Dying Breed?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
I think its got a lot to do with where you ride.. When my dad and I got our first bikes, '94, we were into the "shows" and "runs" where everyone got together... Now, I ride my dads old bike, usually alone, sometimes with my buddy who got a deal on a '99 twinki that caught his eye. He really didnt have a preference on engine and is happy with it.. He's had carb and clutch issues, even now after a well know wrench fixed it, its still not right and backfires on decel, but he's still happy with it.. There's just something weird about that bike, in my opinion... My EVO on the other hand has its little leaks from time to time, but I'm fixing them right as I get to them. The lifters are making some noise and I've got a new set on order right now. The stator went out, finally after 10yrs of a loose connector due to a crappy design, but thats mechanicly about it.. Even a 14yr old car will have issues, but it doensnt always mean reduced reliability..
But, back on track.... When some of the "new guys" I talk to get to talking about riding, it seems to be about hitting all the "shows" and "rides".. I suspect that if you ended up at an ABATE swapmeet or something a bit more low key than the big advertised shows, you might find more of the guys who would rather lay low. You know, the experienced riders who still ride older bikes. The ones not financed to the hilt to impress the neighbor.. The guys who just like to ride and hang out with other guys who like to ride.. I'm sure I'll have a Twinkie at some point, but I wont let myself buy it new.. There's not enough of a difference in an '88 and an '08 for me to justify the payment.. I'd rather build an EVO, in fact the next one will be very similar to that blue EVO Street Glide up there... Great looking bike...
But, back on track.... When some of the "new guys" I talk to get to talking about riding, it seems to be about hitting all the "shows" and "rides".. I suspect that if you ended up at an ABATE swapmeet or something a bit more low key than the big advertised shows, you might find more of the guys who would rather lay low. You know, the experienced riders who still ride older bikes. The ones not financed to the hilt to impress the neighbor.. The guys who just like to ride and hang out with other guys who like to ride.. I'm sure I'll have a Twinkie at some point, but I wont let myself buy it new.. There's not enough of a difference in an '88 and an '08 for me to justify the payment.. I'd rather build an EVO, in fact the next one will be very similar to that blue EVO Street Glide up there... Great looking bike...
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 12
From: Hwy 66
With the passage of time we tend to glorify old days. My Dad said,summers used to be better,winters colder etc.The same with Harleys. We believe,that older bikes were the "real" Harleys.I grew up playing with flatheads,mostly WLAs,and I remember,how solidly they were built,how many times you could rebore cylinder or grind a shaft.One of my friends had Panhead,Hydra Glide,all sort of problems with valve train and cam shaft,the
other had Knockilhead,same problems.I'm not surprised that we don't see those bikes on the street.Same with shovel,heavy,overheating bike with little power. That's why you don't see them.Sure,with todays aftermarket new parts you can make them more reliable . Didn't Shovelhead era almost brought Harley to bankruptcy? The first truly
modern Harley was and is EVO, it saved the Company,TC is just next step. 15 years from now TC will be regarded as a "vintage Harley" Right? Mat
other had Knockilhead,same problems.I'm not surprised that we don't see those bikes on the street.Same with shovel,heavy,overheating bike with little power. That's why you don't see them.Sure,with todays aftermarket new parts you can make them more reliable . Didn't Shovelhead era almost brought Harley to bankruptcy? The first truly
modern Harley was and is EVO, it saved the Company,TC is just next step. 15 years from now TC will be regarded as a "vintage Harley" Right? Mat
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Love Thy evo
I agree with the love of the Evo...I recently sold my 1995 Dyna Convertible and had been shopping around for a early 2000's Electra Glide (cant' afford the new ones...way too pricey). I heard nothing but nightmare stories about the 88's having bad cam problems, running hot and having crappy fuel injection systems. I ended up finding a smokin' deal on a 95 Electra Glide Ultra Classic with Andrews Cams in it. It has plenty of power, looks awesome and rides even better. Nothing better than an old carburated Evo with nice pipes roaring down the road. Find your locally owned motorcycle shop, like I did, because anything I can't fix, he can. He swears by the Evo...remember Harley claims it's the 100k mile motor.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,079
Likes: 2,151
From: Ohio
Enjoy the Evo more every year that passes, pound the roads with my Shovel and Evo buddies but cruise with the new bikes when the call comes. Sometimes the 2 different groups run together and the 88's, 96's and 103's defintly struggle with the tractor technology engines when heavy throttle is used. Awaiting the water cooled EGR HD engine appearance so the Evo is even more appreciated and the Twinkee will be just the engine before the EGR disaster.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: melbourne australis
My EVO dies with me. Will never downgrade. I spend a hour a day at least tuning and polishing off rust. Owning older bikes is a lot about the time you spend working on it as riding it. My old girl will sit on 100 MPH when ever asked, does the job for me.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I recently purchased my first Harley a 1998 Dyna and I did that in a large part to everyone in this forum. I could have easily bought a twinkie but after doing a little research ( reading this forum and others like it months prior ). I thought it would be better to go with the time proven dependability of the EVO.
The one thing that 23 years of off roading Jeeps has taught me is that every vehicle has it's own "traits or quirks" and the more you fimiliarize yourself with each of them, the more time you'll spend using them and the less crouched over them or laying under them.
I like a vehicle with some character and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
The one thing that 23 years of off roading Jeeps has taught me is that every vehicle has it's own "traits or quirks" and the more you fimiliarize yourself with each of them, the more time you'll spend using them and the less crouched over them or laying under them.
I like a vehicle with some character and I couldn't be happier with my decision.