how do you tell the difference between a Harley Davidson and a normal motorcycle?

Answer 1

Harley Davidson's ARE "normal motorcycles"..... Its all the rice-burners out there that can't seem to make up their collective minds what kind of bike they should copy next.

Harley Davidson's have been an AMERICAN ICON for 103 years, and counting. Those rice-burner, plastic pieces of sh*t have been around for how long ? If you want durablity, comfort, reliability and a bike that will retain its value for a lifetime, buy a Harley Davidson. If, however, you just want to buy something "disposable" buy anything else.

The Japs finally heard what people want in a motorcycle and are trying to copy what has always been "Harley Davidson". Too bad there can only be one genuine H-D but, at least they're trying. Still a jap bike though.

Jap bike manufacturers copying H-D a "Myth" .... BULLSH*T !
.... Let me direct your attention to all of these metric bikes. Where, exactly do you think they got their styling cues from ? Indian ? The RoadStar that "Unclebeer" refers to as being styled after the old Indian Motorcycle is fact enough but, lets talk a few years before that when, it seems that just about EVERY jap bike manufacturer styled bikes in their own fashion until, I guess they couldn't GIVE them away and wanted a bigger piece of the American market. Then everything started looking like a Harley ( from across the parking lot anyway ). The sound ? Yeah sure, it IS the pipes that make the sound what it is but, it is also the engine that MAKES the sound. The AMERICAN V-Twin ( also copied by the metric manufacturers ).
The "myth" that all ( or even most ) Harley riders are doctors or lawyers is also just a crybaby excuse of someone who has to blame their inability to buy AMERICAN on something else. Doctors and lawyers buy Harley Davidsons for the same reason as everyone else, they want the best so they buy the best. No, not everyone can afford to buy a Harley and for those people the Metric market is accomodating you by giving you the LOOK, FEEL and SOUND of a Harley for less. Less $$$ Less Motorcycle too. Harley Davidson MAY have taken cues from the Japs in styling the Vrod but, they didn't change their ENTIRE product line to copy them ( Well, no matter cause if they did, it would still look like a Harley. Since they would be copying the Jap bikes trying to copy Harley )

Answer 2

First, look for a Harley Davidson badge. All of the large Japanese companies make bikes that look and even sound sort of like a Harley, but usually use different names than Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki to boost their image. Harley owners are proud of their bikes, and don't tend to take the name plates off. Most choppers or customs are made from Harleys as well, but once again the big Japanese companies have their own brands of custom bikes, so look hard. By the way, there isn't anything wrong with those bikes. All of them are good, and well engineered, and usually a lot less money than an equivalent Harley. Harley Davidson remains the benchmark and probably will for saome time.

Answer 3

The question is a bit of a misnomer. I'm not sure what you mean by "normal motorcycle". The differences between HD and other cruisers/touring bikes lie primarily in cost, dependability, and target audience. Harley Davidson motorcycles generally cost more than their Japanese counterparts. A 1670cc Road Star Silverado costs $13,099, while its comparable (but smaller) HD counterpart, a 1450cc Road King Classic is supposed to retail for $18,005 (however, HD shops won't sell for retail, this bike will likely not be found for under $22k).
Harley Davidson sells their new bikes to doctors and lawyers and accountants seeking to shed their suits and ties for a few minutes on saturday afternoon. They tend to be a status symbol more than a 2 wheeled road machine.

Harley Davidson is low on the list of dependable machines. Their reputation has gotten better recently, their bikes don't leak oil as much as they used to, but they do have a way to go.

Myth: "Jap bike manufacturers copy HD"
Truth: Anything involving classic styling is said to copy Harley Davidson. The Road Star specifically is designed after the old Indian motorcycles, even down to the tank badging. Harley Davidson did their fair share of copying, including but not limited to their classic V-Twin single-pin crankshaft design (taken from Porsche, and a part of their not-quite-patented sound) and their new 'V-Rod' which takes cues from the Japanese.

Myth: "Nothing sounds like a Harley"
Fact: Most of the big bikes are virtually indistinguishable. The pipes make more difference than the engine when it comes to sound.

Myth: Harley Davidson is an American made bike blah blah blah.
Fact: Harley Davidson uses Japanese, Chinese, Canadianese parts in their motorcycles. They now have a manufacturing plant in Manaus, Brazil. Honda Goldwings are built in Marysville, Ohio where Honda has been making some of its motorcycles for 26 years.

Myth: "True" bikers only ride Harleys.
Fact: Goldwing owners as a rule log more miles than anyone else. Many Goldwing owners are retirees who have owned Harleys and other bikes and have settled on Goldwing for their dependability and ridability.

Conclusion: Harley Davidsons are, in my opinion, "Just another bike". They have a long history, and they do make a good bike, but in my opinion, not worth the cost of the name. My last two bikes were Yamahas and my next NEW bike will probably carry a Japanese name as well. If I should come across a good deal on an old Harley and I have the time to tinker with it to keep it running, I'll certainly consider it.

[edit]
I don't think we need to turn this into a debate, jcalaz2003. I would just like to point out that "rice" does not mean "wannabe" as you seem to be implying. Many people have test-ridden harleys against japanese bikes and made their choice by experience, rather than by blind brand loyalty.[/edit]

Answer 4

Well all motorcycles are normal unless it looks freaky. Anyway, the Harley is an American built, more metal parts to it . The motors have more of a popping noise the street bike have more like a Indy car racing noise...more jet wise. Most Harley's have saddle compartment's made from leather ,while the street bikes have just plastic cover body's for a sporty look . When it all comes down any motorcycle that can be registered under DMV is considered normal. If not , it will never be on the rode.

Answer 5

Looks mostly, sound often, but not always. Some Harley's have nice, quiet engines as a decent muffler is used. But most people seem to have very loud bikes, and the Harley roar is unmistakable. No other bikes I've ever heard even come close to the roar of a harley.

Here's a site you can check out and read about Harley's: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/st_org/iptf/articles/content/1998101101.html

Recognizing different brands of motorcycles is something you have to train yourself. Not all big motorcycles are Harleys, but usually the big bikes are. You can look on the gas tank and it often say's Harley Davidson.

Looking at pictures of various bikes might help too.

Answer 6

The classic Harley V-twin rumble is now being copied by some Japanese manufacturers. A Yamaha Road Star sounds just like a Harley when you put a set of drag pipes on it. It also uses the V-twin engine. Basically the best way for a novice is look at the badging on the tank.

Answer 7

They have a very distinct style and look which is classic, sleek, round, powerful. Also, a neat fact about Harleys is that they have a patented sound. No engine sounds like a Harley Davidson, I promise. Also also, Harley owners tend to adorn their bikes and their bodies with more leather than the standard biker.

Answer 8

Check out other peoples actions. If road construction workers wave at a motorcycle, if people in cars wave at a motorcycle , if people approach a motorcycle at a gas station, it's probably a Harley.

For the HD bashers (seems to be one or two), the only motorcycle that stranded me was the Honda. Well the Vulcan too if you want to count a flat tire.

Answer 9

All you need to fix a Harley is a 6-pack and a hammer. Metric bikes take some skill and a few tools.

Answer 10

The Harley is usually in the bed of a pickup being taken somewhere to be repaired.