It looks like SN1 is doing his bit to stimulate the economy, what with sending several thousand Yankee Dollars to those wonderful folks in Milwaukee who assemble Hardly-Ablesons. This photo is all I have to go on at the moment... sent via Sprint Picture Mail not five minutes ago. That would be Grandson Sean in the picture. I'm wondering why he has his fingers in his ears... I'm promised that all will be revealed this weekend via voice call.I'm also wondering if SN1 kept the Kowalski (the red mo'sickle at the link) or traded it off to acquire the Monster Bike. You'd be correct if you think I look upon Milwaukee Vibrators with something of a jaundiced eye, Gentle Reader. "Taste is all in the mouth"... as it's said. But a Big-Ass cruiser is probably fitting for a 40-something guy, right? (insert smiley-face thingie here)
What a cutie! The child I mean:) okay, the bikes nice too.
ReplyDeleteMy serious bikes were a '78 Kowalski KZ650 and an '84 Interstate. As someone said, the Goldwing is a two-wheeled Camry that gets 35 mpg-- but at 100 mph.
ReplyDeleteI've never set butt on a Harley, 'viewing' them as... what did you say... 'Milwaukee Vibrators.' Please ask SN1 if that's true. Is it worth the brand name/alleged chick appeal for the tooth rattling? Plus they seem pretty noisy as they pass me on the highway. Is that just style or is there a reason they must be so loud (other than the fendersticker claim that they're loud to be more safe)?
I have little doubt I'll be back on a large touring bike before I die. I don't find the big 1800 opposed-six Goldwings as appealing as the earlier models (like the 1200 opposed-four I had).
Windows? Mac? (Insert smiley-face thingy.)
Sean is just pretty cute. A motorcycle is only as cute as his rider.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, so Kowalski is some kind of insider thing. Gotcha. I don't see the kid's fingers in his ears. Those old eyes of yours, Buck...
ReplyDeleteDawn: Thank ya, Ma'am!
ReplyDeleteBob sez: I've never set butt on a Harley, 'viewing' them as... what did you say... 'Milwaukee Vibrators.' Please ask SN1 if that's true.
It's really not true anymore, although it most certainly USED to be. Harley has come a long way, and rubber-mounts for the motor have improved considerably from the Good Ol' Days. I say this with some authority... having put a (very) few miles on SN1's old Night Train. You pretty well summed it up with your "Windows? Mac?" analogy. Harleys just ain't my cuppa... unless they have a Buell logo on the tank. ;-)
Andy: My eyes must be old, indeed. It STILL appears to me like Sean has his fingers in his ears.
Left on the handlebar, right thumbs-up. No?
ReplyDeleteAh... right you are. He's probably blipping the throttle, now that you mention it.
ReplyDeleteSucks to be old, sometimes. But old is better than dead... I think. ;-)
For a year or so, I rode the back seat (yes, I know what that's called :)!) of an Ultra Classic Electra Glide - like the cop bikes. It was one smooth ride - I could walk normal after a long ride but I couldn't hear for awhile...
ReplyDeleteI'd get on another one.
Ann: I can see the "draw" of a touring bike, and Harley makes good ones. But that ain't me when it comes to bikes... I'm definitely in the sport-bike category. My attitude may change in future, but I kinda doubt it. I'm of the mind that if I was gonna change it would have happened well before my 60th birthday.
ReplyDeleteI like Harley's, I don't own one but I would buy one. The rubber mounted motors cut the vibration quite a bit but they introduce a handling problem in that they are somewhat "loose" on the road, (the engine moves around in the frame). They also have a swing arm issue in that the swing arm is somewhat flexible adding to the looseness feel . In 2000 Harley introduced a counterbalance to the engine used on the soft-tail versions that reduced the vibration considerably. 2009 models have a redesigned frame and swing arm that adds considerable strength to the bike. they have also mounted the engine rigidly in the frame to eliminate the loose feel. I agree with Reese about the noise and this is probably because this is due to after-market pipes installed to customized the bike and/or to improve the performance. I have reservations about the performance improvement edge for a number of reasons but to each his own. The most noticeable exhaust improvement I have seen costs about three bucks and is a simple bolt mounted vertically in the outlet of the muffler. Big mid-range torque gain noticeable in the seat of the pants dynometer. I own a Gold wing and I like horizontally opposed (Boxer) motors for a number of reasons, very solid crankshaft mounting, and a lower center of gravity to name a couple. I hope SN1 enjoy the new ride.
ReplyDeleteWow, Dan... thanks for that. I didn't realize you knew a lot about Harleys... but it doesn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteI'm thnking SN1 WILL enjoy the new scoot... this has been in the works for a couple of months now.
Thanks Dan and Buck!
ReplyDeleteBuck, you are indeed an odd one stereotypically-wise. You have the Green Hornet and the Cobalt Cheval (my nickname for your 'Zuki). You SHOULD have a Crown Victoria and either an Electra Glide or an Aspencade.
I wonder what Ann from Montana means about the back seat. Only translation I could find in a brief search was "Harley Babe."
Buck, you are indeed an odd one stereotypically-wise.
ReplyDeleteSome guys just NEVER grow up, yanno? ;-)
re: "Harley Babe." Works for me!
You know me; if it’s mechanical or electrical I like it. Harley makes a good bike as do all the other manufacturers. If I had the means I'd probably own a couple of dozen. I would really like to burn a few hundred miles on a Hayabusa. Imagine a bike limited to 186 mph from the factory, what an orgasmatron I got a chance to ride turbocharged KZ900 that a friend built back in the 70’s, what a rush that was when the turbo went positive. I miss those days…….
ReplyDeleteFor the record, it's a 2009 Street Glide in Vivid Black.
ReplyDeleteReese...it's all that you think and more! Fresh off the lot, first stoplight, 2 PYTs in the car to my left couldn't stop smiling, waving and generally doing just about everything possible to get my attention. I was listening to the cd player, smiling from ear to ear and wondered who was yelling...
I pulled away with a smile...
Yes, it IS worth it!
;)
As Dad mentioned, this is the second HD I've had and has been my dream bike for the last year or so. It is the perfect bike for a 40-something year old guy...
Erm likes it too! She immediately approved of the passenger seat and contrasted it with the "pad" on my 'Train...remarking on the lack of pain caused by the new seat vs. the old one. Yet another reason to pick a 'Glide.
I didn't trade in the Ninja...but it's probably going on Craigslist soon...I still like it a lot...but it really was a stop-gap until I could get another HOG!
SN1
Awesome, Captain Pennington! "PYTs" Ha!
ReplyDeleteDan sez: If I had the means I'd probably own a couple of dozen. I would really like to burn a few hundred miles on a Hayabusa.
ReplyDeleteYeah... me too. If means weren't the issue I'd only have a couple of cars, but I'd have a couple DOZEN mo'sickles! And an in-house mechanic, too.
I'm afraid a Hayabusa would scare the Bejeezus out of me. An old friend of mine's husband just bought his second one, believe it or don't. She rides a Honda 600cc sport bike (forget the exact flavor) and he has that 'Busa. Can you imagine their Sunday rides? WOW!
Buck: CD player? OMG... ;-)