What's wrong with Harleys?

[omegajim]

KD, I take it you live in Dallas or further north.

Because down near Houston, don't they close the town if it gets below 30?

[IntruderCruiser]

Originally Posted by KD57

What's sad is I see guys on Harleys riding to work in the rain, cold and snow, because they just HAD to have a $20K Harley, and sold their cager to buy it. Now, that's their only mode of transportation. There are a couple of them that live near me, I wave at them from a warm cab when it's 25 degrees outside and they are riding to work.

well, I didn't sell my truck with heated leather seats to buy my Harley, and I choose to ride when its down in the 20's because I enjoy it

metrics have problems just like Harley's -- go visit their forums and learn what the problems are - and we're talking all styles of bikes - not just cruisers.

I trust my Harley just as much as any other vehicle to get me where I am going -- sometimes stuff happens and it a vehicle has a problem

[KD57]

I had seen these 2 guys in the cafe one morning last year when we had an ice storm, and they were on their bikes. I asked them where their cars are and they sd. they sold them to get the Harleys. I'm thinking what morons. Do you really need to impress someone that much ??
Riding in the cold is one thing, riding when snow and ice is on the road is something else. They don't have far to go, but geez..dirt bikes are fun in snow and ice, but a 750 lb Harley is not.
But as far as reliability goes, mine has over 7K on it and not a single problem, not even an oil leak, but I do keep more lock-tite on hand than I do oil. BTW, omegajim I live northwest of the parking lot they call DFW.

[dcstrng]

<I see guys on Harleys riding to work in the rain, cold and snow…>

Yep, me too… usually the only folks I see out in that weather are Harley and Beemer riders… although a guy at work has a ZX-14, and I think is bent on joining the nutty fraternity as well, cuz he’s out in just about any weather…

But, I ride in the Ultra in pretty much that weather and my F150 just sits – indeed it was raining nicely this morning… some ride the decal, some ride the bike… but not wanting to be labeled a complete moron (unnecessarily), I do promise to fire up the Ford (and the Pontiac and the Miata) at least once a month… and no, I didn’t pay $20K for my scoot – have never paid over $10K for a bike in my life and don’t plan to start any time soon…[/size][/size]

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by IntruderCruiser

well, I didn't sell my truck with heated leather seats to buy my Harley, and I choose to ride when its down in the 20's because I enjoy it

metrics have problems just like Harley's -- go visit their forums and learn what the problems are - and we're talking all styles of bikes - not just cruisers.

I trust my Harley just as much as any other vehicle to get me where I am going -- sometimes stuff happens and it a vehicle has a problem

, On top of that, if your HD does break down, the dealer usually has parts in stock to fix it.
That doesn't often happen with metrics. It's for that reason alone, that most of my traveling is done on my HD.
I have seen it happen a number of times, where a HD rider was broke down on the road, and the local HD shop would bend over backwards to get them back on the road as soon as possible.
90% of the metric dealers I have stoped at when I was out of town turned there back to me, as soon as they found out I wasn't a local customer.

Any bike can break down, the service you get when that happens, is very important to me.

[KD57]

What he sd. ^^^^

[458lott]

hello, i am a enduro owner, ex quad owner. lookin for info, and stories

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by 458lott

hello, i am a enduro owner, ex quad owner. lookin for info, and stories

Welcome lott, You will get a much warmer welcome if you go to the paddock, and introduce yourself in the new member pitstop.

I also suggest you fill out your profile so we can see where your from, and what you ride, makes it a lot easier when we are responding to posts you put up.

[frostbitevinnie]

Originally Posted by omegajim

I don't know Vinnie, Harley stock is at the same price it was a bit over a year ago.

It may not go anywhere (the stock) for awhile.

Not really worried about where it will go for long term. I play very short term, day trading. I did end up buying 250 shares of HOG 10/16 for $48.25/shr and sold 10/31 for $51.45/shr 6.6% gain. Best Oct. trade, I am really happy with this one, FREEZ 9/27 2000 shares @ $2.60 sold 10/10 @5.25/shr 102% gain. I love market volatility so some day I can afford to buy that HD I want the new Rocker, until then I love my c90t.

[Broc]

What's wrong with Harleys?

2 things come to mind.....

1. Too many weekend warriors and yuppies are riding them because they want to look cool.

2. the engines are now being made in China.

All my life I have wanted a Harley. After talking to friends that have them, don't get me wrong, they like them, but complain about breaking down a lot, I am sure I will get one one day, but I'll get an older softail, before the Chinese engine.... for now, I will take one of the new Yamaha Raiders, so close to a softail it's scary...... but being a Yamaha, it will be more reliable and quite frankly, much much faster.

