if harley davidsons are such piecfs of s#it then why are most of the rice burners trying to copy them?

Question

and sound like them

Answer 1

Doggzilla - 108,000 is only impressive because it *is* a Harley. Look at the odo on some 1500 'Wings. I've seen several with over 300,000 on them. The first one I ever rode had 155,000 on it when I got aboard.

Comparing V-twins, I know of some Kaw VN1500's that have over 100,000 miles on them and they're still going strong. In fact, one of them took off *riding* to Sturgis last week.

Bring your squawking buzzard on...

Honda Guy - I bought my v-twin for a couple of reasons;

Ergonomics. The bike sits comfortably and is easy to handle in all situations. My wife and I ride for hundreds of miles at a time an find ourselves on mountain roads, interstates and congested city traffic.

Features. I was basically looking for a touring bike, but didn't want the upright riding position that 'Wings and BMW's offered. Nor did I want the more...'aggressive' riding position of the sport tourers, though I have to admit the ST1300 is a sweet looking bike.

Being on a budget (got a kid in college, a mortage, multiple car payments, you know...life), you tell me what other choices did I have?

Now that I have had the bike and riden it thousands of trouble free miles, I really do like the thing. It's a tractor, not sport bike, but thats cool.

All of this hoo-ha about the Japaneese 'copying' Harley is nothing but the inflated ego's of Harley owners showing itself. The metric bikes actually have very little in common with an HD, outside of a V-twin configuration and the 'crusier' riding position.

What Harley did was define a market. They invented the crusier and to a point the long distance tourer. Then, and this is where they showed thier corporate savvy and really, genuis, they focused their marketing stratagy to sell a lifestyle and not a machine. Think about every Harley TV ad you've seen recently. Where's the bike? The only time you see one they briefly show a V-Rod, and even then the focus is on the lifestyle, not the product.

To carry this thought one step further, if it's fair to say that every V-twin crusier style bike built is trying to copy a Harley you'd have to also say that every in line four bike is copying an early CB750 Honda. Or that every two stroke dirt bike is copying a CZ. Or that every two seater convertable is copying...I don't know...an MG. Whatever.

You have to look at this for what it is, these are products that are targeted to specific markets. As bad as some people hate to admit it, they all pretty much fill the bill for someone for their own reasons. Plus, when your really think about it, there ain't a bad one in the bunch. Period.

Real riders don't care, they just want to ride...

Answer 2

Marketing, marketing, marketing. I do find it funny that so many people get so wrapped up in this argument though. There is no "one best motorcycle". There is a "best motorcycle for you". I have friends that ride Jap bikes, European bikes, and American bikes. My old man is in the Vietnam Vets Club, and a lot of them are switching over to BMW's, simply to improve ride quality for long hauls. (Arthritis is a *****). The one absolute defense I will put up for Harley Davidson is the fact that if you own a 1949 HD, you can still get any part you will ever need for it. If you own an 84 Gold Wing, you are pretty much screwed. HD is a mechanic's bike, designed to be worked on. Nobody else can make this claim. Are they less reliable? That depends, are you a shitty mechanic?

Answer 3

I guess the sons of Nippon finally figured out what style scoot sells best to a large percentage of bike buyers. Time will tell if the kamikaze kids got it right. You don't see too many '55 highway cruisers flyin' the Rising Sun, but Pans, Knuckles & Shovelheads run on for 20,30, 40yrs or more. See ya around 2040 & I'll bet there will still be a large # of old Harleys still rollin' down the road.

Answer 4

The JAPS could not sell there junk till they copyed the HARLEY

back in 80 seen jap vfour three years old still on the show room

The jap riders don't like the HARLEY but they want there bike to look an sound like a HARLEY at a cheaper price

Answer 5

Let's turn the question around- if "rice burners" suck so bad, why did Harley branch out to the streetbike market with Buell?

And why, if HD's technology is so great, did NEITHER of the Buell XB12RRs even FINISH the Daytona 200? There's already a dominant V-twin sportbike in AMA racing, and it's Italian.

Answer 6

Harley Davidson had a large share of the American motorcycle market, primarily with Cruiser style cycles.
The Japanese companies had thier share, but it was with Sport style bikes.
It's like any other business. If you want to take the other guy's sales, you need a similar product.
Otherwise, it's like trying to sell Yugos in a truck market.


BluffMike-- come ride with me.
I'll take the truck if you really want

Answer 7

All buttheads need to Stop hating on Harleys. Ive owned the Jap bikes and now I own a Halrey. Ill not go back to the jap bikes. The bottom line is...your choice of rides is a personal thing. Im glad everyone likes their ride. Jap bike or otherwise. But dont call my ride a Piece of Crap just cause you dont like my choice. I certainly wouldnt call your ride crappy. Just wave as we pass each other on the road...and enjoy the summer.

