I'm back!

[Catalyst]

Majority of you will most probably have forgotten about me, used to be a regular on here under the username 'hurricanehollis' at one point then the one I'm under now.

It's been 3 long years! Since then I travelled the world, set up a company, company failed, fell in love, bought a house and sold my motorbike.

BUT

I'm back on the hunt for a bike! I'm looking at a Harley (chopper twat I know), as I've always wanted one since being a kid. I've got a test ride booked for an Iron 883 next week and I'm just looking for thoughts, comments and views on it as a bike. Bear in mind I had an ER-6 last so looking for something a bit different and not overly interested in being able to go 150!

Cheers guys!
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|--Previous--|:2007 Aprilia SX50...--Current--|: 2007 Kawasaki ER-6N
SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[Silver_Fox]

[Cronik]

Running a successful company and 'falling in love' cannot ever co-exist.

One blossomed, the other fell into ruination...

I don't think the company failed you.
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*A Vacuous Vacancy*

[Robby]

I had an 883R with the usual sort of mods, and test rode a brand new, standard example of same. Expect to be disappointed on the test ride, a standard 883 has all the noise and performance of a 250 superdream.

To be honest, my one probably had all the performance of a 400 superdream, but it felt like more and I enjoyed it.

If you are planning on buying new, set aside a grand for the exhausts, air filter and ECU to get it up to scratch - or buy a second hand one about 2 years old with all the work done and a handful of miles on the clock.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Welcome back. Might be worth having a look at the metric cruisers as well, unless you have to do the Harley thing, then only a Harley will do.
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My Flickr

[Catalyst]

[hellkat]

It's kind of pointless to compare performance with Jap bikes with a Harley. Everybody does, of course, because everybody believes you should only be a one-bike/one style sort of person. This is patently not true.

But what is true is that it is a totally different feel of ride.

I don't think you should expect to achieve a similar experience by riding different types of Harley, although by all means try out different ones. Harley create pleasure bikes, not sports bikes. The Fortyeights I've seen around town look (and sound) like nice bikes.

Just experience the way the Harley rides, and see if you can appreciate its feel, comparative to the ride of a Jap (or other nationality) bike.

Although I was very surprised at how I (initially) was quite certain I didn't like the way my Harley rides (an 1100 sportster), it has a certain feel that - when I am in the mood - I kind of quite like. But I still love the feel of jappers, and many days only the GXS750 will do, when I can not bear the thought of the comparatively clunky Harley.

Other days, of course, that's exactly the ride I want, and the Harley will probably grow on you - just don't expect to love it all at once/forever. When you've come from bikes with different "performance", you might take a while to discover that you sometimes have to be "in the mood" to ride your Harley.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Oh, and when you put aftermarket pipes on your Harley, don't do the Screamin' Eagle thing, do the Remus thing, they have a great valve system so it can be in yobbo mode when you're in the mood, then in quiet mode when you just want to get home / get on with your neighbours.

Is it bad I actually quite like the look of the 48?
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My Flickr

[M.C]

[Snowdonia Rider]

What about a Superlow 1200 as an option? Bit more oomph in it compared to the 883. Be sure to post your thoughts on the 883 test ride, Catalyst
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I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[MarJay]

Buell's are better. Just sayin'.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[dydey90]

[Catalyst]

[Robby]

[sickpup]

Sportsters seem over-priced for what they are. The price of the 1340's has dropped considerably over the last few years, you can pick up a decent Glide these days for around the 5-6k mark and that's a lot more bike for your money.