will be a Harley Davidson. Along with all the positive reasons you have mentioned, I also want to add the camaraderie and brotherhood/sisterhood that comes along with being a big twin owner from a company with its roots as embedded in our American history as baseball and apple pie.
Thank you and very well said! I don't have a issue with other brands either but you just can't keep them forever. If something happens those bikes are done, you can't get parts or you're relying on take offs from the scrap yard.
There is a camaraderie amongst motorcyclists, but it seems more pronounced among HD riders. I ride an old '99 Road King with a ton of miles on it, and me and the brand new HD model owners still chat it up about eachother's bikes, so its a lot of fun.
That's the best part of owning a Harley, it doesn't matter what year!
In regards to the 99 Suzuki comparison. Sure it could cost that much to rebuild the power plant. But you could also go out and replace the whole bike for less than the cost of a dealer stage 1 and bar job.
That is very true, you can pick up the metrics very inexpensively used.
0:00 my mechanics face when I bring in my sportster for a “piston cleaning” instead of listening to his advice of installing an external breather kit under the air filter
😆😂👍 I clean mine before every oil change, I know full well I need and external breather... I'm a bit lazy though when it comes to getting one put together on my bike.
I got a harley
1) lane spliting
2) it's a sofa on 2 wheels nice after a long day of hard work in construction that upright position Is comfortable
3) get to work and home faster everyday
It's nice to be able to get to and from faster, they can be like a luxury car on two wheels!
you are so right, I bought my first Harley six months ago a mean looking Fat Bob, and Im already looking forward to a second Harley for touring, perhaps a Road Glide but I will make sure to keep my Fat Bob 👍🏼
Some good points you making ! Talk about getting parts that's true aftermarket support is awesome ! Unlike some other brands a friend has one of the last Victory's & he told me there are hardly any of the old Victory dealers that have any parts for them ! So my point is good luck getting what you need to fix some brands !
Like the Indians will be the next time they are defunct...sales down there as well since there relaunch.
Victory’s you can get engine parts from Polaris online but you will not need to because they required very little maintenance other than spark plugs and oil.
Joe Biden will kill off Harley and Indian. Barack Obama almost killed off Harley with his abysmal economy and Polaris rolled Victory into the the Indian line just to sell bikes. Both companies experienced better sales under Trump’s economy but then phony pandemic came along. When Joe gets done you will have the Harley from China and the Indian from India.
When they discontinued Victory they promised parts and full support for ten years, now that the ten years is winding down I can see them getting scarce. A lot of people got some screamin deals on new Victory bikes, some nearly half of retail to just move them out of dealers.
@@GixxerFoo man has it been that long since they stopped Victory seems like just a couple years ! My friend still has his victory along with a Honda & 2 Harleys all 4 bikes run good !
There is a connection between Harley Davidson riders and our bikes that goes beyond enjoying the ride. Our bikes are family, and when riding it's as though we are with a cherished companion.
I probably shouldn't admit this but there are moments during a ride when you feel bliss, and I say out loud, "I love you".
Because I am in love with my '07 Road King. She's white with gold pearl clearcoat and flawless chrome. In the Sun you swear this bike is radioactive ☢.
HD had a program to rebuild your motor, they called it the reman program. Now its called longblock, so you can still say your bike is all HD made. Price wise I would have to check that out against after market parts. Super video.
Thank you! I think that program runs roughly about 4500 bucks, it's pretty bare bones though. You still have dealer labor to pay with that program as well. If you did it yourself you could swap your left side crank case with the vin to the new motor if you really wanted to.
Really enjoy the channel GixxerFoo! Great content and you know your stuff. I give Harley a pretty hard time. But I have earned that right. That said. Some of the best times of my life have come Touring on Harleys. Before switching to Goldwings. All of my touring was done on Ultra Classics. And I'll be the first to admit. Nothing else will give you the feeling of throwing a leg over a big twin. A big Harley can touch your soul in a way no other bike will. Now part of that is the anxiety of wondering if your gonna make it home. LOL! But I'm as handy with a set of tools as anyone. So most of the time. It usually worked out. Seems like I can break a TC engine at will. But like you said. They are really easy to work on. I won't go back to touring on one. But it still puts a giant smile on my face to ride the VROD or my sons Deuce. Both really great bikes!