Answer 8

Its about marketing, plus Harley has made great improvement to their bikes. But jap bikes are still better. But the v twin looks are for yuppies and lawyers wanting to buy there manhood. But if theres a market you sell in it. The only thing on a harley that is better than jap bikes is their paint very hi quality. But any harley rider can kiis my *** on my cbr1100xx

Answer 9

Seems that many folks like the Harley look, but not the unreliable air-cooled engines and high ticket prices.

The Japanese manufacturers took a popular body style, added more reliable liquid-cooled engines, and sell the bikes for $5-10k less.

Capitalism at its best!!

Answer 10

To te gentleman who has 108,000 on his Hog. If this is on an engine and tranny never rebuilt, never had the head gaskets replaced, or alternator or any thing other than oil, filters, plugs and tires, than my man you are a genious, and a maintenance mechanic of the highest stature. And my cap is off to you. I have worked on, rode, sold motorcycles for over 30 years and I have rarely seen a Hog break 100,000 miles with out a rebuild. Dont get me wrong, i likem and ridem, but they take mucho maintenance. On the other hand, I have seen many Honda Gold Wings, touring with way over 200,000 miles still putting, and passing my butt, with only routine maintenance. Oil changes, a set of plugs, 1 set of belts and a valve adjustment, every 32000 miles will get a Wing to 100,000 miles,barely broken in. At 118 HP, 120 ft. lbs. of torque, you do not need a stage 1, 2, or 3 to make it run.. The in thing , ( and I mean no disrespect to Real riders, H.D. or any other brand) is to have a H.D. to prove your machismo, even if you dont ride it. It is the same type of trip as the idiot who has never rode, but takes a two day course at best, and plunks down 12-14 k for a 165 H.P. , 380 lb., 190 mph, Sport bike. They are going down, or they will be a hood ornament for a Semi. Because their friend has one. Its all cool. lt With the population hitting their golden years, it's "How much macho can my dollars buy?) Thats why the market for all used bikes, including H.D.s is so soft the last 18 months. Credit unions and finance companys, and banks are loaded with repos. Look on line at the umber of H.Ds and other brands. I personally bought over 50 used 98-2004 H.D.s in the winter of 03-04 at low wholesale book or below, with less than 5,000 miles on them.Even 03 100th Anniversary models with 95 inch motors and total investments of $30-32K in them. $14-16 K wholesale. A big drop for bikes with less than 1000 miles on them,.H.D.tecnology is improved, but other than the great paint jobs, and the expensive genuine H.D. accessories tha are made in CHINA, (look on the packages,) they are still in need of more technology, and lower maintenance to keep the average buyer in the market happy. But that is o.k. because the stock is up, and the dealers are really well off. Rice Burners, thats a little passe my young friend. That was a term coined for the two stroke street bikes of the late 60s, and early 70s. What about the Polaris, Big Dog, Indians, and a hundred other clone bikes with Sand S motors, are the trying to emulate H.D.? Maybe, or maybe it is just a good configuration for a modern custom street bike.Why do the other cruisers sound like a H.D. All of them do not. The water cooled engines like Hondas 104 HP, 118 lbs of torque stock, VTX1800, does not and never will sound like a HD. or a Yamaha 1100, 1600, 1700, or the 113 inch 100 hp Stratoliner. The Yammys sound exactly like the H.D. if they have the same pipes, because it the same type of engine. Air cooled, with an offsett rear cylinder.Finally there is no bike built any where that is 100 percent genuine American. The current H.D.s are combination metric, and S.A.E. nuts and bolts. The H.D.s have American, Japanese, Chinese, and German parts. Honda builds all Wings in the U.S.A. since 84.About 75% of it is American MFG. the rest from Japan. So what. Many other Hondas and Yammys are built, or at worst partially mfg. here, and some of the dirt stuff in Brazil, and Taiwan, I answer why do all the MFG. make V-Twin cruisers, because too many people grew up with out ever riding a good four cylinder bike. LOL. No really,the V-Twin is a good engine for bikes, and popular in any Mfg. However H.D. did not invent the V-Twin, but did bring it to the popularity it now shares. Would you say that Ford copied Chevy who copied Dodge in pickups? No they all have 4 wheels, a cab, and a bed. All Cruisers, or most have two wheels, a V-Twin, and a set of handlebars, with a seat for your butt. Simple ergnomics. If every one would quit worring about what is best, what fulfills there fantasy on two wheels, and just ride the damn things, we would not be paying so much for them, and we could all ride easy. Any way, I apologize for being a bit carried away about this, but after 50 years since I set on my first H.D., my dads old 45, and 30 plus years in the industry, I think I have seen it and heard it all a thousand times. Buy what you like, and ride what you buy..