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Gohot
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 06:28 pm: |
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Hay I got an idea for them....make a Drifter Sporty, all Indian looking. |
Gregtonn
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:19 pm: |
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"XL got a new frame in '05. Big change in how that rides." Actually the new frame came in 2004, along with a 50 pound increase in weight. Not sure how gaining 50 pounds rates as an improvement. Maybe Willie G. like 'em fat. The big change in 2005 was in the swing arm and rear axle diameter. G |
Sifo
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:27 pm: |
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You're right, it was '04. The big change was that you don't have numb body parts after 20 minutes of expressway speeds due to the rubber mounts. Sure it ads weight as it does on the XB. Seats, handlebars, and foot pegs add weight too, but I wouldn't ride without them. |
Mr_grumpy
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:28 pm: |
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There's no point in engineering an overdriven motorcycle gearbox, too much power loss from the extra gears required. Much easier & lighter to slip an extra cog in the train & up the final drive by means of pulley or sprocket size. |
Rocketsprink
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:30 pm: |
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In a rare case, I agree with Sifo. I wasn't implying that was your mentality, but rather H-D's. It has worked in the past. I believe the future will be MUCH different. And they will be the looser in the end. I find less and less people I talk to are interested in their antiquated bikes, and the stock reports would kinda back that up. |
Sifo
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:32 pm: |
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Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 08:38 pm: |
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They've got three motors and five frames. The rest is just packaging. One of the motors and frames were rejected by the "core" buyer, the VRod. So what "new" engine and frame WOULD be accepted by the "core" buyer? If the bike's pedigree can't be traced back to 1903, "it ain't a "real" Harley". |
Gregtonn
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 09:07 pm: |
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"Sure it ads weight as it does on the XB. Seats, handlebars, and foot pegs add weight too, but I wouldn't ride without them." Yet somehow Buell was able to incorporate all those things into a bike that was 100 pounds lighter. Seems odd that a motorcycle company with over 100 years of experience should fall short of a relative newcomer doesn't it? G |
Sifo
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 09:13 pm: |
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Yet somehow Buell was able to incorporate all those things into a bike that was 100 pounds lighter. Seems odd that a motorcycle company with over 100 years of experience should fall short of a relative newcomer doesn't it? That's why I ride Buell. The Sporty is my wife's, but she is seeing the light now that she has the Street Triple to ride. The Sporty isn't a bad ride as long as you are realistic with your expectations though. I would upgrade the suspension if I were going to own one though. Fairly easy and cheap fix. It's a shame HD hasn't fixed that issue to begin with. |
Doerman
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 09:33 pm: |
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Why oh WHYdo they put fwd controls on a Sportster. Whats sporty about a fat front tire and wire wheels. Its a rolling anachronism and they are looking for a youth market? The guys on Juneau have lost touch with reality. |
Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 09:41 pm: |
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Its a rolling anachronism HELLO? The entire HD line up is a rolling anachronism. |
Just_ziptab
| Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 10:04 pm: |
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WEIGHT is the easiest way to add comfort. Why do you think Caddy's and Lincoln's weigh so much in the 70's? Yep,70's technology,here today at h-d...... (Message edited by just_ziptab on January 23, 2010) |
Mr_grumpy
| Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 09:31 am: |
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Ah, 70s land yachts. One upon a time I had a Buick LeSabre, you could have landed an F15 on the thing it was monstrously big. I eventually swapped it for a Jag XJ6 as the neighbours kept complaining they could get in or out of their drive when I had it parked in mine. Oh, Nostalgia's not what it used to be. |
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