Been thinking about a Harley...

[Jampy00]

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I'm a firm believer in "ride what you like" too. That's why I ditched the sporty bikes, and the cheap offshore cruisers in favor of the real thing. The original. The best. Not bragging or anything, but there comes a time when you mature as a rider, and that means no more boy-racer nonsense. Sure there are great bikes, but there's only one Harley Davidson: most desired bike in the world. The best selling for a reason. :laughing6:

I hope I don't mature too much as a rider, I still want to have fun. I'm at the age (and weight) where sitting on a super sport just don't make sense to me and I look like a idiot as well (IMO)

I agree if someone wants a HD or any bike, they should at some point get exactly what they want. In Canada owning a motorcycle is a choice not a need.\

Also I kind of like the HD culture, not the beer bellied low budget SOA rejects, but the vast knowledge and history that more experience riders bring, it also seems to be a good place to meet new friends as at least you have a love of HD in common, I must admit, as I am sure you know it gets harder and harder to meet new people as you get older and maybe that is part of the draw to me?

 

[Chaos]

Yep, I know. Many of you will say I am either stupid, crazy or a little bit of both, But the fact remains I can't get the thought of owning a HD out of my head. I must admit it is a "bucket list" kind of thing, my dad always talked about getting one when he retired, but alas he took ill and is no longer with us. I think part of me wants to do it for him and part of me wants it for me. I know the history, I've read the reviews and horror stories, but the thought just keeps spinning around. I'm not 100% sure it will ever become a reality, but as I get older ( and sadly ride a few less miles ) I want to ride them on something I never would have even considered a few years ago. In my "short" riding history I've logged tens of thousands of KM's I've seen coutless cities, towns and villages. Amazing people and those I wonder how they are still alive and on the road. Maybe I'm just babbling, but I wanted to share these thoughts with and get some thoughts, reactions and/or comments.. What's your riding wish or dream or crazy idea?

Thanks for reading..

Reaction? At the moment, HDs are not my thing, but, honestly, who cares what I think? If you want one, go for it!

 

[PrivatePilot]

Also I kind of like the HD culture, not the beer bellied low budget SOA rejects, but the vast knowledge and history that more experience riders bring, it also seems to be a good place to meet new friends as at least you have a love of HD in common, I must admit, as I am sure you know it gets harder and harder to meet new people as you get older and maybe that is part of the draw to me?

A Harley is not a requirement to get into the cruiser social scene, so don't assume that. To the contrary, in the club me and the wife belong to, the overwhelming majority of the cruisers are metrics.

I've nothing personal against HD, they are nice bikes...but for a bike equivalent to my VTX I looked at Harleys and soon discovered four things:

- On the used market I'd be paying 3x (!!) the amount for effectively the same bike, simply for the HD "Cachet". My VTX turns just as many heads (and more importantly, makes me just as happy) as a HD, so I didn't care about the cachet. And I have $5000-$6000 in my bank account still. I felt no desire to go into debt to finance a name when I paid cash for my metric.

- Some of the equivalent bikes in the HD market weren't even a match from a technology standpoint. Shaft drive, liquid cooled...not there. Some HD guys with the common evo engines were overheating going into Dover a few weeks ago.

- The metrics ARE simply more reliable. I looked around some of the HD forums and saw a lot of threads on guys fixing major mechanical issues. The cam chain issue comes to mind - guys dealing with destroyed engines, was just one thing that made me think twice. That, and maintenance and upkeep was simply more expensive, and more difficult. You don't see that level of issue in the metric forums, and one of the first threads I saw on a VTX forum was guys comparing high milage bikes, some nearing 200,000 Kilometers with nothing but oil changes. THAT'S the bike I wanted.

- The metric guys tend to be more open minded to any and all bikes - the "it's about the fact you ride, not what you ride" outlook for example. Some HD guys (not all for the record, I know a few great HD guys) tend to circle the wagons around HD and look down on anything else, some very vehemently so - met more than a few HD guys (again, Dover comes to mind) who think metrics are toys and their owners are all idiots because they didn't buy their "holy brand" of bike. These are the guys who won't even wave to another passing bike unless they can identify it as a HD. I preferred the open minded mentality of the metric circle, and again, I don't need a brand or a cachet to make me feel good. The $6K still in my bank & the fact my bike is reliable, cheap, and easy to work on helps a lot in making me feel good, though.

