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ZooTech wrote:

jmillheiser wrote:Im suprised nobody mentioned Victory?

I was going to, but Polaris is actually a Canadian company IIRC, so rather than open that can of worms, eh!

Nope, I think that they are 'Merican.....

If all you're looking for is performance then you'll be happy with a variety of bikes. If you want to enjoy the overall features of a bike, stay away from the Sportster. IMO, from what I have heard and read, my conclusion for the Sportster is a bike someone purchases so they can say they own a Harley. The bike is fugly, uncomfortable, rides hard and handles poorly just to name a few. Of all the riders who I have spoken with who own a Sportster, the first things out of their mouths are the negative features of the bike, which have outweighed the positive until when/if they modified for improvement. I even met one rider who actually admitted to buying the Sportster because it was a Harley and the only one she could afford.

Now, for my unbias opinion for the rest of the Harleys. I like the Fat Boy, V-Rod and Dyna Wide Glide. The sad part is, most HDs look all the same and even the mods are the same. Therefore, you can't find two of the same bike with much different mods. I'm also not hooked into the "American Made" label nor the "American Icon" label also. It doesn't justify paying twice as much for a bike when I can find a much better handling and performance bike for half the cost and add mods which will still keep me under the full cost of an HD. Besides, as someone mentioned, Hondas are more American made than Harleys.

I don't condemn a person for wanting a Harley, but I do believe MOST who purchase a Harley do so only for the "Icon" status or to fit into a crowd because they haven't the spine to be their own person. Perhaps I wouldn't feel this way if I didn't have first hand experience at watching some friends have an automatic attitude change after the purchase of a Harley, as well as viewing the snobby attitude of many others. No, not all are like that, but I believe the majority are. It's already a proven fact of the boost in motorcycling and most of those are the mid 40 yuppy urbanites who have never ridden before and their first purchase is a Harley because it's the "in" bike.

Bottom line: do a thorough research on ALL bikes in the bike category you want. If it's a Harley you want because you think it's a better bike, than go for it. But if it's for the Icon status, then God help you.

The bike is fugly

Now, I don't know all that much about the rest, but that just isn't trrue from where I'm sitting.

MOST who purchase a Harley do so only for the "Icon" status or to fit into a crowd because they haven't the spine to be their own person

I don't have a Harley and chances are I never will, but I don't know about the above. I have no doubt that there are some folks who have chosen Harley before they know the first thing about motorcycles. Still seems a little harsh. I guess they could be spineless.... then again, MAYBE THEY LIKE THEM

cb360 wrote:

The bike is fugly

Now, I don't know all that much about the rest, but that just isn't trrue from where I'm sitting.

MOST who purchase a Harley do so only for the "Icon" status or to fit into a crowd because they haven't the spine to be their own person

I don't have a Harley and chances are I never will, but I don't know about the above. I have no doubt that there are some folks who have chosen Harley before they know the first thing about motorcycles. Still seems a little harsh. I guess they could be spineless.... then again, MAYBE THEY LIKE THEM

Perhaps they do, but put it to the test. Next available opportunity you have, ask a person who likes what it is they like about it/them. I'm willing to bet I could narrow the answer down to two or three simple reasons. One person told me he like it because of the way it sounds . What a great reason to buy one.

BTW, being concerned about harshness is not my forte'. Being concerned with truthful opinions is. Bottom line, those who lack individuality are lost, which resorts to an apprehensive person who feels the need to follow in order to fit in.

I don't have anything against the HD bikes themselves, just those who carry the snob attitude with it. One thing for sure, HD has done a great job with their marketing. More power to them. Unfortunately, competition is increasing for them, especially with the Victory line, but an increase in sales has benefit the japanese line as well.

HD has done a great job with their marketing.

That is for certain. I think a big part of it is that it's an American Co. - despite the foreign content theses days - and just the overall history in that they've been around for a long time. I wasn't trying to give you a hard time. And I know there's plenty of folks who wear the 'Harley' on their tank the same way they wear 'Ralph Lauren' on their dress shirts... the emblem is the most important thing. I was just thinking of a few long-time posters on this board who are extremely experienced bikers and they just absolutely love their Harleys. I agree the name attracts 'posers' as it were, but they also attract a lot of knowledgeable, experienced riders. Must be something more to it other than the emblem and the sound of the pipes... I must admit though, that despite being kind of a Honda guy, I do like the sound. Whenever I get a new bike, I'll get the one I like the best that I can afford and everything else be damned

High_Side wrote:

ZooTech wrote:

jmillheiser wrote:Im suprised nobody mentioned Victory?

I was going to, but Polaris is actually a Canadian company IIRC, so rather than open that can of worms, eh!

Nope, I think that they are 'Merican.....

The Victory motorcycles are made in Minnesota, but Polaris Industries operates in Canada as a division of Textron (who also makes EZGO golf carts). Canadian parent company, therefore Canadian product. Although my argument about Honda being as American as it gets should apply to Victory as well, based on the employees in Minnesota who make the bikes.

Well put Kal. I think a lot of us form our ideas of what looks good when we are teenagers. One example is athletic shoes - they were a pretty important part of a teenage boy's style back in the day - and I still like the retro shoes. Now that I'm 40 I can walk in the sporting goods store, see 200 different styles on the wall, find them all sorely lacking, and walk back out again thinking, 'how the hell could anyone put that crap on their feet?" I guess that's why I like old standard Hondas. They were pretty sweet when I was growing and I'm stuck in the past... I still think they look pretty sweet

cb360 wrote:They were pretty sweet when I was growing and I'm stuck in the past... I still think they look pretty sweet

Nothing wrong with that, cb360. I've had a lot of pretty cool cars in my time on this earth, but I'd trade every one of them for a brand new 1987 Mazda B2000 (my first vehicle). They truly don't make them like they used too! The truck I have now is still classified as a "compact" despite the fact that it can carry five people and has more than double the power of that Mazda. Nobody makes a true mini-pickup any more, and nobody makes one as cool as that one!

(*Memories...light the corners of my mind...misty water-colored memories...* )


A "compact" pickup???

Meanie wrote:......stay away from the Sportster. IMO, from what I have heard and read, my conclusion for the Sportster is.......

Reading and listening is a good thing, but test riding one is much better. I test rode some bikes and the 1200C is the one that brought the biggest smile to my face.

I did over 1,500 miles on my Sporty this last weekend, and wasn't uncomfortable. During that trip I did over 100 miles on mountain twisties w/non-Harley riders and kept up with no problem. (Except for 3 blind curves that I had to slow down for because I couldn't see what was coming around the bend - not for lack of handling.)