The Harley Itch is real, I’ve had it since I was a kid – but should I get one? My Thunderbird could never be de-throned, but it could get a naughty little brother couldn’t it?
In all seriousness though, there is something about getting a bike that’s not meant to do touring and doing some touring with it. I saw literally hundreds of BMW GS’s on my way down to Turkey last year and back. I only saw one Triumph Thunderbird Sport in a little town in Italy and a few Bonnevilles. The rest were all purpose built touring bikes for the long distances. Everyone I spoke to on the journey were shocked to hear how far I was taking the Thunderbird, it would be fun to do something similar on a HD Sportster or something like that – any bike can tour!
Let me know about your experiences in the comments, would love to hear about them.
Camera Gear: 📸
Walk around 4k video: DJI Osmo Pocket (V:1)
Handle Bar Mounted Camera: GoPro 10
Stills and Tripod mounted video: Fujifilm XT3
The only lens you’ll ever need: Viltrox 23mm 1.4
Drone (hardly used as it decided to do solo flying!: DJI Mavic Mini
Biker Gear: 🏍️
Motorcycle: 1994 Triumph Thunderbird 900
Helmet: Frank Thomas
Gloves: Weise
Boots: Richa
Jacket: Vented jacket by Furygan
Panniers: Kappamoto
Tent: Wingman Of The Road, Goose
Computer and Editing tools: 🧥
Laptop: Macbook Pro 14 M1 Pro 16gb
Editing Software: DaVinci Resolve
#mensmentalhealth #mototraveler #adventuretime #adventuremotorcycle #triumph #wingmanoftheroad #harleydavidson #sportster #travel #motorcycletravel #adventure #adventurerider #advbike # #flapjackery #mototouring #biker #adventureriding #turkey #bristol #bikersofinstagram #camping #outdoorlife #bristoltoturkey #stelvio #gopro #fujifilm #dji #triumphthunderbird #triumph_bikes_insta
🏍️ @officialtriumph
⛺ @wingmanoftheroad
🛍️ @kappamoto_official
🪖 @frank_thomas_clothing
🧥 @furyganofficiel
🧤 @weise_clothing
📸 @fujifilmuk
📸 @goprouk
📸 @djiglobal
Right so I’m going to head out for a little ride while the weather’s still good I’m actually going to go to Wells and I’m going to go to the smallest city one of the smallest cities in the UK to get one of the biggest Flapjacks I feel like I need some air in
My back tire but yeah if you haven’t been to the city of Wells before then you’re in for a treat because it’s one of the most beautiful little cities in our country and they’ve always got good bakeries and stuff like that so we always come home
Kind of needing to pop to the gym afterwards I do wonder whether every single petrol station has a broken one of these seems to be the way so today I’m going to take you to a place called the flap jackary now the flap jackary does probably the best Flap Jack I’ve ever tasted definitely the biggest Flapjack slabs I’ve ever
Had and it’s like Flapjack Heaven if you’re at the flapjack this is the place to go I must say it’s it’s not the healthiest thing in the world now you know that just the truth and if you’re not from the UK you might not know what
A flat Jack is Flapjack is made of Oats usually butter and golden syrup you’re not going to get skinny eating it that’s for sure and who uses coins anymore that’s just ridiculous is it going to be this hard to just fill some air in my tires okay I’m going to ride
Through to Wells when you get that feeling that you need to fill air in your tires just s c out you TI Should so that’s the only thing about riding around in Somerset is that you’re likely to get stuck behind a Tractor there we go glast andb tour over there very cool and the somerset level so you can see miles and miles and miles so the city of Wells is where I did my driving test actually back when I was 17 that was actually yeah it was a while ago all
Right now we’re going to see if we can find somewhere that actually has air do they have air I’m not entirely sure what PSI these tires are supposed to be at um I did check it cuz I have filled them a number of times I’ve totally forgotten it
Actually says 42 PSI let’s see what we’re At that’s good so the only thing with the thund the bird is that this no fuel gauge so when you fill up I just twist it around to zero again and then I fill up again when I cover about 100 miles even though it’s got quite a big tank it
Does Munch through the petrol pretty quick just put some fuel in the tank so here we are in Wells So I made it out to Wells the Thunderbirds running amazingly as usual that bike just never seems to fail in any way whatsoever so I got to yeah tip my hat to that bike we’re uh it’s about 30 years old that bike now and it’s just still flying I’ve got a
