Hd

Let me put on my Nomex boxers.

I'm sure that IF they wanted to do so, H-D could produce a competitive off road motorcycle.

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I doubt that, have you guys been watching AMA Superbikes. H-D can't make a competitive road bike.
Think the Harley label is over exposed already. Have you seen all the cheap mass merchandised junk with H-D logos plastered all over them from kids shoes to bicycles. H-D is the biggest me too trendy thing going since Nike in the late 80's.
This past weekend there was a bike run in Palm Springs and I was working in the area when a group of riders came up on me. I watched as two riders with ape hangers level with the tops of their heads were fighting for control of their bikes every time they hit a big gap in the road. I was nervous just watching these two image over functionality morons fighting their unstable bikes.

If HD was going to go into the off-road market, there is no doubt in my mind they would make quads. Quads would be a better match for their typical clientle. ;)

Whoops

Originally posted by Mudboy
Second, the comment that it would be like Burger King making tires--no, it would be more like Burger King making pizzas. The reason: HD=motorcycle maker; BK=food maker (duh!).

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Exactly the reference I was looking for:
As far as HD making a dirt bike (right off the show room floor, i.e.: MX, trails or woods) it would be like expecting Burger King to start making tires.

Yes you can ride a HD on the trails, in the woods and on a mx track but that's not what they make them for so it would be unrealistic however I would bet that BK would come alot more closer to selling a pizza than HD diving into an off-road market which you have implied.

HD = not mx, trails or woods bikes
BK = not tires

That's my American opinion ;)

I don't think they could shoehorn a pushrod V-twin into an aluminum CR chassis. And that airbox on the side of the engine would definitely catch your boot.;)

Back up to an earlier comment, yes Harley could be likened to a cult. Most (I know not all) owners definitely have a "hey look at me" and a "I'm a tough guy...don't mess with me" thing going on...the loud pipes, the leather, tatoos, washing and polishing every day, etc. Sadly, the rest of the world doesn't care, and is quite annoyed by the loud pipes.

To those of you Harley owners that DONT fit into that category, please don't be offended...to each his own. All bikes are cool, as long as they don't disturb my peace. Of course, my comments are just my opinion, and I'm sure when it comes down to it we all disagree on one issue or another...

To copy an earlier post, "I wanna be a rebel, just like everyone else"...

Overseas, Harleys are less than popular, while in America, imported bikes are very popular. What does that tell you?

On the MX thing, we must remember that Cannnondale was geared towards hi-tech and lightweight, while Harley is the opposite. Sure, with Harley's bucks, they could pay engineers to make whatever, but it wouldn't exactly be a natural fit into their program. Tractors? Maybe...

Am I prejudiced against Harleys? Sure. Come live in my neighborhood for awhile, and try to sleep while the guys who go to work at 5:00 A.M. start up their bikes and warm them up for 15 minutes at high idle with straight pipes (of course you can't just hop on a $17,000 bike and ride it! That would be too much to ask!). Also, while the rest of us normal people actually let our vehicles idle at stop signs and lights, these clowns have the clutch in and rev the thing constantly. I don't know about any one else, but for me the novelty wore off very fast...

:(

harley music

i suppose if someone made an electric bike someone would buy it.however i think most of my neighbors are more offended by my rm250 than my harley, and holeshots in my 66 nova have drawn a few complaints which surprises me because most would agree that a harley or o strong running smallblock sound way nicer than my neighbors lawn mower.

You can just hop on a harley and take off motometal, but most people choose not to for the same reason most people don't jump on their dirtbikes and take off. A cold engine has no lubrication in the upper cylinder, but riding it cold you're doing harm to the engine. Same applies for dirtbikes only slightly different (i.e. cold seizure)

Don't flame harley for what stupid riders do. Harleys come from the factory with normal pipes as they are required to pass sound emissions tests before they can be sold for street operation. Riders put on the loud pipes or knock the centers out of the stock pipes to make them loud.

BTW dheard4992, someone does make an electric dirtbike, it was on ORC a few months back :silly:

Sadly, the laws are very lax regarding modification of exhaust on cruisers, at least im my state. Imagine if 90% of the car and truck owners purposely put straight pipes on their cars...

Last time I checked, Harleys were pretty cold blooded stock, and a good warm up or the choke was required at start up (unless you change jetting). If I bought a car like that for that price, I'd be disappointed.

Actually, you CAN just hop on a dirt bike with a cold engine and take off (ok, I will agree that a little warm up is good), without doing any real damage. I've done it for many, many years with a variety of bikes. Must not be too bad for them, as my top end maintenance intervals are wider than most, and usually the piston and rings are still in very good condition.

my procedure:
1. Choke on, gas on
2. Kick it (usually starts first kick, as I have a Honda)
3. Choke off
4. Maybe about 30 seconds just above idle
5. Ride, but take it easy until the engine fully warms up

the key is to not ride HARD with a cold engine.

and yes, while I'm in my flame mode, it is annoying when a gang of bikes (usually tend to be 125s) down at the local joint rev the crap out of their bikes for 10 minutes in nuetral to "warm them up" while I'm trying to talk to someone in the pits. A lower rpm, low-load warm up would be bettter on the engine.

<grouch mode off>:)

HEY!!

Theres no reason to flame harley now is there! They are very cool and nice bikes ! Thats all my dad, his dad, his brothers , friends and me when I'm older ride. Also you should get your facts strait. They do make a dirtbike. It's called a MT500. it is a army bike but you can special order one for around $7000. OK!:p