How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?

[oldgeezer]

[quote=MYC50T]I guess if you want to pay more for less, buy a hhhhaaaarley, less comfort, less reliability, you do however get more, more maint. costs, more vibration, more fatigue, more noise, you also pay wwwaaaay more for accessories, QUOTE]

Having owned both Harleys and Metrics, the above is a bunch of horse crap. HD's are as reliable as any metric. As I've always said, it is a mystery to me why HD people have to bash metrics and why metric people have to bash HD's. What you ride is a personal decision. Ride it, enjoy it and leave everyone else alone.

[Scourge]

Originally Posted by oldgeezer

[ What you ride is a personal decision. Ride it, enjoy it and leave everyone else alone.

AMEN BROTHER!!!

[nevanerviss]

Originally Posted by stp1971

,,, what are bomb pops?

Bomb pops are popsicles that are, shall we say, 'fallically' shaped... We should stop this blatant innuendo before we get kicked off the board...

[Smurf]

I heard a joke the other day about Harley riders,

What is the difference between a Harley and a Hoover?

The location of the Dirt Bag!

hahahahaha, I laughed typing it!

LOL

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by nevanerviss

Oh, I see... I've been divorced for a couple years, now... Guess I'll go buy some bomb pops and start practicing...

Sorry

As I posted recently, I was out on a tour last week in the Alps with some colleagues from my fire department. There was a Buell Lightning and a Harley RoadKing among the bikes. In comparison to the "metrics" (both Japanese and European), I have to say, the US machines do vibrate alot more. The RoadKing has it's engine mounted on rubber mounts, so the engine vibrates on its own, but it doesn't get passed on to the rest of the bike. The Buell, on the other hand, vibrated like a ... (use your imagination here).

The metric bikes give a much more "solid" impression, because they don't have this violent vibration when sitting at a signal. When my GSX is idling, nothing is visibly shaking or vibrating ...

There is much more of a sense of "belonging" among Harley owners - you must have a "H-D" jacket, H-D boots and other H-D accessories. I rarely see anyone wearing gear with a hugh Suzuki "S" on the back (although I do occasionally see people in lime-green leathers, obviously Kawa riders).

It's easy to spot a metric rider at a Harley event - we're the ones wearing "generic" gear (same protection, without the H-D markup) and smiling, becase we know that our bike will be paid off within 2 years

[stp1971]

Ok,,, now I know what that "Pop" is,,, yeah,,, we better stop,,, back to the topic,,,

oh yeah,,, Harleys,,,, they are fine bikes!!!! But mine is better!!!!! I have a 2004 Intruder 1500LC,, I have a Mustang seat with the backrest w/ studs,, I have the rear C90T/C50T swivel studded sissy bar, rear billet rack that bolts to the rear sissy rack, a set of Cobra Fatty Highway Bars, I am about to install some of the Longhorn Kuryaken highway pegs and soon,,,real soon I will be ordering a set of those removable saddlebags that use the lock,,,,

The other day when I rode it to work this guy yelled over to me and said,, "I love that Harley Man!!!! I just said,,"Thanks Man,,, I appreciate it,, it's a Suzuki 1500!!!! "

So I even waved to a Honda Scooter rider this morning,,, as I do to anyone who rides on any form of motorized cycle. The scooter guy was quick to start waving like I had been his long lost friend.

I have nothing personally against Harley's,, I have always liked them,,, I really like the V-rod,, but the stigma and the price they demand for what you are getting doesn't hold water against what you can get elsewhere at a much cheaper price. Lower the prices for the Harley,, then we'll talk,, until then,, I love my Intruder!!!!!

oh yeah,, by the way,,, everything I have done to my bike,,, makes it look more and more like a dresser fat boy,,, well,, I only have about $10,500.00 in it total,,, tell me where you can buy a new Fat Boy at that price?

[oldgeezer]

Again, what you ride is a personal decision. Ride it, enjoy it and leave everyone else alone.

[stp1971]

Originally Posted by oldgeezer

Again, what you ride is a personal decision. Ride it, enjoy it and leave everyone else alone.

AMEN to that!!!!!

[roysclockgun]

oldgeezer did write: "Having owned both Harleys and Metrics, the above is a bunch of horse crap." snipped to save space.

