Harley..Just buying the name?

[DustyJacket]

maybe because buell is now owned by HD?

Could be, but I doubt it.

Most Harley owners don't consider a Buell to be a Harley.

A good 50% or more of the Buell owners don't consider Buells to be Harleys, either.

[V4underme]

So "Image followers" aren't genuine people? At my guess that would put about 75% of the world pop at not being genuine. Ever notice the number of people that wear gap teeshirts, use nike runners and so on. LOL I wear a teeshirt from time to time that has Sherwin Williams emblasoned across the front. I like it, not because of what it says but it fits properly and IT WAS FREE. Does that make me an "image follower"? I don't really care, just curious.

If you want a bike because of how it rides, how it performs, how it looks, etc., and those factors lead you to a Harley, Honda, Guzzi, whatever, then to me that is genuine. However, if you get a Harley just so you can put on a black and orange doo rag and say you ride a Harley, then that is conforming to the image, imo. That's all I was trying to say. I suppose one could say they are genuinely into the HD aura. Not saying it's a bad thing, but it's tough to talk about bikes to someone who insists that if it ain't a Harley, it ain't a real bike. I know, I've tried.

[HITAMUDHOLE]

I believe alot of the guys who buy Harley's only buy them for their "cool factor". I am by no means saying all, but alot of them. There are guys who have ridden them for years and they love them. The ones I am talking about are mainly newer riders that bought one for the name alone and there are tons of them. They know that they will be accepted quicker on that type bike than any other. When they roll up to another biker they never feel intimidated. I laugh at those who have the "if it ain't a HArley, it's nothing" attitude because I will tell them to hit the streets with me and I will show them why I bought what I bought. Their bike will not outshine mine in performance or reliability in any way and I paid about half of what they did. I love all types of bikes and have owned so many different brands I lost count. They are all cool to me in their own unique ways and I respect them all. I have never gave a crap what others think of what I ride because I can outride 90% of the crap-talkers and get their respect in that way even if they won't tell me.
I would suggest that anyone buying a bike test ride different ones and buy what feels right for you, who cares what others think if you don't enjoy riding to it's full potential.

[MASHBY]

Ride whatever excites you!!!!!!!

Well said.I dont care what you ride as long as its got two wheels and you enjoy riding it.As I said a chap yesterday who had just got his first bike."one more of us,one less of them"

[ronboskz650sr]

Last year, Chris and I posted our bikes on my wife's family website. In about a month, her cousin had a new (2004) Vulcan nomad. In about two months, he wrecked it (not his fault, at least legally). After a three or four month recovery, he found a 2002 electra-glide classic for about what he paid for the Vulcan. I don't think he would have done that if he didn't see real value there. Maybe resale (undeniable), comfort, handling, whatever. He's very happy, just like he was with the Vulcan. My opinion, they're both great bikes. Not my style at all, though I would buy a v-rod if I could afford one. I think it would suit me nicely. Just like a CBR 600 would, and a gsxr 1000, and a goldwing...SOMEBODY STOP ME!

[old-n-slow]

So "Image followers" aren't genuine people? At my guess that would put about 75% of the world pop at not being genuine. Ever notice the number of people that wear gap teeshirts, use nike runners and so on. LOL I wear a teeshirt from time to time that has Sherwin Williams emblasoned across the front. I like it, not because of what it says but it fits properly and IT WAS FREE. Does that make me an "image follower"? I don't really care, just curious.

Damn wanna be painter!

No Actually I AM a certified automotive refinisher as we are called here in BC. Painted in excess of 3500 cars and not just a few bikes. So not a wannabie at all. Having said that, I hope to never paint another car ------- ever. I guess that's why I'm retired.

[old-n-slow]

I love anything that has two wheels and a motor. And I always wave to anyone riding one. However, I rarely get a wave back from Harley riders . When one of them finally does wave back, I almost fall off my bike in surprise! On the other hand, whenever I've had the chance to actually talk to a Harley owner, they have always been great people.

I always thought that if I had some extra money I would like to own a Harley. But after reading more about BMWs recently, and hearing RideOn's post, I can't see myself buying a Harley over a bike that offers so much more.

Maybe if I had a lot of extra money I could get both!

Isnowbrd, if your avitar shows the bike you ride, you have your answer to why Harley riders never wave back. They are probably so surprised to see someone on a sportbike wave that by the time they get their hand up to return the wave, you are past each other.

I find most bike people, regardless of what they ride are nice people. Some are just nicer than others.

[Toyuzu]

My on the wave thing - I wave at everyone on two (sometimes three) wheels, and most of the time, they all wave back. Even most of the Harley guys.

[old-n-slow]

My on the wave thing - I wave at everyone on two (sometimes three) wheels, and most of the time, they all wave back. Even most of the Harley guys.

I always wave too. The key here may be in my name. By the time I get my hand up to wave, most sportbike riders are long gone.

[wb]

i wave also ....but mostly with my middle finger ......wb/lt/ca