I love Harleys, but ...

[mdc]

I put a deposit on a Nightrod Special to pick up next June (if it is offered next year) ... The VRod series was a bike I have had my eye on since the day it was released and was determined to save the money to get one for my 30th birthday ...

A few of my friends don't like the bike (I could care less BTW) because it isn't a real Harley ... the strange thing is that I find that the only Harleys I like are the "fake" Harleys and the "girl" Harleys

To me the VRod series and the Sportster (especially that new Nightster) series are the more attractive models HD carries and I find that I don't like the styling of the Softtail or Dyna bikes (too old fashioned for my tastes). I like the Street Bob styling somewhat, but could never see myself buying one. The Softtails are the definition of boring to me ...

I must be one of the strange ones that loves the lesser Harleys and could care less for the REAL Harleys ...

Am I alone?

[Clint]

No, you're not. While I don't get your desire to pay that kind of money for a -Rod, I do find it the most appealing of a brand that doesn't appeal to me. The paint shakers don't even register the what-bike-do-I-want-next-o-meter.

[JmalB]

The only Harley I would consider buying is a Buell. I took a long look at a Night Rod when I was at the local dealership. That being the first HD I've actually liked the looks of in quite some time. It looked pretty and uncomfortable to me.

[ORBrit]

I agree with you 100%.
The Nightrod Special is a very sexy looking bike. I don't think I could justify that much $$$ for a bike though and so I will probably settle for a M109R when the time comes - which won't be for a while as I'm a newish rider.

[Ruddyduck]

My first bike was an HD back 30+ years ago. Back then when it came to a certain style in a bike one really didn't have to many choices. Today there's so many good looking and running cruiser bikes to pick from it makes for a good buyer's market.
I looked at every maker's offerings and did a ton of reading and not wanting to go too big after a long layoff and went with a C-50. That is what I found was both comfortable and not to bad on the eye either. It 's a personal choice but when you put bikes in the same class side by side I find it hard to see any advantage of one maker over another except when it come to the price tag. In stock bikes the metrics seem to stack up and usally beat HD's in overall rider satisfaction but that being said all are decent products. IMHO there isn't a heck of alot prestiege with the HD name like 20-30 years back. Bottom line ride what you enjoy.

[ELGOLD C50T]

Bottom line is who cares what others think. You're paying the money and you should be happy. You're not buying a great bike to satisfy others. Most imporant thing is that you enjoy what you ride/own. You are getting an incredible bike, hopefully still offered for 2008 by HD. You have lots to look forward to with your new ride.

[SNAFU]

Going to the dark side eh?

I could never understand the "Not a real Harley, you don't ride a Harley" attitude. . I like all kinds of motorcycles but I'm new to this so what do I know, I just like to ride.

Enjoy your new ride when you get her mdc and post some pics.

Oh ya' and don't forget to wave.

[peter-reebok]

Been on a few group rides where other bikes join us. LIke Buell, Ducati etc.

The buell had the gearbox find neutral in every location after an hour of riding, and the owner said - It gets like this all the time. I thought they were the 'better' Harleys.
The ducati has never had a problem, despite a worse rep for reliability.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by SNAFU

Going to the dark side eh?

I could never understand the "Not a real Harley, you don't ride a Harley" attitude. . I like all kinds of motorcycles but I'm new to this so what do I know, I just like to ride.

Enjoy your new ride when you get her mdc and post some pics.

Oh ya' and don't forget to wave.

I'm out of my element here, but what the heck. I too am puzzled by the "not a real Harley" attitude. If it comes out of the Harley factory,, it's a Harley, period! I can only imagine how frustrating it might be, being a young ambitious Harley engineer. Say he, or she comes up with a new idea/design, that someone like myself would look at, and appreciate, only to be told, "No, it would upset the faithful.". Ride what you love, love what you ride. Screw all of the "me too" people.

[Harsh Winters]

Remember the old saying "Buy a Harley, buy the best. Ride a mile and walk the rest".

[Uechi Kid]

If I were going to buy a sport bike I would get a VRod. I like the way they look and they have lots of HP.

