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I never gave much thought to how fast my Harley was, but others have. In the seventies while stationed at ft Meade Md, a few of us had bikes. My bike was a XLCH and boy them guys thought my bike was fast, It was my dirty little secret when the guy on his Kawi 900 was running circles around me,and I was at full throttle.
I used to wrench on the multi cylinder jap bikes, they were supposed to be fast, but I recall I had to really wring them out to make em go. Harley gots torque, put your OL on the back and the bike dont even know it.
That was then, this is now but I know nothing of Metric bikes, Don't care either. I have always improved on my bikes performance, but as far as 0-60 times, that's for couch racers.
Well, in my opinion Harleys are slow compared to just about any other motorbike. You could spend thousands and it will still be slower than a japanese sports bike that costs a fraction of the harley. And if you could get a Harley to go well in a straight line, then the sportsbike would have far better brakes and go round corners much quicker.
Speed wasn't the reason I bought my Harley, I have a Honda for going quick. To be fair though I put way more miles on my Harley than the Honda.
10-4 on putting more miles on a Harley. This is my second Harley in my lifetime. I have owned 14 motorcycles prior to this Street Glide, and I can tell you this is the bike for me. It gets the looks, ride is comfortable and built like a brick **** house. I wont be buying any other brand motorcycle from here on out. Plus I cant afford to keep making them my own by sinking thousands of dollars into them and then turning around and selling, then loosing my a$$. I bet we can all relate to that!
Harley usually only posts "torque" amounts for their engines. Remember, Torque by RPM = horsepower. Harleys don't have much RPM, so their overall HP #'s are abysmal. Even though their torque values are fairly competitive.
Why is there virtually never any middle ground in these discussions? Either be happy with stock or get a "Busa" too many say...
I say a mild performance increase makes a bike much more versatile; I've toured with loaded 2-up FLH's that need a country mile to pass on a two lane...gets a little boring being locked into "cruiser" mode 100% of the time with no power to spare...
Bring your checkbook and pick your numbers; oh yeah - and do your homework first
I ride what I ride first because I enjoy building fast machinery not to compete with anyone. Yes, there a lot I can go around but was not my motivation, that was simply for my pleasure. These bikes are certainly cruisers with a whole lot of grunt. When the inspiration came to build these bikes certainly was no over the pond bike in mind I needed to compete with or compare them to. Most hot rodders feel the same way the builds give so much pleasure and pride it is next to impossible to convey to those who have no clue.
All the over the pond bike riders can ride in front if so inclined would be more than happy to oblige. All our choices of two wheelers have their strengths and weaknesses and it means something different to each and everyone of us. There is a middle ground with the right group of like minded riders all out to enjoy the sport and the ride of their choice.
Dog
Honestly, if the "drag racing stats" are listed on the new car information sheet on the window, I've never seen them. And if I did, I wouldn't care, since I'm not buying it to race. Likewise on my bike. I got it to ride, not to race.
I didn't buy my Springer to race it but when that hornet stung me in the throat that time, it sure had an effect on my speed getting back home. ( highly allergic to bee stings)
I ride what I ride first because I enjoy building fast machinery not to compete with anyone. Yes, there a lot I can go around but was not my motivation, that was simply for my pleasure. These bikes are certainly cruisers with a whole lot of grunt. When the inspiration came to build these bikes certainly was no over the pond bike in mind I needed to compete with or compare them to. Most hot rodders feel the same way the builds give so much pleasure and pride it is next to impossible to convey to those who have no clue.
All the over the pond bike riders can ride in front if so inclined would be more than happy to oblige. All our choices of two wheelers have their strengths and weaknesses and it means something different to each and everyone of us. There is a middle ground with the right group of like minded riders all out to enjoy the sport and the ride of their choice.
Dog
I didn't buy my Springer to race it but when that hornet stung me in the throat that time, it sure had an effect on my speed getting back home. ( highly allergic to bee stings)
I know it is not funny, although I can just picture what you just said. Thanks for making my Monday a little better....
Rather do 12.7 on a Harley than 9 on a Bussa.
There's a Suzuki forum on the internet somewhere for Bussa talk.
I could give a rats *** about a Bussa. The point is that if you really want to go fast, there's much better options than a Harley. With that said, I love my Harley for what it is.
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