Confession to make since I was about 14 maybe 15 could have been earlier than that actually I always wanted a Harley-Davidson and uh that itch has never really gone away but um and I actually kind of went to look at Harley last week it’s just an 883 sportser um
But after starting it and sitting on It I didn’t actually go for a ride on it because the guy wouldn’t let me go for a ride on it he was a bit too concerned that I might lay it down or something so but starting it and sitting on it just felt so kind of like it’s like
Agricultural I suppose I know Harley Riders out there you’re going to go nuts now but in some ways the Harley still kind of holds that place of like this is a real kind of kind of motorcycle you know this is the real deal and when I thought
About motorbikes when I was younger you always thought about the Harley and one of the reasons was because the noise of the engine the sound of the engine it was like it was different you could tell a Harley from everything else and I suppose the thing that attracted me to
Harley’s when I was younger is the thing that is kind of stopping me buying one now if you know what I mean I really like the loud obnoxious pipes you you know the noise the look the kind of the the rawness of the machine and everything and it’s actually those
Things that that are kind of turning me off a little bit now I suppose I feel a little bit like oh I don’t know if I would feel comfortable starting the Harley in my neighborhood and like the whole street here in it I guess I could put some silencers on and stuff like
That and keep it a bit quieter but I don’t know but funnily enough even even though I kind of sat on the bike I had a chance to buy one and didn’t buy it I’ve still got this kind of Harley itch that I’m like oh should I get a Harley should
I get one so I think I’m I’m going to try and curb my enthusiasm to get a Harley um but you might be able to convince me in the comments I don’t know one of the things I I would like to get a Harley for is to do some touring on it
Because it’s not a typical Touring bike so it would be quite fun to do some touring on it to try it out for long distance I know the 83 Sports St is probably not the bike to do long distance on but ergonomically it works quite well for me because I’m fairly
Short so I don’t have these long gangly legs to kind of like wrap it around my ears when I’m sat on a low riding bike but um I don’t know I can’t seem to shake the Harley itch what is that all about you tell me in the comments what
That’s all about cuz I do not know anyway I’m going to show you around Wells a little bit I’ve got to show you the flap jackery I know you saw I parked up there you’ve seen that a little bit but I’m going to uh take you down there
Now so you can take a look at these flap Jags they’re quite something else I have to say so this is the famous place the flap jackary and I always go for the Original you’re and half really so that is fun this is the flap jackary it is it’s totally awesome there’s no mistake no and that’s my favorite the uh the traditional there I’m definitely going to have a piece of that so is this this is vegan organic the whole lot no
It’s not vegan are you vegan no I’m not no not not at all I’ll have one of those then the non-vegan version Please So I’ve had my little trip to Wells to kind of blow the cobwebs out for the Thunderbird a little bit and it just never ceases to amaze me this bike it just starts and just goes and just does what a good motorcycle should do so I do just about have room for two
Motorcycles in the Thunder cave and it wouldn’t ever be changed the Harley cave it would just stay the Thunder cave so I guess I could it’s just interesting that I’ve still got a bit of the Harley itch and it doesn’t ever seem to go away it’s
Like a it’s like a real thing you know and um I think that’s probably something that most motorcyclists have had at some point although I have to say I’ve only sat on a Harley and start started one I’ve never actually ridden one so I I can’t really kind of like pass judgment
On what it’s like to ride a Harley-Davidson um and I would like to get one to do some stupid long touring with just for fun you know um I know they’re not meant for that but it would be fun to try it out and see what it
