Why are Harleys cool?

[TechTMW]

I guess the fact that it's been built around his original Harley powerplant has nothing to do with it? All I was saying is that's what alot of these guys were complaining about. I personally don't know nor do I care. I like Harley's. I'd like to have one someday. They obviously have a product that works.

I'm not following. These guys built a $40,000 custom around a stock engine? Or did they modify the engine? Cuz, IMO all bets are off when you start screwin w/ internals. A Harley engine has some unique qualities that alot of people don't take into consideration when they go modding. Anyone who's got a custom bike and is complainin about it needs to reconsider wth he's complainin about and get his bike on a dyno to tune it properly.

The fact that it's a Harley engine should have nothing to do with it. You can modify and tune most any engine with proper care and attention. Harley's no different.

[Mintbread]

Yeah, you're right. I wannabe rich enough to afford a Harley. I'd spend the money on a REAL bike instead.

Thanks for proving my point!

You call people jealous wannabe's and feel justified when someone bites on that well baited hook? That is hardly proving your point.

[jstark47]

I don't like Sportsters. It's just personal taste, if I wanted a Sportster I'd buy the better one made by Triumph (called a Bonneville)..... which I just coincidentally already seem to have! (Hey, Mike, not all Hinckley bikes are POS, the twins are damn near bulletproof!)

But there's several Softail models I'd love to have, if someone else was buying. I go back and forth between the Deuce, Heritage Classic, and Fatboy. Why? Pure style, and Harley does it better than anyone else, IMO. Not being rich, paying for style isn't currently an option. Maybe someday. I recently walked through Brian's HD (Langhorne, PA, USA), and all the bikes I like start at $16K and go up. So for now, I have to spend my meagre motorcycling dollars on utilitarian qualities. I can buy a Bonneville and a V-Strom for what some of the Harleys I like cost. Doesn't mean I wouldn't have the Harley too if I had that kind of dough......

[Meanie]

What do you mean by that? Harleys ARE made in USA... it is also an American company...

So are Hondas and certain Kawasaki models. HDs are not all American made and anyone who believes otherwise is sadly mistaken.

If the reason for an HD purchase is due to it being an "American" company, then by all means, buy it. But if they believe it's all American made, time to become educated. All bikes have a mixture of domestic and foreign parts nowadays.

[earwig]

What do you mean by that? Harleys ARE made in USA... it is also an American company...

So are Hondas and certain Kawasaki models. HDs are not all American made and anyone who believes otherwise is sadly mistaken.

If the reason for an HD purchase is due to it being an "American" company, then by all means, buy it. But if they believe it's all American made, time to become educated. All bikes have a mixture of domestic and foreign parts nowadays.

Meanie... Some Harley parts are made in other countries sure... the engines and frames which are the most substantial parts (as well as others) are all made in USA. The bikes are all assembled here also. Just because some parts are made in another county doesn't mean the bike isn't "American made". As far as I am concerned, if the company's main headquarters are in USA, American engineers designed the bikes and parts, and there aren't "Japan" stamps all over it like my Honda had... it's an American bike. Some Japanese executives aren’t getting rich when you buy a Harley either.

[Meanie]

What do you mean by that? Harleys ARE made in USA... it is also an American company...

So are Hondas and certain Kawasaki models. HDs are not all American made and anyone who believes otherwise is sadly mistaken.

If the reason for an HD purchase is due to it being an "American" company, then by all means, buy it. But if they believe it's all American made, time to become educated. All bikes have a mixture of domestic and foreign parts nowadays.

Meanie... Some Harley parts are made in other countries sure... the engines and frames which are the most substantial parts (as well as others) are all made in USA. The bikes are all assembled here also. Just because some parts are made in another county doesn't mean the bike isn't "American made". As far as I am concerned, if the company's main headquarters are in USA, American engineers designed the bikes and parts, and there aren't "Japan" stamps all over it like my Honda had... it's an American bike. Some Japanese executives aren’t getting rich when you buy a Harley either.

