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[Midnight Rider]

Nait....I agree...there are a lot of sites out there for owners of this or that.  There are a lot of Harley owners out there who walk in and buy on impulse, or because they think it's the "cool" thing to do, or the latest fad....but they won't last.  I don't think people buy Harley's because they're American made, I think they buy them because they represent some pieces of American History in our heads and in our culture....some good, some not.  I think that's the glue that makes people so PASSIONATE about their Harley's, in spite of having to deal with the "I don't give a Chit" dealers (once they get your money), the poorly trained technicians (part of a larger problem in the country, in general...we (the general public) don't place as much value on someone who is a skilled craftsman as we do some other professions, so young men and women aren't encouraged to pursue those career paths), and the "We don't care...we don't have to" attitude by the MOCO itself, in it's relentless pursuit of profits for the stockholders. Honestly, the MOCO can only offer just so many models, with so many "factory" options...same as a car company.  The difference for us is that we can take even a CVO bike, and add enough aftermarket "stuff" on it to make it somewhat personalized...it's hard to do that with a Honda Accord.  

So yea....I do think it's all about the passion, the feeling, and the history/culture that makes us love our Harleys...it's what made me love that old panhead in '71 that would throw my skinny ass over the handlebars when the kickstarted "kicked back" on me.

I'm gonna' slide down off this box now...isn't technology great...otherwise we would have a hard time venting like this!!

Be Cool and be safe....

[grc]

..........................................

[spydglide]

Title of this thread

[The Mysterious Q!]

I think half the enjoyment I get out of this site is the"other half of the story" you receive when you start or respond to a post. Like you always say Spidey treat this site like you were sitting across from your Bros  [smiley=drink.gif] [smiley=drink.gif] a few and shootin the chit. My .02 .Q

[neanderpaul]

This is just my opinion. Willy G. needs to stop with his PIMP attitude. He is fallin behind the compition and charging way to much for what he is putting out. Piss poor quality parts - chrome - paint- and the list goes on.
Ride on.

Let's face it. When it comes down to what truly matters...The Japanese make a better motorcycle. They're cheaper, more reliable, fuel efficient, cheaper to maintain & insure, faster, many look sleeker, and meaner, and when it's all said and done...they ride smoother.

That having been said...There isn't another machine I'd rather ride than mine. I rode a VTX 1800 for a year, and it's truly the best riding motorcycle I've ever been on.

But...

They're soulless. They ride well...but you're not "connected" to the ride. There's no "zen" with a metric. There's no sense of lifestyle for me. I take the hassles of owning a Harley as a part of the the allure. It's part of the "accepted risk of motorcycling" for me. Part of those hassles is working around the frustrations that the MoCo presents me with as an owner.

I can't get a chrome lower belt guard to fit my sled from a stealer here in KC. I either HAVE to go after-market, or wait forever to get it on order. But, it keeps the experience of ownership as a breathing, growing thing.

Is the MoCo frustrating. Hell yeah! But, what would we have to talk about if it were all perfect? It's the constant striving for the perfect ride on the perfect machine that makes it all fun.

I live in a town where Big Dogs sell very well. Their factory is a couple hours away in Witchita. And the Red Horse Motorworks factory is a few blocks away from me. I've never seen one of those anywhere. Meanwhile HD employs a lot of people here...and they all ride too.

So although we might be frustrated, it's not causing us to not spend our money on their products. There're 4 HUGE dealerships in KC alone, and they all move bikes every week.

No riding today...lightning = bad

[SEULTRA]

Let's face it. When it comes down to what truly matters...The Japanese make a better motorcycle. They're cheaper, more reliable, fuel efficient, cheaper to maintain & insure, faster, many look sleeker, and meaner, and when it's all said and done...they ride smoother.

That having been said...There isn't another machine I'd rather ride than mine. I rode a VTX 1800 for a year, and it's truly the best riding motorcycle I've ever been on.

But...

They're soulless. They ride well...but you're not "connected" to the ride. There's no "zen" with a metric. There's no sense of lifestyle for me. I take the hassles of owning a Harley as a part of the the allure. It's part of the "accepted risk of motorcycling" for me. Part of those hassles is working around the frustrations that the MoCo presents me with as an owner.

[highlight]I can't get a chrome lower belt guard to fit my sled [/highlight]from a stealer here in KC. I either HAVE to go after-market, or wait forever to get it on order. But, it keeps the experience of ownership as a breathing, growing thing.

Is the MoCo frustrating. Hell yeah! But, what would we have to talk about if it were all perfect? It's the constant striving for the perfect ride on the perfect machine that makes it all fun.

I live in a town where Big Dogs sell very well. Their factory is a couple hours away in Witchita. And the Red Horse Motorworks factory is a few blocks away from me. I've never seen one of those anywhere. Meanwhile HD employs a lot of people here...and they all ride too.

