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From: animal@ihlpa.UUCP (D. Starr)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <806@ihlpa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 1-Oct-85 14:35:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpa.806
Posted: Tue Oct  1 14:35:37 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Oct-85 05:20:37 EDT
References: <1523@t4test.UUCP> <8800022@uiucdcs>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 70

> 

(Why do I suspect that I'm just answering a bunch of rhetorical
questions?)

> Ok, I'm game... I'll be selling my Honda CX500 soon, in order to get a
> larger four cylinder bike.  I need a used Harley, mid sized (about
> 550-750).  Do they make 'em?  

If you insist on four cylinders, no they don't.  Similarly, if you insist
on four-valve heads, fuel injection and 250 horsepower at 25000 rpm, you're
looking in the wrong place.

On the other hand, they do make an excellent 883cc V-twin.  Its power output
is in the 550-650 4-cylinder class (twins inherently put out less HP
than fours, but make up for it with torque and tractability), it weighs under
500 pounds wet and handles very nicely under just about any conditions, 
including lack of pavement.

> Does Harley make anything without $3000 worth
> of chrome on it?  From what I've seen of Harleys, their bikes are built 
> mostly for cruising and looking cool 

I have an '83 Sportster with exactly one chrome part on it.  Everything else
is painted either black or matte silver (I have come to like the matte silver
a *LOT*--it survives Chicago winters so much better than chrome or polished
aluminum, and it's easier to clean).  

SOME of their bikes are built for cruising and looking cool.  So are some
of Honda's, and everybody else's for that matter.

> (with the possible exception of a 
> huge touring machine I saw recently), and they're BIG.  

Size is sometimes deceiving.  The 883 Sportster looks big, and the displacement
sounds big until you ride it.  500 pounds is generally considered light
for a Japanese 750.

Again, SOME of their bikes (especially in the touring area) are large.  But
the biggest H-D tourer is still substantially (like up to 200 pounds) lighter
than the biggest bikes from Honda, Suzuki and especially Kawasaki.

> They seem to cater to a certain mystique, instead of the average joe like
> myself who wants something economical

My 883 Sportster averages about 65 mpg and cost $4000 new.  
If you want anything more economical, try a Yugo.

> and reliable.

So far this year, the 883 (an 86 model) has 7000 miles on it without
problems.  When I change the oil, it comes out so clean I'm tempted to
re-use it in my car.  As for longer-term reliability, my '83 Sportster has
30000 miles on it and my FXRT (a dressed touring bike) is showing very close
to 50000 without significant maintenance problems.

> -mike schwager
> -- {ihnp4,convex,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!schwager   schwager%uiuc@csnet-relay.arpa

If you're really interested in a Harley, you should stop by your local dealer
and take the 883 for a ride (this is usually not too hard to do--Harley is
trying to establish its reputation as "the demo ride company").  You might
also check out the reviews of the bike in Motorcyclist (August), Cycle
World (September) and Road Rider (October).  (By the way, Bob Carpenter
of Road Rider is right about the PITA seat, but you should be able to talk
your dealer into giving you the good one for free.)

		Dan Starr

P. S:  The mystique is free.


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