Are Harleys really slow?
#101
Ih4x4 has been on these forums for over a decade. Helping and sharing insights and opinions. And some know-it-all shows up and bags on him for no reason. Yeah, way to show your true colors. Keep it up, it's "almost" funny.
Last edited by bikerlaw; 05-10-2018 at 07:42 AM.
#102
The added power helps if you are fully loaded and travelling out West. Our stock 2011 Ultra Classic could barely maintain the speed limit going up long grades. I had the throttle pinned and we were being passed by minivans. Pretty frustrating. I had it bumped up to 96/114 with a 107 kit and that problem went away. Our current bike, the stock SGS has somewhat less power than our 107 Ultra, but it doesn't feel like it. It's a particularly strong 103.
But for just running around the Midwest solo, your 60ish HP is just fine.
But for just running around the Midwest solo, your 60ish HP is just fine.
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Gozzie (05-10-2018)
#103
NICE MONSTER!!!! Even my Harley buddies had to admit my "Crotch Rocket" was absolutely exquisite!! LOLZ And all the guys who ride wide glides no longer wanted to race me (I told them me being on a Ducati was about the same as them being on Wide Glides when running me on an SG with my wife on the back) ..LOLZ
#104
The added power helps if you are fully loaded and travelling out West. Our stock 2011 Ultra Classic could barely maintain the speed limit going up long grades. I had the throttle pinned and we were being passed by minivans. Pretty frustrating. I had it bumped up to 96/114 with a 107 kit and that problem went away. Our current bike, the stock SGS has somewhat less power than our 107 Ultra, but it doesn't feel like it. It's a particularly strong 103.
But for just running around the Midwest solo, your 60ish HP is just fine.
But for just running around the Midwest solo, your 60ish HP is just fine.
This is the answer I suspected. If I’m still able to ride 2up when I retire, I’ll get a newer, more powerful bike, for mountain touring. I'll keep my bike for parades. And my boys to ride.
#105
NICE MONSTER!!!! Even my Harley buddies had to admit my "Crotch Rocket" was absolutely exquisite!! LOLZ And all the guys who ride wide glides no longer wanted to race me (I told them me being on a Ducati was about the same as them being on Wide Glides when running me on an SG with my wife on the back) ..LOLZ
#106
#107
I see lot's of bitching that Harleys are slow, and that they need lots of mods after purchase. I am perfectly happy with my stage one 88. I don't seem to have any trouble accelerating to 80 on an Interstate on ramp or passing cars on two lanes. What exactly would be better if I had a Sportbike, or a 100/100 engine?
I have enough trouble staying 9mph within the speed limit as it is and have no need to ride in the triple digits.
I have enough trouble staying 9mph within the speed limit as it is and have no need to ride in the triple digits.
Yes, but its relative turn. Problem comes from knuckle head that buys a Harley and expects it to accelerate like a Kawasaki h2r and on top of that cruse like a road glide. Do not buy a Harley and then start complaining about the acceleration rate. It’s simply ignorant.
Last edited by Cossack84; 05-10-2018 at 11:24 AM.
#108
If Harley sold nothing but crotch rockets, I wouldn't have one - period! If ya buy a 800 - 900+ lb classic style bike and expect the performance of a Ferrari, that's your bad..... then buy a different brand.
We needed to take a trip from western WY to eastern WI in 2016 for my nephews funeral. Rode 2,606 miles in 5 days, two there, two back and a day for family. Wanted to honor his memory by taking the bike because I had taken him motorcycle camping a couple times years ago and he had the time of his life. 2,000 of that was me having a couple cracked ribs and the wife a broken toe due to tipping over in a motel driveway apron. We are in our mid 60's. Had a great time......
