Honda or Harley?

[jmillheiser]

Guess the busa isn't top of the heap anymore.

Another comparision test must be on order for the '06 models though.

looks like Kawasaki is gunning for the top again with the ZX-14

[amsss]

Honda Shadow 750 any day over a 883. However. if a had my choice between a wing and a Ultragride Classis I would go with the HD. 100% style..

[Venarius]

Haley Harley Harley.

I myself have owned 2 honda's and a 'zuki. But I freq stop in and check out the Harley lineup.
In my opinion, they are nice bikes, they just want 4K too much for each one. Nostalgia doesn't get you too many points in my book. Just the fact that they pulled out of serious racing when the Japs started handin it too them says a lot...especially since they just pulled out and continued building the same outdated bikes.

The v-rod is interesting, but to me it only highlights the fact taht Harley was out of serious R+D for so long that they couldn't even create a good engine in-house...They had to outsource it across the ocean! American made my "O Ring".

Speaking of, Harley can no longer put "Made in America" on their bikes because too big a percentage comes from overseas.

The biggest thing that steers me away from Harley is this famed "in croud" that own them. I've ridden with quite a few, and while of course you will find nice people, I've found more offensive jackasses on HD than any other bike. I've never had anyone pull up to me at a light and insult my ride other than HD riders.

In the end I went with a VTX 1800.
Why?
Better reliability, better power, more comfort and a better price. And in my opinion, a lot sexier. And that long wheelbase helps. I can pull into any parking lot and park next to any stock harley and make it look small by comparison. I've been told that my bike "out-harleyed the harley".

And when one Harley guy brought up the fact that Honda copied the look of Harley, I calmly brought up the fact that Harley simply copied Indian.
When you throw all the facts in a Harley rider's face, they are hard pressed to find a reason that Harley's are the cream of the crop.

But as long as their not braggin or puttin other bike's down, their all right by me.

Someday, I do intend to have a "harley" in my garage...I just don't intend to pay through the nose for it. When I say "harley" I mean Buell. Buell's I'm fond of. I'd go for something agile to tool around on, as my X outclasses any of their larger cruiser bikes.

[Gummiente]

...YAWN...zzzZZZZZzzzzzz......

[azwatkins]

I have owned a 04 Sportster 883 for a year now. I was a new rider when I bought and have enjoyed every minute on it. I looked at all the other company's and rode a few of them, but I truely preferred the look of the Sporty over anything else I saw. Preformance seemed about the same on any of the bikes in that price range. I waited and keep looking for a good deal on a Used Sporty and picked up one with 97 miles on it for $5500 and it had several equipment add ons as well. It has been the best money spent for myself and I can always upgrade the engine to the 1200 when i feel like something "new."

They are all good bikes just depends on what you want and how it fits you.

[KY23]

I just purchased an '06 HD XL1200c. Rides great and makes me smile.

[sportsterideragogo]

I read this whole thread....lol. Any motorcycle forum/board/whatever you look at on the www is going to have a similar arguement going at any given time.

I've owned quite a few bikes over the years-British, Japanese, Swedish, and American. And, I can honestly say-I've never enjoyed a bike nearly as much as my 03 883 to 1200 converted Sportster. Old Triumphs require waaay too much maintanance, Japanese bikes run great-but they have zero personality.

As far as Sportsters being 'girls bikes'. I've heard that too.....lol. While we're parked. Get me out on the road with a big twin HD and I smoke em. My only real complaint about Harleys are the terrible brakes. (but, I'm looking into the possibility of putting Buell brakes on my sporty. Buell brakes ROCK!)

It isn't WHAT you ride, it's all about THE ride.

[Flip]

It depends on whether you plan on riding around the world or just to the local bar.

[jonnythan]

It depends on whether you plan on riding around the world or just to the local bar.

Good point.

I see a lot more people doing seriously long road trips, and putting hundreds of thousands of miles on, Harleys than Hondas.

[HYPERR]

Japanese bikes run great-but they have zero personality.

What do you consider personality? Flaws?

IMO my CBR600RR has a ton of personality. It puts a huge smile on my face everytime I ride it and the sound it makes at 15,000 RPM is absolutely intoxicating. My CBR is very different from my Hypermotard but they are both super fun to ride in a very different way.

In fact, one of the most charismatic bikes that I ever owned was a 1986 Yamaha SRX6 Super Single.

That being said, I don't get this brand/country loyalty thing. I like every types of bikes. Each brand, genre, or country of origin(within reason) offers its own uniqueness and enjoyment.