Harley makes some great bikes but nothing is going to touch that Goldwing, Honda pretty much has the market locked down on that bike.
Yeah, it really boils down to whether one prefers that low end torque or bumble bee sound horse power as far as the engine "experience".
And yeah, it's hard not to argue in favor of the endless aftermarket support for HD. It really is phenomenal.
You can get Harley parts just about anywhere and customizing your power curve for the motor is easy with all the cam options!
#1 reason Harley has soul!
I can't explain it, but you get it. You ride a Harley and you just know, other bikes don't have that feeling.
@@GixxerFoo Amen brother!
@@GixxerFoo ahem, Ducati.
I got my first Harley last July. 02 sportster 1200 custom. She had been sitting for some years and needed some love. Top end rebuild and new oil lines, new spark plugs, and fresh fluids. I also had to replace the speedo because it simply did not have one. I know that no speedo is very sketchy but I got the bike at a really good price so I rolled the dice. Been riding her to work everyday since I got her. My hope is that if I treat this bike right that I will see many miles and years riding it. I love the way it sounds and handles. Not so much at highway speeds though lol
A good 10 or 15-year-old big Harley is something I'd love to have around.
I bought a Honda for the reliability, but I'd love a Harley to work on and ride occasionally.
There's a lot of people who have newer bikes and still keep an old Evo in the garage, they are great to get out and ride!
Thanks!
Thank you for the support!!
I have a 1968 Harley FLH that i have had for 45 years All i can say is Harley's best f the rest ! I also have a 2021 Street Glide.
That 68's got to get some attention when you bring that out!
Thanks
i enjoy this guys videos , he tells it like it is .
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
they will never understand unless they own one
Agreed
I never got it either until I finally gave up and bought my first one, it was a very enlightening moment!
@@GixxerFoo exactly
I turned 40 this year and have been riding off and on since I was ripping trails as a 12 year old on an old Yamaha GT80, tearing up back roads on a 250 Rebel, buying my first crotch rocket (Honda F4i), Suzuki SV650, etc. Never once did I think I'd want a Harley then my best friend shows up with a HD Road Glide out of the blue after trading in a Ducati (that he never rode) and says "just take it around on a quick loop". DANG, it all clicked, you truly don't realize until you ride one that they are a great feeling/riding bike. That same day my uncle shows up with his Yamaha Stratoliner so I ride it immediately after, sure it is a nice bike but I had no desire for one after the ride. Needless to say I now own a Road King.
@@joshwilliams9122 I can almost mirror that story so I'll keep it short I'm 63 started out on a Honda CT70 then the Suzuki 90 Motocross trail riding in the early 70s got a 73,900 kaw had to ride a buddy of mines lowrider he was hurt and had to get it back to his garage and I was hooked my dad rode Harleys my mom rolled with him my sister wrote Harley's I never got the bug till I rode one been on one ever since ❤️❤️❤️
I love watching your videos, again and again...very well said 👏 👍 👌
GW and Ultra both 30k. More power than most other “cruisers” period. Most metric bikes are “throw-a-aways” not made to last because they know you’ll eventually be on a HD anyways. HD parts are the ONLY quality made OEM and after market parts made today period. Ask the car guys…All parts today are JUNK!! We all started on metrics and I LOVED my first bike a ‘84 Kawasaki 454 LTD great bike zero issues. Then ‘04 750 Shadow ACE, junk… Then a Suzuki Intruder 1500, junk… And finally…a ‘12 Limited… Heaven… And currently a ‘21 RGL 114… Little bit of Heaven and Hell 🔥😎🤘🏼
Dad ran a Kawasaki shop for years and the Service manager got to where they wouldn't work on anything over 10 years old. Parts was a major issue since they couldn't guarantee work with used parts. Car parts today, nothing is rebuildable and it all comes from China. OEM parts I even question myself anymore, just cause it's new doesn't mean it's good when it comes to cars.
