Honda motorcyle or harley?

Question

what motorcyle is better for quality, reliability. i do not care for looks i just do not want to be in the shop all the time?

Answer 1

Honestly. It depends upon what you want it for. I have been riding for 42 years and in that time have had several of both. Honda is very very reliable. Harley's, if you don't screw with them or get the "Sportster" are not too bad but, on the average, require more upkeep. Harley-Davidson are good bikes for the person who likes to fiddle (there are a lot of us) with the bike, change it, fix it up, etc. but they are not so good if all you want to do is change the oil and tires. The difference in mostly in that engineering. Harleys, except for the V-rod which really isn't a Harley but closer to a BMW, are air cooled. The engines are more susceptible to heat erosion, especially on the back cylinder. Most Hondas, at least the larger ones, are water cooled and more in line with the car engine. Harleys are "cool" but Hondas more dependable. Either way, it's great to be a rider of either.

PS: I now own a 2000 BMW R1100RT. I bought it new and have 63K on it. I have done all of the maintenance myself. Brake pads, 2 sets of plugs, air filter, synthetic oil change ever 12,000 and a filter change ever 4. About 10 sets of tires is the only PitA. This bike is the best one I have ever owned.

Enjoy

Answer 2

I've had both, Honda and Harley
The Harley I had was a red 2001 Road King Classic, it was the most beautiful bike I ever owned. But it was also the most expensive. Harley's have a great sound and look to them, but they are not a superior motorcycle as far as being reliable or in their operating. It bothered me having so much money tied up in a motorcycle ($15000)

I just sold the Road King and am about to buy a used Honda Shadow Sabre which is one year newer than the Harley with 1/3 the miles on it for 1/3 the price. I'll probably never buy another Harley.

Answer 3

If you are buying new bike, you can't go wrong with either. Harley has improved leaps and bounds over the last decade or so. Honda has a reputation for quality. I have noticed little things on my Hondas that don't seem logical, but all in all they are great machines. Harley Davidson got a bad reputation because they made some real stinkers in the 70's and 80's, but since then, they have brought their bikes up to the same levels of quality and reliability as the Japs. Personally, I'd buy the Harley.

Answer 4

harley's are for the type that says 'i really want a harley'. there's plenty of honda riders that deep down, they'd rather be on a harley.
bottom line is, if u dont do the simple task of checking/changing the oil when ur supposed to, neither bike will last for very long. before too long, all bikes will be water cooled. air cooled is a part of an icon of americana.
seems no1 can get past the dark days of amf. i dont baby my bike in turns, but in the past 2 years i've owned the sporty, it's never broke down on me, it's never leaked so much as a drop of oil, and it starts reliably when i hit the key. i tend to belive there's a lot of 'i wish i had a harley' goin on around here, and they just wont admit it....they just dont have deep enough pockets, or the real desire to ride harley.

Answer 5

Goldwings are excessive high quality, besides the shown fact that so are the Harleys. I even have the two a honda and a harley and notwithstanding my honda has been a excessive high quality trip for the previous 22 years I truthfully desire the harley for sheer relish driving. It has greater ability and a greater robust experience on the line (abit greater vibration thou). the single element i think it incredibly is maximum excessive is the Harley is American, the place fairly some our funds is out sorced to different worldwide places i think of we would desire to consistently help our very own. I say circulate Harley.

Answer 6

I went with a 2006 Honda Shadow Aero.
It's a 750. It has plenty of go to make highway riding a breeze.
For reliability and looks you won't be disappointed.

I would have gotten a harley, but I couldn't afford the trailer. LOL
Anyway for about $7000, the down payment on a harley, I got a new bike and a title. And it rides just as good without the frequent shop visits and parts falling off.

Answer 7

Harley-if you want a bike with comfort and power
Honda-if you just want one or the other
i have had a Harley Honda and Suzuki out of the three the Harley was the only one that delivered everything that i wanted

Answer 8

Honda's are historically more reliable, but over the past few years Harley's have come a long way. Guess it just depends on how deep your pockets are.

Answer 9

the Honda will be trouble free. The Harley is 1920 tech. for 2007 prices. The only reason they are any better than they were 100 years ago is the metallurgy is better today. The Honda will have longer service intervals 16000 mile valve adjustments and be cheaper to maintain. You would be lucky if the Harley didn't need a rebuild. My freinds 2003 fat crap(pcosht) lost oil pressure and the Harley shop said it was because he used synthetic oil. I guess the motors are more advanced than i thought. He had 50000 miles on his cbr1000 when he decided to become a tough guy Harley rider. 12000 miles later and a piece of trash in the garage he's changed his mind

Answer 10

Flip a coin.
Nowadays they are both good.
Honda has a reputation for reliability. Harley has changed thiers.
No more oil spots! I own and ride both a Honda and a Harley.
Oils, filters, and tires have been my only expenses on both.
That's right, I didn't change my spark plugs.