Congrats on your buy. Don't worry about trading up. There is always someone else ready to do the same. When it comes time, sell yours don't trade it. Personally I am partial to the Jap/Euro scoots. Nothing against the harleys, just prefer more modern technology. Can't wait until my latest creation is done. 2000 Kawasaki ZX12-R/Muzzy big bore & more. 1360cc 220-230 rwhp and a diet down to around 460-470 wet. Bonneville here we come.

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2000 Silver Lightning 13.82 (stock)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
Snug-Lid
In the works:
PSP Pulley
Level 10 shift kit
Level 10 converter
4-Link
2000 Mercedes ML430 16.01 (stock)
1996 Donzi Z-33 (Twin 502's)81mph
In the works Muzzy ZX12-R 200++ mph 9.94 (stock)

 

I had my maiden voyage yesterday. After practicing around my neighborhood for a few days. I had only put about 25 miles on it and I have a motorcycle learners permit. I installed a Hondaline sissy bar and Iron Horse saddle bags. My step-father and my buddies wanted to show me the ropes on a quick trip. my step father has a 00 Dyna Super Glide, one buddy has a 97 Road King w/FI, another buddy has the 00 Valkyrie, and I have the 01 Shadow Sabre. I have not spent much time in traffic until yesterday. Here's what we did.

Drove about 35 miles to a small town in the middle of Florida called Wachula and had lunch at Subway. I had to get used to 65-70 mph with no windshield. Bugs and dirt and trucks passing kept it interesting. We then headed south to Arcadia (all of these towns are in the middle of South Florida) and stopped for a glass of tea at Paradise Cafe. Then we went south again to Ft. Ogden to a world famous biker bar called Tryke Shari's. there were a ton of old school hardcore bikers here, a very cool place in the middle of nowhere. We are about 4hrs. in to the ride by now and I thought we were headed home. NOT! We continued south and picked up US41 in Punta Gorda and they made me ride the hour and a half home in 80plus weather and moderate old fart six lane traffic. This freaked me out a little until I got used to it. By the thime I got home and we parted ways it was about 7 oclock. It turned out that this was a conspiracy to get me broken in in one day. I pulled in the garage last night with what little was left of my second tank of gas and almost 300 miles of experience in all types of roads, traffic, and weather. I absolutley loved it! You can not think about a thing on a bike except for riding the bike. Your whole world consists of nothing but the space around your bike, a tremendous stress relief. The bottom line is: any bike be it a Honda or a Harley is worth every penny that is spent on them. Budgets differ somewhat but the feeling is priceless. We ran in to several other groups yesterday that consisted of Road Kings to V-Maxes. And every one of those bikers were very friendly folks, they just walk up and talk to you like they have known you forever. I have a new hobby now and I love it. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

and Silver Bolt, with 230 rwhp at 470 wet, why bother with the Lightning? I bet that thing is a blast.

 

seacrow,
It only gets better. Try out Daytona for some friendly folks. You want do much riding with all the traffic but the people make it fun!
Congratulations and ride safe!

 

Where in the hell are all of the friendly Harley riders in Texas??

Every bike I pass I wave (Unless it is imposible) and sure enough, with very few exceptions, Harley riders look the other way.

And I am not just talking about the grizzled looking long haired been-riding-a-Harley-since-the-day-I-was-born type either, these are the new Harley guys, Execs, Lawyers, Etc.

It is like they get reprogrammed at the Harley dealership into being an A-Hole.

Oh well, I will keep waving and hope for the best.

1978 Kawasaki KZ100 Z1-R



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Roger In DFW.
Home of the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion ****Dallas Stars****
99 F-150 Sport XL "Bright" Red 4.2L
L Wheels-Michi Pilots. Flowmaster 50. Sport Masters Tonneau

00 X Sport. "Laser" Red 5.4L

Waag Brush Guard. Roush Racing "Dual Oval" Chrome Tip!

 

WWW.BIMOTA.COM

 

Hey, B777, I wave at every biker I see!

By the same token, I see some bikers on various brands of bikes who never wave, too. I think it's more a personality thing rather than a bike thing.

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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
'99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH

 

HarleyGuy,
I wish there were more like you around here!

It don't bother me if they don't wave, Like I said I keep on waving!

Most every other biker I see (even the snobby euro guys hehe) will wave, it is usually just the Harley guys around here.

I was in a pub one evening hanging out with several friends and several others, having a good time, drinking shooting pool, Etc. Came time to leave and several of the guys that we were just laughing and having a good time with came out at the same time we did and once they saw us riding "Foreign" bikes they turned and walked away.

It probably is the personality thing like you said, unfortunatley those peronalities are riding harleys!!

On a side note, several bike shops told me of this place that does excellent custom seat work, I take the seat to this place and it turns out it is a Harley shop.
The guy looks at me funny when I bring the seat in and says "That aint no Harley seat is it"? I said no and he told me to get that POS out of his shop before some of his "Regulars" show up and think he has turned Jap on them!!!

