How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys? - Page 5 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

c50tiger · 01-23-2005, 08:51 PM

I think no matter where you go you'll find the HD rider who won't wave at anyone but another HD rider. But those types are becoming much rarer. Couple of years ago one of the local civic groups decided to try a different type of fund raiser and sponsored a poker run/bike gathering. At the time I was between bikes, and one of the Harley riders kept telling me it didn't matter what sort of bike I got, just get another one.

NickGS500E · 01-23-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Jay

Nick, I understand what you're saying, but I still like the cruisers. At 42, I'm not into racing and I don't want to pretend the roads of Dallas, Texas are a test track. I'm looking forward to miles of laid-back cruising across America.

Some wise person on this board said the difference between sport-bikes & cruisers is the same as the difference between speed boats & sail boats. It's basically the same hobby, but with a completely different approach.

Don't think that I hate everything cruiser. True, I do think they're more inclined to showiness and, although I can't see myself ever wanting to own one, it's mainly the whole image of the actual Harley and rider that annoys me - that whole, "hey, check me out, I'm hardcore" thing that so many seem to be going for (though obviously not everyone is going for that, it's just the impression you get from the ones that you notice). There are some impressive bits of kit getting around in cruiser guise, that new 2 litre Kawasaki, the Triumph cruisers and the Indian was always so over-done you couldn't help but appreciate it. No, my hatred is definitely levelled at the ultimate "bad-boy" wank that is Harley Davidson. And if you look at the import price to somewhere like here (Australia) you can't help but be digusted when you consider the actual quality versus price issue, eg. a Honda Goldwing is cheaper than some of them but you try to find the actual cost similarities; you'll be struggling.

St0nkingByte · 01-24-2005, 05:58 PM

Weather was great here today, sunny and 60F in January who would have thunk it. I went out for a ride and got stuck at an suburban uber-intersection with a left turn light that wouldn't turn, stuck at it with a Harley rider. The guy seemed pleasant enough and I got my bike up next to his on the magnetic thing so it finally did turn. I'm a newbie and it was my first time up close to a running Harley and I really have a mixed opinion about it. It was all chromey and pretty but so is my Marauder when I clean it

Actually now that I think about it maybe the Harley was a little too chromy.

The sound was neat but it never stops. I'm a daily rider and I prefer (yes I'm weird) the stock pipes and the lack of alot of noise. I'm not sure I could live with the noise. Another thing I noticed is that his engine was sort of bouncing around in its mounts as it idled. That was pretty freaky looking. I don't think I've ever seen my Marauder's engine moving, at least not visibly from several feet away. Even though I'm a cruiser rider its just weird to me that people would pay a 2x or 3x premium for bike that looks like it needs a tune-up and sounds like it needs a new muffler

Texas Jay · 01-24-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickGS500E

No, my hatred is definitely levelled at the ultimate "bad-boy" wank that is Harley Davidson. And if you look at the import price to somewhere like here (Australia) you can't help but be digusted when you consider the actual quality versus price issue, eg. a Honda Goldwing is cheaper than some of them but you try to find the actual cost similarities; you'll be struggling.

Nick, I agree. It is frustrating when some jerk on a Harley Sportster (883cc) won't even wave to me simply because he has a Harley and I don't. It is tempting to pull him over and say, "You little jerk, my bike has more power, better quality, and it still cost less than yours".

I think about that for ten seconds ... then I move on.

THEBOULEVARDKID · 01-25-2005, 12:22 AM

GOT TO TELL YA TEX THAT HOGS ARE KOOL!.....BUT AFTER OWNING A FEW I WENT back to my metric cruisers because they were better handling to me when it came to 2up! Dont get me wrong i love'em all but i got a 2005 boulevard c90t that out did the roadking i had....not knocking it just felt easier for me to handle esp at those hwy speeds! see ya on the backroads

Texas Jay · 01-25-2005, 09:00 PM

Update: I passed a Harley rider today and he waved first! Not only that, this guy was riding a big hog, and he & his woman were all dressed up in gear. They looked like they were on their way to Sturges.

Today: 78 degrees & sunny. Winter in North Texas (Dallas) can be nice sometimes.

tlwisner · 01-26-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St0nkingByte

I'm a daily rider and I prefer (yes I'm weird) the stock pipes and the lack of alot of noise.

Welcome to the Stock Pipes Club. Our members can hear! Our neighbors do not hate us.

c50tiger · 01-26-2005, 08:51 PM

Do we get t-shirts for that?

Pinhy · 01-28-2005, 10:33 AM

on of my two riding buddies (who has been using his dad's new Vulcan 1500) bought his own 2003 Vulcan 1500 last week. It has the Cobra exhaust on it and is quite loud, but very nice sounding. Ive only heard it at 20 mph or so though.

We are going riding this sunday, and i cant wait to hear how loud it actually is at cruising speed.

**Trapper** · 01-28-2005, 12:31 PM

I read somewhere that 90% of Harleys made are still on the Road?