[LCA_koolaid37]

I rode my uncle's new 07 Street Bob and didn't like it. Belt-drive felt weird and the whole thing shook too much. But, hey, do what you want where you want and how you want to do the thing you happen to be doing in the way you selected previously.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by RideNot

What's wrong with Harleys?

2 things come to mind.....

1. Too many weekend warriors and yuppies are riding them because they want to look cool.

2. the engines are now being made in China.

All my life I have wanted a Harley. After talking to friends that have them, don't get me wrong, they like them, but complain about breaking down a lot, I am sure I will get one one day, but I'll get an older softail, before the Chinese engine.... for now, I will take one of the new Yamaha Raiders, so close to a softail it's scary...... but being a Yamaha, it will be more reliable and quite frankly, much much faster.

I'm not a big fan of HD but before you can come out saying that the motors are made in China come out with some proof.

[Jerryzuki]

Originally Posted by RideNot

What's wrong with Harleys?

2. the engines are now being made in China.

.

What in the hell are you talking about?

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Jerryzuki

What in the hell are you talking about?

What he said!

[Broc]

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

I'm not a big fan of HD but before you can come out saying that the motors are made in China come out with some proof.

next time I get a chance, I will snap a pic. There was a stamp on the engine that said "Made in China". Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but face it, ALL american companies are looking to save a buck by sending all the manufacturing to china (or some other slave labor country).... why should Harley be any different? You don't think they want to make a profit?

[frostbitevinnie]

I have machined quite a few Chinese castings, very expensive SS valve bodies. They do not have the technology, motivation (well their motivation is $$ not quality control) nor machining expertise to manufacture a quality product. I have even had to make new "emergency" crane trolley wheels made in Chine because they tacked the bearing race into the bore. Hardened steel tacked to a cast iron body does not hold folks. If HD is casting their motors in China then I say let them do it. All the other bike manufactures will have that much less competition. I am sure the Japanese will be very happy, they cast their own blocks and machine them to very high tolerances. American manufacturers have yet to learn that we can beat the Chinese in price. Sure they can make one item cheaper but with our high speed, high tech capabilities we can make 100 such items for the same price as they can make 1 item, & probably cheaper cuz you won't need a guy like me to rework the part or take time to throw it into the dumpster. We have had company meetings with manufacturing experts going over this in detail using QRM (quick response manufacturing). So far so good. Chinese products suck. Just my Sunday morning .02 rant.

[Clint]

A quick Google search tells me that this is highly unlikely. There'd be a HUGE uproar, especially if it was stamped in plain sight. Perhaps you saw it on an aftermarket part?

[Broc]

I made a mistake..... it was not the engine itself but some parts on the engine (which could have been after market pieces)....

However, after doing some research on this last night, I did discover that only approx 87% of the Harley is american made..... the tail light assembly is Chinese, master cylinder and a few other parts are made elsewhere.

Now the real question is.... is the VRod a real harley? I mean the VRod engone is a porche liquid cooled engine isn't it? Although I have no problem with German machinery.... that cannot be claimed as an American product in my eyes.

I also found out Harley just opened a dealership in china.... and are looking to put one in India. It's only a natter of time before more parts are made in these countries.....

There was also talk about Honda merging or buying out Harley.

I guess Honda and Yamaha are going to start having more Chinese parts on them too from what I read..... I sure hope the new raider is not in that category.... I really want one, but if it's all Chinese garbage, I ain't getting one.

Hope this clears things up.... sorry for speaking out of turn.... LOL I will be more clear one facts before the next post like that

[omegajim]

Which reminds me, aren't the metrics still making their engines in Japan strictly to maintain the quality of said engine?

Why would Harley do otherwise?

Which reminds me, where are most of the metrics assembled these days?

I would think Malayasia with the combination of relatively skilled cheap labor.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by RideNot

Now the real question is.... is the VRod a real harley? I mean the VRod engone is a porche liquid cooled engine isn't it? Although I have no problem with German machinery.... that cannot be claimed as an American product in my eyes.

I also found out Harley just opened a dealership in china.... and are looking to put one in India. It's only a natter of time before more parts are made in these countries.....

There was also talk about Honda merging or buying out Harley.

If that is the real question, than you should start a new thread on it. The question on this thread is whats wrong with Harley's?

HD already has at least one dealership in India. I haven't heard of any in China.

The Honda buying Harley thing has been talked about, and found to be untrue.