I always haddirt bikes as a kid, I've had Yamahas, Suzukisand Hondas. In college had a Honda CB360T, couldn't afford anything else. Always had my eye on a Honda CBR600 crotch rocket. Finally broke down and bought one in '94, went riding one afternoon and hooked up with a group of guys on Harleys at a watering hole and took his bike for a spin. Sold my bike 3 monthslater for less than 1/2 price 1.5 years after buying it.Bought a'97 Heritage rode it for 7 years and sold it for about60% of what I paid. (not what I'd added to it). I have never looked back once and wished I had another bike. I used to ride motorcycles, now I'm a biker. BIG DIFFERENCE.

 

First buy what makes YOU happy.

That said, I used to have a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Fi, that is one sweet bike. 26000 happy trouble free miles. I have a 2003 Dyna Defender now. I'm happy with it also.
My experience with the metrics was that if I ever needed a part, it had to be ordered. That becomes frustrating, at least it did to me. Granted, with my Vulcan, needing a part was a rare event.
Harley has a fantastic dealership network. Much better than the metric network. When I have needed parts, they have almost always had it on hand. Not accessories all the time, but repair parts. Some accessories had to be ordered. There is more maintenance on the Harley. (not sure about the V-rod though)
Then there is that engine rebuilding program. You run the **** out of the engine, which takes a while, upwards of 100,000 miles. You can send your engine into Harley and they will rebuild it for you. (for a price of course)
You will hear some bitching about Harley parts and accessories being more expensive. That has not been my experience. They seem to be about equal.
Would I ever go back to another brand? Who knows, I'm not one to say "I'll never go back." Never is a long time. But I do like my Harley.

 

I have had all kinds of rice burn in my life. If they get some years on them were are the parts?

1000 kaw three months for gears. Get from Japan by boat. fast
750 yam rebuild every year. Faster
920 yam fix start monthly electric problems $$$$

This is the short lists. And don't try to get any money out of them they are trash after a couple years. I will stay with harley.

 

I bought a new 2004 1100 Honda Shadow Spirit for around $7,000 plus added $1,500 in bling. I just sold it 4 weeks ago for $4,000....resale on metrics sucks. They are less expensive to buy new but don't hold their value very long. Funny thing is, I rode that Honda for amost 2 years and was a nice looking and good running bike but never got the compliments or attention that I do on my Heritage. Not that I am looking for attention but it's like having a hot girlfriend, you want people to notice. Let's face it, Harley means motorcycles....the history andthe sound.

 

everybody has a little outlaw in them and harley just appeals to that part. and i don't think the company (harley)is responsible for that...............which makes it even more appealing......and then theres all the rest...the looks..sound...performance....quality....etc

 

i rode/ride metric for almost 25 years. my 2 boys ride 90cc's now.

picked up my first Harley last November.

can't say why but it's different. just is. i waited too long to get her.