Pro's and Con's of Harley motorcycles?

Question

A. Harley doesn't build the best of anything?
B. Harley is not up on current fashion (although retro is becoming chic again)
C. Harley's V-twin is a dinosaur and should be replaced by a modern, liquid engine (and not the V-rod lump either!),
D. Harley should build multi cylinders (3, 4, 6) engines
E. Name ANY modern motorcycle that the ANY Harley can outrun, outcorner, or outstop

True or false:
Harley is only a name and people would by a pile of manure if it had a tank that said Harley on it?

Why does Harley complain about foreign bikes when Harley uses Japanese fuel systems, sells leathers made in Korea, and has other, similar, hypocritical policies?

did you know?
Harley tried to make a modern racer and failed magnificently? Check the AMA records!
Harley still wins dirt track races only because they lobbied to have Japanese bikes limited in displacement (honda was killing harley, boo hoo)
If harley cannot make a decent product, should the gov't continue to help them out?

anyone that wants an "authentic" cruiser has a number of choices other than that of the overpriced, underperforming crap that comes out of Milwaukee. Victory, for starters. But if you want to spend mega dollars for a bike, you can always buy a BMW bagger and be COMFORTABLE, have MUCH better reliability and service! Or a GOLDWING!
If you want fast, lightweight, Go DUCATI, HONDA, KAWASAKI, SUZUKI, YAMAHA, or TRIUMPH!
WHY buy a harley?
THERE IS NO GOOD REASON!

"The Harley V-rod is one of the fastest bikes out there.. If not the fastest!"
ALL I CAN SAY TO THAT IS READ A MAGAZINE EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE.EVERY SINGLE STANDARD AND SPORTING BIKE FROM JAPAN (600CC CLASS AND ABOVE) WIL ABSOLUTELY POSATIVELY SPANK EVERY STOCK HARLEY ON THE PLANET!!
JUST THE FACTS!!!

I would like to thank the first 13 answerers (is that a word?) for failing to name a single harly model that can out perform ANY current 600cc bike from anywhere.
because there are none!

Answer 1

All of the above.

True.

Beats the living heck out of me, truly.

Yes , I knew that. Looked kinda funny, too, with the V-twin powerplant and the little fringe on the seat cowl.

Yeah, the best they can do is dominate the dirt ovals where grunt is all-important, and only because (as you noted) the Japanese were put on a power handicap.

Nope.

So, what do I win?

Answer 2

This isn't a question its just a bable of crap that some wet behind the ear goof ball is ranting about. If you think Harley's suck fine don't buy one or ride one. I own many bikes including Harley's but tell me how many 20-40 year old Japanese motorcycles do you see still being ridden around and check your figures because the Japanese have dumped more motorcycles into this country then Harley has built for US distribution in the last 30 years.

Granted Harley does not do many things perfectly but neither does any other motorcycle that's why there are so many to choose from but what Harley does do the best that no other motorcycle (IMHO) can do is get fully loaded with gear and passenger and cruise endlessly all day without a whimper. And regarding the rest of your post of what they should do they have been building these things for over 100 yrs so they must be doing something right. And where are you getting your information about the govt continuing to help Harley??? Sounds like you must be from the left coast.

And yes foreign govt manufactured motorcycles are heavily subsidized by their governments.

Answer 3

Pro list:
Harlys are long lasting. I own a 67. Know anyone with an older bike?
Harlys are made right here in the U.S.A! (Give job's to you're Neighbor's!)
Harlys are cheep! Don't know what the rest of you are talking about? But you can get top of the line now for $17,000.
Price of Harlys stays the same. You can buy a Harly know and 5 years from now sell it for just about the same price you spent on it.
The Harley V-rod is one of the fastest bikes out there.. If not the fastest!
Harly has been around for over 100 years and nothing is slowing them down. I know I'll still be able to buy part's for bike latter on down the road.

True or false:
False

You never owned a real bike that's why you're so hard on Harley. These new RICEBURNNERS are cheeply made and that's why they don't cost alot thoe try getting more then 10 years out of them. I know people who have been thrue 3 Jap bikes in the past 10 years becuse they don't last. Oh and 3 jap bikes cost more then one Harley. Also no one wants these new looking bike's. If you're talking jap bikes Harley is killing them if you're talking about these choppers they are all going out of business.

By the way Victory may be going out of business in the next 5 years so you may want to re-think buying a Victory. BMW Just sticks you spend all that monney for what? They now cost more then Harleys! GOLDWING's stick everyone knows that I don't even have to go into that one. HONDA, KAWASAKI, SUZUKI, YAMAHA, or TRIUMPH! THEY DONT LAST!!!! They are all junk!

Answer 4

I have been riding for a very long time. I've gone through different brands of bikes and enjoyed all of them. But, ever since I was a kid, I've wanted a Harley. Well, I finally have one and it's great. I don't have any problems and I can maintain it myself. I've had others that all I could do was put gas and oil because you need a degree in rocket science to repair them. I don't have a problem with whatever anyone rides, but I will stay with Harley from now on. i don't need to be the fastest thing on the street anymore, I just want to be comfortable and ride what I like. I like having 100+ years of tradition with me when I ride.

Answer 5

Pros The bandidos and hells angels wont smirk at you for riding foreign. They are great with chicks. It sounds nice to say I own a Harley, 99.9% of the people know what a Harley is. Long Lasting, very comfortable ride. Aftermarket parts and motor upgrades, that is why Paulie and Vin on American Choppers put a Screaming Eagle 103 in some of their bikes....

Cons Oversaturated market.

Answer 6

Here we go again....dude......ride what ever the hell you want to ride. Nobody cares. I have had no problems with my Harley. As far as I am concerned, it was money well spent. I have owned metric cruisers....nice bikes......I put a lot of miles on them. They were worth nothing when I was done with them, but that's ok.....they served their purpose. Now after years of busting my azz at work.... I was finally able to upgrade my motorcycle choice. I can't explain it, but I can tell you that it is a different experience riding a Harley. Please....don't knock it until you tried it. You might want to consider buying stock in the Harley Davidson Motor company.....I hear it is doing pretty well.

Answer 7

Pros: resale value (for now)

Cons: too many to list... :-)

According to a "Hardley" owner that works with me, they are a beeootch to maintain. Of course most Hardley owners won't admit that at all. But I do think the news is getting out more and more, so I don't think the resale advantage will last long.

Sell 'em while you can. Once people wise up Harley will have to either drastically cut prices, drastically improve reliability, or go out of biz.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Pro - My bike is a part of me, not a toy that will be used and discarded in a couple of years. I'm gonna go riding now,(63 Pan) try to keep your blood pressure down.

Answer 10

God I have seen this type of thing everywhere. Guess what?? All those rice burners out there came from the designs from who???You guessed it Harley Davidson!!! Just ride what you want and shut up