Your vids are very welcome, well thought out, nice to see that sagging shelf got updated.
Thanks! Yeah I finally got that old thing replaced, lol it was beyond time.
I’ve had bikes my whole life, since grade school. Never had a Harley or even rode one, they just werent around me. When I rented one for a trip with my girlfriend, I was sold in like minutes. Later I bought a nice Roadking. I feel so good on that bike, not like anything else I’ve ever had.
Growing up all I heard is how these thing break down. Bought a 2003 Fatboy off the floor, still running it today. Only one thing happened to me with it while riding, VSS went on it. I know nothing about engines or mechanics. - bought the new VSS - watched you tube video - and installed it. 2 hours, probably a 30 minute job or less for someone who actually knows what they are doing. Bike is in the shop going to 95Kit. I will never sell this bike, my son will get it one day. Do your maintenance, know your bikes week points (cam tensioners for Twin Cam88's.) Massive aftermarket and mechanics ready to work on your bike and it only gets better with time. Solo riding for week end trips or longer is a great way to clear your mind and step out of your weekly grind! Have fun!
9:00 All jokes aside... it's a Goldwing 9:13 🤣
Gold Wings are pretty solid bikes, they can pile on some miles for sure.
Harley-Davidson = Heavy Metal
Good stuff
It sure makes a difference in the fit and finish!
Great video! I love all motorcycles, but my Harley's are still my favorite. These bikes are virtually bulletproof if they're properly maintained. I love my Evo Sportys. My 03 sat for almost a year, outside, untouched, and fired right up, even with that old gas with no stablelizers added. It ran rough for a tank or two, but cleared itself out, and it runs great. Is it fast? No not at all. But it is absolutely a blast to ride. I love the points you made, and it shows just how good Harley Davidson is as a brand.
The Evo Sportsters are pretty much bullet proof, those motors are arguably the best twin Harley ever made!
great video. i owned metric bikes most of my life and since i got my harley i just could not go back. i get it lol. maintenance is key on any bike.
Thanks for sharing! I love not having to worry about parts availability, unless it's a Vrod oil cooler. Those are discontinued and it took forever to find a old school radiator shop who actually repairs things instead of replacing.
They are definitely expensive, but it's like you said if you maintain them they good for a lifetime but at the end of the day ride what you want👍haters will always be haters,good video
Thank you, it's nice to know you won't have any parts worries since they are literally every where. With Harley it seems like you either love them or you hate them.
I've traveled across the country several times on my Harleys, packed down. Anytime I had my tool roll out and was squatting next too my bike, at least one person would roll up asking if I needed anything. It was inevitable. Sometimes, if I was just doing maintenance or checking things, I would park somewhere out of sight so people wouldn't come to see if I needed help.
I use to travel on Gen 1 Honda goldwings, gl1000's. Not once ever did a person stop to see if I needed help when I was broke down. Not once.
Just for the record, I've been on the side of the road many more times on my old goldwings than I have on my Harleys.
I always stop and see if someone needs help on a bike on the side of the road, you just never know.
You buy a Harley for the sound, the style, and the brotherhood. Not because they are technically better than any other bike on paper...
Exactly, specs on paper don't mean much once you're out on the road.
I love my high mileage 2013 Ultra Limited and it will be the last bike I ever own. I'm having the engine rebuilt from the crank up this winter and if all goes as planned giving the bike to my nephew when I get to old to ride. The rebuild will easily exceed the value of my motorcycle but I'm hoping to be one of those old guys who own a bike with over 200,000 miles on the chassis and still going strong.
