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I've never owned a bike so I figured I'd ask...
How necessary is it to continuously rev the engine as you are slowing down, and sitting at a stop sign?
Very necessary. And by your question, I can see it works. We have no airbags or seatbelt. And we have to make sure we are heard, as well as seen.
It's absolutely more necessary than 80 percent of the car drivers who have their heads down looking at their *%$# cell phone while driving
Since I have never ridden, this never crossed my mind.
Because it sounds badass… Every time
that makes me smile.
the ironhead I ride is a complete dragrace bike 0-100 in 3 seconds and the 1 mile is like 10 seconds flat....
but really the bike is so underpowered its comical. I called my buddy who tinkers with AMF period Harleys and I thought the mixture was finiky or the ignition was messed up. He laughed and said it was the revlimiter. I will most likely never win a drag race against 60% of the cars made today. But I won't race it, it doesn't go over 75MPH, that 4 speed is happy at 55-65mph. It shakes like crazy and every few rides I need to check all nuts and bolts. Its maintenance heavy keeping the valves adjusted twice a season, and the S&S shorty needs a hot jet tune for mid summer and a fall tune when its below 50* outside. Its been touched by so many mechanics but it has so much character. I love riding it, I wouldn't think of getting another bike unless it had a passenger seat.
No way in hell is this bike fast the tq numbers are low but it is a lot of fun to ride. I got it off of a NES member absolutely love it
Ah, No they can't
No..they haven't.... do some research on 1200 fuel injected sportster rocker box gaskets....they love to leak. I did mine at 3k miles.
Depends on the fuel in your bike and how long the bike sits before you ride it. Even premium has crap in it that shuts the bike down if you don't keep it reved. Fresh fuel and it's not so bad.
As far as Harleys, no comment. I dont understand them, never have, most likely never will.
I don't do it much while stopped but while downshifting.
Never heard of a stock Harley with a rev limiter. They don't need one. Harleys can produce low oil pressure at idle due to the design of the oiling system, but revving the motor is not the solution. Setting the idle speed at 800 to 1000 rpm is the recommended solution.
What is this, eight, maybe nine pages and nobody has mentioned the REAL reason Harleys use engine braking to slow down.Same here. Blipping the throttle makes for smooth downshifts.
Because "**** You" that's why.
I learned how to solve this from the guy who ran Freeman Cycle in Beverly.A$$holes are A$$holes, in my case, its my lovely neighbor up he street that leaves promptly at 0530 every morning on his rat job bobber sporting these ridiculous apes, ripping and burping at a stupid speed down a 15mph quiet residential street.
Yep, TC's have rev limiter. I've hit mine when stock (5600 rpm), but now that I've tuned it it has been moved up slightly (6200).
Squids are faster, with more hp and torque, but I always ask them to race for pinks, from here to Florida, whoever gets there first wins. Guarantee my "road sofa" will get me there first, versus their torture device they have to get off of every 100 miles, lol.
This is only a thing in the HD community. Back when they had drum brakes that were kind of grabby, using the rear brake was a more stable and added braking power. In addition, a long wheelbase touring bike does not have the kind of weight transfer that a shorter, sportier bike does. In addition the choppers and springers often had a tiny front contact patch and many didn't have a front brake at all.Well, maybe not a sub liter bike or an inline 4, but my Harley sure engine brakes hard, I usually only have to use my actual brake to complete the stop after a series of downshifts, even in traffic. Granted I tap on the brake to light up my taillight, but I don't usually apply it until the end.
-chris
And here's an example of why HD riders are so special.//Squids are faster, with more hp and torque, but I always ask them to race for pinks, from here to Florida, whoever gets there first wins. Guarantee my "road sofa" will get me there first, versus their torture device they have to get off of every 100 miles, lol.
If someone wants to ride HD because of their image, more power to you: I knew the Roadster was the slowest road bike I've ever owned when I bought it. And their touring bikes are very competitive with the other heavyweights. But speed is best left out of the equation.3) The most surprising thing for me, however, is that out of the 100 or so different bikes there was not one Harley....Not a one. I would have expected to see their Ultra's and other touring models. It seems around here on the streets of every day life Harleys out number metric bikes by a large margin, however, not for long distance competition rides it appears. I'm not bashing just was surprised.
And here's an example of why HD riders are so special.
My V-Strom would go 230 to 300 miles on a tank. It had a windshield, hand guards, heated grips, and 6" of suspension travel. Sport touring tires were terrific in rain and lasted over 8,000 miles. In Germany they typically ride them on the autobahn at 130-140 kph (80-87mph) because mpg goes down so fast at speeds higher than that the cost is more and they have to stop more often.
If you look at the Iron Butt riders, the most popular bike is the Honda ST1300. The most popular brand is probably BMW. Other liter plus sports tourers like the Kawasaki Concours and Yamaha FJR also have number.
Harley?If someone wants to ride HD because of their image, more power to you: I knew the Roadster was the slowest road bike I've ever owned when I bought it. And their touring bikes are very competitive with the other heavyweights. But speed is best left out of the equation.
Image was maybe 10% of why I bought a harley (I don't own a single item of "Harley" clothing and I don't dress like a biker). I think its a good looking bike, its solid, its simple. I like the idea of an air-cooled, carbed, 2 cylinder bike with a gear driven cam.
The part of the name I like is the history. Quintessential American bike. I love the new indians though, if I were in the market for a new bike I'd get an Indian Springfield or Chief Vintage.
Mike