So although we might be frustrated, it's not causing us to not spend our money on their products. There're 4 HUGE dealerships in KC alone, and they all move bikes every week.

No riding today...lightning = bad

neanderpaul - I agree. When it came time to buy a new bike I really searched my soul and seriously considered buying a BMW K1200LT but ended up buying the CUSE. A big influence on my decision was the people that ride Harleys. I didn't want to see those relationships go away or lessen by riding a BMW. My friends would still be friends but it wouldn't be the same. I just didn't feel I would be comfortable in a beemer club or with beemer people in general (not that they're not good people). For me, owning a Harley is about more than just the bike and always will be.


Hey FireD00d... can't you help our brother out??? I just KNOW you have a spare one of these!  [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif]

[The Mysterious Q!]

Paul you are probably right about the metric motorcycle but you hit the nail on the head about the reasons we own HD's.I couldn't agree with you more.There is a bike for everyone and everyone has there reason to buy what they ride.HD is a choice and I'm happy I made it.

[Fired00d]

......Hey FireD00d... can't you help our brother out??? I just KNOW you have a spare one of these!

[RedFXR2]

I can't get a chrome lower belt guard to fit my sled from a stealer here in KC. I either HAVE to go after-market, or wait forever to get it on order.

You mean this?:

60485-99A

[mrmagloo]

neanderpaul - I agree. When it came time to buy a new bike I really searched my soul and seriously considered buying a BMW K1200LT but ended up buying the CUSE. A big influence on my decision was the people that ride Harleys. I didn't want to see those relationships go away or lessen by riding a BMW. My friends would still be friends but it wouldn't be the same. I just didn't feel I would be comfortable in a beemer club or with beemer people in general (not that they're not good people). For me, owning a Harley is about more than just the bike and always will be.

I've got to agree on the brotherhood perspective which is an intangible asset that Harley kind of stumbled on by default. Take that out of the equation, and all bets are off.

I have to admit, I'm seriously considering getting a second metric as an everyday commuter. While my SE Deuce is fun to cruise around the neighborhood, it certainly isn't comfortable, and flat out is not very fun on the highway.

[HUBBARD]

I've got to agree on the brotherhood perspective which is an intangible asset that Harley kind of stumbled on by default. Take that out of the equation, and all bets are off.

I have to admit, I'm seriously considering getting a second metric as an everyday commuter. While my SE Deuce is fun to cruise around the neighborhood, it certainly isn't comfortable, and flat out is not very fun on the highway.

[grc]

Let's face it. When it comes down to what truly matters...The Japanese make a better motorcycle. They're cheaper, more reliable, fuel efficient, cheaper to maintain & insure, faster, many look sleeker, and meaner, and when it's all said and done...they ride smoother.

That having been said...There isn't another machine I'd rather ride than mine. I rode a VTX 1800 for a year, and it's truly the best riding motorcycle I've ever been on.

But...

They're soulless. They ride well...but you're not "connected" to the ride. There's no "zen" with a metric. There's no sense of lifestyle for me. [highlight]I take the hassles of owning a Harley as a part of the the allure.[/highlight] It's part of the "accepted risk of motorcycling" for me. Part of those hassles is working around the frustrations that the MoCo presents me with as an owner.

.............................................

Paul,

Excellent post.

[RedFXR2]

Back when I was a youngster, I enjoyed wrenching on my vehicles almost as much as driving/riding them.

[HUBBARD]

Yeah, 'er 'uh. grc,
  I beg to differ, there, Bro!  We can disagree, and not be disagreeable toward each other, right?  The fact of the matter is this.  To me, and the majority of Harley Riders I know, and have known, part of the "Lifestyle", is wrenchin' on 'em.  We like it!  We didn't buy our Harleys expecting them to be trouble free, or the MoCo to take responsibility for our cost of ownership.  There are a lot more "Hardcore Harley Diehards", out there, than the MoCo would lead the "rubs", and the public to believe.  You don't have to fly a Patch with a Rocker under it, to be a Hardcore, either.  Harley-Davidson will be here when Gabriel blows the horn, and it will always have the most loyal following of any product ever introduced to this country.  Ever heard a kid say, "When I grow up, I'm gonna' buy me a Goldwing."?  Didn't think so.  There endeth the lesson.  Later--HUBBARD                  

[mrmagloo]

Hubbard,

Nothing personal and I know your post was supposed to be somewhat tongue in cheek, but I almost don't how to respond to your nutty post. Of course I knew what the hell I was buying. This is probably my 20+ bike I've owned, and yes, I've had a number of Harley's over the years too. Beside the extra chrome, if I close my eyes, I feel like I'm riding my 20 year old fxwg.

It's interesting that you have this vision in your mind that ONLY baggers should be ran on the highway. That's your lesson you were talking about?