Yeah, but the original question was, "How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?" The key word in the question is "feel"! I took the question in the manner in which it was asked.....or, I should say, in the manner in which I feel it was written. The original question asked for opinions. If we view this group as something like a virtual campfire gathering, then all of the members are entitled to their opinions. Sure, we will not always agree, but denigrating certain folk's thinking will, many times, simply run them off. The more opinions we can gather 'round our fire, the better. The original quester should be able to wade through these many pages of opinions concerning Harleys and Harley riders and learn something, if only to get a handle on who and what we are. Some of us have been around long enough to have owned a Harley or two or more. For myself, I formed the opinion, after owning a series of Harleys, that they were not worth the price in either quality or service rendered. Further, I leaned that much of the so called "Aura" that goes along with being a Harley rider, is a very thin veneer of group bravado and swagger. Harley riders come in all flavors, just as do Suzuki riders. I am convinced that the opinions regarding Harleys are as varied as are the types of folk who choose to ride Harleys. I can afford to ride a new Harley, if I so choose. I choose to ride Suzukis and old KZs. Perhaps in the future, I will again own a Harley....but probably not. New riders, lacking that same sort of history, may be in awe of Harleys. Thus, we get questions similar to the one we are attempting to answer. In the end, nothing that any one of us says qualifies as "Truth" for all. All that any of us says is merely opinion and that, is a good thing.
Steve in Md.

[hrglas]

i dont mind at all. most of the people that i have met in the army have a hog or cruiser of some kind.

[oldgeezer]

Roy, If you look at what I was responding to, it wasn't to how a person "felt" about a Harley, the fellow was stating as fact that HD's were sub standard. I agree, back in the AMF days, Harleys were not reliable and sub standard. However, that was almost 30 years ago and people continue to use that as a basis for bashing Harleys.

People continue to say, Sportsters viabrate. Yeah, prior to 2004, Sportsters viabrated, I know, I owned one, but in 2004, HD rubber mounted the engine and it eliminated the vibration.

People continue to stereotype HD riders as arrogant RUBs. Yeah, there are HD riders that are arrogant RUBs but to stereotype a group like that is as inaccurate as saying all sport bike riders are zit faced squids.

As I said before, it is a mystery to my why metric and HD people continue to bash each other. People ride what they ride based on their own personal preference. Ride it, enjoy it and leave everyone else alone.

[mr_resistible]

I found myself on an 03 100th Ann. Heritage Springer a few weeks back and that thing was beautifull, and rode like a dream. I really liked it. I might own one some day. There a nice machine. But currently out of my price range. I am also very proud to ride a Suzuki.

[mr_resistible]

Originally Posted by inspiron

There is much more of a sense of "belonging" among Harley owners - you must have a "H-D" jacket, H-D boots and other H-D accessories. I rarely see anyone wearing gear with a hugh Suzuki "S" on the back (although I do occasionally see people in lime-green leathers, obviously Kawa riders).

Have you ever seen anyone with a Suzuki tatoo???

[rappidrabbit]

Originally Posted by mr_resistible

Have you ever seen anyone with a Suzuki tatoo???

no, I have never seen any one with a suzuki tatoo.....but if you know where to purchase a " big red suzuki patch" about 12 inches or so I would sure like to know where?????? have been looking for one .... thanks, rabbit

[roysclockgun]

oldgeezer did write: "Roy, If you look at what I was responding to, it wasn't to how a person "felt" about a Harley, the fellow was stating as fact that HD's were sub standard. I agree, back in the AMF days, Harleys were not reliable and sub standard. However, that was almost 30 years ago and people continue to use that as a basis for bashing Harleys."

I mean to disrespect no one. The fellow who was knocking Harleys was giving his opinion, hopefully based on some history/experience. Most of what any of us can give is at best, anecdotal, in that unless we work in the motorcycle trade, we have only personal experience on which to base our impressions. My impressions, based on the six Harleys that I have owned over the years, is that they were never a good value, in terms of performance, reliability and service. From the 1949 EL up through the 1985 FLTC, they all leaked oil. They all vibrated various parts loose and had to be constantly wrenched, in order to get home with all intact. They all needed much more maintenance then has any of the six Jap bikes that I have owned. It was the Japanese imports that forced Harley to improve their product, but like the Brits, the Harleys are simply too far back in the stone age to catch up with what the Japs have done with motorcycles. When new, I put 34000 trouble free miles on the '76 CB750 in 18 months. The bike was used daily for commuting to work and as a touring motorcycle on a number of trips, averaging over 1000 miles. I never had to touch the bike, save for scheduled dealer maintenance. I realize, again, that this is only the story of one bike. However, none of my Harleys gave that sort of service. The same was true of my GS550 Suzuki and my VS800 Intruder. Crank'em up and ride. No problem. I was never able to say that about the six Harleys that I owned. The man asked for opinions, and I have given same. If others have gotten stellar performance from a Harley, God bless'm. If I have to pick the best of the Harleys that I owned, it would be the '83 FXRT. That motorcycle did drip oil, but was reliable with minimal first echelon maintenance. Picking my all time, most reliable, fun bike to ride and with low maintenance, I'd go with the GS550 Suzuki. I am not including my Intruder, because I do not have enough miles on it to judge. However, up to this point, the Intruder has been trouble free and joy to ride. That bike has everything and more, when compared to the closest one of the other bikes that I have owned. The Intruder is as much fun to ride as was my 1960 Triumph Bonneville, but the Intruder has more power and handles better.
Opinions are like noses...everyone has one.
Steve in Md.

