How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?

[blackie1491]

John, you are changing your bikes like a woman changes her mind.

I know had my budget allowed, I would have taken a harder look at an HD.
But security of the bike was an issue with me. My C50 is not as high a theft risk as an HD sitting on my lot. My Wing was secure out there for 8 years, but who steals a Wing?

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by EZridr1

Rickster, first off, congrats on your new Road King. Hope to see pics soon.

Yeah, I read the post you're talking about and it's got me reflecting on the time I had my Sportster. The other HD riders I met were great people who would go out of their way to help you and make you feel part of the "family." I haven't had any bad experiences with a HD dealership or repair shop. Although not as profound as your experiences during your trip, it was still a positive one for me.

Now I'm really confused. I'd like to get a Harley again, but I'll do it right this time and get the one I really want. The problem is that I like the V-Rod, Fat Boy, and Road Glide. I just hope I'm not as confused a year or two from now.

Thanks, I had a hard time making up my mind on what model I liked best too. The cool thing was that all the dealers in my area were more than happy to let me ride all the bikes I wanted. The Road Glide was high on my list too, I just couldn't get around not being able to see the road through that big faring. The Road King, and Road Glide are the exact same bikes from the handlebars back.

[ScooterC]

I suppose if I had $45,000, I might buy an HD.......$15,000 for the bike and $30,000 for the pickup to haul it around in.

[Ext1jdh]

Harley's are alright. If you have more money than brains. Or you like mopping up oil. Or you like to wax your bike more than you like to ride it. Or if you just want to be seen. Or if you dont know any better. Or if you like being deaf. Or if you want to turn your insides ito a milkshake.

Then again, theres always Buell. Prices arent too bad. Never ridden one though. I'd have one now if the salesman hadn't blown me off after I asked him how much the XB9SX would be with the low profile seat and a lowering kit. I took my money down the street and picked up my M50 that same day. Rode it back to the Harley dealer and told him exactly what I thought about his attitude.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Ext1jdh

Harley's are alright. If you have more money than brains. Or you like mopping up oil. Or you like to wax your bike more than you like to ride it. Or if you just want to be seen. Or if you dont know any better. Or if you like being deaf. Or if you want to turn your insides ito a milkshake.
Then again, theres always Buell. Prices arent too bad. Never ridden one though. I'd have one now if the salesman hadn't blown me off after I asked him how much the XB9SX would be with the low profile seat and a lowering kit. I took my money down the street and picked up my M50 that same day. Rode it back to the Harley dealer and told him exactly what I thought about his attitude.

It never ceases to amaze me, how little knowledge some people need before they are ready to pass judgment.
I have owned 4 Harley's, sold 3 of them, got more than I paid for all 3. Think you will get more than you paid when you sell your M-50? Or do you just plan on crashing all your bikes to get rid of them?
My 91 FLHS leaked a little oil once, but that was from a bad gasket on an oil filter. Never a drop from any of the rest of them.
My M-50 takes more waxing that my HD does. That's because HD puts 4 clear coats on over there paint. Suzuki puts 0 clear coats on!!!
As far as just wanting to be seen, I've got over 15,000 miles on already this year!! Whats your mileage?
Stock HD's aren't any louder than stock M-50's. My M 50 with Vance & Hines Cruizers on it is louder than my Road King!
Harley's turning your insides into a milkshake, is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. 300 mile days on my M-50, and I'm shot!! 600 mile days on my Road King, and I'm still fresh!!

[Ext1jdh]

take a pill, Rick.

Of course there are exceptions, it is not a rule. If you wanna go into this, we can start PM'ing each other, but youre not gonna change my mind. Lets not turn this into what it should not be.

It just seems like you pay a whole lot more to get the same result.

I do, however have to comment on your last sentence...an M50 is a completely different beast from a Road King. Road King is a touring cruiser, with all that entails. An M50 is...not.

[texrider]

[geoffsimpson]

You know what? My honest opinion about this bike is this. When I ride, and I come across another rider, you throw out the little wave, it's a common courtesy and something I really appreciate about riding a motorcycle...but when I throw out that wave and the guy doesn't respond, 9 times out of 10, he's on a HD. Now I get it, it's a lifestyle choice to ride one, I even like the way most of them look...but too many people pretend to be some kind of hard @ss when they ride them...who's a poser now?

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Ext1jdh

take a pill, Rick.

