Best motorcycle forum?

[ddb123]

Any suggestions on which motorcycle forum to join? I'm in the market for a used Harley Davidson Road King or Yamaha Road Star. I've had a few other bikes, but they were always newer, low mileage bikes. I don't know how many miles one can realistically expect from a V-twin. Is a 25,000 mile bike all used up? Are parts readily available for late 90s Road Kings? Are they hard to work on? These are the kinds of questions I have.

 

[Trials]

That's easy: Beginnerbikers.org Active forum, great people from all over the planet (majority reside in north america), wide variety of experience and skills, not brand or type specific, some of the regulars are even full time motorcycle mechanics.

Harley's are one of the easiest bikes to source parts, the dealership representation is world class and the bike models have changed very little in decades. If you take good care of them, motorcycle last a lifetime.

 

[ddb123]

That sounds perfect, thanks!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Harley's are one of the easiest bikes to source parts, the dealership representation is world class and the bike models have changed very little in decades. If you take good care of them, motorcycle last a lifetime.

Models have changed very little??? I think that would be big news to Harley!

Maybe the "names" are the same, but that's it...

There has been a pile of changes in the last 10 15 years to the big twins......in the motors, trannys and electronics! They may look the same, but they aren't.

Personally I think 25K is quite a few miles on a big twin, but that doesn't mean one won't go a lot longer...

SR

 

[Zerk]

Models have changed very little??? I think that would be big news to Harley!

Maybe the "names" are the same, but that's it...

There has been a pile of changes in the last 10 15 years to the big twins......in the motors, trannys and electronics! They may look the same, but they aren't.

Personally I think 25K is quite a few miles on a big twin, but that doesn't mean one won't go a lot longer...

SR

Agree.

I got 50 and 70 on my FLHs. But there are a lot of bikes with 10k miles. Most people just don't ride, no mater the brand. So I would look low miles, depending on how much money you got.

Personally I'd get a Twin Cam, just for engine size. The 88s are somewhat cheap now, and can be upgrade to a 95". 90s Evo can be really cheap though.

Myself I wouldn't be afraid of 25k. But I have done alot of work on them. 40-50s you my start replacing some stuff. Engine should go around 100k or more. Early twin cams with chains and spring tensioners had failures. Could be converted to gear or hydraulic.



For years Harley didn't change much, but starting 07, they started changing the baggers every few years, or more.

 

[Trials]

My comment on the Harley-Davidson parts was a relative one not a literal one, for examples click any of the following links if you care to explore the extensive list of models and years that each of these single parts assemblies can interchange with, just click on where it says "View all bikes this part fits"

Performance Clutch Kit-38002-04" -> Screamin' Eagle Performance Clutch Kit-38002-04 | Engine & Components | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store
Standard heigh shock absorbers -> Premium Ride Emulsion Shocks ? Standard Height | Suspension Kits & Shocks | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store
Air filter -> Screamin' Eagle High-Flo K&N Air Filter Element-29400020 | Air Cleaners | Official Harley-Davidson Online Store

in my experience this is fairly unique in comparison to many other motorcycle brands.

 

[Zerk]

Things have changed alot the last 10 years. One advantage of Harley is use the same parts year after year, which is an issue with Jap bikes. They like to inprove/change alot.


I have an 01 and 07, there is alot of differences. 88/96 inch, single phase vs 3 phase, bigger stator, 5/6 speed, and more. 08 six gallon tank, IDS, and brembo brakes, 09 different frame.

Lot so of people like 02, last year Timken bearing, first year Delphi fuel injection. I would not get an earlier fuel injection. Over next few years after that crank gets flimsier. They have been chasing problems with the comp nut and tranny. Not sure where it is at now.

 

[woody]

I am a member of venturerider.org, it is mainly a yamaha site but there is all kinds of bikes and a multitude of knowledge there. it is a family oriented site with some of the best people around. Personally I ride a Harley Triglide and just sold my 2006 Yamaha Venture. go ahead and get the wind in your face and good luck with whatever you choose to ride.

 

[Zerk]

For Harley related info I'd say Vtwinforum is pretty good. It is hard to find a forum that covers both, with the same interest.

 

[om21braz]

Maybe not your "cup of tea", but then again you & others may find it interesting

301 Moved Permanently

 

[Zerk]

Maybe not your "cup of tea", but then again you & others may find it interesting

301 Moved Permanently

I spent alot of time on ADVforum, before I rode to Alaska. Wide gammit of people, but there alot of people that just poop themselves over Harley. Think they are still 1950s kickstart. Good site, but also alot of , ahh goofs. Blind hypocrits.

