Harley tech, just venting.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Just what tech are you talking about? If it is being air cooled then you must be ignorant of the fact that water cooled were first. Patented by the Germans in 1852. Many years later air cooled became used for airplane motors and motorcycles due to less weight and complexity.
The other tech is in Harley's from ECM's, EFI, ABS, self canceling turn signals which is a very complex mixture of algorithms, bank angle sensors, acceleration and timing. HD also has water cooling, 4 valves per cylinder in the Vrod if you have not noticed that.
I came from metrics and I find that the HD is a far better bike for cruising than the Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's and Kawasaki's that I had over a riding career that started in 1956.
If your bike is the 1990 maybe you bought a worn out 23 year old relic that needs daily care. I don't know for sure but you can tell me if I'm wrong.
The other tech is in Harley's from ECM's, EFI, ABS, self canceling turn signals which is a very complex mixture of algorithms, bank angle sensors, acceleration and timing. HD also has water cooling, 4 valves per cylinder in the Vrod if you have not noticed that.
I came from metrics and I find that the HD is a far better bike for cruising than the Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's and Kawasaki's that I had over a riding career that started in 1956.
If your bike is the 1990 maybe you bought a worn out 23 year old relic that needs daily care. I don't know for sure but you can tell me if I'm wrong.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
I've been riding and wrenching my whole life, well, since I was fifteen, which is close enough. I'm four days into my first HD, and frankly, the downshift from wrenching on Metric fours to this um, tractor, is enough to blow a guys mind.
I feel like the engineers at HD could teach the Luddites a thing or two about resisting technology.
Don't get me wrong, I love the bike, there's a ton of things about that endear it to me, but I'm having a really rough time not getting frustrated and throwing wrenches every couple of hours. Maybe I just need an Ativan and a coffee break.
Anybody else suffer massive tech culture shock coming over to these twins?
I feel like the engineers at HD could teach the Luddites a thing or two about resisting technology.
Don't get me wrong, I love the bike, there's a ton of things about that endear it to me, but I'm having a really rough time not getting frustrated and throwing wrenches every couple of hours. Maybe I just need an Ativan and a coffee break.
Anybody else suffer massive tech culture shock coming over to these twins?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 121
From: Mpls, MN
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Depends on which bike. BMW K bikes were notorious for those. Goldwings (and I've owned 3), probably about the same rate of final drive issues as most cars. I never had any problems with mine. OTOH, I sold a new 06 K1200LT after 6 months, once I read about all the final drive, clutch, and other problems others had/were having. Life's just too short for that BS.
Now own a '04 Wing and a 12 SG, both great bikes, and being able to choose what I want to ride is nice.
Now own a '04 Wing and a 12 SG, both great bikes, and being able to choose what I want to ride is nice.
Last edited by racklefratz; Jan 29, 2013 at 12:20 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Not oil changes, though.......don't know which Hondas you've had, but compared to the 3 holes on a Harley twin, draining the one on most Hondas is a LOT quicker.