Leatherat Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 For the first time in a long time, I am no longer a Yamaha owner I've just sold my beloved XVS650 Classic to a very nice chap who seems to adore it, so it's off to a good home. I have bought another bike, it's just not a Yamaha.......It's a HARLEY DAVIDSON Baby! Whadya reckon to this....... HARLEY F$%KIN' DAVIDSON BABY!!!!!! So I guess the question is.......as a non Yamaha owner, am I still welcome in the Yamaha owners club?
Moderator Airhead Posted July 11, 2011 Moderator Posted July 11, 2011 Yeah course you are leatherat, one day you may even see the error of your ways
Noise Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 That is a nice looking sporty! gotta ask tho....is it the whole hog? (1200?) or the baby of the range? step dad has just finished restoring his 1988 883 sporty with the early Evo motor in it (which i will inherit when that time comes) Just noticed.....are you missing the battery cover!?? lol Get a single seat for the bugger soon, it helps complement the lines of the bike. Congrats on the new purchase tho! well done.
Moderator drewpy Posted July 11, 2011 Moderator Posted July 11, 2011 I'm sure you'll be back with another Yam fairly soon. your welcome to stay and keep us amused with your harley anecdotes and our piss taking
Leatherat Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks guys, I know they're not as great as the hype would have you beleive but I've been wanting one (Heritage Softail actually, but have you seen the prices!!!!) for ages and ages. is it the whole hog? (1200?) or the baby of the range? It started life as an 883, but it's been converted to 1200 Just noticed.....are you missing the battery cover!?? lol Well, I did queery that, but the sales man said that this model came with just the metal strap, no cover????? Hmmm, we'll see what can be done about that, but I can' push too hard, not with what I paid for it.
Leatherat Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 The paint is a really coarse Metalflake, and flips between the Green and Yellow that you can see in the pics. There is a chip out of it on the front mudgaurd, about the size of a pea but very visable, but I guess there's nothing can be done to touch it in. It needs either some forward controls or Highway pegs really, and a pair of throw over saddle bags for my wet weather gear. It's being PDI'd at present and I hope to have it on the drive by Friday. Can't wait, as I have to use the car until then for work etc, which I'm not too happy about.
Ttaskmaster Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Harley Davidson - Excellent choice of bike. Lots of longevity in them. In fact, 95% of all Harleys ever made are still on the road..... The other 5% actually made it home without breaking down!!
Moderator DirtyDT Posted July 11, 2011 Moderator Posted July 11, 2011 Harley Davidson - Excellent choice of bike. Lots of longevity in them. In fact, 95% of all Harleys ever made are still on the road..... The other 5% actually made it home without breaking down!! :lol:
realrayzor Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Let us know how she compare's to the yami, handling, comfort, etc. etc. Of course we all know that none of that really matters because of that sexy little badge on the side of the tank.
up.yours Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 your more than welcome to stay , but please don't talk about your hardley bloody davidson. (just kiddin)
neversaydie Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder What happened to the Vmax then?
Leatherat Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 Let us know how she compare's to the yami, handling, comfort, etc. etc. It's a completely different animal to be honest. Comfort wise, the XVS650 is miles ahead, the Harley has sharper handling than the laid back cruiser though, the bikes can't be compared really, both good but different. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder What happened to the Vmax then? I thought long and hard about the Vmax, it is quite simply an awesome machine, and fairly rare too, but only having a limited budget, it really came down to resale values. I could have taken my £4K and ploughed it into a Vmax, and in a year or two sold it for £2.5K, whereas HD prices are extremely stable and that sportster is never going to lose. Even after looking at the financial practicalities, alot came down to......... Of course we all know that none of that really matters because of that sexy little badge on the side of the tank. Sad but true..........Harley F*%king Davidson Baby!!!!
blackhat250 Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Aye leather " its ok to have other makes, we all do . you"l miss the smoothnes of the yam, build quality too . you"l need ear plugs also Am gonna do trans America some day,,, so will have to hire a HD. ,,, .
Noise Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Pretty sure they came with a battery cover, my step dads 1988 883 has one (was chrome but now been powder coated black) should get one on flea bay if you wanna hide it. And as for the comment on the comparisson with the XVS i do agree! harley's are totally different one major difference is that they have mud for brakes and the Yamaha's come with brakes standard Im sure your be fine tho lol
Leatherat Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Pretty sure they came with a battery cover, my step dads 1988 883 has one (was chrome but now been powder coated black) should get one on flea bay if you wanna hide it. I think you're right, I've found one on Ebay for £30 in chrome. And as for the comment on the comparisson with the XVS i do agree! harley's are totally different one major difference is that they have mud for brakes and the Yamaha's come with brakes standard I found the complete opposite to be honest, the Harley has phenomenal brakes, Discs on both front and rear wheels that pull you up very rapidly, where as the XVS650 was at best vague and the rear was only really able to slow you down rather than bring you to a halt, more than a little pressure on the foot brake caused violent skidding and sphincter tightening. The 1200 lump will pull your arms off in any gear, but is very vibration-ee. The bike turns into corners really quick, not sharp like a sports bike but not like a bomber turning as the Dragstar does, it also feels very short, and man alive, it's got a blokes clutch!
Noise Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I think you're right, I've found one on Ebay for £30 in chrome. I found the complete opposite to be honest, the Harley has phenomenal brakes, Discs on both front and rear wheels that pull you up very rapidly, where as the XVS650 was at best vague and the rear was only really able to slow you down rather than bring you to a halt, more than a little pressure on the foot brake caused violent skidding and sphincter tightening. The 1200 lump will pull your arms off in any gear, but is very vibration-ee. The bike turns into corners really quick, not sharp like a sports bike but not like a bomber turning as the Dragstar does, it also feels very short, and man alive, it's got a blokes clutch! Must be a new one that you bought then if it actually stops lol i took my step dads up the road and i had to plan a week in advance with the brakes. Dont get me wrong i would have a Harley tomorrow if i had the money! that new street bob is pure willy snot and dont get me going on the shovel head! i know i would spend more time fixing the dam thing but what a bike!
Ttaskmaster Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 where as the XVS650 was at best vague and the rear was only really able to slow you down rather than bring you to a halt, more than a little pressure on the foot brake caused violent skidding and sphincter tightening. Back brakes on bikes are for low speeds only. This is why, from CBT, they train you to use mostly front brake. If you're trying to stop with just the back at speeds above 10-15mph, then yes you will lock up. 75-80% front, all the way and I'd say this goes for most bikes. Only exception is some emergencies. I have a fairly firm reservoir and use sintered pads - I have almost pulled a stoppie on my 650 with this!! The Drag has quite a steep rake, relatively. However, with a properly bled reservoir, it stops perfectly fine. That said, the 650 tips into corners far faster than the 125. Handling is vastly improved with correct tyre pressures (tyre manufacturer's pressures, not the ones in the manual).
2 Wheels Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 If your not wanting to stop or stop suddenly then back brake is the best in the wet. Some dont agree with this but it is better. Lets ya know exactually what the bike is doing,,,then just release it if geting into boather,,,,,,,,,,where as if using front brake in the wet and ya have a miss-hap,,,,,,then ya get no chance and you will hit the ground. B)
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