All the sh!t talk about Harley Davidison

[VTRZA]

I once heard the analogy "it's like flying a biplane" and it totally fits. I just rode a friend's 09 screaming eagle roadglide the other day. 99% of the people on this board would not be able to be beat that bike in a light to light drag race. Comfortable as all fuck too.

I will have me one someday.

 

[Jack the Smack]

Have you ever actually ridden one?

Yea, my first bike actually. I also rode it around a bit a month ago. The motor isn't the only issue, it's all the ergonomics and handling of the bike. They're just so freaking unnecessarily huge! Also I doubt they're 1930s technology. Even until the 1960s fuel was leaded. Also it was much lower quality refinement today, so there's no way you could pump fuel from today and put it in a harley of the 1930s and expect it to even run.

Do you have experience with their customer service?

Harley Davidsons cost so much....

How much does harley spend on R&D compared to other brands? What the hell is wrong with their business structure that they're losing money recycling their bikes? Certainly not american manufacturing, cause all their parts are made in japan and china.

The HD culture and it's people are a joke.

People who buy things for the "culture" are no better than the vampire kids who buy vampire outfits for the vampire culture, or goths and emos. That goes for everything.

Harley riders are so slow!

So what. Go around them.

But they take up an entire lane!

In summation:

Do yourself a favor and go to one of the myriad of dealerships that rent HD's and take one out for a day. It probably won't be your cup of tea, but at least then you'll have first-hand experience.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

Herbert Spencer

Even though none of your points reinforce this still I agree with it for other reasons.

 

[RcrBoy]

Let's all be honest. The only problem with H-D's are the people that own them.
There it's been said.
I'll allow that as a rule there are exceptions to every rule and some are fine folks.
It's just from my first hand experience in my run-ins with the owners ,not the bikes ,they are the most self-absorbed group around.

Why yes I am!

And I love my Ducati also.......


Mark

 

[boney]

Have you ever actually ridden one?

Nope. The few that I sat on that might meet my riding style were horribly uncomfortable and the gas tanks were too small to make them useful for anything but riding to the store (or bar- which I don't do.) "Clamshell" riding position? Who the fuck thought of that?

Do you have experience with their customer service?

Nope. Never got past their sales people who thought they were way too cool to talk to someone who rode in on a BMW.

Harley Davidsons cost so much....

Nah, they don't really. It's the thousands of dollars in accessories that people add to their bike before rolling them out of the dealer that cost so much.

The HD culture and it's people are a joke.

Yep.

Harley riders are so slow!

So what. Go around them.

Yeah right. Go around a friggen parade of 50 bikes riding 15 under who will do everything in their power to prevent you from enjoying your ride the way you'd like to. Forget it. This goes back to the Harley people and culture being a joke.

And until you've coaxed a Dyna through Hwy 9 at ludicrous-speed you really don't have a led to stand on here. It's fun as hell.

Any bike ridden on Hwy 9 at that speed is a gas. I don't buy that doing it on a Harley is any better than any other bike.

In summation:

Most people who are interested in Harleys have already done so and made their decision.

Harley gets bashed upon because they set themselves apart so far from everyone else who is riding a motorcycle. Personally, I don't care what you or anyone else is riding, so long as you're out there riding and enjoying it. Just don't expect me to give you or any other rider more or less respect because of the bike you chose to ride.

 

[72SBC]

I like em

 

[1RUN]

Have you ever actually ridden one?

It's true, Harley uses 1930's technology. In a world full of amazing fuel injected suicide machines producing more horsepower that any but the most skilled ever tap into, HD is still using a motor that's basically two cylinders out of a rotary airplane motor that produces about a third of the horsepower that smaller modern motors do. Talking shit about that is like complaining that Coka-Cola sucks because they still use a recipe that works.

Do you have experience with their customer service?

HD stands behind what they sell you. I have three friends who will never ever buy a Ducati again because of how badly they were treated by the company after they bought a bike new that cost more than the spendiest HD bagger only to have it break, one of them within 260 miles. Unless you have ever actually talked to HD's customer service reps maybe STFU.

Harley Davidsons cost so much....

Yes, thy cost a bunch, it's a business and they're here to make money. If you're seriously worried about what they cost because you want one, talk to Teddy here on The BARF, he sells them and I'm willing to bet he can hook you up with a deal. Seriously.