Even a complete rebuild on that bike with all the good stuff is cheaper than the comparable model today. Even with the expense of a new bike it's still a bone stock bike!
@@GixxerFoo That is exactly how I feel. It might be new but it will not have a handbuilt perfect engine.
Brother great video. I always enjoy watching you. You're the greatest my friend. Continue doing what you're doing we're all watching.
Thank you so much, I really do appreciate that! I've been wanting to put some good out there on the Harley, I felt I've began sound like I hate Harleys talking about the issues.
@@GixxerFoo I watch all of your videos and I never got the impression that you were having on harley. All you're doing is speaking of the facts. And I appreciate all the knowledge you've shared.
You have a good point but I don't think the hand full new riders you have impressed will make a difference. I could say the metrics don't need a dealer every other block because of the need for new parts, but we all know how dependable the metrics are don't need to be worked on as often. Harley will always have a good advertising campain and their are those who still insist on telling me that any other brand just isn't a true motorcycle, but we all know that HONDA is still the number one best sold motorcycle brand in history. They still can't build a good dependable engine, but they're trying. SO far they got the counter balancers to work and one model has even got liquid cooling, but they quit that model. Keep trying Harley, you'll get it right eventually, if it's not too late.
Great facts about why to get a Harley.
i love my 2000 FXDX 98ci big bore high compression redshift577 cam 103 hp 110 ft lbs torq thing hauls i love it cause of the parts are everywhere and lots of choices ill never sell it going to rebuild it with darkhorse crank works for reliabilty from flywheel shiftin
That sounds like an awesome build! I would hang onto that one for sure!
What an awesome video. The dealer factor is one that is very important to me.
I love and hate my Harley. However I will not buy a different brand.
Plus you have the HD effect, recent story traveling from Southern California to Las Vegas, stopped at a 50s style diner in Yermo, CA called Peggy Sues Diner a lot of tourist stop there as well. I finish eating and walk out to my bike, there is a tour bus full of Japanese tourists that had just pulled in and there all standing around my Harley taking pictures, I don’t understand Japanese but you could tell they were taking about it being a Harley. They all moved away as I walk towards the bike like they were afraid of the old biker🙂 but I told them it was okay, they took pictures with me and I let a few of the ladies sit on it and take pictures. You see that happen much to the Wingers? I don’t think so. And it’s not the first time something like that has happened to me.
Harley is very popular in Japan, even though Japan builds bikes like crazy they love Harleys over there!
Back in the day I had a 76 Super glide and a 3 cylinder Kaw 2 stroke.
The faster I drove the KAW the cooler I was.
The slower I drove the Glide the cooler I was.
I’m really ok with slow and cool 😎
Those 3 cylinder Kawasakis are absolute animals, I got ride a 750 once and realized really quick why it was called the widow maker. Brakes and chassis were not up to par with the engine output of the day!
@@GixxerFoo , they were. And they are as rare as my old 1976 glide.
You have excellent clear advice on your site.
Panheads forever ,1964 duo glide since 1978
Those are some pure classic engines, they are worth a pretty penny these days!
Nice video about the good points of Harley Davidson.
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
I love my 05 anniversary fatboy 95 twin cam but I forgot about the cam chain tensioner issue or I wouldn't have bought it. Its a shame an expensive motorcycle has issues out of the box!
Once you get those upgraded it's a really solid machine, that's really the only down side of the 88. The 5 speed had a return spring issue in the transmission but it's a pretty easy fix to swap that out.
If you are interested in a sport bike but want a Harley.....
Buy a dyna. Put a big bore kit(124+), cams, air intake, ignition upgrade, headwork(port polish big valves and high lift springs), welded trued and lightened crank, baker grudge box, chain drive conversion, tuned exhaust, and a gentle break in period.
Sputhe chassis and motor stabilizers and a progressive suspension upgrade. Next thing you know, if you build it right, you have a bike that will cruise at 140mph at around 3100rpm!
