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| Thatch | | Thor |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 Feb 2012 - 22:29 Post title : Motorcycle Cruiser shootout | | | Not sure if this shootout between the Harley-Davidson Blackline, Triumph Thunderbird Storm and Victory Vegas made it here or not (can't recall) but I stumbled onto it today and thought I'd share for those that hadn't seen it.
Link
I did love this quote ...
the 1700cc Thunderbird motor flat-out embarrasses the other two. It pulls off the bottom and doesn't quit, even at freeway speeds, so there's hardly ever a reason to downshift. It's got the sound to match as well, with the loudest exhaust note under load (though it's not obnoxious). Power is plentiful from bottom to top, and since the spread is so wide, people with vastly different riding styles could all still enjoy it. Triumph's gearbox engaged with an easy "click," and it brought the most user-friendly ratios.
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| BlueNose | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 12 Feb 2012 - 23:21 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Thatch) | | | Very positive article for Triumph wiping the flour with it's competitors on performance. Though one chose the look of the Victory, not for me, they just don't look right! And not just this one, the whole range. They need to sack the nerd that is styling these things. I have riden the Hammer S and the motor was fine, better than all but the VRod of the Harley range (that I have riden) but I do much prefer the Harley styling. However the T'bird is busy scrubbing the flour with its peers at the moment. Both Harley and Victory will improve but then so will Triumph. Harley sell 5 bikes for every 1 that Triumph put on the road. gotta be impressed by that marketing machine.
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| Ninox_s | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 755 | | Location | : | Naracoorte, South Australia, Australia |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 01:32 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Thatch) | | | A great review. They are apparantly impressed with the Storm. I think they just said a few nice things about the appearance of the Harley and the Victory so they could say something positive.
| I'm Incredible! Believe Me!!
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| davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 01:35 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: BlueNose) | | | HD just came out with two new models for 2012:The "Seventy Two" which is a laid back sportster,and the "Soft Tail Slim" which is a 50's style retro bobber.The article I read also claimed that HD has 55% of all motorcycle sales here in the states.And as stated above,HD does have an impressive marketing machine. Personally,the HD does nothing for me.But that's me. Dave!!!
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| feduke | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 02:11 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: davetac1) | | | I 'm hardly a Harley guy but I saw one of these and was really grabbed by the looks of it. The wheelbase seemed to go on forever. I know I wouldn't trade for it, but it did look impressive. Big wide rear tire and a really low seat. I just wish Triumph had the quality of finish Harley puts on their bikes. My paint sucks!
Harley Rocker
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
| | Post edited by feduke on 13 Feb 2012 - 02:17 |
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| TBRider | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 21/10/2011 | | Posts | : | 834 | | Location | : | Foothills, The Mountains, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 04:24 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: feduke) | | | Problem is Feduke, you're talking $20K out the door. Where as it won't handle, nor perform like the T-Bird and it's what, almost $5K more out the door. I do admit, I looked at it also but I couldn't bring myself to pay that kind of price for a basic HD.
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| Leethal | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,576 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 05:18 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: TBRider) | | | That's the thing with HD though isn't it? Most of them look good, sound good, end of story. As far as quality goes, I've seen some fairly horrible nuts, bolts and rims on newish ones.
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it 
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Nitron R3 shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 08:23 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Leethal) | | | Leethal wrote:
That's the thing with HD though isn't it? Most of them look good, sound good, end of story. As far as quality goes, I've seen some fairly horrible nuts, bolts and rims on newish ones. |
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Perfect summary Lee
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| EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 13:39 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Leethal) | | |
Leethal wrote:
... I've seen some fairly horrible nuts, bolts and rims on newish ones. |
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Harley's are known for having nuts and bolts that rust. Go to a HD dealer and walk down the used bike aisle and you'll see...
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| feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 13:54 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: TBRider) | | |
TBRider wrote:
Problem is Feduke, you're talking $20K out the door. Where as it won't handle, nor perform like the T-Bird and it's what, almost $5K more out the door. I do admit, I looked at it also but I couldn't bring myself to pay that kind of price for a basic HD. |
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That's. What I said.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| FTL40 | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 1,122 | | Location | : | massachusetts, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 16:22 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: feduke) | | | for anyone that thinks they can smoke any vic out there be careful, by buddy had a jackpot with a 106 and he walked my 1700 everytime. all he had done was pipes and airbox taken out.
| 2010 tbird 1700 silver (fastest color) BC exhaust, BC airbox removal
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| CornerBanger | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,113 | | Location | : | Charleston, SC, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 16:55 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: FTL40) | | | It is not because the Victory's engine is more powerful, in fact the Triumph and Victory engines are about equal. It is a weight issue. The Jackpot weighs 652 lbs dry whereas the Bird is close to 750 lbs wet. Worse case scenario, (for the Victory adding fluids) the Victory still has the weight advantage by 50 lbs. But the Vic does not carry the power as high into the revs as the Bird does. So what does this all mean? The Vic wont leave you if you run the motor up and be quicker on the shifts, as in speed shift (full throttle slip the clutch shifts).
| There are those who own and there are those who ride! 
