Crossbones question
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 1
From: Little Apple, Iowa, U.S.S.A.
Someone was asking me the other day if the front end "bounced". I asked them why. They said a springer should bounce by design. I just shrugged and said mine doesn't. I walked away thinking damn, don't they see the shock? Cracked me up. 
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
My buddy was in the dealership last week and overheard the sales guy downplaying the ride-ability of the XBones to a female potential customer. In that case too, he was steering her towards something they had 6 of on the sales floor. The Cross Bones sells itself.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Eastern SHore Maryland
I've put 1500 miles on my new "Bones" and have been trying to get specifics on what needs to be done to maintain the spring front-end. My mechanic (who has been working on Harleys for 20 years) told me there's nothing to worry about, every so often it should be checked (2-3K miles and an actual Harley mechanic agreed) and tightened. It takes 10 mins and apparently the manual does tell you how to do it. I'm going to get a manual so I'll better understand it and do it myself.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Harley's gonna "do away with" the Springer front end huh? LOL... what a joke. HD has had springers in their lineup on and off since the very beginning. Simple technology that works, tends to stand the test of time.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire, England
hey all, i'm new here, been reading for a while and have decided to take the plunge and buy a harley. Been awhile since i've owned a motorcycle, been riding my family members or friends now and then, but none own a harley. Anywho....I went to the dealership and really like the crossbones, took it for a test and enjoyed it. The maintence guy however said really think about it, the springer front end has been nothing but problems and harley was thinking about doing away with it. Have any of yall heard anything like this? I'm gonna get it anyways, i aint afraid of a lil work, just wanna know what to expect.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 512
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
Here's the point as to the springer. It is a iconic part of HDs history. It may be an outdated design. Well.....so are honking big air cooled vtwin engines. You may indeed see it only used on a CVO bike some day. But I have no doubt that it will be in the lineup for many years. And with the customer base they have, HD will always support the "traditional" lines. It's what keeps the company going. Hence you don't see Vrods taking over the sales numbers. Not that I think Vrods are bad bikes mind you. They are simply IMO butt ugly. And if they had a foriegn makers decal on them the riders that love them, would hate them. No matter how good a bike they are.
But you know, when I think of a big Vtwin........I first envision a springer. Nothing says HD like it and the company knows it. I like all types of bikes. No matter where they are made, or the name on the tank. Some will never sit in my garage. But I'd love to have my 15 minutes on them. Others will forever have a spot in my heart.
I've had the good fortune of owning over 100 bikes in my life. And the list of ones I'd rebuy...............
About 99% of them.
But you know, when I think of a big Vtwin........I first envision a springer. Nothing says HD like it and the company knows it. I like all types of bikes. No matter where they are made, or the name on the tank. Some will never sit in my garage. But I'd love to have my 15 minutes on them. Others will forever have a spot in my heart.
I've had the good fortune of owning over 100 bikes in my life. And the list of ones I'd rebuy...............
About 99% of them.