How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys?

[blackie1491]

Spell checker!!!!!

[wookie]

How do I feel about Harleys ?

If I have another $20K to spend, I would probably get one, but only ride it to shows.

[sachmo]

I went to the HD dealer in Chattanooga today, the place is HUGE. I cannot believe all the HD stuff, they even had a HD ceiling fan! Nothing says America like merchandise.

There were a couple of shirts I really liked but now that I have a Suzuki I felt guilty thinking about buying it.

Good thing Zuki Dude didn't buy one of these too many accessories to choose from.

[roysclockgun]

blackie1491 did write: "I am proud of my ride.Enjoy. WAVE"

Speaking of waving. I am encouraged to see more people waving. I wave at everything on two wheels, plus vintage autos. The only time I stopped waving, was during bike week in Daytona. Waving 75,000 times a day was tiring.
Steve in Md.

[s40aggie]

"How do I feel about Harleys?" They're nice looking bikes thats for sure, never driven one so I can't talk about that. As for their owners, I run across them all the time down here and I have never had a problem. The only HD rider I ever met that dissed the Suzi was my Brother in law. I just figured it was a married guys thing( y'know), and left it at that.

[inspiron]

I just read a review written by a guy who took a new Yamaha MT-01 for a tour. He planned to ride the MT-01 from Germany, across France into Spain and back. He said that the bike itself was fine to ride, but he got annoyed because he felt like he was "in the spotlight" the whole time. Whenever he stopped to get something to eat or to fill the tank, people (even "Heavy Duty" bikers) would stare at his bike.

If you don't know what an MT-01 is ... look here

That's sort of how I feel about Harleys ... I ride, and have a nice looking bike (Suzuki GSX 1400), but I don't necessarily want to become the topic of discussion whereever I go!

[JES883]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Whenever he stopped to get something to eat or to fill the tank, people (even "Heavy Duty" bikers) would stare at his bike.

If you don't know what an MT-01 is ... look here

I'd stop and stare at that.

[s40aggie]

wow. nice.

[rappidrabbit]

HEY, s40 aggie, I am here in big Las Cruces as well .....have C50...will ride..

[s40aggie]

Sweet. how long have you been in the city of the crosses?

[rappidrabbit]

about 25 yrs.....ck your private messages

[Scourge]

Hey Inspiron, is that the new V-Max? Kinda looks like one on Dianabol.

[nocones]

"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!!!! "

Hey STP, Some folks refer to cruisers & touring bikes like they do to soda--everything is a Coke to them. Your response was appropriate. You could `splain it but he'd never understand.

[stp1971]

Originally Posted by nocones

"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!!!! "

Hey STP, Some folks refer to cruisers & touring bikes like they do to soda--everything is a Coke to them. Your response was appropriate. You could `splain it but he'd never understand.

I appreciate it,,, growing up here in Georgia,,, I know exactly what you mean. All sodas are "Coke",, heck even a Pepsi is a Coke!!!!

Yeah,, I am starting to really fix up the 1500,, got saddlebags with the easy brackets ordered,, ordered a set of Hard Krome 3" straights,ordered a K&N filter, ordered a Stage 1 jet kit, already got a Mustang seat w/backrest, have a Cobra Fatty HIghway bar w/ Kuryakyn Long horn Duallie peg setup, and a few other nick knacks.

When I get everything on it I will post some pics of the bike,, with all that I have done it still is thousands upon thousands cheaper than a "Fat Boy",,,

LOVIN" my 1500!!!!!!

[nocones]

I've done similar things to my bike. Started an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of it all. Good for insurance and general record keeping but I sure wish I hadn't put a grand total at the bottom of the cost column!

[stp1971]

Yeah kinda makes you sick if you look at the grand total,, but the way I legitimize it to myself is that I saved a huge chunk of cash on my 1500. I have always liked the look of the Fat Boys,, and with my 1500 I have that kind of look I have always liked. Plus as an added benefit,, I have it at over half of the cost. So the price difference I have saved I can afford to dress mine out and still have as great looking of a bike with half the money invested!!!

[nocones]

I used to tell the missus that it's all for safety. Safety chrome enhances visibility as does all the other miscellaneous safety items that's been installed on my bike. `Cept it has backfired on me now that she has the C50 trike. She picked up on the "safety" thing real quick! At least we have a common interest for a change....

[Silver_ray68]

How do Suzuki riders feel about Harleys? Well, I'm on my third Suzuki now and it's mostly because I think they produce a reliable and nice looking bike for the money. On the other hand, Harley also now produce reliable bikes for a lot more money. Why more money ? Metal vs plastic. Compare their accessories to mine...for instance...HD sissy bar one single piece as to more pieces for mine. Less bolts and nuts looks esthetically better IMHO. Overpriced? Taking those facts into consideration, it's understandable why they are more expensive.
Finally, their trademark, the sound of the long stroke "potatotopo, potatotopo, potatotopo" that people go for, I can do without. I honestly prefer the sound of my engine with the stock "debaffled" pipes. It all comes to what you like to ride or drive and what's in your price range.

[roysclockgun]

Silver ray68 did write: "...On the other hand, Harley also now produce reliable bikes for a lot more money...."

I am not convinced that Harley's have gotten any better. Over the years, I owned 7 Harleys. Every one of them leaked oil and needed continuous wrenching in order to keep them on the road. Each time I went to the dealer the salesman would say: "Oh yeah! We have all those problems remedied now!" And each time, he lied!
Harleys are most likely headed for a big fall off in value retention, because they have been oversold. Just look at any big ciy newspaper classified section and you will see more Harley owners trying to sell used Harleys then all other brands put together. What is going to happen when the numbers of used Harleys outnumbers prospective buyers? Maybe Suzuki riders will buy them up just to keep as collectible curiousities. For me, well I bought my last Harley and will stick with modern, maintenance free Japanese technology. My Suzuki goes to the dealer every 3000 miles, just like my car. Other then that, my time is spent cruising.

[stp1971]

:yawn:,,wow,,old thread,,,but I guess we can drag the oldies but goodies out of the closet.

But good point roy,, that is why I own three Suzuki's and one Honda.