What's wrong with Harleys?

[dragbar]

I might break down one of these days and buy a used Street rod. Or at least modify some of the parts to trick out my M50.

But otherwise I'm not a fan of HD's overall except for the mod's (which Yamaha's are really started to catch up to with their roadstar lines).

[bikernoj]

This thread got huge in a hurry!

I think that going harley is all about buying into the image. And who does that more often than the thinning hair, Viagra-popping doctors, lawyers and bankers looking to feed their mid life crises? So of course HD will market their overpriced wares to those willing to pay for them.

BUT... 'Harley' and 'reliable' were not used in the same sentence until recently, becaue those same smarmy lawyers that want the image are the guys that will NOT tolerate crappy (or faulty) workmanship. These same Weekend Warriors are part of the reason that HD has been making better bikes- they don't want to be sued by their own riders!

Personally, I'd rather ride WITH the bike rather than ON it, so trying to lean an 800-lb behemoth through the twisties is not for me; sportbike, please.

[Kaikias]

Because the first 3 pages where posted in March.

[BikerAce]

If you told me a year ago that I'd own a new Harley Ultra I'd say your crazy, but after trading in my Suzuki I do. During my short ownership of the Suzuki I thought alot like others here, truth is it wasn't based upon real facts just some preconceived ideas others put there. I'm not into loud if I was I couldn't hear my tunes, I'm not into speed either as I'd never be able to stop and smell the roses. I think most people are proud of thier bikes no matter what the brand and I know I'd ride with anyone no matter what they ride. As far as cost compare apples to apples and buy what you want. Just like cars all bikes have problems although I must point out I have no problems seeing in my mirrors at 60 like I did with my Suzuki. Appreicate other bikes for what they are not what thier not, Ride and Let Ride.

[Roaddog]

I don't have any problem with the bike, it's the attitude of some of the riders, if they could just ride and let ride it would be much better, the only riders that have ever been rude and smartassed to me have been Harley riders, I just don't pay attention to them anymore.

[TaterDog]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

I don't have any problem with the bike, it's the attitude of some of the riders, if they could just ride and let ride it would be much better, the only riders that have ever been rude and smartassed to me have been Harley riders, I just don't pay attention to them anymore.

+1 Roaddog. We've got to ride our own ride and to heck with what anyone else thinks. Bottom line -- all bikes (well most) have two wheels and get us where we're going.

[TumbleWeed]

The only thing you can do to solve the issue is to ride the machine. Thirty plus years riding metric and "American" same old cliches. I am not rich, I am a retired Army nurse, and you can have my Harley when you pry my cold dead fingers from the grips. Hmmm. with that in mind, Ride Safe!

[4dtvman]

So when can have your bike. When do you think this is going to happen.

[Robley]

Cargo areas to carry home parts that fell off? I also ride with very well educated people that dont bar hop or do any other thing the so called typical H-D guys do. One that comes to mind was very angry one day on the way home because his shifter wouldn't stay on his H-D and we had to keep stoping to pick it up. It got to where you felt sorry for him. I on the other hand don't have the money or the wants to get an H-D, but I will defend Yamaha (so far).

[SoarAndEnvision]

Harley's are over-priced in my opinion and overly name-brandish. I don't know enough about how "quality" they are and if they are really like the Mercedes-Benz of cruisers like the rep claims but I'm skeptical if still reserved in judgment.

"Ride your own bike your own way" is supreme over all motorcycle doctrine.
(Unless you ride like an anus. )

[4dtvman]

Lets give credit where credit is do. They are a very good looking bike that's why everyone has copied them. But the notion that If I can pay $22000 for a HD today I can sell it 3 or 4 years later and only loose $2000 I think its gone. That might of been true when there was a shortage. But there is no shortage today. Used HD are 4 to 1 compared to any other brand that for sale used. This will catch up when there so many out there and you can buy a new one for $2000 more.
It's not that it's made in US because Honda cars and toyota are made in the US and are the same price a s GM or Ford. It can't be because they use better parts. And really it can't be that they spend alot of money on R&D.
So let me tell you what it is GREED.
And there not the Mercedes-Benz of bike maybe BMW is.

[Clint]

Greed? LOL. It's called supply and demand. It's called free-market economy. No company is in business to lose money, and most try to make whatever they can. You can't fault them for that unless you're a communist, where they try to protect fools from spending foolishly.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Greed? LOL. It's called supply and demand. It's called free-market economy. No company is in business to lose money, and most try to make whatever they can. You can't fault them for that unless you're a communist, where they try to protect fools from spending foolishly.

Well supply has surpassed the demand because all 3 HD dealers in the area have pay and ride away. And If you look at the used HD ades there tons. So maybe that not say greed but say FOOLS

[IntruderCruiser]

well guys -- having stopped counting the miles I have ridden (over a 100,000 by 1980)
and only having metrics until the day after Thanksgiving 2006
I can safely say that the Electra Glide I bought is a very nice bike and feels more stable than my LC when out on the road. The cornering is excellant for a touring bike
It is also more comfortable in some aspects --- I got a heck of a deal on the one I bought -- or I would not have it.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by IntruderCruiser

well guys -- having stopped counting the miles I have ridden (over a 100,000 by 1980)
and only having metrics until the day after Thanksgiving 2006
I can safely say that the Electra Glide I bought is a very nice bike and feels more stable than my LC when out on the road. The cornering is excellant for a touring bike
It is also more comfortable in some aspects --- I got a heck of a deal on the one I bought -- or I would not have it.

I would by one like yours if the price was around $12000 which seems fair.

[cowboyup75146]

I like all brands even the ones I cannot afford . I have 2 kids in collage ENOUGH SAID LOL . That's why I own a Road *

[TumbleWeed]

The jury on HD resale values is still out. I however do agree that it is a possibility that the market will flatten, although it shows no current signs of doing so. As for personal experience, I bought a new 05 Road King Custom that I traded in six months later for the ultra, I didn't loose a dime after putting 15K miles on the King. I don't know if I would want to try that with a Honda, maybe a beemer, but still iffy. But in the long run, I still messed up, should have waited for the 07 models with the bigger motor and tranny.

[4dtvman]

I understand that but you still paid $20000 or about that and it was a trade. Sell your bike out right. Do you think some one is going to pay the same price for a bike with 15000 miles or go out buy a new one for the same price. It will flatten out. What was said before supply and demand.

[4dtvman]

I sold cars for a while. Keep this bike for 1 year put 15000 miles on and take it back to the HD shop and tell him you want to trade it in for a new one just like it and see what he says.

So if I was to understand you right I'll go to the HD dealer were you traded your bike in and your old bike and a new Road King will be the same price. No one gives things away and stay in business.

[azkober]

When I decided to buy a motorcycle, my first gut reaction was to look at Harleys. I would love to have bought a bike made in the USA but after comparing HD to what Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki have to offer it just didn't pass the make-sense-test unless you bought into the whole "Harley" mystique thing. I didn't. I paid cash and would have spent upwards of 20k on a Harley to get close to what I got for 15k on my Yamaha. I used the rest to buy the wife a Silverado.

Virtually 95% of the bikes in the groups I have ridden with were Harleys. While there are some HD owners who sneer at anything metric, most don't seem to have a problem seeing my cruiser next to theirs.

I guess I kinda like being different anyway.