Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Just chill and enjoy the attention. It isn't the fault of the general public that Harley Davidson is one of the world's best known brands (a pretty amazing achievement really, considering how many Harleys are sold compared to, say, bottles of Coca Cola, or Nike trainers).

Still, i prefer the implied approval/enthusiasm of "You ride a bike? Is it a Harley?" to "You ride a bike? Isn't it just a matter of time before you crash and die?"

Ive had a few people ask me if I bought a Harley when they found out I bought a bike!

"No, I bought a used Yamaha Virago for 1500$, that way if I drop it or hate riding - so freaking what".

Kal wrote:
I don't care what someone rides (as long as it isnt a scooter) as long as they ride!

Whats wrong with scooters?

Both Harley and Ducati made scooters at one time.

Harleys are heavy emphasis on the show and not so much on the go. While most metric cruisers emphasize reliability and efficiency H-D emphasizes a particular look and sound established by long tradition. For the Harley haters, this is an inexcusable sacrifice.

Put any metric cruiser and any Harley side by side and for most, the paint and simple, elemental styling of the Harley will get the heart pumping more than the integrated radiator and sewing machine sound of the Japanese bike.

My theory: What Harley does really well is producing so many different models in so many different colors. If you want a particular look in your cruiser and want it in a particular color, a Harley dealer nearby will probably have it. People love their Harleys in part because they have to make very few compromises in getting exactly the bike they want. Maintaining the ability to have each model in eight colors with hand striping is expensive and is probably a big chunk of a Harley's cost.

Just like most things in motorcycling, the Japanese have rational appeal and most other manufacturers trade on emotion.

My first big ride, a friend of ours joined in. He has a scooter! My boyfriend rode in front of me (been riding 13 years), me behind him, and the scooter in the back. We hit 80-90 a few times, and the scooter kept up just fine! Had a blast! I think if you want to ride one who gives a crap. But just like anyting people are so obssessed with an image...

The poor horse is dead.

t_bonee wrote:The poor horse is dead.

So very true...

There used to be a beating the dead horse smiley... This is the best I could do.

atom wrote:Whats wrong with scooters?

I also irrationally hate the French and the Welsh...

storysunfolding wrote:There used to be a beating the dead horse smiley...

It got worn out from being used in all the Harley threads.