Observations
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: The streets of Bakersfield, CA
Observations
I have a question… How many of you have ridden anything (HD that is) besides a Twinkie (Twin Cam)? With all the bitchen and whining on here about new bikes and their quirks I would venture to say not many of you have been on a Pan or a Shovel or even an Evo for that matter. The fact of the matter is that I remember when you had to carry a complete tune up kit and tools and god knows what else just to go on a hundred mile trip. I don’t think that a lot of you know just how good you have it or just how far the Harley Davidson has come. No… I don’t want a bunch of hate mail, but just so you know I am old guy that has been a few Harleys (and other bikes, my latest is a 07 FLHRC) in my time and I just wanted to throw that out for discussion.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
RE: Observations
Yes but just think what all that Bitchin' and Whinning' has done for future development on the ones's we ride now... Give us bitchers and whinners time, we'll force um to get it right one day...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: Observations
SMT,
I've never ridden any previous versions, so I cant say from experience, but I bet you're right and that matches all I've heard. These current generation 88's and 96's are the best ever put out and very reliable in comparison...
I've never ridden any previous versions, so I cant say from experience, but I bet you're right and that matches all I've heard. These current generation 88's and 96's are the best ever put out and very reliable in comparison...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,462
Likes: 619
RE: Observations
Great post SMT. Very well put.
I had the priveldge of riding a Shovel last Labor Day weekend. One of the guys in my cousins club was having a hard time getting his rigid framed shovel started. He'd been kicking on it for about an hour and I could tell he was whooped. He asked me if I wanted to try, so I said sure. It finally fired about after about 10 minutes of me kicking it. It was idling fine and I jumped off and said "there you go". He told me: "You started it, you ride it". Hell of a nice guy. I didn't tell him it was my first time riding a jockey shift. All went well.
I have also ridden a EVO Fat Boy a few times. Never had the chance to ride a Pan or a Knuckle, but would love to. I've owned a TC Road King, and will be taking delivery of my '07 RG in the next couple of weeks. My experience on those two older bikes told me this:
The EVO was a huge improvement over the Shovel, and the TC is a huge improvement over the EVO.
I have stayed clear of these threads around heat, rocks in a can, hard starting, blah, blah, blah because of my past experience. Some believe all the complainig is driving product improvement, which may be the case. IMO Government and Corporate regulations are never going to allow the factory to produce an air cooled, pushrod, 45 degree V-Twin that will run as hard, strong, and cool as the aftermarket can make these things run. In the factories opinion, these bikes do run like they are supposed to.
Again. JMO
I had the priveldge of riding a Shovel last Labor Day weekend. One of the guys in my cousins club was having a hard time getting his rigid framed shovel started. He'd been kicking on it for about an hour and I could tell he was whooped. He asked me if I wanted to try, so I said sure. It finally fired about after about 10 minutes of me kicking it. It was idling fine and I jumped off and said "there you go". He told me: "You started it, you ride it". Hell of a nice guy. I didn't tell him it was my first time riding a jockey shift. All went well.
I have also ridden a EVO Fat Boy a few times. Never had the chance to ride a Pan or a Knuckle, but would love to. I've owned a TC Road King, and will be taking delivery of my '07 RG in the next couple of weeks. My experience on those two older bikes told me this:
The EVO was a huge improvement over the Shovel, and the TC is a huge improvement over the EVO.
I have stayed clear of these threads around heat, rocks in a can, hard starting, blah, blah, blah because of my past experience. Some believe all the complainig is driving product improvement, which may be the case. IMO Government and Corporate regulations are never going to allow the factory to produce an air cooled, pushrod, 45 degree V-Twin that will run as hard, strong, and cool as the aftermarket can make these things run. In the factories opinion, these bikes do run like they are supposed to.
Again. JMO
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 624
Likes: 9
From: Orangevale, Calif.
RE: Observations
Come a long way haven't we? I don't feel the need to even pack tools any more, and there was a time I wouldn't even consider a short ride without a bagfull!!!
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: Observations
It is amazing to me the difference in even the EVO and the Twin cam....I never dreamed there could be such a difference... I did not expect much change, but was pleasanty suprised. Maybe the same as was the shovel to the EVO. Did not own the shovels I rode... but had to do the preride check... which was NOT just a formality you talked about, but was a hands on check with several wrenchs in hand before your rode every time...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
RE: Observations
I sure did love my first bike, a 74 FLH Police special but after owning and riding my new bike, a 2004 Road King Classic I do not miss the shovel at all especially the inevitable roadside stops.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 106
From: Colorado Front Range
RE: Observations
Great point, SMT.
I had the pleasure of riding from Buffalo, WY to Trinidad, CO one year on a 1972 Super Glide. That Shovel was, well, interesting...aside from covering my boot with oil and the sketchy floating of the front-end on the highway...it was fun. Ya certainly knew you were on a motorcycle!
If you didn't pay attention and tighten things-up...you name it, it vibed loose...you paid the price.
After that, it was all "start and go" metric bikes...I love my FLHX today!
SG
I had the pleasure of riding from Buffalo, WY to Trinidad, CO one year on a 1972 Super Glide. That Shovel was, well, interesting...aside from covering my boot with oil and the sketchy floating of the front-end on the highway...it was fun. Ya certainly knew you were on a motorcycle!
If you didn't pay attention and tighten things-up...you name it, it vibed loose...you paid the price.
After that, it was all "start and go" metric bikes...I love my FLHX today!
SG