I belong on a lot of bike forums and there are two groups of riders on all of the them. Those who want more power, and those who ask why. I applaud those who want more because we would otherwise still be riding Evo’s. Great engines, but gutless for full loaded touring bike passing trucks.

Beary

 

I have an Evo 1997. It lacks power but that is because I was never a cruiser rider. What got me into it is I'm a vehicle person. I've owned everything from a 30's antique tractor, crawlers, trucks, military vehicles and I get a chubby whenever I see I stick shift springer Harley. Saw one on a trip and found it's later ancestor in a garage. Evo Heritage Softail Classic 1997. At that point in time I had a ZX14 Kawasaki about 190 HP w/ mods and a light Ducati Diavel Carbon that is rated 162 HP. I think my Harley is about 50 HP. Granted the Harley is a 97 the Kawi is a 2008 and the Duc is a 12. I really like the Harley and am getting used to the lack of ground clearance and HP. I just wonder what if? What if it had more HP, what if it had more ground clearance for the turns. But am I asking for something it's not meant to do or be? Maybe I would get in trouble with it if it had more HP and lacked the clearance for the turns. I find that ever since I bought the Harley the wear line on the side of my Kawai and Duck tires is now quite a bit larger than it used to be. Maybe that is good though. But it's an itch I can't scratch. And I have to find a solution or let it be as it is.

 

When the Challenger came out I always scoffed at the horsepower war that resulted because I never found Harley's bikes under powered. I owned a 103 and 107 and both were faster that I was. However Harley does celebrate those kits to upgrade your bike to include emphasizing the 114, 117, and of course the 131. So with that much hype will bring out comparisons and people pointing to another bike that does it without modification. Now some motors do feel better than others and I liked the 107 more than the 103

 

Have to tell you it brings a Sheeet eating grin to my face when a car on the highway passes you as you sit on the on ramp. You grab throttle and take off and pass it before the on ramp ends!!! Love it!!!

 

Listening to these arguments wanting to make a Harley Davidson something it is not, remind me of the same people who don't understand or appreciate the beauty of the 1911. It is also more costly, requires more maintenence and is considered old tech. But there is something about the way it feels in the hand. You get it or you don't. They both get the job done they were designed to do with more flair, comfort, style, and feeling that just isn't available with whiz bang plastic fantastic whether it is a fender or a frame. Sure you can come up with all kinds of reasons why lighter and faster are better for certain things but there is a point where lighter and faster undermine the human condition and reduce the innate emotional enjoyment of the ride. I don't feel under gunned or under motorcycled riding American Steel straped with a piece of American Iron. Nope, it feels pretty damned good and I make no apologies to anyone.

 

I hunt with a model 29 S&W w/ 8 3/8"barrel with open sights. I get it with the Harley and am getting more comfortable with it. Sadly my close up vision is gone and fogging eye glasses suck. Bought a Thompson Center Contender barrel in .44 mag and put a red dot on it. Hoping this will help. If not then a scope goes on the Ruger Super Blackhawk also in .44. Like guns I just may need room for more than one bike.

 

Moved to correct OP.

Added: Somehow this got posted on the wrong OP. Sorry.

 

Thanks for the visual. I have two model 29's, that front sight would really hurt.