Feels like to sit on a Harley-Davidson sports stft for a few hundred miles a day and for you guys that have got sport St and and know what that’s like they might you might be like no way that is just not the right thing to do
But we’ll see we’ll see but anyway you got to see a little bit of wells and you got to see the flap jackery which is like one of my favorite places ever uh and I’ve eaten a whole one and that is not good at all because
Now I’m going to have to go home and go to the gym because um that’s just a lot of calories and there’s a few bits on the thund bird I need to sort actually these uh these bits at the front here the rubbers have gone I just need to
Take off the the yolk probably and slide some new rubbers into there but otherwise it’s pretty good I think I got a bit of a leak down here as well some seal that’s going or gone simple things nothing too serious and after 6,000 miles of crazy hot and
Cold riding down through Europe I feel like it’s fared quite well so um the Adventures Continue I do have have a couple of things planned for this year well planned and planned they’re kind of planned one of them may involve me riding this to Norway I’m quite excited
About if I’m honest uh that possibly is happening a little bit uh later in the year maybe kind of June time or something I’d like to start planning that anyway um I’m going to get back on the bike I am going to head back to Bristol so I’ll catch you in a bit Yeah
46 Comments
Got my first harley exactly a year ago, a 2019 107 cubic inch (1745cc) street bob, and I absolutely love it. Small fuel tank but still does around 150 miles between fill ups, gets tons of people admiring it. Mines got forward controls but I'm 6ft so they're perfect for me. It's a bit loud but I like that. Go test ride on at your local dealer, you'll probably love it. I did a 1500 mile trip down into France last summer with a couple of 300 mile days, absolutely no problems.
That Triumph is better than any Hardley Dangerous ever made, overweight and under powered. I can understand the charisma, i used to have a Triumph T120 650 Bonnie from 1961 with open pipes, awesome bike.
The Harley culture here in the US is terrible. Old men who think they own the road and look down on anyone who isn't on a Harley. That is the perception anyway. I suppose you get that with anything. Bit of the good with the bad. I've met both great and terrible people who ride Harleys.
I remember when it was 10p to fill your tyres with air, i paid a pound last week, I guess that's inflation for you……..i'll get my coat!
On occasion I get to ride my wife’s grandad’s ironhead sporty. It’s a blast, but definitely a tractor. Your Tbird has the same vibes as my ‘80 cb900c. A classic design made to check all the boxes. Over here across the pond our flapjacks are thin pancakes. Basically unrolled crepes. Got to indulge every now and again for sure.
When i got back into biking i bought a brand new HD fat bob 114. i loved it and did 7000 miles on it. i also bought a Triumph Tiger 900 gt pro. i loved the Harley but it just cost and absolute fortune on servicing. over £300. Plus to get the harley out of the man cave i had to get the tiger out and then i would go on the tiger. the fat bob had forward pedals and after an hour i had to stop and get off as my ass was numb. My friend had a sportster and boy it was loud. I rode it down the motorway between services. i was glad to get off. the vibration was unbelievable. in the end i put the Harley and the tiger back to the dealer in Cheltenham and i have now got the Triumph Tiger 1200 gt pro. i love it. i do understand the itch for Harleys. i spent loads on new exhaust, stage 1 and cruise control about £2k . I still wear my Harley Tshirts when i am the Tiger. lol
Never did hear about that cake. not going to say the name any where. it's just sounds dirty 😛
I did like the HD 883 as a kid too. but they don't make them any more.
the new ones are just to heavy and expensive.
Another nice trip. Thank you very much 😀
I totally get the Harley thing I'm also very short so always a plus when you can get your feet down.
My dad has had them since we were young and still has a fat boy now so I agree they are cool to people our age (47) still have a cool draw. If i was gonna do it would be dyna or softtail standard. Check out Mr Darcy young lad has one. As for me sticking with the R9T.
