Author Topic: Stanley Clark Interview (Read 231 times)

keith_h · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2006, 06:14:41 AM »

Just need to complete the circle. Beer!

kmh364 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2006, 07:12:48 AM »

We have White Power (Dutch?) suspension here...not sure about Hagon, though. H-D suspension is rather unique, shall we say. Most of the race suspension manufacturers don't make suspension bits for them. Having said that, there are a lot of aftermarket manufacturers who make suspension for H-D, but separating the wheat from the chaff is difficult.

H-D uses Showa (Honda-owned subsidiary) for OEM suspension as they are the world's largest motorcycle suspension suppliers. While Showa does have trick stuff, H-D doesn't see fit to equip $20k-plus bikes with them...they use mid-range stuff at best. While I have a LOT of chrome and billet on my bike, and I'd like my new dampers to refelect that, I'd also like an improvement over the stock units (i.e., better ride, handling, etc.). Finding replacements that look good AND perform is very difficult. Ohlins are pricy, but they are alloy bodied, rebuildable and can be custom-valved...important for a 1000# bike and a 225# rider (not to mention frequent female pillions of undisclosed weight, LOL!).

kmh364 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2006, 07:14:28 AM »

Make mine Guiness Stout, LOL!

bigredbass · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2006, 07:06:39 PM »

JGary

Not that I would mind being a Honda guy, but I actually own a big red bass, Alembic, of course. KMH knows I'd hope to be a KLR guy one day soon, but I really, REALLY want to be an FJR1300 guy down the road one day. Like an R-1 for two with travel trunks, and a riding position that DOESN'T replicate a prostate exam.

Ooopps, it's a bass thread . . .

J o e y

J o e y

j_gary · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2006, 08:32:21 PM »

Joey, great bike, hear some riders c/o excess engine heat. Be good this time of year.

bigredbass · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2006, 10:06:45 PM »

JG

All the motomag writers (and no doubt owner feedback) informed them of this (remember the FJR was developed in Europe, cooler), and, voila, this year they've redesigned the fairing and vents to alleviate this. I'm amazed they did it so quickly, wonder if they had overheat warranty claims on some of the greasy bits because of it.

Sometime, check out Yamaha's European website and check into their Design Cafe, which is full of interviews and insights into some of Yamaha's more interesting pieces. A little different outlook on that side of the pond.

J o e y

terryc · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2006, 02:30:28 AM »

I wonder if there is a big difference in USA & UK riders(I am from UK to remind everyone again) The H-D's I suppose are the classic long haul road bikes, as you know we don't have many straight roads on this tiny island but lots of twisty ones..I am lucky enough to have what is called the North Yorkshire TT Road right on my doorstep. It is about 15-20 miles of turns and hills, supposedly the best road in the UK. every Sunday in the summer it is packed with bikers who want to scare themselves on it and the end of the road finished in a small village called Hemsley where the square is packed with bikers.
Suspension is very critical along with tyres on this road as there have been a few fatalities.
I think I would like to do the H-D vacation over there as I have been to the states a few times(New York, San Francisco, Reno, Orlando)

terry c

kmh364 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2006, 04:29:31 AM »

There most certainly is a difference. While H-D does have a presence in the UK, nakeds and sportbikes rule the land there.

I used to be a regular reader of the British Superbike rag...they refer to what is a proper motorbike, and H-D doesn't appear to be it, LOL!

Even though I'm a H-D rider, I like all bikes. In my 20yrs in the saddle, I've ridden a good cross-section of everything out there...and I learned on, rode and owned Japanese for most of those years. After lusting for a Ducati (first 851/888, then 906/996/998 and now 999S/R) for years, I simply got too old for them and their hypersports ilk. I'd love one (999R or Yami R-1LE especially), but I'd get maybe two hours usage a month with my bad back, knee, wrists (carpal tunnel and cubital syndromes), etc. My Hog is big and roomy, allows me to sit straight up and has stretched-out man-sized controls for many, many miles of comfortable riding (not to mention luggage space). 500-600 miles per day in relative comfort (and style!) makes me a happy camper.

In 'ole Blighty, a dearth of open motorway and an abundance of twisty's mean even old codgers like me ride proper sportbikes. Nutter b*st*rds all you lot! LOL! J/K.

Cheers,

Kevin

BTW, Try the H-D Fly and Ride Program...you can arrange a lease Hog in just about every State and some will even give you a free ride to the Dealer from the airport to pick-up your bike. I do it all the time...it works even down-under in the Land Of Oz (Aus). If you fly into SF, you can get the H-D of your choice from Dud Perkins H-D and ride the scenic hour or so up to Alembicland...detouring through Napa/Sonoma, of course (No drinky and ridey at the same time, though), LOL!

terryc · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2006, 06:57:51 AM »

Thanks for info Kevin..I must do the 'American' thing on a Harley..your country is built for a bike like that and I have no predjudice over them at all, I actually love that big engineering that is attractive about them.
They say over here that once you turn 50 years old you should be getting one..sorry not this guy I like to scare myself on those roads I mentioned..there is one guy..Jonesy..has a Repsol FireBlade, matching leathers, Aria Cosair helmet and rides like a GP demon on public roads..age...63 for gods sakes!!!
The trouble is it rains here..a lot but having been to California and visited the Alembic factory I really want to do the same thing again but on a soft tail HD before I meet my maker

george_wright · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2006, 08:54:52 AM »

Since this thread has totally degenerated---or, to be less judgmental---evolved into a bike thread, and since since Terry mentioned in another thread that advancing age brings cheaper bike insurance....

I confess that I sold my bike in 1969. I needed the money, because I was getting married. And certain other physical shortcomings made me a less-than-optimal operator. It was a BMW R-69-S, last of the Earles fork models. Remember those? No nose-dive under front-braking, but looked rather cumbersome.