are harleys the ultimate road bike?

Question

i'm stuck in a dilemna between harley and triumph.

Answer 1

Let me answer this one by saying that I own many bikes (I am a mechanic and I build custom racing bikes). I currently own:

1998 Harley Road King
2000 BMW R-1200
2001 Suzuki Intruder VS-1400
2003 Suzuki GSX-R 1000
1993 Suzuki Katana 750 (track race bike)

I love all my bikes but I ride the BMW and the Intruder the most. They are the most trouble free and they are my daily commuters. Every morning they start and run perfectly. The GSXR is the same story, but I only ride that one on weekends with me buddys. The Katana is only for use on the track. That leaves the Harley. A fine bike and people really seem to love it when I show up someplace on it. But, it has it's problems.

Even in a 1998 model, the thing leaks oil from the pan (replaced it twice -- once from the Dealership and once myself) and tends to run REALLY rich when the weather heats up. Fouling plugs is not uncommon. Also, Harleys are all air-cooled (with the exceptiong of the V-Rod, which is an AMAZING bike -- if you get the chance, ride one) so they have a hard time in traffic in hotter climates (I live in Texas -- VERY HOT). I have had my Road King simply get too hot and quit on me a few times. Never happens with my imports.

The long and the short of it is this: What do you want to use the bike for? If you are going to be riding every day like I do and you can only afford one bike, then get something from Honda or Suzuki or BMW. These are high quality machines with a lone life and no real troubles to speak of. But if you are a RUB (thats Rich Urban Biker -- someone who just likes the IDEA of riding) then buy the Harley. For weekends and roadtrips in pleasant weather, you can't do better. A lot of people like the Harleys better based on the image, not the machine itself. So if you want image, yeah, get a Harley. If you want a bike that will run for years and give you no headaches, look elsewhere.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Not by a long shot. Even though they've improved their engine and added some extra comfort, I wouldn't consider a Harley the Ultimate Road bike.

I ride an 82 Suzuki GS850L and I can corner, brake, excelerate and do just about anything better than any style Harley and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg for it. Mines a very comfortable and worthy road bike - dare I say the Ultimate Raod Bike!

Harley Davidson motorcycles are very overrated and very expensive to buy and maintain. Stick to a Honda Gold Wing or some of the nice cruisers that Suzuki, Yahama, Honda or Kawasaki have.

As for Triumph, I'm getting rather impressed by their retro style lately and am really thinking of purchasing their Tiger Model - a 955 CC - 3 cyl bike - an Endro style bike - check it out at the site below;

Answer 3

Buy the Harley if you want style over substance. Harleys retain their value better than any other bike being worth nearly their purchace price 10 years later.
The new Triumph is a great bike, truely a monster. It is not for the timid. I imagine that 10 years from now it will be an oddity worth a few grand.
So, Triumph a flash in the pan. Impressive for a year. The Harley (particularly a Road King) will be an ok bike for speed and power but it will last and be worth something when you sell it to buy a house.

Answer 4

It depends on what you want from your bike.

Harleys bring with them a certain mystique and automatic membership in a certain segment of society. Harley riders just have a special connection that you can only understand after owning one. But, make sure you get a big twin engine, not a sportster or a v-rod.

Although Harleys are continuing to improve mechanically, other bikes are still superior in handling, power, fuel economy, and ride comfort. So, If you want a cool bike to ride for short distances and can handle the vibration and unreliable nature of a Harley, buy one. If you are interested in a better handling, technically superior bike, without the Harley mystique, buy the Triumph. By the way, the older Thriumph motorcycles do have a special following, a group of people dedicated to the motorcycles and keeping them running. However, it is much smaller and I have yet to meet a woman that understood the history behind Triumph motorcycles (I'm sure they exist... I just haven't met one yet).

Answer 5

I have owned many harleys .In the early 80s when amf owned most of the company Thay had there problems.But when there was a buyout things got a whole lot better.Todays harleys have all the bugs worked out .I would go with a 2007 model bigger motor and a 6 speed.i own a 77 xl1000 . 04 xl1200r with 108 hp and a 2007 v-rod nightrod special .Cant go wrong with a harley davidson.my v-rod can go 153 mph and gets 52 mpg.get a harley and see what fun everyone is haveing

Answer 6

A 10 year old Harley DOES NOT keep almost all of its value, its a 10 year old piece of crap. Don't give in to the hype or believe that a bike will retain value. It only retains value if you have no buyer, or find a rube who is easily separated from his cash.

Just try to sell one and you will understand. The Triumph is a great bike, easily maintained and has more power than a Harley's weak underachieving powerplant.

Harley's are more often for sale, because they SUCK....and if you look closely at the ones selling on ebay, they almost never hit the "reserve price" and go unsold.

Answer 7

Definitely go for the Harley! Harleys are the sexiest bikes ever, and most women would rather ride with a Harley man! There's nothing wrong with a Triumph, unless you wanna ride alone! ;)

Answer 8

If you want a good Harley road bike, go with the Road King. They have good sized saddlebags and are very comfortable for two. You can take the windshield on and off, depending on your mood if you want wind in the face or additional bugs-in-your teeth protection. I don't own one, but I rented one in Hawaii and it was a wonderful cruiser. For smoothness, it's ok up to around 95 mph, but over that, its kind of buffety. The Road King, I think, is Harley's most beautiful bike. I don't know much about the new Triumphs.

I tend to like bikes that are smooth well into triple digits, but that's me. For that you will want a bike like a ZX-14, ZX-11, CBR1000F Hurricane, CBRXX, FJ1300, ST1100, Goldwing, Valkarie, etc. The 1st 3 on that list I've owned, so I know their good roadworthiness. The others I 've ridden or know guys that have one and brag about them.

Answer 9

Ultimate is purely subjective to what you are looking for in a motorcycle. I doubt that any Harley can be called the ultimate road bike, however. They are fun though, and it is doubtful you would regret purchasing one. I like the Triumphs too, though. My solution? Buy one of each!

Answer 10

Ya know, HD used to be a rebel's bike. You'd see some rough biker guy all 'tatted out cruising down the freeway. Now buying a HD is a rite of passage for all middle-aged dentists. Did you know HD now outsells Honda? Honda?!! You should buy the Triumph Daytona 675, you'd be a center attraction at bike night.