Harley Riders gather

[Don Juan]

I remember the Lorenzo Lamas TV serial some years?ago about bounty hunters. He was on a dyna Wide glide, i think.

nice.

 

 

To be exact, "Reno Rains" was riding a '91 Evo Softail Custom in that early 90's US hit series "Renegade".... Mr throttle, saw your new black 6 series purchase. Stock market must have been very kind to you huh..... congrats on your new buy. Full cash i reckon?

[ycwoon]

Don Juan: Like i said before...your Dyna Wide Glide is a legend and a real keeper. Look at the 2010 model and it is terrible. Looks like HD just took parts from everywhere and pieced it together. Fat Bob pipes...night train front end (?)... Sigh...dont think 2010 would be a good year for the Wide Glide...

 

Don, I agree with her...

[maxxmadness]

wow 5 days of not logging on and lotsa things to read...

[Don Juan]

wow 5 days of not logging on and lotsa things to read...

 

 

How was your 5 day trip up North? Any special encounters?

[Don Juan]

Don, I agree with her...

 

 

Woon, when will you be back from your China trip dude?

[christine55]

Now this is how you host a REAL Harley Party!!!!

 

I want to go...

 

+++

 

By BILL MICKELSON

North Kitsap Herald Arts and Entertainment Reporter

 

Walking on the dark side of declining sales and a daunting generation gap, Harley-Davidson reaches out to a new age of riders.

 

The Dark Custom Series is something Harley came up with a few years back to reach out to its younger rider — a rider who, Silverdale Legend Harley-Davidson General Manager Cory Bone says, has been in short supply.

 

“It’s no big secret,” he said. “You know, our core customer is getting a little bit older.”

 

While the new line of 2010s (released this past week at Sturgis) comes with the introduction of another trike model — "a little more stable for those older riders" — the Dark Custom Series, Bone said, goes back to the bike’s roots.

 

"A lot of black out bikes, not as much chrome," the Legend H-D general manager noted, "going back to the roots — that old-school kind of style."

 

Legend H-D will be throwing an old-school BBQ bash this weekend — celebrating both the Dark Custom generation and the new 2010s from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15 at its Silverdale location, 9625 Provost Road. There'll be barbecue, bikes and a beer garden, live music, on-site tattooing from Tried and True Tattoo, local pinstriping artist Pappy, a skate ramp hosted by the South Kitsap Skate Park Association and more.

 

It's the first event of its nature for Legend H-D — though they certainly know how to party, hosting BBQ and bands almost every Saturday and Taco Thursday every Thursday this summer. Legend H-D will also, for the first time, be taking a few of its bikes to KISW's metal festival "Pain in the Grass" Aug. 22 at White River Ampitheater. It's all part of the H-D world reaching out to that elusive younger rider.

 

"You know, Harley used to be: You build the dealership and they will come," Bone said. "I think now, more than ever, we have to actually go to them, kind of find them and reach out to them."

 

Bone's dad, Dale, bought the Silverdale Legend Harley in 2006. Then, they purchased the dealership in Wenatchee in 2007 — right on the cusp of the country's economic collapse.

 

Following 2006, a year in which Harley-Davidson shipped nearly 350,000 bikes to dealerships nationwide, as the economy started to plummet, so did H-D sales. Reported sales were down 5.3 percent in 2007, more than 7 percent in 2008 and a further 13 percent in the first two months of 2009.

 

Earlier this summer, H-D announced it was cutting 1,000 jobs and reducing its planned production with the news that retail unit sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 35.1 percent below last year's numbers in the second quarter.

 

"It has its ups and downs, just like anything," Bone played it cool. "But I think the motor company has reacted to the economy and it's leveling out the supply and demand curve."

 

In Silverdale, Bone said Legend H-D has had to cut its staff. They're also expecting to be open one less day a week this winter and see fewer bikes next year. But on the positive end, he adds, the store has seen an upward trend in used bike sales, and also an increase in internet buyers.

 

"That's how we consider it, we've got Showroom 1 here, Showroom 2 up at the used warehouse and the internet's Showroom 3," Bone said, noting another facet of the youth appeal.

 

On an overcast Saturday morning as bikes growled off from the Legend H-D parking lot for a 'Ride for the Fallen' poker run, Greg 'Sonny' Organ, president of the Silverdale chapter of the Harley Owners Group, said it tends to be an older crowd around here.

 

"I think me and Sam are the youngest ones in the group," Organ said. He's 43.