The HD culture and it's people are a joke.

Okay, you got me on this one. I love my big twin push-rod motor driven chopper but I cringe when some dude gets off his Softail, adjusts his bandanna, and wants to talk bikes with me. But, I have to give HD credit for marketing their product in such a way to birth such a rabid following. Steve Jobs has the only other company that I know of that has created such brand loyalty.

Harley riders are so slow!

So what. Go around them.
And until you've coaxed a Dyna through Hwy 9 at ludicrous-speed you really don't have a led to stand on here. It's fun as hell.

In summation:

Do yourself a favor and go to one of the myriad of dealerships that rent HD's and take one out for a day. It probably won't be your cup of tea, but at least then you'll have first-hand experience.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

Herbert Spencer

Actually, what I find amusing about this post is that there seems to be more defensiveness from Harley owners, than bashing from non-Harley owners. Let it go, and enjoy your ride if that's what you're into, and stop worrying about what others think

 

[VTRZA]

Yea, my first bike actually. I also rode it around a bit a month ago. The motor isn't the only issue, it's all the ergonomics and handling of the bike. They're just so freaking unnecessarily huge! Also I doubt they're 1930s technology. Even until the 1960s fuel was leaded. Also it was much lower quality refinement today, so there's no way you could pump fuel from today and put it in a harley of the 1930s and expect it to even run.

it would run just fine, the valve seats might not last too long though

 

[vought]

Most of the Harley riders I've met seem to resemble Paul Teutel in both aspect and behavior. I don't discount the bikes out of hand, but many of the people who ride them would not be my first choice to hang out with.

A good example is the "loud pipes save lives" mantra. No, attentive, responsible, sober riding saves lives. Your loud pipes are pointed in the wrong direction. And I don't appreciate being woken up by your "lifesavers" at 2:00 a.m. It's the stubborn belief in the infallibility of time-honored tropes that gets me. The bad ergonomics, the inability to innovate unless forced (excepting the cheesy bolt-on "Screamin' Eagle" chintz, which has taken manufacturer-as-J.C. Whitney to a new level) and the general engineering laziness that it infers.

Case in point; I love German cars - specifically Audis and BMWs. Those marques combine a lot of what people like about Harleys (soul, history) with groundbreaking engineering and a relentless pursuit of new ideas - for good or bad. Were Harley to go down that path (cough, Buell, cough, ahem), I might take another look at their products, since they wouldn't be rolling anachronisms seemingly built to support a lifestyle.

edit: Please feel free to disabuse me of my notions!

 

[waterbrat]

I own a Harley Dyna Custom and a Gixxer 750. Claiming one is better than the other is foolish. Both are great bikes for different reasons. I love them both.

What I find funny is that 95% of Harley riders all dress the same, but yet claim to be independent souls. Where is your independence if you look like everyone else? Seems fashion is way more important when on a Harley.....

With that said, when I have ridden with a Harley group, no one has ever made fun of the fact I am wearing my gear. Or the fact I sometimes show up on my Gixxer to a Harley event.

I have found that 95% of "Harley" riders are really nice people.

 

[sandyxb]

I hear the beauty of formation riding makes em all teary-eyed

 

[Lunch Box]

HD stands behind what they sell you. I have three friends who will never ever buy a Ducati again because of how badly they were treated by the company after they bought a bike new that cost more than the spendiest HD bagger only to have it break, one of them within 260 miles. Unless you have ever actually talked to HD's customer service reps maybe STFU.

I call BS on this one. Ducati customer service may not be the bes but if your friend only had 260 miles on a Duc that he bought new I would find it awefully hard to believe that they didn't repair the issue under warranty. Unless, of course, the problem that your friend had was that he wadded it up or some such.

 

[Feanor]

I've ridden a smaller of the HD line, owned by a friend on the street, I can't remember what model it is.

It felt fine to me and the throttle response and power actually felt "relaxing" That's the only word I can think of that truly fits, and this compared to my ZX-10, which is often something more exciting than relaxing.

The ride was smooth and completely predictable, though the strength of the brakes was surprisingly weak (and needed alot more squeeze than I was used to)

I've never complained about HDs, but more of HD rider's behavior sometimes. Wrapping up the throttle over and over and over again in a deafening, straight pipe ear torture while the exhaust is pointed straight at the open air cafe seating the bike is 5 feet from. This kind of bad behavior is something that sportbikers and all other motorcyclists do in some form or another (Except BMW riders who just offend with their riding gear and lack of waving) but it seems like "bad behavior" is a part of the Harley image, so people are most sensitive about it in particular.