As I stated, if that's enough for someone to purchase an HD, go for it. But the bottom line is still simple...it's not all American made and you'd be surprised at how many owners still believe that. As for the Japanese executives getting rich... ...forget it, your tv, vcr, dvd players, stereos, etc are helping them out with that.

BTW, there aren't many American engineers designing the bikes. The designs have remained the same or very similar to the originals. This is what they were marketing on. Since sales have dropped, they went to the european designers to come up with something new, which you now see in the V-Rod with the Porshe engine.

[earwig]

BTW, there aren't many American engineers designing the bikes. The designs have remained the same or very similar to the originals. This is what they were marketing on. Since sales have dropped, they went to the european designers to come up with something new, which you now see in the V-Rod with the Porshe engine.

I hear what you are saying but have to disagree Have you looked at the HD earnings report? They are making more money than ever. Even small design changes take engineers, Joe Schmoe working on the mill isn't going to decide to start building a Dyna bobber and make some short apes and put them on a HD. There are also newer bikes like the Street Rod and Nightrod wich a very different. I dunno man; I have argued this too many times on this board, I’m done until next time

[MikeyDude]

BTW, there aren't many American engineers designing the bikes. The designs have remained the same or very similar to the originals.

I beg your pardon? If you can find any similarities between a knucklehead and a twin cam please enlighten me. They're both 45* V-twins. That's about it.

Some folks here have talked about the marketing being too polarized, selling the lifestyle. So does Kow, Honda and Suzuki.... Just a different lifestyle. If you're into racing type bikes then you probably don't like Harleys. I personally don't like sportbikes or sport cruisers the least little bit. I think they're uncomfortable and just don't like that "look." The thing that really gets to me is how polarized the different groups are. It's Harley against the rest... why? Why don't the Honda guys "dis" Suzukis?

For everything a Harley lover has to say about why he loves it, there is some nut with a reason he's full of $hit. Whatever... I wanted a Harley. I got a Harley. I didn't want a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kowasaki, BMW, Duc, Triumph, Norton or even a Bultaco (remember them?). Some people like Vettes, some prefer Porsche. So f-ckin what?

Ride what you like and stop comparing everything to Harley! It makes you look vain and bitter.

Besides that... Harleys are the cooler than all those others...

[Gummiente]

I didn't miss the point or make an assumption. I offered an explanation as to why people bash the brand (and it is the brand -- that's an astute observation) even though they haven't ridden the bikes.

Okay, my apologies. I re-read all that again and I understand where you're coming from now.

Go grab your Harley accessories catalog and read through it...

I'd rather not, I already have the Motor Accessories & Motor Parts catalogue and that's the only one I need. I'm sure the Motor Clothes & Accessories catalogue is as you say, but l'm not into that part of the Harley ownership. BTW, have you seen the recent Kawi cruiser ad in many mainstream motorcycle publications? "There's a fine line between fear and respect. Feel free to cross it once in awhile". Harley isn't the only one that plays on "emotion" and "image".

[Meanie]

I beg your pardon? If you can find any similarities between a knucklehead and a twin cam please enlighten me. They're both 45* V-twins. That's about it.

The thing that really gets to me is how polarized the different groups are. It's Harley against the rest... why? Why don't the Honda guys "dis" Suzukis?

For everything a Harley lover has to say about why he loves it, there is some nut with a reason he's full of $hit. Whatever... I wanted a Harley. I got a Harley. I didn't want a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kowasaki, BMW, Duc, Triumph, Norton or even a Bultaco (remember them?). Some people like Vettes, some prefer Porsche. So f-ckin what?

Ride what you like and stop comparing everything to Harley! It makes you look vain and bitter.

The engines change the shape/style are similar. As for bitterness.....perhaps viewing the mirror may display that. I merely stated a few facts and opinions without "bashing" HD. Your strong statements display bitterness, I could care less who rides what.

I happen to like a few of the HD styles but would never pay the price of a car for a bike when I can buy two of my bikes for one HD. BTW, for those who "may" be bitter against HD and/or the owners...perhaps it's due to the HD mentality which many who ride it have. Me, I like to laugh at them since they apparently need some sort of enhancement in their life in order to feel fulfilled.