Thread: Getting power out of a harley

Originally Posted by berg243

whats the himalayan like @timattalon was thinking of one for me so i can keep my license instead of riding the wifes 320cc yammie which i tend to ride faster thn the speed limit as its such a fun bike to attack corners on.

Its a lot of fun and cheap on fuel. Dash board is up there with the best -2x trip meters (3 including the F which starts at 0 as soon as you have 5 litres left in the tank (reserve) , A clock, an air temp gauge in case you are not sure how warm / cold it is outside, gear indicator and even a compass that tells you north and what way you are facing...They will hit 110km at redline in top but really that is not what they are about, 80 - 90km cruising and will corner like its on rails even in rough ugly crap. Simple , functional and practical. The new ones are 7.5k new, and have ABS and fuel injection. Mine is a 2017 with carb and a full luggage set- Genuine OEM Royal Enfield made by Givi. (Givi Trekker panniers)

I am thinking of getting something sportier, but I dont think I am ready to part with the Himalayan yet.....

Originally Posted by mudgripz

I remember the H1 Kwaka - what a welcome to fierce two stroke powerbands!! Ripper of a machine to ride but not much in the way of handling and bugger all miles down the road before you ran out of juice. You enjoyed feeling alive when you got off it - mainly because you still were!!! Plenty were not!

Great to see all the old bike hoons of decades ago coming out of the woodwork... I want to hear more about the Honda 650s from the 80s and the Enfield Himalayan please...

And Cam - have alot of fun with that Harley, but that's great advice to go play with some already tuned alternatives eg the Ducati..

Will do mate! The old man actually had one of the old h1 mach 3s. He said quite often a you were riding the headlight would rattle itself out. He had a few close calls and a low side on it before parting ways with it. The next owner wasnt so lucky, the steering damper failed and he hit a lamppost. Lost and arm and a leg and didnt make it. A lot of respect has to be demanded from the 2 strokes. Even my old aprilia rs250 was a handful!

Originally Posted by berg243

oh for another rd350 , smooth dependable and such nice manners around teretonga even with a twisted frame, and when you want some more fun with it just turn the barrels around and put it in your go kart for some 4 wheel fun.

Yes a RD 350 for a very short time was one of my rides...


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I almost bought an rz50 a couple of years ago just for the hell of it. I still have fond memories of the rd50 I had as a teenager and leaning over the tank, arse in the air to get to the magic 100kph. Would have been a neat little work hack and would have liked the smell of 2stroke again.
They are being imported from Japan occasionally and this particular one was done up like a cafe racer , clipons and all. But the missus wasn't to keen on the idea. Reckoned I would get run over by an SUV....

One bike that caught my attention was the recent Indian Scout model. Not a bad looking middleweight? cruiser and 100hp would shift it along nicely. No idea of ride or reliability.

Here's a classic vid of a track race between my 1987 Yamaha FZ750 (a ripper in its day) the world champ Yamaha YZR 500, and the top Ferrari Testarossa of the time.... good fun Just click it onto full screen and sound. Agostini on the FZ...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x563wqe

Originally Posted by timattalon

Its a lot of fun and cheap on fuel. Dash board is up there with the best -2x trip meters (3 including the F which starts at 0 as soon as you have 5 litres left in the tank (reserve) , A clock, an air temp gauge in case you are not sure how warm / cold it is outside, gear indicator and even a compass that tells you north and what way you are facing...They will hit 110km at redline in top but really that is not what they are about, 80 - 90km cruising and will corner like its on rails even in rough ugly crap. Simple , functional and practical. The new ones are 7.5k new, and have ABS and fuel injection. Mine is a 2017 with carb and a full luggage set- Genuine OEM Royal Enfield made by Givi. (Givi Trekker panniers)

I am thinking of getting something sportier, but I dont think I am ready to part with the Himalayan yet.....

About to pick up a brand new RE Interceptor in the next week, I’m with you as far as not so focused on flat out speed so much.

I’ve never had/ridden an RE so it will be interesting...

A mates got a Sportster 1200, With Screaming eagle add ons, lumpy cam and slightly over bore. He loves it and comes over from the Kuni to the bay with ''saucer eyes'' and a grin a mile wide.
I can get more details off him if you want. Im not a two wheeler so don't know the finer points.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

One bike that caught my attention was the recent Indian Scout model. Not a bad looking middleweight? cruiser and 100hp would shift it along nicely. No idea of ride or reliability.

Here's a classic vid of a track race between my 1987 Yamaha FZ750 (a ripper in its day) the world champ Yamaha YZR 500, and the top Ferrari Testarossa of the time.... good fun Just click it onto full screen and sound. Agostini on the FZ...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x563wqe

cool vid. The braking and speed into and through corners is waay quicker on the gp bike. As expected I guess.
I think some of the IOM riders rebirth these 2 stroke 500cc Bikes and do pretty well.

The FZ750/4 was a brilliant little road bike - race bred. 5 valve per cylinder motor with 106hp and very sharp 7-11k powerband meant it was very fast in its day. A low flat little thing with excellent handling. But not great for long rides - too firm in setup and after 1.5 hours it was literally a pain in the arse.. Old CB750 much better traveller..

Have never really taken to Harleys - did enjoy blasting past them on the open road on my 750s. BUT... alot of people have them, enjoy them, and that's what really matters. That's good for me..

Originally Posted by 40mm

Still not a straight six so it does not count.

The missus had a short wheel base Datsun 1200 ute. was a minta.
I wanted to put a Honda s2000 motor in it.
Everyone had done the rotary, sr20 and v8 conversions already so I thought that Honda motor would be a beasty one.

The Honda 1979 CBX was very much a straight six cylinder, along with DOHC, six carbs and 24 valves.

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

About to pick up a brand new RE Interceptor in the next week, I’m with you as far as not so focused on flat out speed so much.

I’ve never had/ridden an RE so it will be interesting...

Could you tell us what you think of the Interceptor when you get it ? I cant stop looking at them, the Development of the whole unit, has some pretty impressive people and organisations behind it. Hopefully I'll have my old 81 XV1000 on the road this summer, might 'fill-the-need'

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

About to pick up a brand new RE Interceptor in the next week, I’m with you as far as not so focused on flat out speed so much.

I’ve never had/ridden an RE so it will be interesting...

I'm sure you'll love it. Looks and sounds 'old school' and there ain't nothing wrong with that. Enjoy!

Harley-ferguson's arnt known for their performance, its mostly all noise and looks

Iv had a few nasty ones fly past on organised rides that have obviously had some serious bits added

the handling and brakes will need to improve as the engine power does too, as they very quickly grind on where the pegs attach to the frame or their exhausts

https://www.facebook.com/houseofcustom.newzealand
these guys in pareoa look like they know what they are doing

Interceptor looks interesting - alot like a 70s Bonnie... Could be a good cruiser - reliability record?

Wandered around India with the other lost hippies 40 odd years ago and there were untold millions of the old 350 Enfields single bangers....