 

Still the Silverdale HOG chapter is 300-500 members strong at any given time.

 

It fluctuates, Organ said, but there's some 250 "active" members — those who attend meetings, help organize and attend events.

 

And then, there's the holy grail of Harley ownership — the rides.

 

All throughout the summer the local HOG chapter participates in poker runs and group rides of all kinds — many benefitting charities like Wounded Warriors, Fallen Riders, local veterans' groups, the ALIVE shelter for battered women, breast cancer causes among others — sometimes, it's just for fun.

 

"We'll go down to Oregon, just for breakfast, and come back," Organ said. "That's a ride."

 

He cited the camaraderie between chapter members, and Harley owners in general, as one of the main attractions of the bike for him. He's had well over a dozen motorcycles in his life, but he's never been part of a community quite like that between Harley-Davidson owners.

 

"You can pull your bike into a gas station at a place in Podunk, Idaho, somewhere and another guy will pull up on his Harley and say, 'Where you headed? ... Well, I'm headed that way too, do you mind if I ride with you awhile?'" Organ explained. "You've always got that person who wants to ride with you."

 

Not to mention, there's no better way to see the country, Bone, 38, the Silverdale HOG chapter's dealership liaison, added. He just returned from an 1,800 mile ride from Denver to the Northwest, with less than 100 miles of interstate traveled on his 2008 Harley Fat Boy.

 

"It's a very hard thing to explain when you're out there on the open road," Bone noted. "The freedom, just the air, no worries, you're not thinking about anything except for riding ... like a zen."

 

That zen is part of what continues to attract riders to the Harley-Davidson experience.

 

For Bone, it was something passed down from his father.

 

For Organ it's been something he's longed for since he was a kid.

 

"It took me until I retired from the military," Organ said of his quest for Harley-Davidson ownership. "I've had the urge ever since I was a kid, because the neighbor had one, you know. He had the whole Harley persona with the beard, the bike, the tattoos, the long hair, the leather — the whole thing."

 

While that image of a mean-looking dude headed down the highway on a Harley has certainly woven itself into the fabric of Americana, the Harley-Davidson motor company is fighting against coming apart at the seams.

 

Along with this summer's grim news on H-D sales for the second quarter of 2009 — added to the company's age-old generation gap dilemma — industry-wide retail sales of all heavyweight motorcycles in the United States were down a grimacing 48.1 percent over last year.

 

TAKE A WALK ON THE DARK SIDE from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15 at Legend Harley-Davidson's Dark Custom party, featuring Harley's new line of 2010s, the Dark Custom Series, barbecue and beer garden, plus Seattle bands The Crying Spell, Faceless and Riverbend, on-site tattooing by Tried and True Tattoo, pinstriping by Pappy, a skate ramp hosted by the South Kitsap Skate Park Association and more.

[christine55]

XR1200X

 

The XR1200 was only released last year – the first Harley tuned for European riding and style tastes. This latest incarnation will run alongside the existing model has blacked-out engine casing, upside-down forks, and a matt black tail, tank and mudguards to create a more aggressive look.

 

It also has higher specification Showa suspension.

 

Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Vice President said: “This new-product roll-out is simply an expression of our enthusiasm for motorcycling.

 

“Like everyone, we are working and living in a challenging environment these days, but our passion for creating and riding great bikes is still at full throttle.”

 

Harley’s information says:

 

Inspired by one of the world’s most successful racing machines, the iconic XR750, the XR1200 range was born out of a desire for a street smart Harley-Davidson motorcycle that is just as dominant through the twisties.

 

Elsewhere, sport-tuned Showa piggyback suspension offers up enhanced performance and firmer handling.

 

+++ SPECS +++

 

Engine: Air cooled, four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.

Capacity: 1202

Bore x Stroke 88.9 x 96.8mm

Compression Ratio 10.0:1

 

Induction: Electronic sequential port fuel-injection

Ignition / Starting: Electronic / electric

 

Max Power: 67 KW @ 7000rpm

Max Torque: 100 Nm @ 3700 rpm

 

Clutch Cable-operated multiplate wet clutch.

Transmission / Drive: 5 Speed / Belt

 

Frame Mild steel tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions

 

Front Suspension: 43mm Showa inverted cartridge forks.

Rear Suspension: Dual Showa hydraulic shock absorbers adjustable for preload.

