Honda or Harley?

[JenM]

Congrats, Ranger. Can't wait to see a pic of it. I love Harleys.
I've only been riding a month and I'm already debating over what I want to buy next spring/summer.

My problem is, I work at a union factory, and I am very involved in our local union. Just about EVERYBODY who rides bikes there drives Harleys. For me, it's a peer pressure thing, as well as financial. We have bike events (poker runs, etc) that only "American, UNION made" bikes are allowed to ride in. That counts out Victories...Indians.... and obviously, Honda, BMW, Cows, Suzukis...you get the picture. I don't want to be an outcast.

Right now everyone understands why I'm riding a Honda, because it was a nice, cheap "starter bike". But if I go buy a new Shadow or VStar, I'm as good as dead I know you're probably thinking, "screw 'em, get what you want and can afford", but there's much more to it than that.

Since I'm a chick, I can get away with riding a Sportster "Chick Bike" I'm hoping to find a decent, affordable used one next year.

As far as power, I think it IS regional. One of my best friends lives in PA and he told me that my 450 was "way too small" for me, that it wouldn't have enough power, that I would regret buying it. Well, where I live, it's as flat as a pancake, no hills in sight, and not a single curve. Just miles and miles and miles of cornfields and straight roads laid out like a grid Where he lives, it's all curvy mountain roads. So yeah, a 450 might be underpowered there, but not around here.

[Gummiente]

My problem is, I work at a union factory, and I am very involved in our local union. Just about EVERYBODY who rides bikes there drives Harleys. For me, it's a peer pressure thing, as well as financial. We have bike events (poker runs, etc) that only "American, UNION made" bikes are allowed to ride in. That counts out Victories...Indians.... and obviously, Honda, BMW, Cows, Suzukis...you get the picture. I don't want to be an outcast.

When politics mix with motorcycles it's bound to create some stupid concepts. Try to resist the peer pressure and buy what YOU want to ride; don't let a bunch of narrow minded bigots dictate what you own. As for the "union made" cr*p, you can politely inform them that the Harley has more offshore content than the Victory, Indian, Honda Gold Wing, Kawi Concours and a few other American made/assembled bikes. You can ride a Honda/Suzi/Kawi/Beemer/Triumph/whatever and still be a loyal union member, what make of bike you ride has absolutely nothing to do with your personal integrity, IMO.

[CentralOzzy]

True....But having said that though....If you investigate further you may just decide you LOVE Harley's like I do.

Take a good look at a new Sportster, the rubber mounted ones are nicer to ride than an older one like my 97 1200C. But then riding an older more vibration prone one doesn't bother me at all.

[PhilD9er]

Harley guys are generally snobs. They call the Sportster a Honda or a girl's bike. It's not my cup of tea, but I can't get into this whole Harley thing. I've had friends who ride in the clubs and what not.That's a whole other lifestyle.

My 2c is that Harleys are crap unless you take 93 percent of the Harley out of them and spend 30 grand. SnS engine, Arlen Ness, etc. Even then my stock Honda could embarass them, performance wise.

I still respect AMF for at least TRYING to compete with the Japanese, with the XR-750 and the 2-stroke dirt bikes. But, apart from co-opting Eric Buell, Harley is a Wall Street brand these days. All image and folklore, etc.

Honda is at least true to the founder's vision. They will not accept defeat for long, be it Moto GP, Superbike, motocross, etc. Their bikes are world class, high in quality and very competitive in every way.

[CentralOzzy]

Gee....sounds like your quite the Harley expert.

[High_Side]

I still respect AMF for at least TRYING to compete with the Japanese, with the XR-750 and the 2-stroke dirt bikes.

Did you write this in 1978??????

[Gummiente]

Gee....sounds like your quite the Harley expert.

Yeah, it's amazing how many of them hang out here, isn't it? I wish I had read all their informative and expert opinions before I bought mine; they could have saved me a lot of grief.

Not.

48,980km on my '04 FLHT with no problems whatsoever. So much for the "experts".

[DustyJacket]

Since I'm a chick, I can get away with riding a Sportster "Chick Bike"

I'm not a chick and I love the nimble Sportster. (No one has ever called it any bad names around me, and if they did I'd just laugh at their stupidity and give them my Vietnamese impression: "You funny!"

Another option is a Buell. I started with a 492cc Buell Blast. I rode it 1800 miles in 2.5 months. Had it up to 85mph on the highway. Up and down hills. Now my wife has it. There are more powerfull/expensive Buells as well.

Having said all that, ride what you like and ignore what anyone else says.

[DustyJacket]

Today I put the deposit on a 2006 1200 Custom. I added a sissy bar with pad for my babe, and a crash bar..or "motor protector" as they call it.

I will get some leather saddle bags later.

It'll be here end of this week, or beginning of next.

The fun part was when they asked "How would you like to finance your purchase"...I replied...Cash..you do still take that...right?

Great!
The Sporty is a fine bike.

I've left my engine and exhaust bone stock for the time being. In a few years I may want to do something to mod it, but right now it hauls my 226 pounds like crazy.

Same here, they kept trying to get me to finance the bike, and I just wrote them a check. (Of course, my savings account is empty, but at least I own everything I have, except the house.)

[cb360]

I am very jealous of you guys - if I won a 'pick your Harley' contest, I think I'd pick the 1200 sportster. I know there's nicer harleys out there, but I just really like the look for some reason.