Wells is lovely, I used to go caving near there at Priddy. Our smallest city in Wales is St David’s in Pembrokeshire also worth a visit if you down this end.
I've never been to Wells nor have I been to the Mendips, but I have been to Chew Manga and thought i'd at least see that again… but no!
I still haven't seen the Mendips, as you took the quicker route…, but I have now seen Wells. I suppose you're saving the Mendips for a nice sunny and warm day when all is in blum? Had I have known that Wells and FlapJacks go together like Fish and Chips, then I would probably have lived there now for years. My mother used to make Flap Jacks and I loved them, but she has long since passed, and i'm sure I have only had the pleasure of plastering them around my teeth once since then, and i'm quite sure that was in a Tea Room in Arundel and they were not very good either.
What ever is wrong with you English, having to pay for a little fresh air for ya tyres…! Well, somebody knows how to rob the poor, and rich alike.
Where I live, Air and Water is free, at all service stations.
Everything you say about Harley is very true, even of it being agricultural! I know, I have ridden HD for several years. If you really want one, the Sportster 883 is not particulary ideal for touring, and the 1200 will only pass, as long as you're not planning on going to Timbuktu again! I'd certainly suggest fitting another seat, as the stock ones are renownd for being uncomfy on long trips! HD's are only loud because everybody replaces the factory fitted pipes with "straight throughs", and one of those, like you were sat on, would certainly cause bad feelings, as you accelerate along your street.
A really enjoyable ride and video again, the quality and editing getting better with every release, one could almost imagine you enjoy doing this for us. lol. Thx.
I fancy going to Norway too one day. I also have a confession – I sang in Wells Cathedral when I was a choirboy many years ago. Be careful, I fear a bike collection starting. The fork cover rubbers have perished on my TBird too plus various other rubber bits around the clocks etc. I think they have all got to about that age. The new range of Harleys seem to have lost that charisma so I would stick to the older sportsters like the 883 or 1200. I have ridden the Heritage Springer and it handles surprisingly well for a big cumbersome bike – I even rode it over obstacles such as see saw and a slalom was amazed how well it handled it.
Unless you are at home with mechanics, and have the ability to service and repair a HD yourself, you'll find them fairly expensive in upkeep…, ask my Ex wife! The older models tend not to be as reliable as for example your T-bird, or a Jap of the same age as that Sportster 883R is, that you were sat on.The other possibility is to have a mate that can help you out, and teach you the ropes for doing the basic necessarys, as I was fortunate to have.
Try and Hire a harley for at least a long weekend, maybe that'll help you make up your mind, wether or not that boyhood crush is still alive.
If I remember correctly there is a place in Somerset that rent. Several years ago, I was looking to rent a HD, but ended up doing so in Shrops, but due to a death in my then wife's family, it never materialised. I do remember there being an address in Somerset, as well as in Woking Surrey and somewhere in West Sussex as well.
You can get a cream from the chemist for that itch. It will be a lot cheaper,
Ignore the harley hayers they don't really know what they are talking about! Stay clear of the sportsters, great as they are you will soon grow out of them. Try one of the newer M8 Softails. You don't have to have loud pipes, stock or maybe Screamin Eagles are just fine. At least go for a test ride. Wells is lovely by the way. Thanks.
Just sold my Harley ,had 3 over the years great bikes but if you're not a mechanic and want peace of mind no, very reliable never let me down but the belt can be a problems in some situations stoney roads , the other thing is if it snaps only Harley have on and on a big Harley about a grand to fit , not a problems on any other bike, and in Europe if you have a problem other garages don't like dealing with Harley. Great for Sunday ,s .
There’s a guy just like yourself building his own successful channel. “1 guy a Harley and a drone”, look him up. He talks about how there are negative points to a Harley but he doesn’t care. And he loves it! that’s the point, if it puts a smile on your face then that’s the bike for you! What are you waiting for?