This at my sister's in Amherst Jct:
I suspect my speedometer is about 5+ over actual, we held between 85 to 90 on the speedometer. Many times there were cars pacing behind us so figured we were pretty much 'in the groove'. There were only a couple long hills we couldn't hold speed but the cars behind us still didn't pass. Our bikes are choked off due to EPA regulations and I would like to do a stage 1 or even 2 but will never be able to afford it. I wouldn't spend 3,000 or more to be able to pass mini-vans on a couple hills but would like the 103 to be able to perform closer to it's capabilities.
As far as mountain cruising, yeah do it all the time. I am really disappointed I can't hold 75 MPH on these mountain roads! But it's by far, not a lack of power.....
Ride on!
We needed to take a trip from western WY to eastern WI in 2016 for my nephews funeral. Rode 2,606 miles in 5 days, two there, two back and a day for family. Wanted to honor his memory by taking the bike because I had taken him motorcycle camping a couple times years ago and he had the time of his life. 2,000 of that was me having a couple cracked ribs and the wife a broken toe due to tipping over in a motel driveway apron. We are in our mid 60's. Had a great time......
This at my sister's in Amherst Jct:
I suspect my speedometer is about 5+ over actual, we held between 85 to 90 on the speedometer. Many times there were cars pacing behind us so figured we were pretty much 'in the groove'. There were only a couple long hills we couldn't hold speed but the cars behind us still didn't pass. Our bikes are choked off due to EPA regulations and I would like to do a stage 1 or even 2 but will never be able to afford it. I wouldn't spend 3,000 or more to be able to pass mini-vans on a couple hills but would like the 103 to be able to perform closer to it's capabilities.
As far as mountain cruising, yeah do it all the time. I am really disappointed I can't hold 75 MPH on these mountain roads! But it's by far, not a lack of power.....
Ride on!
#109
I honestly don't know what you guys who are bitchin' about not having enough power are doing to/with your bikes. I've pulled my fully loaded trailer 1/2 way across the U.S. and back again. Did an Iron Butt (un-official, because I don't like talking to strangers at every gas station) from Fargo, ND to Spokane, WA, up and over the mountains in 12 hrs. (yea... I had to be back to work on Monday and Google is a dumb-***) and never had any problems or felt a need for more power than I had with a stock, carbed 88B and I'll do it again... sooner or later. Hell... I've even pulled a golf cart (4.5' x 11') trailer loaded up with 5, 33x12.5x15 SuperSwamper tires w/rims up/over Flowery Trail and passed 49 deg. North (popular ski resort in N.E. WA.) to come back down the other side... again, with no desire for anymore power than I had. Ya'll must be some real big, heavy SOB's if you think you need more power than that.
*edit: not sure why the forum won't take my remote hosted image pic today. POS forum. Had to edit to use the board "attach" option. what a hassle.
*edit: not sure why the forum won't take my remote hosted image pic today. POS forum. Had to edit to use the board "attach" option. what a hassle.
Last edited by BikerPepe`; 05-10-2018 at 01:17 PM.
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Tony P (05-11-2018)
#110
I honestly don't know what you guys who are bitchin' about not having enough power are doing to/with your bikes. I've pulled my fully loaded trailer 1/2 way across the U.S. and back again. Did an Iron Butt (un-official, because I don't like talking to strangers at every gas station) from Fargo, ND to Spokane, WA, up and over the mountains in 12 hrs. (yea... I had to be back to work on Monday and Google is a dumb-***) and never had any problems or felt a need for more power than I had with a stock, carbed 88B and I'll do it again... sooner or later. Hell... I've even pulled a golf cart (4.5' x 11') trailer loaded up with 5, 33x12.5x15 SuperSwamper tires w/rims up/over Flowery Trail and passed 49 deg. North (popular ski resort in N.E. WA.) to come back down the other side... again, with no desire for anymore power than I had. Ya'll must be some real big, heavy SOB's if you think you need more power than that.
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Don't even get me started on passing semi trucks on 2 lane mountain roads. I had to buy new underwear.
All that said, I'm referring to our 2011 Ultra Classic with 96. Our current bike, a 2014 SGS performs just fine. No issues.