[ELGOLD C50T]

Originally Posted by Harsh Winters

Remember the old saying "Buy a Harley, buy the best. Ride a mile and walk the rest".

The mile you ride will be so much fun ........ you'll be walking the rest of the way with a giant grin on your face.

Great little limerick, not so true in real life.
I do still wonder how we Harley owners always seem to be so very happy riding even though we've dished out the cost of a new Camry for a simple machine with 2 wheels and an engine. The ride is truly magical, thats why.

[texrider]

The only magic about it is that it's a motorcycle. The rest is a flight of fancy.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Good luck on your nightrod purchase MDC.
I'm sure you'll be happy.
Don't pay no mind to anyone else's opinions about your bike (especially the negative opinions).
Who cares about those "not a real harley" statements.
Those attitudes usually come from closed-minded people whose opinion about anything would probably be just as disagreeable to others as their opnions on motorcycles.

RIDE ON!

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by mdc

I put a deposit on a Nightrod Special to pick up next June (if it is offered next year) ...

No disrespect meant, but that statement seems utterly preposterous in the modern age of Harley sales. Is it being put on a Lay Away plan?

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

No disrespect meant, but that statement seems utterly preposterous in the modern age of Harley sales. Is it being put on a Lay Away plan?

LOL!

I was thinking the same thing, but just assumed maybe MDC is somewhere outside the U.S. where the HD is REALLY hard to obtain.

[05HDRAM]

I learned a long time ago...what everyone else thinks doesn't matter. Do what makes you happy.

[650Doug]

Originally Posted by mdc

I put a deposit on a Nightrod Special to pick up next June (if it is offered next year) ... The VRod series was a bike I have had my eye on since the day it was released and was determined to save the money to get one for my 30th birthday ...

A few of my friends don't like the bike (I could care less BTW) because it isn't a real Harley ... the strange thing is that I find that the only Harleys I like are the "fake" Harleys and the "girl" Harleys

To me the VRod series and the Sportster (especially that new Nightster) series are the more attractive models HD carries and I find that I don't like the styling of the Softtail or Dyna bikes (too old fashioned for my tastes). I like the Street Bob styling somewhat, but could never see myself buying one. The Softtails are the definition of boring to me ...

I must be one of the strange ones that loves the lesser Harleys and could care less for the REAL Harleys ...

Am I alone?

No.

Besides, everybody has one of those "real Harleys".

If you do get the V-Rod, you'll actually be the one whose different.

It's a nice looking, non dated design bike, with some performance to match. I hear the seating position sucks though, but that probably varies by height, and arm and leg length. Other than that, folks seem to like it.

At any rate, buy what you like, and ride the snot out of it!

[mdc]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

No disrespect meant, but that statement seems utterly preposterous in the modern age of Harley sales. Is it being put on a Lay Away plan?

No ... I want it for June because of my 30th birthday

I live in Canada and the Night Rod Special was pretty much sold out in February with nothing available until the 08s were released.

I could have waited a while to put the deposit down, but I wanted to make sure I got a April production bike which would insure it would be there by the middle of May and ready for me to have for the 7th of June

For whatever reason, Canada doesn't get a huge allotment of VRods and unless you order in advance, it gets tricky finding one ... I figure better safe than regretting it later. Even in the US, finding a 07 Night Rod Special was getting to be a challenge ... they were all getting sold before they even reached the dealers

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by mdc

No ... I want it for June because of my 30th birthday

I live in Canada and the Night Rod Special was pretty much sold out in February with nothing available until the 08s were released.

I could have waited a while to put the deposit down, but I wanted to make sure I got a April production bike which would insure it would be there by the middle of May and ready for me to have for the 7th of June

For whatever reason, Canada doesn't get a huge allotment of VRods and unless you order in advance, it gets tricky finding one ... I figure better safe than regretting it later. Even in the US, finding a 07 Night Rod Special was getting to be a challenge ... they were all getting sold before they even reached the dealers

Cool...thanks for clearing that up for us!

The whole lineup is a dime a dozen for us. (Matter of fact all the Harley dealerships are pretty much full of every line they make.) So it just seemed a bit off that anyone would have to stand in line for a bike anymore.

Is that the V-Rod with the 240 rear tire?