Why are Harleys cool?

[Gummiente]

One of the guys that was doing alot of complaining had a sweet custom he built from the ground up, which was appraised at $48,000, said he has to "re-tune" every week.

Think about that for a minute. If it's a "custom" that he "built from the ground up", then it isn't a Harley, is it? It can only be called a Harley if it was built at the Harley factory. You can build a bike using aftermarket parts that LOOKS exactly like a Harley without using one single OEM part, like this guy did, but you can't register it as a Harley.

As for reliability of "the real thing", I've had three Harleys (amongst other bikes) in my 24 years of riding. My first was an '86 Sportster 1100 that I bought new and put over 120,000km on (including three cross Canada trips) with very few problems, other than a failed clutch basket bearing (60,000km), three regulator/rectifiers (every 20k or so) and one ignition black box (around the 30k mark). My second was an '04 Electra-Glide Standard that I bought new and put 54,668km on in two years without any problems whatsoever - I say again, WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I traded that in last October for a more nimble '06 Super Glide that now has over 8,000km and has only one hiccup to date, a broken front motor mount that was replaced last week.

Other than my '99 Kawasaki Drifter 1500 (which I only had for one year and 17,000km), the Harleys have been my most reliable bikes. Don't get me started about those two POS Hinckley Triumphs I owned.

[Gummiente]

But if only they really knew

News Flash: We do know. Most of us don't care. And to a Canadian like myself, it doesn't matter how many japanese/Korean/Chinese parts are on it, I bought the bike because I like it. But at least my dollars went towards supporting a North American company, not one that assembles bikes in America but has a head office in Japan that all the profits go to.

Pop quiz: What's the Canadian content on all Harleys made since '04?

[Stratus311]

Think about that for a minute. If it's a "custom" that he "built from the ground up", then it isn't a Harley, is it? It can only be called a Harley if it was built at the Harley factory. You can build a bike using aftermarket parts that LOOKS exactly like a Harley without using one single OEM part, like this guy did, but you can't register it as a Harley.

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.

[dieziege]

You know it is impossible for anyone other than an actual Harley owner to post positive feedback. A thread like this is just an open invitation for the jealous wannabe's to congregate...

Now that's a silly thing to say. I can post positive stuff about bikes I don't own...I've done it many times. Heck, I've posted positive things about Urals and chances are I'll never own one. As for jealous wannabes... not everyone who shrugs off harley does so 'cause they are jealous. I shrug off Harley... no interest in buying one... because they really don't have any bikes that interest me. It's not the company either, 'cause Buell (a Harley subsidiary AFAIK) does have bikes that interest me.

Seems like you played a major part in turning this thread negative. tsk tsk.

As for the OP's question... the single biggest factor is that Harley understands accessories and complimentary sales. When they develop a new bike they seem to develop not just the bike, but the lines of matching bolt-on parts too...and accessories (clothes and whatnot) as well... and of course there are a bunch of third party aftermarket parts for most Harleys 'cause the third parties know they'll sell... they don't know whether Suz M50 (for e.g.) hard parts will sell so they wait a wile to make 'em. Being able to buy those aftermarket parts is a major advantage. I have a fairly popular bike that's had a stable design, but for a combination of reasons there is almost zero aftermarket support...which means if I want something I'm pretty much stuck building it myself.

Older Harleys have excellent resale value compared to most older bikes, and there is an assumption that newer harleys will as well. That's a large part of the tangible advantage. However, most of the advantages are intangible. That's true for most brand-based purcahses. What tangible advantage is there in a DKNY or Tommy Hillfucker tee shirt over a Haynes? Personally, if I was into cruiser-style bikes I'd probably get bored with having the "Nice Harley." "It's not a Harley." conversation with every non-rider I talked to. The time saved in not having to explain to everyone that it's a Honda not a Harley probably offsets any possible difference in down-time due to reliability.

When you get into specialized types of riding, e.g. long-distance touring, the market seriously shrinks. If you want a big plush full-luggage touring bike your choices are pretty much Gold Wing, BMW Tourer, and Harley full dresser. Each marque has carved out its own niche within the niche... and if you are fond of the Harley full-dresser aesthetic you'll like the harley full dressers. Personally, I'd take the BMW out of that line-up... but then again I've had a number of BMW cars and must admit I'm fond of them.

The problem, and what bothers people like Gum there... is that Harley HAS been pushing the non-tangibles. The image, feel, and emotion. That polarizes the market... a lot of people respond to it and buy in without really being able to say why... and a lot of others are turned off by it. Getting back to BMW, I know somoene who bought a Lexus because BMW's "the ultimate driving machine" slogan pissed him off. Lexus sold him on laminated steel panels and other "hard features" while BMW to him was just saying "trust us we're the best". You can't flip through a Harley accessory catalog without either buying into the "image" side of things or laughing at the company and the people...because their methods do polarize the audience.

[Mustang]

This is an interesting thread, like Gummiente I was sure the topic was a magnet for all the Harley-bashers to come out and play, but except for a few off the wall remarks (which make no sense really) there have been some good posts...