One more point.
If you worried about losing subs because you change bikes then I don’t believe that’ll be the case, your videos are great and I for one would look forward to watching videos of you trying others bikes.
I think the Harley itch is lurking at the moment. Certainly in my YouTube feed anyway – Freddie Dobbs just uploaded a tour of Warrs in London which probably wont help with that itch of yours 😁👍. Ive certainly never been to much of a HD fan until i saw the 883 in person and that V-Twin noise 😍. Owned a Honda Bros 400 as my first "big bike" and that little v-twin was such an addictive feeling! 😁👍
I think Dunblane is probably the UK's smallest city. Just saying.
Well,I really think your Triumph is a cool looking bike ( I'd have to have a fuel gauge though to keep my stress levels under control).I enjoy riding that way either via Chew Valley or Burrington Combe.Try the cafe at Wookey village ( The Hub) as they do homemade flapjack..( Not Wookey Hole). Richard ( Brizzle – cheers drive )
I have a 2004 HD Dyna Wide Glide. It's not very fast, doesn't handle very well, it's really heavy and the brakes aren't great but I love it! Screamin' Eagle slip on exhausts which are really loud. People turn their heads to see what is bumbling down the road towards them and it's just looks great. Does have forward controls but you'll get used to it
Any biker that doesn't have an itch for a bike they want must have too much money and space in the garage 😂😂😂
Love my Triumph, love my HD, toured them both extensively. Sportster fuel tank capacity potentially a little small for touring but not a reason to rule one out! Enjoy, whatever you decide.
A second hand road glide,street glide or road king ,all continent crushers 👍
Hi Matt hope you are well – I parked my Bonneville in exactly the same spot recently-! It’s a great run from Keynsham for a coffee.
I did Europe trips last two years on Bonneville but have also bought a tiger for longer trips now. I love the idea of a HD but not sure it would suit your touring needs fully. Stay safe ,Mike
Great video Matt, I've had a 883 sporty before and i can honestly say that i didn't get on with it, uncomfortable on these roads, lots of vibration specially on motorways, and heavy. I'm like you with the Tbird its here to stay. I'm doing the valve sims on mine at the moment after almost 30 years and never been touched so they are well out of spec. I'm getting her sorted for spring 😁 Norway trip sounds incredible, will look forward to that. Thanks again mate
Scratch that itch, buy one but get a big twin!
Scratch the itch & just get one, they're not obnoxious with standar 9:07 d pipes, & they hold their value well enough that you'll get your money back if you decide its not for you.
😂😂That's exactly how I described it; The Harley Itch. A year or so ago, I decided I'd had it with big touring bikes (I had a BMW 1250 RT and a 2020 Goldwing) and bought an Enfield Interceptor, which I absolutely love, (although the new Shotgun 650 might sway me 😉) Anyway, I got the Harley Itch and it had to be scratched. Spent more hours than I care to think about, looking for the right bike and have recently bought a 2018 Harley Low Rider. Completely different beast to my other bikes. Think it could be a keeper. Any good for touring? Hell yeah! It's got two wheels and an engine, which is all you really need
After nearly 30 years riding jap bikes, in 2012 I bought a Harley 883N sportster (Iron). It wasn’t fast and had a fuel range of £110 miles, but I did manage some tours into France on it. Great fun. Traded it for a 1690 fat Bob which is an animal (still have it). But the Sportster was a great little bike, I’d have another.
I’ve had the Harley itch for years and same as you never ridden one but that is about to change I’m going to buy my long standing mates it’s a 2003 Harley road train 1600cc all black it’s beautiful with 30.000 miles on it I hope you get yours and enjoy hope to see some videos on it talking of sportster have you gave million dollar bogan a look he rode one for I think 1000s of miles even here in uk give him a look he’s very comical as well and Freddie Dobbs his latest video wares Harley dealers in London that is a great video only just out anyway ride safe take care 👍👋
There was a Harley Davidson Experience Tour last summer, maybe they’ll put it on again this year, whereby you can try the modern day Softails and Tourers with the M8 engines, an engine which first came out in 2017.