 

[om21braz]

I spent alot of time on ADVforum, before I rode to Alaska. Wide gammit of people, but there alot of people that just poop themselves over Harley. Think they are still 1950s kickstart. Good site, but also alot of , ahh goofs. Blind hypocrits.

I enjoyed the photos on there as much as anything. Read some of the posts - yeah HD probably does get a bad rap on there. Most miles I personally know of on a bike is Harley Davidson. Our pastor bought one when he retired from regular work (tool & die) at 62 and now has over 100,000 on it. He's 75 now and still enjoys riding it.

 

[newbury]

For Harley related info I'd say Vtwinforum is pretty good. It is hard to find a forum that covers both, with the same interest.

I spent alot of time on ADVforum, before I rode to Alaska. Wide gammit of people, but there alot of people that just poop themselves over Harley. Think they are still 1950s kickstart. Good site, but also alot of , ahh goofs. Blind hypocrits.

Any recommendations for a "rebuild stock" Harley forum?

I've full up basket case '59 FLH dresser I've been carrying (and some extra parts) around since '78. Bought it used for $500 in '75, rode it for a couple of years, tore it down to rebuild as a chopper, joined the Army, never got it back together.

For a long time insurance and a fearful SWMBO were the critical blocks to rebuild.

 

[Trials]

Any recommendations for a "rebuild stock" Harley forum?

I've full up basket case '59 FLH dresser I've been carrying (and some extra parts) around since '78. Bought it used for $500 in '75, rode it for a couple of years, tore it down to rebuild as a chopper, joined the Army, never got it back together.

For a long time insurance and a fearful SWMBO were the critical blocks to rebuild.

You missed the entire chopper era! Time to restore it to vintage original, or sell all the parts on flea bay to net a huge profit and put that coin towards a new bike.

 

[3930dave]

Any suggestions on which motorcycle forum to join? I'm in the market for a used Harley Davidson Road King or Yamaha Road Star. I've had a few other bikes, but they were always newer, low mileage bikes. I don't know how many miles one can realistically expect from a V-twin. Is a 25,000 mile bike all used up? Are parts readily available for late 90s Road Kings? Are they hard to work on? These are the kinds of questions I have.

For longevity, my first preference is water-cooled. You can still mess up a water-cooled bike (don't change the coolant), but all-else-equal, that engine will go the longest.

For an air-cooled V, I'd want the lowest mileage one I could afford. Ideally, with detailed maintenance records. Obviously oil-changes matter on any engine, but an air-cooled V is one where it is critical that the oil has been maintained well.

That said, the neighbour I ride with is enjoying a Heritage Softail with well over 60,000 miles on it. Top-end was apart before he got it (performance mods), AFAIK the bottom end is original.

Enjoy the wind, on whatever you get next :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[knukey]

I'm looking too. I read this and now I'm worried. Take it for what it is, a link on the ole interweb, but it has LOTS of details to be BS.

Request Rejected

 

[Gary Fowler]

I enjoyed the photos on there as much as anything. Read some of the posts - yeah HD probably does get a bad rap on there. Most miles I personally know of on a bike is Harley Davidson. Our pastor bought one when he retired from regular work (tool & die) at 62 and now has over 100,000 on it. He's 75 now and still enjoys riding it.

I don't ride Harleys, I prefer USA made GoldWing Honda's (prior to them moving production back to Japan). My neighbor had 2 and I rode one with him a few times just to keep them limbered up. They are not nearly as comfortable as my Goldwing. 100K on a Goldwing is barely broken in and lots of daily rider folks get 200K-300K on them easily with proper maintenance and never crack open the engine other than the required timing belt change at 50K intervals. I have 68K on my 2000 Goldwing SE.

 

[Zerk]

I don't ride Harleys, I prefer USA made GoldWing Honda's (prior to them moving production back to Japan)..

I thought they moved production some 3rd world Asian country.

 

[tommu56]

try adv rider

Adventure Rider

a little bit of everything

tom

 

[Zerk]

try adv rider

Adventure Rider

a little bit of everything

tom

I spent alot of time on ADVforum, before I rode to Alaska. Wide gammit of people, but there alot of people that just poop themselves over Harley. Think they are still 1950s kickstart. Good site, but also alot of , ahh goofs. Blind hypocrits.

I enjoyed the photos on there as much as anything. Read some of the posts - yeah HD probably does get a bad rap on there. Most miles I personally know of on a bike is Harley Davidson. Our pastor bought one when he retired from regular work (tool & die) at 62 and now has over 100,000 on it. He's 75 now and still enjoys riding it.

Good site, but not to read about Harleys. They are very emotional about cruisers in general.