 

[Matt Rain]

I'll get a Street Bob one day. I sit on it every year at the bike show and it is calling my name. It feels perfect.

 

[Squeegeekid]

Honestly, anything with two wheels and an engine is fine. Im not a fan of the "soa reject" culture that gravitate to the brand but I do REALLY dig the old bombers. I plan on hunting down a knucklehead someday. About your dad, mine always wanted a Norton so of course so did I. Last season I got one. Pops is jealous.

 

[nearace]

I was also thinking Harley,the new 750 looks nice.

 

[Jampy00]

A Harley is not a requirement to get into the cruiser social scene, so don't assume that. To the contrary, in the club me and the wife belong to, the overwhelming majority of the cruisers are metrics.

I've nothing personal against HD, they are nice bikes...but for a bike equivalent to my VTX I looked at Harleys and soon discovered four things:

- On the used market I'd be paying 3x (!!) the amount for effectively the same bike, simply for the HD "Cachet". My VTX turns just as many heads (and more importantly, makes me just as happy) as a HD, so I didn't care about the cachet. And I have $5000-$6000 in my bank account still. I felt no desire to go into debt to finance a name when I paid cash for my metric.

- Some of the equivalent bikes in the HD market weren't even a match from a technology standpoint. Shaft drive, liquid cooled...not there. Some HD guys with the common evo engines were overheating going into Dover a few weeks ago.

- The metrics ARE simply more reliable. I looked around some of the HD forums and saw a lot of threads on guys fixing major mechanical issues. The cam chain issue comes to mind - guys dealing with destroyed engines, was just one thing that made me think twice. That, and maintenance and upkeep was simply more expensive, and more difficult. You don't see that level of issue in the metric forums, and one of the first threads I saw on a VTX forum was guys comparing high milage bikes, some nearing 200,000 Kilometers with nothing but oil changes. THAT'S the bike I wanted.

- The metric guys tend to be more open minded to any and all bikes - the "it's about the fact you ride, not what you ride" outlook for example. Some HD guys (not all for the record, I know a few great HD guys) tend to circle the wagons around HD and look down on anything else, some very vehemently so - met more than a few HD guys (again, Dover comes to mind) who think metrics are toys and their owners are all idiots because they didn't buy their "holy brand" of bike. These are the guys who won't even wave to another passing bike unless they can identify it as a HD. I preferred the open minded mentality of the metric circle, and again, I don't need a brand or a cachet to make me feel good. The $6K still in my bank & the fact my bike is reliable, cheap, and easy to work on helps a lot in making me feel good, though.

All good points and I agree. What club do you belong to, I'd be interested in checking it out.

I will admit, I have read/heard/seen everything you speak of when it comes to HD.

The last factor to consider is of course insurance....

 

[PrivatePilot]

The last factor to consider is of course insurance....

Metrics are very favourable in that category as well, which I forgot to mention. And I mean VERY favourable.

The explanation I got was theft risk. Harleys are common targets because the cachet makes them valuable from a theft standpoint. I'm perfectly ok with my metric not being in that same category.

 

[nakkers]

Meh, might be due to the ratio of idiot to decent owners, the sheer number of HD owners out there, the vast majority of them are awesome.

I imagine it's the same no matter the brand. It's just the ratio that makes it less noticable.

Many HD owners I socialize with, speak fondly of other makes and even have other makes parked next to their HD.

Bottom line is, if a bike instills motivation to ride it, get it. If it happens to be Harley, good for you. They are a pleasure to own and ride.

 

[Jampy00]

Meh, might be due to the ratio of idiot to decent owners, the sheer number of HD owners out there, the vast majority of them are awesome.

I imagine it's the same no matter the brand. It's just the ratio that makes it less noticable.

Many HD owners I socialize with, speak fondly of other makes and even have other makes parked next to their HD.

Bottom line is, if a bike instills motivation to ride it, get it. If it happens to be Harley, good for you. They are a pleasure to own and ride.

