Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/09/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On 9/9/2013 7:54 PM, Jayanand Govindaraj wrote: > That is a lot of fans for a bike that cannot corner at any speed...(-: > Harley have done brilliant cult and niche marketing over the last > 15-20 years - they even sell here, though who can drive these heavy > monsters on our roads at our average speeds is beyond me! (-: > Cheers > Jayanand ==================================================================================================================================================== I guess some people will put up with a lot for image. I have ridden a couple of Harleys at motorcycle events when various dealers allowed test rides (with valid rider licenses). After half a mile my back was hurting from the leaned-back seat and my wrists were tingling from the hand grip vibration. I like to ride leaning slightly forward for control and felt unsafe, as it is harder to use peripheral vision to detect vehicles near you while reclining (read L.J.K. Setright on this topic). I also don't like having to lift my foot to use the rear brake; I think all the controls should be immediately available. Another ergonomic problem concerned my knees. My left one was in contact with the ignition key and my right with the air cleaner cover, both vibrating. No wonder Harley guys ride with their knees spread. At the same event I took a BMW four out and felt comfortable right away. When I rode back to get off (not that I wanted to), I had no trouble weaving through the crowd at less than walking speed without putting a foot down. Smooooth. And for a chuckle - I rode my Honda CB400T to the 85th Harley party in 1988 and parked in the middle of all the Hogs. I have pictures! Alan Alan Magayne-Roshak, Senior Photographer University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Photo Services (Retired) UPAA POY 1978 amr3 at uwm.edu http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/ "All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for an inability to notice. " - Elliott Erwitt