2006-07-19 00:36:19 · 32 answers · asked by Tim D 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
First off, YOU RIDE not drive a bike. (sorry).
BUY AMERICAN! That is why! Symbol of freedom.
The prices are nice on imported bikes, but they are IMPORTS! That is a NO-NO. Purchase AMERICAN MADE products only. I know a Harley-Davidson is not completely American made, but it is assemble here in the good ol' US of A. A lot of history comes with the bike.
Not all H-D riders/owners are @$$holes. I ride an '03 Sportster and I have found more comradery with H-D vs Honda, Suzuki, etc. It depends on what event you go to, whether you are going to run into the @$$holes or not.
(stepping down from the soapbox....)
2006-07-19 01:10:16 · answer #1 · answered by a1quick57 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Because they want to.
Personally, I like to RIDE anything that resembles a motorcycle. I actually sold my Harley last year. I still have my KX500, which will be for sale shortly. I just picked up my 06 510 Husky license plate and all. Been a while since I sold my Honda Sabre 1100 to fund a trip to the desert with my 92 WR500 (that would be a Yamaha) and years since I had my last street legal TT500 (this would also be a Yamaha). Before that was another Yamaha and before that it was another Honda and before that was my very first motorcycle, a 69 Honda CL90. I learned how to ride on that one at the tender age of 11 or so. Next is hopefully a Triumph Speedmaster. I have to say though that my buddy was little frustrated when I would not let go of the rear tire on his Ninja with my little 883 while "riding" up the ever so beautiful hwy 199 in the heart of the Redwoods. I would say I would probably own another Harley in the future but not a sporty. I am 6'4. I would also say that if you think that Harley is the "ONLY BIKE" out there, you are an ignoramous. That would be like me saying, why would any one consider riding anything other than a Ford? You would probably puke all over yourself if I was to tell you that in the works is a nice 66 bug to be housed atop of a tube chassis utilizing a Toyota front clip and suspension which will be home to a rather crisp running small block Ford. Oops, did I just tell you that? sorry!
2006-07-19 16:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by shel_bug66 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I think harleys are pathetic pieces of crap...cmon' it took them till the year 2000 to upgrade to early 80's technology?!?! Why would you buy any product from a company that values image over a good design and a well built product? Is that the American way? If so, I don't want ANYTHING american. Gee whizz, the retards down at harleys R&D dept. clung to that single pin crank till they were almost so behind that any japanese beginner bike could EAT a harley 6 days a week and twice on sunday(I once smoked a guy on a 1200 sportster on my bone stock 1983 500cc honda ascott which only has 35HP!) and don't even get me started on that pathetic crap they bolt the the front of the springers and have the balls to call it "suspension" (can we say WW2 spec technology kiddies?) It should not be a suprise however, because they probably spent all their R&D money on lawyers trying to patent their "sound". Who wants to copy it anyway? Sounds like a damn lawnmower with the muffler hacksawed off and a plugged fuel filter!! Reliability and build quallity of harleys was sooooo poor for many many years, they gained quite a reputation as a portable oil leak and were the butt of many a joke. I really don't know how they survived the 80's...I guess we have all you harley loving tards out there to thank for that. As for the image...if your into that "Im white trash and Im proud of it" look, or the "I just turned 50 and Im going through a mid life crisis" look, or the "Ive been riding this bike for 10 years straight and I havn't even stopped to take a shower along the way" look, then maybe a harley is for you. Personally I don't choose a bike based on the image it portrays, rather I choose a bike based on how well it suits the uses I have planned for it. I don't care what use you have for your bike, there is a waaaayyy better bike than a harley to fit the bill. You want a classic chopper? an old Triumph baby....it was good enough for Marlon Brando....You want to just cruise comfortably and reliably through town or the foothills? Try a valkerie or that HUGE honda vtwin cruiser....You want to go FAST? Try that new Kawasaki zx10r, I heard its even smokin' the gixer1000's these days.....You want to do some sport touring? BMW's can be pretty nice for this, although I kinda prefer a little more flair than a sewing machine so Id probably go more the Yamaha FZ-1 with saddlebags route.....You want to do a little dual sport riding? well, harleys are gonna REALLY suck off the pavement so I would suggest maybe a water cooled xr650r with a Baja kit or maybe a DRZ400, both are GREAT dirt bikes and will even give a big harley a hell of a drag race. Id even say that the xr650r would probably chew up and spit out any harley, on road or off, other that that new V-rod. Any way you cut it, harleys suck and there is a better bike for the job. Unless your just a pathetic poser who is only riding for the sake of "looking cool" then sure....I guess a harley can somewhat compete in that arena....although i personally hate cruisers period and you won't be looking too cool in MY eyes, but hey, to each his own I guess....But I think the real question is "Why would anyone ride a harley?"
