SuzukiSavage.com - Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine

springman

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Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
11/06/19 at 09:51:27

Had a guy pull up to me today at a stop light riding what looked like an HD lowrider and said 103 on the air cleaner. There was no nod, no acknowledgment of any kind from the guy. He did not even turn to look at me. The light turned green and we both gunned it. He had me from the beginning but I was surprised that the did not totally leave me behind especially considering I have a stock engine with highway gearing. I think that with the normal gearing I would have annoyed him. He would have still beat me, but not by that much. This little S40 never ceases to amaze me. Oh, and I bet Old Indian would have smoked this guy!!!

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06 S40 seat mod, airhawk, HD muffler, Shinko 712 140-90-15 rear tire, Shinko 230 front tire, versy cam chain tensioner, Rotella oil, Volar brake pads, EBC clutch & springs

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stewmills

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Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
Reply #1 - 11/06/19 at 11:44:33

Yeah, stupid how so many HD riders seem to completely ignore anyone that is not on another HD. Whether I am on the little Ninja 250 or my S40, I experience the same. They will roll up next to me at a light, across the intersection looking at me, or pass by on a 4 lane and act like I am not even there. But this guy on the little baby bike quickly becomes their friend when they are broken down and I have the tools on board my bike or in my truck that they need as I so kindly stop to help....regardless of how cheap/expensive/big/little their motorcycle is.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 29284 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #2 - 11/06/19 at 12:22:43 Smoked by a little ol' 1700cc Harley?... Don't worry,... you'll get him next time...
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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #3 - 11/06/19 at 18:08:32 You are so right Stew. On the way home a big ole harley bagger pulled up next to me at a light and again not even a glimpse my way. Oh well, such is life. But you're right Sero, I'll get him next time.
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SoC

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Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
Reply #4 - 11/06/19 at 21:01:40

My experience, at least here in Jersey, is they at least give you a low five when passing in the oposite direction. Have had my issues at the local dealer, but on the road it's been mostly all good with riders. Though a guy on a Dresser did kind-of blow me off at a light the other day, ducked in and blew by between some tight traffic.

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ohiomoto

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Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
Reply #5 - 11/07/19 at 08:14:53

Funny, because I get a lot of looks, comments and thumbs up from Harley guys. Mostly older guys who probably just appreciate an "old" bike. Some notice the belt drive or the big single right away. Some ask what year it is, etc.

But it's probably because my bike doesn't have the original cruiser styling. My guess is most would snub their noses at a "little Sporster wannabe" (which is what Suzuki was going for with the LS650) when you consider a bunch of them snub actual Sportsters.

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MMRanch

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Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
Reply #6 - 11/07/19 at 10:09:32

I've took my little S-40 to no less than 5 of the yearly CMAUSA Tn. State Rally s. Every year I win the Slow-Race event in the bike games. The most often comment I get from the other contestants is " Dang , "That machine is a hard act to follow" . To which I always reply "Yep , Thats my Baby ! "

I'm always proud of that tall gear when I do the loop from the end of the track back to the starting area. It ain't geared like a "SMALL-BIKE" its geared higher than a lot of the Harleys and Wings I'm competing against.

This past year (2019) I took Pearl (V-9 Roamer) and came in 2nd place. So next year I'll have to take the S-40 again ! Wink

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« Last Edit: 11/08/19 at 15:33:52 by MMRanch »

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LANCER Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Savage Beast Performance Parts Posts: 10803 Oklahoma Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #7 - 11/08/19 at 16:36:21 It’s fun seeing some of the expressions/comments from some folks.
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Dave

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Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine
Reply #8 - 11/09/19 at 02:40:47

When I go to the Quaker Steak and Lube bike nights.....it is 95% Harley V-Twins. The other 5% is a mix of all bikes.

The majority of the folks don't pay any attention to my Savage Cafe' bike and just walk right past - if it isn't a V-Twin cruiser they just don't understand. A few folks appreciate what it was (and now is) and understand the work that went into it and what it's purpose is. A lot of folks believe it to be older - the GT550 gas tank makes it look older than it is. The folks that are used to the small headlights that are on the Sportsters all seem to notice the big 8" headlight....some like it some think it looks weird (it definitely is noticeable).

I have found that I have very little to talk about at these bike nights. Most of the people are pretty "clicky" and have their group of friends to hang with, and they notice I am not wearing any leather or a vest and I don't have tattoos.......they know I am not a real "biker".

I went on one group ride with a Harley Herd - it was a Poker Run. As the day went on and they found out they could not lose me on the straights.........and they could not keep up in the curves - they started commenting: "That little bike looks like a lot of fun!".

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Someday I will be old......But not today!

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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5401 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #9 - 11/09/19 at 10:19:09 Once is awhile you run into a H/D rider that can actually handle his bike.
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6853 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #10 - 11/09/19 at 17:03:46 LANCER wrote on 11/08/19 at 16:36:21: It’s fun seeing some of the expressions/comments from some folks. aren't egos something?
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hotrod Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 326 NC Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #11 - 11/09/19 at 18:54:05 If you have a Harley Sportster 883 and replace the side covers with ones that say 1200, most Harley riders will believe it. Anyway, one day I pulled over to help a Harley rider and he refused my help because I was on a jap bike. I don't do that anymore.
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Eegore Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 9095	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #12 - 11/10/19 at 08:18:45 I do my best to avoid other bikes/bikers on the road. My experience has been that most are ok, but others will darn near get you killed. Nothing about being tough is entertaining to me.
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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #13 - 11/14/19 at 19:01:16 I have to admit that I usually get a wave back from most bikers. I think it was just my bad luck day to be at stops with those 2 jerks. I agree with eegore, I try to keep away from bikers I don't know and also stay away from large gatherings of bikes.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18316 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Got smoked by a Harley with a 103 engine Reply #14 - 11/15/19 at 04:17:45 The young fellas who ride scooters around the city seldom wave back.......not sure why?
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