Cruising with HD (is the S10 a good match for HD groups)

twinrider

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Sckill said:
Instead of asking if the bike is a good match for a group of HD bikes, you should be asking, do you all have similar riding styles? You can putt around as slow as you want on a S10, or wring the crap out of a HD. It's up to the rider.
As someone who owns an HD and an S10, I agree 110 percent! ::008::
 

2112

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From my, admitted limited, experiences of HD's I'd advise caution in the braking department. The S10 isn't the most amazingly braked bike but it's adequate, not the words I would use to describe the braking performance of any of the HD's I've ridden...
 

Harry Dresden PI

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My post has wandered all over the gray areas of rider group relationships ...

I ride often in cruiser bike groups and have even done Tail of the Dragon and 650 mile days with such groups. Many HD riders have many non HD years of riding and often moved to HD for personal needs as their body changes over the years and as money become easier to spend on $30k + bikes.

My main question centered on the 0 to 30 and 30 to 60 mph S10 throttle run on compared to the larger HD bikes.

Given the offset firing of the S10 is similar to the HD V twins my guess is low speed acceleration effort is similar ... can anyone who has ridden both or the like comment.

Thanks
 

Donk

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Ridden both, owned both, ride with my brother in law all the time and he has an Ultra. Yes they are similar but it really comes down to how hard you twist the throttle. My S10 will out accelerate the HD if I want to but not by as much as my Explorer will. Hence I use less right wrist and everything stays even. What is the big deal?
 

viewdvb

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OldRider said:
Excuse me, I should have added this to the post so everyone would understand what I meant. :D :D ;D ;D ;D :D

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/deadly-dozen-12-motorcycle-safety-myths-and-misconceptions
The link is self defeating because there is not one instance where the author quotes his so called "factual" source. He/she is guilty of exactly what they are railing against - quoting facts without anything to back them up. If "recent tests prove" and "studies show", why not quote them. Otherwise it's just the same old "it's true because I say it is" that we see far too much of in this forum. Don't get me wrong, I generally agree with the views expressed (and views is all they are without backup) but I would differ about some of the claims because of recent publications that I have read. But that's just my VIEW.
 

Idahohigh

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wow and I thought I was joining a different group of riders when I bought my Tenere. After reading some of the post I realize that no matter what you ride there are people who like to bash other brands and riders. Sad thing that people just can't be happy to ride. In my humble opinion it make no difference what you ride, Rice Burner or the sound of Thunder . You may be surprised how many people ride Harleys on different terrains all over the world. But then again closed minded people who bought a duel sport only to commute to work just don't get it...
 

Checkswrecks

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Idahohigh said:
wow and I thought I was joining a different group of riders when I bought my Tenere. After reading some of the post I realize that no matter what you ride there are people who like to bash other brands and riders. Sad thing that people just can't be happy to ride. In my humble opinion it make no difference what you ride, Rice Burner or the sound of Thunder . You may be surprised how many people ride Harleys on different terrains all over the world. But then again closed minded people who bought a duel sport only to commute to work just don't get it...

My first inclination was to get out the pruning shears, as this could be seen as resurrecting a near-dead thread for negative trolling. But we do generally have a pretty experienced and mature group, many of whom have Harleys and cruisers now or in the past, so let's see where the new guy's post leads to.
Remember that we draw the line at personal attacks.


[Digging around for my cool management hat now]
 

Donk

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Idahohigh said:
wow and I thought I was joining a different group of riders when I bought my Tenere. After reading some of the post I realize that no matter what you ride there are people who like to bash other brands and riders. Sad thing that people just can't be happy to ride. In my humble opinion it make no difference what you ride, Rice Burner or the sound of Thunder . You may be surprised how many people ride Harleys on different terrains all over the world. But then again closed minded people who bought a duel sport only to commute to work just don't get it...
I've bought and sold a bunch of bikes, never changed the group(s) I ride with. :)
 

Will Rotten

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I own both, but the Harley lives under a cover most of the time. I have a Buell, a Harley, and a Tenere. I explained it to my wife like this. "See, bikes are like shoes. You wouldn't wear high heels to run a marathon and you wouldn't wear hiking boots to a wedding. My Buell is my running shoes, my Tenere is my hiking boots and my HD is my high heels. It looks nice but I can't ride it for long before it starts to hurt." I think she understood. AND I don't have as many bikes as she has shoes.
 