I’ve got a 1200cc Sportster 48, it’s fine for 150 mile days out; but when I test rode the Softails and Touring Harley’s they are another level of comfort but possibly too refined and quiet in stock form.
The Sportsters with their Evolution engines do have the more traditional sound and feel that you talk of, I love mine.
I've always liked the Sportsters, as well, in spite of not being a Harley guy. I'd like one of the ones set up with the twin front discs. A little suspension upgrade, and I'm sure it would be a great bike.
Wells is a lovely place, but a bit shit for bike parking…got chased away by the yellow striped vulture from a place where I parked without issue 5 years ago…now covered in 🅿️⛔ 👮♂️ signs. Went elsewhere and spent my lunch money there instead🏍️💨💨💨💨🤬
Norway is lovely on the bike Matt, you'd have a blast. Great vid, look after yourself
Go ride a Harley. It will cure your itch. If you are into the look rather than the riding, it will float your boat but I found it just too agricultural. They are characterful, to be sure but as a long distance tourer you have to be really committed to being a Harley rider. There are far better bikes out there for touring, even with a bit of character. But it’s your money and your choice.
Harley = crisis de mediana edad. Por que no las dos ? Según el estado de ánimo o el viaje por delante.
I had a Sportster for 10 years and only sold it to pay the tax man one year. It’s been 8 years and not a year passes I don’t regret not selling a kidney instead. I’ve owned Buells, speed and street triples, 1050 GT and Bonnies and as much as they are all lovely none of them scratch ‘that’ itch my old 1200 Sporty did. Mine had a 3.5 gallon mustang tank so touring with it was never a problem. You will curse at the stupid standard peanut tanks though. Buy one. Get addicted. Only your wallet will regret it. 😂
Wells is NOT the UK’s smallest city !! Otherwise a good video – not really seen much about the old Thunderbird….well not the very old one but the 90s Harley.
I took a 1990's 1200cc sportster down to the south of France a few times and the bike coped just fine, just make sure you get a decent seat (the standard ones are fine, just avoid the ones with buttons). The only issue with mine was the relatively small tank size, particularly on the French motorways.
I also did a couple of weeks in Norway on a 650 single, rode up to Nordkapp and back, an amazing place to tour and highly recommended. Just wrap up warm.
Sure looks nice in Wells, worth a visit. I have a 2001 Sportster 1200, an enjoyable bike to ride but there are better to go long distance. I've kept it stock and the standard exhaust is quiet but has a nice note. Too much noise would spoil the ride.
I get what you mean.
I really like the Iron 883. I like the looks, I like the ergos and I like that it can be made into anything I wanted it to be.
The noise puts me off as well as lack of fuel gauge. I live in the city center, noise is an issue. I have generated good will with the people that live near me due to my choice of quiet bikes. So they dont complain. Im pretty sure that if I swapped out to something that was loud, i would no longer be able to park in a safe spot and would get tons of complaints from neighbours.
As for the fuel gauge, I do like to ride for long ish distances and sometimes in scotland fuel stops can be a fair distance away, its useful to know roughly how much futher you can ride before your out of fuel.
I am 68, and just bought my first Harley. 1200 Sportster. The Harley itch is real and like you I've had it all my life, but Harleys didn't fit the bill for long European trips camping etc. I needed something ultra reliable and trustworthy, so Jap was the way to go. Now I don't do the long trips and really don't like riding in rain and snow any more – the Harley will fit the bill for shorter fine weather runs.
Definitely give the Harley a miss, your riding the best bike, having toured extensively on a big Indian I much prefer my Triumph now. Happy Travels.
Wild Hogs 😅