That's exactly what a lot of the younger guys were doing with those dynas too!
Hey ! You fixed the shelf. It’s just like an old Harley just needed a little love.
Finally got that shelf done, got that old one retired a while back finally!
Yup; all metal and no pot metal . Like tractor ; last forever . Motorcycle junkyards full of em pot metal plastic throw away bikes . Harley’s will stand the test of time -
The metric bikes don’t even have bushings in head and when one goes : replace whole head.
V twin has best torque band for touring and cruising . Better mpg . American bike manufacturers believed in keeping the engine within the frame . ✊🏻👍👌
Dad's shop used to have indoor salvage yard of Kawasaki and Suzuki, wrecked bikes were stripped and inventoried. The bikes became more plastic and times changed, nobody rebuilt bikes anymore so all that went to scrap.
@@GixxerFoo yup ; I had a few metric dirt bikes and you turn a phillips screw on case more than 3 times head strips out . Pot metal get that white corrosion on it . Well 🤔
Loved this video blog. I've got an even more warm fuzzy feeling about my 14 Street glide that just turned 40,000 miles and my 2005 Softail Deuce that has 25,000 on it .🤔😂😂I'm thinking that's it for this dude in this lifetime. There are faster up and coming HDs and my friend just bought an identical black Street Glide like mine only his has the M8 107. I'm thinking my bikes go plenty fast ( I used to do sport bikes in England YEARS ago ) Honda CBR XX 1100 Super Blackbird but I was younger and there was way less pogi there then here😏. So I love to cruise and smell the Rose's here in the States now. 😂👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
That had to be a blast riding sport bikes on the roads in England! With all the M8's having some issues I still thing the late Twin Cams are a much better ride. The newer bikes just don't feel like the Twin Cams and the Twin Cam has plenty of power!
@@GixxerFoo a BLAST is the correct term my friend. In the flat lands where I lived you could see for miles. That helped when looking out for the pogi. Seriously on occasion with Hyper bikes we sometimes looked like the Moto GP on the TV . NO 💩.😂🇬🇧🇺🇸👍😎
Another great video. Bought my 2002 RKC 20 years ago this month. Looks and runs like the day I drove it off the lot. 79K miles. Stage 1 stock. Hooker slip-ons. I just ride it and not beat the sh*t out of it. Been maintaining it myself all these years so I know how well the bike has been cared for. Question. I know the generality of such a question because of all the variables. How many miles does one generally get out of a TC-88 like mine before she's crying for a rebuild? Mine shows no signs of slowing down. Just retired a month ago so the scoot is going to see a lot more time on the road now. I retired in Nevada. Escaped California. Reno area. If you've ever riden in Nevada, you know once outside of the city limits, it's like having your own personal state. Gets remote and lonely out there.
A well cared for Twin Cam can easily see 100K miles, I've seen some make it upwards of 150K. As with anything mechanical when you get up in the miles anything can happen but since it's well cared for it's got a shot well over 100K.
@@GixxerFoo I've been using synthetic oil since the break-in oil. Oil debates have been raging on Harley forums since the first Harley message boards some 25 years ago. I've always gone by the premise that if synthetic oil is good enough for jet engines, it's good enough for my TC-88. Seems to work! 🙂
A friend has a 2002 stock heritage softail with a mid cam,she is 20 miles shy of 200,000 miles.
Wow ! You've upgraded your shelf, lol BTW vot a 2000 Electra Glide Standard $14500. On the road in 2000 got a 107000+ nothing but stage 2 (mild cam). Still runs great 😎
Very nice! That is awesome to hear you've got some serious miles like that out of it without anything major!
I drifted into Harley from Japanese bikes because of the simplicity and Sportsters were rock solid and affordable. The brand new Harleys don't seem to have any of the characteristics that attracted to me to Harley so it looks like I'm going to stick with the older bikes.
I prefer the older bikes as the parts are more plentiful and they've been around long enough to where we know the issues with them.