-
--
---
----
-----

Yes, it's true, the other 10% actually made it home...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

High Plains Thumper · 01-28-2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

I read somewhere that 90% of Harleys made are still on the Road?

Yes, it's true, the other 10% actually made it home...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Well, I don't know how the 883 Sportster is doing for 2005, but now they put the sorely needed vibration isolators (rubber shock mount motor mounts) on the beast, which should make it more tolerable on long rides. However the cheapest variant is solo with a small tank.

Next 883 model up is rather pricey, one can buy a metric upgrade for the same price. If one is not planning to sell for a while, can get a lot more bang for the buck, IYKWIM.

- HPT

NickGS500E · 02-13-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

I read somewhere that 90% of Harleys made are still on the Road?

-
--
---
----
-----

Yes, it's true, the other 10% actually made it home...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Y'know, some people might think you're joking when you say that, but I don't know - 10% is way above what I'd believe.

RadarO'Riley · 02-18-2005, 12:14 PM

When I decided to get another bike after a 15 year hiatus, my husband said I could buy anything I wanted, Harley, Big Dog, Iron Horse or whatever. Bought a Savage and love it. It is big enough to do what I want, price was exceptional, size is perfect for a 4'11" female. Light enough to pick up by myself if I dump it. Besides that my Dad rode a Harley, didn't want an old man's bike! (Even now that I'm an old lady) The only thing I envy Harley riders is the tone of the exhaust.

axel_2078 · 02-18-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadarO'Riley

The only thing I envy Harley riders is the tone of the exhaust.

I also love the sound and sometimes wish I had it, but I think I'd rather live with happy neighbors because happy neighbors are less likely to tip it over or slit the tires.

geo361 · 02-18-2005, 02:51 PM

1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500A, 25K miles, lockable hard bags, fog lights, passenger and driver backrests, Air Cleaner relocation kit. Pretty good condition (laid down once, very little damage) $3500 OBO. Need money to fix Harley, call Dave at (804) 353-7432 in Richmond

Pinhy · 02-18-2005, 03:01 PM

"need money to fix harley"...hahaha...love it!

as for the tone on the savage, you can always buy Vance and Hines or Cobra exhaust to get more rumble. most important thing is you like the bike and it fits you

c50tiger · 02-20-2005, 06:01 PM

seems relevant to the topic...

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/harley/home.htm

heavywt82 · 02-24-2005, 11:09 AM

I've always liked Harleys, as they are nice looking bikes, have no shortage of aftermarket parts and sound pretty good with stock pipes, too; BUT when my Goldwing blew a head gasket last year, and I decided that I was going to buy a newer bike, I did a little research on different makes and models. Looking at the following review (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...ittlebigtwins/) I learned that the Harley Fatboy when comapred to the Suzuki Marauder 1600 (or Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600) comes out the loser in every catagory (except performance, Fatboy wins by .1 sec on 1/4 mile), and was ranked higher .5 to 1.0 point by the three guys who tested them in the review. "Yes, but the Harley is American made," you say. That does count for something to me. I have never owned a foreign car, so why would I buy a rice burning bike? Look, if Harley owners removed all of the foreign parts from thier bikes, they would have to get a tow truck to get them around on thier bikes. Not only that, but I could almost buy two Marauders for the price of one Fatboy, and each one is undisputedly a BETTER BIKE. I always wanted a HD, but I'll never have one unless they decide to make a better performing, more dependable, reasonably priced motorcycle; and I'm sure we can all bet the farm that it'll never happen.

Pinhy · 02-24-2005, 12:15 PM

(double post somehow....see below)

sorry

Pinhy · 02-24-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Look, if Harley owners removed all of the foreign parts from thier bikes, they would have to get a tow truck to get them around on thier bikes.

they do anyway

01-23-2005, 08:51 PM	#81 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,056	I think no matter where you go you'll find the HD rider who won't wave at anyone but another HD rider. But those types are becoming much rarer. Couple of years ago one of the local civic groups decided to try a different type of fund raiser and sponsored a poker run/bike gathering. At the time I was between bikes, and one of the Harley riders kept telling me it didn't matter what sort of bike I got, just get another one. __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

01-25-2005, 12:22 AM	#85 (permalink)
THEBOULEVARDKID Newbie Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: 2005 C90T BOULEVARD Location: L.I.N.Y. Posts: 1	Harley/suzuki GOT TO TELL YA TEX THAT HOGS ARE KOOL!.....BUT AFTER OWNING A FEW I WENT back to my metric cruisers because they were better handling to me when it came to 2up! Dont get me wrong i love'em all but i got a 2005 boulevard c90t that out did the roadking i had....not knocking it just felt easier for me to handle esp at those hwy speeds! see ya on the backroads