As far as technology... I consider HDs as vintage collectables. No one complains when they see a Vintage Bentley or Morgan on the street, I think that riding a Harley gives that same sense of nostalgia for alot less cost... The same way that a modern sportbike makes you feel like a cutting edge racer. Different ideologies, same enjoyment.

The cost of Harleys is simple economics, the market bears the price, so that's the price they charge. Would a DesmosediciRR really give you a return $75,000 would justify?

Every motorcycle is about Use, Image, and Enjoyment, I wouldn't personally choose an HD to ride, but I can completely understand how a person could love their Harley every bit as much as I love my Ninja, and that to me is a great thing.

 

[V4]

bah...

I'm thinking about getting either one of these during the summer...

I'm gonna get attitude from both H-D crowds AND the general m/c population but I don'r care cuz i'll enjoy it...

 

[dogtownmax]

i've ridden a few harleys, and they are quite fun, and can be made to be comfortable with application of parts and $$$.

if i lived somewhere really flat, like Oklahoma or something, a harley might be more attractive to me. as it is, the limited lean angle is kind of annoying/hazardous.

they are a blast to ride though, and i would happily buy one... after i get a motard, a boat, some more far-east travel, uh, well you get the picture. my FZ-1 currently does what i want a motorcycle to do.

the hd "buying a lifestyle" and "OMG history and heritage is sooo important in a motorcycle" memes are annoying but i wouldnt let it stop me from getting one if i wanted to.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

I forgot about the pipes

hate the loud noise

sucks sweaty donkey balls

 

[rsrider]

What, no one is buying socks?

 

[raybobb1]

Sorry... I had to take this picture

saw this perfect set up last night at the sprintcar races in Calistoga...
Why would they park there???

 

[Burning1]

The biggest problem with Harley Davidson is the Kawasaki Voyager. Seriously, if you have a chance, ride that bike. It looks like a Harley, but feels more stable, comfortable, and smooth.

 

[72SBC]

The biggest problem with Harley Davidson is the Kawasaki Voyager. Seriously, if you have a chance, ride that bike. It looks like a Harley, but feels more stable, comfortable, and smooth.

I dunno bout that, the glide is pretty damn stable, Harley reworked the frame geometry on the big bikes to make them more stable/smooth. Comfort, I wouldn't know.. I know my bike has air ride stock tho

 

[AOW]

Have you ever actually ridden one?

Do you have experience with their customer service?

HD stands behind what they sell you. I have three friends who will never ever buy a Ducati again because of how badly they were treated by the company after they bought a bike new that cost more than the spendiest HD bagger only to have it break, one of them within 260 miles. Unless you have ever actually talked to HD's customer service reps maybe STFU.

Do yourself a favor and go to one of the myriad of dealerships that rent HD's and take one out for a day. It probably won't be your cup of tea, but at least then you'll have first-hand experience.

uhh BULLSHIT. HD has been selling the VRSC (VROD) lineup since what 2002, and none of them, NONE of them have a fuel gauge that works. Oh HD tried to fix it by releasing 3 updated units, unfortunately the only thing HD updated about the units were the part numbers. Nothing else was changed.
HD techs know jack shit about technology other than their under engineered air cooled engines. It is common practice for HD to strip out metric bolts and fasteners by trying to use standard tools. Not a big deal, as we all have done it, difference is that HD usually doesn't replace the damaged fastener with new, and when they do replace it they charge you for it.
One more for the road, I roll in to an HD dealer on my VROD walk in and ask questions about a VRSCDX they have on sale. The wonderful sales idiot then spends the next 10 minutes explaining to me how awful the VROD lineup is and that it's the worst thing the moco ever put out. He listed a slew of other mistruths, such as the VROD being one of the slowest stock HDs on the market, but never got around to answering my question of how much they wanted for the DX.:
I purchased my VROD Despite it being an HD!
In conclusion, do YOURSELF a favor and read through a few HD forums before singing the praises of HD customer service.
Sincerely a proud owner of a 2007 Harley Davidson VRSCAW, VROD