Problems in Poser-land.....
05-24-2011, 06:59 PM
#1
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05-24-2011, 07:12 PM
#2
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That's crazy!
Who wouldn't want to spend 20k for a bike that "weaves and wobbles"?
I like how they blame people adding aftermarket accessories.
Wouldn't bad bearings in the wheel or triples have a result like that?
Who wouldn't want to spend 20k for a bike that "weaves and wobbles"?
I like how they blame people adding aftermarket accessories.
Wouldn't bad bearings in the wheel or triples have a result like that?
05-24-2011, 08:41 PM
#5
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Wow, shocking that a design from 1900 has inherent instability. But did you hear the list of injuries from allegedly going 25mph? Coma, etc? I've had 100mph crashes that I walked away from. Seems fishy.
05-24-2011, 08:51 PM
#7
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Wobble has to do with frame and fork design. My first bike, a '78 CX500 modded for canyon racing, had a speed wobble in fast corners until I put a fork brace on it.
I also read, years ago in Motorcyclist, that adding weight to the rear, such as bags and a trunk, would make a bike more likely to wobble.
About 6 months ago, my wife and I were at a pizza place in San Diego when about 8 or 10 cops rode up for lunch...all on BMW's. I asked how they liked the Beemers compared to Harleys. They all said that the BMW's are great, a big improvement. Who could argue?
I also read, years ago in Motorcyclist, that adding weight to the rear, such as bags and a trunk, would make a bike more likely to wobble.
About 6 months ago, my wife and I were at a pizza place in San Diego when about 8 or 10 cops rode up for lunch...all on BMW's. I asked how they liked the Beemers compared to Harleys. They all said that the BMW's are great, a big improvement. Who could argue?
05-24-2011, 09:15 PM
#8
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I took a BMW K1200LT on a PNW road trip a couple years back and even though the saddle bags and trunk were topped off and I had a passenger that thing was ROCK SOLID on the highway and in the twisties. I've spent some time on a GL1500 and it was terrible, felt like a wet noodle in every turn... if the Harley's are the same way then they must be scary as hell to ride! I realize government agencies want to use American products as much as possible, but an HD for hot pursuit? C'mon!
05-24-2011, 09:26 PM
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05-24-2011, 10:05 PM
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My wife and I saw a lot of lidless Harley riders as we drove through Southern Arizona to Sierra Vista to visit her sister last February.
Around here they mostly wear what I call the "peanut shell" helmet. A batting helmet provides more protection than one of those.
Around here they mostly wear what I call the "peanut shell" helmet. A batting helmet provides more protection than one of those.
05-24-2011, 10:08 PM
#12
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Uh, no, somehow I had the foresight to envision what a meeting of fast moving road and human would result in, so I dressed for the eventuality. No I mean more the broken bones but I dont think harley riders are exactly calcium fortified athletes ready to bounce off the road either. See, this is where all those crazy stories come from that scare the general public about bikes.
05-24-2011, 10:53 PM
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I have a buddy with an old ironhead- only seen it once, but he cracks me up by rolling around in full two piece leathers, racing shoes, gloves, helmet, etc.. on it. It's sacrilege to the Harley folks around here... I honestly can't think of the last time I saw a Harley rider with a full-faced helmet on (other than my buddy of course)...
05-25-2011, 06:35 PM
#15
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I had heard of the wobble but dismissed it as inexperienced noobs on 1 ton mc's until a friend of mine who has been riding since birth lost his HD and almost a leg in a slow curve. He is now a believer.
05-25-2011, 06:42 PM
#16
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Well Jeez! The forks are like 1 foot apart on those things, and they're sprung soft. Plus at something like 25 degrees lean, you're touching metal.
That's why they're called "cruisers".
But there's always the rider factor. Not how many years riding, but how skilled.
A friend of mine, since high school, gained a reputation in the Western Sierra Foothills for smoking guys on sportbikes with his StreetGlide.
That's why they're called "cruisers".
But there's always the rider factor. Not how many years riding, but how skilled.
A friend of mine, since high school, gained a reputation in the Western Sierra Foothills for smoking guys on sportbikes with his StreetGlide.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 05-25-2011 at 06:46 PM.
05-25-2011, 10:22 PM
#18
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I took a BMW K1200LT on a PNW road trip a couple years back and even though the saddle bags and trunk were topped off and I had a passenger that thing was ROCK SOLID on the highway and in the twisties. I've spent some time on a GL1500 and it was terrible, felt like a wet noodle in every turn... if the Harley's are the same way then they must be scary as hell to ride! I realize government agencies want to use American products as much as possible, but an HD for hot pursuit? C'mon!
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