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Not really. A) It’s missing the “feel” of a Harley (e.g. the feeling of the engine between your legs), and B) Riding it in big cities where the sound of the Har
by bnt 9y ago
Not really. A) It’s missing the “feel” of a Harley (e.g. the feeling of the engine between your legs), and B) Riding it in big cities where the sound of the Harley gas engine is an advantage (car drivers can hear you and not hit you when you’re in the blind spot) means the quiet electric engine could actually get you killed.
- wildrhythms 9y agoI've heard that Harley is trying to expand their motorcycle line because that image doesn't resonate with younger riders (riders who didn't grow up with Easy Rider). I think the Street 500/750 was supposed to attract a younger rider; the styling is very different from most HD.
- weego 9y agoIn Europe they're basically Porsche right. You had money to spend and no taste so you got a Harley.
- shaki-dora 9y agoI'd say Porsches have far superior quality, in terms of materials, manufacturing, and engineering. And the newer 911 series models are beautiful, minimalist designs (although that's obviously a question of taste).
- Clubber 9y agoHD's quality issues stem mostly from bikes made during the 70s until 84. They are pretty solid today. I don't know a lot about Porche, but Harleys are pretty solid.
- walshemj 9y agoNah that's a Honda Goldwing :-)
- Nanite 9y agoIs it? The"loud pipes save lives" argument seems to be mostly a myth (I can't find any credible research backing it at least).
- oldcynic 9y agoIt's a myth. They will prevent some accidents with pedestrians or bicycles in town because they haven't looked properly. That accident won't kill you anyway. A loud pipe will make bugger all difference when you're doing 50+ down a major road and that idiot in the 4x4 on the side road junction looks right at you, then pulls out anyway. He probably has music on so gets little input, and no direction, from your nice open pipe. What saves lives there is the biker actively moving across driver field of vision - eg weave in lane or more dramatic if you think he's going anyway. More motorcycle awareness on the car test might help, but that's not politically popular.
- kingofhdds 9y agoYou contradict yourself, I believe. Rider vs pedestrian can cause fatal injuries to both actually. Most likely to a pedestrian, of course, but it's still a human life, isn't it?
- oldcynic 9y agoI understand, at least according to numerous speed campaigns by govt here, that accidents at speeds of 30mph or less are unlikely to kill. As speed limits in town are 30 with some areas 20mph, risk of death to either is low.
- Gracana 9y agoIt's especially noticeable on the highway. A loud bike or car can be heard when it's in front of you, but if it's behind you it is practically silent, and that's the time when it would be useful to notice it.
- Clubber 9y agoLoud pipes create visibility (audibility?) when you are side by side with a driver, or in their blind spot. It reduces the chance of them from mindlessly swerving into your lane. People usually get clobbered by cars pulling out in front of them, or getting swerved into from the side.
- gkya 9y agoPlease don't ride noisy stupid bags of metal and plastic anywhere. Nobody has to listen to that deafening annoying noise. Don't get me wrong I prefer a bike over a car anytime and if I needed to own a vehicle I'd get a moped, but I'd rather not add to the sound pollution and annoy the heck out of people.
- Nullabillity 9y agoIf you think electrics are silent then you've never seen or used an electric. Signed: Disgruntled electric owner