Checkswrecks

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Will Rotten said:
I own both, but the Harley lives under a cover most of the time. I have a Buell, a Harley, and a Tenere. I explained it to my wife like this. "See, bikes are like shoes. You wouldn't wear high heels to run a marathon and you wouldn't wear hiking boots to a wedding. My Buell is my running shoes, my Tenere is my hiking boots and my HD is my high heels. It looks nice but I can't ride it for long before it starts to hurt." I think she understood. AND I don't have as many bikes as she has shoes.

I love the explanation.
Life and moods are too short for one bike.
 

RCinNC

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No, Harleys don't handle badly, nor do they go down with the slightest panic braking. They may do those things with inexperienced or generally crappy riders (as all bikes will), but saying that it's the bikes fault and not the rider is ridiculous. There are far too many videos out there on line of guys doing fantastic maneuvers on big Road Kings and Ultras to make blanket statements like that. Harleys aren't sport bikes, but they handle very well for their weight and size. In the right hands, and with the right setup (Harley's stock suspension is subpar, as are many bikes), that Harley handles as nimble as an S10.

I attached a link for this video; there are lots like it on line, showing how maneuverable these bikes are. If someone already has the HD bias this won't change their mind, but it's food for thought if you keep an open mind about HDs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9uqY7BfyLA
 

Harry Dresden PI

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Through close real world testing ... (If Florida can be called real world)

Well after about 2000 miles of often riding in groups with the pre and post rushmore 2014+ HD bikes I can say ...

The S10 and HD bikes are very compatible for group street riding and interstate travel ...

HD is more stable in cross winds and has much better wind protection than the S10 ... (And many HDs have some great stereo sound at beach side)

S10 and HD have similar low speed acceleration and in the right hands the HD hustle very well down smooth curvy roads ...

No comparison was made for off road testing ,,,
 

Donk

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FWIW I just spent a few days riding with my brother in law around the back roads of WI. He was on his '15 Ultra I was on my'14 S10ES. We have both been riding for more than 40 years. I have owned lots of different bikes, including a few Harleys, he has only owned Harleys. I must say my brother in law is one of the smoothest guys I have ever seen on a Harley and a great rider in general. Chasing him through the twisties there were a couple of times I thought," if he can do it on a Harley I certainly can on my S10." He hustles right along and I doubt many sport bike riders with less experience or skill could keep up with him. Certainly not on the very twisty up down no room for error roads we were riding on. There is nothing wrong with a Harley. Its a good bike for what it is and it has some of the best fuel/ignition mapping you will find on any bike. The problem with Harleys are many of the people who buy them are not riders and have no desire to learn how to ride. They are into the lifestyle and image. If that's what they want so be it. Find people you like to ride with and enjoy riding with them regardless of the bike they're on.
 

Checkswrecks

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Donk said:
FWIW I just spent a few days riding with my brother in law around the back roads of WI. He was on his '15 Ultra I was on my'14 S10ES. We have both been riding for more than 40 years. I have owned lots of different bikes, including a few Harleys, he has only owned Harleys. I must say my brother in law is one of the smoothest guys I have ever seen on a Harley and a great rider in general. Chasing him through the twisties there were a couple of times I thought," if he can do it on a Harley I certainly can on my S10." He hustles right along and I doubt many sport bike riders with less experience or skill could keep up with him. Certainly not on the very twisty up down no room for error roads we were riding on. There is nothing wrong with a Harley. Its a good bike for what it is and it has some of the best fuel/ignition mapping you will find on any bike. The problem with Harleys are many of the people who buy them are not riders and have no desire to learn how to ride. They are into the lifestyle and image. If that's what they want so be it. Find people you like to ride with and enjoy riding with them regardless of the bike they're on.

+1
You said it all right there!!!
 

klunsford

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Just remember, it is not what you ride, it is how you ride it... That is why I ride a Super Ten.... It can run like a sport bike when I want it to and climb hills and eat dirt when I feel like it.... Best bike I have every owned... C:)
 

Checkswrecks

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Sorry Fred, but there are a couple of reasons that 80% of the US bikes are Harleys or metric cruisers. It's not all about looks or being a poseur either.


It probably won't happen, but I've been considering adding an Ultra Glide to the family fleet for 2-up and relaxed backroad rides. There's something soothing about just occasionally chugging along in an easy chair and listening to the engine go potato potato potato.
 

Donk

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Hey Fred I hate to point this out to you but the bike in your first video is not a BMW, it is a Honda ST1300P.
 
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