 

Front Brakes: Single 292mm discs Nissin 4 piston calipers

Rear Brakes: Single 260mm disc Nissin 1 piston calipers

 

Front Tyre: 120/70 -18

Rear Tyre: 190/50 -17

 

Seat Height 742 mm

Dry-Weight: 250 kg

Fuel Capacity: 13.5 Litres

[conjurer]

me too! i was there in may... sad!

Now this is how you host a REAL Harley Party!!!!

 

I want to go...

[maxxmadness]

How was your 5 day trip up North? Any special encounters?

 

hari raya coming...donation ride...

[mak]

XR1200X

 

The XR1200 was only released last year – the first Harley tuned for European riding and style tastes. This latest incarnation will run alongside the existing model has blacked-out engine casing, upside-down forks, and a matt black tail, tank and mudguards to create a more aggressive look.

 

It also has higher specification Showa suspension.

 

Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Vice President said: “This new-product roll-out is simply an expression of our enthusiasm for motorcycling.

 

“Like everyone, we are working and living in a challenging environment these days, but our passion for creating and riding great bikes is still at full throttle.”

 

Harley’s information says:

 

Inspired by one of the world’s most successful racing machines, the iconic XR750, the XR1200 range was born out of a desire for a street smart Harley-Davidson motorcycle that is just as dominant through the twisties.

 

Elsewhere, sport-tuned Showa piggyback suspension offers up enhanced performance and firmer handling.

 

+++ SPECS +++

 

Engine: Air cooled, four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.

Capacity: 1202

Bore x Stroke 88.9 x 96.8mm

Compression Ratio 10.0:1

 

Induction: Electronic sequential port fuel-injection

Ignition / Starting: Electronic / electric

 

Max Power: 67 KW @ 7000rpm

Max Torque: 100 Nm @ 3700 rpm

 

Clutch Cable-operated multiplate wet clutch.

Transmission / Drive: 5 Speed / Belt

 

Frame Mild steel tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions

 

Front Suspension: 43mm Showa inverted cartridge forks.

Rear Suspension: Dual Showa hydraulic shock absorbers adjustable for preload.

 

Front Brakes: Single 292mm discs Nissin 4 piston calipers

Rear Brakes: Single 260mm disc Nissin 1 piston calipers

 

Front Tyre: 120/70 -18

Rear Tyre: 190/50 -17

 

Seat Height 742 mm

Dry-Weight: 250 kg

Fuel Capacity: 13.5 Litres

 

 

damn it looks ugly:giddy:

[maxxmadness]

i think hd designers are trying hard to redesign a wheel

 

somehow i am not very impressed by the latest 2010 edition except for the trikes

[yohji]

i think hd designers are trying hard to redesign a wheel

 

somehow i am not very impressed by the latest 2010 edition except for the trikes

 

 

Think they are trying to make everything matte black to add them into the Dark Custom lineup. Some bikes will look nice. But if they overdo it, there's nothing special about matte black anymore ..

[ycwoon]

Woon, when will you be back from your China trip dude?

 

 

I hope this coming Saturday morning...Sat "early" night ride??

[Throttle]

To be exact, "Reno Rains" was riding a '91 Evo Softail Custom in that early 90's US hit series "Renegade".... Mr throttle, saw your new black 6 series purchase. Stock market must have been very kind to you huh..... congrats on your new buy. Full cash i reckon?

 

oh, i see. it wasnt a dyna wide glide?

 

thanks dude.

no lah my 6er got nothing to do with stock market, i'm still negative base on 2008 til now.

 

yes, as usual just paid it up, honestly i cant be bothered with a loan.

besides, to me, credit on expenses is one of the worst things in life .

and cars, bikes and such are expenses.

[farish]

how much does the vrod night special cost?

Edited August 16, 2009 by farish

[garyhwk]

I hope this coming Saturday morning...Sat "early" night ride??

 

Hey guys let's gather for a ride when Yohji and myself get our sportsters. Good idea? Anyone else expecting their ride soon? Hmmm...wonder who's the august iron dude??

 

Hey Yohji, any idea when your iron is coming in? I should get my ride in the first week of Sep (that's when the owner gets back from his too long leave!).

 

Actually after going through this forum, i still dun have an idea who is riding what and i get the sense that more ppl are giving up their ride then getting it, for eg ppl like reckless, blackdawn... .

 

We should do some sort of poll for riders to declare their nick and ride, just to get an idea...

[reckless]

Hey guys let's gather for a ride when Yohji and myself get our sportsters. Good idea? Anyone else expecting their ride soon? Hmmm...wonder who's the august iron dude??

