I'm a bit confused. Japanese manufacturers make very similar looking/sounding/feeling cruisers as Harley-Davidson. However, the reliability of the Jap. bike is much higher than the American one (reflecting the automotive industry). The thing that differs from the auto industry is the American bike is grossly more expensive than the Jap one.
Is it really just heritage/patriotism that's keeping these Harleys on the road? I'm sorry, that seems silly to me.
2007-02-12 08:45:44 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I own 4 Harleys none have ever left me stranded.One is a '59 Panhead.Anyone got a '59 Honda they'd care to put on the line?
2007-02-12 14:38:38 · answer #1 · answered by bill b 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That's kind of an odd choice, a Harley which will be pretty expensive and at least 883cc or any 500cc bike. I'm about your age, I'm more into cruisers than sport bikes but personally I'm not crazy about Harleys. If I had the money I might buy one but personally I think you can get a much better Jap cruiser for 1/4 of the price of a Harley. I also think Jap bikes ride better and are more reliable. I really like the V-Stars, I think they make a 650. I also like the Suzuki Intruders as well, they are shaft drive which is great.
2016-05-24 02:10:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've ridden Honda,Kawasaki,Yamaha. All good bikes,reliable and cheaper, but like many of you know that have a Harley, there really isn't anything like the experience of the sound, feel, and the look of a Harley. There seems to be alot of issues concerning the differences of all bikes with price being the main issue. But really now, it's all a preference. There's really no reason to get all heated up over an issue that no one is going to agree on. Hell, all you people just as well be talking about politics or religion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so lets talk about the good things of riding a bike, the FREEDOM, THE RUSH, or whatever you want to call it of riding your own bike no matter what the make. When and if I see any of you on the road I'll give you a wave and we'll both go down the road happily ever after.
2007-02-12 14:26:18 · answer #3 · answered by Bear 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Harleys are good Bikes ,Ive had a few but more into the Jap bikes thse days, for the price of a Jap Bike u cant beat it , I see a lot of bikes out on the High ways and byways thse days but the guys that ride the most are these sport bike guys, geeze it can be 30 degrees out and they still team up and ride ,besides that I notice they are all for one another and ride in big packs unlike the cruiser guys today with maybe 3 here are 5 there going down the road , I just never understood the mentality of people thinking they may be better because of there ride /peace
2007-02-12 14:02:54 · answer #4 · answered by Terry S 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Sorry to burst your bubble, but when did Jap bikes become more reliable than Harleys? I suppose if you're still thinking of the AMF years, then granted the Harleys were not as reliable. Unfortunately for you, those days are long gone. The present day Harleys are very reliable. I have never had a problem with my 2002 FXD Super Glide. I rode Suzuki and Kawasaki bikes before I started riding Harleys. They were in no way more reliable than my Harley. If you cannot afford one, that's too bad, but don't use 30 year old arguments to justify a prejudice opinion.
2007-02-12 10:56:53 · answer #5 · answered by BikerBob 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Well when I started riding bikes, finding out what bike I liked, it was during the AMF years for Harley and sorry but that is a hard thing to forget. I still consider them a bike that goes to the service station and tells them to fill'er up with oil and check the gas! Because I am an american,living in the great USA,working hard for my american dollars I will buy what I want, and that was an 800 Vulcan. Bubbly.....A Harley wanna be is someone that wears all the Harley gear and talks big on them but has never owned one. There are too many people that just buy them or talk them up to be "cool". Because of the Harley owners talking trash like on here, I would rather push my Jeep uphill, than to be seen riding a Harley! I do have alot of friends that ride Harleys and they don't talk like that and they could care less if I ride a moped. One last thing, I will admit, I read some where that 80% of all Harleys ever built are still on the road today......the other 20% made it home!
2007-02-12 10:05:24 · answer #6 · answered by Broadgonebiker 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
The argument over the best quality bike I'll leave to the hardcore fans, but Harley-Davidson bikes are different from any other vehicle made in America; a whole subculture has grown around them and HD is at its heart. The AMC years were definitely difficult, but the current bikes are definitely well-made. Quality levels between the two simply isn't the wide gap it used to be.
2007-02-12 08:57:41 · answer #7 · answered by wanfuforever 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have put 18,000 miles on a Harley fxdwg in the last 4 years without any problems, breakdowns etc. Harleys are reliable, hold their resale value better than any other bike and are the real deal. Any Japanese 'copy' cruiser is an inferior because it is hust that....an inferior copy. Oh and by the way I've owned a kawasaki vn & a Yamaha Dragstar in the past so I'm not just a Harley only person. The Japanese bikes rusted a lot quicker than the Harley and the chrome started to flake off them within a year of purchase. They also sounded flatulent compared to a set of Vance & Hines on a 1450. The Harley is a way of life.....
2007-02-12 09:04:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
It's really just a matter of personal preference as far as the overall bike. A new Harley is just as reliable as almost anything else on the market (one might even remove the word 'almost' from that statement since Honda discontinued the CB750 after 03).
2007-02-12 13:30:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Another one that knows less than I. At least I know that HDs are nothing like they used to be. The manufacturing quality has improved a great deal since the AMF days. Had to, or they would have gone under. Were going under - why else sell it to the employees? The new ones don't quite SOUND like the old ones, and they certainly don't FEEL like the old ones. Balanced engines and rubber mounts did more than just get rid of the "shake". The current engine/transmission set-up is as rigid as any single case design. As far as the guy that likes "choppers", where do you think they came from? A collection of old design aftermarket HD parts bolted together by somebody that calls themselves a "builder"!
I could have had what others call "more reliable", but I think I'll rely on the Unlimited Mileage warranty.
2007-02-12 09:57:45 · answer #10 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