2006-07-19 08:32:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, buy American!, even though the Harley is made from Taiwanese and Chinese manufactured parts that cost pennies to make, and probably cost as much to assemble as the parts cost. Just so they can support high wages! But then again, I think this is much better than low wages and high paid CEO's.
Harley finally makes a good bike. They made unreliable good looking stuff for many years, now they have started adding reliability.
Why would I ride anything else? Cost. Plus there is the image. If you don't wear the leathers and the black T-shirts and bandanna etc etc you are not a real harley rider. If you don't dress like that every day and you do when you ride, you are a poser. If you don't dress like that when you ride people look at you like you are an alien. I don't need that crap. If I am riding I can just put on a jacket and helmet and go.
For me, I think the best bike is a Ymaha R1, or CBR1000, or something to that effect. I am just not a cruiser type.
2006-07-19 04:31:18 · answer #4 · answered by ColvinBri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reasons why I don't ride a Harley.
1) I don't believe in spending extra thousands of dollars for nothing more than a name.
2) They've got a terrible reputation for leaking.
3) I once went into a harley shop to buy a basic part, and was treated very disrespectfully.
4) I don't like chain or belt driven bikes.
5) Any small framed bike I've seen from Harley also has itty-bitty gas tanks.
Yeah, I think that about covers it for me.
2006-07-19 07:23:05 · answer #5 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they cost too much, they are not the best bike as the best bike does not exist, and they may be american made but with foreign parts. A HD isn't worth over $10000, period. And they haven't made a real motor since the last shovel was made in '84. My last HD was a '83 FLT. These new pop can motors are no different than any other brand. Honda makes good bikes, HD makes good bikes, BMW makes good bikes and Moto Guzzi makes good bikes. No one brand is the best brand. They all need maintainance, they all break down and when they want to, they run down the road. So ride what you can afford or what you prefer and don't worry about what I ride. It's my bike, my life and my decision and doesn't affect you in anyway. You ride yours and I'll ride mine.
2006-07-19 15:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by caveman_frmc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why? For the same reasons any one rides a Harley. Because they either want to or it's the bike that fits their needs and budget.
It's the ride that's important, not the name of the ride. Bigotry ruins the road.
2006-07-19 11:24:36 · answer #7 · answered by Muffie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the one answer said earlier...I don't want everyone owning a Harley, cause who would we make fun of then? JUST KIDDING...we don't make fun of anyone...
I ride with a few crotch rockets (an keep up no problem I might add)...on my heritage.
I don't like the cop-out about being too expensive, because I bought an old sportster for my first bike which wasn't very much but it sure seemed like it to me back then...so it was cheap and ran great.
Ok, to the answer above...I put many miles on both bikes and haven't had any "reliability" problems...
2006-07-19 05:46:17 · answer #8 · answered by DAVER 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea... Harley's a nice bike... There are many reasons why. Cost being one. Harleys are expenisive. Plus, the got many nice bikes that are cheaper. I like HONDA, You know I just bought a 2005 Honda Rebel. A left over model, and it only cost me $1200 bucks.. Brand new!
2006-07-19 00:39:14 · answer #9 · answered by johncharlesrealty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I have nothing against HD, rode a few on occasion even. My Honda VTX 1800S is more bike for less money and very reliable. Case in point: a buddy bought a 883 for $8800 and I bought my 1800 for $8549. I got a lot more bike for less money, and that means I have more money for CHROME. If I had the money to drop and there was an HD I wanted I would buy it, but the Honda is the perfect bike for me, because it is what I WANT to ride. Peace; Ride what you like, and like what you ride.
And FYI: My Honda was made in the USA. :)
2006-07-19 01:28:35 · answer #10 · answered by B R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