What's wrong with Harleys?

[Apertureguy]

You can actually see the whole story...it's available from the Learning Channel...and or National Geographic....or probably at your local public library.

The Porsche folks helped...and the HD folks got to use their shop to build it...they were used as a consultant...mostly.

It was just on TV about a week or so ago...you could have bought it during a commercial break...they were giving out the 800 number where you could buy it.

What I thought was cool was how the engineers built a mockup of the frame and spent a rainy day taking turns on it at the home of one of them.

It was a nice touch.

[inspiron]

Harley V-ROD ... Porsche consulted on the engine, BMW consulted on the transmission. Harley builds 'em.

As was mentioned in another thread, Harley picked up a bad reputation back in the 70's and 80's (the AMF period) because that generation of bikes was poorly made - leaky, unreliable, just plain bad. But since then, Harley has come back - the new models are just as reliable as Japanese or European bikes. Harley has their "philosophy", and Harley Owners (HOGs) pay top dollar to belong to "the club".

Would anyone ever have a Suzuki or BMW logo tattooed on their bicep? Hardly. But there are thousands of people who have H-D logos as tattoos. That's a product identification that few companies could even dream about.

[Clint]

No one who really knows bikes has any logo tattooed on his arm. Those people know enough not to hold one brand so ridiculously high.

[Rickster]

I don't know about that Clint, you seem to get your back up pretty quick whenever someone bad mouths a Bandit. I'm not saying you would get a tattoo, but you do seem pretty loyal to that machine.

[Clint]

I'd like to see an example. I do certainly try to point out what many don't realize, but I don't usually pimp for any brand.

Oh, and not many folks badmouth Bandits in the first place. There's not much bad you could say.

[Rickster]

Would it be a fair statement to say that you think your Bandit is among the top 5% of all bikes ever made, and that you also believe there has never been and model Harley made that could even make it into the top 40%?
Would it also be fair to say that you have never owned a Harley, don't intend to ever own a Harley, and have very limited experience riding one?

I'm just saying, that you seem to have an unusually bad taste in your mouth for the brand, and there owners. The brand, in recent years has outgrown a lot of those old stereotypes. Wash the old peepers out, and take a fresh look. you might be surprised.

You going to make it to the show in Minneapolis this W/E? I'm still off work recovering from hip surgery, but I'm going to try and make it on Sunday, look for the guy on crutches. I want to get a look at the new Victories.

[Rickster]

RowdyRed. To answer your post from the other thread, I to have seen that attitude in quite a few riders, where they say "if I can't ride a Harley, than I won't ride at all", and to tell the truth I really don't understand it.

I have two good friends, and a Son that feel that way. All 3 have plenty of experience on many different brands, and they know that Harley defiantly does not make a superior product. As Mr Spock would say."it's not logical"

I see it in riders that only ride 3000 miles a year, and I see it in riders that have 80,000 miles on the same bike in 6 years.

I see it in riders that make more money than I'll ever see, and I see it in riders that are just barely scraping by.

I see it in riders that have only owned Harley's, and I see it in riders that have owned many different brands.

I've seen it in riders that have 200 IQ's, and riders that have 75 IQ's.

I've decided that it's something that I'm never going to understand, and since it's not something that's going to do me any harm, I'm just going to accept it

[Clint]

Good plan.

I'm probably going to the show Saturday. Sunday's my niece's baptism and the Superbowl (not a fan, but it's a party).

[omegajim]

RowdyRed94

Good plan.

I'm probably going to the show Saturday.

It's a bit out of my range, but where is the bike show in the Twin Cities area?

[Clint]

Minneapolis Convention Center. PM me if you're going Sat. I'll buy lunch.

[introriff]

I've ridden a few Harleys and I didn't find anything wrong with them. There were a few things that I didn't care for, but that was a result of my own preferences, and preferences that I expect when a bike reacts to my commands.

Two primary things are shifting and braking. Metrics seem to have a much shorter shift stroke, and responds smoother on the braking. I could get used to riding a Harley Davidson, and overcome these two things I suppose. I just prefer not to.

[texrider]

If the union strikes HD, they just might become good as gold... What an answered prayer that would be for all those looking to unload their pre-owned, low miles big twin.

Personally, I find it amusing to witness the behaviors of brand loyalists. And, I have been guilty of egging that on a little, I suppose...

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by texrider

If the union strikes HD, they just might become good as gold... What an answered prayer that would be for all those looking to unload their pre-owned, low miles big twin.

Personally, I find it amusing to witness the behaviors of brand loyalists. And, I have been guilty of egging that on a little, I suppose...

I don't fallow you, what do you mean "if the union strikes HD"?

[texrider]

Check it out;
Harley-Davidson workers at major plant authorize strike - Feb. 1, 2007

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by introriff

I've ridden a few Harleys and I didn't find anything wrong with them. There were a few things that I didn't care for, but that was a result of my own preferences, and preferences that I expect when a bike reacts to my commands.

Two primary things are shifting and braking. Metrics seem to have a much shorter shift stroke, and responds smoother on the braking. I could get used to riding a Harley Davidson, and overcome these two things I suppose. I just prefer not to.

(bending the subject slightly)

introriff,
have you ridden the '07's yet?
I demo'd several '07 H-D's and actually thought their transmission and braking were 2 of the positives for the models I rode. I think the 6-speed trans is a major improvement for H-D. Give 'em a shot. If those were truly the 2 primary things you didn't like about them, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by texrider

Check it out;
Harley-Davidson workers at major plant authorize strike - Feb. 1, 2007

That will make for an interesting era if it doesn't get settled in a timely manner.

1) The union gets their way and H.D. raises their prices to make up money.

2) They strike and then they bring in "scabs" and then there will be this big quality issue.

Will be interesting...

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Colorado Cajun

That will make for an interesting era if it doesn't get settled in a timely manner.

1) The union gets their way and H.D. raises their prices to make up money.

2) They strike and then they bring in "scabs" and then there will be this big quality issue.

Will be interesting...

As opposed to the CURRENT era where H-D raises their prices to make money AND there is a big quality issue.





J/K all you H-D lovers-- just passing the time by throwing sand in a few eyes!

[Apertureguy]

In my opinion...the only thing "wrong" with Harley's is their price.


They'll need to be cheaper if they want me to buy one.

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

In my opinion...the only thing "wrong" with Harley's is their price.


They'll need to be cheaper if they want me to buy one.

+ 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,001

[drgibson]

Now where did I put that gif...


Ah here it is.