It is stuff like that that will keep me from ever owning a Harley.



------------------
Roger In DFW.
Home of the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion ****Dallas Stars****
99 F-150 Sport XL "Bright" Red 4.2L
L Wheels-Michi Pilots. Flowmaster 50. Sport Masters Tonneau

00 X Sport. "Laser" Red 5.4L

Waag Brush Guard. Roush Racing "Dual Oval" Chrome Tip!

 

I bought a 99 Honda Shadow Aero new in Sept. 2000, for the price it was great, I could have bought a Valkyrie for $9995 which I also thought was too big for first bike. I know wish I bought the Valkyrie. This was my second real bike, I started on a 350cc Dual sport then a KZ1000 street bike. The Aero seems to be a little small and underpowered for my taste. They gave the 2001 Aero better power with the different crank then mine has but still, if you get a good deal go for bigger, if your at least 6 feet tall and can handle a heavy bike.

Best of luck on whatever you ride.

 

Seacrow- I don't think that I can help very much on-road since I did a lot of off roading and never never street bikes.

But anyway I will let you know part of the story. First one a 1973 Yamaha Enduro 100, second a 1978 Bultaco Sherpa 250, third a 1980 KTM MC 420 and the last one came in 1986 a KTM Enduro 500. Then I got retired from competition in 1988. Started in 1980 with the first KTM.

 

Hey B777,
Next time one of those "not nice" Harley guys pull the stuff about "Jap" bikes, just ask them to show you where the "Made in USA" emblem is on ANY Harley. Guess what? There isn't one. There are not enough American made parts on a Harley to qualify for the Made in USA emblem. It has to be something like 80 to 85% American manufactured parts to qualify. Now, take my Valkyrie for instance. It is made in Ohio. On the back of the passenger seat and carved into the engine block it proudly states "Made in USA". What about that makes it a "Jap" bike? Which bike is more American? One that people assume is made in America or the one that truly has (almost) all of it's components made here? I don't get it. Ride what you like. We are all out in the same sun, wind and rain which makes us all brothers. Live and let live.

Off my soap box now .

 

Interesting story. Well, there are always jerks in every bunch. Talk about acting dumb. Anyhow, hey, if a guy/gal is riding on two wheels, I figure we have a lot in common and I would enjoy talking with them and would certainly wave as we pass. Keep on wavin', B777, there are a whole lot of Harley owners out there like me. Don't judge 'em all based on a few.

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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
'99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH

 

Thanks RedShift and HarleyGuy!

I will keep on waving, it is just something I automatically do anyway.

And like I said, I don't let the bozo's in the world drag me down, I just keep on smiling. (I have too much to smile about!)

Point taken on the made in USA issue, RedShift, Someone had told me that quite a bit of the suspension and braking components on Harleys were Japanese.

I try to get along with everybody, especially when I ride because I do feel a certain "Brotherhood" if you will while on my bike.

I try to get that feeling while in my F-150 too but I am afraid there are too many F-150's running around as work trucks and/or cheap transportation for people that could really give a crap less what they are driving.

I have never run across a biker that was just using his bike because it was the only thing he could afford....

 

HarleyGuy,
I have to agree with you on "Nice" Harley owners and their attitudes towards foreign bikes. There is a large Harley Davidson dealer close to me that I have stopped by many times. I ride a 98 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic and hated the open headed misc bolts on forks and frame. I took the bike to the Harley Dealer since they have a huge selection of chrome parts. I had not even gotten off the bike when some of the Harley riders came over to take a look at the bike. I was given numerous suggestions on how to cover up those bolts and dress it up some, one guy even gave me part numbers for the chrome caps before I went inside. They all commented on the Maroon/Grey paint job it had. They have always been very friendly even though I ride a foreign bike.
Granted I have passed some that wouldn`t wave much less look at you but most here are on the friendly side and will chat and swap stories.

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2000 F150 SC, XLT, Bright Red/Silver 4x2,Auto, 5.4, 3.55LS,CD, sliding rear window, Tow package,Captains chairs,Remote Entry, Ford Bedliner, molded splash guards,Stainless step bars and bed rails.
FM40 single in/Single out the side.Clear Corners just installed.Pretty much stock now but waiting for performance mods to include FIPK,,Superchip, new wheels/tires and new audio.

[This message has been edited by 2000FordStyle (edited 02-14-2001).]

 

I always wave no matter what style bike your on. Heck, half the time you can't even tell what the bike was.
All those concerned that they get snuffed by a Harley rider because they weren't on one, so do I! I have waved at many dudes on Harleys only to get no response back. Maybe they aren't comfortable releasing the handle bars to wave?

Redshift, nothing personal here, but you seem to be the Jessie Jackson(instigator) of this forum. Everyone is sharing comments about all bikes, but you seem intent on talking down on our choice of bike to own. Maybe it's just your personality?