Can you believe how many idiots that have never rode a Harley think they actually know something about them?Why do they think that jap junk even compares?Would you still ride if you had to ride a rice grinder?
2007-02-14 17:00:27 · 22 answers · asked by bill b 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
NO. At first I thought yes as riding is still riding. I started on Honda's in the 60's and I've ridden most every kind of bike since. However, after giving it some thought if I had to give up my Road King I believe I'd hang it up and go fishing.
Just my personal decision, if others want to ride japan bikes that's theirs. As for the "do they compare" question that's one of those zen trick questions I guess. The answer = yes (both are motorcycles) and no (if I had to explain it you wouldn't understand.;-)
2007-02-14 20:01:59 · answer #1 · answered by RoscoB 2 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I rode Harley-Davidsons for years, and I don't object to their bikes one bit. Although I am no fan of the V-Rod, I just don't like it.
I've also been a biker for 27 years, and have ridden alot of bikes. I don't see anything wrong with Japanese cruisers whatsoever. The only reason why people think badly of them is because Harley riders want to keep the two cruiser worlds separate. It has nothing to do with the quality of the motorcycles.
A H-D Road King runs almost $18,000-$20,000 depending where you get it, and what you get on it. It's got a 88ci motor on it stock. No bells or frills. Just the basics. You can buy a Yamaha Roadstar 1700 ( 101ci ) that has more options on it, runs just as good as the Road King or better, is $5000 cheaper, and has the same grunt and sound the Harley has. Maintenance is easier, and cheaper than the H-D's.
Mind you, I'm not trashing Harley's here. Love them. But I also am not prejudiced against other bikes either. If the bike is well built, has good options, easy maintenance, good handling, and is affordable, then that certainly is a reason to check into them.
The Jap bikes are far from "junk". They're pretty doggone reliable.
2007-02-14 17:14:08 · answer #2 · answered by C J 6 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Sorry, bill. Never said I knew much about them. That's why I read my manual. I never actually had a chance to compare. The newest Japanese bike I ever rode was an '84. The only HD I rode is my new Superglide. Kinda like comparing eggs to apples. I have to say yes to your last part because I bought an '80 model Honda in April, before I knew I was getting the HD in July.
I have come to find out that I am biased in many respects.
As far as automobiles go, I prefer the unique ride and reliability of my '71 International pickup over any car.
Every body has an opinion. In most cases they don't matter to me.
I said it to the other guys and it fits here too.
Ride your own, leave mine alone.
2007-02-15 02:56:12 · answer #3 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LOL *shakes head* Dude, we can read. We can study. The fact of the matter is, in most circumstances, it's people who are anti-something that know the most about that something - because they have taken the time to learn about it.
I use the word "anti" loosely. Many people don't choose to buy harleys for a myriad of reasons - it doesn't mean they are anti-harley. Any more than I am anti-Audi just because I don't own one.
You are under the impression that once seated on a harley, one is immediately overcome with love. I've been on one, and while I enjoyed my ride, I still prefer what I have.
Silly boy!
2007-02-15 01:02:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yeah ,I know what you're saying. I think it's a jealousy thing, they can't handle or afford a Harley so they 'dis' them to compensate. I have had my share of Jap bikes and a couple of English as well . When I finally made my way *UP* to Harley ,I knew I'd found the bike for me (20 years ago). I still have a couple of dirt bikes that are Jap, but that's only because the Roadking doesn't jump so well and I have trouble with the FXR in the sand. But for touring, cruising or even raising some hell in the canyons Harley is my bike. As to your final question ,Yes ,if I was too poor or too scared to ride a Harley, I would still ride, just like I did as a boy on imports.
2007-02-14 18:19:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Watch human beings status at a bus end even as a noisy motorbike is going through: they're startled and stare on the motorbike AFTER it has lengthy previous through. Why? because the sound comes out the lower back, for sure. they are not forewarned of the presence of the motorbike because it techniques, in trouble-free words annoyed through it because it leaves. NO study has EVER found a correlation between loud pipes and lives saved: NONE! Harley riders (and others) get excitement from loud pipes because they imagine they're cool. No different reason. i imagine they're incorrect. yet another factor: Harley riders also like to positioned on leather-depending chaps. regrettably, very virtually all riders who crash will land on their rear end, it truly is unprotected through chaps, because it truly is close to the human body's centre of mass. that is purely yet another party of function being sacrificed in the call of opt for, as is the case with "beanie" helmets (or no helmet in any respect), fingerless gloves, sleeveless jackets, even leather-depending halter tops for the girls! yet i'm being unfair: the sportbike crowd has its personal percentage of T-blouse, shorts-and-sandals riders: image principally else!
2016-11-28 04:02:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Harley builds a bike I want to ride I'll think about buying one. I've ridden a few and they're just not for me.
In the mean time I'll stick to my "rice grinders" and whatever nasty little name you want to use for my British bike.
2007-02-15 01:02:22 · answer #7 · answered by Bob 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
All motorcyclists are family as far as I'm concerned, and they all deserve a wave when I'm on the road. The REAL bikers wave back, but guys like you are too scared to take a hand off the bars long enough to do so.
Sportbikes are faster than cruisers in every circumstance. Faster in acceleration, faster top speed, and faster in corners. All the times that I'm riding in the canyons and get stuck behind cruisers, they take 50mph corners at 15mph!
If you want performance, you get a sportbike. If you want slow sightseeing (or you're a yuppie with a mid-life crisis), get a Harley.
Either way, I'll still give you a wave.
2007-02-15 01:12:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have ridden for 22 years now,I have seen the jap crap come a long ways,Yamaha,and kawasaki put out some nice cruisers,as for crotch rockeys I dont care for them,I have owned harleys and have seen them come a long ways also,A bike is a bike to me.
2007-02-15 02:53:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I own a 55 FL and a 42UL. I will gladly put my bikes up against any 52 or 65 year old jap bikes in the quarter any time. I'm sure I'll get lots of takers because so many antique jappers still on the road !!!
2007-02-15 00:11:33 · answer #10 · answered by jrrysimmons 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I know where you are going with this ,It's a stereo typical image of your local hog chapter.Most members are posers at their finest.
Do I think jap compares ? No. Reason being , the old ones are hard to acquire parts for and they have no resale value.
Sure , I would ride a Boss Hoss.Always said If I decide to build another ,That's what it is going to be.
2007-02-14 20:00:29 · answer #11 · answered by Skull 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