Thread: Getting power out of a harley

Originally Posted by Shearer

Once you've had power it is hard to "step down". I am always disappointed when I get on my KLE500 after riding my KTMs.

Perhaps, it's something an experienced bike rider should expect from an entirely different bike, technology and age. Enjoy them all, I say

Originally Posted by outlander

Perhaps, it's something an experienced bike rider should expect from an entirely different bike, technology and age. Enjoy them all, I say

Fair enough. But I'm sure I'd enjoy it more with another 40 Hp.

Use to work with a couple of bikers,they reckn the only guys pleased with Harleys was the guys who owned a bike repair shop.Harley owners were their biggest customers.

Originally Posted by Trout

Use to work with a couple of bikers,they reckn the only guys pleased with Harleys was the guys who owned a bike repair shop.Harley owners were their biggest customers.

What century was that??

Mind you, NZ has the largest Harley ownership per capita last time I checked.

Originally Posted by outlander

That's informative. So, the cafe racer RE bike is less inspiring, performance wise than a 60s/70s Bonny 650? That would definitely sum it up for me.

It was a 350 if I remember correctly...a red one in all the photos and that I rode...around 3-4 yrs ago maybe. Carb model not injected.
And I found compared to my 500 triumph's it was underwhelming... not the 650. I will try and find a pic of model I mean...

Originally Posted by Trout

Use to work with a couple of bikers,they reckn the only guys pleased with Harleys was the guys who owned a bike repair shop.Harley owners were their biggest customers.

I've been around a few Harley riders, with the more recent ( 1990- 2020 year) bikes, the mechanical inaptitude is astounding. Adjusting a headlight to an oil change and identifying a leaking fork seal, is pure rocket science.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

It was a 350 if I remember correctly...a red one in all the photos and that I rode...around 3-4 yrs ago maybe. Carb model not injected.
And I found compared to my 500 triumph's it was underwhelming... not the 650. I will try and find a pic of model I mean...

Aah... okay.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

It was a 350 if I remember correctly...a red one in all the photos and that I rode...around 3-4 yrs ago maybe. Carb model not injected.
And I found compared to my 500 triumph's it was underwhelming... not the 650. I will try and find a pic of model I mean...

Ok I found it...it was a continental gt...and they're a 500 not a 350 which kinda tells you about the power output. If you wear the classic white scarf around your neck flapping in breeze you're going to need to poke a strong wire through the seam so it LOOKS like it's flapping in the breeze
..lol.....




Beautiful bike though. And please don't take me as bashing royal enfields as I am not. Just wasn't what I hoped for performance wise even with low expectations to begin with.

There you go @outlander

Ohh , just looking at that pic makes me want to get one just to park in the lounge and polish...(the bike I mean... obviously)
But don't take my word for it , just ride before you buy.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Ok I found it...it was a continental gt...and they're a 500 not a 350 which kinda tells you about the power output. If you wear the classic white scarf around your neck flapping in breeze you're going to need to poke a strong wire through the seam so it LOOKS like it's flapping in the breeze
..lol.....

Attachment 151151


Beautiful bike though. And please don't take me as bashing royal enfields as I am not. Just wasn't what I hoped for performance wise even with low expectations to begin with.

There you go @outlander

Ohh , just looking at that pic makes me want to get one just to park in the lounge and polish...(the bike I mean... obviously)
But don't take my word for it , just ride before you buy.

The X-ray guy that photographed my epic injury to my knee, ( caused by a chinese 110cc midget bike) had just bought one. He seemed well happy with it, but I still wondered just how well it went. Thanks for the impression.

Originally Posted by outlander

The X-ray guy that photographed my epic injury to my knee, ( caused by a chinese 110cc midget bike) had just bought one. He seemed well happy with it, but I still wondered just how well it went. Thanks for the impression.

From my rides on the various earlier versions they're not built for the open road speeds. As mentioned 80 is a comfortable cruise speed but it takes a we bit of room to get there.
But again... just ride one first and make your own decisions. I know they are a well loved and popular machine and you may find you love them too... just don't expect to drag off any...ummm ... well...anything at all....at the traffic lights.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

From my rides on the various earlier versions they're not built for the open road speeds. As mentioned 80 is a comfortable cruise speed but it takes a we bit of room to get there.
But again... just ride one first and make your own decisions. I know they are a well loved and popular machine and you may find you love them too... just don't expect to drag off any...ummm ... well...anything at all....at the traffic lights.

As a morbid and perhaps irrelevant piece of info, a lifelong friend of mine in Africa, had a BMW car do a U turn in the road. He hit it at 80 km/h on a 350 Royal. Changed his appearance and took more than a year to walk again. Take care out there, even if it is a Royal Enfield.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Ok I found it...it was a continental gt...and they're a 500 not a 350 which kinda tells you about the power output. If you wear the classic white scarf around your neck flapping in breeze you're going to need to poke a strong wire through the seam so it LOOKS like it's flapping in the breeze
..lol.....

Attachment 151151


Beautiful bike though. And please don't take me as bashing royal enfields as I am not. Just wasn't what I hoped for performance wise even with low expectations to begin with.

There you go @outlander

Ohh , just looking at that pic makes me want to get one just to park in the lounge and polish...(the bike I mean... obviously)
But don't take my word for it , just ride before you buy.

The Interceptor GT I test rode was a 650 twin, had bigger bore mufflers fitted, I didn’t think it was terribly underpowered and sounded great.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

From my rides on the various earlier versions they're not built for the open road speeds. As mentioned 80 is a comfortable cruise speed but it takes a we bit of room to get there.
But again... just ride one first and make your own decisions. I know they are a well loved and popular machine and you may find you love them too... just don't expect to drag off any...ummm ... well...anything at all....at the traffic lights.

Only doing 80km/h on a road bike is not only dangerous it is a bloody crime. I hired a 110cc scooter in Tauranga earlier this year (for a job I was doing) and that could do 100km/h over the bridge. I got a flat tyre on it and they gave me a 50cc as a replacement while it was getting fixed and I felt like a sitting target not being able to keep up with the other traffic. I put that in the shed and borrowed the bosses car for the weekend (just happened to be an Audi S6)

they make a 650 version now.. might be worth looking into @outlander...





Another beautiful machine...

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

The Interceptor GT I test rode was a 650 twin, had bigger bore mufflers fitted, I didn’t think it was terribly underpowered and sounded great.

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing or riding the newer bikes as I am not mechanicing anymore. But if the opportunity arises I certainly would like to... but it's the 1200 trumpy thruxton that gives me the biggest goosebumps and next bike for me if I return to ownership of a bike. I think with the top fairing fitted that they are gorgeous to look at and enough power to be a bit exciting to ride should the mood take you.




Ooohhh yeeaaahh !!!!