01-25-2005, 09:00 PM	#86 (permalink)
Texas Jay Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: '04 VS 800 Intruder Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 252	Update: I passed a Harley rider today and he waved first! Not only that, this guy was riding a big hog, and he & his woman were all dressed up in gear. They looked like they were on their way to Sturges. Today: 78 degrees & sunny. Winter in North Texas (Dallas) can be nice sometimes. __________________ University of Connecticut Husky Southern Methodist University Mustang "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" ... Edmund Burke

01-26-2005, 08:51 PM	#88 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,056	Do we get t-shirts for that? __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

01-28-2005, 10:33 AM	#89 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	on of my two riding buddies (who has been using his dad's new Vulcan 1500) bought his own 2003 Vulcan 1500 last week. It has the Cobra exhaust on it and is quite loud, but very nice sounding. Ive only heard it at 20 mph or so though. We are going riding this sunday, and i cant wait to hear how loud it actually is at cruising speed. __________________ (a polite PM would have worked, but now it's about principle)

01-24-2005, 05:58 PM	#83 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 891	Weather was great here today, sunny and 60F in January who would have thunk it. I went out for a ride and got stuck at an suburban uber-intersection with a left turn light that wouldn't turn, stuck at it with a Harley rider. The guy seemed pleasant enough and I got my bike up next to his on the magnetic thing so it finally did turn. I'm a newbie and it was my first time up close to a running Harley and I really have a mixed opinion about it. It was all chromey and pretty but so is my Marauder when I clean it Actually now that I think about it maybe the Harley was a little too chromy. The sound was neat but it never stops. I'm a daily rider and I prefer (yes I'm weird) the stock pipes and the lack of alot of noise. I'm not sure I could live with the noise. Another thing I noticed is that his engine was sort of bouncing around in its mounts as it idled. That was pretty freaky looking. I don't think I've ever seen my Marauder's engine moving, at least not visibly from several feet away. Even though I'm a cruiser rider its just weird to me that people would pay a 2x or 3x premium for bike that looks like it needs a tune-up and sounds like it needs a new muffler

01-28-2005, 12:31 PM	#90 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 8,950	I read somewhere that 90% of Harleys made are still on the Road? - -- --- ---- ----- Yes, it's true, the other 10% actually made it home... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

02-18-2005, 12:14 PM	#93 (permalink)
RadarO'Riley Newbie Joined: Feb 2005 Bike: 2003 Suzuki Savage Location: West of Weatherford, Texas Posts: 8	When I decided to get another bike after a 15 year hiatus, my husband said I could buy anything I wanted, Harley, Big Dog, Iron Horse or whatever. Bought a Savage and love it. It is big enough to do what I want, price was exceptional, size is perfect for a 4'11" female. Light enough to pick up by myself if I dump it. Besides that my Dad rode a Harley, didn't want an old man's bike! (Even now that I'm an old lady) The only thing I envy Harley riders is the tone of the exhaust.

02-18-2005, 02:51 PM	#95 (permalink)
geo361 Newbie Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 01 Volusia Posts: 4	Need I say more 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500A, 25K miles, lockable hard bags, fog lights, passenger and driver backrests, Air Cleaner relocation kit. Pretty good condition (laid down once, very little damage) $3500 OBO. Need money to fix Harley, call Dave at (804) 353-7432 in Richmond

02-18-2005, 03:01 PM	#96 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	"need money to fix harley"...hahaha...love it! as for the tone on the savage, you can always buy Vance and Hines or Cobra exhaust to get more rumble. most important thing is you like the bike and it fits you __________________ (a polite PM would have worked, but now it's about principle)

02-20-2005, 06:01 PM	#97 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,056	seems relevant to the topic... http://www.valkyrieriders.com/harley/home.htm __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

02-24-2005, 11:09 AM	#98 (permalink)
heavywt82 Newbie Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5	I've always liked Harleys, as they are nice looking bikes, have no shortage of aftermarket parts and sound pretty good with stock pipes, too; BUT when my Goldwing blew a head gasket last year, and I decided that I was going to buy a newer bike, I did a little research on different makes and models. Looking at the following review (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...ittlebigtwins/) I learned that the Harley Fatboy when comapred to the Suzuki Marauder 1600 (or Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600) comes out the loser in every catagory (except performance, Fatboy wins by .1 sec on 1/4 mile), and was ranked higher .5 to 1.0 point by the three guys who tested them in the review. "Yes, but the Harley is American made," you say. That does count for something to me. I have never owned a foreign car, so why would I buy a rice burning bike? Look, if Harley owners removed all of the foreign parts from thier bikes, they would have to get a tow truck to get them around on thier bikes. Not only that, but I could almost buy two Marauders for the price of one Fatboy, and each one is undisputedly a BETTER BIKE. I always wanted a HD, but I'll never have one unless they decide to make a better performing, more dependable, reasonably priced motorcycle; and I'm sure we can all bet the farm that it'll never happen.

02-24-2005, 12:15 PM	#99 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	(double post somehow....see below) sorry __________________ (a polite PM would have worked, but now it's about principle)

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