Metric vs. American,

[jonnythan]

Gold Wing msrp starts at $19599
HD Electra Glide $16545
BMW LT $21520
Victory Vision $18999

The Metric bikes are higher priced, at least for a basic touring bike. (MSRP not actual price)

The Goldwing is a "basic" touring bike?

How about the ST1300 at $14,499?

No trunk, no passenger backrest, no radio option, yadda yadda. The ST1300 isn't exactly a direct competitor to the Electra Glide. The Goldwing is.

[storysunfolding]

but they offer a trunk with a built in backrest as well as a radio/comm system option. Anyway the stock electra glide doesn't have any of this either. The version that comes with all those options costs 18,695

Regardless, there's nothing "basic" about a Goldwing.

[dr_bar]

The RoyalStar Venture fits the bill. Good setup and nice price...

[kingpinman]

With HD you get the built-in vibration.

All others, no vibration.

Worth it?

With HD you get less HP, less Torque.

All others, more HP, more Torque.

Worth it?

Some Foreign bikes (Honda at least) are assembled right here in the U.S. of A. And they have modern engines, with OHC's and multiple valves per cylinder. HD?

Worth it?

[Gummiente]

Worth it?

Yep. Very much so. And it'll hold its value much better and far longer than any Victory. Any other HD-bashing inaccuracies and prejudices you'd like to discuss? Or are you still hurting inside from the day that big, bad Harley rider rode off with your girlfriend?

[slimcolo]

I don't mean to split the thread but when you say "metric bikes" DO you mean all metric bikes or just Japanese Motorcycle??

I have seen Beemers pushing 500K.(untouched) Harleys are affordable to rebuild and have seen some with over 1 million miles but with several rebuilds. Other than a few Gold Wings there are very few japanese bikes with high mileage. (How many 40+ year old japanese bikes do you see?, but I see Harleys, Guzis and Beemers, and even Cushmans and Indians this old still running all the time)

[KingRobb]

Rick,

First welcome to TMW...a place where we all get along, because we all love bikes and riding. Some of us even like all bikes (well most some are just crap).

The truth of it is, better is entirely subjective.

There is a bike out there that has every option you want. But you have to figure what you want. Ride or sit on everything out there you can.

Honestly most of the major manufacturers have pretty good production quality at this point so you just have to consider what you are going to use it for, how much you are willing to spend, and what kind of appearance you want your bike to have.

Then buy it and be happy with it. Also, know that no matter what you choose there will be detractors and fans.

Ride on.

[kingpinman]

Hey Gummiente, or gummy bear.......... I don't have a frickin' girlfriend, I've been happily married for over 36 years. I was hoping we could keep this on the lighter side, but evidently, the truth about HD's seem to prick your good sense about being hospitable.
Be nice or don't be.

Victory's are a very nice ride, and if you don't believe me, they give FREE demo rides at any Vic dealership. Go try it, you might just trade in your HD for a decent ride. As far as resale value...... I don't buy to turn around and sell. I buy for power, comfort, good looks, dependability and fit (I'm inseam challenged). That's why after riding several HD's, I bought a Victory Kingpin.

So keep it light...........

[HYPERR]

but I see Harleys, Guzis and Beemers, and even Cushmans and Indians this old still running all the time)

Really?? The only bikes I see that old on even remotely a regular basis are BMWs. Perhaps some Pans and earlier Shovels once in a blue moon. The only Cushmans and Indians I see are at bike shows. You gotta remember though, most of these bikes are rebuilt and not actually original. The reason you don't see Japanese bikes from 40 years ago is because they were mostly tiny bikes that were junked when old and not restored. The Japanese started to make memorable bikes starting with the 1969 Honda CB750K0. I see tons of 30 year old Japanese bikes still lovingly ridden by their owners.

[slimcolo]

Wow a bit different here Population is 14K and I know of 18 real Pans (plus 10 Panzers) and 8 Indians. (there are more Pans around than Shovels Weird) I know four Indians that are ridden daily. Beemers are still kinda rare here. ( I probably own 20% in the county and that is only 3) The Cushmans I keep seeing (same 8 or 10) are at shows too. (COS is 42 miles away and has a Cushman club w/35 or 40 members) Except one Eagle that I see all over town.

NO the Japanese memorable bikes didn't start with the 750 (even though it with Gold Wing are the best known, and probably Honda's most profitable) World wide it was the singles that defined Honda. In the States the defining bike would either be the 305 (several sub models) or the CB450. These were the first japanese bikes that were able to compete (both on the track and sales) with the Brit bikes. (before this Honda was considered to be nothing more than a hopped up moped by most Americans, despite several championships in the smaller classes, this was soon to change!)

When the first chopper craze came many felt the 450 Honda was the smallest bike worth the effort of chopping. (some the 350, at least for buying the few custom parts they had back then) By the time they released the 750 in 69, Americans already accepted Honda's reliability. This combine with a cheap price made it an instant success. (compared to most European 650-750s)

The real problem with older japanese bikes isn't design or quality it is parts availability (you can find repop or replacement parts for older Harley and BMWs even Indians a lot easier <and Harley after-market is usually cheaper>than finding parts for an old Honda, some japanese and Vespa restoration parts are now being repoped in Thailand, but overseas shipping is bad)