How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by DS06C50T

Texas Jay:


I DO have respect for the image it maintains: good ol' American muscle and steel. Tough to dispute that, IMHO.

Im sorry, but besides the V-Rod, none of the HD's stock are "muscular". They have very little horse power in relation to the size of the engine. Any time I hear a HD fan talk about the power of an HD, I laugh. My biggest problem with HD as a company is that they spend more on marketing then research and develpment. I can go on and on, but I won't. I bought a motorcycle, not a name. Did you ever notice how most HD riders refer to it as "the Harley", and not "the bike" or "the motorcycle". It's like the yuppie bmw car owners. "The beamer".

[Iceman99]

Originally Posted by Carlitos

MAJOR DITO.

And I'll just add...

"GO GATORS!" to that as well.

Why do you hate Harely riders so much Carlitos? I dont get it.

[robertc729]

My wife's aunt, who is a Harley rider, saw a pic of my bike today and says "Wow that looks like a Harley", imagine her surprise when she found out it was a Suzuki.

[palanon]

pop quiz - what manufacturer uses the most U.S. made parts and labor ?

[Carlitos]

Originally Posted by Iceman99

Already sick of the M after 2 months...
Why do you hate Harely riders so much Carlitos? I dont get it.

Iceman, I don't hate any riders - not even the reckless stunt-obsessed sport bike riders. (I can't wait to get abused for that comment.)

If you notice, I agreed on all points and that includes the statement, "It would be cool to say I ride a Harley."

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by robertc729

My wife's aunt, who is a Harley rider, saw a pic of my bike today and says "Wow that looks like a Harley", imagine her surprise when she found out it was a Suzuki.

The name Harley Davidson is synonimous with Motorcycles, just like Coke is synonimous with soft drinks. This is true to anyone who doesn't know anything about motorcycles.

Now, that being said, I take my bike to charity rides and bike shows and there is no fewer than 5 people that walk up to me and ask "What is that" usually asked by the ones that know nothing or "Is that the new Softtail?" which is usually asked by the Harley Riders. So....They either "Dont have a clue" or they "Dont have a clue".

[robertc729]

Originally Posted by Smurf

The name Harley Davidson is synonimous with Motorcycles, just like Coke is synonimous with soft drinks. This is true to anyone who doesn't know anything about motorcycles.

Now, that being said, I take my bike to charity rides and bike shows and there is no fewer than 5 people that walk up to me and ask "What is that" usually asked by the ones that know nothing or "Is that the new Softtail?" which is usually asked by the Harley Riders. So....They either "Dont have a clue" or they "Dont have a clue".

True, but this woman and her husband both ride Harleys, matching his and hers. And she still didn't have a clue.

[jpwM50]

When someone buys a harley, price has no bearing what so ever. They just want a harley.
My brother just bought one and its a beauty.!

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by jpwM50

When someone buys a harley, price has no bearing what so ever. They just want a harley.
My brother just bought one and its a beauty.!

I like the looks of most harleys, but Like I said, I don't buy names, I buy a motorcycle with the features I wanted at a decent price. Not one HD had all of the features in one package, and not one single HD has shaft drive

[MagnumForce]

Originally Posted by italian biker

I like the looks of most harleys, but Like I said, I don't buy names, I buy a motorcycle with the features I wanted at a decent price. Not one HD had all of the features in one package, and not one single HD has shaft drive

At about the same price point (perhaps a bit lower), I would much rather have a BMW bike. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder for some of the models, but you still get solid, proven engineering, loads of technology, and a tricked out single-sided swingarm in which the shaft drive actually forms an integral part. The K1200R is in my "lust" list.

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by EZridr1

At about the same price point (perhaps a bit lower), I would much rather have a BMW bike. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder for some of the models, but you still get solid, proven engineering, loads of technology, and a tricked out single-sided swingarm in which the shaft drive actually forms an integral part. The K1200R is in my "lust" list.

EZ, I'd agree about the BMW's being great bikes, but I won't lie, I want a bike I like the looks of. I just don't like the BMW's all that much in the appearence department.

[bud van houten]

it amazes me that "if harleys are such a big deal", then why are so many for sale?
here in kansas city, on any given day, there are probably 40-50 harleys in the paper for sale. that doesn't include the "cycle trader" magazine that comes out weekly and is loaded with them also.
either the harley riders have found out what most of us on this forum already know, or they are in over their heads and can't make the payments.
i love the looks of a harley, but like some of you stated, mine also gets mistaken for one all the time. later, bud

[Jester]

I just bought my first bike, an '02 Volusia.
It's fun having people walk up, say "Hi" and continue walking AROUND the bike trying to figure out what it is. My Vol has V&H pipes and sounds great! the bike is immaculate. I just smile and say "Looks great, doesn't it?" They ALWAYS agree.

Then we get into the specifics....Thanks for the info...Stay Safe.

The Jester

[robertc729]

Jester, welcome to the forum and enjoy the bike

[Jonger]

I never like the look of a Harley. I don't like the spokes, whitewall and the rear fender at all. I'm sure its nice riding, but the style isnt for me. I like bikes that are tough and slick looking. In my opinion the M50 looks much better then that bike.

Originally Posted by jpwM50

When someone buys a harley, price has no bearing what so ever. They just want a harley.
My brother just bought one and its a beauty.!

[tigerdude77]

Well - after about 25 years of not riding a bike, I fell in love with the Harley VRod. I'm not sure why, 'cause I don't like the way the pipes are laid out, and prefer the single pipe on each side. I could NOT afford the HD Vrod - even a used one. And since I had not ridden a bike in such a long time, preferred to invest a small amount, get a decent bike, and maybe trade up SOMEDAY. I bought the Suzuki Intruder 800 and have been extremely pleased so far. I still love that Vrod - but may never be able to afford it. Of course, I've never actually ridden a Vrod, so it may not be that great. I'm afraid to try one out, because I might not be able to leave without purchasing it.

[1eggy1]

I ride a suzuki with a group of guys that ride harleys. And at the end of each ride I am at the same place they are ... lol.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by tigerdude77

I could NOT afford the HD Vrod - even a used one.

IMO, that sums up the problem with HD in a nutshell - overpriced due to artificial demand. That bike should be selling for a little over half what it does, just like every other HD.

[roysclockgun]

I ride with a touring association that broke off from the GoldWing Honda Org. Most of the bikes in the group are GoldWings. We have three Harleys. One old Kawasaki Tourer, a couple Honda cruisers and my one Yamaha Royal Star Venture. I previously owned seven Harleys, dating back to when I began riding in 1960. Harley kept telling me that their reliability problems had been solved and for years, I continued buying Harleys. Finally after buying a brand new 1985 FLTC and sitting at home while the Harley was in the shop, I gave up on Harleys. That said, on our touring rides, we have not left any of the Harley riders behind yet, so maybe, Harley finally has gotten it right. They never would've upgraded their product, had it not been for the Japanese breathing heavilly down their necks and bleeding off market share.
My venture is water cooled and shaft driven. I take it in every 3000 miles to be serviced, just as I do my automobile and pick-up. Other than that, there is no maintenance, other than checking tire pressure and oil level. The oil has never needed topping off and the air in the tires stays where it should be until the scheduled service. Others do buy, and should buy, what they want. I buy what I can throw my 64 year old leg over and ride without wondering if the bike will get me home again. Sorry Harley guys. No bashing here. Just reporting that I was burned once too often by my friendly local Harley dealer.

[mxlj]

i like all bikes including harleys.