A Harley- Davidson motorcycle is exactly what it is supposed to be. Nothing looks, sounds or feels like it. Nothing ever will.

 

And as menioned above, the ladies do seem more interested too. I have had more smiles, nods, "hellos" and casual chats from the opposite sex since getting the bike than ever before. Now, whether it's the association with Hells Angels, custom choppers or the 'sticking it to the man' attitude ..... the darker, dangerous side of motorcycling, I just don't know. I ain't complaining!

 

Having worked for 6 differant Motor cycle dealers I've riden just about all there is out there. I've gone pass the sport bike thing and I never liked touring bikes...then my brother got a Electra Glide. After two weeks and not wanting to give it back I was hooked. I could have gotten any of the metic cruisers out there but I didn't want to buy a knockoff I wanted the REAL thing. Harley has made great strides to convert guys like myself. I feel proud that I have a Harley Davidson when I ride.

 

every time I get on my bike and fire it up I'm happy and proud I ride a harley...I know I don't need to make any excuses or justification (like some other brands do) and nothing anyone can say will ever change that feeling

 

And speaking of V-Stroms.....

Friend of mine has a Black 650 V-Strom (believe it's a 2004 model, or whenever the 650 version first came out), and he has ridden it from Oklahoma up to Deadhorse Alaska, down through Mexico, and just about everywhere else, with "0" problems...

I've ridden it many times, and it is great for high speed cruising through the hills, dirt roads, gravel roads, or goat trails.....

Lightweight, powerful, and just plain fun.... Plus, no chrome so you don't have to worry about washing and waxing it all the time.

It's a V-Twin, has 65 horsepower, only weighs 400 pounds, fuel injection, and drop dead reliable..... He has run his in stock condition at Tulsa Raceway, and purrs like a cat and still runs 12.4 second quarter mile times.

Great bikes, and I'd buy one in a second to use for running around in the dirt and gravel, if they would only do something to 'clean up' that front end look, or streamline the fairing, or something. LoL....

 

I bought a Sporty because I love Sportsters and it was the right price.Also,I don't really like stock motorcycles and a Sportster is a great bike to tinker with,chop,modify etc and parts are interchangeable and can be found all day long.I don't buy into the Harley mystique,it's so watered down now anywayand I certainly don't believe in "all things Harley Davidson".The Harley Davidson image has almost become a parody of itself.I don't think I'd everbuy a new H-D and I'm not a fan of all their bikes,but,at the same time,I don't like Japenese bikes much,they're mostly disposeable. I am a big fan of the Brittish bikes especially the older ones.What I'm trying to say is ,I love motorcycles.I DO like Harley Davidson motorcycles alot,I ride one and love it but I'm just not devotedto them exclusivley

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Why buy a Harley...well Its my goal to own one of everykind of motorcycle one day..or atleast to have owned for a period...


Bah..If I were to buy a harley..it would likely be jsut to try something different(not a sprotbike/dirtbike)....and honestly..to help support the US economy in this time of need...of course this will ONLY happen if I come into the market for a cruiser type standard........I'll be honest..ifI come looking in the american market for a touring rig..that new victory gets my vote....


Also...if Harley brings the XR1200 stateside..that would be my biggest reason!

Oh yeah..and I like the look of sportsters....none of the other HDsthough.....Sportsters jsut look like "A motorcycle" all the other bikes have strange proportions...

 

Excellent post, Dale!

 

I agree with you Dale.
I don't have a lot of tolerance for complaints of the type you mention.
That being said, I am not afraid of honest comparison between models. I have a top notch machine, but that does not mean it does everything better than every other type of bike. I am aware of my bike's strenghs and its weaknesses. A man's gotta know his limitations.

 

Before I knew anything about bikes I knew what a harley was. When I thought Motorcycle I thought HD