[stp1971]

I see that they are making a 15th anniversary Fat Boy this year as a late edition to the model year,, as well as a replica updated version of that dirt racer that Harley made (don't remember what it was called),,, I do like the 15th anniversary Fat Boy!!!!

But it is also almost 20K,,, and I go outside to my garage,, open up the door and look at my bike and it's style is so close to that of a Fat Boy, runs with the best of them, and today I ordered a set of the ez mounts and a set of Auburn renegade chubby saddlebags for my bike. With everything I have done and will do,, it still tops out at around 11K and is a VERY viable bike and has everything that I want for half the price.

Harley has it's stigma,, in fact most Harley owners (and I am generalizing) are todays lawyers, doctors, and the like that can afford to pay the premium that Harley demands. I on the other hand would like to have a Fat Boy,, but I can get the same bike style with the Suzuki reliability backing it for half the price,,, well you see what is in my garage.

I predict that the high influx of Harleys being made now will eventually flood the market,, and with ever increasing style, popularity, and cost effectiveness of the Jap bikes,, well maybe in the very near future I will be able to own a Harley and park it right next to at that point,, my old faithful Intruder 1500LC!!!!!

As I said before,, I am a proud owner of a Suzuki,, and I intend to let everyone know that my Fat Boy,, is indeed a Suzuki!!!!!

[oldgeezer]

Roy, I guess that is my point. If you are basing your opinion of Harley's on an 85 FLTC then you aren't giving them any credit for improvements they've done in the last 20 years, including in 2000 when they replaced the evo engine.

Metrics and HD's are really nice bikes and they have all made improvements over the years.

[roysclockgun]

oldgeezer did write: "Roy, I guess that is my point. If you are basing your opinion of Harley's on an 85 FLTC then you aren't giving them any credit for improvements they've done in the last 20 years, including in 2000 when they replaced the evo engine."

True, my ownership of the string of Harleys that I owned did end with an '85 FLTC that I sold around 1994. I also take it as a fact that you, oldgeezer, have owned and ridden more recent Harleys and that your opinion may differ from my own. That said, although I have not owned a Harley since 1994, I have been able to test ride a few. On those rides, I have not experienced any improvements. It is only fair for me to say that I have not kept a newer Harley long enough to make a personal judgement, concerning any improvements over the Evos engine. So, again, this question was asked about our opinions and I gave mine. Oldgeezer gives his and anyone else who cares to, can use what is reported as they like.
I still stand by my original idea of listening to others and respecting what they say, even if some tend to paint with too broad a brush.
Maybe my 35 years of experience with Harleys was not enough? Perhaps I should've kept on shelling out big bucks until Harley got it right? If only I had held in there for another 35 years, I may have been able to report on a good Harley that I owned? I will think on this! The Harley dealership is close by and is probably open on Saturday! ..........................................NAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAW! <8^)
Steve in Md.

[MYC50T]

The question was "How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?" and that is what I answered, based on my opinion, past ownership of a Harley, and present opinions expressed by friends and family who have owned Harleys and no longer do. I looked at all the bikes this tiime around and you would be hard pressed to find any manufacturer with a better reliablity rating than Suzuki! However I failed to mention the improvements that Harley has made, but I would still pit any Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda & Yamaha against any Harley to make it to each regular scheduled maintenance without any further "wrenching" required, bearing in mind that this is my opinion! I mean no disrespect for any motorcycle rider and what they ride, this is a sport after all that is enjoyed by probably the largest demographic, cultural and gender diversity of people in the world!

[blackie1491]

Hey people. I love my c50, my little seat time has me grinning ear to ear.get a life ride what you got and let others ride what they got. I am not taking my Suxuki emblems off. I am proud of my ride.Enjoy. WAVE