Of course there are exceptions, it is not a rule. If you wanna go into this, we can start PM'ing each other, but youre not gonna change my mind. Lets not turn this into what it should not be.

It just seems like you pay a whole lot more to get the same result.

I do, however have to comment on your last sentence...an M50 is a completely different beast from a Road King. Road King is a touring cruiser, with all that entails. An M50 is...not.

Your right, but you didn't list a specific model, you just said Harleys turn your insides into a milkshake. I figured that since you list an M-50 as your ride, than you must think it's a better (in all ways) bike!
Are you now saying that not all HD's turn your insides into a milkshake?

[roysclockgun]

Rickster wrote: "It never ceases to amaze me, how little knowledge some people need before they are ready to pass judgment. ....."

I have to say, "Amen" to that! For me, the important fact, is to do the research before you buy and get the bike that best fits your needs AND your wallet! Most of the other issues are merely "spitting contest".
At 64, I have lost count on the motorcycles that I have owned, but I do remember every one of the 7 Harleys. Each one gave me reliability problems, while at the same time, providing pride of ownership. I parked my Harleys in front of my businesses' shop and on a number of occasions, people would come in and ask, "Is that your Harley?" When I answered in the affirmative, they'd say something like; "I want to own a Harley some day. Right now I only have a Wing" or "Venture", or "Kawasaki", or "BMW", or whatever. The point is, many riders of bikes other than Harleys, simply have to, at some point, own a Harley to either get over it, or be a Harley rider forever! A man of my age that rides in my tour group has never, until this year, owned a Harley. He sold his 12 year old Wing and got a Harley tour model and he and his wife appear to be loving it, so far. For me, the seven that I owned cured me of wanting another one. I ride a Royal Star Venture over the road, an S50 Suzuki for fun, short rides and an '81 KZ750 to shows and rallies. I would hope that you all can own and ride the bike that best suits your "wants".
"People will buy what they want, more than they will buy what they need!"

[Ext1jdh]

nah, not all of em. Lots of the newer guys like em to be smooth and HD is gonna make money. There are a bunch of guys out there who think that a Harley has to be a rumbling spitting monster. Obviously, you dont need something thats shaking itself to peices to have a powerful ride.

I do like the v-rod, though the forward controls are too far forward for my short dwarf legs. There's another flavor that has better controls but jeebus its a lot of money.

[geoffsimpson]

I don't think you need to defend yourself Ext. You say what a lot of ust think. Obviously not all riders are like this but, in my honest opinion...and it's just that...an opinion...there more out there everyday. The worst part is that the guy copping an attitude with you is probably somebody's accountant.

All that being said...I still want a Harley Dyna-Bob

[C50T Rider]

[quote=Rickster]
I have owned 4 Harley's, sold 3 of them, got more than I paid for all 3. Think you will get more than you paid when you sell your M-50? Or do you just plan on crashing all your bikes to get rid of them?:[quote]



Sorry to burst your bubble, but in my area, those days are LOOOONG gone!.......I drive all day in my job (same area) and there are 4-6 HD's that have been sitting in yards FOR SALE since early spring......NO ONE HAS BOUGHT THEM!......I have buddies that have lost thier butts selling thier Harley's!....there is an '06 HD Electra-Glide in my local paper RIGHT NOW listed as follows.........

2006 ElectraGlide.......350 miles, over $19,000.00 invested.owned for 3 weeks.........$16,000.00 OBO......that's a $3,000.00 HIT in just 3 weeks!.........$1,000.00 per week!.....yea, great investment!

[roysclockgun]

C50T Rider wrote: "2006 ElectraGlide.......350 miles, over $19,000.00 invested.owned for 3 weeks.........$16,000.00 OBO......that's a $3,000.00 HIT in just 3 weeks!.........$1,000.00 per week!.....yea, great investment!"

I doubt that a seller could pay $19000 new, for any vehicle and expect to receive $16000 on the used market. As soon as you drive a new vehicle off the lot, it has accumulated a year's depreciation on it's used value. Add to that the fact that private sellers cannot offer financing or tag, title and insurance service at the point of sale and the poor seller of that Harley is in big trouble trying to get $16000. It is a no brainer that has little or nothing to do with the fact that the product is a Harley.
The truth that a fair number of Harleys are wilting on the used market is obvious when one scans the classified section of any big city newspaper. There is an obvious glut in the used Harley market that was not there a few years back. Newbies jump into motorcycle riding and soon, many bikes are rusting in garages. Harley has done a great job of punching up their image of building the only "real" motorcycles. Obviously thousands of newbies have fallen for the myth of the Harley, which carries not very far.

