The Bike Insurance Warehouse

For a better deal on bike insurance
Home Page
Performance Direct 4 Bikes
Bennetts Bike Insurance
Motorcycle Direct Insurance
eBike Insurance
Devitt Bike Insurance
Churchill Motorbike Insurance
Swinton Motorcycle Insurance

Harley Davidson Set The Standards Very High Over 105 Years Ago!

It's fitting that the first 'Classic Superbike' should wear the tank badge of the world's oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer. Since their foundation in 1903, Harley-Davidson have been doing things resolutely the American way - or perhaps 'Milwaukee way' is more apt. Harley-Davidson, of course, is synonymous with the V-twin layout first adopted in 1909. That first twin, with the now-familiar 45 degree included angle, displaced 61cu.in (999.6cc) and was said to be capable of almost 60mph from its 7bhp. It was a notable success, and the company grew rapidly.

In 1929, the WL was the first of a new generation of side-valve 'flathead' Vee-twins. T '45' denotes the capacity in cubic inches, equivalent to 739cc. In 1930 it was joined by a sister mod the 74-inch VL. Almost on their own, this duo saw Harley through The Depression, for no significant new models were to be developed during six yes of economic strife. Of literally hundreds American bike manufacturers, only Harley and Indian survived, as industry-wide production dropped from 32,000 to 6000 units by 1933. O Harley response was the three-wheeled 'Servi-Car' a cheap delivery and police vehicle powered by the WL engine, which lasted until the mid-'70s. It was only in 1936 again that new models began to emerge from the Harley Stable!

Excert from Classic Superbikes from arournd the world. Written by Mac McDiarmaid

Harley Davidson XL 883C Sportster Custom
harley davidson insuranceSlick looking street bike looks make the Harley Sportster 883 a bike you definitely want to be seen on at any local enthusiast events. The latest 883 has a 4.5-gallon petrol tank and space for a pillion rider. Powered by a fuel-injected 883cc Evolution engine with new cams and a far lighter clutch on forward controls make for a easier ride. The 883 Custom gives the buyer a wider range of colour options to choose from choose from too.

The Harley Davidson Sportster is a really great slim line looking bike for the Harley lover who either hasn't got deep enough pockets to buy a Electra Glide or really wants the coolest cruiser with performance and bad boy looks. Handling has always been OK, but not great and the mountain passes should still be left to the sports bikes due to a well known lack of ground clearance.

Harley's are seriously comfortable and it can be argued that they have the best factory seats for any bike in existance today, apart from the old GSX1100 89 model which I found perfect for long trips personally. The latest Sportsters have a redesigned transmission for smoother gear changes with the newer near-effortless clutch, or so the manufactures report. Later models have raised handlebars and lowered suspension which give the rider easy-to-reach forward foot controls. This helps shorter men and woman alike a very enjoyable riding position. After all we can't all be six foot, can we!

The Sportsters do vibrate through the handle bars though. Electrics are well know failure points on most older Harleys as is their propensity for oil leaks. Saying that, if you treat your Harley with respect she will return the favour. Although a great bike to ride on shorter motorway trips or even rides around town, pre 2005 Sportsters are generally not the most reliable and the motorbike insurance warehouse would recommend a model built in the past three years!