[Sparkeysmall]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I have always prefered those dual-purpose (or "dual-sport", or just "dirt") motorcycles. When it comes to Harley-Davidson, the poor cooling of their engines bothers me more than its look in comparison to their Japanese counterparts.

Ive been wanting to get a 4 stroke dirt bike and put street tires on it. I figure the massive suspension they put on those to fly on dirt has to be comfy on the street. And a flat seat to scoot around on.

Warning. Rant. (Just mentioning it to begin with was a bad idea)

Not only does the 1913 engine design bother me but the gearboxes as well. Noisy, clunky, heavy. No rear suspension. And how they keep the bolts to stay on with an all stroke 1700cc single pin 45* is beyond me. And the supposedly "maintenence free" belt drive that frays like a 200000 mile worn out tire if you put too much girlfriend on the back. Harleys are all paint, chrome, sleeveless leather, apehangers and pipes.

I read somewhere a while back that the rear cylinder got shut off to "cool it down".... then again fuel injection is the most technicalogical thing harley has ever played with since the knucklehead came out.

I will say (as a positive) that there new street line is a step in the right direction... Over head cams and liquid cooling?!?!? WHAAAT!?!?

Oh and lets not forget the vrod is the slowest "muscle bike" ever made. 0-60 in 4 and 130 mph? Please... A child on a 250 can beat that. I guess for a harley thats pretty darn quick.

Rant over.


I just grew up on Japanese bikes. And i always got a feeling of "the best bike for the price". Immaculate engines, smooth gearboxes. I wouldnt mind a 7th gear but ohwell. The oldest bike i had was a 1980 yamaha xj650. It was clapped out and i got it for $500. After reshimming the valves and cleaning the carburetors that thing would scoot. The odometer diddnt work on it but it looked like it rode around the world twice, but ran like it just fell off the assembly line. I averaged about 50mpg on it and probably couldve gotten much better haddnt i revved it to 10,000 rpm atleast twice a day. It was cheap and fun. What more could you ask for.

And yes ive ridden a newer harley. I will say it was torqey. But just an aweful experience overall.