why is it that everytime HD has a demo ride that parking lot is full of sports bike riders. So that must mean HD has something that you want to ride.
why is it that everytime HD has a demo ride that parking lot is full of sports bike riders. So that must mean HD has something that you want to ride.
why is it that everytime HD has a demo ride that parking lot is full of sports bike riders. So that must mean HD has something that you want to ride.
That actually shows you that sportbike riders are more open minded. You will rarely see the opposite.
That actually shows you that sportbike riders are more open minded. You will rarely see the opposite.
Why not buy a Diavel you can have everything in one bike.
Mac,
Those Triumph riders are lucky. They can get away hanging with any crowd and get very little flack for their ride. Thruxton, Bonnie, Rocket, Speed Triple, the list goes on. Looks good, sounds good, reliable and reasonably priced. What are those people thinking!!!!!!!
I have never understood the appeal of Harleys, and no one has ever made any attempt to explain the appeal to me, so I don't like them. I have no reason to like them. So maybe I'm missing out on some really big thing as a result, like I'm missing out on Scientology. I don't know, but if anyone ever wants to try and explain the appeal of cruiser bikes in general, or Harleys in particular, I'm always eager to listen.
Liar.
Quite the polarization of opinions. But, I'm not going to defend a purchase with my own money, life's too short.
My title was more of a tongue-in-cheek directed at some work buddies who were amazed/amused at my pleasantly surprised response after riding the bike.
I rode an 08 Fat Bob with Stage 1 upgrades last night and liked the ride. Lot's of torque and comfortable. I was able to u-turn on a county road easily by dragging the rear brake, and never really found the heft to be an issue. It was very windy but the bike was planted and stable. My BMW would have been at a 30 degree angle to counteract the side wind.
Saturday I have a ride booked on a 2010 V-Rod Muscle. I love the look of the bike, but have heard about the cornering and clearance shortcomings. I need to see this for myself.
Can't post pics, quota exceeded so here's some links to the 2 bikes if anyone cares.
http://www.thunderroadharley.com/images/used/802838/large/802838.jpg
http://www.robinsonmotorcycle.com/130660898407/printerFriendly
None of this makes them different than many other companies of course and does not mean the bikes are no good, just points to ponder. Of course you bring these points up to the Harley crowd and you are just a hater....
Not necessarily, especially when said points are presented without malice like you have done. I don't mind debating with those who have the capability to think for themselves instead of just puking out the same old crap that they've heard from others and not bothering to do any research on their own.
Anyway, just wanted to address your point about the mom and pop dealers. What you've said is largely true for the US market, but Canada (ie: Trev Deeley) always treated their dealer network with more respect. No Canadian dealer was ever told to go "Harley only", nor were they ever forced to relocate. Motosport Plus in Kingston had to recently renovate their shop to allow for complete and separate showrooms for their Harley and Honda lineups... and that mandate came from Honda Canada, not Harley. They were, however, mandated to renovate their stores to the "boutique" concept and that actually started back in the mid 80's. Certain dealers were exempt from this and all subsequent mandates because of their long term devotion to the marque and Cameron's HD up in Perth was a prime example. However, I am told that in the last couple years Deeley's have been getting more arrogant in their rules and regs for their franchises so your comments do have some merit.
As for the heavy parts with lazy design, I'm curious to know what prompted that statement. Keep in mind HD is not about shaving every possible milligram of weight and using the latest carbon fibre technology.
I can think of two examples where dealers' in Canada were "pushed" out. Robinson's (which now sells used US HD bikes...the story is on their website) and last year, Poole's(hamilton dealer...I may have the name wrong). Both were not making sales thresholds and were "recommended" to move to bigger close to highway locations. Both declined and are no longer selling Harley Davidson motorcycles.
As for horribly strangled stock air cooled motors, no argument there. I wish they would just ****, get off the pot and bring out the next generation of water cooled V-Twins NOW, dammit, and to hell with the traditionalists. That segment of their demographic is fading out fast anyway. Me, I would love to see a larger displacement and retuned V-Rod motor stuffed in a Road Glide frame.
Saturday I have a ride booked on a 2010 V-Rod Muscle. I love the look of the bike, but have heard about the cornering and clearance shortcomings. I need to see this for myself.
Can't post pics, quota exceeded so here's some links to the 2 bikes if anyone cares.
http://www.thunderroadharley.com/images/used/802838/large/802838.jpg
http://www.robinsonmotorcycle.com/130660898407/printerFriendly