How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?

[silverM50]

I looked at every Harley model while shopping to trade in my 2 month old m50. My heart was set on the M109, but I looked to make sure I wasn't mising something...Some of the Harley models are okay, but nothing but the V-Rod looked good to me, and for $5000 less I decided on the faster, more reliable, better looking M109R. Money wasn't the biggest issue, but definitely a factor. I want the most "bang" for my buck

[Iceman99]

Originally Posted by silverM50

I looked at every Harley model while shopping to trade in my 2 month old m50. My heart was set on the M109, but I looked to make sure I wasn't mising something...Some of the Harley models are okay, but nothing but the V-Rod looked good to me, and for $5000 less I decided on the faster, more reliable, better looking M109R. Money wasn't the biggest issue, but definitely a factor. I want the most "bang" for my buck

Already sick of the M after 2 months

[stp1971]

Probably the seat issue. Now once again I will state that if you buy a buttbuffer pad it will help your woes.

[Clintoysterwood]

When I was a young man I owned 4 harleys, a panhead, a knucklehead and a flat head 45 trike, but my first love was my sportster. Before I bought the C50 I started on a Honda 400 that I bought at a garage sale. Rode it to the harley shop in Bellevue to look at a new or used cruiser. Couldn't even get anyone to talk to me. I spend about 45 minutes there and said screw it and rode next door to the Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki dealer. They had lots of time, here try this bike, etc. Rode a kawasaki, Yamaha, and a Suzuki. Then went elsewhere and rode the Honda Aero. Went back and bought the Suzuki. No regrets. I'm tired of dirty looks from harley riders. I am just not yuppie enough. Just interested in riding. Clint...still, my first love ever was that sportster. Had it from 1968 to 1984. Loved that Magneto and kick start

[Chappy206]

I traded in my 2003 Anniversary Edition 883 Sportster on my 06 C50T and could not be happier. My sportster beat me to death when I rode it-very uncomfortable, but hey.........."it's a harley".

After a month or so I realized I just bought a name and an image. The C50 is a far superior bike in my opinion and since it's my money, that is the only opinion that counts, lol

Harleys are overpriced and that would be hard to argue. Talking about looks, I think the Boulevard line of crusiers looks great and stacks up very well against whatever HD has to offer and at much less money with proven reliability.

For my money Suzuki and some of the other Metric Crusiers offer a lot of bike for a great price when compared to HD. I may eventually buy a bigger crusier, but it will not be a HD.

[Jonger]

I have a 2006 M50 and the seat isnt that much of a problem. I havent gone on a ride over 20 miles though.

[vhmike73]

Originally Posted by Jonger

I have a 2006 M50 and the seat isnt that much of a problem. I havent gone on a ride over 20 miles though.

Jonger, I've put about 300 on my M50, and I'm desperately waiting for Saddlemen to release their seats (or Corbins)...I'm HOPING the John's Kits forward controls can help me change my seating position some to move my tailbone down into the more padded part of the seat!! (I'm 5'10", 200lbs, roughly 32" inseam)

A buddy of mine is buying his Harley finally- he's been riding an '82 Virago 920 for years now, never inclined to spend the money that Harley he wants. He's finally sold himself on it A) because his new g/f WANTS to ride with him, and B) he knows he can get most of his $20K back when he decides it's time to sell, and that last fact seemed to be the final impetus for him to buy. It's pretty much a savings plan you can enjoy when it comes to Harley resale value. He certainly won't denigrate my M50 (and a buddy of mine owns a Blue M50 too), or ANY bike for that matter...it was just his 'midlife crisis' time a tad early! He initially looked at the M50 and thought "No way I'd be able to ride that", but once he sat on it, he commented that it wasn't a bad fit for him. But the prevailing thought among my group of riders: GET OUT AND RIDE!! (We have a couple M50s, a GSXR 600, CB600R, FZ 650, and a C50 owner among us...and we'll be adding a Dyna Wide Glide owner to the list on 21 APR)

[Bluecruzer]

Hell, I like Harleys... they are a great looking bike - never buy one though... you can do so much more with your money.

[nickmimi]

VH Mike,

I dont know how he is going to get his money back(as in an investment.) I know in the newspaper and cycle trader here, most listings are Harleys. Most are listed at prices close to the price of a new one.

[vhmike73]

I suppose it's likely that you can get that much back on a trade-in? Frankly, I know he's not getting it merely for "investment" purposes, but they can be listed at near-new prices, and some folks may feel a used Harley at a couple thousand less than list (and with aftermarket stuff already added) is a better way to get into the "club". I bet most of those bikes have hardly any miles on them!

All I know is, I can't wait to take the Dyna for a rip! Then get back on my M50 (that even with the goodies I've added is easily $12 grand less expensive!) and get out in the wind...