Oh I agree, I am very open minded when it comes to motorcycles, ride what you have. I'm just "publicly" thinking/dreaming and getting feedback and being social on the forum. I hold no ill will towards any bike and/or rider unless they prove to be a D-Bag.. I've seen idiots on HD's, Metrics, and hell even scooters...

 

[abkdt41]

The new roadster or the dyna low rider

Awesome bikes

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[nakkers]

Food for thought, an alternate consideration would be Triumph. Cruiser pedigree with nods to the past.

As a brand, they have transitioned very well balancing "classic" to modern. The new Bonnie/Thruxton come to mind. My personal favorite is the Thunderbird.

 

[Dr. Luxurious]

I'm a firm believer in "ride what you like" too. That's why I ditched the sporty bikes, and the cheap offshore cruisers in favor of the real thing. The original. The best. Not bragging or anything, but there comes a time when you mature as a rider, and that means no more boy-racer nonsense. Sure there are great bikes, but there's only one Harley Davidson: most desired bike in the world. The best selling for a reason. :laughing6:

besides for best selling what specifically are harleys "the best" at ?

 

[inreb]

Would you tattoo Hondyamazuki on your skull? I didn't think so. Get HD or gtfo.

 

[pfbmgd]

Once you accept all other vtwin bikes are copies of HD. You can move on . All the horror stories of problems are in the past . Like all machines they break . Wasn't my first choice when I was looking for a bike . But once I took one for a ride I understood the allure . It's not a logical decision to buy a HD . I know other brands are better handling and faster . But Harleys don't drepriciate as fast . Plus there is so much after market stuff it's crazy . My vrod is the only bike I have gone through 3 set of tires . It's was going to be replaced this year . Instead I replaced the suspension and couldn't be happier again . Looking forward to set 4 .

 

[Jampy00]

Great feedback and replies.

I want to caution people, this thread is NOT a bike debate. Every person is different, we all have our own like and dislikes. Please don't use my thread as a soapbox for you to post nonsense about why one manufacturer is better than another. I don't care about that, what I would rather hear about is how your interests/passions/thoughts have changed over your riding history. I realize I posted HD in my title and yes this thread was about wanted a HD. But no where did I say they were better or worse than any other bike out there. My dad died before he ever owned a HD, he spoke to me about his regret(s) for never getting one, When I was growing up, when I thought motorcycle, I thought HD. I've always liked them, then again I like my Honda as well. Simply put I just like motorcycles ( as we all should ). All I know is that as my riding interests and styles are changing I find myself drawn more and more to HD's. That may change next year or the year after...who knows. I wanted to share my feelings with you fine people, not about which is the better bike, but the evolution of a rider and his/her passion.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

All the horror stories of problems are in the past .

Ummmm no. "Friends don't let friends buy 110's" is just one saying in the HD forums. Weak bottom ends, cam chain issues (still?!!!), etc. HD has gotten better but is still no where near Victory/Metric reliability. I'm pro-HD but you have to accept with them the inherent issues as well.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

Much of the cruiser culture is great. You'll meet lots of great people. They're more social than the sportbike clans IMO. Pull into a restaurant and you'll get lots of random cruiser riders coming over asking about your bike and what you've done, where you're headed, etc. Often more "adult" and that part is really appealing to me these days.

 

[inreb]

The 110's pushed the design to far. There is room for only so much air cooling. 1340cc/1450cc Evo are very good but too tiny in a big mans HOG world. The chain tensioners are just a poor design, funny how plastic became the HD achilles heel. Funny or ironic w/e.

 

[Dr. Luxurious]

OP i think you should get one...especially because of the emotional connection to your dad....
to digress...for yrs and yrs i wanted a ducati, couldnt stop thinking about them...finally got TWO.. a 900ss and a 748.
dove into the whole ducati thing headfirst, learned to do the valve adjustments, bought specialty tools etc... a few years after learning all i could about every aspect of ducatidom it just got boring...doing the maintenance became a chore and i became tired of paying a premium to own a red italian bike...so i sold them and now im riding a cheap, japanese zero maintenance, many would say ,boring bike....couldnt be happier.
so my point is ...you only live once, if you can afford it go for it...its great to have some variety on your lifes motorcycle resume....if you decide the HD thing is not for you, you can always sell it and get something else...theres always going to be bikes out there to buy !

sorry for the long-winded post. :0)

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