2006-07-07 15:02:51 · 34 answers · asked by S 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
If you don't care about the price, the horsepower, or maintainance costs, buy a Harley. Harleys are now very reliable compared to the old days of AMF. They have an awesome sound when you put on an after market exhaust. But we all know what H.D. stands for, hundred dollars. Everything you buy or maintain on the bike is a hundred dollars. If you do care about the price, horsepower and maintainance costs, buy a Honda. Reliability is Honda's middle name. The model of Honda that compares to a Harley is the VTX1800, which comes in various styles. I prefer the retro model. Big fat fenders, floorboards etc... And if you put on an after market exhaust, it sounds equally as awesome. But please don't ignore Kawasaki, they also are very fine machines. The Vulcan 1600 classic, and it's big brother on steroids the Vulcan 2000 classic are awesome. It comes down to personal preferences. Just remember that a bike doesn't make the man, you're a man long before you throw your leg over a bike.......Ride safe.....
2006-07-08 05:28:20 · answer #1 · answered by Big mike 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Despite all the marketing hoopla from H-D marketing department a Harley is simply NOT the best bike made. And it is NOT as "American" as we are led to believe. The steel tubing used for the frames is imported from China. Many of the electrical components are from China or Japan. I saw a "Genuine Harely-Davidson Parts" parts bag with the label "Made in Finland" prominently displayed on the bottom of the bag. Last I heard, a Harley was only 87% American parts while the Victory was 93% American made. So if I was looking to "buy American" then the logical choice would be that brand right? I've owned Harleys before and because of my experiences with them I will never own another. If you must "live the lifestyle" then by all means buy a H-D.....
2006-07-08 03:54:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends, if there is a Harley dealer in your town and that is what you want, get it, but if you have to travel out of town to buy one you're better off with the Honda. I work in a motorcycle shop and because we aren't a Harley dealer the warranty would be void if we did any work on it, that also goes for doing the work yourself. Also there are some parts on the bike that needs specialized Harley tools to work on it.
2006-07-08 10:50:19 · answer #3 · answered by chandraking2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of wrong answers here. Go for the Honda, if for nothing else, the repair and accessories are SOO much less expensive. The allure of Harleys is in that the purchaser simply likes to show off the ability to afford a bike that costs a lot and is difficult to maintain. The Honda is much more reliable, easier to repair and less expensive both in maintainance and use.
Besides, everybody has a Harley. It's old hat.
2006-07-08 00:18:28 · answer #4 · answered by Chris H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harley
2006-07-07 15:05:17 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question... I am in sort of the same boat. I think it just depends on how each bike feels to you, and partially how important the name HD is to you. I mentioned looking at Harleys to a guy at work who rides a Yamaha I think, and he acted like I'd hurt his feelings, even though he was joking. He said I probably wouldn't even talk to him if I got a Harley! But some people don't like Harley's, because of the way they're set up. However, from the salesman I talked to, there are a lot of options on the seating and the extra rider seat behind it. The price isn't that bad on the 883's either!
2006-07-07 15:07:00 · answer #6 · answered by merlin_steele 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former Honda rider, I can't say that you'll ever get over "Harley envy". But if you can deal with it, the cost of a Honda, or any other asian model for that matter, both for the bike itself, and for accessories is a huge plus. In my experience, a Honda bike is at most 1/2 the cost of its Harley counterpart.
2006-07-07 17:18:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ride a Honda Shadow 750. Even HD riders think it's a Harley! Go for the less expensive, but still HD looking bike. I've only owned Hondas and they are really well made.
2006-07-07 15:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by Robin W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Valkyrie Interstate made by Honda . Six cylinder w/caburetors. Beautiful bike. Looks like a Harley a little, but much faster. Sleek, variety of colors. I'm sold on them. I'm gonna get one soon. I love the power. Harley, just a name and a price tag to go with it. I've driven Hondas all my life and I'm still an American. I just like Honda machines.
2006-07-07 15:38:41 · answer #9 · answered by LARRY P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont believe you will get a single answer saying Honda. Go for the Harley.
2006-07-07 15:05:59 · answer #10 · answered by ♥ twobows ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