2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 21:28 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
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I quite like the look of this - looks like something HD had nothing to do with. Agree - it will handle like a disabled pig and only good as a 'day bike'.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| midge | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 345 | | Location | : | Beverley, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 22:15 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: mat1600) | | | The Rocker C is my favourite HD of all time, I have never ridden one so cant comment on the ride! I believe the engine is Porche designed though so should be ok!
If I was rich I would have one just to pose around town on
I'm not so I ride the best cruiser in the world because it does everything
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| ducman | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 30 | | Location | : | Hendersonville, NC, United States |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 23:16 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: midge) | | | The Rocker C is on the Softail frame so it rides and handles like all softail Harleys. The engine is not the Porshe designed engine that is on the V-Rod, but the standard HD V-Twin that comes on all Softails. I've had quite a few Harleys and they are actually a pretty economical ride since the resale value is so high. That is only true if you don't add the $10K worth of extra chrome that most HD riders do. That being said, if you don't add the chrome to most models, you wouldn't want to be seen on them!
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| midge | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 345 | | Location | : | Beverley, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 23:18 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: ducman) | | |
ducman wrote:
The Rocker C is on the Softail frame so it rides and handles like all softail Harleys. The engine is not the Porshe designed engine that is on the V-Rod, but the standard HD V-Twin that comes on all Softails. I've had quite a few Harleys and they are actually a pretty economical ride since the resale value is so high. That is only true if you don't add the $10K worth of extra chrome that most HD riders do. That being said, if you don't add the chrome to most models, you wouldn't want to be seen on them! |
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I am surprised because I was on the HD stand at the Bike Show here 3 or 4 years ago when it was launched and they were selling it on the fact it had the Porshe designed engine, poor do if it doesnt have it after all the sales pitch I took!!
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| midge | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 345 | | Location | : | Beverley, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Feb 2012 - 23:22 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: midge) | | | Has it been discontinued? - Just looked on HD UK site and it was listed in the 2011 line up but is missing from 2012 line up!!
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:11 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: midge) | | |
midge wrote:
Has it been discontinued? |
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Yup, it's discontinued.
I liked the idea with the rocker but the big gap between the fender and seat just doesn't work and the ridiculous pillion set-up was too much altogether.
However, it was at least a bit different than the standard "Super Low Ultra Soft Glide .... uh, Gnarly Bones Edition" crap that the motor company cranks out, that I do hate to see it go.
But on a positive note, they did replace it with a new model ...
The 2012 Softtail Slim ... an all new bike that ..... well, looks exactly like every bike they've ever built. woohoo
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| feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:18 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Thatch) | | | Yeah, that seat is a bit much, but that's not a Harley seat either. UGLY UGLY UGLY!!!!!!!
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| Freebird | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 03/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 260 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:21 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Thatch) | | | The pillion setup although innovative looks gay ,the front wheel looks like it belongs on a 250 virago. The handlebars look shit . The brake lever looks like it been pulled out of the floor pan of a Mack truck. The indicators on the handlebars look shit . And I'm in a generous mood today
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:29 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Freebird) | | |
yip. Looking at that pic has just changed my view on it. Looks like a kids toy.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:30 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
Yeah, that seat is a bit much, but that's not a Harley seat either. |
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Yeah it is... it's the 'Two in One trick seat" a HD rocker optional seat and the only HD option for running 2 up on the Rocker. (that I'm aware of)
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| Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,576 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 00:35 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Freebird) | | |
Freebird wrote:
The pillion setup although innovative looks gay ,the front wheel looks like it belongs on a 250 virago. The handlebars look shit . The brake lever looks like it been pulled out of the floor pan of a Mack truck. The indicators on the handlebars look shit . And I'm in a generous mood today |
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So Andrew, are you saying you wouldn't buy one?
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Nitron R3 shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 03:09 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Leethal) | | | At first glance of the picture above of Harley's new Softtail Slim,and because of the black color,I thought it was a Storm.I know,what an insult to Triumph.lol lol Dave!!!
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| Freebird | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 03/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 260 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 04:58 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: Leethal) | | |
Leethal wrote:
Freebird wrote:
The pillion setup although innovative looks gay ,the front wheel looks like it belongs on a 250 virago. The handlebars look shit . The brake lever looks like it been pulled out of the floor pan of a Mack truck. The indicators on the handlebars look shit . And I'm in a generous mood today |
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So Andrew, are you saying you wouldn't buy one? |
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I think you got my drift Lee
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 Feb 2012 - 07:46 Post title : Re: Motorcycle Cruiser shootout (Re: davetac1) | | |
davetac1 wrote:
At first glance of the picture above of Harley's new Softtail Slim,and because of the black color,I thought it was a Storm.I know,what an insult to Triumph.lol lol Dave!!! |
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unless they squinted and copied the tbird
you would have thought by now that both triumph and HD would have realised that data above the headlight is safer, easier to use and if twinned aesthetically unbeatable.
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