Harley sales down

[blair]

The V-Rod isn't a cruiser. Nor is it a Rune, a 'busa, a Vincent, or a Ural.

I kinda sometimes think I could ride a Harley. Well, I know I could ride one; it's just a motorcycle. But sometimes I think I could actually pay money to own one. But then I remember how the Harley place wouldn't fix my Shadow. Harley places are snobs. Without reason. My money's just as green as any Harley rider's. Moreso, by quite a bit, usually. But Harley sells its culture, and doesn't want to pollute that culture by admitting their product is just a motorcycle.

So while a Harley is just a motorcycle, I don't think I'd pay extra to have their logo on my vehicle any sooner than I'd have it inked under my skin.

[Gummiente]

But then I remember how the Harley place wouldn't fix my Shadow.

Well, go figure! Imagine that, a Harley dealer unwilling to work on a motorcycle from another maker! Because I'm sure they must have had all the special tools, gaskets and parts in stock for your specific bike and their service area was staffed by technicians who had taken not only every Harley course, but all the Honda ones as well. Oh, the humanity!



Get over it. I've had major Japanese motorcycle bike shops refuse to work on my Triumph Thunderbird and Triumph Tiger when I owned them, but I didn't get all whiny about it.

[blair]

I've had major Japanese motorcycle bike shops refuse to work on my Triumph Thunderbird and Triumph Tiger when I owned them, but I didn't get all whiny about it.

Aw, shucks. You saved your whiny for me.

The Kawasaki dealer will service a Harley. No reason a Harley dealer can't service a Honda. Especially when it's the only motorcycle repair shop for ten miles in a big town.

Unless maybe they know they have too many Harleys to fix all the time...

[Gummiente]

Unless maybe they know they have too many Harleys to fix all the time...

Yeah, that's it. Funny how you went there in the first place because your Honda was broken, though.

Tell you what... take a long ride (assuming you're not afraid to leave the safety of your town, that is) to the closest BMW dealer and ask them to fix your Shadow. Then try a Ducati dealer. Then a Victory shop. Let me know what you find out, mmm-k?

[blair]

You're a small prize in a large box of something this board would just replace with a colorful mechanical phrase.

The place I bought my bike would fix any bike.

The place I got my bike fixed is a Kawasaki dealer, and would fix any bike.

I don't doubt that most bike shops in this town (and it's a big motorcycle town; I mean, "poo poo", Sonny "procreating" Barger moved here) would fix any bike just on the principle that it means someone would get to ride a little sooner.

Sorry if I offended your snobby sensibilities.

[DustyJacket]

Everyone out there that rides is loyal to a certain brand of motorcycle. ...

Not "everyone".

I started on a Buell, later an H-D, and now a BMW.

Each one was for a different purpose. I still like each one even though I only own the BMW.

They are just vehicles, not a lifestyle or statement of who I am.

(Really FUN vehicles, but they are just vehicles.)

[Gummiente]

Sorry if I offended your snobby sensibilities.

Sorry, kid, but you're nowhere near offending my sensibilities yet. And I'm sorry that the big, evil Harley dealer wouldn't fix your poor little Japanese bike... that was obviously a traumatic experience that you still haven't been able to deal with yet. Guess I'll have to take it easy on you until you've healed.

[Gummiente]

Everyone out there that rides is loyal to a certain brand of motorcycle. ...

Not "everyone".

I started on a Buell, later an H-D, and now a BMW.

Each one was for a different purpose. I still like each one even though I only own the BMW.

They are just vehicles, not a lifestyle or statement of who I am.

(Really FUN vehicles, but they are just vehicles.)

Well said. Except for the "they are just vehicles" part... a car is just a vehicle, a bike is a "lifestyle accoutrement" I'm loyal to whatever bike happens to fit my needs at that particular point in my life. Right now it's a Harley and an Ural, who knows what I'll be riding in a few years from now.

Probably a Gold Wing trike.

[Johnj]

I don't doubt that most bike shops in this town (and it's a big motorcycle town; I mean, "poo poo", Sonny "procreating" Barger moved here) would fix any bike just on the principle that it means someone would get to ride a little sooner.

Motorcycle shops are in business to make money. Making sure you get to ride sooner is way down on the list of things they worry about.

[blair]

Sorry if I offended your snobby sensibilities.

Sorry, kid, but you're nowhere near offending my sensibilities yet. And I'm sorry that the big, evil Harley dealer wouldn't fix your poor little Japanese bike... that was obviously a traumatic experience that you still haven't been able to deal with yet. Guess I'll have to take it easy on you until you've healed.

See what I mean? You're just another Harley snob.

Exactly why I would never give them a nickel.

Enjoy your tattoo.