Harley Davidson Independence.?

Question

Do you remember when a Harley was bought and ridden as a statemement of freedom and independence? Now they are bought as a statement of independence so that the owners can be like the the rest of the guys.

Answer 1

It doesn't matter "what you ride", it's "do you ride", go out and have fun and don't worry about what the other guy rides. And ride safe, that's all that matters.

Answer 2

I don't know what you're talking about.I've owned Harleys since the early 70's.It didn't have anything to do with independence, it's just what I do.I don't care what everyone else rides,my best friend rides a Gold Wing and I compliment him when he makes improvements and he does likewise.I don't know why people can't ride what they like and not worry about other people and what they ride.This would be a better forum if everyone would respect each other as fellow riders instead of complaining about what the next guy rides.

Answer 3

Gary M has it backwards: I can't remember the last honda I saw from the 60's but I go to field meets and car / bike shows and see Harleys from the early 00,s up through the present and their value is through the roof. I remember when Harleys were bought as a statement for "BUY AMERICAN" I do remember when owning and traveling around on any motorcycle meant being a "REBEL" and wild and free as a bird to go where a car can't!!! Today ,people buy them for whatever reason,looks, sound,looks, more than anything and name "HARLEY DAVIDSON" an American icon that has been around for more than a century

Answer 4

I've been riding since I was a kid (5 years old) MX , desert,Production class GranPrix and Drag. When I was younger and couldn't afford a Harley, I talked $hit about them too. All the while knowing *One Day* Well Jap bikes have their place,but I won't ride anything but Harley. I'm not going backward or down grading to a Jap bike .I love my Harley and it has Never let me down. I've taken it from California to Sturgis raced in the "run what you brung" and rode home w/o a problem. The bikes that have broken down on me were Japanese not American.I wouldn't call owning a Harley a statement of independence as much as I would call it a sense of FREEDOM!

Answer 5

It's a new one because it took me 20+ years to get it.
The reason I got it is still 20+ years old.
I got my freedom and independence, as you put it, on a Honda.

I've never been like "the rest of the guys", and other Harley owners think what I have done with mine borders on blasphemy...

Answer 6

They were bought and ridden because they were the biggest fastest motorcycle available in the US from1953 till the 80s. In the mid 80s there was a huge tax on Jap bikes over 700cc. That was to protect HD from going under as a company. Later, the idea of buying American, freedom, Independence and the whole HD marketing scheme ( a work of genius, BTW) got rolling and better faster motorcycles were imported. Now, its a status bike and a yuppie fashion statement.

Answer 7

I didn't get mine to be like the other guys. Oh wait I'm a girl. I would not trade my pipes for any other kind

Answer 8

back in the 60s you couldnt give one away. A $400 Honda would blow the entire line away, and those same bikes are still running.
Try to find any HD over 10 yrs old with untouched engine!
Even today!

Answer 9

No, I do not remember. I do remember that Honda made a lot better bikes though. Wait a minute, I forgot. They still do.

Answer 10

Yeah lots of "Me too-ism" in HD, way too much.