Harley wins another one

[atadaskew]

Nice reading.

http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_roadtest/comparison_tests_articles/10q3/harley-davidson_street_glide_vs._victory_cross_country_vs._star_stratoliner_deluxe_-_comparison_test

[JGreb]

Nice for Harley-D,

I loved my Street Glide and test rode the Cross Country as soon as it hit the sales floor. I was impressed with the Victory engine and the suspension. Handling was very nice IMO. However in the fit/finish department the H-D wins hands down, and IMO H-D still rules in looks and styling even though much of the styling influence has been unchanged for years.

The engine refinement on the Victory is far ahead of the H-D, Idles smoothly and cruises smoothly with tons of tree stump pullin' torque. If only H-D could engineer an engine like that 106 I'd be all over it.

[atadaskew]

The engine refinement on the Victory is far ahead of the H-D, Idles smoothly and cruises smoothly with tons of tree stump pullin' torque. If only H-D could engineer an engine like that 106 I'd be all over it.

My sentiments are the opposite.  I found the Victories that I rode to be less smooth with an irritating gear drive whine.  My experiences match the test.
For 2011 Harley will offer the 103 motor in a bunch of rides, and I'm sure it will be standard equip in most of them by 2012.

[JGreb]

Under way you're right that the H-D is buttery smooth, I just don't like the paint shaker motor at idle. I'm hoping someday they find a way to refine the counter balance on the B engine and put it in the touring models. Good point on the Victory whine, it is there and can be an annoyance. Could do without the ball peen hammer on an anvil shift into first on the H-D though. They all have their flaws, but in the end I'll always be on the side of mo powa!

[chornbe]

The "B" engine in the Soft Tails is just  

I thought about trying to hunt one down to put in my tour-frame, but the $$$ just didn't make sense.

[atadaskew]

Under way you're right that the H-D is buttery smooth, I just don't like the paint shaker motor at idle.

Thing is, we spend most of our time underway.  The vibeyness and whine of the Victories kill it for me.

I actually like the shake at idle, it's amusing and doesn't bother me because it disappears the moment you start moving.

[Gar]

Use a tuner, set the idle at 1k, and most of the stupid shaking is gone, with a more pleasant lope for idle. I still don't see what people like about the idle so rough the front wheel bounces at intersections. The PC-V did the job for me though. As for the Victory bikes, they are neat, but I don't like the styling - and most especially the Arlen Ness specials (never liked the Ness stuff).

[atadaskew]

 As for the Victory bikes, they are neat, but I don't like the styling - and most especially the Arlen Ness specials (never liked the Ness stuff).

 I like the way the Victories look.  The Ness bikes actually are much worse.  Their custom styling looks like some stickers snagged from Pep Boys.

[JGreb]

 I like the way the Victories look.  The Ness bikes actually are much worse.  Their custom styling looks like some stickers snagged from Pep Boys.

agreed,  that ness is short for ugli-ness

[atadaskew]

And another win..

Motorcyclist Magazine Oct 2010.
Street Glide vs Victory Cross Country.

They have the same complaints against the Victory that I have had in my test rides.  Engine nowhere near as smooth and it makes a lot of mechanical (non exhaust) noise.

[chornbe]

I can't understand how Harley can keep winning comparos when they're so close to going out of business, their bikes suck and fall apart the minute you drive off the dealer lot and never seem to be able to collect any miles or smiles... help me understand.

[Rabidsnipe]

I can't understand how Harley can keep winning comparos when they're so close to going out of business, their bikes suck and fall apart the minute you drive off the dealer lot and never seem to be able to collect any miles or smiles... help me understand.

We get it.  

[chornbe]

Get what?

I was asking atadaskew a question...

[Rabidsnipe]

BUT HARLEY DOESN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT AND DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO ATTRACT BUYERS AT ALL AND THIS SUCKS AND HARLEY SUCKS AND YOU SUCKS FOR THINKING THIS DOESN'T SUCK.

Sarcastic responses ridiculing the qualities of Harleys.  Honestly, I thought there would be more examples.

I'll confess that you don't post these types of responses as often as I thought.  Maybe it is the combination of your posts here and the podcast (which I like, BTW).  Carry on.

[chornbe]

Sarcastic responses ridiculing the qualities of Harleys.  Honestly, I thought there would be more examples.

I'll confess that you don't post these types of responses as often as I thought.  Maybe it is the combination of your posts here and the podcast (which I like, BTW).  Carry on.

 

It's all in good humor and with a smile. I just think more people should actually get a little experience before opening their mouths to regurgitate 30 year old horror stories. Harley makes a fine machine and I've ridden them hard and fast, and seen them ridden harder and faster, and they keep showing up.

Good machines. They're just not track weapons.  

[atadaskew]

Funny thing is I post these test 'results' links on motorcycle-usa.com and people flip out, saying the outcomes are impossible, the editors are on the take etc etc.
Really quite amusing.

[Rigger]

And another win..

Motorcyclist Magazine Oct 2010.
Street Glide vs Victory Cross Country.

They have the same complaints against the Victory that I have had in my test rides.  Engine nowhere near as smooth and it makes a lot of mechanical (non exhaust) noise.

Just the other day I met a rider on the same Victory bike.  He was writing a comparo for a magazine-MotorcycleMojo.com and the bike does make more engine noise and some whining sound when throttled.  To be honest the 2010 factory Harleys I have ridden and seen with factory pipes sound much better than the stock Victory.

[Gar]

I can't understand how Harley can keep winning comparos when they're so close to going out of business, their bikes suck and fall apart the minute you drive off the dealer lot and never seem to be able to collect any miles or smiles... help me understand.

The following statistics are copied from the IBA's saddlesore1000 finishers list.


Ride Statistics by Motorcycle brand May 2005 complied by Scott Leahy
May 2008 and October 2008 updates complied by Brent Ross
       
 2005  04/2008   10/2008   Increase   Manufacturer

6,650   11,631    12,838    10.3%     Harley-Davidson
5,917    9,065     9,752     7.5%     Honda
4,878    7,148     7,672     7.3%     BMW
1,491    2,684     2,982    11.1%     Yamaha
1,472    2,140     2,275     6.3%     Kawasaki
  655    1,210     1,349    11.4%     Suzuki
  288      417       441     5.7%     Triumph
   74      202       235    16.3%     Victory
  119      154       169     9.7%     Moto Guzzi
   82      136       141     3.6%     Ducati
   43       91       103    13.1%     Buell
   37       62        67     8.0%     Aprilia
   17       38        46    21.0%     KTM
   18       25        28    12.0%     Indian
   12       14        16    14.2%     Boss Hoss
   10       11        11     0.0%     Cagiva
   7         8        11    37.5%     Excelsior-Henderson
   4         7        19   171.4%     Norton
   5         5         5     0.0%     Laverda
   4         5         5     0.0%     Ural
   2         4         6    50.0%     Piaggio
   1         3         3     0.0%     Big Dog
   2         3         3     0.0%     CMC
   3         3         3     0.0%     Volkswagen
   3         3         3     0.0%     MV
   2         2         2     0.0%     CA Custom
   1         2         2     0.0%     Hyosung
   1         1         1     0.0%     BSA
   1         1         1     0.0%     DRS
   1         1         1     0.0%     Gilera
   1         1         1     0.0%     Moto Morini
   1         1         1     0.0%     MZ
   1         1         1     0.0%     Royal Enfield
   1         1         1     0.0%     Titan
   1         1         1     0.0%     Tomos