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Welcome Area OnlyNew Member Welcome Area Only. Be sure to pop in here and introduce yourself & let us know what Harley Davidson you own. Save your bike related questions for the proper area.
I know!
Maybe I'm doing something wrong or maybe they're monitoring the newbies posts to be reviewed for a while at first? Not saying anything controversial or insulting or threatening. More along the lines of ignorant.
Probably won't see this for three or four days.
Something is going on because this post didnt show up until today.
Yep, I understand the concept - the "friction zone", using the back brake and clutch and throttle.
And I'm average with it - but I still can't come to a full stop in a turn, balance for a few seconds, then start into a turn in the other direction smoothly like I see on some videos.
I can't even come to a full stop straight, pause, then start again straight without putting my foot down.
Need some hands on teaching rather than book learning.
The Michigan parking lot "road" test to get your motorcycle endorsement (which I just recently got after 50 years of riding motorcycles) doesn't require you to have that skill. It's pretty basic. I think most, never having seen a motorcycle, could pass it.
Can most of you do this on these big bikes?
I practice u-turns, figure 8s and stopping. Somedays, Im better than others.
Great choice, you waited 65 years to get rich, your harley parts dealer
So far I've only had to buy fluids and filters - and certainly not from the dealership (Amazon and an Indy shop) and, oh yeah - an HD helmet lock and a HD CB antenna from eBay (they are different from the AM/FM radio antennas everyone oddly seems to sell in pairs).
The previous owner had an amfm radio antenna for the CB on the right side.
Probably bought one of those pairs.
I wonder if he wondered why it didn't work.
Are you saying this will become like my boat?
- I did inquire at the dealer about a 3 hole (See I'm learning) oil change just for ***** and giggles - $280!
And they use the same engine oil for the trans and chain case!
Last edited by Robertbc3141; May 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM.
Yes I understand that's acceptable.
The previous owner also did that.
The Indy shop guy recommended Spectro V twin 6 speed 75W140 trans oil and Bel Ray primary chain case gear lube instead of the same oil in the engine. They were about the same price as the engine oil so I don't think he was trying to get anything over on me.
He even said to me ride your new to you bike for a few days the way it is and after changing with these see if there's a difference.
There was.
Shifts smoother and neutral is a lot easier to find.
Granted I'm comparing those two new fluids to last years old engine oil he had in there. I didn't like ridng it with last year's fluids in it but I did for a day.
I know this is a pretty controversial and sensitive subject.
It was in my V4musclebike group also.
Which fluids to use, synthetic or non synthetic, fuel additives and stabilizers or not, ethanol neutralizers or not, premium gas or regular.
I'm just saying I was surprised the dealership doesn't vary them.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; May 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM.
Reason: Spelin and gramer
Congrats on the new bike. I think you got a good deal.
I don't like my bikes to have loud exhausts either. You can probably find some stock mufflers to replace the Rineharts (you may need the stock headpipes too if they are a different diameter than the ones on there now). If you're worried about the tune you can either re-tune it or just remove the power commander.
Helmet holder is the tour-pak (trunk).
If you don't want to store it in the trunk, I recommend a cable lock --
Congrats on the new bike. I think you got a good deal.
I don't like my bikes to have loud exhausts either. You can probably find some stock mufflers to replace the Rineharts (you may need the stock headpipes too if they are a different diameter than the ones on there now). If you're worried about the tune you can either re-tune it or just remove the power commander.
Helmet holder is the tour-pak (trunk).
If you don't want to store it in the trunk, I recommend a cable lock -- like these on Amazon.
Thanks - I got the Harley-Davidson chrome helmet lock - AFTER I realized that the trunk does hold 2 full face helmets and my leather jacket! That's huge.
Also after riding it for a week it's not so loud. Like my Honda Magna V65 - you don't have to hit it as hard as it will go.
I'm loving this motorcycle.
Getting more used to my first Harley every day.
Changed all the fluids and filters, nice to work on, everything is so spread out compared to how Hondas are so tight spaced. And English (imperial) fasteners!
Getting used to riding it too.
It needs a little more respect than whipping around on my Honda Magna.
I've been riding motorcycles for 50 years never had any kind of classes I think I'd like to take a course on low speed maneuvering this beast.
On Michigan turn arounds when I'm stoped and already turned then have to turn more and get moving I can be shakey - where as I can just throw around my Honda I can't here.
I see police in parking lots with cones with huge full dress Harley's (my bike) maneuvering effortlessly - even stoping for a couple seconds then moving again without putting a foot down - I can't do that - yet.
This seems a good place friendly and helpful.
My V4musclebike forum is also like this - not like the bitching and anger and just waiting to put down people like the other social media platforms like Facebook.
Thanks all.
Oh, and this anemic horn needs to be added to for the smartphone enthusiasts.
Looks so big and robust but it's not. Sounds like a moped, didn't expect that on such a big motorcycle.
Just ordered a trumpet style air compressor Motohorn like I have on my Honda Magna. I think the Chrome bugle will look awesome on the attaching bolt of the original horn while keeping the original in place and working.
Again, thanks for the welcomes.
I totally get it! My 2013 CVO is my 2nd Harley, my first one was a 2016 Low Rider that I bought new, other than that it's been all Jap performance bikes. Yeah these Harley touring bikes are a different animal...big heavy bikes! They take a bit to get used to. I am still adjusting to the floor boards and forward mounted controls. One thing that I didn't like was the heel/toe shifter, so I converted it over right away. But like you, I am loving this big beast!
I totally get it! My 2013 CVO is my 2nd Harley, my first one was a 2016 Low Rider that I bought new, other than that it's been all Jap performance bikes. Yeah these Harley touring bikes are a different animal...big heavy bikes! They take a bit to get used to. I am still adjusting to the floor boards and forward mounted controls. One thing that I didn't like was the heel/toe shifter, so I converted it over right away. But like you, I am loving this big beast!
Ludville that's interesting, the heel toe shifter.
When I went to my local dealer just to see what a dealership was like (it's like a party in the parking lot) I saw the heel toe shifter. Almost got one - $60, some of these dealership prices can be shocking - but so can the Honda dealerships.
But after reading what you wrote it's probably not for me.
I think I would end up putting my foot under the heel part and trying to shift up and end up downshifting.
I'm still pressing on the right floor board and expecting it to stop - thank God for front brakes and downshifting.
Thanks
Had to Google CVO - do you direct the customizations or is that kind of already done as packages?
Last edited by Robertbc3141; May 22, 2025 at 09:37 AM.
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