Tangible reasons I'm happy I bought my Harley over another bike

I liked the look of it. I couldn't see any other bike on the market that drew me in like the Deuce.

By riding this bike and being a member of HOG, I'm part of a family that has 1 million members worldwide (as reported in May). Aside from enjoying the various functions organized by H.O.G and courtesy rooms at rallies, the membership are friendly and always willing to help out a fellow rider.

Sure its shallow, but the sound she makes just idling is sweet, forget about when you're pulling away.

It's interesting that there are some people that wouldn't want a particular brand of motorcycle if it was even given to them. If someone gave me a(insert sportbike here) unless I was on hard times I'd love to have it to ride around. But hey, I just love the experience of riding.

As for stories about reliability. Remember that Harley has over 100 years of making motorcycles, I dare anyone to look at a manufacturer thats built things for that many years and not find an occasional turkey. I can tell you my bike has been a picture of reliability and aside from riders doing really extreme things to their engines I've never heard anything but good stuff about Harleys mechanical longevity.

Sure Harleys cost a little more, but they tend to have a higher resale value than most bikes. And does it really bother other riders how I decide to spend my money. Should I not mention the Ferrari I've ordered

Back to topic....two great articles that go into the the image Harley has built are;

Branding a motorcycle to success

The History of Harley Davidson Advertising

[Nalian]

I do have to say that after owning a Jeep Wrangler - the whole "Harley family" package isn't nearly as creepy as I think Jeep was the same. But if you don't have kind of a niche car I don't know that you can be prepared for the whole "family" thing they push at you.

[Gummiente]

Seems like you played a major part in turning this thread negative. tsk tsk.

Perhaps you should re-read some of the responses BEFORE mine, then.

The problem, and what bothers people like Gum there...

No, you've missed the mark again and also made an assumption that is false. What bothers me are the people who bash the brand without having any exeperience to back up their statements. Apparently I haven't made that point clear in the year since I've joined this forum...?

You don't like Harleys. Fine, no problem. I can easily live with that - as I have done with others on this forum who can manage to convey their reasons in a civilised manner. But what you and a lot of others seem to miss is that:

a) I don't bother with it unless someone posts inflammatory and unsubstantiated crap about them, in which case I usually respond in kind and;

b) I have yet to bash anyone else's brand of bike despite being a "typical Harley rider" as defined by many of the trolls that frequent this place.

[Gummiente]

I guess the fact that it's been built around his original Harley powerplant has nothing to do with it?

Ah, now that changes things - when you said "custom" and "from the ground up" that usually means a bike without OEM parts. My apologies for misinterpreting that. However, in this particular case, if the motor needs constant retuning I have to wonder about the year of manufacture as well as the skill level of its builder. I have seen many Shovelheads and Panheads that, properly built and maintained, are very reliable bikes almost on par with the Evo and Twin Cams of today.

[dieziege]

Seems like you played a major part in turning this thread negative. tsk tsk.

Perhaps you should re-read some of the responses BEFORE mine, then.

Major part isn't the same as started the slide.

The problem, and what bothers people like Gum there...

No, you've missed the mark again and also made an assumption that is false. What bothers me are the people who bash the brand without having any exeperience to back up their statements. Apparently I haven't made that point clear in the year since I've joined this forum...?

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. They bash the brand because the brand is marketed in a polarizing manner. It isn't marketed on tangible merit. It's marketed on intangible emotional connotation. Some people respond very well to that ... they are looking for the emotion and they respond to it. Others react negatively. Same stimuli, different results. Just like one person will smell a cooking fish and say "mmmm good" while another will start complaining about how rude it is to cook fish where others can be subjected to the stink.

Go grab your Harley accessories catalog and read through it... it is filled with "role model" photos, each labeled with their bike and their epitaph (stirring quote, favorite blather, whatever)... why? Why not just have nameless models showing off the clothes? That's what most companies do.

They are selling the image, selling the emotion... and some people respond very negatively to that. They don't like it, and they respond by disliking the brand... and potentially the products as well.

BTW: Never said I didn't like Harleys myself... they just do nothing for me. I'd buy a springer softtail with FI (which comes as close as Harley comes to interesting me) if it was a *lot* cheaper... but I don't think they'll be listing for $5KUSD any time soon so that ain't gonna happen.

[-Holiday]

first of all, I'm going to assume the original poster didnt mean to confuse "why are harleys cool" with, what is the advantage of owning a harley. These two ideas come from completely different worlds, and I'm only going to address the second one, since why are harleys cool is a purely subjective question.


I'll list a few advantages to owning a harley:

Resale Value. Thats kinda self explainatory, but you dont really have to worry about getting your money back if you decide to sell your harley (that is unless you financed it).

Social Aspect. If you are looking to get into a scene, its probably easiest to do on a Harley as they are a popular bike. The average person knows what a Harley is, as compared to say, a Moto Guzzi or something. So you have a lot of social and moral support when you own a Harley.

Buying American. If you're into that sort of thing. Are some parts not from America? Sure. But its an American owned company, that started here in the US, by Americans.

That is really the best I can do without inpregnating part of this response with my own opinion on Harley's in general, which was not the intention of the thread.