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My dad complains about how uncomfortable his #Harley bikes are for long days of riding because of the vibration.

Maybe Harleys don't actually make good touring bikes. 🤔 #motorcycle

#motorcycle #harley

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in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Sam Whited
Sam Whited
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I've always heard they're uncomfortable when idling at a stop light, but actually very smooth when riding, but never been on one; sounds like that hasn't been your dads experience? I'd love to know the details.
in reply to Sam Whited

Neil E. Hodges
Neil E. Hodges
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I don't really have more details than this. Maybe he's lugging the engine the whole time or something?
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Sam Whited
Sam Whited
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I sort of get the appeal of Harley's: U.S. made (if you're from here anyways that's an appeal maybe), they look gorgeous, that weird engine sound from the offset pistons, but I also always worried that the engine design would just tear them to pieces over time. All that vibration can't be good for it no matter how much you engineer around it, right? I dunno, I'll keep eying them from a distance and then buying reliable Honda's that will never break down, I guess.
in reply to Sam Whited

Neil E. Hodges
Neil E. Hodges
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Yeah. If I wanted a V-twin cruiser, I'd definitely get a Japanese one, preferably with water cooling.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
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I wish we got the bigger Japanese cruisers here in Australia. These days, I think we've just got the Kawasaki Vulcan S, and Honda Rebels - no V-twins. Muscle cruisers don't do much for me personally.

There are still plenty of older used Japanese V-twins on the market though.

@sam

@Sam Whited
in reply to Sam Whited

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
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@sam I've never ridden a Harley, but by all accounts, they seem about as reliable as any non-Japanese brand ever since AMF sold the company in 1981. The AMF years seems to be when their reliability was at its worst and they became widely known for leaking oil everywhere.

I wouldn't have any reliability concerns about owning a modern Harley, especially as they're still relatively simple, and both parts and mechanics are everywhere.

@tk

@Neil E. Hodges @Sam Whited
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Greg A. Woods
Greg A. Woods
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On the other hand I remember reading a review of "modern" Harleys a couple of decades ago or more when they changed their engine design to balance it out more and eliminate the vibration.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
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I love the aesthetic and design of Harley bikes, but between the outrageous prices, vibrations, and heavy clutch lever, I don't know if they're the bikes for me.

I'll definitely get me an Iron 883 someday though. It's always been a dream bike. I've got to at least try it, and I'm sure it won't be hard to sell if I end up not liking it.

in reply to Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
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I still found my Honda CRF300 Rally a bit too vibey in the bars and ordered a Crampbuster at the recommendation of @kev. Finally got it and installed it today, then took the bike for a spin. Seems to make a big difference!

If you haven't seen them, it's a plastic lever that clips onto the throttle tube. It lets me hold the throttle open with the weight of my wrist and almost no grip on the tube itself. Seems a world of difference.

Your dad might find them helpful - there are Harley models.

@Kev Quirk
in reply to Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

Neil E. Hodges
Neil E. Hodges
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I have Throttle Rockers (nearly the same product) on my two big bikes and would never choose to go without one going forward. The looser grip not only saves my hand, but also lets me feel the feedback from the bars in turns for better handling.
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