As Joe Satriani once said: "I just wanna ride. Get on my bike and ride!"

[Larry W]

I have taken my brother's Fat Boy around the block a time or two.I just can't spend $18,000 + for it. I opt for the 2004 Intruder 1500. As for riding with the
Harley's there is no room on the trailer (long trips)

[texrider]

The "for sale" ads tell the story, too many Harley owners wanting out. Unfortunately, the sheer numbers of them will prevent any from realizing any "investment" return. The market will rule as always. Dealers are only interested in yours at the low wholesale level, unless they're ripping your head off on the bike you want. There is no "free lunch" for HD or Metric bikers!

[interfire83]

If I could afford it, i would probally have a Roadking. Great bikes, but I HATE most Harley riders, smug *******s.

[robertc729]

My brother-in-law and I were out one day last July, he had gotten his bike back after having a service done on it. Unfortnately for him, they didn't tighten down a bolt on the rear cylinder head and he began sprayying oil everywhere, we pulled over on the side of the interstate and were there for about 15 minutes with alot of cars and bikes passing by luckily 3 "Harley" guys pulled over and offered assistance. So as of now, the small number of Harley riders I have come in close contact with have been very pleasant.

[DS06C50T]

Texas Jay:

I agree with you on all 3 accounts. Harley's are great looking bikes, but I don't particularly care for all their styles. They DO have a pantload of accessories, which I suppose is nice to have a zillion choices on how to dress out your ride. But, they ARE expensive. Not only to buy but to upkeep and "adorn". HD stands for "hundred dollars" because nothing is less than $100 it seems for a Harley.

I DO have respect for the image it maintains: good ol' American muscle and steel. Tough to dispute that, IMHO. If I could afford one, I likely would have gotten one, but I am extremely happy (that's happy, not "content") with my Suzuki. I am a first time rider with little knowledge on m/c repairs, so a bullet-proof bike is for me. So, the Japanese bikes' quality beckoned me.

I have nothing against Harley's. Many riding buddy's have them and at some I druel. I swapped with a friends Sportster and in 20 miles I wanted mine back. She preferred the ride on mine better than her Sportster! How's that for turnabout?

Cheers,
Daryl

[roysclockgun]

DS06C50T did write: "...I DO have respect for the image it maintains: good ol' American muscle and steel. .."

That "image" used to be true, but today is more myth than fact. Harley has, for years, existed because of the wonderful myth of the free ranging cowboy, riding the open roads. The truth is, that if the cowboy knows motorcycles and wants to get back to the bunkhouse without breakdowns and leaving a trail of oil, he'd have a Japanese motorcycle, not a Harley. Having owned seven Harleys, I can honestly say this. There is no envy or jealousy driving my comments. I simply know that Harley has only been able to keep sales up by perpetuating the old images and not by producing a better, more reliable machine.

[ditch]

Originally Posted by roysclockgun

DS06C50T did write: "...I DO have respect for the image it maintains: good ol' American muscle and steel. .."

That "image" used to be true, but today is more myth than fact. Harley has, for years, existed because of the wonderful myth of the free ranging cowboy, riding the open roads. The truth is, that if the cowboy knows motorcycles and wants to get back to the bunkhouse without breakdowns and leaving a trail of oil, he'd have a Japanese motorcycle, not a Harley. Having owned seven Harleys, I can honestly say this. There is no envy or jealousy driving my comments. I simply know that Harley has only been able to keep sales up by perpetuating the old images and not by producing a better, more reliable machine.

I love reading your posts. Knowing you had seven harleys and hearing how you felt about them is refreshing. Can't get honesty like that very often these days.

[zot]

Too true Royclockgun, but I think there's also a big stigma attached to the Harley name. A yuppy with enough cash thinks buying a Harley automatically turns him into a real bada**. 20-30 years ago the same people would spit on bikers if they could get away with it. They don't know the first thing about bikes but they sure have the attitude. I've been around the block a few times and it could have been a few times more if I didn't have to spend half my time wrenching on my hog. The beauty of a metric is that when you put the key in the ignition, you know it's gonna start and take you where you want to go.

[zukirob]

What's all this fuss over who likes Harleys and who doesn't? I just want a nice riding bike. To each his own.

[Carlitos]

Originally Posted by Pinhy

-would it be cool to say i ride a Harley? - Yes.
-do i like the look of them so much more than any other bike to be willing to pay the difference? - No.
-If i had tons of money to throw around at a HD would I? - No. I would get a semi-custom chopper!!

I feel that the M50 is one of the best looking bikes out along with the Yamaha Road Star Warrior.

I dont mind hearing, seeing and being around Harleys, but like mentioned above, i am not crazy about the attitude that a lot of HD riders have about being better or having everything they wear being HD.

anyway...just my opinion.

MAJOR DITO.

And I'll just add...

"GO GATORS!" to that as well.