 

Hey Yohji, any idea when your iron is coming in? I should get my ride in the first week of Sep (that's when the owner gets back from his too long leave!).

 

Actually after going through this forum, i still dun have an idea who is riding what and i get the sense that more ppl are giving up their ride then getting it, for eg ppl like reckless, blackdawn... .

 

We should do some sort of poll for riders to declare their nick and ride, just to get an idea...

 

 

Am I giving up ride?nope, is that works is catching up recently....come come come lets ride...who want to ride ???come come come...but dunno can start not haha

[yohji]

Hey guys let's gather for a ride when Yohji and myself get our sportsters. Good idea? Anyone else expecting their ride soon? Hmmm...wonder who's the august iron dude??

 

Hey Yohji, any idea when your iron is coming in? I should get my ride in the first week of Sep (that's when the owner gets back from his too long leave!).

 

Actually after going through this forum, i still dun have an idea who is riding what and i get the sense that more ppl are giving up their ride then getting it, for eg ppl like reckless, blackdawn... .

 

We should do some sort of poll for riders to declare their nick and ride, just to get an idea...

 

Hey garyhwk, I didn't know you bought a Sportster too. Which one? No idea who beat me to the August Iron. I was too late and got to wait for September. I know that 2 guys got their Iron in July. Don't think they belong to this forum though.

 

Spoke to Daniel from the dealership last week and was told that shipment might be delayed. So I have no idea when my bike will reach our shores (hopefully still somewhere in September).

 

BTW just FYI, I'm riding a Street Triple now. The Iron will be my 2nd bike.

 

I feel that this thread is seriously lacking pictures!!! The overseas forums have pictures all over. Aren't Harleys supposed to be shown to pple? Come on pple, show me your bikes, let me oogle over them while I try to survive the long wait for my Iron

[Don Juan]

oh, i see. it wasnt a dyna wide glide?

 

thanks dude.

no lah my 6er got nothing to do with stock market, i'm still negative base on 2008 til now.

 

yes, as usual just paid it up, honestly i cant be bothered with a loan.

besides, to me, credit on expenses is one of the worst things in life .

and cars, bikes and such are expenses.

 

 

Sweet.... no worries about monthly installments and the smell of new leather.... deadly combination. Not sure when my turn will come. Working hard day and night, hoping to buy one soon too....

[conjurer]

i totally agree!!

 

Think they are trying to make everything matte black to add them into the Dark Custom lineup. Some bikes will look nice. But if they overdo it, there's nothing special about matte black anymore ..

[hit.man]

Am I giving up ride?nope, is that works is catching up recently....come come come lets ride...who want to ride ???come come come...but dunno can start not haha

 

when when when???

[conjurer]

cos too much customization, scared someone watching... kekeke!

 

I feel that this thread is seriously lacking pictures!!! The overseas forums have pictures all over. Aren't Harleys supposed to be shown to pple? Come on pple, show me your bikes, let me oogle over them while I try to survive the long wait for my Iron

[Throttle]

Sweet.... no worries about monthly installments and the smell of new leather.... deadly combination. Not sure when my turn will come. Working hard day and night, hoping to buy one soon too....

 

Well it isnt new to begin with.... cos I cant bring myself to lose $100k every 2 - 3 years by buying new cars, so i've made a pact to buy only preowned after being burnt once.

 

Once bitten Twice shy.

 

cheers

[yohji]

cos too much customization, scared someone watching... kekeke!

 

Wah don't tell me everyone's bike looks out of this world? Should have some that are mildly customised only right ... ? Anyway you guys can always mosiac or black out the bike number plates

 

BTW I wanna ask whether side-mounted number plates are allowed here in SG?

 

All text and no pics makes Harley thread a boring thread It's like going to a bar and found that they dont sell alcohol I wanna show you guys mine but I have nothing to show

[maxxmadness]

 

BTW I wanna ask whether side-mounted number plates are allowed here in SG?

 

grey area...some say not legal, well here something from LTA guidelines...

 

"blah blah blah...The vehicle licence plate shall be exhibited at the front and at the back of the motor vehicle not more than one metre from the ground in a vertical position so that every letter or figure of the vehicle licence plate is easily distinguishable. No other figures or letters and no design advertisement or ornamentation shall be placed near the identification mark on the vehicle licence plate in such a manner as to render it more difficult to read or distinguish when the vehicle is in motion....blah blah blah"

 

more from where the above came from..

 

LTA website