[intimid8er]

Bah...

My only problem with the whole Harley mystique or whatever you want to call it is the fact that the Motor Company has been turning out some solid six digit production figures (albeit worldwide, but the U.S.A. still gets the lion's share), for quite some time, and the dealers still act as if they are selling rolling gold.

I'm in no position to comment on the reliability of a Harley. The fit and finish. The riders. Etc.

Again. My only problem lies with the fact that the good old days of the Harley gold rush are over, and the dealers are trying to prolong this as long as possible to line their pockets. A Harley is no longer as rare as it once was. Plain and simple. Gone are the days of rising from the ruins of the AMF debacle that maybe, just maybe, 40,000 bikes would be made in a year. Last year's production run was close to 400,000. Doesn't seem to me that numbers like that would warrant price gouging (although a dealer charging over M.S.R.P. is far and few between lately), or holding full M.S.R.P. or charging outlandish freight and "dealer prep" fees, and telling you that you can't negotiate them based on the fact that "It's a Harley, and they're hard to get."

Now again, I don't know what the hell is going on up in Milwaukee, but I remember the price of a basic Softail Standard back in 2000 was somewhere around 11,900 or 12,900. (If I'm wrong okay....but it was nowhere over 13,900 at the most.) A 2% yearly adjustment (which doesn't always happen in the motor vehicle world), still wouldn't equate to the what is it? 16,900 for the Softail Standard right now. A lot of the Harley models out right now, haven't really changed (suspension and frame wise) for many years. I do believe the tooling at the factory has been amortized and paid for many times over for some while now so production costs would actually go down over the years. By weight of comparison. I almost bought a Yamaha Roadstar in 2000. My quoted price was 10,100 plus tax. (From a M.S.R.P. of 10,900) What is it now on that model??? 11,900?

[texrider]

Aside from quality issues, AMF really were the ones that saved H-D from the oblivion of motorcycle history, in my opinion. The company was on it's behind when they picked it up, and was not a mainstream product in the market at all. AMF had the means to advertise effectively, and pumped enough cash into product appearance to make it seem more desirable to the masses.

In the end, mis-management on their part sullied the product, but not before they had hooked a new generation of riders, most of whom remain loyal.

So, bad as they may have been at it, they left a peach for Willie G. to pluck!

[Uncle B]

A Little Shack - A Case Study of Harley-Davidson Business Practises

[koolbreeze25]

First I will say I do like several of the H-Ds. I chose to buy a Suzuki VL1500 because I love the looks and I can't afford a H-D. Plus I prefer the shaft drive over chain or belt drive (so I am a lazy slob). My wifes cousin bought a H-D Softtail Deluxe(I think) with alot of goodies that came to a total of over $23K. After owning it a year it has been in the shop at least 10 different times. I asked her about it and she said "if I had a chance to do it over again, I would buy a Japinse bike". Now this is just one person with a H-D that I know. I just get turned off by the few that think they are better than me because they ride a H-D and I ride a Japinse bike.

[RicoChet]

I dont have any problems with harleys.. its a classic bike, long history.. big demographic, but I personally like my bikes with the "Technology" side.. Im a very techy person in general, so i like fuel injection, liquid cooling shaft driven digital odometer type of style in my cruisers.. And they're also always half the cost.

[roysclockgun]

Harley has priced themselves out of the market for many riders. While I could afford to buy a Harley at those inflated prices, I'd feel like a fool if I ended up doing so. All one needs to do, is to compare features and benefits of the various motorcycles offered for sale. Look at what is available in the class of bike that you want and at first, ignore price. I wager that on the weight of features and benefits, you would not end up choosing Harley. Then add to the mix the fact that with Harley, you would pay more to receive less and the question of whether to buy Harley or not becomes a no brainer. Harley has simply relied on their "mystique" for far too long for anyone who has learned to read.
I previously owned seven Harleys. Being stung seven times was enough for me. For sheer pleasure of riding back roads, I choose the Suzuki S50 (Intruder 800cc). For touring, the Royal Star Venture. And to beat around at rallies, an '81 KZ750LTD.